Heaven upon earth, or, The best friend in the worst of times. Delivered in…

but thousands, and millions feel what the displeasure of God is, what the breach of his Covenant is, and what effects of a war with the Lord of Hosts is. O be wise by their falls, let their destruction be your instruction, take heed what you do, lest you be the next that God shall deal with as an enemy: As yet God offers to be Friends with you; but whether God will do as much to morrow as he doth to day, I do not know. I tell you but so, it's hard putting it to the venture. Remember you had large ⟨p. 249⟩proffers of Grace, and pardon made to you, God hath sent us to let you know his will and pleasure, and we demand of you from him to give us your answer speedily. And what can't you yet resolve? Is it so difficult a business to determine what to fix upon? O foolish people, and unwise? O unspeakable madness! How just must their condemnation needs be, who are offered salvation so often, and refuse it? who are so oft told of damnation, and yet run into it? in a word, who might have God for their Friend, and had rather have him for their enemy.

4. The next head of Motives, by which I might enforce this duty of acquaintance with God, may be taken from the examples of them which made all the Friends they can to get acquainted with God. Behold a cloud of witnesses, which do all with one consent speak high in the commendation of this Friend, that I am persuading you all that I can to be acquainted with. Are you wiser then all your neighbours, is the ignorant objection of some that would take it very heinously, if we should call them fools, when we put them upon a serious diligence in pursuit of the best things? Why, let me retort this objection upon themselves, are you wiser then Enoch and Noah? have you more understanding then Abraham, Isaac and Jacob? Have you more wit then David? Are you wiser then Heman, Daniel, and many others of those brave worthies, which were the wonders of the world, the Non-suches of their age, and a pattern to future Generations? This was the greatest piece of their wisdom to walk with God, this was the best of their policy to get so potent an Allie; this spake them to be men of ⟨p. 250⟩