Required reading
Heaven taken by storm by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Chapter 18 (Directions on how to promote offering violence) and 19 (Conclusion: What shall we do).
My summary
Firstly, today, Watson gives us directions to promote offering violence for heaven. He encourages:
(i) prayer;
(ii) preaching;
(iii) love for religion;
(iv) vigilance;
(v) making heaven your business;
(vi) having heaven in your eye;
(vii) keeping company with the violent for heaven;
(viii) never leaving till you have the Spirit.
Then Watson concludes the book with advice for aged Christians who have been violent for heaven.
What grabbed me
I appreciated the encouragement to fellowship with other Christians: 'If you would be violent for the kingdom, accompany with such as are violent. When we want fire, we use to go to our neighbor's hearth and fetch fire. Often be among the godly, and so you shall fetch some heat and quickening from them, Psalm cxix. 63. 'I am a companion of all them that fear thee' Good company quickens. The holy discourse and example of one saint doth wet and sharpen another. The saints never go so fast to Heaven as when they go in company. One christian helps another forward. In other races that are run, many times one hinders another; but in this race to Heaven, one christian helps forward another. Thess. v. 11. 'Edify one another, even as also ye do' O let not this article of our creed be forgotten, 'The communion of saints.''
If you wish to be on fire for heaven, draw close to those already aflame.
Next week's reading
Commence A view of the covenant of grace by Thomas Boston (Available from Amazon or free here) by reading up to the heading 'II. Of the party-contractor on man's side.'
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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