Soul Prosperity, or the Closet Companion

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1826. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. Examples of Soul Prosperity from the Old Testament. The subject of Soul Prosperity rises in importance' as we advance; and the chapter on which we are now entering, deserves the reader's particular attention. The field is very extensive, and we cannot go over it in its full length and breadth; but must be contented to survey a few of its most fertile and delightful spots; and even this must be a hasty survey. We shall select a few only of the many bright examples with which the scriptures abound, and hold them Ud to the reader's imitation. We shall begin with,5 ENOCH. Out of the long catalogue of holy men who lived before the flood, Enoch is one of peculiar eminence. He was the seventh from Adam, walked with God, and was not; for God took him. He has the same honourable distinction in the New Testament, with some enlargement and illustration. By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (Gen. v. 24. Heb. xi. 5.) The whole account of this excellent man is very short; but enough is told us to convince us that he possessed extraordinary virtues, and that a holy, prosperous, and happy soul was lodged in his mortal body. Such was his intercourse with heaven, that he is said to walk with God. His attainments in the divine life were very great. The wicked are without God in the world, and walk contrary to him; but true piety impresses the heart with an abiding sense of his presence. Those whose souls prosper have an intercourse with God, and feel a desire to walk so as to please him. It was by faith that this holy man attained such an high and honourable distinction. We are not told, indeed, what degree ...