Heaven Taken By Storm: Or, the Christian Soldier (Watson)

Author:

Watson, Thomas

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SKU:

9781800405523

Publisher:

Banner of Truth

Format:

Paperback

Pages:

144

Description
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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

Contents

Introduction: Heaven is to be Taken by Force or Violence

He Must Offer Violence to Himself
We Must Offer Violence to Satan
We Must Offer Violence to the World
We Must Offer Violence to Heaven

Reproofs Arising from the Text
Questions for Self-Examination
Objections to this Duty
Further Exhortations
A Necessary Cautionary Note
Rules and Directions for Getting this Violence for Heaven
Concluding Applications

About the Author

Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686), the Puritan preacher and author, was probably born in Yorkshire, although the exact place and date of his birth are unknown. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (BA, 1639; MA, 1642), where he was apparently a diligent student. Certainly his intellect is apparent in his writings, which show a profound grasp of the English language, as well as a solid understanding of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He quotes from the early church fathers, and his familiarity with the breadth of the scriptural canon is stunning.

Watson’s works – several of which have been republished by the Trust – are a legacy that have continued to be a blessing to those who love sound, heart-searching exposition of the Scriptures.