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

but O that these truths might have a lively, and abiding impression on mens hearts! I fear, O that they were causeless fears! I fear that most of you that have heard of these things will go away, and quickly forget what, weighty things you have heard; perhaps some of you may say, the man was very earnest, and some of his Expressions were piercing. O Friends, I hope it is not your commendation that I desire? O that I may with a single heart, respect Gods glory! I ⟨p. 266⟩say again, I would not be pleased with your praise, nor would I fear your dispraise; it's your Souls I want, and may but I manage my great work in this successfully, and see you acquainted with God, before I leave you for ever, I hope I should be contented to be trod in the dirt. O that my heart may not deceive me! O that my compassion to your souls were greater, a thousand times greater! O that I could never speak to you of such things as these without tears. I must again, and again, profess I am ashamed of my heart, that it is no more sensible of these weighty affairs! But O mighty and glorious God, if thou pleasest, thou canst out of the mouth of a Babe and Suckling, ordain strength! O that thou wouldest make the worm Jacob to thresh Mountains! O that thou wouldest make me of the most unworthy and weakest instrument, in that bonourable Service of bringing home some Souls to thy self. O if but any one Soul, if but one Soul that was estranged from God, might by these lines be brought acquainted with him, if I might prevail with any other stubborn Enemy to lay down his weapons, and be Friends with him, I should think my pains well bestowed, though (if that will make you to regard it ever the more) this work hath cost me many an hours study, and it hath been interrupted with many bodily distempers, groans and sorrows, fears and sighs. Yet if after all my travel, I may hear of any Children born of God; if I may meet but one soul the better for it, by it brought to Glory, I shall have abundant cause to bless my God, and to rejoice that my labour hath not been in vain in the Lord. But if I might have ⟨p. 267⟩more, I should have more cause to adore infinite Goodness, and rich Grace! O my dear Friends! O precious and immortal Souls! What shall I say to you? What shall I do for you? O did you but know how hardly I fetch my breath at this time, did you but see what a crazy Creature he is that writes to you;