Description
Heaven Taken by Storm, or, The Christian Soldier is a call to arms. In it Thomas Watson expounds and applies, in his own unique and much-loved style, the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:12: ‘And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ ‘Heaven,’ he says, is like a ‘town or castle that holds out in war, and is not taken but by storm. … Though heaven be given us freely, yet we must contend for it.’ What that means for the believer forms the substance of this book. The author shows us the nature of this ‘holy violence’ – ‘resolution of will, vigour of affection, strength of endeavour.’ His aim throughout is to awaken the reader to the urgency of the gospel’s call. ‘Our work is great, our time short, our master urgent; we have need therefore to summon together all the powers of our souls, and strive as in a matter of life and death, that we may arrive at the kingdom above: we must not only put forth diligence, but violence.’
‘Though heaven be given us freely, yet we must contend for it.’
— Thomas Watson
Table of Contents
Introduction: Heaven is to be Taken by Force or Violence 1
1. He Must Offer Violence to Himself 11
2. We Must Offer Violence to Satan 47
3. We Must Offer Violence to the World 50
4. We Must Offer Violence to Heaven 52
Reproofs Arising from the Text 59
Questions for Self-Examination 74
Objections to this Duty 77
Further Exhortations 85
A Necessary Cautionary Note 106
Rules and Directions for Getting this Violence for Heaven 107
Concluding Applications 120
Product Details
Title: Heaven Taken By Storm: Or, The Christian Soldier
Author: Thomas Watson
Publisher: Banner of Truth
Pages: 144
Binding: Paperback
Size: 18.0 x 11.9 x 0.9 cm
ISBN: 9781800405523