A77608:466
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.
Love desires and endeavours for ever to be present, to converse with, to enjoy, to be closely and eternally united to its object Christ. The longing of the espoused Maid for the marriage day, of the Traveller for his Inn, of the Mariner for his Haven, of the Captive for his Ransom, &c. Is not to be compared to the longings of the Lovers of Christ, after a further and fuller enjoyment of Christ.
Love desires and endeavors for ever to be present, to converse with, to enjoy, to be closely and eternally united to its object Christ. The longing of the espoused Maid for the marriage day, of the Traveller for his Inn, of the Mariner for his Haven, of the Captive for his Ransom, &c. Is not to be compared to the longings of the Lovers of Christ, after a further and fuller enjoyment of Christ.
The Lovers of Christ do well1 know, that till they are taken up into glory, their chains will not fall off, till then their glorious Robes shall not be put on, till then all sorrow and tears shall not be wiped from their eyes, till then their joy will not be full, their Comforts pure, their Peace lasting, their Graces perfect; and this makes them look and long after the enjoyment of the Person of Christ.
- 1God hath reserved the best Wine, the best things, till last.
It was a notable saying of one, Let all the Devils in Hell (saith he) beset me round; let fasting macerate my body; let sorrows oppress my mind; let pains consume my flesh; let watchings dry me, or heat scorch me, or cold freeze me: Let all these, and what can come more, happen unto me, so I may enjoy my Saviour.