Heaven taken

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.

Having 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 through the host of the Philistines for water, 2 Sam. 23. 16. Such a kind of violence must we use, breaking through all dangers for obtaining the Water of life.

Having 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 ¹we 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,