Heaven taken

If you would be violent, be vigilant. ¹The Prophet stood upon his Watch-tower^*, 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. 186⟩watch 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.

1. 14.
2. *Tempus excubiarum •st vita. Erasm, Origen.

If you would be violent for the ¹Kingdom, 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,