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

O this, this is the reason why so many millions of professors miscarry everlastingly, and never come to desire the friendship of God, because they never believed that they were any otherwise then friends, they do not suspect themselves at all, but think that they are rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, whereas the Lord knows, and Christians know too, that they are poor, and blind, and naked. But now, when men begin to be thoroughly sensible of his enmity that is in their natures against God; when they see what mutinies and rebellions there are in them against their most gracious Lord and King; and when they are made to understand the consequences of this War, then how sensibly do they cry out, what shall they do? was there ever any poor wretched creatures in worse condition then themselves? was ever any ones heart worse then theirs? are there any out of hell that are such Monsters of sin as they are? O what shall they do? they see the Fire kindled, and themselves hanging over everlasting burnings: now all the world for a Christ; they believe now that God and Man are not equals; that there is no contending with the Almighty: who can stand before his indignation? and when they see Gods Sword drawn, and the point of it set against their heart, when they behold the terrors of the ⟨p. 289⟩Lord setting themselves in array against them, and themselves like to lose all, then how welcome would the news of a Parley be? How glad would they be then to hear of a Pardon? Then down go their weapons; they will sooner come before God with a Halter about their Necks, than a Sword by their sides; they will fight now with no other weapons but Tears and Prayers: As for their Armour, they break it in pieces, and lay it at the feet of their offended Prince; and O if they might but have any hopes of pardon, it would revive their hearts; if they might have but a look of kindness from God, it would be a greater comfort to them than all the whole World besides could afford them. To whom can a skilful Physician be more welcome, than to the sick? Christ came to seek the lost, and such as these we are sent to encourage: But till the soul comes to this pass, a Christ is not valued at all by it: If sinners be not made thus to understand themselves, why, though we should plead with never so much earnestness with them, we do but beat the air;

O this, this is the reason why so many millions of professors miscarry everlastingly, and never come to desire the friendship of God, because they never believed that they were any otherwise then friends, they do not suspect themselves at all, but think that they are rich, and encreased in goods, and have need of nothing, whereas the Lord knows, and Christians know too, that they are poor, and blind, and naked. But now, when men begin to be thorowly sensible of his enmity that is in their natures against God; when they see what mutinies and rebellions there are in them against their most gracious Lord and King; and when they are made to understand the consequences of this War, then how sensibly do they cry out, what shall they do? was there ever any poor wretched creatures in worse condition then themselves? was ever any ones heart worse then theirs? are there any out of hell that are such Monsters of sin as they are? O what shall they do? they see the Fire kindled, and themselves hanging over everlasting burnings: now all the world for a Christ; they believe now that God and Man are not equals; that there is no contending with the Almighty: who can stand before his indignation? and when they see Gods Sword drawn, and the poynt of it set against their heart, when they behold the terrours of the