A77608:269
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.
The fifth Motive to provoke you to1 get a well-grounded assurance, is this, Consider that a well-grounded assurance is a Jewel of that incomparable value; it is such a Pearl of price, as will abundantly recompense the soul for all the cost and charge it shall be at, to enjoy it; I, the enjoyment of2 assurance in that hour, when the soul shall sit upon thy trembling lips, ready to take her leave of thee; and all the world will richly recompense thee for all those prayers, tears, sighs, and groans, that thou hast breathed out in one place or another, in one service or another. Surely the Gold in the Mine will recompense the Digger, the Crown at the end will recompense the Runner, the Fruit in the Vineyard will recompense the Dresser, the Corn in the Barn will recompense the Reaper, and the increase of the Flock will recompense the Shepherd; so Assurance at last will abundantly recompense the soul for all its knocking, weeping, and waiting at Mercies ⟨p. 239⟩door. God will never suffer the Seed3 of Jacob to seek his face in vain: There is a reward not only in keeping,4 but also for keeping of his commands. Joseph for his thirteen years5 imprisonment, had the honour to reign fourscore years like a King. David for his seven years banishment had a glorious reign of forty years continuance. Daniel for his lying a few hours among the Lions, is made chief President over a hundred and twenty Princes. The three Children for taking a few turns in the Fiery Furnace, are advanced to great dignity and glory. Ah doubting souls, pray hard, pull hard, work hard for Assurance, the pay will answer the pains, Christ will sooner or later say to thee, as the King of Israel said to the King of Syria, I am 6thine, and all that I have. I am thine, O doubting soul, says Christ, and Assurance is thine, and Joy is thine, my Merit is thine, my Spirit is thine, and my Glory is thine; all I am is thine, and all I have is thine. O this is (Alvearium Divini Mellis) an Hive full of Divine Comfort: O this will recompense thee for all thy wrestling,