A77608:228
Heaven on Earth
Heaven on earth or a serious discourse touching a well-grounded assurance of mens everlasting happiness and blessedness. Discovering the nature of assurance, the possibility of attaining it, the causes, springs, and degrees of it, with the resolution of several weighty questions. By Thomas Brooks, preacher of the Gospel at Margarets Fishstreet-Hill.Heaven on earth or a serious discourse touching a wel-grounded assurance of mens everlasting happiness and blessedness. Discovering the nature of assurance, the possibility of attaining it, the causes, springs, and degrees of it, with the resolution of several weighty questions. By Thomas Brooks, preacher of the Gospel at Margarets Fishstreet-Hill.
London: printed by R.I. for John Hancock, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now thy wisdom, and thy work, O doubting soul, lieth not in disputing, but in believing, praying, and waiting on God. No way to Heaven, no way to assurance like this; Adam disputes with Satan, and falls, and loses Paradise; Job believes, and resists Satan, and stands, and conquers upon the Dunghill. When Satan, O trembling soul, would engage thee in disputes about this or that, say to him, Satan,1 Revealed things belong to me, but secret things belong to the Lord. It is dangerous to be curious in prying into hidden matters, and careless, and negligent in observing known Laws: say to him, Satan, thou hast been a liar, and a murderer 2from the beginning; thou art a profest enemy to the Saints confidence, and assurance, to their consolation and ⟨p. 182⟩salvation: If thou hast any thing to say, say it to my Christ, he is my comfort and crown, my joy and strength, my redeemer and intercessor, and he shall plead for me. Ah Christians, if you would but leave disputing, and be much in believing, and in obeying, assurance would attend you; and you should Lye down in peace, and take 3your rest, and none should make you afraid.
Now thy wisdom, and thy work, O doubting soul, lieth not in disputing, but in believing, praying, and waiting on God. No way to Heaven, no way to assurance like this; Adam disputes with Satan, and falls, and loses Paradise; Job believes, and resists Satan, and stands, and conquers upon the Dunghil. When Satan, O trembling soul, would engage thee in disputes about this or that, say to him, Satan,1 Revealed things belong to me, but secret things belong to the Lord. It is dangerous to be curious in prying into hidden matters, and careless, and negligent in observing known Laws: say to him, Satan, thou hast been a lyer, and a murderer 2from the beginning; thou art a profest enemy to the Saints confidence, and assurance, to their consolation and ⟨p. 182⟩