A77608:393
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.
And from that union and communion that the soul hath with Christ, flows such a Divine power, and virtue, that causes Faith to grow: Yet that no weak Believers may be stumbled, or sadded, Let them remember, First, That though that Faith that accompanies Salvation, be a growing faith; yet there are some certain seasons, and cases, wherein a man may decay in his faith, and wherein he may not have the exercise, and the actings of his faith. This blessed Babe of Grace may be cast into a deep slumber; this Heavenly Pearl may be so buried under the thick clay of this world, and under the ashes of corruption and temptation, as that for a time, it may neither stir, nor grow, as might be shown in Abraham, David, Solomon, Peter, and others. Secondly, Remember this, That the strongest faith at times, is subject to shakings, as the strongest men are to faintings, as the ⟨p. 384⟩stoutest ships are to tossings, as the wisest men are to doubtings, as the brightest stars are to twinklings, &c. Therefore if at certain times, thou shouldst not be sensible of the growth of thy faith, yet do not conclude, that thou hast no faith: Faith may be in the habit, when it is not in the act; there may be life in the root of the Tree, when there is neither leaves, blossoms, nor fruit upon the Tree; the life that is in the root▪ will show it self at the Spring, and so will the habits of Faith break forth into acts, when the Sun of Righteousness shall shine forth, and make it a pleasant spring to thy soul. And thus much for this second particular.
And from that union and communion that the soul hath with Christ, flows such a Divine power, and vertue, that causes Faith to grow: Yet that no weak Believers may be stumbled, or sadded, Let them remember, First, That though that Faith that accompanies Salvation, be a growing faith; yet there are some certain seasons, and cases, wherein a man may decay in his faith, and wherein he may not have the exercise, and the actings of his faith. This blessed Babe of Grace may be cast into a deep slumber; this Heavenly Pearl may be so buried under the thick clay of this world, and under the ashes of corruption and temptation, as that for a time, it may neither stir, nor grow, as might be shewn in Abraham, David, Solomon, Peter, and others. Secondly, Remember this, That the strongest faith at times, is subject to shakings, as the strongest men are to faintings, as the ⟨p. 384⟩