A77608:236
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.
he that will taste the Kernel, must crack the shell; he that will have the Marrow, must break the bone; he that will wear the Garland, must run the race; he that will ride in triumph, must get the victory; so he that will get Assurance, must be active and lively in duty. It is only fervent prayer that is effectual1 prayer, it is only the working prayer that works wonders in Heaven, and that brings down wonderful Assurance into the heart. Cold prayers shall never have any warm Answers, God will suit his returns to our requests; lifeless services shall have lifeless Answers; when men are dull, God will be dumb. Elijah prayed earnestly,2 or as it is in the Greek, He ⟨p. 196⟩prayed in prayer, and God answered him.3 Many there be that pray, but they do not pray in prayer, they are not lively and earnest with God in prayer; and therefore Justice shuts out their prayers. When one desired to know what kind of man Basil was, there was (saith the History) presented to him in a dream, a Pillar of fire with this Motto (Talis est Basilius) Basil is such a one, all on a light fire for God. Ah lazy doubting Christians, were you all on a light fire, in hearing, in praying, &c. It would not be long before the Windows of Heaven would be open, before God would rain down Manna, before he would drop down Assurance into your bosoms.
he that will taste the Kirnel, must crack the shell; he that will have the Marrow, must break the bone; he that will wear the Garland, must run the race; he that will ride in triumph, must get the victory; so he that will get Assurance, must be active and lively in duty. It is onely fervent prayer that is effectual1 prayer, it is onely the working prayer that works wonders in Heaven, and that brings down wonderful Assurance into the heart. Cold prayers shall never have any warm Answers, God will suit his returns to our requests; liveless services shall have liveless Answers; when men are dull, God will be dumb. Elias prayed earnestly,2