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

and they will tell you great things of him, and how they came first acquainted with him, and how this acquaintance hath been kept; they will tell you where they first met him, they will give you to understand, that at such and such a time, when they little thought of God, they were strangely brought acquainted with him. When they came (out of Fashion, or curiosity, or to laugh at him that taught them, or it may be to pick some Quarrel with him) to hear such a man; they were made to see what they never took any great notice of before, that they were in an undone condition by Nature, and that except Christ would pity them, there was no remedy, but to Hell they must go; whereas before they thought themselves as safe as could be: But then they saw that it was no light matter to be out of Christ, and Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel. After this, they were made to understand something of Christs undertaking for poor lost sinners, and they heard of his exceeding willingness to receive the chiefest of sinners, and that then they began to see an excellency in his love, and goodness, and to be somewhat more taken with the kindness of Christ than ever they were before, and they felt some longings after the precious Jesus, O that they had but a Christ for their Souls! and that after this they were by the Spirit of God, in some measure enabled to cast themselves at the feet of Christ for mercy, and that upon his own terms, knowing that if mercy ⟨p. 330⟩came not that way to them, they must sink for ever; and that upon this act of recumbency after they had for some time waited upon God in the way of his ordinances, they began to taste and relish the things of God, and at last they met him whom their Souls loved. Inquire of them, I say, and they will talk thus to you, and tell you also, that there was a time wherein they were foolish, disobedient, and unto every good Work Reprobate, and miserably neglectful of their Souls, that they did not at all mind their Eternal welfare, but made light of Christ, made a mock of sin, and made nothing of Eternal Damnation, And they will direct, and encourage you also. Let me tell you, they have an interest in God, and their prayers for you may be more advantageous than you are aware of. Yet I would not that you should make Christs of the Saints, nor forget what is the work of the Mediator alone.

and they will tell you great things of him, and how they came first acquainted with him, and how this acquaintance hath been kept; they will tell you where they first met him, they will give you to understand, that at such and such a time, when they little thought of God, they were strangely brought acquainted with him. When they came (out of Fashion, or curiosity, or to laugh at him that taught them, or it may be to pick some Quarrel with him) to hear such a man; they were made to see what they never took any great notice of before, that they were in an undone condition by Nature, and that except Christ would pitty them, there was no remedy, but to Hell they must go; whereas before they thought themselves as safe as could be: But then they saw that it was no light matter to be out of Christ, and Aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel. After this, they were made to understand something of Christs undertaking for poor lost sinners, and they heard of his exceeding willingness to receive the chiefest of sinners, and that then they began to see an excellency in his love, and goodness, and to be somewhat more taken with the kindness of Christ than ever they were before, and they felt some longings after the precious Jesus, O that they had but a Christ for their Souls! and that after this they were by the Spirit of God, in some measure enabled to cast themselves at the feet of Christ for mercy, and that upon his own terms, knowing that if mercy