HeavenTakenbyStorm

byThomasWatson

TableofContents

Introduction:TakingHeavenbyViolence

OfferingViolencetoOurselves

TheChristianMustofferViolencetoSatan

TheChristianMustOfferViolencetoHeaven

ArrowsofReproofandApostasy

ExaminationandObjections

27Motivestoputforthholyviolence

Hinderances,DirectionsandConclusions

Conclusion:Whatshallwedo?

Introduction:TakingHeavenbyViolence

JohntheBaptist,hearinginprisonofthefameofChrist,sendstwoofhisdisciplestoHimwiththisquestion,AreYouHewhoshouldcome,ordowelookforanother?verse3.NotthatJohnBaptistknewnotthatJesus

Christ was the trueMessiah, for he was confirmed in this both by theSpirit of God and by a sign from heaven (Johnful 1:33). But John theBaptistherebyendeavored tocorrect the ignoranceofhisowndiscipleswhohadagreaterrespectforhim,thanforChrist.

InthefourthverseChristanswerstheirquestion,"GobackandreporttoJohnwhatyouhearandsee:theblindreceivesight,thelamewalk,thosewhohave leprosyarecured, thedeafhear, thedeadare raised,andthegoodnewsispreachedtothepoor."JesusChristdemonstratesHimselftobethetrueMessiahbyHismiracleswhichwererealandvisibleproofsofHis divinity. John's disciples being departed, Christ falls into a highpraiseandcommendationofJohntheBaptist,Verse7."Whatdidyougooutintothedeserttosee?Areedswayedbythewind?"AsifChristhadsaid,JohntheBaptistwasnoinconstantman,fluctuatinginhismindandbeingshakenasareedfromoneopiniontoanother;hewasnoReuben,unstableaswater—butwasfixedandresoluteinpiety,andaprisoncouldmakenoalterationinhim.

Verse 8. "If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fineclothes?"Johndidnotindulgehissenses;heworenotsilks—butcamel'shair;nordidhedesiretoliveatcourt—butinawilderness,Matt.iii.3,4.

Again,ChristcommendsJohnasbeingHisforerunnerwhopreparedthewaybeforehim;verse 10.Hewas themorningstarwhichprecededtheSunofRighteousness.AndthatChristmightsufficientlyhonorthisholyman, He does not only parallel him with—but prefers him before, thechief of the prophets. Verse 9. "Then what did you go out to see? Aprophet?Yes, I tell you, andmore than a prophet. I tell you the truth:Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater thanJohn the Baptist." He was eminent both for dignity of office, andperspicuityofdoctrine;andsoourtextisusheredin:"FromthedaysofJohntheBaptistuntilnowthekingdomofheavensuffersviolence,andtheviolenttakeitbyforce."Inthesewordsthereis,

1.Thepreface,orintroduction: "fromthedaysofJohn theBaptistuntilnow."JohntheBaptistwasazealouspreacher,aBoanerges,orsonofThunder;andafterhispreaching,peoplebegantobeawakenedoutoftheirsins.

Hence learn,whatkindofministry is likely todomostgood,namely,thatwhichworksupontheconsciencesofmen.JohntheBaptistlifteduphis voice like a trumpet, he preached the doctrine of repentance withpower, "Repent! for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"Matt. 3:2.Hecame hewing and cutting down men's sins, and afterwards preachedChristtothem.First,hepouredinthevinegarofthelaw,thenthewineofthegospel.Thiswasthatpreachingwhichmademenstudiouslyseekafter heaven. John did not somuch preach to please—as to profit; hechoserathertorevealmen'ssins—thantoshowhisowneloquence.Thebestmirror isnot thatwhich ismostornate—but thatwhich shows thetruest face. That preaching is to be preferred which makes the truestdiscovery ofmen's sins, and shows them their hearts. John theBaptistwasaburningandshininglight;hedidburninhisdoctrineandshineinhislife;andthereforemenpressedintoheaven.

Peter,whowas filledwithaspiritofzeal,humbledhishearers for theirsins,andopenedtothemafountaininChrist'sblood,theywereprickedintheirheart,Acts2:37.Itisthegreatestmercy,tohaveasoul-searchingministry.Ifonehadadesperatewound,hewoulddesiretohaveitprobedtothebottom.Whowouldnotbecontenttohavetheirsoulssearched,sotheymayhavethemsaved?

2.Thematter in the text:"Thekingdomofheaven suffers violence,andtheviolenttakeitbyforce."

What is meant by "the kingdom of heaven?" Some interpret it as thedoctrineof thegospelwhichrevealsChristandheaven.ButIrather,bythekingdomofheaven,understandheavenlyglory.

Thiskingdom"suffersviolence."Thisisametaphorfromatownorcastlewhichholdsoutinwar,andisnottaken—butbystorm.Sothekingdomof heaven will not be taken without violence: "The violent take it byforce."

TheearthisinheritedbythemeekMatt.5:5.Heaven is inheritedbytheviolent.Ourlifeismilitary.ChristisourCaptain,thegospelisthebanner,thegracesareourspiritualartillery,andheavenisonlytakeninaforcibleway.Thesewordsfallintotwoparts.

1.Thecombat—suffersviolence.

2.Theconquest—theviolenttakeitbyforce.

Doctrine:Therightwaytotakeheavenisbystorm.Nonegetintoheavenbutviolentones.

Thisviolencehasadoubleaspect.

ItconcernsmenasMAGISTRATES;theymustbeviolent,

1.Inpunishingtheguilty.WhenAaron'sUrimandThummimwilldono good, thenmustMoses comewith his rod. Thewicked are the badbloodandcancersofthecommonwealthwhich,bythecareofmagistracy,are to be purged out. God has placed governors "for the terror ofevildoers,"1Peterii.14.Theymustnotbelikethesword-fish,whichhasaswordinhisheadbutiswithoutaheart.Theymustnothaveaswordintheirhand—butnohearttodrawitoutforthecuttingdownof impiety.Lenienceinamagistratesupportsvice,andbynotpunishingoffendersheadoptsothermen's faultsandmakes themhisown.Magistracywithoutzealislikethebodywithoutspirit.Toomuchleniencyemboldenssinanddoesbutshavethehead,whichdeservestobecutoff!

2.Indefendingtheinnocent.Themagistrateistheasylumoraltarofrefugefortheoppressedtoflyto.Charles,DukeofCalabri,wassoinlovewithdoingjusticethathecausedabelltobehungathispalacegate,andwhoeverwouldringit,wassurepresentlytobeadmittedintotheduke'spresence,orhavesomeofficerssentouttohearhiscause.Aristideswasfamous for his justice, ofwhom the historian says that hewould neverfavoranyman'scausebecausehewashisfriend,nordoinjusticetoanybecause he was his enemy. The magistrate's justice, is the oppressedman'sshield.

ThisviolenceconcernsmenasCHRISTIANS.Thoughheaven is givenus freely—yet wemust contend for it, Eccles. ix. 10. "What your handfindstodo,doitwithyourmight."Ourworkisgreat,ourtimeshort,ourMaster urgent. We have need therefore to summon together all thepowersof our souls and strive as in amatterof life anddeath, thatwe

mayarriveatthekingdomabove.Wemustnotonlyputforthdiligence—butviolence. For the illustrating and clearing of thisproposition, Iwillshow.

1. What violence is not meant here: The violence in the textexcludes,

1. An ignorant violence; to be violent for that which we do notunderstand,Acts xvii. 23. "As Ipassedby andbeheld yourdevotions, Ifound an altar with this inscription—to the unknown God." TheseAthenianswereviolent intheirdevotions—butitmightbesaidtothem,asChristsaidtothewomanofSamaria,Johniv.22."Youworshipwhatyou do not know." Thus the Catholics are violent in their religion.Witness their penance, fasting, lacerating themselves until the bloodcomes—butitisazealwithoutknowledge;theirmettleisbetterthantheireye-sight.WhenAaronwastoburnincenseuponthealter,hewasfirsttolightthelamps,Exod.xxv.7.Whenzeallikeincenseburns,firstthelampofknowledgemustbelighted.

2.Itexcludesabloodyviolence,whichistwofold:

First,whenonegoes to lay violenthandsuponhimself.The body is anearthlyprison,whereGodhasputthesoul;wemustnotbreakprison—butstayuntilGodletsusoutbydeath.Thesentinelisnottostirwithoutpermission from his captain; nor must we dare to stir hence withoutGod'spermission.Ourbodies are the temples of theHolySpirit, 1Cor.Vi.19.;When we offer violence to them, we destroy God's temple: Thelampoflifemustburnsolongasanynaturalmoistureisleft,likeoil,tofeedit.

Secondly,Whenonetakesawaythelifeofanother.There's toomuchofthisviolencenowadays.Nosinhasaloudervoicethanblood,Geniv.10.Thevoiceofyourbrother'sbloodcriesuntoMefromtheground.Ifthereisacurseforhimwhosmiteshisneighborsecretly,Deut.xxvii.24,thenheisdoublycursedwhokillshim.Ifamanhadslainanotherunawares,he might take sanctuary and fly to the altar; but if he had done itwillingly,theholinessoftheplacewasnottoprotecthim,Exod.xxi.14,"Butifamanschemesandkillsanothermandeliberately,takehimaway

frommyaltarandputhimtodeath."Joab,beingamanofblood,KingSolomonsoughttoslayhimeventhoughhecaughtholdonthehornsofthe altar, 1 Kings viii. 29. In Bohemia, formerly, amurdererwas to bebeheadedandputinthesamecoffinwithhimwhomhehadkilled.Thusweseewhatviolencethetextexcludes.

2.Whatviolence ISmeanthere—it isaHOLYviolence.This istwofold.

1. We must be violent for theTRUTH. Here Pilate's question will becited,"Whatistruth?"TruthiseithertheblessedWordofGodwhichiscalledtheWordoftruth;orthosedoctrineswhicharededucedfromtheWord,andagreewithitasthedialwiththesunorthetranscriptwiththeoriginal; as thedoctrineof theTrinity, thedoctrineof the creation, thedoctrineof freegrace, justificationby thebloodofChrist, regeneration,resurrectionof thedead, and the lifeof glory.These truthswemustbeviolentfor,whichiseitherbybeingadvocatesforthem,ormartyrs.

Truthisthemostgloriousthing;theleastfilingofthisgoldisprecious—justso,withtruth.Whatshallwebeviolentfor,ifnotfortruth?Truthisancient;itsgreyhairsmaymakeitvenerable;itcomesfromhimwhoistheancientofdays.Truthisunerring,itistheStarwhichleadstoChrist.Truth is pure, Psalm 119. 140. It is compared to silver refined seventimes,Psalmxii.6.Thereisnottheleastspotontruth'sface;itbreathesnothing but sanctity. Truth is triumphant; it is like a great conqueror;whenallhisenemiesliedead,itkeepsthefieldandsetsupitstrophiesofvictory. Truthmay be opposed but never quite deposed. In the time ofDiocletianthingsseemeddesperateandtruthranlow.Soonafterwasthegolden time of Constantine, and then truth did again lift up its head.WhenthewaterintheThamesislowest,ahightideisreadytocomein.Godisontruth'ssideandso longasthere isnofear itwillprevail:Theheavensbeingonfireshallbedissolved,2Peteriii.12—butnotthattruthwhichcamefromHeaven,1Peter.i.25.

Truthhasnobleeffects.Truthistheseedofthenewbirth.Goddoesnotregenerateusbymiraclesorrevelations—butbytheWordoftruth,Jamesi.18.Astruthisthebreederofgrace,soitisthefeederofit,1Tim.iv.6.Truthsanctifies:Johnxvii.17.SanctifythemthroughYourtruth.Truthis

the seal that leaves the print of its own holiness upon us; it is both alooking-glasstoshowusourblemishes,andalavertowashthemaway.Truthmakesusfree,Johnxviii.32.itbearsoffthefettersofsinandputsusintoastateofSonship,Romansviii.11,andKingship,Rev.i.6.Truthiscomforting; this wine cheers. When David's harp could yield him nocomfort,truthdid,Psalm119.50."Thisismycomfortinmyaffliction,foryourWordhasquickenedme."Truthisanantidoteagainsterror.Erroris the adultery of themind; it stains the soul, as treason stains blood.Errordamnsaswellasdoesvice.Amanmayaswelldiebypoison—asbypistol;andwhatcanstaveofferrorbuttruth?Thereasonsomanyhavebeen tricked into error is because they either did not know, or did notlove,thetruth.Icanneversayenoughinthehonoroftruth.Truthisthegroundofourfaith;itgivesusanexactmodelofpiety;itshowsuswhatwearetobelieve.Takeawaytruthandourfaithisfancy.Truthisthebestflowerinthechurch'scrown;wehavenotaricherjeweltotrustGodwiththan our souls; norHe a richer jewel to trust us with thanHis truths.Truthisanensignofhonor;itdistinguishesusfromthefalsechurch,aschastitydistinguishesavirtuouswomanfromanharlot.Inshort,truthisthebulwarkanation:2Chron.xi.17.itissaid,theLevites(whoweretheensign bearers of truth) strengthened the kingdom. Truth may becompared to the capitol of Rome, which was a place of the greateststrength; or the Tower of David, on which "there hang a thousandshields,"Cant.iv.4.Ourfortsandnaviesdonotsomuchstrengthenusastruth.Truth is thebestmilitiaofakingdom; ifoncewepartwith truthandespousepopery,thelockofhairiscut,whereourstrengthlies.Whatthenshouldwebeviolentfor,ifnotfortruth?Wearebidtocontendasinanagony"for the faithwhichwasoncedeliveredunto thesaints,"Judeverse 3. If truth once be gone,wemaywrite this epitaph onEngland'stomb-stone,"Yourgloryisdeparted!"

2. This holy violence is also when we are violent for our ownSALVATION, 2 Peter 1. 10. "Give diligence tomake your calling andelectionsure."TheGreekwordsignifiesanxiouscarefulness,oraseriousbearingof one's thoughts about thebusinessof eternity, sucha careassetsheadandheartatwork.InthischannelofpietyallaChristian'szealshouldrun.

3. The third thing is,what is implied in this holy violence? Itimpliesthreethings:

1.Resolutionofwill.

2.Vigorofaffection.

3.Strengthofendeavor.

1.Resolution of theWILL. Psalm 119. 6. "I have sworn, and I willperformit,thatIwillkeepyourrighteousjudgments."Whateverisinthewaytoheaven,(thoughtherebealionintheway)Iwillencounteritlikearesolutecommanderwhochargesthroughthewholebodyofthearmy.The Christian is resolved, come what will—that he will have heaven.Where there is this resolution, danger must be despised, difficultiestrampled upon, terrors contemned. This is the first thing in holyviolence:resolutionofwill."Iwillhaveheavenwhateveritcostsme!"andthisresolutionmustbeinthestrengthofChrist.

Wherethereisbuthalfaresolution—awilltobesavedandawilltofollowsin—itisimpossibletobeviolentforHeaven.Ifatravelerbeunresolved,sometimeshewillridethisway,sometimesthat;heisviolentforneither.

2. Vigor of the AFFECTIONS. The will proceeds upon reason; thejudgmentbeinginformedoftheexcellencyofastateofglory;andthewillbeingresolveduponavoyagetothatholyland;nowtheaffectionsfollowand they areon fire inpassionate longings afterheaven.The affectionsare violent things,Psalmxlii. 2. "My soul thirsts forGod, for the livingGod."TheRabbisnotehere,thatDavidsaysnot,"Mysoulhungers,"but"thirsts," because naturally we are more impatient with thirst thanhunger. See in what a rapid, violent motion David's affections werecarriedafterGod.Affectionsarelikethewingsofthebirdwhichmakethesoulswiftinitsflightafterglory;wheretheaffectionsarestirredup,thereisofferingviolencetoheaven.

3.ThisviolenceimpliesstrengthofENDEAVOR,whenwestrivefor salvation as though amatter of life and death. It is easy to talk ofHeaven—butnot togettoHeaven!Wemustput forth all our strength,

andcallinthehelpofheaventothiswork.

4.Thefourththingis,howmanyWAYSaChristianmustofferviolence:namely,fourways;

Hemustofferviolence,

1.ToHimself

2.TotheWorld

3.ToSatan

4.ToHeaven

TheChristianMustOfferViolencetoHimself

Thisself-violenceconsistsintwothings:

1.Mortificationofsin.

2.Provocationtoduty.

1. Offering violence to one's self, in a spiritual sense, consists inmortification of sin: Self is the flesh; this we must offer violence to.Hierom,ChrysostomandTheophilact,doallexpoundtakingHeavenbyforce,themortifyingoftheflesh.Thefleshisabosomtraitor;itisliketheTrojanhorsewithinthewallswhichdoesall themischief.Theflesh isaslyenemy;itkillsbyembracing.Theembracesofthefleshareliketheivyembracingtheoak;whichsucksoutthestrengthof it for itsown leavesandberries.So the fleshby its soft embraces, sucksoutof theheart allgood,Gal.v.17.Theflesh lustsagainst thespirit.Thepamperingof theflesh, is thequenchingofGod'sSpirit.The fleshchokesandstiflesholymotions:thefleshsideswithSatanandistruetoits interest.There isa

partywithinthatwillnotpray,thatwillnotbelieve.Thefleshinclinesusmore to believe a temptation than a promise. There needs no wind toblowtosinwhenthistidewithinissostrongtocarryusthere.Thefleshis so near to us, its counsels aremore attractive. There is no chain ofadamantwhichbindssotightly,asthechainoflust.Alexander,whowasconquerorof theworld,was led captivebyvice.Nowamanmustofferviolence to his fleshly desires if he will be saved, Col. iii. 5. "Mortifythereforeyourmemberswhichareupontheearth."Themortifyingandkilling sin at the root, iswhenwenot only forbear the acts of sin—buthate the indwelling of sin. Put to death, therefore,whatever belongs toyour earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires andgreed,whichisidolatry.Colossians3:5

Nay,wheresinhasreceiveditsdeadlywound,andisinpartabated—yettheworkofmortification isnot tobe laidaside.TheApostle persuadesthebelievingRomansto"mortifythedeedsoftheflesh,Romansviii.13.In the best of saints, there is somethingwhichneedsmortifying;muchpride,envy,andpassion;thereforemortificationiscalledcrucifixion,Gal.v.24.which isnotdonesuddenly:everydaysome limbof the "bodyofdeath"mustdropoff.Nothingisharderthanarock,(saysCyril)—yetinthecleftsthereofsomeweedorotherwillfastenitsroots.Nonestrongerthanabeliever—yetdowhathecan,sinwillfastenitsroots inhim,andspringoutsometimeswithinordinatedesires.Thereisalwayssomethingwhich needs mortifying. Hence it was, that Paul did "beat down hisbody,"byprayer,watching,andfasting,1Cor.ix.27.

But,isitnotsaid,Ephes.v.29."nomaneveryethatedhisownflesh?"

As flesh is taken physically for the bodily constitution, so it is to becherished; but as flesh is taken theologically for the impure lustings ofthe flesh, so amanmust hate his own flesh. The apostle says, "Fleshlylustswaragainstthesoul,"1Peterii.11.Ifthefleshdoeswaragainstus—thisisgoodreason,thatweshouldwaragainsttheflesh.

Howmayonedotoofferviolencetohimselfinmortifyingtheflesh?

1. Withdraw the fuel that may make lust burn. Avoid all temptations.Takeheedofthatwhichnourishessin.Hewhowouldsuppressthegout

orstone,avoidsthosemeatswhicharenoxious.Thosewhopraythattheymay not be led into temptation, must not lead themselves intotemptation.

2. Fight against fleshly lusts with spiritual weapons—faith and prayer.Thebestwaytocombatwithsinis—uponourknees.Runtothepromise,Romansvi. 14. "Sinshallnothavedominionoveryou:"orastheGreekword is, it shall not Lord it. Beg strength from Christ, Phil. ix. 13.Samson's strength lay inhishair; our strength lies inourhead, Christ.Thisisonewayofofferingviolencetoone'sselfbymortification.Thisisamysterytothemajorpartoftheworld—whogratifythefleshratherthanmortifyit.

2.The second thing in offering violence to aman's self consists, is, inprovocationtoduty.Thenweofferholyviolencetoourselveswhenweexcite and provoke ourselves to that which is good. This is called inScripture, a 'stirring up ourselves to take hold of God," Isaiah lxiv. 7.Consider,

1. What absolute NEED there is to stir ourselves up to holyduties.

In respect to the sluggishness of our hearts, to that which is spiritual;blunttoolsneedsharpening;adullcreatureneedsspurs.OurheartsaredullandheavyinthethingsofGod,thereforewehaveneedtospurthemonandprovokethemtothatwhichisgood.Thefleshhindersfromduty:whenwewouldpray, the flesh resists;whenweshouldsuffer, the fleshdrawsback.HowharditissometimestogettheconsentofourheartstoseekGod!JesusChristwentmorewillingly to thecross—thanwedo tothethroneofgrace.Hadnotweneedthenprovokeourselvestoduty?Ifourheartsaresounstrunginpiety,wehadneedprepareandputthemintune.

The exercises of God's worship are contrary to nature; therefore theremustbeaprovokingofourselvestothem.Themotionofthesoultosinisnatural—but its motion towards holiness and Heaven is violent. Thestone has an innate propensity downward; but to draw up amillstoneintotheairisdonebyviolence,becauseitisagainstnature:sotoliftup

the heart toHeaven in duty, is done by violence andwemust provokeourselvestoit.

2.Whatitistoprovokeourselvestoduty.

1.It istoawakenourselves,andshakeoffspiritualsloth.HolyDavidawakenshis tongueandheartwhenhewentaboutGod'sservice,Psalmlvii.9."Awakeupmyglory,Imyselfwillawakenearly."Hefoundadrowsiness and dullness in his soul, therefore did provoke himself toduty."Imyselfwillawakeearly."Christians,thoughtheyareraisedfromthedeathofsin—yetoftentheyfallasleep.

Provokingourselvestoduty,impliesanuniting,andrallyingtogetherallthepowersofoursoul,settingthemonworkintheexercisesofpiety.Amanmustsaytohisthoughts,"befixedonGodinthisduty;"andtohisaffections,"servetheLordwithoutdistraction."Mattersofpietymustbedonewithintensenessofspirit.

3. The third thing is to show the several DUTIES ofChristianity, wherein we must provoke and offer violence toourselves.Ishallnameseven.

1.WemustprovokeourselvestoREADINGoftheWord.Whatan infinitemercy it is thatGodhasblesseduswith theScriptures!ThebarbarousIndianshavenottheoraclesofGodmadeknowntothem;theyhave the golden mines—but not the Scriptures which are more to bedesired"thanmuchfinegold,"Psalmxix.10.OurSaviorbidsus"searchtheScriptures",Johnv.39.Wemustnotreadtheseholylinescarelessly,as if theydidnotconcernus,orrunover themhastily,asIsraelate thePassoverinhaste;butperusethemwithreverenceandseriousness.ThenobleBereans"searchedtheScripturesdaily,"Actsxvii.11.TheScriptureisthetreasuryofdivineknowledge;itistheruleandtouchstoneoftruth;outofthiswellwedrawthewateroflife.ToprovoketoadiligentreadingoftheWord,labortohavearightnotionofScripture.

Read theWord as a bookmade byGodHimself. It is given "by divineinspiration"2Tim.iii.16.ItisthelibraryoftheHolySpirit.TheprophetsandapostleswerebutGod'samanuenses towrite the lawathismouth.

TheWordisofdivineoriginal,andrevealsthedeepthingsofGodtous.Thereisasenseofdeityengravedinman'sheart,andistobereadinthebookofthecreatures;butwhothisGodis,andtheTrinityofpersonsintheGodhead, is infinitely, above the light of reason; only GodHimselfcouldmake thisknown. Just so, for the incarnationofChrist;Godandman hypostatically united in one person; the mystery of imputedrighteousness; thedoctrineof faith:whatangel inheaven,whobutGodhimself, could reveal these things to us? How this may provoke todiligenceandseriousnessinreadingtheWordwhichisdivinelyinspired.Otherbooksmaybewrittenbyholymen—butthisbookisinspiredbytheHolySpirit.

ReadtheWordasaperfectruleoffaith;itcontainsallthingsessentialtosalvation. "I adore the fullnessofScripture," saysTertullian. TheWordteaches us how to please God; how to order our lives in the world. Itinstructsusinallthingsthatbelongeithertoprudenceorpiety.HowweshouldreadtheWordwithcareandreverence,whenitcontainsaperfectmodelofpietyandis"abletomakeuswiseuntosalvation"(2Tim.3:15)!

WhenyoureadtheWord,lookonitasasoul-enrichingtreasury.Searchitasforhiddentreasure!Proverbs2:4.InthisWordarescatteredmanydivinesayings;gatherthemupassomanyjewels.Thisblessedbookwillenrichyou;itfillsyourheadwithdivineknowledge,andyourheartwithdivinegrace;itstoresyouwithpromises:amanmayberichinbonds.Inthis field the pearl of price is hidden! What are all the world's richescomparedtothese?Islandsofspices,coastsofpearl,rocksofdiamonds?Thesearebuttherichesthatreprobatesmayhave—buttheWordgivesusthosericheswhichangelshave!

ReadtheWordasabookofevidences.Howcarefullydoesonereadoverhis evidences! Would you know whether God is your God? search therecordsof Scripture, 1 John iii. 24. "Herebyweknow thathe abides inus."Would you knowwhether you are heirs of the promise? youmustfind it in these sacred writings. 2 Thes. ii. 13. "He has chosen us tosalvationthrough sanctification." Thosewho are vessels ofgrace—shallbevesselsofglory!

LookupontheWordasaspiritualarmory,outofwhichyoufetchallyour

weaponstofightagainstsinandSatan.

1. Here are weapons to fight against SIN. The Word of God is a holysword,whichcutsasunderthelustsoftheheart!Whenpridebeginstoliftupitself,theswordoftheSpiritdestroysthissin!1Peteriv.5"Godresiststheproud."Whenpassionvents itself, theWordofGod, likeHercules'sclub,beatsdownthisangryfury!Eccles.V.9."Angerrestsinthebosomof fools." When lust boils, the Word of God cools that intemperatepassion! Ephes. V. 5. "No unclean person has any inheritance in theKingdomofChrist."

2. Here are weapons to fight against SATAN. The Word fences offtemptation.WhenthedeviltemptedChrist,HewoundedtheoldserpentthreetimeswiththeswordoftheSpirit—"Itiswritten!"Matt.iv.7.Satannever sooner foils a Christian than when he is unarmed, and withoutScriptureweapons.

LookupontheWordasaspirituallooking-glasstodressyourselvesby!Itisamirrorfortheblind,"ThecommandsoftheLordareradiant,givinglighttotheeyes!"Psalm19:8.Inothermirrorsyoumayseeyourfaces;inthis mirror you may see your hearts! Psalm 119. 104. "Through YourpreceptsIgetunderstanding.ThismirroroftheWordclearlyrepresentsChrist; it setshim forth inhis person,nature, offices, asmostpreciousandeligible,Cant.vi.16."Heisaltogetherlovely;heisawonderofbeauty,a paradise of delight. Christ who was veiled over in types, is clearlyrevealedinthemirroroftheScriptures.

LookupontheWordasabookofspiritualremediesandantidotes.Basilcompares the Word to an apothecary's shop, which has all kinds ofmedicines and antidotes. If you find yourselves dead in duty, here is areceipt,Psalm119.50."YourWordhasquickenedme."Ifyoufindyourhearts hard, the Word does liquify and melt them; therefore it iscompared to fire for its mollifying power, Jer. xxiii. 29. If you arepoisonedwithsin,hereisanherbtoexpelit.

Lookupon theWordas a sovereign elixir to comfort you in distress. Itcomfortsyouagainstallyoursins,temptations,andafflictions.Whatarethe promises—but divine cordials to revive fainting souls. A gracious

heart goes feeding on a promise as Samson on the honeycomb, Judgesxiv. 9. TheWord comforts against sickness anddeath, 1Cor xv. 55. "Odeath,where isyoursting?"AChristiandiesembracingthepromise,asSimeondidChrist,Heb.xi.13.

ReadtheWordasthelastWillandTestamentofChrist.Herearemanylegacies given to those who love him; pardon of sin, adoption,consolation.Thiswillisinforce,beingsealedinChrist'sblood.Withwhatseriousness does a child read over thewill and testament of his father,thathemayseewhatislefthim.

ReadtheWordasabookbywhichyoumustbejudged:Johnxii.48."TheWordthatIhavespokenshalljudgehimatthelastday."Thosewholiveaccording to the rules of this book, shall be acquitted; those who livecontrarytothem,shallbecondemned.TherearetwobooksGodwillgoby,thebookofConscience,andthebookofScripture:theoneshallbethewitness, and the other the judge. How should every Christian thenprovokehimselftoreadthisbookofGodwithcareanddevotion!Thisisthat bookwhichGodwill judge by at the last. Thosewho fly from theWordasaguide,shallbeforcedtosubmittoitasajudge.

2. The second duty of piety wherein we must provokeourselves,is,inHEARINGoftheWord.Wemaybringourbodiesto the preaching of the Word with ease—but not our hearts, withoutofferingviolencetoourselves.WhenwecometotheWordpreached,wecome to a business of the highest importance, therefore should stir upourselves and hear with the greatest devotion. Luke xix. 48. "All thepeoplewere very attentive to hear him." In the Greek it is "they hungupon his lip."—When the Word is dispensed, we are to lift up theeverlastingdoorsofourhearts,thattheKingofglorymayenterin!

1.Howfararetheyfromofferingviolencetothemselvesinhearing,whoscarcelymind what is said, as if they were not at all concerned in thebusiness. They come to churchmore for custom, than conscience. "Mypeoplecometoyou,astheyusuallydo,andsitbeforeyoutolistentoyourwords, but they donot put them into practice.With theirmouths theyexpressdevotion,but theirheartsaregreedy forunjustgain. Indeed, tothem you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a

beautifulvoiceandplaysaninstrumentwell,fortheyhearyourwordsbutdonotputthemintopractice."Ezekiel33:31-32.Ifwecouldtellthemofarich purchase, or of some place of worldly advancement, they woulddiligentlyattend;butwhentheWordoflifeispreached,theydisregardit.

2.Howfararetheyfromofferingviolencetothemselvesinhearing,whocometotheWordinadull,drowsymanner—asiftheycametochurchforthepurposeofdrowsing.TheWordistofeedus;itisstrangetosleepatthedinnertable.TheWordjudgesmen;itisstrangeforaprisonertofallasleepatthetimeofhissentencing.TosuchsleepyhearersGodmaysay,"sleepon!"Hemayallowthemtobesostupefied,thatnoordinanceshallthem:Matt.iii.25."Whilemenslept,hisenemycameandsowedtares."TheDevilisneverasleep—butsowsthetaresofsininadrowsyhearer.

That we may, when we come to the Word, offer violence toourselves, and stir up ourselves to hear with devotion,consider,

1. That it is God himself, who speaks to us! If a judge gives averdict upon the bench—all listen. If a king speaks—all pay attention.WhenwecometotheWord,weshouldthinkthuswithourselves—wearetohearGodinthispreacher!ThereforeChristissaid—tospeaktousfromHeaven,Heb.xii.25.Christspeaks inhisministers,asakingspeaks inthepersonofhisambassador.WhenSamuelknew itwas theLordwhospoke to him, he lent an ear, 2. Sam. iii. 5. "Speak Lord, your servanthears!" Those who slight God speaking in His Word—shall hear himspeaking to them in his wrath, Psalm ii. 5. "Then shall he speak untothem in his wrath!" "Depart from me, you who are cursed, into theeternalfirepreparedforthedevilandhisangels!"Matthew25:41.

2.Letus consider theweightinessof themattersdelivered tous.AsMoses said to Israel,Deut. xxx. 19. "I callHeaven andEarth torecordthisday,thatIhavesetbeforeyoulifeanddeath."WepreachtomenofChristandofeternalrecompenses;herearetheweightymattersofthelaw;anddoesnotallthiscallforseriousattention?Thereisagreatdealofdifferencebetweenacommonnewsarticlereadtous,andaletterofpersonalbusiness,whereinourwholelandandestateisconcerned.Inthe Word preached our eternal salvation is concerned; here we are

instructedtothekingdomofGod,andifeverwewillbeserious,itshouldbenow!Deut.xxxvii.47."Itisnotavainthingforyou,becauseitisyourlife."

3.IftheWordisnotregarded—itwillnotberemembered.Manycomplaintheycannotremember;hereisthereason,Godpunishestheircarelessness in hearing—with forgetfulness. He allows Satan to takeawaytheWord fromthem,Matt.xiii.4. "The fowlsof theaircameanddevouredtheseed."TheDevilalwayscomestochurch—butitisnotwithanygoodintent;hetakesawaytheWordfrommen.Howmanyhavebeenrobbedofthesermonandtheirsoulsbothatonce!

4.ItmaybethelasttimethatGodwilleverspeaktousinHisWord.Itmaybethelastsermonthateverweshallhear;andwemaygofromtheplaceofhearing—totheplaceofdamning.DidpeoplethinkthuswhentheycomeintothehouseofGod,"perhapsthiswillbethelasttimethatGodwillcounselusaboutoursouls,perhapsthisisthelasttimethatever we shall see our minister's face," with what devotion would theycome!howwouldtheiraffectionsbeallonfireinhearing?Wegivegreatattention to the last speeches of friends. A parent's dying words arereceivedasoracles.Oh,letallthisprovokeustodiligenceinhearing;letus think thismay be the last time that Aaron's bell shall sound in ourears,andbeforeanotherday—weshallbeinanotherworld!

3.Thethirddutywhereinwearetoofferviolencetoourselves,isinPRAYER.Prayerisadutywhichkeepsthetradeofpietyflowing.Whenwe either join in prayerwith others, or pray alone,wemust useholy violence. It is not eloquence in prayer—but violence carries it.Theodorus, speaking of Luther, "once (says he) I overheard Luther inprayer: with what life and spirit did he pray! It was with so muchreverence,asifhewerespeakingtoGod—yetwithsomuchconfidence,asifhehadbeenspeakingtohisfriend."Theremustbeastirringupoftheheart,1.Toprayer.2.Inprayer.

1.TheremustbeastirringupoftheheartTOprayer,Jobxi.13."Ifyouprepareyourheart,andstretchoutyourhandstowardhim."Thispreparingofourheartbyholy thoughtsandejaculations.Themusicianfirsttuneshisinstrument,beforeheplays.

2.TheremustbeastirringupoftheheartINprayer.Prayerisalifting up of the mind and soul to God, which cannot be done arightwithout offering violence to one-self. The names given to prayer implyviolence. It is calledwrestling,Gen. xxxii. 24. andapouringoutof thesoul, 1 Sam. 1:15; both of which imply vehemency. The affection isrequiredaswellas invention.Theapostlespeaksofaneffectual ferventprayer,whichisaparallelphrasetoofferingviolence.

1.Alas,howfarfromofferingviolencetothemselvesinprayer—arethosewhogiveGodadead,heartlessprayer.Godwouldnothavetheblindoffered,Mal.1:8;asgoodoffertheblindisasofferingthedead.Somearehalf asleepwhen theypray, andwill a sleepy prayer ever awakenGod?Suchasmindnottheirownprayers,howdotheythinkthatGodshouldmindthem?ThoseprayersGodlikesbest,whichcomeseethinghotfromtheheart.

2.Alas,howfararetheyfromofferingviolence—arethosewhogiveGoddistracted prayer? while they are praying, they are thinking of theirshopandtrade.Howcanheshootrightwhoseeyeisquiteoffthemark?Ezek. xxxiii. 31. "Their heart goes after their covetousness." Many arecasting up their accounts in prayer, as Hieram once complained ofhimself. How can God be pleased with this? Will a king tolerate that,whilehissubjectisdeliveringapetition,andspeakingtohim,heshouldbe playing with a feather? When we send our hearts on an errand toHeaven,howoftendotheyloiterandplaybytheway?Thisisamatterofblushing.Thatwemayofferviolencetoourselvesandbyfervencyfeatherthewingofprayer,letthesethingsbedulyweighed.

1.ThemajestyofGodwithwhomwehavetodo.Heseeshowitiswithus in prayer,whetherwe are deeply affectedwith those thingsweprayfor."Thekingcameintoseetheguests,"Matt.xxii.11.Sowhenwegotopray,theKingofglorycomesintoseeinwhatframeweare;hehasawindowwhich looks intoourbreasts, and ifHeseesadeadheart,hemayturnadeafear.NothingwillsoonermakeGod'sangerwaxhot,thanacoldprayer.

2. Prayer without fervency and violence is no prayer; it isspeaking, not praying. Lifeless prayer is no more prayer than the

pictureofamanisaman.Tosayaprayer,isnottopray;Ashaniustaughthis parrot the Lord's Prayer. It is the violence and wrestling of theaffectionsthatmakeitaprayer,elseitisnoprayer.

3. The zeal and violence of the affections in prayer best suitsGod'snature.Heisaspirit,Johniv.24.andsurelythatprayerwhichisfull of life and spirit is the savory foodhe loves, 1Peter ii. 5. "SpiritualsacrificesacceptabletoGod."Spiritualityandfervencyinduty,islikethespirits of wine, which are the more refined part of the wine. Bodilyexercise profits nothing. It is not the stretching of the lungs—but thevehemencyofthedesire,thatmakesmusicinGod'sears.

4.Consider theneedwehaveof those thingswhichweask inprayer.WecometoaskthefavorofGod;andifwehavenothislove,allthatweenjoy iscursedtous.Wepraythatoursoulsmaybewashed inChrist'sblood,and ifhewashesusnot, "wehavenopart inhim."SucharethesemerciesthatifGoddeniesus,weareforeverundone.Thereforewhatviolenceweneedtoputforthinprayer.Whenwillamanbeearnest,ifnotwhenheisbeggingforhislife?

5. Let it provoke violence in prayer, to consider, that thosethings which we ask, God has a mind to grant. If a son asksnothing but what his father is willing to bestow, he may be the moreearnestinhissuit.WegotoGodforpardonofsin,andnoworkismorepleasingtohimthantosealpardons.Mercyishisdelight,Micahvii.18.WepraytoGodforaholyheart,andthisprayerisaccordingtohiswill,1Thes. iv.3. "This is thewill ofGod, even your sanctification".We praythat God would give us a heart to love him. How pleasing must thisrequestmustbetoGod!This,ifanything,mayexciteprayer,andcarryitina fierychariotup toHeaven,whenweknowwepray fornothingbutthatwhichGodismorewillingtograntthanwearetoask.

6. No mercy can be bestowed on us but in a way of prayer.Mercy is purchased byChrist's blood—but it is conveyed by prayer. Allthepromisesarebondsmadeovertous—butprayerputsthesebondsinsuit.TheLordhastoldIsraelwithwhatrichmercyHewouldbespanglethem; hewould bring them to their native country, and that with newhearts,Ezek.xxxvi.Yetthistreeofthepromisewouldnotdropitsfruit,

untilshakenwiththehandofprayer,verse67.For"allthisIwillyetbeinquired."Thebreast ofGod'smercy is full—but prayermust draw thebreast.Surely,ifallotherwaysareblockedup,there'snogoodtobedonewithoutprayer;howthenshouldweplythisoar,andbyaholyviolencestirupourselvestotakeholdofGod.

7.Itisonlyviolenceandintensenessofspiritinprayerthathasthepromiseofmercyaffixedtoit.Mattvii.7."Knock,anditshallbeopened."Knocking is a violentmotion.TheAedilesamong theRomanshadtheirdoorsalwaysstandingopen,sothatallwhohadpetitionsmighthavefreeaccesstothem.God'sheart iseveropentoferventprayer.Letusthenbefiredwithzeal,andwithChristprayyetmoreearnestly.It isviolence in prayer which makes Heaven-gates fly open, and fetches inwhatevermercieswestandinneedof.

8.LargereturnsGodhasgiventoviolentprayer.ThedovesenttoHeavenhasoftenbroughtanoliveleafinitsmouth:Psalmxxxiv.6."Thispoormancried,andtheLordheardhim."Cryingprayerprevails.Danielinthedenprayedandprevailed.Prayershutthelion'smouthandopenedthelion'sden.Ferventprayer(saysone)hasakindofomnipotencyinit.SozomensaidofApollonius, thatheneveraskedanythingofGod inallhis life, which he did not obtain. Sleidan reports of Luther, thatperceivingtheinterestofpietytobelow,hebetookhimselftoprayer;atlengthrisingoffhisknees,hecameoutofhisclosettriumphantly,sayingtohisfriends,"Wehaveovercome;wehaveovercome!"AtwhichtimeitwasobservedthattherecameoutaproclamationfromCharlestheFifth,that none should be furthermolested for the profession of the gospel.Howmaythisencourageusandmakeushoistupthesailsofprayerwhenothersofthesaintshavehadsuchgoodreturnsfromtheholyland.

Thatwemayputforththisholyviolenceinprayer,itisrequisitetherebea renewed principle of grace. If the person is graceless, no wonder theprayer is heartless.Thebodywhile it is deadhasnoheat in it:while amanisdeadinsin,hecanhavenoheatinduty.

9.Thatwemaybethemoreviolentinprayer,itisgoodtopraywithasenseofourneeds.Abeggarthatispinchedwithpoverty,willbe earnest in craving alms. Christian, review your needs; you need a

humble, spiritual frame of heart; you need the light of God'scountenance;thesenseofneedwillquickenprayer.Thatmancanneverprayferventlywhodoesnotprayfeelingly.HowearnestwasSamsonforwaterwhenhewasreadytodie,Judgesxv.18."Idieforthirst!"

10. If we would be violent in prayer, let us beg for a violentwind.TheSpiritofGodisresembledtoamightyrushingwind,Actsii.2.Thenweareviolent,whenthisblessedwindfillsoursails,Jude,verse20,"PrayingintheHolySpirit."Ifanyfirebeinoursacrifice,itcomesdownfromheaven.

ThefourthdutywhereinwemustofferviolencetoourselvesisMEDITATION.This isadutywhereintheveryheartand life-bloodofpiety lies.Meditationmaybe thusdescribed: it isaholyexerciseof themind; whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and doseriouslyponderuponthemandapplythemtoourselves.Inmeditationtherearetwothings:

1.AChristian'sretiringofhimself,a lockinghimselfupfromtheworld.Meditationisaworkwhichcannotbedoneinacrowd.

2.ItisaseriousthinkinguponGod.Itisnotafewtransientthoughtsthatare quickly gone—but a fixing and staying of the mind upon heavenlyobjects:thiscannotbedonewithoutexcitingallthepowersofoursouls,andofferingviolencetoourselves.

Wearethemoretoprovokeourselvestothisduty,because:

1. Meditation is so cross to flesh and blood. Naturally we shun holymeditation.Tomeditateonworldly,secularthings,evenifitwereallday,wecandowithoutanydifficulty;buttohaveourthoughtsfixedonGod,howharddowefindit?Howdoourheartsquarrelwiththisduty?Whatpleasandexcuseswehavetoputitoff?Thenaturalaversenessfromthisdutyshowsthatwearetoofferviolencetoourselvesinit.

2. Satan does what he can to hinder this duty. He is an enemy ofmeditation.Thedevildoesnotcarenothowmuchweread—solongaswedo not meditate on what we read. Reading begets knowledge—but

meditationbegetsdevotion.Meditationstabilizestheheartandmakesitserious,while Satan labors to keep the heart frombeing serious.Whatneedthereforeisthereofofferingviolencetoourselvesinthisduty?ButmethinksIhearsomesay,whentheysitalonetheydonotknowwhattomeditateabout.Ishallthereforefurnishthemwithmatterformeditation.

1.Meditate seriously upon the CORRUPTION of your nature.Wehavelostthatpureholyframeofsoulthatweoncehad.Thereisaseaof sin inus.Ournature is the sourceand seminaryof all evil. It is likePeter'ssheet,whereinwere"wildbeastsandcreepingthings,"Actsx.12.Thissincleavestousasaleprosy.Thisoriginalpollutionmakesusguiltybefore theLord;andeven thoughwewouldnevercommitactual sin, itmeritshell. Themeditation of thiswould be ameans to pull down ourpride. Nay, even those who have grace have cause to walk humblybecausetheyhavemorecorruptioninthemthangrace:theirdarksideisbroaderthantheirlight.

2.Meditate seriouslyupon thedeathandpassionofCHRIST.HissoulwasovercastwithacloudofsorrowwhenhewasconflictingwithhisFather'swrath;andallthisweourselves,shouldhavesuffered,Isaiahliii. 5. "He was wounded for our transgressions." As David said, "Lo, Ihavesinned—butthesesheep,whathavetheydone?"2Sam.xxiv.17.Sowehavesinned—butthisLambofGod—whathadhedone?

Theseriousmeditationofthiswouldproducerepentance.Howcouldwelookuponhim"whomwehavepierced,"andnotmournoverhim?Whenwe consider how dearly our sins cost Christ; how should we shed thebloodofoursinswhichshedChrist'sblood?

ThemeditationofChrist'sdeathwouldfireourheartswithlovetoChrist.Whatfriendshallwelove,ifnothimwhodiedforus?Hislovetousmadehim to be cruel unto himself. AsRebecca said to Jacob,Gen. xxvii. 13."Uponme,beyourcurse."SosaidChrist,"uponme,beyourcurse,"thatpoorsinnersmayinherittheblessing.

3.Meditate on your EVIDENCES for heaven.What have you toshowforHeaven,ifyoushoulddiethisnight?

1.Was your heart ever thoroughly convinced of sin? Did you ever seeyourself lost without Christ? Conviction is the first step to conversion,Johnvii.16.

2.HasGod evermade youwilling to take Christ upon his own terms?Zechvi.13."Heshallbeapriestuponhisthrone."AreyouaswillingthatChristshouldbeuponthethroneofyourhearttoruleyou—aswellasapriestatthealtartointercedeforyou?Areyouwillingtorenouncethosesins towhich thebiasof yourheartdoesnaturally incline?Canyou setthose sins, asUriah, in the forefront of the battle to be slain? Are youwillingtotakeChristforbetterandforworse?totakehimwithhiscross,andtoavouchChristintheworstoftimes?

3.Doyouhave the indwellingpresenceof theSpirit? If youhave,whathasGod'sSpiritdoneinyou?Hashemadeyouofanotherspirit?meek,merciful,humble?IsheatransformingSpirit?Hashelefttheimpressofitsholinessuponyou?ThesearegoodevidencesforHeaven.Bythese,asbyaspiritualtouchstone,youmayknowwhetheryouhavegraceornot.Bewareof falseevidences.Noneare further fromhaving the truepearl,thanthosewhocontentthemselveswiththecounterfeit.

4. Meditate upon the uncertainty of all earthly comforts.Creature-delights have their flux and reflux. How oft does the sun ofworldlypompandgrandeurgoesdownatnoon.Xerxeswasforcedtoflyaway in a small vessel, who but a little before lacked sea-room for hisnavy. We say everything is mutable; but who meditates upon it? Theworldisresembledto"aseaofglassmingledwithfire"Rev.xv.2.Glassisslippery;ithasnosurefooting;andglassmingledwithfire issubjecttoconsume.All creatures are fluid and uncertain, and cannot bemade tofix.WhatisbecomeofthegloryofAthens,thepompofTroy?1Johnii.17."Theworldpassesaway."Itslidesawayasashipinfullsail.Howquicklydoesthescenealter?andalowebbfollowahightide?There'snotrustingto anything. Healthmay turn to sickness; friendsmay die; richesmaytakewings.Weareeveruponthetropics.Theseriousmeditationofthis,would,1.Keepusfrombeingsodeceivedbytheworld.Wearereadytosetupour resthere,Psalmxliv. 11. "Their inward thought is, that theirhouses shall continue forever!"We are apt to think that ourmountainstands strong. We dream of an earthly eternity. Alas, if we would

meditateonhowcasualanduncertainthesethingsare,weshouldnotbesooftendeluded.Havenotwehadgreatdisappointments;andwherewehavethoughttosuckhoney,therehavewenotdrunkwormwood.

2.Themeditationof theuncertaintyof all thingsunder the sun,wouldmuchmoderateouraffectionstothem.Whyshouldwesoeagerlypursuean uncertainty? Many take care to get a great estate; it is uncertainwhethertheyshallkeepit.Thefiremaybreakinwherethethiefcannot:oriftheydokeepit,itisaquestionwhethertheyshallhavethecomfortofit.Theylayupforachild;thatchildmaydie;orifhelive,hemayprovea burden. This seriously meditated on, would cure the swelling ofcovetousness;andmakeussit loosetothatwhichhangssolooseandisreadytodropfromus.

3. The meditation of this uncertainty would make us look after acertainty: that is, the getting of grace. This holy "anointing abides," 1Johnii.27.Graceisaflowerofeternity.Deathdoesnotdestroygracebuttransplant itandmakes itgrowinbettersoil.Hewhohastrueholinesscannomoreloseitthantheangelscan,whoarefixedstarsinglory.

5.Meditate onGod's severity against SIN. Every arrow in God'squiverisshotagainstsin.SinburnedSodom,anddrownedtheoldworld.Sin kindles hell. If when a spark of God's wrath flies into a mansconscience, it issoterrible,whatis itwhenGod 'stirsupallhiswrath"?Psalmlxxviii.38.Themeditationofthiswouldfrightenusoutofoursins.There cannot be so much sweetness in sin—as there is sting. Howdreadful is God's anger! Psalm xc. 11. "Who knows the power of hiswrath?"Allfire,comparedwiththefireofGod'swrath,isbutpaintedandimaginaryfire.Othateverytimewemeddlewithsin,wewouldthinktoourselveswechoosethebramble,andfirewillcomeoutofthisbrambletodevourus.

6.MeditateonETERNALLIFE.1John ii. 25. "This ishis promise,eveneternal life."Life issweet,andthiswordeternalmakes it sweeter.ThisliesintheimmediatevisionandfruitionofGod.

1.Thisisaspirituallife.Itisoppositetothatanimallifewhichwelivenow.Here we hunger and thirst; but there we "shall hunger nomore"

Rev. vii. 16). There is themarriage supper of theLamb,whichwill notonly satisfy hunger—but prevent it. That blessed life to come does notconsistinsensualdelights,food,anddrink,andmusic;norinthecomfortof relations; but the soul will be wholly swallowed up in God, andacquiesceinhimwithinfinitedelight.Aswhenthesunappears,thestarsvanish, sowhenGodshall appear inhisgloryand fill the soul, then allearthlysensitivedelightsshallvanish.

2. It isaglorious life.Thebodiesof thesaints shallbeenameledwithglory: theyshallbemade likeChrist'sgloriousbody,Phil. iii.21.And ifthe cabinetbeof suchcuriousneedle-work,howrich shall the jewel bethat is put into it! how bespangled with glory shall the soul be! Everysaintshallwearhiswhiterobe,andhavehisthronetositupon.ThenGodwill put someof his owngloryupon the saints.Glory shall not onlyberevealedtothem—butinthem,Romansviii.18.Andthislifeofgloryshallbe crowned with eternity; what angel can express it! O let us oftenmeditateonthis.

1.Meditationoneternallifewouldmakeuslaborforaspirituallife.Thechildmustbebornbefore it iscrowned.Wemustbebornof theSpirit;beforewearecrownedwithglory.

2. The meditation on eternal life would comfort us in regard to theshortnessofnaturallife.Ourlifewelivenow,fliesawayasashadow:itiscalledaflower,Psalmciii.15.avapor,Jamesiv.14.Jobsetsforthfragilelifeveryelegantly in threeof theelements, land,water, andair, Job ix.25,26.Gototheland,andthereman'slifeislikeaswiftrunner.Gotothewater,thereman'slifeislikeashipundersail.Looktotheair,andthereman'slifeislikeaflyingeagle.Wearehasteningtothegrave.Whenouryears do increase, our life does decrease. Death creeps upon us bydegrees. When our sight grows dim, there death creeps in at the eye.When our hearing is bad, death creeps in at the ear. When our legstrembleunderus,deathispullingdownthemainpillarsofthehouse:buteternal lifecomfortsusagainst theshortnessofnatural life.That life tocome is subject to no infirmities; it knows no end.We shall be as theangelsofGod,capableofnomutationorchange.Thusyouhaveseensixnoblesubjectsforyourthoughtstoexpatiateupon.

But where is the meditating Christian? I lament the lack of holymeditation.Mostpeople live inahurry; theyare sodistractedwith thecaresoftheworld,thattheycanfindnotimetomeditateorscarcelyasktheirsoulshowtheydo.Wearenotlikethesaintsinformerages.DavidmeditatedinGod'sprecepts,Psalm119.15."Isaacwalkedintheeveningtomeditate,"Gen.xxiv.63.Hedid takeastrollwithGod.WhatdevoutmeditationsdowereadinAustinandAnselm?Butitistoomuchoutofdateamongourmodernprofessors.

Thosebeasts under the lawwhichdidnot chew the cud,were unclean.Such as do not chew the cud by holy meditation are to be reckonedamong the unclean. But I shall rather turn my lamentation into apersuasion, entreatingChristians to offer violence to themselves in thisnecessary duty of meditation. Pythagoras sequestered himself from allsociety,andlivedinacaveforawholeyear,thathemightmeditateuponphilosophy.Howthenshouldweretireandlockupourselvesatleastonceaday,thatwemaymeditateuponglory.

1.MeditationmakestheWordpreachedtoprofit;itworksituponthe conscience. As the bee sucks the honey from the flower, so bymeditationwesuckoutthesweetnessofatruth.Itisnotthereceivingoffoodintothemouth—butthedigestingofitwhichmakesitnutritious.Soit is not the receiving of themost excellent truths in at the ear, whichnourishes our souls—but the digesting of them by meditation. Winepouredinasieve,runsout.Manytruthsarelost,becauseministerspourtheirwine into sieves, either into leakingmemories or featheryminds.Meditation is like a soaking rain, that goes to the root of the tree, andmakesitbringforthfruit.

2.Holymeditationquickenstheaffections."Oh,howI loveyourlaw! I meditate on it all day long." Psalm 119:97. The reason why ouraffectionsaresocoldtoheavenlythings,isbecausewedonotwarmthematthefireofholymeditation.Asthemusingonworldlyobjectsmakesthefireoflustburn;themusingoninjuriesmakesthefireofrevengeburn;just so,meditating on the transcendent beauties ofChrist,wouldmakeourlovetoChristflameforth.

3.Meditationhasatransformingpowerinit.Thehearingof the

Word may affect us—but the meditating upon it does transform us.Meditation stamps the impression of divine truths upon our hearts. BymeditatingonGod'sholiness,wegrowholy.AsJacob'scattle,bylookingontherods,conceivedliketherods:sowhilebymeditationwelookuponGod'spurity,wearechangedintohislikenessandaremadepartakersofhisdivinenature.

4. Meditation produces reformation. Psalm 119:59. "I haveconsideredmywaysandhaveturnedmystepstoyourstatutes."Didbutpeople meditated on the damnableness of sin; they would realize thatthereisaropeattheendofit,whichwillhangthemeternallyinhell;theywouldbreakoff a courseof sinning, andbecomenew creatures.Let allthis persuade us to holymeditation. I dare be bold to say that if menwould spend but one quarter of an hour every day in contemplatingheavenly objects, it would leave a mighty impression upon them, and,through the blessing of God might prove the beginning of a happyconversion.

Buthowshallwebeabletomeditate?

Getaloveforspiritualthings.Weusuallymeditateonthosethingswhichwe love. The voluptuousman canmuse on his pleasures: the covetousmanonhisbagsofgold.Didweloveheavenlythings,wewouldmeditatemore on them. Many say they cannot meditate, because they lackmemory; but is it not rather because they lack love?Did they love thethings of God, they would make them their continual study andmeditation.

5.Thefifthdutywhereinwearetoofferviolencetoourselves,isSELF-EXAMINATION."Examineyourselvestoseewhetheryouareinthefaith;testyourselves.DoyounotrealizethatChristJesusisinyou—unless,ofcourse,youfailthetest?"2Corinthians13:5.Thisisadutyofgreatimportance:itisaparleyingwithone'sownheart,Psalmlxxxvii.7."I commune with my own heart." David did put interrogatories tohimself. Self-examination is the setting up a court, in conscience andkeeping a register there, that by strict scrutiny a man may know howthings stand between God and his own soul. Self-examination is aspiritualinquisition;abringingone'sselftotrial.AgoodChristiandoes

asitwere,beginthedayofJudgmenthereinhisownsoul.Self-searchingis a heart-anatomy. As a surgeon, when he makes a dissection in thebody,discoverstheinwardparts,theheart,liver,andarteries—justso,aChristiananatomizeshimself;hesearcheswhatisfleshandwhatisspirit;what is sin,andwhat isgrace,Psalm lxxvii. 7. "Myspiritmadediligentsearch."AsthewomanintheGospeldidlightacandle,andsearchforherlostcoin,Lukexv.8—soconscience"isthecandleoftheLord,"Proverbsxx.27.AChristianbythelightofthiscandlemustsearchhissoultoseeifhecanfindanygracethere.

The rule by which a Christian must try himself, is the Word of God.Sentimentalityandpublicopinionarefalserulestogoby.Wemustjudgeof our spiritual condition by the rule of Scripture. This David calls a"lamp unto his feet," Psalm 119. 105. Let the Word be the umpire todecidethecontroversy,whetherwehavegraceornot.Wejudgeofcolorsbythesun.SowemustjudgeofthestateofsoulsbythelightofScripture.

Self-examinationisagreatandnecessaryduty;itrequiresself-excitation;it cannot possibly be done without offering violence to ourselves. 1.Becausethedutyofself-examinationinitselfisdifficult:1.Itisaworkofself-reflection; it lies most with the heart. It is hard to look inward.Externalactsofreligionareeasy;toliftuptheeyetoHeaven,tobowtheknee,toreadaprayer—thisrequiresnomorelaborthanforaCatholictocountoverhisbeads;buttoexamineaman'sself,toturninuponhisownsoul,totaketheheartasawatchallinpieces,andseewhatisdefective;thisisnoteasy.Reflectiveactsarehardest.Theeyecanseeeverythingbutitself.Itiseasytospythefaultsofothers—buthardtofindoutourown.

2. Examination of a man's self is difficult, because of self-love. Asignoranceblinds,soself-loveflatters.Everymanisreadytothinkthebestof himself.What Solomon says of love to our neighbor ismost true ofself-love;"ithidesamultitudeofsins,"Proverbsx.12.When

a man looks upon himself in the looking-glass of self-love, his virtuesappeargreaterthantheyare,andhissinsless.Self-lovemakesoneratherexcusewhatisamiss,thanexamineit.

2.Asexamination is in itselfdifficult, so it isaworkwhichwearevery

hardly brought to. That which causes a backwardness to self-examination,is,

1. Consciousness of guilt. Sin clamors inwardly, andmen are loathe tolook into their hearts lest they should find that which should troublethem. It is little pleasure to read the hand writing on the wall ofconscience.ManyChristiansareliketradesmenwhoaresinkingintheirestates;theyareloathetolookovertheirbooks,orcastuptheiraccounts,lesttheyshouldfindtheirestateslow:sotheyareloathetolookintotheirguiltyheart, lesttheyshouldfindsomethingtherewhichshouldaffrightthem; as Moses was affrighted at the sight of the rod turned into aserpent.

2.Menarehardlybroughttothisdutybecauseoffoolish,presumptuoushopes: they fancy their estate to be good, and while they weighthemselvesinthebalanceofpresumption,theypassthetest.Manytaketheirsalvationontrust.Thefoolishvirginsthoughttheyhadoil intheirlamps, the same as the wise, Matt. xxv. Some are not sure of theirsalvation—but secure. If onewere to buy a piece of land, hewouldnottake it upon trust—but examine the title. How confident are some ofsalvation—yetneverexaminetheirtitletoHeaven.

3.Menarenot forwardtoexaminethemselves,becausetheyrest inthegoodopinionsofothers:howvainthisis!Alas,onemaybegoldandpearlintheeyeofothers—yetGodmayjudgehimreprobatesilver!Othersmaythinkhimasaint,andGodmaywritehimdowninhisblack-book.JudaswaslookeduponbytherestoftheApostlesasatruebeliever—yethewasatraitor.Bystanderscanbutseetheoutwardbehavior—buttheycannottellwhatevilisintheheart.Fairstreamsmayrunonthetopofariver—butverminmaylayatthebottom.

4.Menarehardlybrought to examine themselves, because theydonotbelieve Scripture. The Scripture says, "The heart is deceitful above allthings and beyond cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9.Solomon said there were four things too astonishing for him, that hecouldnotknow.Provxxx.19.Hemighthaveaddedafifth.Thewayofaman'sheart.Theheartisthegreatestimpostor;itwillbereadytoputoneoffwithseeminggrace, insteadofsaving.Theheartwillpersuadethata

slighttearisrepentance;alazydesireisfaith.Nowbecausethegeneralityofpeopledonotbelievethatthereissuchfallacyintheirhearts,thereforethey are so slow to examine them. This natural backwardness in us toself-reflection,shouldcauseustoofferthemoreviolencetoourselvesinmakingathoroughinvestigationandsearchofourhearts.

O that Imight prevailwithChristians to take painswith themselves inthisgreatworkofexamination.Theirsalvationdependsonit.Itisthewatofaharlot—sheisseldomathome,Proverbsvii.11,12."herfeetneverstayathome;nowinthestreet,nowinthesquares,ateverycornershelurks."Itisasignofanharlot-professor,tobealwaysabroad,spyingthefaultsofothers;butisneverathomewithhisownheart.Ohletustryourhearts,aswetrygold,bythetouch-stone.Letusexamineoursins,andfindingout this leaven, burn it. Let us examine our grace,whether it be of therightkind.Onewentintothefieldtogatherherbs,andhegatheredwildgourds—andthendeathwasinthepot,2Kingsiv.40.Somanythinktheyhavegrace, the rightherb;but itprovesawildgourd,andbringsdeathand damnation. That we may offer violence to ourselves in this greatbusinessofexamination,letthesefewthingsbeseriouslyweighed.

1.Without self-examinationwecanneverknowhow it iswithus. Ifwewoulddiepresently,wecannottelltowhatcoastweshouldsail;whethertohellorHeaven.ItisreportedofSocrates,whenhewasgoingoutoftheworld, he had this speech, I am now to die, and the gods alone knowwhetherIshallbehappyormiserable.Thatmanwhois ignorantof thestateofhissoul,mustneedshavethetremblingattheheart,asCainhada shaking in his body. By a serious scrutiny of our hearts, we come toknow towhat princewe belong,whether to the prince of peace, or theprinceofdarkness.

2.Ifwewillnotexamineourselves,Godwillexamineus.Hewillexamineus,asthechiefcaptaindidPaul,byscourging,Actsxxii.24.Hewillaskthe samequestion asChrist, "whose is this image and superscription?"AndifwecannotshowhimHisownimage,hewillrejectus.

3.Thereissecretcorruptionwithin,whichwillneverbefoundoutbutbysearching. "There is in the heart" (as Austin said) "hidden pollution."When Pharaoh's steward accused Joseph's brethren of having the cup,

theydaredhavesworntheydidnothavethecupintheirsack.Littledoesamanknowwhatsecretatheism,pride,andlust is inhisheartuntilhesearches.

4.The great advantagewill accrue tous: thebenefit is greatwhicheverway things turn. If upon examinationwe find that we have not savinggrace—thenthemistakeisdiscovered,andthedangercanbeprevented.Ifwefindthatwehavesavinggrace—wemaytakethecomfortofit.Howglad was he who had "found the pearl of great price?" He who uponsearchfindsthathehasbuttheleastdegreeofgrace,islikeonewhohasfoundhisboxofevidences;heisheirtoallthepromises,andinastateofsalvation!

Andthatwemaygoonthemoresuccessively inthiswork, letusdesireGodtohelpustofindoutourhearts,Jobxxxiv.32."ThatwhichIseenotteach youme."—Lord, take off the veil; showmemy heart; letme notperishthroughmistake,orgotohellwithhopeofHeaven."Searchme,OGod,andknowmyheart;testmeandknowmyanxiousthoughts.See ifthere is any offensiveway inme, and leadme in theway everlasting."Psalm139:23-24.

6.Thesixthdutywhereinwemustofferviolencetoourselves,isHOLYCONVERSE.Indeedwearebackwardenoughtoit,thereforehad need to provoke ourselves,Mal. iii. 17. "They that feared the Lordspokeoftenonetoanother."Agraciouspersonhasnotonlypietyonlyinhisheart—butalsoinhistongue,Psalmxxxvii.30."ThelawofGodisinhis heart, and his tongue talks of judgment:" he drops holy words aspearls.ItisthefaultofChristians,thattheydonotincompanyprovokethemselves to good discourse: it is a sinful modesty; there is muchvisiting—buttheydonotgiveoneanother'ssoulsavisit.Inworldlythingstheirtongueisasthepenofareadywriter—butinmattersofpiety,itisasiftheirtonguedidcleavetotheroofoftheirmouth.AswemustanswertoGodforidlewords:soalsoforsinfulsilence.

Ohletusofferviolencetoourselvesonthis,ininitiatinggooddiscourse!WhatshouldourwordsdilateandexpiateuponbutHeaven?Theworldisa great Inn;we are guests in this Inn. Travelers,when they aremet intheirInn,donotspendalltheirtimeinspeakingabouttheirInn;theyare

to lodge there but a few hours, and are gone; but they are speaking oftheirhome,andthecountrywithertheyaretraveling.Sowhenwemeettogether,weshouldnotbetalkingonlyabouttheworld;weareto leavethispresently;butweshouldtalkofourheavenlycountry,Heb.xi.16.

Thatwemayprovokeourselvestogooddiscourse(foritwillnotbedonewithoutsomekindofviolence)lettheseconsiderationsbedulyweighed.

"Thegoodmanbringsgoodthingsoutofthegoodstoredupinhisheart,andtheevilmanbringsevilthingsoutoftheevilstoredupinhisheart.For out of the overflowof his heart hismouth speaks."Luke 6:45. Thediscourse demonstrates what the heart is. As the looking-glass showswhatthefaceis—whetheritbefairorfoul;justso,ourwordsshowwhatour heart is. Vain discourse reveals a light, feathery heart. Graciousdiscourserevealsagraciousheart.Thewateroftheconduitshowswhatthespringis.

Holydiscourseisveryedifying.Theapostlebidsus"edifyoneanother,"Ephes. iv. 20. And how more than in this way? Godly discourseenlightensthemindwhenitisignorant;settlesitwhenitiswavering.Agoodlifeadornspiety;godlydiscoursepropagatesit.

GraciousdiscoursemakesusresembleChrist.Hiswordswereperfumedwithholiness:"gracewaspouredintohislips,"Psalm45:2.Hespoketothe admiration of all: his handsworkedmiracles and his tongue spokeoracles,Lukeiv.22."Allbarehimwitness,andwonderedatthegraciouswords which proceeded out of hismouth." Christ never came into anycompany—buthesetgooddiscourseonfoot.Levimadehimafeast,Lukev. 29. and Christ feasted him with holy discourse. When he came toJacob'swell,hepresentlyspeaksofthe"wateroflife,"Jude4.Themoreholy our discourse is, the more we are like Christ. Should not themembersbelikethehead?

God takes special notice of every good word we speak when we meet."Then thosewho feared the Lord talkedwith each other, and the Lordlistenedandheard.Ascrollofremembrancewaswritteninhispresenceconcerning thosewho feared theLordandhonoredhisname."Malachi3:16.Tamerlain,thatScythiancaptain,hadalwaysabookbyhimofthe

namesandgooddeserts ofhis servantswhichhebountifully rewarded.AsGodhasabottleforthetearsofhispeople—sohehasabookinwhichhewritesdownalltheirgoodspeeches,andwillmakehonorablementionof them at the last day. "Let your conversation be always full of grace,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."Colossians4:6

HolydiscoursewillbeameanstobringChristintoourcompany.Thetwodisciples were communing of the death and sufferings of Christ; andwhiletheywerespeaking,JesusChristcameamongthem,Lukexxiv.15."Whiletheycommunedtogether,Jesushimselfdrewnear,andwentwiththem."Whenmenentertainbaddiscourse,Satandrawsnear,andmakesone of the company; but when they have holy and gracious discourse,JesusChrist draws near, and wherever he comes, he brings a blessingalongwithhim.Somuchforthefirstdirective—theofferingofviolencetoourselves.

TheChristianMustofferViolencetoSatan.

Satan opposes us both by open violence, and secret treachery. Satanopposesbyopenviolence—soheiscalledtheRedDragon.Satanopposesbysecrettreachery—soheiscalledtheOldSerpent.WereadinScriptureofhissnaresanddarts;hehurtsmorebyhissnaresthanbyhisdarts.

1.HisVIOLENCE.Helaborstostormthecastleoftheheart;hestirsuppassion, lust, and revenge. These are called "fiery darts," Ephes. vi.16becausetheyoftensetthesoulonfire.Sataninregardtohisfierceness,iscalledalion,"Beself-controlledandalert.Yourenemythedevilprowlsaround like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8.Notwhomhemaybite—butdevour.

2.HisTREACHERY.Whathecannotdobyforce,hewillendeavortodobyfraud.Satanhasseveralsubtledevicesintempting:

1. In suiting his temptations to the temper of the individual.

Satanstudiesourconstitutions,andlayssuitablebaits.HeknewAchan'sscovetousheart,andtemptedhimwithawedgeofgold.Hetemptstheyouthfulmanwithlust.

2.AnotherofSatan'ssubtleties,istodrawmentoevil,underapretenseofgood.Thepiratedoesmischiefbyhangingoutfalsecolors;sodoesSatanbyhangingout the colorsof religion.Heputs somemenuponsinfulactions,andpersuades themmuchgoodwillcomeof it.Hetells them in some cases that they may dispense with the rule of theWord,andstretchtheirconsciencebeyondthatline,thattheymaybeinacapacity of doing more service—as if God needed our sin to raise hisglory!

3.Satantemptstosingradually.Asthefarmerdigsabouttherootofatree,andbydegreesloosensit,andatlastitfalls.Satanstealsintointotheheartbydegrees.Heisatfirstmoremodest.HedidnotsaytoEveatfirst,"Eattheapple!"No!buthegoesmoresubtlytowork;heputsforthaquestion."HasGodsaid?SurelyEve,youaremistaken;thebountifulGodnever intended to debar one of the best trees of the garden. Has Godsaid? Surely, either God did not say it; or if he did, he never reallyintended it."Thusbydegreeshewroughther todistrustGod, and thenshetookofthefruitandate.Oh,takeheedofSatan'sfirstmotionstosin,whichseemmoremodest.Heisfirstafox,andthenalion.

4.Satantemptstoevil in lawfulthings.Itwas lawful forNoah toeat the fruit of the grape;buthe took toomuch, and so sinned. Excessturns that which is good—into evil. Eating and drinking may turn tointemperance. Industry in one's calling, when excessive, becomescovetousness. Satan drawsmen to an immoderate love of the creature,andthenmakesthemsininthatwhichtheylove—asAgrippinapoisonedherhusbandClaudiusinthatfoodwhichhelovedmost.

5.Satanputsmenupondoinggoodoutofevilends.Ifhecannothurt them by scandalous actions, he will by virtuous actions. Thus hetempts some to espouse religion out of ulteriormotives; and to give tocharity, for applause, that others may see their good works. Thishypocrisydoes leaven theduties of religion andmakes them lose therereward.

6.TheDevilpersuadesmentoevil,bysuchasaregood.Thissetsaglossuponhistemptations,andmakesthemlesssuspected.Thedevilhasmadeusesometimesofthemosteminentandholymentopromotehistemptations.ThedeviltemptedChristbyanapostle,Peterdissuadeshimfromsuffering.Abraham,agoodman,bidshiswifeequivocate;Say,youaremysister.

TheseareSatan'ssubtletiesintempting.NowherewemustofferviolencetoSatan,

1.ByFAITH."Resisthim,standingfirminthefaith."1Peter5:9.Faithis awise, intelligent grace: it can see a hook under the bait. 2. It is anheroicgrace;itissaidaboveall,toquenchthefierydartsofSatan.Faithresists the devil. "Take up the shield of faith, with which you canextinguishalltheflamingarrowsoftheevilone!"Ephesians6:16

1.Faithkeeps the castleof theheart, so that itdoesnot yield. It is notbeingtemptedwhichmakesusguilty--butgivingconsent.FaithentersitsprotestagainstSatan.

2.Faithnotonlynotyields—butbeatsback the temptation.Faithholdsthe promise in one hand, and Christ in the other: The promiseencouragesfaith,andChriststrengthensit:sofaithbeatstheenemyoutofthefield.

2.WemustofferviolencetoSatanbyPRAYER.Weovercomehimuponourknees.AsSamsoncalledtoHeavenforhelp,soaChristianbyprayerfetches inauxiliaryforcesfromHeaven.Inall temptations,gotoGodbyprayer."Lord,teachmetouseeverypieceofthespiritualarmor;howtoholdtheshield,howtowearthehelmet,howtousetheswordofthe Spirit. Lord, strengthen me in the battle; let me rather die aconquerorthanbetakenprisoner,andledbySatanintriumph!"Thuswemust offer violence to Satan.There is "a lion in theway," butwemustresolveuponfighting.

AndletthisencourageustoofferviolencetoSatan.Ourenemyisbeatenin part already. Christ,who is "the captain of our salvation," has givenSatanhisdeath-wounduponthecross,Col.ii.15.Theserpentissoonest

killedinhishead.ChristhasbruisedtheheadoftheoldSerpent!Heisachained enemy, and a conquered enemy; therefore do not fear him."Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou!"James4:7."TheGodofpeacewillsooncrushSatanunderyourfeet!"Romans16:20.

The Christian must offer violence to theWorld

Theworldshowsitsgoldenapple.ItisapartofourChristianprofession,to fight under Christ's banner against the world. Take heed of beingdrowned in theworld's lusciousdelights! Itmustbeastrongbrain thatcanbearheadywine.Hehadneedhaveagreatdealofwisdomandgracewho knows how to maintain a great estate. Riches often send upintoxicatingfumes,whichmakemen'sheadsgiddywithpride."Jeshurunwaxed fat andkicked,"Deut. xxxi. 15. It is hard to climb up the hill ofGod,withtoomanygoldenweights.Thosewhodesirethehonorsoftheworld—receivethetemptationsofit.Theworldisaflatteringenemy.Itisgiventosome,asMichaltoDavid, forasnare.Theworldshowsits twobreastsofpleasureandprofit—andmanyfallasleepwiththebreastintheirmouth!Theworldneverkissesus—exceptwithanintenttobetrayus.Theworldisasilkenhalter.Theworldisnofriendtograce;itchokesourlovetoheavenlythings—theearthputsoutthefire.

Naturallywelovetheworld,Jobxxxi.24."IfIhavemadegoldmyhope;"theSeptuagintrendersit,"IfIhavebeenmarriedtomygold."Toomanyareweddedtotheirmoney;theylivetogetherasmanandwife.Oletustake heed of being entangled in this pleasing snare! Many who haveescapedtherockofscandaloussins—yethavesunkintheworld'sgoldenquicksands! The sin is not inusing theworld—but in loving it. 1 John2:15."Donotlovetheworldoranythingintheworld.Ifanyonelovestheworld,theloveoftheFatherisnotinhim."

Ifwe are Christians,wemust offer violence to theworld. Believers arecalledoutoftheworld."Theyarenotoftheworld,evenasIamnotofit."

John 17:16.They are in theworld—but notof it. Aswe say of a dyingman, he is not a man for this world. A true saint is crucified in hisaffectionstotheworld,Gal.6:14.Heisdeadtothehonorsandpleasuresor it. What delight does a dead man take in pictures or music? JesusChristgavehimself"toredeemusfromthispresentevilworld,"Gal.1:4.Ifwewillbesaved,wemustofferviolencetotheworld.Livingfishswimagainst the stream.Wemust swim against the world, else we shall becarrieddownthestream,andfallintothedeadseaofhell.Thatwemayofferviolencetotheworld,letusremember:

1.Theworld isDECEITFUL.Our Savior calls it, "The deceitfulness ofriches," Matt. 13:22. The world promises happiness—but give less. ItpromisesusRachel—butgivesusbleary-eyedLeah.Theworldpromisestosatisfyourdesires—butonlyincreasesthem.Theworldgivespoisonedpills—butwrapstheminsugar!

2.TheworldisPOLLUTING."ReligionthatGodourFatheracceptsaspureandfaultlessisthis:...tokeeponeselffrombeingpollutedbytheworld."James1:27Asiftheapostlewouldintimatethattheworldisgoodfor nothing but to pollute. It first pollutesmen's consciences, and thentheirnames. It is called filthy lucre,Titus1:7.because itmakesmensofilthy. They will damn themselves to get the world. Ahab would haveNaboth'svineyard,thoughheswamtoitinblood.

3.Theworld isPERISHING. "Theworldand itsdesirespass away." 1John2:17.Theworldislikeaflowerwhichwitherswhilewearesmellingit!

TheChristianMustOfferViolencetoHeaven

"The kingdom ofHeaven suffers violence." ThoughHeaven is given usfreely—yetwemusttakepainsforit.CanaanwasgivenIsraelfreely—buttheyhad to fightwith theCanaanites. It is not a lazywish, or a sleepyprayer,whichwillbringustoHeaven;wemustofferviolence.Therefore

inScriptureourearnestnessforHeavenisshownbythoseallegoriesandmetaphorswhichimplyviolence.

1. Sometimesbystriving. Luke 13:23-24. "Someone askedhim, "Lord,areonlyafewpeoplegoingtobesaved?"Hesaidtothem,"Makeeveryefforttoenterthroughthenarrowdoor,becausemany,Itellyou,willtryto enter andwill not be able to." (TheGreek signifies, "Strive as in anagony.")

2.Wrestling,which is a violent exercise.Eph.6:12.We are towrestlewithabodyofsin,andwiththepowersofhell.

3.Runninginarace,1Cor.9:24."Sorunthatyoumayobtain."WehavealongracefromearthtoHeaven—butalittletimetorun;itwillsoonbesunset.Therefore,sorun.Inarace there'snotonlya layingasideofallweightsthathinder—butaputtingforthofallthestrengthofthebody;astrainingeveryjointthatmenmaypressonwithallswiftnesstolayholdontheprize.ThusPaulpressedtowardsthemark.Phil.iii:14.Alas,whereisthisholyviolencetobefound?

1.Many havemade themselvesunfit to run this blessed race; they aredrunkwith thepleasuresof theworld.Adrunkenman isunfit to runarace.

2.Othersneglect to run this race all their life; andwhen sickness anddeath approach, now theywill begin. A sickman is very unfit towalk,muchlesstorunarace.Iacknowledgethattruerepentanceisnevertoolate;butwhenamancanhardlymovehishand,orliftuphiseyes—thatisaveryunfittimetobegintheracefromearthtoHeaven.

3. This earnestness for heaven is compared to fighting, which impliesviolence,1Tim.vi.12."Fightthegoodfightoffaith."Itisnotenoughtobelaborers;wemustbewarriors.Indeed,inHeaven,ourarmorshallbehungupasatokenofvictory;butnowitisadayofbattle;andwemust"fightthegoodfightoffaith."AsHannibalforcedawayforhisarmyovertheAlpsandcraggyrocks;somustweforceourwaytoHeaven.Wemustnotonlypray—butprayfervently,Jamesvi.16.ThisisofferingviolencetoHeaven.

ThereasonswhytheremustbethisofferingviolencetoHeavenare:

1.God'sindispensablecommand.Hehasenactedalaw,thatwhoevereatsofthefruitofparadise,shalleatitinthesweatofhisbrow.2Peteri.10."Givediligencetomakeyourcallingandelectionsure."

2.God'sdecree.TheLordhasinhiseternaldecreejoinedtheendandthemeanstogether:strivingandentering,theraceandthecrown.AndamancannomorethinktocometoHeavenwithoutofferingviolence,thanhecanthinktocometotheendofhisjourney,whoneversetsastepintheway.Whoexpectsanharvestwithoutplowingandsowing?Howcanweexpect the harvest of glory without labor? Though our salvation withrespecttoChristisapurchase—yetwithrespecttous,itisaconquest.

3. We must offer violence to Heaven in regard to the difficulty of thework: Taking a kingdom. First, we must be pulled out of anotherkingdom,"Thekingdomofdarkness,"Actsxxvi.18.Togetoutofthestateofnatureishard,andwhenthatisdone,andwearecutofffromthewildolive tree,and implanted intoChrist, there isnewworkstill todo;newsins to mortify; new temptations to resist, new graces to quicken. AChristianmustnotonlygetfaith—butgo"fromfaithtofaith,"Romansi.17.Thiswillnotbedonewithoutviolence.

4. We must offer violence to Heaven in regard to the violent assaultsmadeagainstus.

1.Ourownheartsopposeus.Itisisastrangeparadox:man,whodoesnaturally desire happiness—yet opposes it; he desires to be saved—yethatesthatholyviolencewhichwouldsavehim.

2.Allthepowersofhellopposeus.Satanstandsatourrighthand,ashedidatJoshua's,Zech.iii.Shallwenotbeasearnesttosaveoursouls,asthedragonis todevourthem?Withoutviolentaffectionsweshallneverresistviolenttemptations.

5.Wemustbeviolent,becauseitisamatterofthehighestimportance.Amandoesnotbeathisheadabouttrifles—butaboutmatterswhereinhis

lifeandestateareconcerned.Violenceistobeoffered,ifweconsider:

1.Whatweshallsave:theprecioussoul.Whatpainsdowetakeforthefeedingandenrichingofthebody,thebrutishpart?Othenwhatviolenceshouldweuseforthesavingofthesoul?Thebodyisbutaringofclay;thesoulisthediamond.ThesoulisthemirrorwhereintheimageofGodisseen.Thereareinthesoulsomeshadowsandfaintrepresentationsofadeity.IfChristthoughtthesoulwasworththesheddingofHisblood,wellmaywethinkitworthspendingoursweat.

2. Consider what we shall gain: a kingdom. What pains are used forearthlycrownsandempires;menwillwadetothecrownthroughblood.Heavenisakingdomwhichshouldmakeusstriveforit—eventoblood.Thehopesofakingdom(saysBasil) shouldcarryaChristiancheerfullythroughalllaborsandsufferings.

There must be an offering of violence in regard to that aptness andproneness in the best to grow remiss in piety. When they have beenquickened in a duty, they are apt to growdead again.When they havebeen heated at the fire of an ordinance, they are apt to freeze again;therefore they stillmustbeofferingviolence.Theheart, like thewatch,will be apt to run down; therefore itmust be continuallywound up byprayerandmeditation.The fire of devotionwill soongoout if it is notblownup.

A Christian's own experience of his inconstancy in performing good, isreasonenoughtoholyviolence.

If theremustbe thisofferingofviolence, it showsus it isnot soeasyathing asmen imagine to get toHeaven.There are somanyprecepts toobey; somanypromises to believe; somany rocks to avoid, that it is adifficultmatter tobesaved.Someimaginethat there isapleasant,easyway to Heaven—an idle wish, a deathbed tear—but the text tells us ofofferingviolence.Alas, there isagreatwork tobedone; thebiasof theheartmustbechanged.Manbynaturedoesnotonlylackgrace—buthateit.HehasanenvenomedspiritagainstGod,andisangrywithconvertinggrace; and is it easy to have the heart metamorphosed? for the proudhearttobemadehumble?fortheearthlyhearttobemadeheavenly?Can

thisbedonewithoutusingviolence?ItisalluphilltoHeaven,anditwillmakeussweatbeforewegettothetopofthehill.

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is theroadthatleadstodestruction,andmanyenterthroughit.Butsmallisthegate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."Matthew 7:13-14. Indeed hell will be takenwithout storm: the gates ofhell, likethat irongate,Actsxii.10.openof theirownaccord;but ifwegettoHeaven,wemustforceourway;wemustbesiegeitwithsighsandtears,andgetthescalingladderoffaithtostormit.

Wemustnotonlywork—butfight.LikethoseJewswhobuiltthewallofJerusalem,Nehem.4:17-18."Thosewhocarriedmaterialsdidtheirworkwithonehandandheldaweaponintheother,andeachofthebuildersworehisswordathissideasheworked."AChristianiscommandedtodifficult service; he must charge through the whole army of his lusts,everyoneofwhich is stronger thanGoliath.AChristianhasno time todrowse;hemustbeeitherprayingorwatching;eitheruponthemountorinthevalley,onthemountoffaithorinthevalleyofhumility.

Worldly things are not obtainedwithout labor.What toiling is there inthe shop? What sweatings are there in the furnace? And do we thinkHeavenwill be hadwithout labor?Domendig forworms, andnot forgold?Thosewhoare inHeavenareemployed;muchmoreshouldthosewhoaregettingthere.Theangelsareministeringspirits,Heb.i.14.Thewingsoftheseraphimaremany—toshowushowswifttheyareinGod'sservice. If the angels in Heaven are busying themselves in noble andhonorableemployment,howindustriousshouldwebewhoaregettingupthehillofGod,andhavenotyetarrivedatastateofglory?Issalvation-worksoeasy?Canamanbesavedbyafaintwish?CanheleapoutoftheDevil's arms into Abraham's bosom? Oh no! there must be offeringviolence.

Somethinkfreegracewillsavethem;butitmustbeintheuseofmeans."Watchandpray."Otherssay,thepromiseswillbringthemtoHeaven—butthepromisesoftheWordarenottobeseparatedfromtheprecepts.Thepromisetellsusofacrown—butthepreceptsays,"Runinsuchawayas to get the prize," 1 Cor. 9:24. The promises aremade to encourage

faith,nottonourishsloth.Butotherssay,Christhasdiedforsinners;andso they leavehimtodoall for themandtheywilldonothing.Thenthetext would be out of date, and all the exhortations to striving and"fighting the good fight of faith," are in vain.Our salvation cost Christblood; it will cost us sweat. The boatmay aswell get to shorewithoutrowing,aswecangettoHeavenwithoutofferingviolence.

2. It showsus thegreatmistakeof ignorantpeople,who thinkthebaredoing of duties, though in an ever so slight and superficial manner, isenough.Thetexttellsusofofferingviolence,

1.InthebusinessofPRAYER.Theythinkitisenoughtoutteroverafewwordsthoughtheheartbeasleepallthewhile.Whatofferingofviolenceis here? Christwas "in an agony" at prayer, Luke xxii. 44.Manywhentheypray,areratherinalethargythaninanagony.Jacobwrestledwiththe angel in prayer, Gen. xxxii. 24. The incense was to be laid uponburningcoals,Lev.xvi.12.Incensewasatypeofprayerandincenseuponburningcoalswasatypeoffervencyinprayer.Fewknowwhatthespiritofprayermeans;orwhatitistohavetheaffectionsboilover.Whentheyareabouttheworldtheyareallfire;whentheyareatprayertheyareallice.

2.IntheHEARINGOFTHEWORD.Manypeoplethinkitisenoughtobringtheirbodiestotheassembly—butneverlookattheirhearts.Theysatisfy themselves that theyhavebeen at church, though theyhavenotbeenwithGod,whilethere.Othersgotoasermonastothemarket—tohear the latest news. New notions please their fancy—but they do notattendtotheWordasamatteroflifeanddeath.TheydonotgotomeetwithChristinanordinance;tohavethebreathingsofhisSpirit,andtheinfusionsofhislove.Alas,whatlittleviolenceforHeavenistobeseeninmostpeople'sworship!Inallthesacrificesofthelaw,therewasfire.Howcan thosedutiesbeacceptedwhichhaveno fire in them,nooffering ofviolence.

3.If theremustbethisofferingofviolencetoHeaven, then it showsushowdangerousmoderationinpietyis.Violenceandmoderationaretwodifferent things. Indeed, moderation in the things of the world iscommendable. We should moderate our worldly desires—and "use the

worldas ifweused itnot,"1Cor.vii.31.Wemay,asJonathan,dip theend of the rod in honey—but not thrust it in too far. In this sensemoderationisgood—butmoderationinmattersofpracticalpietyissinful—it is contrary to offering violence. Moderation, in the world's sense,meansnottobetoozealous,nottobetoofierceforHeaven.Moderationisnottoventurefurtherinpiety,thanmaycoexistwithself-preservation.AsthekingofNavarrtoldBeza—hewouldlaunchnofartherintotheseathanhemightbesuretoreturnsafelytoland.Tokeeponthewarmsideofthehedge,isamainarticleinthepoliticianscreed.

Moderationintheworld'ssense,isneutrality.Themoderatepersonfindsamediumbetweenstrictnessandprofaneness;heisnotfordebauchery,norforpurity.ItwastheadviceCalvingaveMelanchthon,thatheshouldnotsoaffectthenameofmoderate,thatatlasthelostallhiszeal.Tobelukewarminmattersofpiety,isfarfromofferingviolencetoHeaven,Reviii. 19. "Be zealous and repent." If any should ask us why we are soviolent, tell them it is for a kingdom. If any shall ask uswhywemakesuchhasteinthewaysofpiety,tellthemwearerunningaheavenlyrace,andasoftlymoderatepacewillneverwintheprize.ModerationhasmademanyloseHeaven;theyhavenotmadehasteenough;theyhavecometoolate,(likethefoolishvirgins)whenthedoorhasbeenshut!

ArrowsofReproofandApostasy

1. It reprovesSLOTHFULprofessorswhoare settledon theirlees.

Theymakealazyprofessionofpiety—butusenoviolence.Theyare likethelilies,whichneithertoil,nordotheyspin.Thesnail,byreasonofitsslow motion, was reckoned among the unclean, Levit. xi. 30. St.Augustine calls idleness theburialof amanalive.Thereare some faintwishes,"ohthatIhadHeaven!"butamanmaydesirevenison,andlackit, ifhedoesnothunt for it. "Thesluggardcravesandgetsnothing,butthedesiresofthediligentarefullysatisfied."Proverbs13:4

MenwouldbecontenttohavethekingdomofHeaven;buttheyareloathtofightforit.TheychooserathertogoinafeatherbedtoHellthantobecarried to Heaven in a "fiery chariot" of zeal and violence. Howmanysleep away, and play away, their time; as if they were made like theLeviathan,toplayinthesea!Psalmciv.26.ItisasayingofSeneca,"Nomanismadewisebychance."Sureitis,nomanissavedbychance—buthemustknowhowhecameby it,namely,byofferingviolence.Suchashaveaccustomedthemselvestoanidle,lazydisposition,willfindithardtoshake off, "I have takenoffmy robe—must I put it on again? I havewashedmyfeet--mustIsoilthemagain?"SongofSongs5:3.Thespousehadlaidherselfuponthebedofsloth,andthoughChristknockedatthedoor,shewasreluctanttoriseandlethimin.

Somepretendtobebelievers—butareidleinthevineyard.Theypretendtomakeuseoffaithforseeing—butnotforworking;thisfaithisfancy.OthatChristianshada spirit of activity in them, 1Chron. xxii. 16. "Ariseandbedoing,andtheLordbewithyou."Wemaysometimeslearnofourenemy.

TheDevil isnever idle;he"walksabout,"1Peterv.8.Theworld ishisdioceseandheiseverydaygoingonhisvisitation.IsSatanactive?Istheenemyuponhismarch,comingagainstus?Andareweasleepuponourguard?AsSatanhimselfisnotidle,sohewillnotendurethatanyofhisservants should be idle. When the Devil had entered into Judas, howactivewasJudas!Hegoestothehighpriest,fromthencetothebandofsoldiers andwith themback to the garden, andnever left until he hadbetrayedChrist.Satanwillnotendurean idle servant;anddowe thinkGod will? How will the heathen rise up in judgment against slothfulChristians!

What pains did they take in the Olympian games: they ran for agarland of flowers, and do we stand still who run for a crown ofimmortality?Certainly, if only the violent takeHeaven, the idle personwillnevercomethere.Godputsnodifferencebetweenthesetwo,slothfulandwicked,Matt.xxv.26."Youwickedandslothfulservant."

2.ItreprovestheFORMALIST,whoputsallhisreligioningesturesandvestures,andemblemsofdevotion,andthinksthiswillentitlehimto

Heaven,Rev.iii.1."Youhaveanametolive,andaredead."TheformandoutsideofChristianityisjudgedasallthatisnecessary.

1. It is a means to keep up men's credit in the world. Should they bevisiblyprofane,suchasaresoberwouldnotcomenearthem:theywouldbelookeduponasnobetterthanbaptizedheathens;thereforetheymustmake a show of devotion out of policy, to gain some reputation andesteemamongothers.

2.Aformservestostopthemouthofconscience;hadtheynotsomekindof outward devotion, their conscience would fly in their face and theywouldbeaterrortothemselves;thereforetheythinkitexpedienttohaveaformofgodliness.Butalas!whatisallthis?Thetextspeaksofofferingviolence toheaven.Whatviolence is there ina form?Here isno takingpainswiththeheart:aform—butnopower,2Tim.iii.5.Formalistsarelikethestatuesinthechurchyard,whichhavetheireyesandhandslifteduptoHeaven—buthavenosoul.Theformalist'sdevotionrunsoutmostinpunctiliosandniceties:heneglects"theweightiermattersof the law,faithandmercy,"Matt.xxiii.23.Hescruplesaboutsuperstitiousfancies—butmakesnoreckoningofsin:heismoreafraidofablackcatcrossinghispath,thanofaharlotinhisbed.Hehatessanctity.Christhadnosuchbitterenemiesastheformalpharisees.Theformalistisneverviolent—butinpersecutingthepowerofgodliness.

3.Itreprovessuchasareviolentinabadsense.Theyareviolentforhell;theygothereinthesweatoftheirbrows.Jer8:6,"Eachpursueshis own course like a horse charging into battle." A war horse rushesviolentlyamongthegunsandcannons:sodidtheyrushintosinviolently.Menareviolent,

1.Inopposinggood.

2.Inpursuingevil.

1.Menareviolentinopposinggood.Severalways.

1.TheyofferviolencetotheSpiritofGod.TheSpiritknocksatthedoorofsinners"hearts;hewaitsuntilhisheadis"filledwithdew,"and"hislocks

withthedropsofthenight;"butsinnersrepulseandgrievetheSpirit,andsend away this dove from the ark of their souls. Acts vii. 51. "You doalways resist theHolySpirit."TheSpiritoffersgrace to the sinner, andthesinneroffersviolencetotheSpirit,Isaiahlxiii.10."TheyrebelledandvexedHisHolySpirit;"andmaynottheLordgiveupstriving.God,whoiswilling to come inwhenwe open to him, has not promised to comeagainifweunkindlyrepulseHim.

2.Theyofferviolencetoconscience.ConscienceisGod'spreacherintheheart. This preacher cannot flatter; it tells men of their pride,covetousness,abuseofmercy.But they, insteadofbeingviolentagainsttheir sins, offer violence to conscience; they silence and imprisonconscience.ButastheprophetZachariahwhenhewasdumb,calledforawriting table and did write, Luke i. 63. So when conscience cannot bepermittedtospeak,itwillwrite.Itwritesdownmen'ssins;andwhenatdeath they shall be forced to read the hand-writing, it will make theirhearts tremble, and their knees knock together. Men commonly offerviolenceto theirconscience;andwhatwillbe thisoutcome?Thosewhowill nothear thevoiceof conscience, shall be sure to feel thewormofconscience!

3. They offer violence toGod's image. The saints (who areGod's livingpicture)areopposedandshotat.Thisisacursedviolence,Gal.iv.29."Ashewhowasbornaftertheflesh,persecutedhimwhowasbornaftertheSpirit;" even so it is now. Christ himself is struck at through believers.The church has always been in the torrid zone—the ploughers haveplougheduponherback.Theearthhasbeensownwiththebodiesofthesaints, and watered with their blood. Persecutors, I grant, are of anancientfamily.Thefirstmanthatwasbornintheworldwasapersecutor,namelyCain;andhehasanumerousoffspring:Nero,Trajan,Domitian,Diocletian,andMaximinus.Faelix,earlofWurtemburg,beingatsupperinAugsburg,didtakeanoaththatbeforehedied,hewouldrideuptothespurs in the blood of the Lutherans; but was afterwards choked in hisownblood.Persecutorsarethecurseofthecreation:beingsomeofthose"thornsandbriars"whichtheearthbringsforth.

2.Menareviolentinpursuingevil.

1. They are violent in their opinions. 2 Peter ii. 1. "Privily they shallbringindamnableheresies."Ariuswassuchaone;andtrulythespiritofAriusisyetaliveatthisday,whenmendaredenytheDeityoftheblessedSonofGod.Manyofthehereticsofoldweresoviolent,thattheiropinionwastothemaBible:andsomeofthemdiedmaintainingtheirheresies.TheseweretheDevil'smartyrs.

2. They are violent in their passions. Anger is a temporary insanity,James iii. 6. "The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity." In this littlememberthereisagreatworld,namely,a"worldofsin."Suchaswouldbecountedsober—yetaredrunkwithpassion.Theirprayers,arecold—buttheirangerhot.Theyspitfireastheserpentdoespoison.Fierypassions,withoutrepentance,bringmentothefieryfurnace.

3. They are violent for their lusts. Titus 3:3. "Enslaved by all kinds ofpassions and pleasures." Lust is an inordinate desire or impulse,provoking the soul to the gratifying of its carnal desires. Aristotle callsthembrutishlusts,becausewhenlustsareviolent,theywillnotletreasonorconsciencebeheard;butamaniscarriedbrutishlytothesatisfyingoftheflesh.

1.Men are violent for theirdrunken lusts. Though death is in the cup,theywilldrinkitup.Onehavingalmostlosthiseye-sight,thephysiciantold him there was no cure for him, unless he would leave off hisexcessive drinking. "Then," says he, "farewell sweet light!" He wouldratherlosehiseye-sightthanleavehisdrinking.

2.Theyareviolentfortheirimpurelusts.Menaresaidto"burninlusts,"Romansi.27.Theapostleintimatesthatlustisakindoffever.Feverishheatsarenotmorepernicioustothebody,thanlustistothesoul.Owhatfollyisit—foradropofpleasuretodrinkaseaofwrath!

3. They are violent for their oppressive lusts, who wrong and defraudothers, and by violence take away their right. Instead of clothing thenaked,theymakethosewhoareclothed,naked.Thesebirdsofprey liveuponrapine.Theyarecruel,asiftheyhadbeensuckledwiththemilkofwolves.Theysmileatthecursesofthepoor,andgrowfatwiththeirtears.TheyhaveforgottenChrist'scaveat,Lukeiii.14."Doviolencetonoman."

AhabviolentlytookawayNaboth'svineyard,2Kingsxxi.11.Hellistakenbythisviolence,Proverbs iv.17."Whodrinkthewineofviolence."Thiswine will turn to poison at last, Psalm. xi. 5, "He who loves violence,God'ssoulhates."

4. They are violent for their covetous lusts. Covetousness is the soul'sidolatry.Amos2:7,"Whopantafterthedustoftheearth."Theycompassseaandlandtomakemoneytheirproselyte.TheirGodismadeofgold,andtoittheybowdown.Thosewhoboweddownontheirkneestodrinkofthewaters,wereaccountedunfitsoldiersforGideon,Judgesvii.6.SoarethoseunfitforChrist,thatstoopimmoderatelytothecareofearthlythings.Thosewhoareviolentfortheworld,whathavetheybutthewind?Eccles. v. 16. "What profit has he who has labored for the wind?" Theworld cannot enrich the soul, it cannot remove pain. If pangs ofconscience come, theworld cannomore give comfort, thana crownofgoldcancureahead-ache.

4.Itreprovesthosewhohaveinpartleftoffthatholystrictnessand violence in piety they once had. Their fervor is cooled andabated.What theydo is so little, that it cannotbecalledviolence.TheyserveGod—butarenotferventinspirit.Theydonotabandonduty—buttheygrowdead induty.Theyhave "left their first love,"Rev. ii. 4. It iswith themasa firewhen it is goingout;or as the sunwhen it is goingdown.Likeepileptics,beforetheywereinaparoxysm,orhotfitofzeal;butnow that thecold fithas taken them, theyare formaland frozen inpiety.Timewaswhentheycalled"theSabbathadelight,"Isaiah.lviii.13.Howwere theirhearts raised induty!Howdiligentlydid theyseekhimwhomtheirsoulloved!Butnowthecaseisaltered;theirpietylanguishes,andevenvanishes.Timewaswhentheywereinanagony,anddidsendforthstrong cries inprayer.Now the chariotwheels arepulled off, andthe spirit of prayer ismuch abated. Their prayers freeze between theirlips; a clear sign of the decay of grace. These persons are grown bothlethargicandconsumptive.

1.Lethargic.Cant.v.2,"Isleep—butmyheartwakes"Thoughgracewasaliveinher,andherheartwaked;yetshewasinadull,drowsytemper,"Isleep."Whentheheartburnsinsin,andcoolsinduty,itisasuresignofgrowingtoastupidlethargy.

2. Consumptive. There are two signs of persons in a spiritualconsumption.

1.WhentheirdesireafterChristandHeavenisnotasstrongasitwas.Aconsumptive man's stomach decays. Christians have not such violentaffections to heavenly things; they can desire food and wine, and thelusciousdelightsoftheearth;butChristislessprecious;theyarenot inpangsofdesireafterhim;asadsymptomtheirgraceisinaconsumption.

2.When they arenot so vigorous inmotion.When aman is lively andstirringathiswork—itisasignheisinhealth.Butwhenheislistless,anddoesnotcaretostir,orputhishandtoanything—itisasignthathealthisdeclining.Sowhenmenhavenoheartforthatwhichisholy,theycarenottoput themselvesupon the exercises of piety; theyhave lost a spirit ofactivity forGod; they servehim in a faint sicklymanner. It is is a signtheyareconsumptive.

Whenthepulsecanscarcelybefelt,anditbeatsverylow,menareneardying.Sowhenthosewhowereonceviolentforheaven—butnowwecanscarceperceiveanygodlinessinthem,thepulsebeatslow—andgrace isreadytodie,Rev.iii.2.

Toyouwhohaveabated inyourholyviolence,andaregrownremiss induty,letmeexpostulatewithyou,astheLorddidbytheprophet,Jer.ii.5."Whatiniquityhaveyourfathersfoundinme?"

What evil have you found in God, that you leave off your formerstrictness?HasnotGodfedyouwithmannafromabove,andgivenyouhisHoly Spirit to be your guide and comforter?Has he notmade youswiminaseaofmercy?

Whatevilhaveyoufoundinprayer,thatyouarelessviolentinit?Haveyounot had sweet fellowshipwithGod?Have younot sometimes beenmelted and enlarged, insomuch you have thought yourselves in thesuburbsofHeaven,whenyouhavebeenupon thismount?Hasnot thedoveofprayerbroughtanolive-branchofpeaceinitsmouth?

WhatevilhaveyoufoundintheWord?Timewaswhenyoudidtakethisbook and eat it—and it was honey in your mouth! Has theWord lessvirtue in it now? Are the promises like Aaron's dry rod, withered andsapless?

WhatiniquityhaveyoufoundinthewaysofGod,thatyouhaveabatedyourformerviolence inpiety?"Orememberwhenceyouarefallen,andrepent,anddoyourfirstworks,"Rev.ii.5.

Considerseriously—

1.Thelessviolenceforheaven,thelesspeaceyouwillhave.Ourconsciencesareneveratpeaceinadrowsystate.Itisthelivelyactingofgrace, whichmakes the heart calm and serene. These two go together,walking"inthefearofGod,"and"inthecomfortsoftheHolySpirit,"Actsix.31.Christian, ifonceyougrowremiss inpiety, consciencewill chideyou. If youbelong toGod,hewillnever let youbequiet—butwill sendsomeafflictionorothertoawakenyououtofyoursecurity,andmakeyourecoverthatactivelivelyframeofheartasonceyouhad.

2.Youwho growmore dead inGod's service, and leave yourfirstlove—givegreatadvantagetoSatan.Thelessviolentyouare—themoreviolentheis.Thelessyoupray—themorehetempts.Whatasadcase are you now in?How can grace that isweak and sicklywithstandviolenttemptations?HenceitisGodallowshisownpeoplesometimestofall intosin, asa justpunishment for their lukewarmness, and tomakethemmorezealousandviolentforthefuture.

3. Your remissness in piety, though itmay not damn you—itwill damage you.You will lose that degree of glory, which else youmighthavehad.Thoughyourremissnessmaynotloseyourcrown,itwilllessenitandmakeitweighlighter.

4.Themore lazyaChristian'sdesiresare, themore livelyhiscorruptions. The weaker the body grows, the stronger the diseasegrows.O, therefore, pray for quickening grace, Psalm cxliii. 11. Beg forfresh gales of the Spirit to blow upon you. Never leave until you haverecoveredthatholyviolencewhichonceyouhad.

2. It reproves thosewhohavenearlyabandonedallviolence—they havestopped readingandpraying in their family.There isnot somuchas aface of piety to be seen; they are fallen finally. Suchwere Joash, Jehu,Julian. The goodly building of their profession, which others admired,nowhasnotonestoneleftuponanother.

WHYdomen thus run retrograde in theirmotion, and quitethrowoffthatviolencewhichtheyseemedoncetohave?

1.Becausetheyneverhadaprincipleofspirituallife.Thingsthatmovefromaprincipleoflifeareconstant,asthemotionofthepulse.Butartificialthingsareapttobeatastand-still,andtheirmotionceases.Asaclockwhentheweightsarehungon,goes—buttakeofftheweightsanditstands still. So the apostate never moved in religion, but for gain andapplause.Whentheseweightsaretakenoff,heisatastand-still,hegoesno further. That branchmust needswither,which has no root to growupon.

2. Men throw off all violence, and degenerate into apostasy,because they never did duties of piety with delight. Paul"delightedinthelawofGodintheinwardman,Romansvii.22.ItwashisHeaventoserveGod.Amanwhodelightsinpleasurewillnevergiveuphispleasure.TheapostateneverhadanytruedelightinthewaysofGod;hewasratherforcedwithfear,thandrawnwithlove;heservedamasterwhomhenevercaredfor;nowonderthenthatheleaveshisservice.

3.Mendegenerateintoapostasythroughunbelief.Psalmlxxviii.22."TheybelievednotinGod."verse41."Theyturnedback,andtemptedGod." Sinners have jealous thoughts of God; they distrust his love,thereforedeserthisservice.Theythinktheymaypray,andhear—andtono purpose. Mal. iii. 14. "What profit is it that we have kept hisordinances?" That is, "Wemay draw near to God in duty—but he willneverdrawnear tous inmercy."Thusunbeliefandatheismprevailing,the livery of piety is presently thrown off, and all former violence forHeavenceases.Unbeliefisthemotherofapostasy.

4.Menleaveofftheirformerviolence,andprovetobeJudasesandDevils,becausetheylovesomethingelsemorethanpiety.

There is some lust or other, that their heart is engaged to; and theirviolenceforsinhasdestroyedtheirviolenceforpiety.Solyman,thegreatTurk, seeingmany professing Christians go over to Turkism, he askedthemwhatmoved them to turn Turks. They replied, "they did it to beeasedoftheirtaxes."TheyweredrawnfromGodthroughtheprevalencyofcovetousness.Ifthereisanypredominant,lustintheheart—itwillgetdomination,anddestroyall formerzeal forpiety.Abimelech,abastard,destroyed"seventyofhisbrethrenupononestone,"Judgesix.18.Ifthereis any lust the heart runs after, this bastard-sin will destroy seventyduties;itwillmurderallthatviolenceforHeaven,whichamandidonceseemtohave.

5.Men leave off former violence out of cowardice. If they areviolent in piety, they fear theymay lose their profits and preferments;nay, even their lives. The cowardnever yetwon the field.When carnalfeargrowsviolent—allviolenceforHeavenisatanend.

ManyoftheJewswhoweregreatfollowersofChrist,whentheysawtheswordsandstaves,lefthim.(Proverbsxxix.25."Inthefearofmanthereis a snare." Carnal fear makes the sin appear less than it is—but thedangergreater.

6. Men leave off violence for Heaven—for lack of patience.Sensiblefeelingof joyiswithheld,andtheyhavenopatiencetostayforthefullrecompenseofreward.Hypocritesareallforpresentpay;andifthey have not that suddenlywhich they desire, they bid adieu to piety;and sayas thatwickedking,2Kingsvi. 33. "Why should Iwait for theLordanylonger?"TheydonotconsiderthatGodisafreeagent,andwilldispensehisblessingsinthefittestseason—buttheytrytotieGoduptotheirtime.Theyforgetthatjoyisapartofthereward;andwouldhavethereward,before theirworknot yet finished.Does the servant receive hispay before his work is done? James v. 6. "The farmer waits for theprecious fruit of the earth."Hedoesnot expect to sow and reap in thesameday.Buthypocritesarealwaysinhaste:theywouldreapjoybeforetheyaredone sowing the seedof repentance.Andbecause comfort is awhile deferred, they are offended; they will serve God no longer; theirpatienceisatanend,thereforetheirviolenceisatanend.

7. Men leave off holy violence, and degenerate intoprofaneness,outofajustjudgmentfromGod,leavingthemtothemselves.TheyoftenresistedtheSpirit,andsenthimawaysad.Andnow,asajustjudgment,Godsays,"mySpiritshallnolongerstrive."Andifthiswinddoesnotblowupontheirsails,theycannotmove.Ifthissunwithdraws from their climate, they must needs freeze in impenitency.Theybeforesinnedagainstclearconvictions; theysilencedconscience—andnowGodhasseared it.Andnowifanangelshouldpreachto themfrom Heaven, it would do them no good. O how dismal is this! thethoughtsofitmaystrikeusintoaholyconsternation.

ThusweseewhymenapostatizeandleaveofftheirviolenceforHeaven.

Whatdotheygetbythis?Letusseewhatapurchaseapostatesmake.

TheyproclaimtheirFOLLY.ForalltheirformerviolenceforHeavenislost.Hewhorunshalftheraceandthenfaints,losesthegarland.Ezek.xniii.24."Whentherighteousturnsawayfromhisrighteousness,allhisrighteousness that he has done shall not be mentioned." All men'sprayers and tears are lost. The apostate unravels all that he has beendoing.Heislikeamanwhowithapencildrawsanintricatepicture,andthencomeswithhisspongeandwipesitoutagain.Gal.iii.4."Haveyousufferedsomanythings invain?"Perhapsforpiety,amanhassufferedmanyareproachandaffront;andhaveyousufferedallthisinvain?Hereisfollyindeed.

ItwillbeBITTERNESSintheend.Jer.ii.19."Knowthereforethatitis anevilandbitter thing that you have forsaken the Lord."Men, byleaving off their violence forHeaven, get a thorn in their conscience, ablot in their name, a curse in their souls. What did Judas get by hisapostasy—butahalter?So itwillbebitterness intheend.Theapostate,whenhedies,dropsasawindfallintothedevil'smouth!

5.Itreprovesthosewhoputoffthisviolenceforthekingdom,untiloldage.Whentheyarefitfornootherwork,thentheywillbeginthistakingheavenbystorm.Nomansays,"IwilllearnmytradewhenIamold."ItisimprudenceforonetobegintoworkforHeaven,whenheis

past his labor. There is a night of sickness and death coming, and ourSaviorsays,"Thenightcomeswhennomancanwork,"Johnix.4.SurelyamancanputforthbutlittleviolenceforHeavenwhenoldage,andoldsinsareuponhim.Besides,howunworthyandinsincereitis--togivetheDeviltheflowerofyouth,andGodthedregsofoldage!ThereforeGodrejectedCain'ssacrifice,becauseitwasstalebeforehebroughtit,Gen.iv.3.Thereislittlehopeoftheirsalvation--whoareneverseekforHeaven,untiltheyareonthebordersofeternity.

6.ItreprovesthosewhoaresofarfromusingthisviolenceforHeaven,thattheyderideit.Theseareyourzealousones,2Peteriii.3."Inthelastdaysthereshallbescoffers."Holywalkinghasbecometheobject of derision. Psalm lxix. 12. "I have become the song of thedrunkard." This shows a vile heart. There are some, who, though theyhave no goodness themselves—yet honor those who are good. Herodreverenced John the Baptist. But what devils are those—who scoff atgoodness,andreproachothersfordoingthatwhichGodcommands.Thisageproducessuchassitinthechairofscorners,andthrowtheirsquibsatpiety.InBohemia,whensomeofthemartyrswerethenextdaytosuffer,they comforted themselves with this—that was their last supper andtomorrowtheyshouldfeastwithChristinHeaven!APapiststandingby,asked them in a jeer—if Christ had any cooks inHeaven to dress theirsupper?Oh, take heed of such an Ishmael spirit! It is a sign of amangiven over to the devil. God 'scorns the scorner" Proverbs iii. 34. Andsurely,heshallneverlivewithGodwhosecompanyGodscorns.

7. It reproves those who instead of taking Heaven by force,keep itoffby force; as if theywere afraid of being happy; or as if acrownofglorywouldhurtthem.Suchare,

1.Theignorant,whoshuttheireyesagainstthe light,andrefusetobetaught theway toHeaven.Hosea iv. 6. "Youhave rejected knowledge."TheHebrewwordshovestorejectwithdisdain.AsIhavereadofaScotchbishop, who thanked God he never knew what the old and newTestamentswere.Iwonderwherethebishoptookhistext.

2. Theprofane, who hate to be admonished, and had rather die thanreform.Amosv.10."Theyhatehimwhorebukesinthegate."Thesekeep

offheavenbyforce.SuchwerethoseinActsxiii.46."SeeingyouputawaytheWordfromyou."TheGreekwordmayberendered,seeingyoushoveit away with your shoulders. As if a sick man should bolt out thephysician, lest he should cure him. Job xxi. 14. "Who say unto theAlmighty, depart from us!" God is reluctant to be gone; he woos andbeseechessinnerstoaccepthistermsofmercy—butsinnerswillhavehimgone; they say to him "Depart!" May not we say to these, "who hasbewitchedyou?Whatmadnessbeyondhyperboleisthis—thatyoushouldnot only forsakemercy—but fight against it; as if therewere danger ingoingtoHeaven!"

Thesewhoputaway salvation from them, theydowillfullyperish; theywouldnothearofanything thatwouldsave them.Were itnotbea sadepitaph if aman hadwritten upon his tomb-stone, "here lies one whomurderedhimself"?Thisistheconditionofdesperatesinners;theykeepoffHeavenbyforce;theyareselfmurderers.ThereforeGodwritestheirepitaph upon their grave, Hosea xiii. 9. "O Israel—you have destroyedyourself!"

ExaminationandObjections

Let us then EXAMINE whether we put forth this holy violence forHeaven? What is an empty profession without this? It is Like a lampwithoutoil.Letusallaskourselves—whatviolencedoweuseforHeaven?

1.Dowestrivewithourheartstogetthemintoaholyframe?How did David awaken all the powers of his soul to serve God, Psalm87:6."Imyselfwillawakeearly."

2.Dowesettimeaparttocallourselvestoaccount,andtotryourevidencesforHeaven?Psalmlxxxvii.6."Myspiritmadediligentsearch." Dowe take our hearts as a watch all in pieces, to see what isamiss and tomend it?Arewemeticulously inquisitive into the state of

oursouls?Areweafraidofartificialgrace,asofartificialhappiness?

3.Doweuseviolenceinprayer?Istherefireinoursacrifice?Doesthe wind of the Spirit, filling our sails, cause "groans unutterable?"Romansviii.25.Doweprayinthemorningasifweweretodieatnight?

4. Do we thirst for the living God? Are our souls big with holydesires?Psalmlxxiii.25."There isnoneuponearth that Idesirebesideyou."DoweredesireholinessaswellasHeaven?Dowedesireasmuchtolook like Christ, as to live with Christ? Is our desire constant? Is thisspiritualpulsealwaysbeating?

5.Areweskilledinself-denial?Canwedenyourease,ouraims,ourinterest?Canwecrossourownwill to fulfillGod's?Canwebeheadourbelovedsin?Topluckouttherighteyerequiresviolence.

6.AreweloversofGod?Itisnothowmuchwedo—buthowmuchwelove.Does lovecommand thecastleofourhearts?DoesChrist'sbeautyandsweetnessconstrainus?2Cor.v.14.DoweloveGodmorethanwefearhell?

7.Dowekeepourspiritualwatch?Dowesetspies ineveryplace,watching our thoughts, our eyes, our tongues? When we have prayedagainstsin,dowewatchagainsttemptation?TheJews,havingsealedthestoneofChrist's sepulcher, 'set awatch,"Matt. xxvii.66.AfterwehavebeenattheWord,dowesetawatch?

8. Do we press after further degrees of sanctity? Phil iii. 13."Reachingforthuntothosethingswhicharebefore."AgodlyChristianisawonder;heisthemostcontentedyettheleastsatisfied:heiscontentedwitha littleof theworld—butnot satisfiedwitha littlegrace;hewouldhavestillmorefaithandbeanointedwithfreshoil.Pauldesiredto"attainuntotheresurrectionofthedead,"Phil.iii.11,thatis,heendeavored(ifpossible)toarriveatsuchameasureofgraceasthesaintsshallhaveattheresurrection.

9.Isthereaholyemulationinus?Dowelabortoout-shineothersinpiety?Tobemoreeminentforloveandgoodworks?Dowesomething

whichissingular?Matt.v.47."Whatdoyoudo,morethanothers?"

10.Arewegotabove theworld?Thoughwewalk on earth, dowetradeinHeaven?CanwesayasDavid?Psalmcxxxxix.17."Iamstillwithyou."Thisrequiresviolence;formotionsupwardareusuallyviolent.

11.DowesetourselvesalwaysunderGod'seye?Psalmxvi.8."Ihave set the Lord always before me." Do we live soberly and godly,rememberingthatwhateverwearedoingourJudgelookson?

If itbe thuswithus,wearehappypeople.This is theholyviolence thetext speaksof, and is the rightwayof taking thekingdomofGod.AndsurelyneverdidNoahsowillinglyputforthhishandtoreceivethedoveinto the ark, as Jesus Christ will put forthHis hand to receive us intoHeaven.

BeforeIpresstheexhortation,letmeremovesomeOBJECTIONSthatmaybemadeagainstthisblessedviolence.

1.Butwehavenopowerofourselvestosaveourselves?Youbidusbeviolent,asifyoushouldbidamanchainedfastinfetterstowalk.

It is true,we cannot, until grace comes, effectually operate to our ownsalvation.Beforeconversionwearepurelypassive;andwhenGodbidsusconvertandturn,thisistoshowuswhatweoughttodo,notwhatwecando.Yetletusdowhatweareable.

Wehavepowertoavoidthoserocks,whichwillcertainlyruinoursouls—Imeangrosssins.Amandoesnotneedtobeinbadcompany;hedoesnotneed toswear,or tell lies;norwouldhedo it if itwereby lawdeath toswearanoath.

Wehavepowertocastourselvesupontheuseofmeans,praying,reading,holyconference.Thiswillcondemnmenatthelastday;thattheydidnotact so vigorously in their sphere as they might; they did not use themeans, and see whether God will give grace. God will come with that

soliciting question at last, "You should have putmymoney on depositwiththebankers,sothatwhenIreturnedIwouldhavereceiveditbackwithinterest."Mat.25:27."WhydidyounotimprovethatpowerwhichIgaveyou?"

Though we do not have power to save ourselves—yet we must pursueafter salvation,becauseGodhasmadeapromiseofgrace, aswell as tograce.Hehaspromisedtocircumciseourhearts;toputhisSpiritwithinus;toenableustowalkinhisstatutes,Ezek.xxxvi.27.Sothatbyprayerweare toput thebond insuit,and topressGodwithhisownpromise.ThoughIwillnotsaywiththeArminians,thatuponourendeavorGodisboundtogivegrace;yetheisnotlackingtothosewhoseekhisgrace;nay,hedenieshisgracetononebutthosewhowillfullyrefuseit,Psalmlxxxi.11,"Israelwouldhavenoneofme."

2.ButthisofferingviolenceisHARD,andIshallneverbeabletogothroughit.

Admitittobehard—yetitisaduty,andthereisnodisputingduty.GodhasmadethewaytoHeavenhard.

Totryourobedience.Achildobeyshisfather,thoughhecommandshimhardthings.Peter'sobedienceandlovewastriedwhenChristbadehimcometohimuponthewater.

God does it that he may raise the price of heavenly things. Were thekingdomofgloryeasilyobtained,wewouldnotvalue itsworth.Suchisournature,thatweslightthingswhichareeasilycomeby.Ifpearlswerecommon,theywouldsoonfallintheirprice.IfChristandHeavenmightbehadwithoutviolence,theseblessingsofthefirstmagnitudewouldnothavebeenhadinsuchhighveneration.

Butletnotthedifficultybeobjected.Whatifsalvation-workishard.

1. Is itnotharder to lay inHell? Isnot sufferingvengeanceworse thanofferingviolence?

2. We do not argue so in other things. An estate is hard to come by;

thereforewewillsitstill?No!difficultydoesthemorewhetandsharpenour endeavor; and if we take such pains for these inferior things, howshould we for that which is more noble and sublime! The profit willabundantlycountervailthelabor.

3.Thoughthebusinessofpietyatfirstseemshard—yetwhenonceweareenteredintoit,itispleasant.Whenthewheelsofthesoulareoiledwithgrace,nowaChristianmoves inpietywith facilityanddelight, Romansvii.22."IdelightinthelawofGodaftertheinwardman."Christ'syokeatthe first putting on seems heavy; butwhen once it is on, it is easy. Toserve God, to love God, to enjoy God, is the sweetest freedom in theworld. The poets say the top of Olympus is always quiet. The firstclimbinguptherockyhillofHeavenishardtofleshandblood;butwhenwe are gotten up towards the top, there is peace and delight;we see apleasant prospect, and are ready to cry out as Peter on the mount oftransfiguration,"It isgoodtobehere!"Whathiddenmannadowenowfind!Thisistheanticipationorforetasteofglory.

3.ButifIputmyselfuponthisviolentexerciseinpiety,thenIshalllosethatpleasureIhaveinmysin,mymirthandmelody,andI shallexchangedelight for labor; and so I shall be nomoreNaomi—but Marah. Voluptuous people speak as the fig tree in theparable, Judges ix. "Shall I leave my fatness and sweetness," all myformerpleasures,andnowofferviolencetoHeaven,liveastrictmortifiedlife?Thiscrossesthestreamofcorruptnature.

Leave the pleasure in sin. The Scripture does so describe sin, that onewouldthinkthereshouldbelittlepleasureinit.

1.Scripturecallssinadebt.Siniscomparedtoadebtof"tenthousandtalents"Matt.xviii.24.AtalentofgoldamongtheHebrews,wasvaluedat almost four thousand pounds. Ten thousand talents is a figurativespeech,toexpresshowgreatadebtsinis;anddoyoucallthisapleasure?Isitanypleasureforamantobeindebt?

2.Scripturecallssinadisease,Isaiahi.5."Thewholeheadissick."Isitanypleasuretobesick?Thoughalldonotfeelthissickness—yetthelessthedistemperisfelt,themoredeadlyitis.

3.TheScripturecomparessinto"gallandwormwood,"Deut.xxix.18.Itbreedsabitterwormin theconscience.Sin stingsamanwithwrath,John iii.34.Anddoyoucall thisapleasure?Surely,you"putbitter forsweet,"Isaiahv,20.

The pleasures of sin gratify only the senses of man, and are not soul.Pleasures are called carnal, because they delight only the body. Howabsurd was that speech of the rich man in the Gospel, when he wasspeakingofhis store of goods andhis barnsbeing full, 'soul, take yourease," Luke xii.19.Hemight have saidmore properly, "body, take yourease;"forhissoulwasneverthebetterforhisriches,norcoulditfeelanydelight in them. Though his barns were full, his soul was empty.Therefore,whenSatantellyou,"ifyouuseviolenceforHeaven,youwillloseallyourpleasures;"askhim,"whatpleasuresarethey,Satan?suchaspleaseonlythesenses,theydonotdelightthemind;theydonotcomfortthe conscience; they are such delights wherein the brute creatures doexceedme!"

ThesesugaredpleasuresinsintheScripturesaysarebut"foraseason,"Heb. xi. 25. They are like straw in a fire—whichmakes a blaze—but ispresentlyout.1Johnii.17."Theworldpassesaway,andthelustthereof."Itpassesawayswiftlyasashipundersail.Worldlypleasuresperishintheusing;likeafleetingshadoworflashoflightning;andarethesetobepreferredbeforeaneternalweightofglory?

Thepresentsweetnesswhichisinsinwillturntobitternessatlast.Likethebook theprophetate,Ezek. iii.3, sweet in themouth—butbitter inthebelly.Honeyissweet—butitturnstonausea.Sinisasweetpoison,itdelights thepalate—but torments thesoul.Whenonce thesinner'seyescometobeopenedatdeath,andhefeelssomesparksofGod'swrathinhisconscience,thenhewillcryoutinhorror,andbereadytolayviolenthandsuponhimself.Wemaysayofthepleasuresofsin,asSolomonsaysofwine,Provxxiii.32."Afterwordsitbiteslikeaserpent."Solooknotonthe smiling pleasures of sin; be not delighted with its beauty—butaffrighted of its sting!Do the damned inHell feel anypleasure now intheir sins? Has their cup of wrath have one drop of honey in it? Ohremember, after the golden crowns, andwomen's hair—come the lionsteeth!Rev. iv.8.Thus Ihaveanswered the firstpartof theobjection; I

shallloseallmypleasuresinsin.

IfIputforththisviolenceinpiety,Ishallexchangemydelightfor labor. Imustdig away through the rock, andwhile Iwork Imustweep."

Though youmust use violence—yet it is a sweet violence; it is a laborturnedintodelight.Psalmcxxxviii.5."TheyshallsinginthewaysoftheLord."TosendoutfaithasaspytoviewtheheavenlyCanaan,andplucka bunch of grapes there—this is great delight! Rom xv. 13. "Joy inbelieving." To love God, (in whom all excellencies are combined) howsweetisthis!Tolovebeautyisdelightful.Towalkamongthepromisesasamongbedsofspicesandtotastethefruit,ohhowpleasantisthis!ThelaborofaChristianbringspeaceofconscience,andjoyintheHolySpirit.

And whereas it is said that this holy violence takes away our joy, andwhileweworkwemustweep;Ianswer,aChristianwouldnotbewithoutthesetears.Thetearsofasaint(saysBernard)havemoretruejoyin them than all worldly delights!The oil of joy is for mourners,Isaiahlxi.3.

4. I would use this violence for Heaven—but I shall exposemyselftothecensureandscornofothers.Theywillwondertoseemesoaltered,andthinkitnothingbutareligiousfrenzy.

1.Considerwhowillreproachyou;theyarethewicked!TheyaresuchifChristwerealiveonearth,wouldreproachhim.TheyareblindedbytheSatan, thegodof thisworld,2Cor. iv.4. It is as if ablindmanshouldreproachabeautifulface!

2.Whatdotheyreproachyoufor?ItisforofferingviolencetoHeaven.Isitadisgrace,tobelaboringforakingdom?TellthemyouaredoingtheworkwhichGodhas set theabout.Better they shouldreproachyou forworkinginthevineyard—thanGoddamnyoufornotworking!

3.JesusChristwasreproachedforyoursake,Hebxii.2."Heenduredtheshameofthecross;"andwillnotyoubecontentedtobearreproachesforhim?Thesearebutthechipsofthecross,whicharerathertobedespised

thanlaidtoheart.

5.IfIusethisholyviolence,andturnreligious,thenIshalllosesuchyearlyprofitswhichmysinhasbroughtin.AsAmaziahsaid,"ButwhataboutthehundredtalentsIpaidfortheseIsraelitetroops?"2Chron.25:9.

Isthereanyprofitinsin?Didanyoneeverthriveuponthattrade?Bythetimeyouhavecastupthereckoning,youwillfindbutlittleprofit.

1.By the incomes that sinbrings in—you treasureupGod's vengeance!Romansii.5.Whileyouputunjustgaininthebag—Godputswrathinhisvial!Willyoucallthisprofit?Whatevermoneyamangetsinasinfulway—hemustpayinterestforitinhell!

2. That cannot be for your profit,whichmakes you comeoff a loser atlast.YouloseHeavenandyoursoul;andwhatcancountervailthisloss?"Whatisamanprofitedifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul?"Matt.xvi.26."God"(saysChrysostom)"hasgivenamantwoeyes;ifhelosesone,hehasanother.Buthehasbutonesoul,andifthatbelost—heisundoneforever!"

6.ButIhavesomuchbusinessintheworldthatIcanfindnotimeforthisholyviolence.AsthekingofMacedonsaid,whentheypresented him with a book treating of happiness, "I have no time forthis!"

See the folly of this objection; what is the main business of life—butlookingafter thesoul?And formen tosay theyareso immersed in theworld,thattheycannotmindtheirsouls—ismostabsurdandirrational.This is tomakethegreatergivewaytothe lesser.As ifa farmershouldsay,heissobusylookingafterhishobbies,thathehasnotimetoploworsow.What is his occupationbutploughing?Suchmadness is it tohearmensaytheyaresotakenupabouttheworldthattheyhavenotimefortheirsouls.

CouldGodfindtimetothinkofyoursalvation?CouldJesusChrist findtimetocomeintotheworld,andbeherethirty-threeyearsincarryingon

this greatdesignof your redemption; and canyou findno time to lookafterit?IsthegettingalittlemoneythatwhichobstructsthisviolenceforHeaven?Yourmoneywillperishwithyou!

Canyoufindtimeforyourbody?timetoeatandsleep?andnotfindtimeforyoursoul?Canyoufindtimetouseforyourrecreation?andnotimetouseforyoursalvation?Canyoufindtimeforidlevisits?andnotimetovisitthethroneofgrace?

Oh takeheed that yougonot toHell in the crowdofworldlybusiness!Joshuawasacommanderofanarmy—yethisworkasasoldierwasnottohinderhisworkasaChristian:hemustprayaswellasfightandtakethebookofthelawinhishand,aswellasthesword,Josh.i.8.

You,whoeveryouare,whomakesthisobjectionaboutworldlybusiness,letmeaskyou—doyouthinkinyourconscience,thatthiswillbeagoodexcuse at the last day,whenGod shall ask you, "Whydid younot takepains for Heaven?" You shall say, "Lord, I was so steeped in worldlybusiness,thatIwashindered."Wasitagoodpleaforaservanttosaytohismaster, that hewas so drunk that he could notwork! Truly, it is apoorexcusetosaythatyou"weresodrunkwiththecaresoftheworld—thatyoucouldnotbeviolentforthekingdom!"

27MotivestoPutForthHolyViolence

Having answered these objections, let me reassume the exhortation,pressing all Christians to this violence for the heavenly kingdom. AsDavid'sthreeworthiesventuredtheir lives,andbrokethroughthearmyofthePhilistinesforwater,2Sam.xxiii.46,suchakindofviolencemustweuse,breakingthroughalldangersforobtainingthe"wateroflife."

1. Consider the deplorable conditionwe are in by nature—astateofmiseryanddamnation;thereforewhatviolenceshouldweusetogetoutofit?Wereoneplungedintoquicksands,wouldhe

notuseviolence togetout?Sin isaquicksand,and is itnotwisdomtoextricate ourselves out? David being encompassed with enemies, said"Hissoulwasamong lions,"Psalm lvii.4. It is true inaspiritualsense,oursoulisamonglions.Everysinisalionwhichwoulddevourus!Andifwe are in the lion's den—should not we use violence to get out? TheangelsusedviolencetoLot;theylaidholdonhimandpulledhimoutofSodom,Gen.xix.16.SuchviolencemustbeusedtogetoutofthespiritualSodom.Itisnotsafetostayintheenemy'squarters.

2. It is possible that in the use of means we may arrive athappiness.Impossibilitydestroysendeavor;buthereisadoorofhopeopened.Thethingisfeasible.Itisnotwithusaswiththedamnedinhell;thereisatomb-stonerolledoverthem.ButwhileweareunderthesoundofAaron'sbell,andthesilvertrumpetofthegospelisblowninourears,while the spirit of grace breathes on us, andwe are on this side of thegrave—thereisgreathopethatbyholyviolencewemaywinParadise.AnabsoluteimpossibilityofsalvationisonlyforthosewhohavecommittedtheunpardonablesinagainsttheHolySpirit,andcannotrepent;butwhothese are, is a secret sealed up in God's book. But here is greatencouragementtoalltobeseriousandearnestinthemattersofeternity,because theyareyet inacapacityofmercy,no finalsentence isalreadypassed;Godhasnotyettakenupthedrawbridgeofmercy.ThoughthegateofParadiseisnarrow—yetitisnotshut.Thisshouldbeasoiltothewheels, to make us lively and active in the business of salvation.Therefore as the farmer plows in hope, James v. so we should pray inhope;anddoallourworkforheaveninhope—forthewhiteflagofmercyisyetheldforth!SolongastherewasgraintobehadinEgypt,thesonsofJacobwouldnotsitstarvingathome,Gen.xliii.3.So longas there isakingdomtobeobtained—letusnotsitstarvinginoursinsanylonger!

3.ThisviolenceforHeavenisthegrandbusinessofourlives!Whatelsedidwecomeintotheworldfor?Wedidnotcomehereonlytoeat anddrink, andwear fine clothes;but the endof our living is, tobeviolent for the kingdom of glory. Should thebodyonly be tended, thiswere be to polish the scabbard, and let the blade rust; to preserve thelumber, and let the child be burnt. God sends us into the world as amerchantsendshisgoodstotradeforhimbeyondtheseas.SoGodsends

usheretofollowaspiritualtrade,toservehimandsaveoursouls.Ifwespendallourtimeindressingandpamperingourbodies,oridlevisits—weshallgivebutasadaccounttoGod,whenheshallsendusaletterofsummonsbydeathandbidusgiveanaccountofourstewardship!

Werenothemuchtobeblamed,whowouldhaveagreatdealof timbergivenhimtobuildahouseifheonlycutallthisgoodtimberintochips?Justsoisthecaseofmany;Godgivesthemprecioustimeinwhichtheyaretoprovideforakingdom,andtheywastethistimeoflifeandcutitallinto chips. Let this excite violence in the things of God. It is themainerrandofourlivinghere—andshallwegothroughtheworldandforgetourerrand?

4.Howviolentarethewickedinwaysofsin!Violentfortheirmaliciouslusts!Proverbsi.16."Theirfeetruntoevil."Violentfortheirunclean lusts. Amnon offered violence to his sister; he would have hislust, though it costhimhis life.Sinnerstirethemselvesout in thedevil's drudgery! Jer. ix. 5. They "weary themselves to commitiniquity."Theyareoutofbreathinpursuingtheirsin!Jer.l.33."Theyaremadupontheiridols!"SoviolentweretheJews,thattheywouldsparenocostintheiridolatrousworship,Isaiahxlvi.6."Theylavishgoldoutofthebag."So fiercelywere theybentupon idolatry, that theywouldsacrificetheirsonsanddaughterstotheiridolgods,Jer.xxxii.35."Theybuiltthehigh places of Baal to cause their sons and their daughters to passthrough the fire."Weremen thus violent for their lusts and idols—andshallnotwebeviolentforakingdom?

Nay, you that are now ingrafted into Christ, how violent perhaps havesomeofyouformerlybeeninevil?Howdidyouoncespendyourselvesinasinfulway!PerhapsevenlikePaul,whobeforehisconversionbreathedout"threateningsandslaughteragainstthedisciplesoftheLord,"Actsix.1.Perhapsyouhavebeenviolentindrawingotherstosin,youhavebeentempterstothem;andperhapssomeofthemwhomyouhaveseducedtosin, are now crying because of you in hell, and saying that they wouldhavenevercomethere, if ithadnotbeen foryourexample!Shouldnottheconsiderationofthishumbleyou?Shouldnotthismakeyouthemoreviolent in piety, that youmaybring some glory toGodbefore youdie?Shouldyounotbeasindustrioustosavesouls—asyouhavebeentodamn

them?WereyoutolivetotheageofMethuselah,youcouldneverdoGodsufficientserviceforthedishonoryouhavedonetohim!

5.Thisholyviolencehasmuchdelightmingledwithit.Proviii.17."Allherwaysarepleasantness"Thoughthewayofpietyhasthornsinit, (in respect to persecution) yet it is full of roses, in respect to thatinwardpeaceandcontentmentthatthesoulfindsinit.Amanisviolentat his recreation; but there is an inward delight he takes in it whichsweetens that violence.Paulmadepietyhis recreation.Romvii. 22. "Idelight in the law of God after the inwardman." In the Greek, "I takepleasure."NotonlyHeaven itself isdelightful—but theway there.Whatravishingdelightagracioussoulhasinprayer?Isaiahlvi.7."Iwillmakethem joyful in the house of prayer." What delight in holycontemplation!AChristianhassuchinfluencesoftheSpirit,andmeetswithsuchtransfigurationsofsoul,thathethinkshimselfhalfinheaven!ServingofGodislikegatheringspices,orflowers,whereinthereissomelabor—but the labor is recompensed with delight! The way of sin hasbitternessinit.Thebears,whiletheylickhoney,arestungwiththebees.Sowhilemen are following their lusts, they have checks of conscience,whichareaforetasteofhell.Bettertolackthehoney,thanhavethissting.Butviolence forheaven isspicedwithsuch joy, that it isnot labor—butpleasure!

6.Thisviolenceandactivityofspiritinpiety,putsalusteruponaChristian.Themoreexcellentanything is, themoreactive it is.Thesunisagloriouscreature,asagiant"itrunsitsrace,"Psalmxix.5.Fire,thenoblest element, sparklesvigorously.Theangelsare describedwithwings,Isaiahvi.2.whichisanemblemoftheirswiftobedience.Themoreviolentweareinpiety,themoreangelicweare!

7.HowviolentChristwasaboutoursalvation!Hewas inagony;he"continuedallnightinprayer,"Lukevi.2.Hewept,hefasted,hediedaviolentdeath;heroseviolentlyoutofthegrave.WasChristsoviolentfor our salvation—and does it not befit us to be violent, who are sointimatelyconcernedinit?Christ'sviolencewasnotonlysubstitutionary—butexemplary.ItwasnotonlytoappeaseGod—buttoteachus.Christwasviolentindying—toteachustobeviolentinlivingandbelieving.

8.Thisholyviolencebrings rest.Motion tends to rest,Heb. iv. 9."There remains a rest to the people ofGod." Indeed, there is amotionwhichdoesnot tend to rest; thosewhoareviolent inawayof sin shallneverhaverest,Rev.iv.8."Theyhavenorest,dayandnight."Suchasaregraceless, shall be restless. But the violence a Christian takes—leads torest. As the weary traveler sits down at night and rests himself, Psalmcxvi.7."Returntoyourrest,Omysoul."HolyviolenceisliketheflyingofNoah'sdovetotheark,whereitfoundrest.

9.Ifweusewhatviolenceweareable—Godwillhelpus."It isGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactaccordingtohisgoodpurpose."Philippians2:13.TheSpirithelpsusinprayerandsoproportionatelyinallotherdutiesofpiety."TheSpirithelpsus inourweakness."Romans8:26.Thepromisesencourage,andtheSpiritenables.Inallearthlyracesamanruns inhisownstrength;but in the race toHeavenwehave theSpiritofGodhelpingus;henotonlygivesus thecrown,whenwehavefinishedrunning—buthegivesuslegstorun;hegivesusquickeningandassisting grace! The Spirit of God helping us makes our work easy. Ifanotherhelpsustocarryaburden,itislessdifficult.Ifthemagnetdrawsthe iron—it is not hard for the iron tomove. If the Spirit of God, as adivinemagnet—drawsandmoves theheart inobedience, thentheworkgoesonwithmorefacility."Hegivesstrengthtothewearyandincreasesthepoweroftheweak.Evenyouthsgrowtiredandweary,andyoungmenstumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew theirstrength.Theywillsoaronwingslikeeagles;theywillrunandnotgrowweary,theywillwalkandnotbefaint."Isaiah40:29-31

10.Thisblessedviolenceinpiety,wouldbepreventiveofmuchsin. While men are idle in the vineyard, they are a prey to everytemptation.Satansowsmostofhisseedoftemptationinheartswhichliefallow.Whenheseespeopleunemployed,hewill findworkforthemtodo;hewillstirthemuptoonesinorother."Whileeveryonewassleeping,his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat." Matthew 13:25.WhenSatan findsmen inadrowsycondition, their sleeping time ishistemptingtime!Butbyholyviolence,wepreventtheDevil'sdesign;weareso busy with salvation that we have no leisure to listen to temptation.Jeromeadvisedhis friend tobealwayswellemployed, thatwhenSatan

camewithatemptationhemightfindhimworkinginthevineyard.Whenthebirdisflying,itissafe;whenitsitsstillonthebough,itisindangerofbeing shot! When a Christian sits still and is inactive, then the Devilshootshimwithhis"fierydarts.""Watchandpraysothatyouwillnotfallintotemptation!"Matthew26:41.

11.Considerthefollyofsuchasareviolentfortheworld—butnot for thegloriouskingdomofheaven!Alas, how insipidareallthese things thatwe layoutour sweat forandourviolenceupon! Theywillnotmakeushappy.KingSolomondistilledthequintessenceoutofallearthlythings,andsaid,"behold,allisvanity,"Eccles.ii.8.

1.Theseearthlythingsthatwetoilsohardfor,areuncertain,1Tim.vi.17. It is uncertain whether we shall get them. All that are suitors to avirgindonotsucceed.Allthatcometoalotteryhavenotwonaprize.

2. These earthly things that we toil so hard for, are unsatisfactory.Could men heap up silver as dust; had they as much as the DevilpromisedChrist,"Allthekingdomsoftheworld,andthegloryofthem;"yettheycannomorefilltheheart,thanadropofwatercanfillacistern.Eccles.v.16."Whatprofithashethathaslaboredforthewind?"

3.Theseearthlythingsthatwetoilsohardfor,aretransient;deathfeedsattheroot.Allworldlypossessionsarelikeacastleofsnowinthesun;orlikeaposyofflowers,whichwitherswhilewearesmellingthem.Oh,follyis it to put forth all one's violence for the world, which is but "for aseason," and not for Christ and grace. As if a condemned man beingearnesttogethisdinner—butnotconcernedwithgettinghispardon.

12. The next motive is in the text—this violence is for akingdom!ThekingdomofHeavensuffersviolence.Andwhatwillwebeviolent for, if not for a kingdom?Menwillwade to a kingdom throughblood: this is a kingdom worth striving for. Cyprus is an island soexceedingly fertile and pleasant, that it was anciently calledMacaria,whichsignifiesblessed.Thistitleofblessedmaymorefitlybegiventotheheavenlykingdom. If themountainsweregold; if every sandof the seawereadiamond;ifthewholeglobewereashiningcrysolite;itwouldallstillbeinfinitelybeneaththegloryofthiskingdom.

1.TheBLESSINGSoftheheavenlykingdomaregreat.

1.Thereshallbefreedomfromsin.Hereonearth,sinkeepshousewithus; it isasnatural tous tosinas tobreathe.Thesoul that ismostrefined,andcleansedbygrace, isnotwithoutsomedregsofcorruption.Paulcriedoutofa"bodyofsin."HewhoisinoculatedintoChriststillhasa taste and relish of the wild olive tree. But when we ascend to theheavenlykingdom,thismantleofsinshalldropoff.Thatkingdomissopure,thatitwillnotmixwithanycorruption.Asinfulthoughtshallnotcreepinthere.Thereisbeautywhichisnotstainedwithlust,andhonorwhich isnot swelledwithpride. "Nothing impurewill everenter it,norwillanyonewhodoeswhatisshamefulordeceitful,butonlythosewhosenamesarewrittenintheLamb'sbookoflife."Revelation21:27

2. In that blessed kingdom there shall be freedom from theassaultsofthereddragon.TissadtohaveSatandailysolicitingusbyhis temptations, and laboring to trick us into sin. Temptation is theDevil'spowderplottoblowupthefort-royalofourgrace;butthisistheblessedfreedomoftheheavenlykingdom,itisnotcapableoftemptation.TheoldserpentiscastoutofParadise.

3. In that blessed kingdom there shall be freedom fromdivisions. In this world God's own tribes go to war. Ephraim enviesJudah, and Judah vexes Ephraim. The soldier's spear piercedChrist'sside—butthedivisionsofsaintspiercehisheart.Christprayedthatallhispeoplemightbeone,asheandhisFatherareone,Jo.17:21.ButhowdoChristiansbytheirdiscordsandanimositiesgoaboutwith all their power to frustrate Christ's prayer! But in the kingdomofHeaven there is perfect love, which as it casts out fear, so it casts outstrife.ThoseChristians thatcouldnot livequietly togetherhere, in thatkingdom shall be united. There Calvin and Luther are agreed. In thatcelestialkingdomthereshallbenovilifyingorslanderingoneanother,norakinginto those soreswhichChrist died toheal.Christianswho couldnotpray together, shall sing together in that glorious choir: there shallnotbeonejarringstringinthesaints"music.

4. In that heavenly kingdom there shall be freedom from allafflictions. Our lives now are interlined with troubles. "My life is

consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength failsbecauseofmyaffliction,andmybonesgrowweak."Psalm31:10.Thereare many things to occasion disquiet; sometimes poverty afflicts;sometimessicknesstortures;sometimesunkindnessoffriendsbreakstheheart.Ourlives,liketheseas,arefulloftempests.ButinthekingdomofHeaven, there is nothing to give grief. There, all is serene and calm;nothingwithintotrouble,orwithouttomolest.

2.TheroyaltiesandEXCELLENCIESofthatheavenlykingdomaregreat.WemaysayofHeaven,as itwassaidofLaish,Judgesxviii.9,10."Wehaveseentheland,and,behold,itisverygood;aplacewherethereisnolackofanything"

2. The heavenly kingdom abounds with RICHES! Rev. xxi. 27."The twelve gates were twelve pearls." Earthly kingdoms are glad totrafficabroadforgoldandspices.InthekingdomofGod,allraritiesaretobehad,allcommoditiesareofitsowngrowth,thereforefiguredbythetree of life bearing several sorts of fruit, Rev. xxii. 2. How rich is thatplacewheretheblessedDeityshinesforthinitsimmensegloryinfinitelybeyondthecomprehensionofangels!

2. The delights of the heavenly kingdom are UNMIXED. Thecomfortsherebelowarecheckered.Honormaybestainedwithdisgrace;joy interwoven with sorrow. Our stars are mixed with clouds; but thedelicaciesofheavenarepureaswellaspleasant.Thereishoneythathasnotonedropofgall.Thecrystalspringofjoyhasnosettlingsofsorrowatthebottom.Theroseinthatparadiseiswithoutprickles;thesuninthathorizoniswithouteclipse.

3.ThiskingdomaboveisDURABLE.Supposeearthlykingdomstobemoreglorious than theyare, their foundationsofgold, theirwallsofpearl,theirwindowsofsapphire—yettheyarestillcorruptible,Hos.i.1."Iwill cause thekingdom to cease."TroyandAthensnow lie buried intheirownruins.Butthekingdomofglory,asitismadewithouthands—soitiswithoutend.Itis"theeverlastingkingdom,"2Pet.i.11.

Now, methinks, that if we ever will use violence, it should be for thiskingdom; this kingdom will make amends for all our labor and pains.

Caesar, marching towards Rome, and hearing that all the people werefledfromit,said,theywillnotfightforthiscity,whatcitywilltheyfightfor?SoifwewillnotputforthviolenceforthisKingdomofHeaven,whatwillwebeviolentfor?Isaytoall,asthechildrenofDaninanothersense,Judgesxviii.9."Wehaveseentheland,andbehold,itisverygood;andareyoustill?Benotslothfultogo,andtoentertopossesstheland."

13. Themore violencewe have used forHeaven—the sweeterHeaven will be when we come there. As when a man has beengraftingtrees,orsettingflowersinhisgarden,itispleasanttoreviewandlookoverhislabors:soinHeaven,whenweshallrememberourformerzealandactivityforthekingdom,itwillenhanceHeaven,andaddtothejoyof it.ForaChristian to think, "Suchaday I spent inexaminingmyheart;suchadayIwasweepingforsin;whenotherswereattheirsport,Iwas atmyprayers.Andnow,have I lost anythingby this violence?Mytearsarewiped away, and thewine of paradise cheersmyheart. I nowenjoyhimwhommysoulloves!InowhavethecrownandwhiterobesIsolongedfor!"Ohowpleasantwillitbetothink—thisistheHeavenmySaviorbledfor,andIsweatfor!

14. The more violence we put forth in piety, the greatermeasureofgloryweshallhave. That there aredegrees in glory inHeavenseemstomebeyonddispute.

1. There are degrees of torment in Hell; therefore, by the rule ofcontraries,therearedegreesofgloryinHeaven.

2. The Scripture speaks of a prophet's reward, Matt. x. 41. which is adegreeaboveothers.

3.Thesaintsaresaidtoshineasthestars,Dan.xii.Onestardiffersfromanother in glory. So that there are gradations of happiness; andof thisjudgmentisCalvin;asalsomanyoftheancientfathers.

Consider then seriously, the more violent we are for Heaven, and themoreworkwedoforGod,thegreaterwillbeourreward.Thehotterourzeal, the brighter our crown. Couldwe hear the blessed souls departedspeaking to us fromHeaven, surely theywould say, "Werewe to leave

heaven awhile and to dwell on the earth again, we would do God athousand timesmore service than we have ever done!We would praywithmorelife,actwithmorezeal;fornowweseethatthemorewehavelabored, themore astonishing is our joy and the more flourishing ourcrown!"

15. Upon our violence for the kingdom God has promisedmercy.Matt. vii. 7. "Askand it shallbegivenyou; seek, andyoushallfind;knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou."

1. ASK. Ask with importunity. A faint asking begs a denial. KingAhasuerusstoodwithhisgoldenscepterandsaidtoqueenEsther,"Ask,and it shall be given, to the half of the kingdom!" But God saysmore,"Ask and he will give you the whole kingdom!" Luke xii. 32. It isobservable, that thedoorof the tabernaclewasnot of brass—buthad athincovering,aveil,thattheymighteasilyenterintoit.Justso,thedoorofHeavenismadeeasythroughChrist'sblood,thatourprayersputupinfervencymayenter.Uponourasking,Godhaspromisedtogivehisspirit,Lukexi.13.AndifhegiveshisSpirit,hewillgivehiskingdom;theSpiritfirstanoints,1Johnii.27,andafterhisanointingoilcomesthecrown.

2."SEEK,andyoushallfind."But,isitnotsaid,"Manywillseektoenterin,andshallnotbeable?"Lukexiii.24.Ianswer,thatthatisbecausetheyseekinawrongmanner.

1.Theydidseekignorantly,settingupanaltartotheunknowngod.Itishard seeking pearls in the dark. Ignorant people seek Heaven by theirgoodmeanings;theyseekinthedark,andnowondertheymisssalvation.

2. They did seek proudly. They sought Heaven by their own merits;whereaswearetoseekthekingdominChrist'sstrength,andinhisName.

3.Theydidseeklazily;asthespousesoughtChristonherbedandfoundhimnot,Cant.iii.1.SomanyseekChristinasupinemanner;theyseek—buttheydonotstrive.

4. They did seek hypocritically. They would have Heaven and theirluststoo.Butletnotsuchseekerseverthinktofindhappiness;letthem

notthinktheycanlieinDelilah'slap--andgotoAbraham'sbosomwhentheydie.

5. They did seek inconstantly. Because mercy did not comeimmediately,theygaveoverseeking.

But if we seek the kingdom of Heaven cordially, God has pawned histruth inapromise,andweshall find,Jerxxix. 13. "Thenshall youfindme,whenyoushallsearchforMewithallyourheart."

3."KNOCK,anditshallbeopened."Knockingimpliesviolence.Butwemust do as Peter, Acts xii. 16. "He continued knocking," We mustcontinueknockingbyprayer,andHeaven-gateshallbeopened.Howmaythisbeasoiltothewheels?howmayitencourageholyviolencewhenwehavesograciousapromiseofmercyuponourearnestseekingofit.

16. This holy violence will not hinder men in their secularemployments.Violenceforthekingdom,and,diligenceinacalling,arenot inconsistent. Christians, you may work for Heaven—yet work in atrade.Godhasgivenyouabodyandasoul,andhehasallottedyoutimetoprovideforboth.Hehasgivenyouabody,thereforebediligentinyourcalling;hehasgivenyoua soul, thereforebe violent forHeaven.Thesetwomaywell stand together— providing for a family and praying in afamily.Hewhodoesnotexercisehimselfinsomehonestemployment,isguiltyofthebreachofthatcommandment,sixdaysshallyoulabor.Godneversealedwarrants for idleness.Thesluggardshallbe indictedat theday of judgment for letting his field be over-runwith thorns. They arehypocriteswhotalkoflivingbyfaithbutrefusetoliveinacalling.Onlyrememberthatthepainsyoutake inpietymustexceedtheother,Matt.vii.33,"SeekfirstthekingdomofGod."First,inorderoftime,beforeallthings; and first inorderofaffection,aboveall things. Your soul is thenobler part, therefore thatmust be chiefly looked after. In your callingshowdiligence;inpiety,showviolence.

Butsomemaysay,wearesoencumbered in theworld thatall time forpietyisswallowedup;wecannotgetabreakfromourcallingtoreadorpray?

Ifyourtradeissuchthatyoucannotallowyourselvestimeforyoursouls—then your trade is unlawful. There are two things thatmake a tradeunlawful.

1.Whenpeopledeal in suchcommoditiesas theyknowcannotbeusedwithout sin, such as selling on the black market or selling idolatrouspicturesandcrucifixes.

2. When their trade so involves them in worldly business, that theycannotmindeternity,ormakeoutonesallytothethroneofgrace.Theyare somuch in the shop—that they cannot be in the closet. If there besuchatradetobefound,doubtlessitisunlawful.Butletnotmenlaythisproblemupon their trade—butupon themselves; their tradewouldgivethemleavetoserveGod—buttheircovetousnesswillnotgivethemleave.Ohowmany put a fallacy upon their own souls—and cheat themselvesintohell.

17. There is but a short space of time granted us, therefore,worktheharderforHeavenbeforeitbetoolate. Indeedweareapttodreamofalonglife,asifwewerenotsojournersbutnatives,andwouldresideherealways.Theblossomofchildhoodhopestocometothebuddingof youth; and thebudof youthhopes to come to the flowerofmatureage;andtheflowerofmatureagehopestocomecometooldage;andoldagehopes torenew itsstrengthas theeagle.But ifwemeasurelifebyapairofscripture-compasses,itisveryshort:itiscomparedtoa"flying shadow," Job viii. 17, to a "handbreadth," Psalm xxxix. 5. as iftherewerebutaspanbetweenthecradleandthegrave.Isthetimeoflifeso short, andmaybe shorter thanwe are aware?Whatneed is there tozealously improve it before it has slipped away? If time runs, let us 'sorun," 1Cor. ix. 24.Hewhohas a great business in hand, and the timeallotted for doing it is but short, should not lose any of that time. Atravelerthathasmanymilestoride,andthenightisreadytoapproach,hadneedspurontheharder,thatthenightdoesnotovertakehim.Justso,we have a long journey, the night of death is drawing on, how weshouldusespurstooursluggishhearts,thatwemaygoonmoreswiftly!

18.Aman'spersonaldayofgracemaybeshort.Thereisatimeinwhichthescepterofgraceisheldforth,2Corvi.2."Nowistheaccepted

time."TheLordhasprefixedatimewhereinthemeansofgraceshallorshallnotwork.Ifapersondoesnotcomein,bysuchatime,Godmaysay,"Nevershallfruitgrowonyouanymore."Asignthatthisdayofgrace,ispast is when conscience no longer speaks and God's Spirit has donestriving.Whether thisdaymaybe longerorshorter,wecannot tell;butbecause it may transpire so soon, it is wisdom to take the presentopportunity,anduseallviolenceforHeaven.Thedayofhastensaway.Nomancan(likeJoshua)bidthis'sunstandstill;"andifthiscriticaldaybeonce past, it cannot be recalled.The day of grace being lost—thenextisadayofwrath!

Jerusalemhad a day—but she lost it, Luke xix. 44. "If you had known,even you, at least in this your day, the things which belong unto yourpeace—butnowtheyarehidfromyoureyes."Aftertheexpirationofthedayofgrace,nomeansormercies shallproveeffectual.Now, "theyarehid from your eyes."Which is like the ringing of a doleful knell over adyingperson;therefore,putforthallviolenceforHeavenanddoitinthis"yourday,"beforeitbetoolateandthedecreebegoneforth.

19.Ifyouneglecttheofferingofviolence,now—therewillbenohelpforyouafterdeath.Whenmenshallopentheireyesinanotherworld and see into what a damned condition they have sinnedthemselves, O nowwhat would they not do—what violencewould theynowuse—iftherewereapossibilitytheymightbesaved!

Whenoncethedoorofmercyisshut, ifGodwouldmakenewtermsfarharderthanbefore,theywouldreadilyagreetothem.IfGodshouldsaytothesinnerafterdeath,wouldyoubecontenttoreturntotheearth,andlivethereundertheharrowofpersecutionathousandyearsformysake?"Yes, Lord, Iwill subscribe to this, and endure theworld's fury—that Imayhavebutyourfavoratlast!"

"Butwill you be content to serve an apprenticeship inHell a thousandyears,whereyoushallfeelthewormgnawingandthefireburning?""Yes,Lord,eveninHellIsubmittoyou;sothatafterathousandyearsImayhaveareleaseandthat"bittercup"maypassawayfromme!"

"But,will you, for every lie youhave told endure the rack?will you for

everyoaththatyouhavesworn,fillabottleoftears?willyouforeverysinyouhavecommittedlietenthousandyearsinsackclothandashes?""Yes,Lord, all this andmore if you require, Iwill subscribe to; I am contentnow to use any violence if I may but at last be admitted into yourkingdom!"

"No!"Godwillsay,"thereshallbenosuchconditionproposedtoyou,nopossibilityoffavor—butyoushalllieforeveramongthedamned;andwhoisabletodwellwitheverlastingburnings?"

Oh, therefore be wise in time, now while God's terms are more easy,embraceChrist andHeaven, for after death therewill benothing to bedone for your souls. The sinner and the fiery furnace shall never beparted!

20.Howwithoutalldefensewillyoubeleft,ifyouneglectthisviolenceforHeaven!MethinksIhearGodthusexpostulatingthecasewith sinners thus at the last day: "Why did you not take pains forHeaven?Hastherenotbeenaprophetamongyou?Didnotmyministerslift up their voice like a trumpet? did not theywarn you? did not theypersuade you to use this violence, telling you that your salvationdependeduponit?Butthemostmeltingrhetoricofthegospelwouldnotmoveyou.DidInotgiveyoutimetolookafteryoursouls?(Rev.ii.21."Igaveherspacetorepent.")Didnotyoupromiseinyourvowinbaptism,thatyouwouldtakeHeavenbyforce?'fightingundermybanneragainstworld, flesh, and Devil?' Why then did you not use violence for thekingdom?Itmustbeeither slothorobstinacy.Youcouldbeviolent forother things, for the world, for your lusts—but not for the kingdom ofHeaven! What can you say for yourselves, as to why the sentence ofdamnationshouldnotpass?"

Ohowwillmenbeconfounded,and left speechlessat sucha time, andGod's justice shall be cleared in their condemnation! Psalm li. 4. "Thatyoumightbeclearwhenyoujudge."Thoughthesinnershalldrinkaseaofwrath—yetheshallnotdrinkonedropofinjustice!

21.Whatavexationitwillbeatthelasttolosethekingdomofgloryforlackofalittleviolence.Whenoneshallthinkwithhimself,

"Ididsomethinginpiety—butIwasnotviolentenough.Iprayed—butIshouldhavebroughtfiretothesacrifice.Iheardtheword—butIshouldhave received the truth in love. I humbled myself with fasting—but Ishould with humiliation have joined reformation. I gave Christ's poorgoodwords; Ididbid thembewarmed—but I shouldhave clothedandfedthem.ForlackofalittlemoreviolenceIhavelostthekingdom!"

The prophet bade the king of Israel smite upon the ground, 2 Kings13:18,19.Andhe"Hestruckitthreetimesandstopped.ThemanofGodwasangrywithhimandsaid,"Youshouldhavestruckthegroundfiveorsixtimes;thenyouwouldhavedefeatedAramandcompletelydestroyedit."Soamandoes something inpiety, "he strikes three timesand thenstops;whereashadhebutputforthalittlemoreviolenceforHeavenhewouldhavebeensaved.Whatamischiefisthis,buttohalfdoone'swork,andbyshootingshort—tolosethekingdom!Ohowwillthiscutamantotheheartwhenheisinhelltothink,"hadIbutgonealittlefurtherithadbeenbetterwithmethanitisnow;Ihadnotbeentormentedthusintheflame!"

22.Theexamplesof thesaintsofold,whohave takenheavenby force. David broke his sleep for meditation, Psalm 119:148. Hisviolence for heaven was boiled up to zeal, Psalm 119:39. "My zeal hasconsumed me!" And Paul "pressed on to take hold of that for whichChristJesustookholdofme."TheGreekWordsignifiestostretchouttheneck:itisametaphortakenfromracers,whostraineverylimb,andreachforwardtolayholdupontheprize.WereadofAnna,aprophetess,Lukeii.37."Shedepartednot fromthetemple—butservedGodwith fastingsand prayers night and day." How industrious was Calvin in the Lord'svineyard.Whenhisfriendspersuadedhimforhishealth'ssake,toremitalittleofhislabors,sayshe,"WouldyouhavetheLordfindmeidlewhenhecomes?" Luther spent three hours a day in prayer. It is said of holyBradford, that preaching, reading, and prayer were his whole life. Irejoice(saidJewel) thatmybody is exhausted in the laborsofmyholycalling.Howviolentweretheblessedmartyrs!Theyworetheirfettersasornaments; they snatched up torments as crowns, and embraced theflames as cheerfully as Elijah did the fiery chariotwhich came to fetchhim to Heaven. "Let racks, fires, pulleys, and all manner of torments

come—justsoImaywinChrist!"saidIgnatius.Thesepioussoulsresistedunto blood. How should these provoke our zeal! Write after these faircopies.

23.Ifthesaintswithalltheirviolencehavemuchadotogettoheaven,howshalltheycomethere,whousenoviolence?1Peterix. 18. "If the righteousscarcelyare saved,whereshall theungodly andthesinnerappear?"Iftheywhostriveasinanagonycanhardlygetinatthestraitgate—whatshallbecomeofthosewhoneverstriveatall?IfPauldid"keepunderhisbody,"byprayer,watching,andfasting,1Cor.ix.27,howshall theybesaved,whowholly let loosethereinstotheflesh,andbathethemselvesinthelusciousstreamsofcarnalpleasure?

24.ThissweatingforHeavenisnottoendurelong.1Peterv.10."After you have suffered a while." So after you have offered violence awhile, there shallbeanendput to it.Your labor shall expirewithyourlife!Itisbutalittlewhile—andyouwillbedoneweeping,wrestling,andpraying! It isbuta littlewhile—andtheracewillbeover,andyoushallreceive"theendofyourfaith,thesalvationofyoursouls,"1Pet.i.9.Itisbut a littlewhile—and and you shall be done yourwearymarches, youshallputoffyourarmorandputonwhiterobes!Howshouldthisexciteaspiritofholyviolence!Itisbutafewmonthsordays—andyoushallreapthesweetfruitofyourobedience!Thewinterwillbepast,andthespringflowersofjoyshallappear.DoctorTaylorcomfortedhimselfwhenhewasgoingtothestake,"Ihavebuttwostilestogoover—andIshallbeatmyFather'shouse!"Christians,youhavebutalittlewaytogo,alittlemoreviolence,afewmoretearstoshed,afewmoreSabbathstokeep,andthenyourhopesshallbecrownedwith thebeatifical sightofGod!Whenthevaporisblownaway—thenwemayseethesunclearly.Justso,whenthisshortvaporoflifeisblownaway—thenweshallbeholdChrist,theSunofRighteousness,inallhisglory!1Johniii.2."Weshallseehimasheis!"

25.IfyouarenotviolentforHeaven,youwalkcontrarytoyourownprayers.YoupraythatGod'swillmaybedonebyyouonearth,"asitisdoneinHeaven."NowhowisGod'swilldoneinHeaven?Arenottheangels swift in doing the will of God, like the stars above, which aremovedmanymillions ofmiles in an hour. The seraphim are describedwithwings—to showhowswift andwinged theyare in theirobedience,

Isaiahvi.2.Nowifyouarenotviolentinyourspiritualmotion,youliveina contradiction to your ownprayers. You are far frombeing asangels;youcreepassnailsinthewaytoHeaven.

26. This holy and blessed violence would make Christianswillingtodie.Whatmakesmensoloathetodie?Whyso?Becausetheirconscience accuses them that they have taken little or no pains forHeaven!Theyhavebeensleeping,whentheyshouldhavebeenworking,and nowdeath looks ghastly! They are afraid death will carry them asprisonerstohell!

Whereas the Christianwho has been active in piety, and has spent histime in the serviceofGod, can lookdeath in the facewith comfort.HewhohasbeenviolentforHeaveninthislifeneednotfearaviolentdeath.Death shall do him no hurt; it shall not be a destruction—but adeliverance;itshallpurgeoutsinandperfectglory!WhatmadePaulsay,"IdesiretodepartandbewithChrist,whichisbetterbyfar!"Phil.i.23.Surelythereasonwas,thathehadbeenamanofviolence;hedidspendhimselfforChrist,andlaboredmorethanalltheotherApostles.1Cor.xv.10.Andnowheknewtherewasacrownlaidupforhim.Augustusdesiredthathemighthaveaquiet,easydeath.Ifanythingwillmakeourpilloweasyatdeath,andmakeusgooutoftheworldquietly—itwillbethisholyviolencethatwehaveputforthinthebusinessofpiety.

27.Ifforallthathasbeensaidyouwilleithersitstill,orkeepyoursweatforsomethingotherthanHeaven,know,thatthereisatimecomingshortlywhenyouwillwishyouhadusedthisviolence.When sickness seizes you, and your disease begins to growviolent,andyouthinkGod'ssergeantisatthedoor—whatwisheswillyoumake, "O that I had beenmore violent for heaven! O that I had beenpraying—whenIwasdancingandmakingmerry!OthatIhadhadabibleinmyhand—whenIhadahandofcards!HowhappythenmightIhavebeen!Butalas,mycaseismiserable!WhatshallIdo!Iamsosick—thatIcannotlive;andsosinful—thatIdarenotdie?OthatGodwouldrespitemealittlelonger,thathewouldputafewmoreyearsinmylease,thatalittlespacemightbegrantedmetorecovermylosthours!"

As one said on her death-bed, "Call time again!" But time will not be

calledbackagain.Atthehourofdeath,sinnerswillawakenoutof theirlethargy—andfallintoafrenzyofhorroranddespair!

Shall not all these arguments prevail with men to be violent for thekingdom?What a hardened rock, is a sinner's heart! We read that atChrist'spassion, therocksrent,Matt.xxvii.51.Butnothingwillmove asinner.Therockswillsoonerrend—thanhisheart.IfallthatIhavesaidwill not prevail, it is a sign that ruin is at hand! 1 Sam ii. 25. "TheyhearkenednotuntothevoiceoftheirFather,becausetheLordwouldslaythem!"

YetthiscautionImustnecessarilyinsert—Thoughweshallnotobtainthekingdomwithoutviolence—yet itshallnotbeobtained forourviolence.Whenwehavedoneall,lookuptoChristandfreegrace!Thoughwearesaved in theuseofmeans—yet it isbygrace too,Ephes. ii.5. "Bygraceyou are saved."Heaven is agift.Lukexii. 32. "It is yourFather's goodpleasuretogiveyouthekingdom."Onemaysay,"Ihaveusedviolenceforit, I have wrought for the kingdom—but it is a gift which free gracebestows!"WemustlookuptoChristforacceptance.Itisnotoursweat—but his blood which saves. Our laboring qualifies us for Heaven—butChrist'sdyingpurchasedHeaven!

Alas,what is all thatwe have done—comparedwith glory?What is thesheddingofa tear—compared toacrown?Thereforewemust renounceall intermsofourjustification,andletChristandfreegracecarryawaythegloryofoursalvation.Godmusthelpusinourworking,Philii.11."ItisGodwhoworksinyoubothtowillandtodo."Howthencanwemeritbyourworking,whenitisGodwhohelpsusinourworking?

Hindrances,Directions,andConclusions

Ishall,inthenextplace,laydownsomerulesordirectionsonhowtogetthisblessedviolence.

1.Takeheedof those thingswhichwillHINDERthisviolenceforHeaven.

1.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—takeheedofUNBELIEF.Unbeliefisagreatimpediment,foritisdiscouraging.WhenaChristianisworking for Heaven, unbelief whispers thus, "To what purpose are allthesepains?Imightjustaswellsitstill.Imaypray,andnotbeheard;Imaywork, andhaveno reward; Imay comenearheaven—yetmiss it!"Jerviii.12."Andtheysaid,thereisnohope."Unbeliefdestroyshope;andif you cut this sinew of piety, all violence for Heaven ceases. Unbeliefraisesacloudofdespondencyintheheart."Alas,youwillneverbeabletogo through the work of piety. There are somany precepts to obey; somanytemptationstoresist;somanyafflictionstobear—thatyouwillfallundertheheavyburden;youwilltireinyourmarchtoHeaven!"

Unbelief raises jealous thoughtsofGod, it representshimasanausteremaster,andthatifwefailinsolittleapunctilio,hewilltaketheextremityof the law upon us. This discourages the soul in the use of means.Unbelief does as Sanballat and Tobiah and to the Jews, Nehem. vi. 9."Theyallmadeusafraid,saying,Theirhandsshallbeweakenedfromthework."Otakeheedofunbelief;itdestroysthisholyviolence.WereadofJeroboam'sarmbeingwithered, 1Kingsxiii.4.Unbeliefwithers thearm of the soul, that it cannot stretch itself forth to anyspiritual action! Unbelief does the Devil the greatest kindness; itmakeswayforhistemptationstoenter,whichdosoenchantandbewitchus,thatwecannotwork.Bewareofthissin—believethepromises!God"isgood to the soul that seeks him," Lam. iii. 25. Do but seek him withimportunity,andhewillopenbothhisheartandHeaventoyou!

2. If youwould be violent forHeaven—take heed of puzzlingyourthoughtsaboutELECTION.AChristianmaythinkthus,"WhyshouldItakepains?PerhapsIamnotelected,andthenallmyviolenceistonopurpose!"Thusmanyaretakenofffromtheuseofmeansandthebusiness of piety comes to a stand-still.Whereas the truth is—that noman can justly say he is not elected. It is true, some of God's childrenhavesaidsointemptation;but,asPeterdidnotknowwhathewassayingatChrist'stransfiguration;sotheseintemptation.Butnomancansayonjust grounds, that he is not elected, unless he can prove that he has

sinnedtheunpardonablesinagainsttheHolySpirit.Foranyonetoassertnon-election is a sin; for that which keeps him in sin must needs besinful.Butthisopinionkeepshiminsin;itdiscourageshimfromtheuseofmeansandcutsthesinewsofallendeavors!Donotthereforeperplexyourthoughtsaboutelection.Thebookofelectionissealed,andnoangelcanunclaspit.TheruleChristiansaretogobyis,God'srevealedwill,nothissecretwill.God'srevealedwillis,thatweshouldprayandrepent;bythiswemakeourcallingsure;andbymakingourcallingsure,wemakeourelectionsure.IfIseethebedsofspicesgrowandflourish,Iknowthesunhasbeenthere.Justso,ifIfindthefruitsofobedienceinmyheart,ImayconcludeGod'selectinglovehasshineduponme!2Thes.ii.13."Godhasfromthebeginningchosenyoutosalvationthroughsanctification."

3. Ifyouwouldbeviolent forHeaven—takeheedof toomuchviolenceaftertheWORLD.Theworldcoolsholyaffections.Theearthputsout the fire.Theworld's silver trumpetsoundsa retreat—andcallsmenawayfromtheirpursuitafterHeaven.TheworldhinderedtheyoungmanfromfollowingChrist,"hewentawaysorrowful!"Whereupon,saysour Savior, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom ofGod!"Luke18:24.Demas'pietywasburied intheearth,2Timiv.10."Demashasforsakenme—havinglovedthispresentworld."Jonathanpursuedthevictoryuntilhecameto thehoneycomb,and thenhestoodstill, 1Sam.xiv.27.ManyareviolentforthekingdomofGod,untilgainorprefermentoffers itself;when theymeetwith this honey, then they stand still. Theworldblindsmen'seyesthattheydonotseethenarrowwaytoheaven!ItfetterstheirfeetthattheydonotruninthewayofGod'scommandments.Mithridates,kingofPontus,beingbeatenbytheRomans,andfearinghewould not escape them—caused a great deal of silver and gold to bescattered in the ways, which while the Roman soldiers were busygathering, he got away from them. The like stratagem Satan uses;knowing what tempting things riches are, he throws them as baits, inmen's way, that while they are eagerly gathering these, hemay hinderthemintheirpursuitofeternalhappiness.

Ihaveobservedsomewhodidonce,Jehulike,driveonfuriously inthecause of piety; when the world has come in upon them their chariot-wheelshavebeenpulledoff,andtheyhave"drivenonheavily!"Itwould

hinderamantoclimbupasteeprock,withheavyweightstiedtohislegs.Men'sgoldenweightshindertheminclimbingupthissteeprockwhichleadstosalvation.Theworld'smusiccharmsmenasleep,andwhentheyareasleep,theyarenotfittowork.Athingcannotbecarriedviolentlytotwoextremesatonce.Theshipcannotgofullsailtotheeastandwestatthesametime.Justso,amancannotbeviolentforHeavenandearthatonce:hemayhaveChristandtheworld—butcannotloveChristandtheworld,1Johnii.15.Hewhoisallonfirefortheworld,willbealliceforHeaven. Take heed of engaging your affections too far in these earthlythings. Use the world as your servant—but do not follow it as yourmaster.

4. If youwouldbe violent forHeaven, takeheedof indulgingany LUST. Indulging in sin, will spoil all effort for Heaven. Sinenfeebles; it is like the cutting of Samson's hair—then the strengthdeparts.Sinisthesoul'ssickness.Sicknesstakesamanoffhislegsandsodispiritshimthatheisunfitforanyviolentexercise.Asickmancannotruna race.Sin lived in, takesamanquiteoff fromduty,ormakeshimdead in it. The more lively the heart is in sin, the more dead it is inprayer.HowcanhebeearnestwithGodformercy,whoseheartaccuseshim of secret sin? Guilt breeds fear, and that which strengthens fear,weakens violence. Adam, having sinned—was afraid and hid himself,Gen.iii.10.WhenAdamhadlosthisinnocence—helosthisviolence.

Therefore lay the axe to the root! Let sin be hewn down! Do not onlyabstain from sin in the act--but let the loveof sinbemortified, and leteverysinbeputtothesword!Manywillleavealltheirsinsbutone.Theysaveonesin--andloseonesoul!Onesinisafetter!Amanmaylosetheraceaswellbyhavingonefetteronhisleg—justasif

he had many. I have read of a great monarch, who, fleeing from hisenemy,threwawaythecrownofgoldonhishead--thathemightrunthefaster.So,thatsinwhichyouworeasacrownofgold--throwitawaythatyoumayrunthefastertotheheavenlykingdom!

5. If you would be violent for Heaven, take heed ofDESPONDENCYofspirit.Beserious,butcheerful.Hewhosespiritispresseddownwithsadness,isunfittogoabouthiswork.Anuncheerful

heartisunfittopray,orpraiseGod.Whenthestringsofalutearewet,itwillnotput forthany sweetharmony.Suchasgodroopingunder fearsanddiscouragementscannotbeviolentinpiety.Whenasoldierfaintsinthe field, he soon lets his sword fall. David chides himself out of hismelancholy,Psalm.xliii.5."Whyareyoucastdown,Omysoul?Whyareyoudisquietedwithinme?HopeinGod!"Asadheartmakesdullaction.Weusethedrumandtrumpetinbattle,thatthenoiseofthetrumpetmayexcite and quicken the soldiers spirits, and make them fight morevigorously. Cheerfulness is like music in battle; it excites a Christian'sspirits andmakes him vigorous and lively in duty. What is done withcheerfulness is done with delight—and the soul flies most swiftly toHeavenuponthewingsofdelight!

6.Ifyouwouldbeviolent forHeaven, takeheedofaslothful,LAZYdisposition.AslothfulChristianislikeafearfulsoldier,whohasagooddesirefortheplunder—butisloathetostormthecastle.AslothfulpersonwouldgladlyhaveHeaven—butisloathetotakeitbystorm.Slothis the soul's sleep. Many instead of working out salvation, sleep awaysalvation.Suchaswillnot labor,mustbeput at last tobeg.Theymustbeg,asDivesinhell--foronedropofwater.Anidleman(saysSolomon)"putshishandinhisbosom,"Proverbsxix.24.Heshouldhavehishandtotheplough,andheputsitinbosom.GodnevermadeHeavenahivefordrones.Slothisadiseaseapttogrowuponmen—shakeitoff!Asluggishshipisapreytothepirate.AsluggishsoulisapreytoSatan.Whenthecrocodilesleepswithhismouthopen—theratgetsintohisbellyandeatshisentrails.Justso,whilemenareasleepinsloth—theDevilentersanddevoursthem!

7.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven,takeheedofconsultingwithfleshandblood.AsgoodconsultwiththeDevilastheflesh.Theflesh isabosomtraitor.Anenemywithin thewalls is theworstenemy.The flesh cries out, there is a "lion in theway!"The fleshwill bid you,'spareyourself!"asPeterdidChrist."O,donotbesoviolentforHeaven,spareyourself."The fleshsaysasJudas, "Whyall thiswaste?" "Whyallthisprayingandwrestling?Whydoyouwasteyourstrength?Whyallthiswaste?" The flesh cries out for ease; it is loathe to put its neck underChrist'syoke.Thefleshisforpleasure;itwouldratherbeplayinggaimes

—than running the heavenly race. There is a description of fleshlypleasures,"Youlieonbedsinlaidwithivoryandloungeonyourcouches.Youdineonchoice lambsand fattenedcalves.YoustrumawayonyourharpslikeDavidandimproviseonmusicalinstruments.Youdrinkwineby the bowlful and use the finest lotions." Amos 6:4-6. These are thedelightsoftheflesh.

Therewasonewhotriedtopleaseallofhisfivesensesatonce.Hehadaroomrichlydecoratedwithbeautifulpictures;hehadthemostdelectablemusic; he had all the choice aromatics and perfumes; he had all thesumptuous candies of the confectioner; he was lodged in bed with abeautifulparamour.Thusheindulgedtheflesh,andsworethathewouldspendallhisestatetoliveoneweeklikelikethis—thoughheweresuretobedamnedinhellthenextday."Therewasarichmanwhowasdressedinpurpleandfine linenandlivedin luxuryeveryday.Inhell,wherehewasintorment,helookedupandsawAbrahamfaraway,withLazarusbyhisside.Sohecalledtohim,'FatherAbraham,havepityonmeandsendLazarustodipthetipofhisfingerinwaterandcoolmytongue,becauseIaminagonyinthisfire!'"Luke16:19,23-24

O take heed of holding intelligence with the flesh! The flesh is a badCounselor.Paulwould"notconferwith fleshandblood,"Gal. i.16.Thefleshisaswornenemytothisholyviolence."Forifyouliveaftertheflesh—youshalldie!ButifyouthroughtheSpiritdomortifythedeedsofthebody—youshalllive."Romans8:13

8.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven,takeheedoflisteningtothevoiceofsuchcarnalfriends,astheywillcallyouawayfromthisblessedviolence.Firewheninsnow,willsoonloseitsheatandbydegrees go out. Among bad company you will soon lose your heat forpiety. The company of the wicked will sooner cool you—than yourcompany will heat them. Vinegar will sooner sour the wine—than thewinewillsweetenthevinegar.Howoftendocarnalfriendsdothesametooursouls—asinfectedpeopledo toourbodiesbyconveying theplague.Thewickedarestilldissuadingusfromthisviolence;theywillsaythatitisneedlessprecisenessandsingularity; justasChrist's friends laidholdon himwhen hewas going to preach,Mark iii. 21. "Theywent to takecharge of him, for they said—He is out of his mind." Such as are

unacquainted with the spirituality and sweetness of piety, judge allChristian zeal to be madness; and therefore will lay hold upon us tohinderusinthissacredviolence.

Whenweareearnestsuitors topiety,ourcarnal friendswillraisesomebadreportofit,andsoendeavortobreakthematch.Galeacius,marquisofVico,beingresolvedforHeaven—whatablock inhiswaydidhefindhiscarnalrelations!andwhatadohehadtoenduretobreakthroughthatimpediment!

Take heed of the snare in your family! It is one of the Devil's greatsubtleties,tohinderusfrompietybyournearestrelations,andtoshootuswithourownrib!HetemptedAdambyhiswife,Gen.iii.6.WhowouldhavesuspectedtheDevil there?HehandedoveratemptationtoJobbyhis wife, Job ii. 9. "Do you still retain your integrity?" "What,notwithstanding all these disasters that have befallen you, do you stillprayandserveGod?Throwoffhisyoke;curseGodanddie!"Thuswouldthe Devil have cooled Job's love for God; but the shield of his faithquenchedthisfierydart.

Spira's friends stood in his way to Heaven. For consulting with themabout Luther's doctrine, they persuaded him to recant, and so openlyabjuring his former faith, he felt a hell in his conscience. Take heed ofsuchtempters;resolvetoholdonyourviolenceforHeaven,thoughyourcarnalfriendsdissuadeyou.ItisbettertogotoHeavenwiththeirhatred—thantoHellwiththeirlove.ItwasasayingofHierom,"Ifmyparentsshould persuademe to deny Christ; ifmywife should go to charmmewithherembraces,IwouldforsakeallandflytoChrist!"ItisbettertogotoHeavenwiththeirhatred—thantoHellwiththeirlove!Ifourdearest friends and family lie in our way toHeaven—wemust either leap over them, or tread upon them! "A man'senemieswillbethemembersofhisownhousehold.Anyonewholoveshisfatherormothermorethanmeisnotworthyofme;anyonewholoveshissonordaughtermorethanmeisnotworthyofme;andanyonewhodoesnottakehiscrossandfollowmeisnotworthyofme."Matthew10:36-38

9. Ifyouwouldbeviolent forHeaven, takeheedofsettingupyourabodeinthelowestpitchofgrace.Hewhohastheleastgrace,

mayhavemotion, butnotviolence. It is a pitiful thing to be contentedwith just somuchgrace aswill keep life and soul together.A sickmanmayhavelife—butisnotlively.Gracemayliveintheheart—butissickly,and does not flourish into lively acts. Weak grace will not withstandstrong temptations, or carry us through great sufferings; it will hardlyfollowChristuponthewater.LittlegracewillnotdoGodmuchservice.Atreewhichhasbutlittlesap—willnothavemuchfruit.Itmaybesaidofsome Christians, though they are not stillborn—yet they are stunted ingrace. They are like a ship which comes with much difficulty, to thehaven.Oh,labortogrowtofurtherdegreesofsanctity.Themoregrace,themorestrength;andthemorestrength,themoreviolence."ButgrowinthegraceandknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.Tohimbeglorybothnowandforever!"Amen.2Peter3:18

10.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven,takeheedoftheopinionthat it isnot sohard toget thekingdom;hence, less violencewillserve.Hewhothinksheneednotrunaracesofast,willbeapttoslackenhispace.Thishasundonemany.WhowilltakepainsforHeaven,whothinksthatitmaybehadatacheaperrate?Butifitbesoeasy,whatneedwasthereforChristtosay,striveasinanagony.WhatdidPaulneedtobeatdownhisbody?Whydoesthetextspeakoftakingthekingdombyforce?Isnotconversioncalleda"newbirth"and"anewcreation"?Isthateasy?Otakeheedofimaginingthatthatworkeasy—whichisbothabovenatureandagainstit.Itisasgreatawonderforasoultobesaved—astoseeamill-stoneflyinguptothemoon!

If youwould be violent forHeaven, use thoseMEANSwhichwillpromotethisholyviolence.

1.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—keepupdailyPRAYER.Prayer is thebellowswhichblowsuptheaffections.AChristian ismostactive, when his affections are most violent. Prayer keeps the trade ofpiety going.Prayer is to the soul, as theheart is to thebody; the heartmakes the body agile and lively; so does prayer for the soul. That themotion of a watch may be quicker, the spring must be wound up.Christian, wind up your heart every day by prayer. Prayer fetches instrengthfromChrist;andwhenhisstrengthcomesin,itsetsthesoultowork.Prayerleavestheheartinaholyframe—asthemorningsunleaves

awarmthintheroomfortherestoftheday.WhenChristianslayasideprayer, or leave off fervency in it—then by degrees they lose their holyviolence.

2. If you would be violent for Heaven—get under godlyPREACHING.TheWordis"livingandpowerful,"Heb.iv.12.Itputslifeinto a dead heart. It is both a sword to cut down sin, and a spur toquickengrace.TheWordisafiretothawafrozenheart,Jerxxiii.29."IsnotmyWordfire?"Asgoodalmostbewithoutpreaching,astobeundersuch preaching as will not warm us. TheWord not only informs—butinflames. Psalm 119:50, "YourWord has quickenedme." Tis the livelydispensationoftheoraclesofHeaven,whichmustanimateus,andmakeuslivelyinourduties.

3. If you would be violent for Heaven—get your hearts filledwith love topiety.This is like themyrtle staff in the traveler's hand,(Pliny speaks of) which makes him fresh and lively in his travel, andkeepshimfrombecomingweary.Whenamanhaswarmedhimselfbythefire, he is fittest for work. If you would be violent in working outsalvation,warmyourselvesbythisfireoflove.Amanwillonlystriveforthatwhichheloves.Whyaremensoeagerintheirpursuitaftergold—butbecause they love it? Love causes delight, and delight causes violence.Whatmade Paul labormore than all the other apostles? "Christ's lovecompelsus!"2Corinthians5:14.Loveislikeoiltothewheels.Getloveforpiety and youwill never beweary; youwill count those the best hourswhicharespentwithGod.Hewhodigs inagoldminesweats—yet loveforthegoldmakeshislabordelightful.

4. If youwouldbeviolent forHeaven—bevigilant.Theprophetstooduponhis"watchtower,"Hab.ii.1.WhyareChristianssolistlessintheirwork—butbecausetheyaresocarelessintheirwatch.Didtheybutwatch to seehow theirenemywatches, theywouldbe violent to resisthim!Didtheybutwatchtoseehowfasttheirtimeruns,orratherflies,theywouldbeviolenttoredeemit!Didtheybutwatchtoseehowtheirhearts loiter inpiety, theywouldspuronfastertoHeaven.Thereasonthere is so little violence inpiety—isbecause there is so little vigilance.WhenChristiansneglecttheirspiritualwatch,andgrowsecure,thentheirmotion toHeaven is retarded and Satan'smotions to sin are renewed.

OursleepingtimeisSatan'stemptingtime!

5.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—bindyourhearttoGodbysacredvows.Aservantwillbemorediligentafterheisboundtohismaster.VowtotheLordthatbyhisgraceyouwillactmorevigorouslyinthe sphereofpiety,Psalm. lvi. 12. "Your vowsareuponme,OGod." Avow binds the votary to duty. He then looks upon himself as under aspecial obligation—and that quickens endeavor. No question but aChristianmaymakesuchavow,becausethegroundofitismorallygood.He vows nothing but what he is bound to do, namely, to walk morecloselywithGod.Onlyremember,thatwedonotvowinourownstrength—but Christ's. We must confide in him as well for strength as forrighteousness. Isaiah xlv. 24. "In the Lord have I righteousness andstrength."

6.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—besureyoumakegoingto Heaven your main business. Whatever a man looks on withindifference—hewill never be violent for. But thatwhich hemakes hismainbusiness—hewillbeindustriousabout.Amanlooksuponhistradeastheonlythingtogetalivelihoodby—andhefollowsitclosely.Justso,if we would but look upon piety as the main business wherein oursalvation is concerned,wewould be violent in it. Luke x. 42. "But onethingisneedful."Thisistheonething,togetChristandHeaven—thisistheendwecameintotheworldfor!Ifwecouldthuslookuponthethingsofeternityasourbusiness—theone thing—howearnestwouldwebe inthepursuitofthem!

7.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—haveHeavencontinuallyinyoureye.ThismadeChristviolenttodeath;hehadaneyetothejoysetbeforehim,Heb.xii.2.Set thecrowneverbeforeyou,and thatwillprovokeendeavor.

Themarinerhashishandtothestern,andhiseyetothestar.Whileweareworking, letushaveaneye to thatplacewhereChrist is, thebrightmorningStar.Howwillinglydoesamanwadesthroughdeepwater,whenhe sees dry land before him, and is sure to be crowned as soon as hecomes to shore! Every time you cast your eyes up to Heaven, think,"Above that starry heaven, is the celestial Heaven which I am striving

for!" Thus did Moses; the eye of his faith quickened the feet of hisobedience, Heb. xi. 26. "He looked to the recompense of the reward."WhenChristianslosetheirprospectofHeaven,thentheybegintoslackentheirpaceinthewaythere.

8.IfyouwouldbeviolentforHeaven—keepcompanywithsuchasareviolent.Whenweneedfire—wegotoourneighbor'shearthandfetchfire.Oftenbeamongthegodly,andsoyoushallfetchsomeheatandquickeningfromthem,Psalm119.63."Iamacompanionofallthosewhofear you" Good company quickens. The holy discourse and example ofone saint—wets and sharpens another. The saints never go so fast toHeaven as when they go in company. One Christian helps anotherforward.Inotherracesthatarerun,manytimesonehindersanother;butinthisracetoHeaven,oneChristianhelpsforwardanother.Thess.v.11."Edifyoneanother,evenasalsoyoudo"Oletnotthisarticleofourcreedbeforgotten,"Thecommunionofsaints."

9. If you would be violent for Heaven—never leave until youhave the Spirit.Desire of God to put forth the sweet violence of hisSpirit; the spouse begged a gale of the Spirit, Cant. iv. 16. "Awake, Onorthwind,blow,Osouth."WhenGod'sSpiritblowsuponus,thenwegofull sail to Heaven. When the Spirit of the living creatures was in thewheels, then theymoved,Ezek. i.21.Thewheelsofourendeavormoveapace,whentheSpiritofGodisinthesewheels.Seeingtherearesomanyviolent winds of temptation blowing us backward, we must have theviolentwindofGod'sSpiritblowingusforwardtoHeaven.Letthissufficeforspeakingofthemeansforthisholyviolence.

Conclusion:Whatshallwedo?

Butsomemaysay,wehaveusedthisviolenceforHeaven;whatremainsforustodo?AsthepeoplesaidtoChrist,Lukei.13."Whatshallwedo?"

YouwhohavebeenviolentforHeaven,andarenowagedChristians,letme beseech you to still keep alive this holy violence.Not only keep up

duty—butviolence induty.Remember,youhave thatcorruptionwithinyouwhichisreadytoabatethisblessedviolence.Thebrightestcoalhasthose ashes growing on it, as are apt to choke the fire. You have thoseinbredcorruptions,which,likeashes,arereadytochokethefireofyourzeal.HowwasPeter'sgracecooledwhenhedeniedChrist!ThechurchofEphesuslostherkeenedgeofpiety,Rev.ii.4.Takeheedofdeclininginyouraffections.Benot likeabodyinanatrophy:bemostviolenttothelast.YouhavebutalittletimenowtoworkforGod,therefore,worktheharder.Be like the church of Thyatira; her "lastworksweremore thanherfirst,"Rev.ii.19.Beasthesunthatshinesbrightestbeforeitssetting.Be as the swan that sings sweetest before its death.Romxiii. 11. "Yoursalvationisnearerthanwhenyoubelieved."Ifyoursalvationbenearer,your violence should be greater. How should you quicken your pace,whenyouarewithinsightofthekingdom!Heisahappymanofwhomitmaybesaid,spiritually,asofMosesliterallybeforehisdeath,Deut.xxxiv.7."Hiseyeswaxednotdimandhisnatural forcewasnotabated."SoaChristian'sforceandviolenceforHeavenisnotabated—hekeepsthebestwineofhislifeuntillast.

HereisstrongconsolationtotheviolentChristian—youareinthewaytothe kingdom. Though perhaps you have notmuch in the way, yet it ishappythatyouareintheway.BlessGodthatwhilesomelieinthetotalneglectofduty,Godhasgivenyouahearttoseekhim,Psalmcv.3."Letthe heart of them rejoice, who seek the Lord." Nay, God has not onlygiven you a heart to do duty—but to do duty mixed with love—whichmakes it savory food; and to do duty stamped with fervency—whichmakesitpasscurrentwithGod.OblessGodwhohasraisedyouoffthebedofslothandstirredupthezealofyoursoulforHeaven.Hewhohasmade you violentwillmake you victorious.Wait awhile, and you shallpossessthekingdom.

WhenMoseswentuptoreceiveGod'scommands,hestayedsixdaysontheMount,andontheseventhdayGodcalledhimExod.xxiv.16.Thoughwewaitlong,andhavenotthethingwaitedfor—yetletuscontinuedoingourduty;shortly,GodwillcallusfromHeaven,"Comeuphere!"Andweshallgofromthemountoffaith,tothemountofvision,andbeholdthosegloriousthingswhich"eyehasnotseen,norcanitenterintoman'sheart

toconceive."

ButmayachildofGodmaysay,"IfearIamnotoneofthoseviolentonesthat shall takeHeaven. I find such a deadness of heart in duty, that IquestionwhetherIshalleverarriveatthekingdom."

1.This deadness of heart may arise from natural causes. Weakness ofbody may occasion indisposition of mind. Your prayer may be weak,because your body isweak.A lute that is cracked cannot send forth sosweetasound,asifitwerewhole.

2.Thisindispositionofsoulperhapsisonlycasual,andforatime;itmaybeinadeepfitofmelancholy,orindesertion.Whenthesunisgonefromourclimate,theearthisasitwereindesertion,andthetreesarewithoutblossomorfruit;butthisisonlyforatime.LetbutthesunreturnagaininSpring,andthentheherbsflourishandthetreesputforththeir fruit.SowhenGodhideshisface,thereisadeadnessuponaChristian'sheart—hepraysasifheprayednot.ButlettheSunofRighteousnessreturn,thenheisdivinelyanimated,andisasvigorousandlivelyinhisoperationasever; he then recovers his first love. Therefore, weak Christian, be notdiscouraged, so long as you do not allow yourself in your distemper; adead heart is your burden, look up to Christ your High-Priest, who ismercifultobearwithyourinfirmitiesandismightytohelpthem.

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