Heaven taken

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, 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. 135⟩stay in the enemies quarters.

1. 1Motive. 1.

2. It is possible that in the use of ¹means we may arrive at happiness. Impossibility destroys 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 Oil to the wheels, to make us lively and active in the business of salvation. Therefore as the Husbandman