Heaven Taken By Storm, Sermon 1 (3 of 3)

Heaven Taken By Storm · Sermon 1 (3 of 3)

p. 131Is there any profit in sin? did ever Resp. 1.any one thrive upon that Trade? by that time you have cast up the reckoning you will find but little profit.

1. By the incomes that sin brings in, thou treasurest up vengeance, Rom. 2. 5. While thou puttest unjust gain in thy bag, God puts wrath in his viol; and will you call this profit?

**H…God.foreign.

Whatever mony a man gets in a sinful way, he must pay interest for it in hell.

2. That cannot be for thy profit, which makes thee come off a loser at last. Thou losest Heaven and thy soul; and what can countervail this loss? What is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Matth. 16. 26. God (saith Chrysostom) hath given a man two eyes; if he lose one, he hath another; but he hath but one soul, and if that be lost, he is undone for ever.

But I have so much business in the p. 132Object. 6.world, that I can find no time for this holy violence. As the King of Macedon said, when they presented him with a book treating of Happiness, foreign, I am not at leisure.

See the folly of of this objection: What Resp. 1.is the main business of life, but looking after the soul? and for men to say they are so immersed in the world, that they cannot mind their souls, is most absurd and irrational. This is to make the greater give way to the lesse. As if an Husbandman should say, he is so busie in angling, or looking after his Bees, that he hath no time to plow or sow. What is his occupation but plowing? Such a madness is it to hear men say, they are so taken up about the world, that they have no time for their souls.

Could God find time to think of thy Resp. 2.salvation? could Jesus Christ find time to come into the world, and be here above thirty years in carrying on this great design of thy Redemption, and canst thou find no time to look after it? Is the getting a little mony that which obstructs this violence for Heaven? Thy mony perish with thee.

Canst thou find time for thy body? p. 133Resp. 3.time to eat and sleep? and not find time for thy soul? canst thou find time to employ about thy recreation? and no time to employ about thy salvation? canst thou find time for idle visits? and no time to visit the Throne of Grace?

Oh take heed thou goest not to Hell in the croud of worldly business. Joshua. who was a Commander of an Army, yet his work as a Souldier was not to hinder his work as a Christian: he must pray as well as fight; and take the Book of the Law in his hand, as well as the Sword, Josh. 1. 8.

Thou, whosoever thou art that makest this Objection about worldly business, let me ask thee, Dost thou think in thy conscience that this will be a good excuse at the last day, when God shall ask thee, why didst thou not take pains for Heaven? thou shalt say, Lord, I was so steeped in worldly business, that I was hindered. Were it a good plea for a servant to say to his Master, he was so drunk that he could not work? Truly, 'tis much like thine, to say thou wert so drunk with the cares of the world, that thou couldest not be violent for the Kingdom.

p. 134Having answered these Objections, let me re-assume the exhortation, pressing all Christians to this violence for the heavenly Kingdom. As David's three Worthies ventured their lives, and brake thorow the hoast of the Philistims for water, 2 Sam. 23. 16. Such a kind of violence must we use, breaking through all dangers for obtaining the Water of life.

1. Consider the deplorable condition Motive. 1.we are in by nature; a state of misery and damnation; therefore what violence should we use to get out of it! Were one plunged into quick-sands, would he not use violence to get out? Sin is a quicksand, and is it not wisdom to extricate our selves out? David being encompassed with enemies, said, His soul was among Lions, Psal. 57. 4. 'Tis true in a spiritual sense, our soul is among Lions. Every sin is a Lion that would devour us, and if we are in the Lion's Den, shall we not use violence to get out? The Angels used violence to Lot; they laid hold on him, and pulled him out of Sodom, Gen. 19. 16. Such violence must be used to get out of the spiritual Sodom. It is no safety to p. 135stay in the enemies quarters.

2. It is possible that in the use of Motive. 2.means we may arrive at happiness. Impossibility destroies endeavour: but here is a door of hope opened. The thing is feasible. It is not with us as with the damned in Hell; there is a tomb-stone rolled over them. But while we are under the sound of Aaron's Bell, and the Silver Trumpet of the Gospel is blown in our ears, while the Spirit of Grace breaths on us, and we are on this side the grave; there is great hope that by holy violence we may win Paradise. An absolute impossibility of salvation is only for them who have sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost, and cannot repent, but who these are is a secret sealed up in God's Book: else here is a great encouragement to all to be serious and earnest in the matters of eternity, because they are yet in a capacity of mercy, no final sentence is already passed; God hath not yet taken up the drawbridge of mercy. Though the gate of Paradise is strait, yet it is not shut. This should be as Oyl to the wheels, to make us lively and active in the business of salvation. Therefore as the Husbandman p. 136plows in hope, James 5. So we should pray … hope; do all our work for Heaven in hope; for the white flag of mercy is yet held forth. So long as there was Corn to be had in Egypt, the Sons of Jacob would not sit starving at home, Gen. 42. 3. So there is a Kingdom to be obtained; therefore let us not sit starving in our sins any longer.

This violence for Heaven is the grand …. Motive.business of our lives: What did we come into the world for else? we did not come hither only to eat and drink, and wear fine cloaths; but the end of our living is, to be violent for the Kingdom of glory. Should the body only be tended, this were to trim the scabbard, and let the blade rust: to preserve the lumber, and let the child be burnt. God sends us into the world as a Merchant sends his Factor to trade for him beyond the Seas. So God sends us hither to follow a spiritual trade, to serve him and save our souls. If we spend all our time aut aliud agendo, aut nihil, in dressing and pampering our bodies, or idle visits, we shall give but a sad account to God, when he shall send us a letter of summons by death, p. 137and bid us give an account of our Stewardship. Were not he much … be blamed that should have a great deal of Timber given him to build him an house, and he should cut out all this brave Timber into chips? Just so is the case of many; God gives them precious time in which they are to provide for a Kingdom, and they waste this time of life, and cut it out all into chips. Let this excite violence in the things of God; it is the main errand of our living here; shall we go out of the world and forget our errand?

4. How violent are the wicked in 4. Motive.waies of sin! violent for their malicious lusts, Prov. 1. 16. Their feet run to evil **Quòd utro…ue pede …tuntur, notatur & …estinatio & impetus. Car…wr.. Violent for their unclean lusts. Amnon offered violence to his Sister, he would have his lust, though it cost him his life, Sinners tire out themselves in the Devil's drudgery, Jer 9. 5. They meary themselves to commit iniquity. They are out of breath with sin, yet not out of love with sin, Jer. 50. 38. They are mad upon their Idols. So violent were the Jews, that they would spare no cost in p. 138their Idolatrous worship, Isa. 46. 6. They lavish gold out of the bag. So fiercely were they bent upon Idolatry, that they would sacrifice their Sons and Daughters to their Idol god…, Jer. 32. 35. They built the high places of B…al to cause their Sons and Daughters to pass thorow the fire. Were men thus violent for their lusts and Idols; and shall not we be violent for a Kingdom? Nay, you that are now ingrafted into Christ, how violent perhaps have some of you been formerly in evil? how did you once spend your selves in a sinful way! like Paul, who before his conversion breathed out threatning and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord, Act. 9. 1. Perhaps you have been violent in drawing others to sin, you have been tempters to them; and perhaps some of them whom you have seduced to sin, are now crying out of you in Hell, and saying, They had never come there if it had not been for your example; should not the consideration of this humble you? should not this make you the more violent in Religion, that you may bring some glory to God before you die? should not you be as industrious to save p. 139souls, as you have been to damn them? Were you to live to the age of Methusalem, you could never do God service sufficient for the dishonour you have done to him.

5. This holy violence hath much delight 5. Motive.mingled with it, Prov. 3. 17. All her waies are pleasantness. Though the way of Religion hath thorns in it (in respect of persecution) yet it is full of Roses, in respect of that inward peace and content that the soul finds in it. A man is violent at his recreation; but there is an inward delight he takes in it which sweetens that violence. St. Paul made Religion his recreation, Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God after the inward man. In the Greek, foreign, I take pleasure; not only Heaven it self is delightful, but the way thither. What ravishing delight hath a gracious soul in prayer! Isa. 56. 7. I will make them joyful in the house of prayer. What delight in holy contemplation! A Christian hath such illapses of the Spirit, and meets with such transfigurations of soul, that he thinks himself half in Heaven. Serving of God is like gathering of Spices, or Flowers, wherein there is p. 140some labour, but the labour is recompensed with delight. The way of sin hath bitterness in it. The …ears while they lick the honey, are stung with the Bees. So while men are following their lusts, they have checks of conscience, which are a foretast of Hell. Better want the honey; than have this sting. But the violence for Heaven is spiced with such joy, that it is not labour, but pleasure.

V. This violence and activity of 6. Motive.Spirit in Religion, puts a lustre upon a Christian. The more excellent any thing is, the more active. The Sun is a glorious creature, as a Gyant it runs its Race, Psal. 19. 5. Fire, the noblest element, sparkles vigorously. The Angels are described with wings, Isa. 6. 2. which is an emblem of their swist obedience. The more violent we are in Religion, the more Angelical we are.

7. How violent was Christ about our 7. Motive.salvation! He was in an Agony; he continued all night in prayer, Luke 6. 12. He wept, he fasted, he dyed a violent death; he rose violently out of the grave. Was Christ so violent for our salvation, and doth it not become us to p. 141be violent, who are so nearly concerned in it? Christ's violence was not only satisfactory, but exemplary. It was not only to appease God, but to teach us. Christ was violent in dying, to teach us to be violent in believing.

8. This holy violence brings Rest**Omuis Motus te… dit ad qui… tem.; 8. Motive.motion tends to rest, Heb. 4. 9. There remaineth a rest for the people of God. Indeed, there is a motion which doth not tend to rest: they who are violent in a way of sin, shall never have rest, Revel. 4. 8. They rest not day and night. Such as are graceless, shall be restless. But the violence a Christian takes, leads to rest. As the weary Traveller sits down at night and rests him, Psal. 116. 7. Return to thy rest, O my soul. Holy violence is like the flying of Noah's Dove to the Ark, where it found rest.

9. If we use what violence we are 9. Motive.able, God will help us, Phil 2. 12.. It is God who worketh in you both to will and to do. The Spirit helps us in prayer, and so proportionably in all other duties of Religion, Rom. 8. 26. The Promise encourageth, and the Spirit enableth. In all earthly Races a …an runs in his own strength; but in the Race to Heaven p. 142we have the Spirit of God helping us; he not only gives us the Crown, when we have done running; but he gives us legs to run; he gives exciting and assisting grace; the Spirit of God helping, makes our work easie. If another helps to carry a burden, it is less difficult. If the Loadstone draw the Iron, it is not hard for the Iron to move. If the Spirit of God, as a divine Loadstone, draw and move the heart in obedience; now the work goes on with more facility.

10. This blessed violence in Religion 10. Motive.; would be preventive of much sin. While men are idle in the Vineyard, they are a prey to every temptation. We do not sow our seed in fallow ground; but Satan doth sow most of his seed of temptation in hearts that lye fallow. When he sees persons unimployed, he will find them work to do; he will sti… them up to one sin or other, Matth. 13. 25. While men slept, the enemy sowed tares. When Satan finds men in a drowsie condition, their sleeping time is his tempting time; but by holy violence we prevent the Devil's design; we are so busied about salvation, that we have no leisure to listen to a temptation. p. 143St. Hierom gave his friend this advice, to be alwaies well employed, that when Satan came with a temptation he might find him working in the Vineyard. When the bird is flying it is safe, when it sits still on the bough, then it is in danger of being shot. When a Christian sits still, and is unactive, now the Devil shoots him with his fiery darts.

11. The folly of such as are violent 11. Motive.for the world, but not for the Kingdom above. Alas, how insipid are all these things that we lay out our sweat and violence upon, they will not make us happy. King Solomon did as it were put all the creatures into a limbeck, and still out the quintessence of them, and behold all was vanity, Eccles. 2. 8.

1. These earthly things that we so toil for, are uncertain, 1 Tim. 6. 17. 'Tis uncertain whether we shall get them. All that are Suitors to a Virgin do not speed. All that come to a Lottery have not a prize.

2. They are unsatisfactory. Could men heap up Silver as dust; had they as much as the Devil promised Christ, All the Kingdoms of the world, and the p. 144glory of them; yet they can no more fill the heart, than a drop of water can fill the cistern, Eccles. 5. 16. What profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?

3. They are transient; death feeds at the root. All worldly possessions are like a Castle of Snow in the Sun: or like a posie of flowers which withers while we are smelling to it. O what folly is it to put forth all ones violence for the world, which is but for a season, and not for Christ and grace. As if a condemned man should be earnest to get his dinner, but never mind getting his pardon.

12. The next motive is in the text; …2. Motive.this violence is for a Kingdom **foreign Chrysost.. The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence. And what will we be violent for, if not for a Kingdom; Men will wade to a Kingdom through blood: This is a Kingdom worth striving for. Cyprus is an Island so exceeding fertile and pleasant, that it was antiently called Macaria, which signifies Blessed. This title of Blessed may more fitly be given to the heavenly Kingdom. If the Mountains were Gold; if every Sand of the Sea were a Diamond; if the whole p. 145Globe were a shining Chrysolite, it were infinitely beneath the glory of this Kingdom.

1. The immunities of the heavenly ….Kingdom are great.

1. There shall be a freedom from sin; here sin keeps house with us; it is as natural to us to sin, as to breath. The soul that is most refined, and clarified by grace, is not without some dregs of corruption. St. Paul cryed out of a Body of sin. He who is inoculated into Christ hath still a taste and rellish of the wild Olive. But when we ascend to the heavenly Kingdom, this mantle of sin shall drop off. That Kingdom is so pure, that it will not mix with any corruption, Rev. 21. 27. A sinful thought shall not creep in there. There is beauty which is not stained with lust, and honour which is not swelled with pride.

2. In that blessed Kingdom there shall be freedom from the assaults of the Red Dragon. 'Tis sad to have Satan daily soliciting us by his temptations, and labouring to trappan us into sin. Temptation is the Devil's Powder-plot, to blow up the fort-royal of our graces; p. 146but this is the blessed freedom of the heavenly Kingdom, it is not capable of temptation. The old Serpent is cast out of Paradise.

3. In that blessed Kingdom, there shall be freedom from divisions. In this world, God's own Tribes go to warr. Ephraim envies Judah, and Judah vexeth Ephraim. The Souldiers Spear pierced Christ's side; but the divisions of Saints pierce his heart. Christ prayed that all his people might be one, as he and his Father are one, Joh. 17. 21. But how do Christians by their discords and animosities go about what in them lies to frustrate Christs Prayer. But in the Kingdom of Heaven there is perfect love, which, as it casts out fear, so strife. Those Christians that could not live quietly together here, in that Kingdom shall be united. There Calvin and Luther are agreed. In that coelestial Kingdom there shall be no vilifying or slandering one another, or raking into those sores which Christ died to heal. Christians that could not pray together, shall sing together in that glorious quire: there shall not be one jarring string in the Saints musick.

p. 1474. In that heavenly Kingdom there shall be freedom from all molestations. Our lives now are interlined with troubles, Psal. 31. 10. My life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing **foreign. Euripid.. There are many things to occasion disquiet: Sometimes poverty afflicts; sometimes sickness tortures; sometimes unkindness of friends breaks the heart. Our lives, like the Irish Seas, are full of tempests; but in the Kingdom of Heaven is nothing to administer grief; there all is serene and calm; nothing within to humble, or without to molest.

2. The Royalties and excellencies …of that Kingdom are great. We may say of Heaven, as it was said of Laish, Judg. 18. 9, 10. We have seen the Land, and behold it is very good; a place where there is no want of any thing.

The heavenly Kingdom abounds with …Riches, Rev. 21. 21. The Twelve Gates were twelve Pearls. Earthly Kingdoms are fain to traffique abroad for Gold and Spices: In the Kingdom of God are all Rarities to be had, all commodities of its own growth; therefore figured by the Tree of life, bearing several sorts p. 148of fruit, Rev. 22. 2. How rich is that place where the blessed Deity shines forth in its immense glory infinitely beyond the comprehension of Angels.

2. The delights of the heavenly Kingdom are unmixed. The comforts here below are checkered. Honour may be stained with disgrace; joy interlarded with sorrow. Our stars are mixed with clouds; but the delicacies of Heaven are pure as well as pleasant. There i… hony that hath not one drop of gall, The Crystal spring of joy hath no settling of sorrow at bottom. The Rose in that Paradise is without prickles; the Sun in that horizon is without eclipse.

3. This Kingdom above is durable,

—foreign—

Suppose earthly Kingdoms to be more glorious than they are, their foundations of gold, their walls of pearl, their windows of Saphire, yet they are corruptible, Hos. 1. 4. I will cause the Kingdom to cease. Troy and Athens now lye buried in their own ruines. But the Kingdom of Glory, as it is made without hands; so without end. It is the everlasting p. 149Kingdom, 2 Pet. 1. 11. Now methinks, if ever we will use violence, it it should be for this Kingdom; this Kingdom will make amends for all our labour and pal…ns**foreign. Chrysost. Serm. in Eutropium.. Caesar marching with his Army towards Rome, and hearing that all the people were fled from it, said, they that will not fight for this City, what City will they fight for! So if foreign.we will not put forth violence for this Kingdom of Heaven, what will we be violent **Currite Christ'ani, … currite, ut a…reolam, splendidissim…m sc…licet gloriae bravi…, …. Lap.for! I s…y to all, as the children of Dan in another sense, Judge 18. 9. We have seen the Land, and behold it is very good; and are ye still? Be not slothfull to go, and to enter to passess the Land.

13. The more violence we have used 13. Motive.f…r Heaven, the sweeter Heaven will b… when we come there. As when a man hath been a grafting Trees, or seting Flowers in his garden, it is pleasant to review and look over his labours: So in Heaven, when we shall remember p. 150our former zeal and activity for the Kingdom; it will indulcorate Heaven, and add to the joy of it. For a Christian to think, such a day I spent in examining my heart, such a day I was weeping for sin; when others were at their sport, I was at my prayers; and now, have I lost any thing by this violence? My tears are wiped away, and the wine of Paradise chears my heart. I now enjoy him whom my soul loves; I now have the Crown and white Robe: I so longed for. O how pleasant will it be to think, this is the Heaven my Saviour bled for, and I swet for.

14. The more violence we put forth 14. Motive.in Religion, the greater measure of glory we shall have. That there are degrees of glory in Heaven, seems to me beyond dispute.

1. There are degrees of torment in Hell Mat. 23. 14.Matt 23:14; therefore by the Rule of contraries degrees of glory in Heaven.

2. The Scripture speaks of a Prophet's Reward, Mat. 10. 41. which is a degree above others.

3. The Saint… are said to shine as the Stars, … …. Now one sta… differeth from another in glory. So that there p. 151are gradations of happiness; and of this judgement is Calvin; as also many of the antient Fathers. Consider then seriously; the more violent we are for Heaven, and the more work we do for God, the greater will be our reward. The hotter our zeal, the brighter our Crown. Could we hear the blessed souls departed speaking to us from Heaven, sure thus they would say, were we to leave Heaven a while, and to dwell on the earth again, we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we have done; we would pray with more life, act with more zeal; for now we see, the more hath been our labour, the more astonishing is our joy, and the more flourishing our Crown.

15. Upon our violence for the Kingdom, 15. MotiveGod hath promised mercy, Mat. 7. 7. Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you.

1. Ask.] Ask with importunity. A faint asking begs a denial **Qui frigidè …, &c.. King Ahashuerus stood with his golden Scepter, and said to Queen Esther, Ask and it shall be given to half of the Kingdom. But God saith more, Ask and he will give the p. 152whole Kingdom, Luke 12. 32. It is observable, the door of the tabernacle was not of brass, but had a thin covering, a vail, that they might easily enter into it: So the door of Heaven is through Christ's blood made easie, that our prayers put up in servency may enter. Upon our asking, God hath promised to give his Spirit, Luke 11. 13. And if he gives his Spirit, he will give the Kingdom: the Spirit first anoints, 1 John 2. 27. and after its anointing Oyl comes the Crown.

2. Seek and ye shall find.] But, is it not said, Many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able? Luke 13. 24. I answer, that is, because they did seek in a wrong manner.

1. They did seek ignorantly, setting up an Altar to an unknown god. It is ill seeking Pearls in the dark. Ignorant people seek Heaven by their good meanings; they seek in the dark, and no wonder they miss of salvation.

2. They did seek proudly. They sought Heaven by their own merits; whereas we are to seek the Kingdom in Christ's strength, and in his name.

3. They did seek lazily; as the Spouse p. 153sought Christ on her bed, and found him not, Cant. 3. 1. So many seek Christ in a supine manner; they seek, but they do not strive.

4. They did seek hypocrit …ally; they would have Heaven and their lusts too. Like that Protestant Prince Cambden speaks of, who set up one Altar in the same Church to the true God, and another to the Idol. But let not such seekers ever think to find happiness, let not them think to lye in Dalila's lap, and go to Abraham's bosom when they die.

5. They did seek inconstantly: Because mercy did not come presently, they gave over seeking.

But else if we seek the Kingdom of Heaven cordially, God hath pawned his Truth in a promise, we shall find, Jer. 29. 13. Then shall ye find me, when you search for me with all your heart.

3. Knock and it shall be opened.] Knocking implies violence. But we must do as Peter, Acts 22. 16. He continued knocking. We must continue knocking by prayer, and Heaven-gate shall be opened. How may this be as Oyl to the wheels? how may it excite holy violence, when we have so gracious a promise p. 154of mercy upon our earnest seeking of it.

16. This holy violence will not hinder 16. Motive.men in their secular employments. Violence for the Kingdom, and diligence in a calling, are not inconsistent. Christians, you may work for Heaven, yet work in a trade. God hath given you a body and a soul, and he hath allotted you time to provide for both: he hath given you a body, therefore be diligent in your calling; he hath given you a soul, therefore be violent for Heaven. These two may well stand together, providing for a family, and praying in in a family. He that doth not exercise himself in some honest employment, is guilty of the breach of that Commandment, Six daies shalt thou labour. God never sealed warrants for idleness **Iacumbit omnibu… ut labor…t. Quistorp. vid. Ambros. lib. 6. Hexam. cap. 4. Virgilium. lib 4. Ae…cid. Horatium Sa…. 1. Plinium, lib. 11. c. 30, &c.. The sluggard shall be indicted at the day of judgement for leting his field be over-run with thorns **Prov. 24. 30.Prov 24:30. They are hypocrites who talk of living by faith, but refuse to live in a Calling. Only remember, that the pains you tak in Religion must exceed the other, Mat. 6. 33. Seek ye first p. 155the Kingdom of God. First, in order of time, before all things; and first in order of affection, above all things. Your soul is the nobler part, therefore that must be chiefly looked after. In your calling shew diligence; in Religion violence.

But some may say, We are so incumbred in the world, that all time for Relion is swallowed up; we cannot get leave from our calling to read or pray?

Resp. If your trade be such that you cannot allow your selves time for your souls, then your trade is unlawful. There are two things make a trade unlawful.

1. When persons deal in such commodities as they know cannot be used without sin. Selling of black spots, or idolatrous Pictures and Crucifixes.

2. When their trade doth so involve them in worldly business, that they cannot mind eternity, or make out one sally to the Throne of Grace. They are so much in the shop, that they cannot be in the closet. If there be such a trade to be found, doubtless it is unlawful; but let not men lay it upon their trade, but upon themselves; their trade would p. 156give them leave to serve God, but their covetousness will not give them leave. O how many put a fallacy upon their own souls, and cheat themselves into Hell.

17. There is but a short space of time 17. Motive.granted us, therefore work the harder for Heaven before it be too late, Indeed we are apt to dream of a long life, as if we were not sojourners, but natives, and were to stay here alwaies. The blossom of childhood hopes to come to the budding of youth; and the bud of youth hopes to come to the flower of age; and the flower of age hopes to come to old age; and old age hopes to renew its strength as the Eagle **Psal. 49. 11.Ps 49:11: But if we measure life by a pair of Scripture-compasses, it is very short: it is compared to a flying shadow, Job. 8. 17. to an hand-breadth, Psal. 39. 5. as if there were but a span between the cradle and the grave,—parum abest à nihilo—. Is the time of life so short, and may be shorter than we are aware? what need is there zealously to improve it before it be slipp'd away? if time runs, let us so run, 1 Cor. 9. 24. He that hath a g…eat business in hand, and the p. 157time allotted for doing it is but short, had not need lose any of that time. A Traveller that hath many miles to ride, and the night ready to approach, had need spur on the harder, that the night do not overtake him: So we have a long journy, and the night of death is drawing on, how should we use spurs to ou… sluggish hearts, that we may go on more swiftly!

18. A man's personal day of grace 18. Motive.may be short. There is a time while the Scepter of grace is held forth, 2 Cor. 6. 2. Now is the accepted time. The Lord hath prefixed a time wherein the means of Grace shall work or not work. If a person come not in by such a time, God may say, Never fruit grow on thee more. A sign this day of grace is past, when conscience hath done speaking, and God's Spirit hath done striving. Whether this day may be longer or shorter, we cannot tell; but because it may so soon expire, 'tis wisdom to take the present opportunity, and use all violence for Heaven. The day of grace hastens away: no man can (like Joshua) bid this Sun stand still; and if this critical day be once past, it cannot be recalled. The p. 158day of grace being lost, the next is … day of wrath. Hierusalem had a day, but she lost it, Luke 19. 44 If thou hadst known, even thou, in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. After the expiration of the day of grace, no means or mercies shall prove effectual: Now foreign, they are hid from thine eyes. Which is like the ringing a doleful knell over a dying person; therefore put forth all violence for Heaven, and do it in this, foreign, before it be too late, and the decree be gone forth.

19. If you neglect the offering violence 19 Motivenow, there will be no help for you after death. When men shall open their eyes in another world, and see into what a damned condition they have sinned themselves, O now what would they not do, what violence would they not use, if there were a possibility they might be saved! When once the door of mercy is shut, if God would make new terms far harder than before, they would readily seal to them. If God should say to the sinner after death, Wouldst thou be content to return to the earth, and live there under the p. 159harrow of persecution a thousand years for my sake? Yes Lord, I will subscribe to this, and endure the world's fury, may I have but thy favour at last. But, wilt thou be content to serve an Apprentiship in Hell a thousand years, where thou shalt feel the worm gnawing, and the fire burning? Yes Lord, even in Hell I submit to be; so that after a thousand years I may have a release, and that bitter cup may pass away from me. But, wilt thou for every lye thou hast told, endure the rack? wilt thou for every Oath that thou hast sworn, fill a bottle of tears? wilt thou for every sin thou hast committed, lye ten thousand years in sackcloth and ashes? Yes Lord, all this and more if thou requirest, I will subscribe to; I am content now to use any violence, if I may but at last be admitted into thy Kingdom. No, will God say; there shall be no such condition proposed to thee, no possibility of favour, but thou shalt lye for ever among the damned, and who is able to dwell with everlasting burnings? Oh therefore be wise in time, now while God's terms are more easie, embrace Christ, and Heaven, for after p. 160death there will be nothing to be done for your souls. The sinner and the furnace shall never be parted.

20. How without all Apology will 20. Motive.you be left, if you neglect this violence for heaven! Me-thinks I hear God thus expostulating the case with sinners at the last day, Why did you not take pains for Heaven? hath not there been a Prophet among you? Did not my Ministers list up their voice like a Trumpet? did not they warn you? did not they perswade you to use this violence, teling you that your salvation depended upon it? but the most melting Rhetorick of the Gospel would not move you. Did not I give you time to look after your souls? Rev. 2. 21. I gave her space to repent **foreign su…m test atur, mulie…is contumaciam accusat. Paraeus.. Did not you promise in your vow in Baptism, that you would take Heaven by force? Fighting under my banner against world, flesh, and Devil? Why then did you not use violence for the Kingdom? it must be either sloth or obstinacy. You could be violent for other things, for the world, for your lusts, but not for the Kingdom of Heav…n: What can you say for your selves, why the sentence of damnation should p. 161not pass? O how will men be confounded and left speechless at such a time, and God's Justice shall be cleared in their condemnation! Psal. 51. 4. That thou maiest be clear when thou judgest. Though the Sinner shall drink a Sea of wrath, yet not one drop of injustice.

21. What a vexation it will be at the 21. Motive.last to lose the Kingdom of Glory for want of a little violence. When one shall think with himself, I did something in Religion, but I was not violent enough; I prayed, but I should have brought fire to the sacrifice. I heard the word, but I should have received the truth in love; I humbled my self with fasting, but I should with humiliation have joyned reformation. I gave Christ's poor good words; I did bid them be warmed, but I should have clothed and fed them, and for want of a little more violence I have lost the Kingdom. The Prophet bade the King of Israel smite upon the ground, 2 King. 13. 18. And he smote thrice, and stai…, and the man of God was wroth, and said, thou shouldest have smiten five or six times, then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou p. 162hadst consumed it. So a man doth something in Religion, he smites thrice, and then states; whereas, had he but put forth a little more violence for Heaven he had been saved. What a mischief is this but to half do ones work, and by shooting short to lose the Kingdom! O how will this cut a man to the heart when he is in Hell, to think, had I but gone a little further it had been better with me than it is now; I had not been thus tormented in the flame.

22. The examples of the Saints of 22. Motive.old, who have taken Heaven by force. David broke his sleep for meditation, Psal. 119. 148. His violence for Heaven was boiled up to zeal, Psal. 119. 139. My zeal hath consumed me. And St. Paul did reach forth unto those things which were before **foreign.. The Greek word signifies to stretch out the neck: a metaphor taken from Racers that strain every limb, and reach forward to …ay hold upon the priz…. We read of Anna a Prophetess, Luke …. 37. She departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. How industrious was Calvin in the Lord's Vi…eyard. When his friends perswaded p. 163him for his health sake, to remit a little of his labours, saith he▪ Would ye have the Lord find me … when he comes **Quid vultis ut dominus ve…iens otiosum me inveniat, &c. Beza in vita Caly.? Luther spent three hours a day in prayer. It is said of holy Bradford, preaching, reading and prayer was his whole life. I rejoyce (said Bishop Jewel) that my body is exhausted in the labours of my holy calling. How violent were the blessed Martyrs! they wore their fetters as ornaments; they snatched up torments as Crowns, and embraced the flames as chearfully as Eliah did the fiery Chariot that came to fetch him to Heaven. Let racks, fires, pullies, and all manner of torments come, so I may win Christ, said Ignatius. These pious souls resisted unto blood. How should this provoke our zeal! write after these fair copies.

23. If the Saints with all their violence 23. Motive.have much ado to get to Heaven, how shall they come there who use no violence, 1 Pet. 4. 18. If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear! If they that strive as in an Agony can hardly get in at the strait gate, what shall become of them that never strive at all! If Saint Paul p. 164did keep under his body, by prayer, watching, fasting, 1 Cor. 9. 27. how shall they be …, that wholly let loose the reins to the flesh, and bathe themselves in the luscious streams of carnal pleasure.

24. This sweating for Heaven is not 24. Motive.to endure long, 1 Pet. 5. 10. After …e have suffered a while **foreign.. So after ye have offered violence a while, there shall be an end put to it. Your labour shall expire with your life. It is but a while and you shall have done weeping, wrastling, praying; it is but a while and the Race will be over, and you shall receive the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls, 1 Pet. 1. 9. It is but a while and you shall have done your weary marches, you shall put off your Armour, and put on white Robes.

—foreign **….—

How should this excite a spirit of holy violence… It is but a sew months or daies and you shall reap the sweet fruit of your obedience. The winter will be past, and the spring flowers of joy shall appear. Doctor Tailor comforted himself when he was going to the stake, I have but two stiles to go over, and I shall p. 165be at my Father's house. Christians, you have but a little way to go, a little more violence, a few more tears shed, a few more sabbaths kept, and then your hopes …shall be crowned with the beatifical sight of God. When the vapour is blown away, then we may see the Sun clearly: So when this short vapour of life is blown away, then we shall behold Christ the Sun of Righteousness in all his glory, 1 Joh. 3. 2. We shall see him as he is.

25. If you are not violent for H…aven, 25. Motiveyou, walk antipodes to your own praye…s. You pray that God's will may be done by you on earth, …as it is done, in Heaven: Now, how … God's will done in Heaven … are not the Angels swift in doing the will of God? like the stars above the equinoctial, that are moved many millions of miles in an hour. The seraphints are described with wings, to shew how velocious and winged they are in their obedience, Isa. 6. 2. Now if you are not violent in your spiritual motion, … you live in a contradiction to your ow… prayers. You are far from being as Angels, you creep as Snails in the way to Heaven.

p. 16626. This holy and blessed violence …6. Motive.would mak… Christians willing to die. What is it makes men so loth to die? they are as a Tenant that is loth to go out of an house, why so? because their conscience accuseth them that they have taken lit…le or no pains for Heaven: they have been sleeping, when they should have been working, and now death looks ghastly; they are afraid death will carry them prisoners to Hell. Whereas the Christian that hath been active in Religion, and hath spent his time in the service of God, he …an look de…th in the face with comfor…. He who hath been violent for Heaven in this life, need not fear a viole… death. Death shall do him no hurt, it shall not be a destruction, but a deliveranc… it shall purge out slit, and perfect glory. What made St. Paul say, … dissol…, I des…re to be disso…ved, Phil. 1. 23. Surely the reason was, he had been a m…n of violence he did spend himself for Christ, and laboured more than all the o…her Apost…es, 1 Cor. 15. 10. And now he knew there was a Crown laid up for him. Augustus the Emperour did desire that he might have an foreign, a p. 167quiet easie death. If any thing make our pillow easie at death, and we go out of the world quietly, it will be this holy violence that we ha…e put forth in the business of Religion.

…7. If for all that hath been said, you 27. Motive.will either fit still, or keep your sweat for something else than Heaven, know, there is a time shortly coming when you will wish you had used this violence. When sickness s…izeth on you, and your disease begins to grow violent, and you think God's Sergeant is at the door then what wishes will you make, O that I had been more violent for Heaven! O that I had been praying when I was dancing and making merry! O that I had had a Bible in my hand, when I had a pair of Cards! how happy then might I have been! but alas, my case is mi…erable! what shall I do! I am so sick, that I cannot live, and so sinful, that I dare not die! O that God would respi…e me a little longer, that he would put a few years more in my lease, that a littl… space might be granted me to recover my lost hours! As one said on her death-bed, Call time again; but time will not be called again. At the hour p. 168of death sinners will awake out of their lethargy, and fall into a phrensie of horrour and despair; and shall not all these Arguments prevail with men to be violent for the Kingdom? what an hardned plece is a sinner's heart! We read that at Christ's passion, the Rock…rent, Mat. 27. 51. But nothing will move a sinner; The Rocks will sooner rend than his heart. If all that I have said will not prevail, it is a sign ruine is towards, 1 Sam. 2. 25. They hearkned not to the voice of their father, because the Lord would sl…y them.

Yet this Caution I must necessarily Caution.insert, though we shall not obtain the Kingdom without violence, yet not for our violence. When we have done all, look up to Christ and free grace. Bella…mine saith, we merit Heaven ex congruo. No, though we are saved in the use of means, yet by grace too, Ephes. 2. 5. By grace ye are saved. Heaven is a donative, …uke 12. 32. It is my Father's good pleasure to give you a Kingdom. Why may one say, I have used violence for it, I have wrought for the Kingdom. I, but it is a gift that free-grace bestows. We must look up to Christ for acceptance: p. 169not our sweat, but his blood saves: our labouring qualifies us for Heaven, but Christ's dying purchased Heaven. Alas, what is all that we can do in comparison of glory? what is the shedding of a tear to a Crown? therefore we must renounce all in point of Justification, and let Christ and Freegrace carry away the glory of our salvation. God must help us in our working, Phil. 2. 12. It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do. How then can we merit by our working, when it is God that helps us in our working?

I shall in the next place lay down 5. Use, Direction.some Rules or Directions how to get this blessed violence.

1. Take heed of those things which 1. 1. Rem…venda.will hinder this violence for Heaven.

1. Take heed of Unbelief. Unbelief 1.is a great remora, as it is discouraging. When a Christian is working for Heaven, unbelief whispers thus, To what purpose is all this pains? I had as good sit still. I may pray, and not be heard; I may work, and have no reward; I may come near Heaven, yet miss it, Jer. 8. 12. p. 170And they said, There is no hope. Unbelief destroies hope; and if you cut this sinew of Religion, all violence for Heaven ceaseth. Unbelief raiseth… cloud of despondency in the heart. Al…, you will never be able to go thorow the work of Religion; so many precep…s to obey; so many temptations to resist; so many afflictions to bear; that you will succumbere oneri, fall under the burden; you will tire in your march to Heaven. Unbelief raiseth jealous thoughts of God, it represents him as an austere Master, and that if we fail in never so little a punctilio, he will take the extremity of the Law upon us. This discourageth the soul in the use of means. Unbelief doth as … and To…iah did to the Jews, Nehe…. 6. 9. They made us afraid, faying, Their hands shall be weakned from the work. Oh take heed of unbelief, it destroies this holy violence. We read of Joroboam's arm being withered, 1 King. 13. 4. Unbelief withers the arm of the soul, that it cannot stretch it self forth to any spiritual action. Unbelief doth the Devil the greatest kindness; it makes way for his temptations to enter, which do so p. 171inc…ant and bewitch us, that we cannot work. Beware of this sin; believe the Promises: God is good to the soul that seeks him, Lam. 3. 25. Do but seek him with importunity, and he will open both his heart and Heaven to thee.

Take heed of puzling your thoughts 2.about Election. A Christian may think thus, what should I take pains? perhaps I am not elected, and then all my violence is to no purpose. Thus, many are taken off from the use of means, and the business of Religion is at a stand. Whereas no man can justly say, he is not elected. It is true, some of God's children have said so in temptation: But as Peter in a transfiguration said he knew not what; so these in a temptation. But no man can say on just grounds, he is not elected, …nless he can prove that he hath sinned the …n against the Holy Ghost. For any one to asse…t non…ection is a sin; for that which keeps him in …in, must needs be sinful: But this opinion keeps him in sin; it discourageth him from the use of means, and cuts the sinews of all endeavours; do not therefore perplex your thoughts about Election; this Book is sealed, and p. 172no Angel can unclasp it. The Rule Christians are to go by, is, God's Revealed Will, not his Secret. God's revealed will is, that we should pray and repent; by this we mak… our calling sure; and by making our calling sure, we make our election sure. If I see the beds of spices grow and flourish, I know the Sun hath been there. And if I find the fruits of obedience in my heart, I may conclude Gods electing love hath shined upon me, 2. Thes. 2. 12. God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification.

Take heed of too much violence after 3.the world; the world cools good, affections. The earth puts out the fire. The world's silver Trumpet sounds a retreat, and calls men off from their pursuit after Heaven. The world hindered the young man from following Christ: he went away sorrowfull: whereupon, saith our Saviour, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God? Luke 18. 24. Demos his Religion lay buried in the earth, 2 Tim. 4. 10. Demos hath forsake… me, having loved this present world. It was a saying of Pius Quintus, When I first p. 173entred into orders, I had some good hope of my salvation; when I became a Cardinal, I doubted of it; but since I came to be Pope, I do even despair of it. Jonathan pursued the victory till he came at the hony-comb, and then he stood still, 1 Sam. 14. 27. Many are violent for the Kingdom of God, till gain or preferment offers it self; when they meet with this hony, then they stand still. The world blinds mens eyes that they do not see the way; and fetters their feet that they do not run in the way of God's Commandments. Mithridates King of Pontus being worsted by the Romans, and fearing he should not escape them, caused a great deal of silver and gold to be scattered in the waies, which while the Roman souldiers were busie in gathering, he got away from them. The like stratagem Satan useth, knowing what tempting things Riches are, he throws them in mens way, that while they are eager in gathering these he may hinder them in their pursuit of happiness. I have observed some who did once Jehu-like, drive on furiously in the cause of Religion, when the world hath come in p. 174upon them, their Charet-wheels have been pulled off, and they have driven on heavily **Foenus pecuni…, funus animae.. Were a …an to climb up a steepy Rock, and had weights tied to his legs, they would hinder his ascent. Mens golden weights hinder them in climbing up this steepy Rock which leads to salvation. The world's musick charms men asleep, and when they are asleep, they are not fit to work. A thing cannot be carried violently to two extreams at once. The ship cannot go full sail to the East and West at the sametime: So a man cannot be violent for Heaven and Earth at once: he may have Christ and the world, but cannot love Christ and the world, 1 Joh. 2. 15. He that is all fire for the world, will be all ice for Heaven. Take heed of engaging your affections too far in these secular things. Use the world as your servant, but do not follow it as your Master.

Take heed of indulging any lust. Sin 4.lived in will spoil all violence for Heaven. Sin infeebles; 'tis like the cutting Sampson's hair, and then the strength departs. Sin is aegritudo animi, the soul's sickness. Sickness takes a man off his p. 175legs, and doth so dis-spirit him, that he is unfit for any violent exercise. A sick man cannot run a Race. Sin lived in, takes a man quite off from duty, or makes him dead in it. The more lively the heart is in sin, the more dead it is in prayer. How can he be earnest with God for mercy, whose heart accuseth him of secret sin. Guilt breeds fear; and that which strengthens fear, weakens violence. Adam having sinned was afraid, and hid himself, Gen. 3. 10. When Adam had lost his innocence, he lost his violence. Therefore lay the Axe to the root; let sin be he…vn down; not only abstain from sin in the Act, but let the love of sin be mortified, and let every sin be put to the sword. Many will leave ail their sins but one; save one sin, and lose one soul. One sin is a fetter; a man may lose the Race as well by having one fetter on his leg, as if he had more. I have read of a great Monaroh**Dar…us., that flying from his enemy, he threw away the Crown of gold on his head that he might run the faster: So that sin which thou didst wear as a Crown of gold, throw it away that thou maist the faster run to the heavenly Kingdom.

p. 176If you would be violent for Heaven, 5.take heed of despondency of spirit. Be serious, but chearfull. He whose spirit is pressed down with sadness, is unfit to go about his work. An unchearful heart is unfit to pray, or praise God. When the strings of a Lute are wet, it will not put forth any sweet harmony. Such as go drooping under fears and discouragements, cannot be violent in Religion. When a souldier faints in the field, he soon lets fall his sword. David chides himself out of his melancholy, Psal. 43. 5. Why art thou cast down O my soul? Why art thou disquieted within me? hope yet in God. A sad heart makes a dull action. We use the Drum and Trumpet in Battel, that the noise of the Trumpet may excite and quicken the souldiers spirits, and make them fight more vigorously. Chearfulness is like musick in battel, it excites a Christian's spirits, and makes him vegete and lively in duty. What is done with cherfulness, is done with delight, and the soul flies most swiftly to Heaven upon the wing of delight.

If you would be violent for Heaven, 6.take heed of a supine lazy temper. A p. 177slothful Christian is like a fearful souldier, that hath a good mind to the plunder, but is loth to storm the Castle: So he would fain have Heaven, but is loth to take it by storm.—enerves animos odisse virtus solet **Valer. Max.—Sloth is the soul's sleep. Many instead of wo king out of salvation, sleep away salvation. Such as will not labour, must be put at last to beg; they must beg as Dives, for one drop of water. An idle man (saith So…omon) put… his hand in his bosom, Prov. 19. 24. He should have his hand to the p…ough, and he puts it in his bosom. God never made Heaven an hive for drones. Sloth is a disease ap… to grow upon men; shake it off. A ship that is a slug, is a prey to the Pirate. A slugish soul is a prey to Satan. When the Crocodile sleeps with his mouth open, the Indian Rat gets into his belly, and eats his entrails. While men are asleep in sloth, the Devil enters and devours them.

Take heed of consulting with flesh …and blood. As good consult with the Devil as the flesh. The flesh is a bosomtraitor. An enemy within the walls is worst. The flesh cries out, there is a p. 178Lion in the way. The flesh will bid thee spare thy self, as Peter did Christ: Obe not so violent for Heaven, spare thy self. The flesh saith as Judas, What needs all this waste? So, what needs all this praying and wrestling? why dost thou waste thy strength? what needs all this waste? The flesh cries out for ease; it is loth to put its neck under Christ's yoak. The flesh is for pleasure; it had rather be gaming, than running the heavenly Race. There is a description of fleshly pleasures, Amos 6. 4, 5, 6. That lie upon beds of Ivory, and stretch themselves upon their Couches, that chaunt to the sound of the Viol; that drink Wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments. These are the delights of the fl…sh. Such an one was he spoken of in Beard's Theatre, that did strive to please all his five senses at once. He did bespeak a room richly hung with fair Pictures; he had the most delicious musick; he had all the choise Aromaticks and Perfumes; he had all the Candies and curious Preserves of the Confectioner; he was lodged in the bed with a beautiful Curtisan: Thus did he indulge the flesh, and swore that he p. 179would spend all his estate to live one week like a God, though he were sure to be damned in Hell the next day. O take heed of holding intelligence with the flesh! The flesh is a bad Counseller St. Paul would not confer with flesh and blood, Gal. 1. 16. The flesh is a sworn enemy to this holy violence Rom 8. 13. If ye live after the flesh ye shall die. You have taken an oath in Baptism, to renounce the flesh.

Take heed of listning to the voice of 8.such carnal friends as would call you off from this blessed violence. Fire when in Snow, will soon lose its heat, and by degrees go out. Among bad company you will soon lose your heat for Religion. The company of the wicked will sooner cool you, than your company will heat them. Vinegar will sooner sowre the Wine, than the Wine will sweeten the Vinegar. How often do carnal friends the same to our souls, as infected persons do to our bodies, convey the Plague? The wicked are still disswading us from this violence; they will say, it is preciseness and singularity. As Christ's friends laid hold on him when he was going to preach, p. 180Mark 3. 21. They went out to lay hold on him; for they said, he is beside himself. Such as are unacquainted with the spirituality and sweetness of Religion, judge all zeal phrensie; and therefore will lay hold upon us to hinder us in this sacred violence. When we are earnest suitors to Piety, our carnal friends will raise some ill report of it, and so endeavour to break the match. Galeaci…s, Marquess of Vico, being resolved for Heaven, what a block in his way did he find his carnal Relations! and what a do …ad he to break through that impediment! Take heed of a soare in your bosom. This is one of the Devil's great subtilties, to hinder us from Religion by our nearest Relations, and so to shoot us with our own rib. He tempted Adam by his wife **… petit cor., Gen. 3. 6. Who would have suspected the Devil there? He handed over a temptation to Job by his wife, Job. 2…9. Dost thou still retain thine integrity? What notwithstanding all these disasters that have befallen thee, dost thou still pray, and serve God? Throw osf his livery, Curse God and die. Thus would the Devil have cooled Job's p. 181violence for Heaven; but the shield of his faith quenched this siery dart. Spira's friends stood in his way to Heaven, for, advising with them about Luther's Doctrine, they perswaded him to recant; and so openly abjuring his former faith, he felt an Hell in his conscience: Take heed of such tempters; resolve to hold on your violence for Heaven, though your carnal friends disswade you. 'Tis better to go to Heaven with their ha…red, than to Hell with their love. It was a saying of St. Hierom, If my Pa…ents should pe…swade me to deny Christ; if my Mother should shew me her breasts that gave me suck **Si mater mihi uber… ostendat. &c.; if my wife should go to charme me with her embraces, I would forsake all and fly to Christ. If our dearest friends alive would lie in our way to Heaven, we must either leap over them, or tread upon them.

Take heed of setting up your 9.stay in the lowest pitch of grace. He that hath the least grace, may have motion, but not violence. It is a pitiful thing to be contented with just so much grace as will keep life and soul p. 182together **Socordis a…imae est di ere Sufficit mihi si salver, quisque autem conari debet ut in Coelo sit primus. Corn. à Lap.. 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, 10.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 p. 183be 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. 'Tis 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. U…e those means which will promote 2. 2. Pro…vovenda.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 p. 184working. 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, 2.get under lively preaching. The word is quick and powerful, Heb. 4. 12. It puts li…e into a dead heart. It is both a sword …o cut down sin, and a spur to quicken grace. The word is a fire to thaw a frozen heart, J…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. 'Tis 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, 3.get your hearts filled with love to Religion. This is like the Rod of Myrtle in the Travellers hand, (Pliny …peaks of,) which makes him fresh and lively in his travel, and keeps him from being weary. When a man hath warmed himself p. 185at 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. 4.The Prophet stood upon his Watch-tower **Tempus excubiarum …st vita. Erasm, Origen., 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 p. 186watch 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 5.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, p. 187Isa. 46. 24. In the Lord I have righteousness and strength.

If you would be violent for Heaven, 6.be sure you make going to Heaven your business. What a man looks on as a foreign, 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 **U…um est (si salvi esse velmus) quod omni…o nobis incumbit, cura nimirùn pictatis; huic u…i im…erse vacat Maria, cujus fructus in aeternum mans…rus est. Caet…a quae c…rantur, caduca sunt foreign.. Grotius.. 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 7.continually in your eye. This made Christ violent to the death; he had an eye to the joy set before him, p. 188Heb. 12. 2. Set the Crown ever before you, and that will provoke endeavour.

—immensum gloria …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 willingly doth a man wade through a deep water, that sees the dry Land before him, and is sure to be crowned as soon as he comes at shore? Every time you cast your eye up to Heaven, think, above that starry Heaven is the Empyraean Heaven I am striving for. Thus did Moses; the eye of his faith quickned the feet of his obedience, Heb. 11. 26. He looked to the recompence of Reward. When Christians lose their prospect of Heaven, then they begin to slacken their pace in the way thither.

If you would be violent for the 8.Kingdom, accompany with such as are violent. When we want fire, we use to go to our neighbours hearth and p. 189fetch fire. Often be among the godly, and so you shall fetch some heat and quickning from them, Psal. 119. 63. I am a companion of all them that fear thee **foreign Adju…xi me. Vatablus.. Good company quickens. The holy discourse and example of one Saint, doth whet and sharpen another. The Saints never go so fast to Heaven, as when they go in company. One Christian helps forward another. In other Races that are run, many times one hinders another; but in this Race to Heaven, one Christian helps forward another, 1 Thes. 5. 11. Edifie one another, even as also ye do. O let not this Article of our Creed be forgotten, The Communion of Saints.

If you would be violent, never leave 9.till you have the Spirit. Desire of God to put forth the sweet violence of his Spirit; the Spouse begg'd a gale of the Spirit, Cant. 4. 16. Awake O Northwind, blow a South. When God's Spirit blows upon us, now we go full sail to Heaven. When the Spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels, then they moved, Ezek. 1. 21. The wheels of our endeavour move apace, when the Spirit of God is in these wheels. p. 190Seeing there are so many violent winds of temptation blowing us backward, we had need have the violent wind of God's Spirit blowing us forward to Heaven. Let this suffice to have spoken of the means for this holy violence.

But may some say, we have used this violence for Heaven, what remains for us to do? As the people said to Christ, Luke 1. 13. What shall we do?

You that have been violent for Heaven (aged Christians) let me beseech you still to keep alive this holy violence. Not only keep up duty, but violence in duty. Remember, you have that corruption within you, which is ready to abate this blessed violence. The brightest coal hath those ashes growing on it, as is apt to choak the fire. You have those inbred corruptions, that like ashes, are ready to choak the fire of your zeal. How was Peter's grace cooled when he denied Christ! The Church of Ephesus lost her keen edge of Religion, Rev. 2. 4. Take heed of declining in your affections. Be not like a body in an atrophy: be p. 191most violent at last. A stone, the nearer it is to the center, the more violent it is in its motion. You have but a little time now to work for God, therefore work the harder. Be like the Church of Thyatira, Her last works were more than her first **Egr…gia laus non modò non satiscere, sed indies proficere in melius. Grotius., Rev. 2. 19. Be as the Sun that shines brightest before its setting: As the Swan that sings sweetest before its death, Rom. 13. 11. Your salvation is nearer than when you believed. If your salvation be nearer, your violence should be greater. How should you quicken your pace, when you are within sight of the Kingdom! He is an happy man, of whom it may be said, spiritually, as of Moses literally before his death, Deut. 34. 7. His eyes waxed not dim, and his natural force was not abated. So a Christian's force and violence for Heaven is not abated: He keeps the best wine of his life till the last.

Here is strong consolation to the Use 6. Consolar.violent Christian; thou art in the way to the Kingdom. Though perhaps thou hast not a bunch of Grapes in the p. 192way, (I mean that joy which some meet with) yet it is happy that thou art in the way. Bless God that while some lye in the tot…l neglect of duty, God hath given thee an heart to seek him, Psal. 105. 3. Le… the hearts of them rejoyce that seek the Lord. Nay, God hath not only given thee an heart to do duty, but to do duty mixed with love, which makes it savoury meat; and do duty stamped with fervency, which makes it pass currant with God. O bless God who hath raised thee off the bed of sloth, and stirred up the zeal of thy soul for Heaven. He who hath made thee violent, will make thee victorious. Wait awhile, and thou shalt be possessed of a Kingdom. When Moses went up to receive God's Commands, he staid six daies on the Mount, and on the seventh day, God called to him, Exod. 24. 16. Though we wait long, and have not the thing waited for, yet let us continue doing our duty; shortly, God will call us from Heaven, Come up hither, and we shall go from the Mount of Faith, to the Mount of Vision, and behold those glorious things which p. 193eye hath …ot seen, nor can it enter into man's heart to conceive.

But, may a child of God say, I fear Object.I am none of those violent ones that shall take Heaven: I find such a deadness of heart in duty, that I question whether I shall ever arrive at the Kingdom.

This deadness of the heart may arise Resp.from natural causes. Weakness of body may occasion indisposition of mind. Thy prayer may be weak, because thy body is weak. A Lute that is cracked cannot send forth so sweet a sound as if it were whole.

2. This indisposition of soul perhaps is only casual, and for a time; it may be in a deep fit of melancholy, or in desertion. When the Sun is gone from our climate, the earth is as it were in desertion, and the trees are without blossom or fruit; but this is only for a time: Let but the Sun return again in Spring, and now the herbs flourish, and the trees put forth their fruit: So when God hides his face, there is a deadness upon a Christian's heart; he prayes as if he prayed not: But let the Sun of Righteousness return, now he is divinely animated, and is as vigorous p. 194and lively in his operation as ever, he now recovers his first love. Therefore thou weak Christian, be not discouraged, so long as thou dost not allow thy selfin thy distemper; a dead heart is thy burden, look up to Christ thy, High-Priest, who is merciful to bear with thy infirmities, and is mighty to help them.