A77608:600
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.
Sixthly, If you would have your Assurance strengthened and maintained, then walk humbly with your God.1 God makes the humble mans heart his house to dwell in, Isa. 57. 15. Thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy, I dwell in 2the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. The highest heavens, and the lowest hearts, are the habitations wherein the holy one delights to dwell. Now this phrase, I will dwell with the humble, takes in several things. 1. It includes Gods overlooking the humble. 2. It takes in Gods assisting and strengthening of the humble. 3. It takes in Gods protection, I will dwell with the humble, that is, I3 will protect him and secure him. 4: It takes in Gods sympathizing with the humble. 5. It takes in Gods applying4 all suitable good to the humble. 6. It takes in Gods ruling and over-ruling the heart and the affections of the humble. 7. It takes in Gods teaching and5 learning of the humble. But 8. and ⟨p. 586⟩lastly, it includes and takes in a clearer, a fuller, and a larger manifestation and communication of God to humble souls; ah saith God, I will dwell with the humble, that is, I will more richly, more abundantly, and more gloriously manifest and make known my grace and glory, my goodness and sweetness, my loving kindness and tenderness to humble souls. Now tell me humble souls, will not Gods dwelling thus with you contribute very much to the strengthening and maintaining of your Assurance? Jam. 4. 6. But he giveth more grace, wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud (or as the Greek6