A77608:301
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.
CHAP. V. Showing the several Ways and Means of gaining a well-grounded Assurance.
CHAP. V. Shewing the several Ways and Means of gaining a wel-grounded Assurance.
First, if ever you will attain1 to Assurance, then be much in the Exercise and Actings of Grace, as the believing Ephesians were2 in the very Exercise and Actings of Grace; the Spirit of the Lord sealed them up to the day of Redemption. Assurance flows in upon the actings of Grace; assurance is bred, and fed, it is raised and maintained in the soul by the actings of Grace. Grace is most discernible, when it is most in action; and Grace is made more and more perfect by acting: Neglect of your Graces, is the ground of their decrease. Wells are the sweeter for drawing; you get nothing by dead and useless Habits. Talents hid in a Napkin, gather rust; the noblest faculties are embased, when not improved. Grace ⟨p. 273⟩in the habit, is no more discernible, then fire under the ashes, then gold in the Ore, then a dead man in the grave; but Grace in its lively actings and operations, is as a Prince upon his throne, sparkling and shining. Ah Christians, were your grace more active, it would be more visible; and were your grace more visible, your assurance would be more clear and full. As Saint Paul once spake to Timothy, Stir up the gift 3of God that is in thee. So I say to you, if ever you would have assurance, stir up the grace of God that is in you, blow up that heavenly fire, raise up those noble spirits, never cease believing, nor repenting, till it be clearly given into your bosom, that you are sure that you do believe, and that you do repent, as you are sure that you live, as you are sure that God rules in Jacob, and dwells in Zion. Remember Christians, all the honour that God hath from you in this life, is from the actings and the exercise of your grace, and not from the habits of grace. Remember Christians, that all your consolations flow not from the habits, but from the acts of grace. Remember