A77608:342
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.
I have read of one who was kept1 from destroying of himself (being much tempted by Satan thereunto) by remembering that there was a time, when he solemnly set himself in prayer and self-examination before the Lord, and made a diligent enquiry into his spiritual condition; and in the close of that work it was evidenced to him, that his heart was upright with God; and this kept him from laying of violent hands upon himself. O, a wise and serious observing what that testimony is, that God, Conscience, and the Word, gives in upon solemn Prayer, and self-examination, may beget strong consolation, and support the soul under the greatest affliction, and strengthen the soul against the most violent temptations, and make the soul look, and long for the day of desolation, as Princes do for their day of Coronation.
I have read of one who was kept1 from destroying of himself (being much tempted by Satan thereunto) by remembring that there was a time, when he solemnly set himself in prayer and self-examination before the Lord, and made a diligent enquiry into his spiritual condition; and in the close of that work it was evidenced to him, that his heart was upright with God; and this kept him from laying of violent hands upon himself. O, a wise and serious observing what that testimony is, that God, Conscience, and the Word, gives in upon solemn Prayer, and self-examination, may beget strong consolation, and support the soul under the greatest affliction, and strengthen the soul against the most violent temptations, and make the soul look, and long for the day of desolution, as Princes do for their day of Coronation.
- 1A good conscience is mille testes, a thousand witnesses; therefore make much of its testimony.
Lastly, The last Means to gain a1