April 28, 2011

Heaven on earth - Brooks - IX - Chapter 5 continued

Required reading
Heaven on earth by Thomas Brooks (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 5 (Shewing the several ways and means of gaining a well-grounded assurance) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The third thing that I am to shew you is, what repentance that is that accompanies salvation.  That repentance doth accompany salvation I have formerly shewed.'

My summary
This week we look at 'faith' as the second of the things that should accompany eternal salvation.

First Brooks teaches us what should be the objects of saving faith:
(i) person of Christ;
(ii) righteousness of Christ;
(iii) God's precious promises;
(iv) the glory, blessedness and life which God hath laid up for them that love him.

Then Brooks gives us the properties of saving faith, it:
(i) puts forth itself into vital operation;
(ii) grows and increases;
(iii) makes those things that are great and glorious in the world's account to be very little and low in the eyes of the believer;
(iv) purifies the heart;
(v) soul-softens;
(vi) is world conquering.

What grabbed me
Today we were given a great prayer from Brooks: 'Ah, Lord ! whatever I am weak in, let me be strong in faith ; whatever dies, let faith live ; whatever decays, let faith flourish. Lord, let me be low in repute, low in parts, low in estate, so thou wilt make me high in faith. Lord ! let me be poor in anything, poor in everything, so thou wilt make me rich in faith. Lord ! let the eye of faith be more opened, let the eye of faith be more quick-sighted, let the eye of faith be the more raised, and it shall be enough to me, though Joseph be not, though Benjamin be not.'

Lord, increase our faith by whatever means necessary!

Next week's reading

Continue Chapter 5 (Shewing the several ways and means of gaining a well-grounded assurance) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'The fifth thing that I am to shew you is, what love that is that accompanies salvation.'


Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.

0 comments: