A77608:448
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.
Eighthly and lastly, Passive Obedience accompanies Salvation, as well as Active. Every one that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution,1 from Tongue or Pen, from Hand or Heart. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him; there is no passing into Paradise, but under the flaming Sword. Through many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. A sincere heart is as willing2 to obey Christ Passively as Actively. Acts 21. 13. I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus. I am willing, ⟨p. 445⟩says Paul, to lose my comforts for Christ, I am ready to endure any dolours for Christ, I am willing to lose the Creature, and to leave the Creature for Christ. Paul, Phil. 3. 8. speaks of himself as having been like one in a Sea tempest, that had cast out all his precious wares and goods for Christs sake; For whom, says he, I have suffered the loss of all. So must we in stormy times, cast all over-board for Christ, and swim to an Immortal Crown, through sorrows, blood, and death. But because I have in this Treatise, spoke at large of the sufferings of the Saints, I shall say no more of it in this place. And thus you see what that Obedience is that accompanies Salvation. The fifth thing that I am to show you, is, What Love that is that accompanies Salvation.
Eightly and lastly, Passive Obedience accompanies Salvation, as well as Active. Every one that will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution,1 from Tongue or Pen, from Hand or Heart. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him; there is no passing into Paradise, but under the flaming Sword. Thorow many afflictions we must enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. A sincere heart is as willing2 to obey Christ Passively as Actively.