Works of Thomas Brooks, Volume 3 of 6

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1866. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. Shewing the several ways and means of gaining a well-grounded assurance. (1.) The first means. If ever you will attain to assurance, then be much in the exercise and actings of grace. As the believing Ephesians, Eph. i. 13, were in the very exercise and actings of grace, the Spirit of the Lord ' sealed them up to the day of redemption. Assurance flows in upon the actings of grace. Assurance is bred and fed, it is raised and maintained in the soul, by the actings of grace. Grace is mostdiscernible when it is most in action, and grace is made more and more perfect by acting. Neglect of your graces is the ground of their decrease. Wells are the sweeter for drawing ; you get nothing by dead and useless habits; talents hid in a napkin gather rust; the noblest faculties are embased when not improved ; grace in the habit is no more discernible than fire under the ashes, than gold in the ore, than a dead man in the grave ; but grace, in its lively actings and operations, is as a prince upon his throne, sparkling and shining.1 Ah, Christians! were your grace more active, it would be more visible; and were your grace more visible, your assurance would be more clear and full. As St Paul once spake to Timothy, ' Stir up the gift of God that is in thee,'2 2 Tim. i. 6, so say I to you, If ever you would have assurance, stir up the grace of God that is in you, blow up that heavenly fire, raise up those noble spirits, never cease believing nor repenting, till it be clearly given into your bosoms, that you are sure that you do believe, and that you do repent, as you are sure that you live, as you are sure that God rules in Jacob, and dwells in Zion. Remember, Christians, all the honour that God hath from you in this life, is from the actings and exercise of your grace...