Heaven taken

But may some say, we have used this violence for Heaven, what remains for us to do? As the people said to Christ, Luke 1. 13. What shall we do?

You that have been violent for Heaven (aged Christians) let me beseech you still to keep alive this holy violence. Not only keep up duty, but violence in duty. Remember, you have that corruption within you, which is ready to abate this blessed violence. The brightest coal hath those ashes growing on it, as is apt to choke the fire. You have those inbred corruptions, that like ashes, are ready to choke the fire of your zeal. How was Peter's grace cooled when he denied Christ! The Church of Ephesus lost her keen edge of Religion, Rev. 2. 4. Take heed of declining in your affections. Be not like a body in an atrophy: be ⟨p. 191⟩most violent at last. A stone, the nearer it is to the centre, the more violent it is in its motion. You have but a little time now to work for God, therefore work the harder. Be like the Church of Thyatira, Her last works were more than her first^*, Rev. 2. 19. Be as the Sun that shines brightest before its setting: As the Swan that sings sweetest before its death, Rom. 13. 11. Your salvation is nearer than when you believed. If your salvation be nearer, your violence should be greater. How should you quicken your pace, when you are within sight of the Kingdom! He is an happy man, of whom it may be said, spiritually, as of Moses literally before his death, Deut. 34. 7. His eyes waxed not dim, and his natural force was not abated. So a Christian's force and violence for Heaven is not abated: He keeps the best wine of his life till the last.