A77608:398
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.
Again, Faith purifieth the soul from sin, by putting the soul upon heart-purifying Ordinances, and by mixing and mingling it self with Ordinances. The word profited 1them not (saith the Apostle) because ⟨p. 392⟩it was not mixed with faith in them that heard it. Faith is such an excellent ingredient, that it makes all potions work for the good of the soul, for the purifying of the soul, and for the bettering of the soul, and no potion, no means will profit the soul, if this heavenly ingredient be not mixed with it. Now Faith puts a man upon praying, upon hearing, upon the fellowship of the Saints, upon public duties, upon family duties, and upon Closet duties; and Faith in these, comes and joins with the soul, and mixes her self2 with these soul-purifying Ordinances, and so makes them effectual for the purifying of the soul, more and more, from all filthiness and uncleanness. Faith puts out all her virtue and efficacy in Ordinances, to the purging of3 souls from their dross and Tin: Not that Faith in this life shall wholly purify the soul from the being of sin, or from the motions or operations of sin, no; for then we should have our Heaven in this world, and then we might bid Ordinances adieu; but that faith that accompanies Salvation, doth naturally purify and cleanse the heart ⟨p. 393⟩from the remainders of sin by degrees. Sound Faith is still a making the heart more and more, neat and clean, that the King of glory may delight in his habitation, that he may not remove his Court, but may abide with the soul for ever. And thus you see that that Faith that accompanies Salvation, is a heart-purifying Faith.
Again, Faith purifieth the soul from sin, by putting the soul upon heart-purifying Ordinances, and by mixing and mingling it self with Ordinances. The word profited 1them not (saith the Apostle) because ⟨p. 392⟩