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

Let me, the ⟨p. 271⟩meanest of ten thousand, tell the stiffest Atheist in the world, that I have seen these things so realized, that I shall sooner believe that I am turned to a stone, or am dead, then believe that Spirituals are nullities and fancies. I am confident if there be any credit to be given to both eyes, and ears, then these things are true; and had you seen but what I have seen in dying Saints, and heard what I have heard, you would easily have been convinced, that there is something in communion with God, something in spiritual Joys. I am sure, if there be any truth in the Scriptures, if the word of God be true, if Christ and the Apostles were not all mistaken, then these things are true. If I should tell you a business that did concern your House, or your Children, or Body, or any worldly thing whatever, upon my own personal knowledge, would you not readily assent to what I say? I am persuaded you would be far from suspecting the truth of what I affirmed; I am ready to think, that there is none of you all that think that I dare tell you that which is false. O then, Why will you not believe me in a business of far greater consequence? And if you ask me to what purpose do I spend so much time for nothing? What need I speak at this rate? What will I make Infidels of you all? What do I think that you are such Atheists, as not to believe that the word of God is true? Well then, you your selves are witnesses that the word of God is true, and that you do believe all that is contained in it, and by rational inferences deduced from it: I shall therefore take it for granted, that you give your assent to these things, if you be Christians in profession, your very Name speaks as ⟨p. 272⟩much. Now my next Question shall be this.

Let me, the ⟨p. 271⟩meanest of ten thousand, tell the stiffest Athiest in the world, that I have seen these things so realized, that I shall sooner believe that I am turned to a stone, or am dead, then believe that Spirituals are nullities and fancies. I am confident if there be any credit to be given to both eyes, and ears, then these things are true; and had you seen but what I have seen in dying Saints, and heard what I have heard, you would easily have been convinced, that there is something in communion with God, something in spiritual Joys. I am sure, if there be any truth in the Scriptures, if the word of God be true, if Christ and the Apostles were not all mistaken, then these things are true. If I should tell you a business that did concern your House, or your Children, or Body, or any worldly thing whatever, upon my own personal knowledg, would you not readily assent to what I say? I am perswaded you would be far from suspecting the truth of what I affirmed; I am ready to think, that there is none of you all that think that I dare tell you that which is false. O then, Why will you not believe me in a business of sar greater consequence? And if you ask me to what purpose do I spend so much time for nothing? What need I speak at this rate? What will I make Infidels of you all? What do I think that you are such Atheists, as not to believe that the word of God is true? Well then, you your selves are witnesses that the word of God is true, and that you do believe all that is contained in it, and by rational inferences deduced from it: I shall therefore take it for granted, that you give your assent to these things, if you be Christians in profession, your very Name speaks as