Redemption the work of his arm Luke 1. 5. In the Creation God gave us ourselves in the Redemption he gave us himself So that the Sabbath putting us in mind of our Redemption ought to be observed with the highest devotion Herein we must offer holy violence to our selves When this blessed day approacheth we should labour that as the day is sanctified so our hearts may be sanctified We must on this day rest from all the works of our calling As Abraham when he went to Sacrifice left his Servant and Ass at the bottom of the hill Gen. 22. 5. So when we are to worship God this day we must leave all secular business behind And as Joseph when he would speak with his Brethren thrust out the Egyptians so when we would have converse with God this day we must thrust out all earthly employments Though works of necessity may be done and works of charity for God will have mercy and not sacrifice yet in other cases we must cease from all worldly negotiations It is observable concerning Mary Magdalen that she refused to anoint Christ's dead body on the Sabbath day Luke 23. 56. She had before prepared her ointment but came not to the Sepulchre till the Sabbath was past She rested that day from civil work though it were a commendable and glorious work the anointing of Christ's dead body When this blessed day approacheth we must lift up our hearts in thankfulness to God that he hath put another price into our hands for the gaining of heavenly wisdom These are our spiritual harvest-daies now the wind of God's Spirit blows upon the sails of our affections and we may be much furthered on in our heavenly voyage Christian lift up thy heart to God in thankfulness that he hath given thee another golden season and be sure thou improve it it may be thy last Seasons of grace are not like the Tyde if a man misleth one tyde he may have another This day approaching we must in the morning dress and fit our souls for the receiving of the Word The people of Israel must wash their garments before the Law was delivered to them Our hearts must be washed by prayer and repentance the Oracles of God being to be delivered to us And being met together we must set our selves as in the presence of God with seriousness and delight to hear God's sacred Word Take heed of distractions which fly-blow our duties We must labour to be bettered by every Sabbath where the Lord laies out cost he looks for fruit Fresh anointings of God are to be thirsted after and new cubits to be added to our spiritual stature We must not be like the Salamander which lives in the fire but is never the hotter Christians should on these daies aspire after communion with God and endeavour to have the illapses of his Spirit and clearer discoveries of his love in Christ. In short we should do on a Sabbath as Moses he ascended the Mount that he might have a sight of God We must dedicate the whole day to God Under the Law a single Sacrifice was appointed for other daies of the week but two Lambs were to be offered upon the Sabbath All this day must be spent with God he must have worship in the publick and when we come home he must have family-worship Many leave all their Religion at Church as I have seen some do their Bibles not hallowing God's name in their own houses Mal. 3. 8. Will a man rob God When men pretend to Worship God in the Temple but cut him short of family and closet-duties on a Sabbath this is to rob God and steal a part of his day from him Good reason we should consecrate the whole Sabbath to God and give him double devotion for God doubles his blessings upon us this day As the Manna did rain twice as much on the sixth day as any of the other daies so the Manna of spiritual blessings falls twice as much on the Sabbath day as any other We must rejoyce in this day as being a day wherein we enjoy much of God's presence John 8. 56. Abraham saw my day and rejoyced So when we see a Sabbath day coming we should rejoyce The Protestants in France called their Church Paradise because there they met with God The Jews called the Sabbath desiderium dierum the desire of daies Isa. 58. 13. Thou shalt call the Sabbath a delight This we should look upon as the best day as the Queen of daies crowned with a blessing Psal. 118. 24. This is the day which the Lord hath made we will rejoyce and be glad in it He hath made all the daies but hath sanctified this We should look upon this day as a spiritual Mart for our souls wherein we have holy commerce and traffick with God This day of Rest is the beginning of an eternal rest This day God sets open the Pool of Bethesda in which those waters flow that refresh the broken in heart And shall not we call this day a delight The Jews on the Sabbath laid aside their Sackcloth and Mourning This is in a right manner to sanctifie a duty and it is a duty wherein Christians must excite and offer violence to themselves Above all others how well doth it become those into whose hands God hath-put the power of Magistracy to shew forth holy violence in causing the Lord's day to be strictly observed What a rare pattern hath Nehemiah set all good Magistrates Neh. 13. 15. In those daies saw I in Judah some treading wine-presses on the Sabbath and bringing in sheavs and all manner of burdens which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day and I testified against them in the day wherein they sold victuals Vers. 17. Then I contended with the Nobles of Judaâ—… and said unto them What evil thing is this that ye do and prophane the Sabbath day How dare ye infringe the command and make a false entry upon God's freehold My Lord your Proclamation for the pious observation of the Sabbath and your punitive acts upon some offenders have given a publick Testimoney of your zeal for this day The keeping up the honour of the Sabbath will much keep up your Magisterial honour The seventh Duty wherein we must offer violence to ourselves is holy conference and indeed we are backward enough to it therefore had need herein provoke our selves Mal. 3. 17. They that feared the Lord spake often one to another A gracious person hath not only Religion in his heart but in his tongue Psal. 37. 30. The Law of God is in his heart and his tongue talketh of Judgement he drops holy words as Pearls 'T is the fault of Christians that they do not in company provoke themselves to set good discourse on foot it is a sinfull modesty there is much visiting but they do not give one anothers souls a visit In worldly things their tongue is as the Pen of a ready
HEAVEN Taken by STORM OR The HOLY VIOLENCE a Christian is to put forth in the pursuit after Glory By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the Gospel Phil. 3. 4. I press toward the mark 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chrysost de Poen Hom. 59 LONDON Printed by R. W. for Tho. Parkhurâ—… at the Sign of the Golden-Bible on London-Bridge 1670. TO THE Right Honourable Sir WILLIAM TURNER Knight LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LONDON Right Honourable IT is the happiness of this City to have a Magistrate that bears not the Sword in vain Your place is high God hath lent you his own Title your work is great it lies in the distribution of Justice which according to Aristotle comprehends all virtues in it And in this your high orb you have acted vigorously Your good Government hath helped to raise if not London's structures yet its fame My Lord to be a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a publick Good will both render your life honourable and your death comfortable God did reserve you for such a juncture of time as this When is there more need of zeal in superiours than when vice grows heady in inferiours The subject I here humbly dedicate to your Lordship is Violence for Heaven A Divine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or temperature of soul to be much aspired after for by this you may help to save not only your self but others Put on Integrity as a Robe and let zealous violence more adorn you than the richest Chain of Gold But I have cause to break forth into Panegyricks Indeed your own works praise you in the gates Your prudence and courage your impartiality in deciding Causes your punishing of Oaths and correcting the false ballance your compliance with his Majesties Royal Proclamation against Health-drinking have erected for you a living monument in the breasts of all sober and pious men Among other things your Self-denial hath been eminent in leting go some of your Perquisites for the good of others Posse nolle nobile est The former Governours that had been before me saith Nehemiah were chargeable unto the people and had taken of them Bread and Wine c. but so did not I. What pity is it that London should like Sparta keep such a Governour but one year My Lord I hate to give flattering titles but I have taken this boldness to say this little both for your Lordship's encouragement and the imitation of those that shall succeed in your Chair My Lord this small Tractate comes under your Honours Patronage and entreat your favourable perusal and acceptance of it it was intended you sooner but some emergent occasions intervening prevented If this little spark shall give light or heat to any heart I have my desire The great God who hath placed you at the helm of this City fill you with his heavenly benediction and so animate you with all might by his Spirit in the inner man that you may be an Eben-ezer a stone of help to us that you may do worthily in London and be famous in your Generation so prayeth he who is Sir Your Servant in the Gospel THO. WATSON July 9. 1669. AN ALPHABETICAL TABLE A. APostasie whence it ariseth page 109 Arguments to Violence in prayer 36 B. BAckwardness to Self-examination 56 Bloody violence 9 C. CArnal sriends obstructions 179 Caution about violence 168 Comfort to the violent Christian 191 Company of the Saints to be frequented 188 Covetousness condemned 103 D. DAnger in losing our former strictness 107 Decay of Holiness reproved 104 Degrees of Glory 150 Dividers of Religion 115 Difficulty of Self reflexion 57 Drawing near to God a duty 199 E. EArthly things unsatisfactory 143 Examples of zealous Saints 162 Excellencies of God to be studied 213 Exhortation to draw near to God 209 F. FOrmalists in Religion censured 96 G. GRace when declining 105 H. HEaring of the Word 29 How we may hear with devotion 31 Heart to be bound to God by Vows 186 Help to meditation 55 How we may do to draw near to God â—…14 Hinderances of holy Violence 169 Holy Conference 71 Hypocrisie reproved 207 I. IGnorant Violence 8 Incentives to holy violence 134 Interest in God to be cleared 215 K. KIngdom of Heaven how understood 5 Kingdom of Heaven excelient 144 L. Love draws the heart to God 216 M. MAgistrates to punish the nocent 6 Magistrates to defend the innocent 7 Manner of our drawing near to God 202 Meditation what 42 Moderation in matters of practical Piety dangerous 92 Mortification of sin 17 Motification how effected 19 Motives to draw near to God 209 Motives to meditation 53 O. OBjections against this holy Violence answered 121 P. PRrayer to be kept up in the Family 183 Promise made only to ardent Prayer 39 Provoking our selves to holy duties 20 R. REasons inforcing holy violence 84 Rules for the promoting holy violence 691 S. Saints Objection answered 193 salvation-Salvation-work not so facil as some imagine 88 Sanctifying the Lord's Day 63 Self examination what 56 Sinners far off from God 197 Slothful Christianâ—… rebuked 94 Spirit of God to be implored 189 Stirring up of the heart in prayer 34 Subject of Meditation 44 Subtilties of Satan in tempting 75 T. TRial of a violent Christian 118 Truth 's Excellency 11 12 V. VIgilance the way to violence 185 Violence for Heaven what it implies 14 Violence to be offered to Satan 74 Violence to be offered to the world 79 Violence of wicked men how shown 98 100 Violence for Heaven and diligence in a calling not inconsistent 154 Unbelief to be avoided 169 W. WOrd of God how to be read 23 24 World an enemy to Religion 172 HEAVEN taken by Storm MATTH 11. 12. The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force John Baptist hearing in prison the fame of Christ sends two of his Disciples to him with this Question Art thou he that should come or do we look for another verl 3. Not as Tertullian thinks that John Baptist knew not that Jesus Christ was the True Messiah for he was confirmed in this both by the Spirit of God and by a sign from Heaven John 1. 33. But John Baptist hereby endeavoured to correct the ignorance of his own Disciples who had a greater respect for him than for Christ. In the fourth Verse Christ answers their question Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see the blind receive their sight the lame walk the Lepers are cleansed c. Jesus Christ demonstrates himself to be the true Messiah by his Miracles which were real and ocular proofs of his Divinity John's Disciples being departed Christ falls into an high elogium and commendation of John Baptist Vers. 7. What went ye out into the Wilderness to see a reed shaken with the wind As if Christ had said John Baptist was no unconstant man fluctuating in his mind and being shakâ—…n as a Reed from one opinion to another he was no
How confident are some of salvation yet never examine their title to Heaven 3. Men are not forward to examine themselves because they rest in the good opinion of others how vain is this Alas one may be Gold and Pearl in the eye of others yet God may judge him Reprobate Silver others may think him a Saint and God may write him down in his black-book Judas was looked upon by the rest of the Apostles as a true Believer they would have been ready to have given their hands to his certificate yet he was a Traitor Standers by can but see the outward carriage they cannot tell what evil is in the heart Fair streams may run on the top of a River but vermin may lie at the bottom 4. Men are hardly brought to examine themselves because they do not believe Scripture The Scripture saith The heart is deceitful above all things Jer. 17. 9. Solomon said there were four things too wonderful for him that he could not know Prov. 30. 19. He might have added a fifth The Way of mans heart The heart is the greatest Impostor it will be ready to put one off with seeming Grace instead of saving The heart will perswade that a slight tear is Repentance a lazy desire is Faith Now because the generality of people do not believe that there is such fallacy in their hearts therefore they are so slow to examine them This natural backwardness in us to self-reflection should cause us to offer the more violence to our selves in making a thorow disquisition and search of our hearts Oh that I might prevail with Christians to take pains with themselves in this great work of Examination Their salvation depends on it It is the note of an Harlot she is seldom at home Prov. 7. 11 12. Her feet abide not in her house now is she without now in the streets It is a sign of an Harlot Professor to be altogether abroad spying the faults of others but is never at home with his own heart Oh let us try our Hearts as we do Gold by the Touchstone Let us examine our sins and finding out this leven burn it Let us examine our Grace whether it be of the right kind One went into the field to gather herbs and he gathered wild gourds and then Death was in the Pot. 2 Kings 4. 40. So many think they have Grace the right Herb but it proves a wild gourd and brings death and damnation That we may offer violence to our selves in this great business of Examination let these few things be seriously weighed 1. Without self-examination we can never know how it is with us If we should die presently we cannot tell to what Coast we should sail whether to Hell or Heaven It is reported of Socrates when he was going out of the World he had this speech I am now to dye and the gods know whether I shall be happy or iniserable That man who is ignorant of the state of his Soul must needs heve the trembling at the heart as Cain had a shaking in his flesh By a serious serutiny of our hearts we come to know to what Prince we belong whether to the Prince of peace or the Prince of the aiâ—… 2. If we will not try our selves God will try us He will examine us as the chief Captain did Paul by scourging Act. 22. 24. He will ask that question as Christ Whose image â—…d superscription is this And if we cannot shew him his own image he will reject us 3. There is secret corruption within which will never be found out but by searching There are in the heart as Austin saith hidden pollutions When Pharaoh's Steward accused Joseph's Brethren of having the Cup they durst have sworn they had not the Cup in their sack Little doth a man know what Atheism Pride Uncleanness is in his heart till he searcheth 4. The great advantage which will accrew to us the benefit is great which way soever things turn If upon examination we find that we have not grace in truth then the mistake is discovered and the danger prevented If we find that we have grace we may take the comfort of it How glad was he that had found the Pearl of great priâ—…e He that upon search finds that he hath but the minimum quod sic the least degree of grace is like one that hath found his Box of Evidences he is Heir to all the Promises and in a state of Salvation And that we â—…ay go on the more successively in this work let us desire God to help us to find out our hearts Job 34. 32. That which I see not teach thou me Lord take off the vail shew me my heart let me not perish through mistake or go to Hell with hope of Heaven The sixth duty wherein we must offer violence to our selves is The Religious sanctifying of the Lords day That there should be a day of holy rest dedicated to God appears from the institution Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day Our Christian Sabbath comes in the room of the Jewish Sabbath it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lords day Rev. 1. 10. from Christ the Author of it Our Sabbath is altered by Christ's own appointment He arose this day out of the grave and appeared on it often to his Disciples 1 Cor. 16. 1. To intimate to them saith Athanasius that he transferred the Sabbath to the Lords day And St. Austin saith That by Christ's rising on the first day of the week it was consecrated to be the Christian Sabbath in remembrance of his Resurrection This day was antâ—…tly called Dies Lucis the day of Light as Junius observes The other days of the week would be dark were it not for the shining of the Sun of Righteousness on this day This day hath been called by the Antients Regind diâ—…rum the Queen of days And St. Hieroni preferrs this day above all solemn Festivals The Primitive Churâ—…h had this day in high veneration it was a great badge of their Religion for when the question was asked Servasti Dominicum Keepest thou the Sabbath the answer was made Christianus sum I am a Christian and dare not omit the celebration of the Lords day What great cause have we thankfully to remember this day As the benefit of Israel's deliverance from the Babylonish captivity was so great that it drowned the remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt Jer. 16. 14. So the benefit of our deliverance from Satan's captivity and the rising of Christ from finishing the glorious work of our Redemption was so famous that in respect of this his other benefits receive as it were a diminution Great was the work of Creation but greater the work of Redemption It cost more to redeem us than make us In the one there was only the speaking a word Psal. 148. 5 in the other the shedding of blood Heb. 9. 22. The Creation was the work of God's fingers Psal. 8. 3. the
grace as will keep life and soul together A sick man may have life but is not lively Grace may live in the heart but is sickly and doth not flourish into lively acts Weak grace will not withstand strong temptations or carry through great sufferings it will hardly follow Christ upon the water Little grace will not do God much service A Tree that hath but little sap will not have much fruit It may be said of some Christians though they are not still born yet they are starvelings in grace They are like a ship that comes with much ado to the Haven Oh labour to grow to further degrees of sanctity The more grace the more strength and the more strength the more violence If you would be violent for Heaven take heed of this opinion That it is not so hard to get the Kingdom less violence will serve turn He that thinks he need not run a Race so fast will be apt to slack his pace This hath undone many Who will take pains for Heaven that thinks it may he had at a cheaper rate But if it be so easie what needs Christ say Strive as in an Agony What needed Paul beat down his body Why doth the Text speak of taking the Kingdom by force Is not conversion called a new birth Joh. 3. 7. a Creation Psal. 51. 10. and is that facil O take heed of phancying that work easie which is both above nature and against it 'T is as great a wonder for a soul to be saved as to see a mill stone to be lift up into the middle Region 2. Uâ—…e those means which will promote this holy violence 1. Keep up daily prayer Prayer is the bellows that blows up the affections and a Christian is most active when his affections are most violent Prayer keeps the trade of Religion agoing Prayer is to the soul as the animal spirits are to the body the anmal spirits make the body more agile and lively so doth prayer the soul. That the motion of a Watch may be quicker the spring must be wound up Christian winde up thy heart every day by prayer Prayer fetcheth in strength from Christ and when his strength comes in it sets the soul a working Prayer leaves the heart in a good frame As the morning Sun leaves a warmth in the room all the day after When Christians lay aside prayer or leave off fervency in it then by degrees they lose their holy violence If you would be violent for Heaven get under lively preaching The word is quick and powerful Heb. 4. 12. It puts liâ—…e into a dead heart It is both a sword â—…o cut down sin and a spur to quicken grace The word is a fire to thaw a frozen heart Jâ—…r 23. 29. Is not my Word fire As good almost be without preaching as be under such preaching as will not warm It is a part of the Word not only to inform but to inflame Psal. 119. 50. Thy Word hath quickened me 'T is the lively dispensation of the Oracles of Heaven must animate us and make us lively in our operation If you would be violent for Heaven get your hearts filled with love to Religion This is like the Rod of Myrtle in the Travellers hand Pliny â—…peaks of which makes him fresh and lively in his travel and keeps him from being weary When a man hath warmed himself at the fire now he is sittest for work If you would be violent in working out salvation warm your selves at this fire of love A man will be violent for nothing but what he loves Why are men so eager in their pursuit after gold but because they love it Love causeth delight and delight causeth violence What made St. Paul labour more than all the other Apostles The love of Christ constrained him 2 Cor. 5. 14. Love is like Oyl to the wheels Get love to Religion and you will never be weary you will count those the best hours which are spent with God He that digs in a silver Vein sweats yet love to the silver makes his labour delightful If you would be violent be vigilant The Prophet stood upon his Watch-tower Hab. 2. 1. Why are Christians so listless in their work but because they are so careless in their watch Did they but watch to see how their enemy watcheth they would be violent to resist him Did they but watch to see how their time runs or rather flies they would be violent to redeem it Did they but watch to see how their hearts loiter in Religion they would spur on faster to Heaven The reason there is so little violence in Religion is because there is so little vigilance When Christians neglect their spiritual watch and grow secure now their motion to Heaven is retarded and Satan's motions to sin are renewed Our sleeping time is Satan's tempting time If you would be violent for the Kingdom bind your heart to God by sacred vows A servant will be more diligent after he is bound to his Master Vow to the Lord that by his grace you will act more vigorously in the sphere of Religion Psalm 56. 12. Thy vows are upon me O God A vow binds the votary to duty He looks upon himself now as under a special obligation and that quickens endeavour No question but a Christian may make such a vow because the ground of it is morally good he vows nothing but what he is bound to do namely to walk more closely with God Only remember that we vow not in our own strength but Christs We must confide in him as well for strength as righteousness Isa. 46. 24. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength If you would be violent for Heaven be sure you make going to Heaven your business What a man looks on as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or thing by the by he will never be violent for but that which he makes his business he will be industrious about A man looks upon his trade as the only thing to get a livelihood by and he follows it close So if we would but look upon Religion as the main business wherein our salvation is concerned we should be violent in it Luke 10. 42. But one thing is needfull This is the One Thing to get Christ and Heaven This is the end we came into the world for If we could thus look upon the things of eternity as our business the One Thing how earnest should we be in the pursuit of them If you would be violent have Heaven continually in your eye This made Christ violent to the death he had an eye to the joy set before him Heb. 12. 2. Set the Crown ever before you and that will provoke endeavour immensum gloria â—…alcar habet The Mariner hath his hand to the Sterh and his eye to the Star While we are working let us have an eye to that place where is Christ the bright morning star How