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Heaven Taken by Storm
The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. - Matthew 11:12.
Many modern Christians view the Christian life as one of ease and worldly blessings. Building on Jesus's words that "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12), the Puritans saw it, rather, as warfare, as wrestling, as "holy violence" against one's own self, against Satan, the world, and even heaven. We are called to take up the full armor of God in our daily battles.
As Watson puts it, "Our life is military. Christ is our Captain, the gospel is the banner, the graces are our spiritual artillery, and heaven is only taken in a forcible way." In his typically heart-searching style, replete with practical illustrations and gripping remarks, Watson describes how the Christian is to take the kingdom of heaven by holy violence through the reading and exposition of Scripture, prayer, meditation, self-examination, conversation, and the sanctification of the Lord's Day. Soldiers of Christ will find this a practical handbook on Christian living.
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Table of Contents
PREFACE
The Publishers Preface to the First American Edition
Taking Heaven by Violence
Offering Violence to Ourselves
The Christian Must offer Violence to Satan
The Christian Must Offer Violence to Heaven
Arrows of Reproof and Apostasy
Examination and Objections
27 Motives to put forth holy violence
Hinderances, Directions and Conclusions
What shall we do?
Many modern Christians view the Christian life as one of ease and worldly blessings. Building on Jesus's words that "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matt. 11:12), the Puritans saw it, rather, as warfare, as wrestling, as "holy violence" against one's own self, against Satan, the world, and even heaven. We are called to take up the full armor of God in our daily battles.
As Watson puts it, "Our life is military. Christ is our Captain, the gospel is the banner, the graces are our spiritual artillery, and heaven is only taken in a forcible way." In his typically heart-searching style, replete with practical illustrations and gripping remarks, Watson describes how the Christian is to take the kingdom of heaven by holy violence through the reading and exposition of Scripture, prayer, meditation, self-examination, conversation, and the sanctification of the Lord's Day. Soldiers of Christ will find this a practical handbook on Christian living.
-----
Table of Contents
PREFACE
The Publishers Preface to the First American Edition
Taking Heaven by Violence
Offering Violence to Ourselves
The Christian Must offer Violence to Satan
The Christian Must Offer Violence to Heaven
Arrows of Reproof and Apostasy
Examination and Objections
27 Motives to put forth holy violence
Hinderances, Directions and Conclusions
What shall we do?
- GenresTheologyNonfiction
124 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2023
12 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Watson
666 books244 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted for remarkably intense study. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. He showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, with, however, an attachment to the king, and in 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love's plot to recall Charles II of England. He was released on 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding the rigor of the acts against dissenters, Watson continued to exercise his ministry privately as he found opportunity. Upon the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he obtained a license to preach at the great hall in Crosby House. After preaching there for several years, his health gave way, and he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret. He was buried on 28 July 1686.
(Information from wikipedia.org)
Thomas Watson (c. 1620 - 1686) was an English, non-conformist, Puritan preacher and author. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he was noted for remarkably intense study. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. He showed strong Presbyterian views during the civil war, with, however, an attachment to the king, and in 1651 he was imprisoned briefly with some other ministers for his share in Christopher Love's plot to recall Charles II of England. He was released on 30 June 1652, and was formally reinstated as vicar of St. Stephen's Walbrook. He obtained great fame and popularity as a preacher until the Restoration, when he was ejected for nonconformity. Not withstanding the rigor of the acts against dissenters, Watson continued to exercise his ministry privately as he found opportunity. Upon the Declaration of Indulgence in 1672 he obtained a license to preach at the great hall in Crosby House. After preaching there for several years, his health gave way, and he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret. He was buried on 28 July 1686.
(Information from wikipedia.org)
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 5, 2023
Powerful tonic for the soul. I love Watson for the following reasons:
1. His knowledge of scripture.
2. His application of scripture. I've never read another person who applies the text as beautifully and reverently as Watson.
3. His knowledge of world affairs. He was well-read in the early philosophers and rulers. He brings their writings to bear so effortlessly.
4. His use of logic. He follows the consequence of each idea.
“Heaven Taken By Storm” is a stellar work. Watson drives a spear into our tendency toward spiritual sloth. He exercises us to zeal for the Lord, which should endure for a lifetime if indeed we want to attain the crown of righteousness. It's a much-needed work in an age where complacency leads us to do so little for the Lord. As he puts it: “Our salvation cost Jesus his blood, but it would cost us our sweat.” No one talks like this anymore.
1. His knowledge of scripture.
2. His application of scripture. I've never read another person who applies the text as beautifully and reverently as Watson.
3. His knowledge of world affairs. He was well-read in the early philosophers and rulers. He brings their writings to bear so effortlessly.
4. His use of logic. He follows the consequence of each idea.
“Heaven Taken By Storm” is a stellar work. Watson drives a spear into our tendency toward spiritual sloth. He exercises us to zeal for the Lord, which should endure for a lifetime if indeed we want to attain the crown of righteousness. It's a much-needed work in an age where complacency leads us to do so little for the Lord. As he puts it: “Our salvation cost Jesus his blood, but it would cost us our sweat.” No one talks like this anymore.
February 7, 2023
Would recommend this over and over again. Should probably read this once a year!
April 24, 2023
This book is based on Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force”.
Puritan Thomas Watson stresses the fact that a Christian should be violent about their faith. Not violent in the sense of harmful or hateful or murderous, but by being diligent, intentional, and mortifying sin. Even though justification is by faith alone, Watson would expect us to fight for faith, as he notes we are in a spiritual battle.
Recommend this book as an encouragement to fight the good fight.
Puritan Thomas Watson stresses the fact that a Christian should be violent about their faith. Not violent in the sense of harmful or hateful or murderous, but by being diligent, intentional, and mortifying sin. Even though justification is by faith alone, Watson would expect us to fight for faith, as he notes we are in a spiritual battle.
Recommend this book as an encouragement to fight the good fight.
January 8, 2025
Great book. Strong meat and deep encouragement.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews