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

Quest. 9. How would you take it at any mans hands, to be served as you serve God? Suppose you should take up a poor Child that came to your door to beg, that had scarce a rag to cover his nakedness, nor a morsel of bread to put into his mouth, and no where to hide his head; Suppose you should strip this poor beggar of his rags ⟨p. 279⟩and clothe him in very good apparel, and take him into your own house, and take as much care of him, as if he were your own child: suppose after this you should bid him do you some small piece of service, and he in stead of it should say, Command your man, and do your work your self; and in stead of answering your kindness, should offer you the greatest abuse in the world, and afterwards conspire with a company of Rogues to rob & murder you, how would you like this? should you think that such a fellow as this did not deserve a halter rather then your favour? But now, if after this you should send after this ungrateful wretch, and tell him, that you are willing to forget all that is past, and to receive him into the greatest favour, and never to cast his former wickedness in his teeth; how would you take it at his hands, if he should stand I know not how long disputing whether he should accept of your kindness or no, whether he should choose the Gaol and Gallows, or your House? but if after all this you should send messenger after messenger, and offer to give him all that you have in the World, and to bestow your only Daughter upon him, and to settle presently a great Estate upon him with her; how would you take it if this vile ungrateful beggar should put you off a great while together with some poor excuse or other? how would you like it if he should make light of all your offers, and tell you he thanks you for nothing, and should undervalue your kindness? Would you not soon resolve not to trouble your self any longer with such an unthankful monster? would you not let him take his course, and not much pity him, if he afterwards see the difference ⟨p. 280⟩serence between a Fathers house and a Gaol, between Liberty and a Prison, between Riches, Glory and Pleasure, and Poverty, Dishonour and Sorrows? would you not bid him never expect kindness more at your hands; but seeing he would not be ruled, to take what follows? What do you say, would you not do thus? I am persuaded you would.

Quest. 9. How would you take it at any mans hands, to be served as you serve God? Suppose you should take up a poor Child that came to your door to beg, that had scarce a rag to cover his nakedness, nor a morsel of bread to put into his mouth, and no where to hide his head; Suppose you should strip this poor begger of his rags