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

But should I unriddle this Parable, who do you think would be condemned? your own mouth would accuse you, and you would be your own Judg. Thou art that man that hast dealt thus disingeniously with God, thou art that beggar to whom the Lord hath showed much kindness, and offered more; he hath sent messenger after messenger, and at last he hath sent his Son to invite thee to his own house, and he offers to make you as happy as Heaven, Glory and happiness it self can make you, and you stand still demurring, and add one delay to another, and are far from that grateful and seedy compliance which the nature of the thing doth require; and in stead of coming at Gods call, and a thankful owning of his marvellous kindness, how basely dost thou prefer thy company, thy lust before him, and offer the most intolerable affronts to his Majesty, and make nothing of his unparalleled goodness, and continuest in open rebellion against him? What then hast thou to say for thy self, why God should not with a just abhorrency cast thee off for ever? But now that God should still offer thee as high as ever, & (in stead of doing as I have said, and as you your self would have done in case of a less contempt) still follow you with such a gracious proposal as this is, that I now make unto you; ⟨p. 281⟩is it not a miracle of mercy, a prodigy of kindness?

But should I unriddle this Parable, who do you think would be condemned? your own mouth would accuse you, and you would be your own Judg. Thou art that man that hast dealt thus disingeniously with God, thou art that beggar to whom the Lord hath shewed much kindness, and offered more; he hath sent messenger after messenger, and at last he hath sent his Son to invite thee to his own house, and he offers to make you as happy as Heaven, Glory and happiness it self can make you, and you stand still demurring, and add one delay to another, and are far from that grateful and seedy compliance which the nature of the thing doth require; and in stead of coming at Gods call, and a thankful owning of his marvellous kindness, how basely dost thou prefer thy company, thy lust before him, and offer the most intollerable affronts to his Majesty, and make nothing of his unparal'd goodness, and continuest in open rebellion against him? What then hast thou to say for thy self, why God should not with a just abhorrency cast thee off for ever? But now that God should still offer thee as high as ever, & (in stead of doing as I have said, and as you your self would have done in case of a less contempt) still follow you with such a gracious proposal as this is, that I now make unto you;