The Christian Soldier

The Christian Soldier, or

Heaven Taken by Storm

by Thomas Watson, 1669

A practical handbook on Christian living,

showing the holy violence a Christian is

to put forth in the pursuit after glory.

"The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and

the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:12

CHOICE EXCERPTS

How do I mortify the flesh?

The flesh is a bosom traitor; it is like the Trojan horse

within the walls, which does all the mischief. The flesh

is a sly enemy--it kills by embracing. The embraces of

the flesh are like the ivy embracing the oak; which sucks

out the strength of it for its own leaves and berries. So the

flesh by its soft embraces, sucks out of the heart all good.

The pampering of the flesh, is the quenching of God's Spirit.

The flesh chokes and stifles holy motions--the flesh sides with

Satan. There is a party within us, which will not pray, which will

not believe. The flesh inclines us more to believe a temptation

than a promise. The flesh is so near to us, its counsels are more

attractive. There is no chain of adamant which binds so tightly

--as the chain of lust.

In the best of saints, do what they can, sin will fasten its

roots in them, and spring out sometimes with inordinate

desires. There is always something which needs mortifying.

"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly

nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and

greed, which is idolatry." Colossians 3:5.

How do I mortify the flesh?

1. Withdraw the fuel that may make lust burn. Avoid

all temptations. Take heed of that which nourishes sin.

Those who pray that they may not be led into temptation

--must not lead themselves into temptation.

2. Fight against fleshly lusts with spiritual weapons

--faith and prayer. The best way to combat with sin is--upon

our knees. Beg strength from Christ. Samson's strength lay in

his hair; our strength lies in our head--Christ. This is a mystery

to the major part of the world--who gratify the flesh rather

than mortify it.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He wounded the old serpent three times!

What an infinite mercy it is, that God has blessed us

with the Scriptures! The barbarous Indians have their

golden mines--but not the Scriptures, which are 'more

to be desired than much fine gold.'

Our Savior bids us 'search the Scriptures'. We must not

read these holy lines carelessly, as if they did not concern

us, or run over them hastily--but peruse them with reverence

and seriousness. The noble Bereans 'searched the Scriptures

daily.' The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge;

it is the rule and touchstone of truth; out of this well--we

draw the water of life.

Read the Word as a book made by God Himself. Other

books may be written by holy men--but this book is inspired

by the Holy Spirit. It is the library of the Holy Spirit!

Read the Word as the perfect rule of faith; it contains all

things essential to salvation. The Word teaches us how to please

God; and how to order our lives in the world. It instructs us in

all things that belong either to prudence or piety, and is 'able

to make us wise unto salvation.'

When you read the Word, look on it as a soul-enriching

treasury. Search it as for 'hidden treasure!' In this Word

are scattered many divine sayings--gather them up as so

many jewels! This blessed book will enrich you--it fills your

head with divine knowledge, and your heart with divine

grace! In this field, the Pearl of price is hidden! What are

all the world's riches compared to these? Islands of spices,

coasts of pearl, rocks of diamonds? These are but the riches

which reprobates may have--but the Word gives us those

riches which angels have!

Look upon the Word as a spiritual armory, out of which

you fetch all your weapons to fight against sin and Satan.

Here are weapons to fight against SIN. The Word of God is

a holy sword, which cuts asunder the lusts of the heart!

When pride begins to lift up itself, the sword of the Spirit

destroys this sin! When passion vents itself, the Word of

God, like Hercules' club, beats down this angry fury! When

lust boils, the Word of God cools that intemperate passion!

Here are weapons to fight against SATAN. When the devil

tempted Christ, He wounded the old serpent three times

with the sword of the Spirit--"It is written!" Satan soon foils

the Christian when he is unarmed, and without Scripture

weapons.

Look upon the Word as a spiritual looking-glass to dress

yourselves by! It is a mirror for the blind--'The commands of

the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes!' In other mirrors

you may see your faces; in this mirror you may see your hearts!

This mirror of the Word clearly represents Christ. He is . . .

most precious;

altogether lovely;

a wonder of beauty;

a paradise of delight!

Look upon the Word as a shop of spiritual antidotes and

remedies. If you find yourself dead in duty--here is a medicine.

If you find your heart hard--the Word will soften and mollify it.

If you are poisoned with sin--here is an herb to expel it.

Look upon the Word as a sovereign elixir to comfort you

in distress. It comforts you against all your sins, temptations,

and afflictions. What are the promises--but divine cordials to

revive fainting souls.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It makes men so filthy!

It is a part of our Christian profession--to fight

under Christ's banner--against the world.

The world is a flattering enemy. It shows its golden

apple. It is given to some--as a snare. Take heed of

being drowned in the world's luscious delights!

It must be a strong brain that can bear heady wine.

He had need have a great deal of wisdom and grace,

who knows how to maintain a great estate. Riches

often send up intoxicating fumes, which make men's

heads giddy with pride. It is hard to climb up the hill

of God--with too many golden weights!

The world shows its two breasts of pleasure and profit

--and many fall asleep with the breast in their mouth!

The world never kisses us--except with an intention

to betray us.

The world is a silken halter.

The world is no friend to grace; it chokes our love

for heavenly things--the earth puts out the fire.

Naturally we love the world. Too many are wedded

to their money--they live together as man and wife.

O let us take heed of being entangled in this pleasing

snare! Many who have escaped the rock of scandalous

sins--yet have sunk in the world's golden quicksands!

The sin is not in using the world--but in loving it.

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If

anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is

not in him." 1 John 2:15

Believers are called out of the world. "They are not

of the world, even as I am not of it." John 17:16.

They are in the world--but not of it. A true saint is

crucified in his affections, to the world, Galat. 6:14.

He is dead to the honors and pleasures of it. What

delight does a dead man take in pictures or music?

Jesus Christ gave Himself "to redeem us from this

present evil world." Galatians 1:4

Living fish swim against the stream. We must swim

against the world, else we shall be carried down the

stream, and fall into the dead sea of hell!

The world is DECEITFUL. Our Savior calls it, "The

deceitfulness of riches." Matthew 13:22. The world

promises happiness--but gives weariness. It promises

us Rachel--but gives us bleary-eyed Leah! The world

promises to satisfy our desires--but only increases

them. The world gives poisoned pills--but wraps

them in sugar!

The world is POLLUTING. "Religion that God our Father

accepts as pure and faultless is this: . . . to keep oneself

from being polluted by the world." It is called filthy lucre

--because it makes men so filthy!

Men will damn themselves to get the world. Ahab would

have Naboth's vineyard, though he swam to it in blood.

The world is PERISHING. "The world and its desires pass

away." The world is like a flower--which withers while we

are smelling it!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of you is a devil!

"Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith;

test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in

you--unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5

Self-examination is a necessary--but difficult work.

Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and

keeping a register there, that by strict scrutiny a man may

know how things stand between God and his own soul. By

a serious scrutiny of our hearts, we come to know to what

prince we belong--whether to the Prince of Peace, or the

prince of darkness.

Self-searching is a heart-anatomy. As a surgeon, when he

makes a dissection in the body, discovers the inward parts,

the heart, liver, and arteries--just so, a Christian anatomizes

himself.

Sentimentality and public opinion are false rules to go by.

We must judge the state of souls by the light of Scripture.

Many have foolish, presumptuous hopes. They fancy their

state to be good; and while they weigh themselves in the

balance of presumption, they pass the test.

Many take their salvation on trust. The foolish virgins thought

they had oil in their lamps, the same as the wise. How confident

are some of salvation--yet never examine their title to Heaven.

Many rest in the good opinions of others. How vain is this!

Alas, one may be gold and pearl in the eye of others--yet God

may judge him to be reprobate silver! Others may think him a

saint--and God may write him down in His black book! Judas

was looked upon by the rest of the Apostles as a true believer

--yet he was a traitor! "Then Jesus replied--Have I not chosen

you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" John 6:70

Others can but see the outward behavior--but they cannot

tell what evil is in the heart. Fair streams may run on the

top of a river--but vermin may lay at the bottom!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We must either leap over them, or tread upon them!

"A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.

Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not

worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more

than Me is not worthy of Me; and anyone who does not take

his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me." Matt. 10:36-38

Take heed of the snare in your family! It is one of the

Devil's great subtleties--to hinder us from piety by our

nearest relations--and to shoot us with our own rib!

He tempted Adam by his wife. Who would have suspected

the Devil there? He tempted Job by his wife, "Are you still

holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" Job 2:9

Thus would the Devil have cooled Job's love for God; but

the shield of his faith quenched this fiery dart!

Take heed of such tempters! It is better to go to Heaven

with their hatred--than to Hell with their love! If our

dearest friends and family lie in our way to Heaven--we

must either leap over them, or tread upon them!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The rat gets into his belly and eats his entrails

Take heed of a slothful, lazy disposition. A slothful

person would gladly have Heaven--but is loathe to

take it by storm. Sloth is the soul's sleep. Many,

instead of working out salvation, sleep away salvation!

Such as will not labor, must be put at last to beg. They

must beg, as Dives in hell--for one drop of water.

God never made Heaven as a hive for drones!

Sloth is a disease apt to grow upon men--shake it off!

A sluggish ship is a prey to the pirate.

A sluggish soul is a prey to Satan!

When the crocodile sleeps with his mouth open--the

rat gets into his belly and eats his entrails. Just

so, while men are asleep in sloth--the Devil enters

and devours them!

Our sleeping time is Satan's tempting time!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stunted in grace

It is a pitiful thing, to be contented with feeble grace.

Weak grace may live in the heart--but is sickly, and

does not flourish into lively acts. Weak grace will not

withstand strong temptations, or carry us through great

sufferings. Little grace will not do God much service.

A tree which has but little sap--will not have much fruit.

It may be said that some Christians are stunted in grace.

Oh, labor to grow to further degrees of sanctity. The more

grace--the more strength! "But grow in the grace and

knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him

be glory both now and forever! Amen." 2 Peter 3:18

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

If you live after the flesh

"If you live after the flesh--you shall die! But if

you through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the

body--you shall live!" Romans 8:13

Take heed of the flesh! As good consult with the Devil,

as with the flesh. The flesh is a bosom traitor. An enemy

within the walls, is the worst enemy! The flesh cries out,

"There is a lion in the way!" The flesh says as Judas, "Why

all this waste?" "Why all this praying and wrestling? Why

do you waste your strength? Why all this waste?"

The flesh cries out for ease--it is loathe to put its neck

under Christ's yoke. The flesh is for pleasure--it would

rather be playing games--than running the heavenly race.

Here is a description of fleshly pleasures, "You lie on beds

inlaid with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on

choice lambs and fattened calves. You strum away on your

harps like David and improvise on musical instruments.

You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions."

Amos 6:4-6. These are the delights of the flesh.

There was one who tried to please all of his five senses

at once. He had a room richly decorated with beautiful

pictures; he had the most delectable music; he had all

the choice aromatics and perfumes; he had all the

sumptuous candies of the confectioner; he was lodged

in bed with a beautiful paramour. Thus he indulged the

flesh, and swore that he would spend all his estate to

live one week like this--though he were sure to be

damned in hell the next day.

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and

fine linen and lived in luxury every day. . . In hell, where

he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far

away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him,

'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to

dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue,

because I am in agony in this fire!'" Luke 16:19, 23-24

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They save one sin--and lose one soul!

Take heed of indulging any lust. Indulging in sin will

spoil all effort for Heaven. Sin enfeebles; it is like the

cutting of Samson's hair--then the strength departs.

Sin is the soul's sickness. Sickness takes a man off his

legs and so dispirits him, that he is unfit for any holy

exercise. A sick man cannot run a race.

Therefore lay the axe to the root! Let sin be hewn down!

Do not only abstain from sin in the act--but let the love

of sin be mortified, and let every sin be put to the sword!

Many will leave all their sins but one. They save one sin

--and lose one soul! One sin is a fetter! A man may lose

the race as well by having one fetter on his leg, just as if

he had many. I have read of a great monarch, who, fleeing

from his enemy, threw away the crown of gold on his head

--that he might run the faster. So, that sin which you wore

as a crown of gold--throw it away that you may run the

faster to the heavenly kingdom!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

All on fire for the world!

Take heed of too much pursuit after the world. The

world cools holy affections. The earth puts out the fire.

The world hindered the young man from following Christ,

"he went away sorrowful!" Whereupon, says our Savior,

"How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

Luke 18:24. Demas' piety was buried in the earth,

"Demas has forsaken me--having loved this present

world." 2 Timothy 4:10

The world so blinds men's eyes--that they do not see the

narrow way to heaven! It so fetters their feet--that they

do not run in the way of God's commandments.

Mithridates, king of Pontus, being beaten by the Romans,

and fearing he would not escape them--he caused a great

deal of silver and gold to be scattered in the way, which

while the Roman soldiers were busy gathering, he got

away from them. Satan uses a similar strategy; knowing

what tempting things riches are--he throws them as baits,

in men's way, that while they are eagerly gathering these,

he may hinder them in their pursuit of eternal happiness!

It would hinder a man to climb up a steep rock, with

heavy weights tied to his legs. Men's golden weights

hinder them in climbing up this steep rock which leads

to salvation!

A man cannot seek both Heaven and earth at the same time.

He cannot love both Christ and the world, 1 John 2:15. He

who is all on fire for the world--will be all ice for Heaven!

Take heed of engaging your affections too far in these earthly

things. Use the world as your servant--but do not follow it as

your master.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Though the sinner shall drink a sea of wrath--

yet he shall not drink one drop of injustice!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The glory of heaven!

If the mountains were gold; if every sand of the sea

were a diamond; if the whole globe were a shining

gem; it would all still be infinitely beneath the glory

of heaven!

1. In heaven, there shall be freedom from sin. Here

on earth, sin keeps house with us; it is as natural to us

to sin as to breathe. The soul that is most refined, and

cleansed by grace, is not without some dregs of corruption.

But a sinful thought shall not creep in to heaven. There

is beauty which is not stained with lust, and honor which

is not swelled with pride. "Nothing impure will ever enter

it!" Revelation 21:27

2. In heaven, there shall be freedom from the assaults

of the red dragon. It is sad to have Satan daily soliciting

us by his temptations, and laboring to trick us into sin. But

the old serpent is cast out of the heavenly Paradise!

3. In heaven, there shall be freedom from all afflictions.

Our lives now are interlined with troubles. "My life is consumed

by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because

of my affliction, and my bones grow weak." Psalm 31:10. There

are many things to occasion disquiet; sometimes poverty afflicts;

sometimes sickness tortures; sometimes unkindness of friends

breaks the heart. Our lives, like the seas, are full of tempests.

But in the kingdom of Heaven, there is nothing to give grief.

There, all is serene and calm; nothing within to trouble, or

without to molest.

4. The delights of the heavenly kingdom are unmixed. The

comforts here below, are checkered. Honor may be stained

with disgrace; joy interwoven with sorrow. Our skies are mixed

with clouds. But the delicacies of heaven are pure as well as

pleasant. There is honey, which has not one drop of gall. The

crystal spring of joy has no settlings of sorrow at the bottom.

The rose in that paradise, is without prickles; the sun in that

horizon, is without eclipse.

Heaven will make amends for all our labor and pains!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Then the Devil shoots him with his fiery darts!

"While everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and

sowed weeds among the wheat." Matthew 13:25

While men are idle in the vineyard, they are a prey to every

temptation. Satan sows most of his seeds of temptation in

hearts which lie fallow. When he sees people unemployed,

he will find work for them to do--he will stir them up to one

sin or other. When Satan finds men in a drowsy condition,

their sleeping time is his tempting time!

By watching and praying, we prevent the Devil's design--we

are so busy with salvation that we have no leisure to listen to

temptation.

When the bird is flying--it is safe; but when it sits still on the

bough--it is in danger of being shot! When a Christian sits

still and is inactive--then the Devil shoots him with his

fiery darts!

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation!"

Matthew 26:41

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A divine magnet!

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness." Romans 8:26

The Spirit helps us in all the duties of piety. The promises

encourage us--and the Spirit enables us. In all earthly races

a man runs in his own strength; but in the race to Heaven

we have the Spirit of God helping us! He not only gives us

the crown, when we have finished running--but He gives

us legs to run! He gives us quickening and assisting grace!

The Spirit of God helping us, makes our work easy. If another

helps us to carry a burden--it is less difficult. If the magnet

draws the iron--it is not hard for the iron to move. If the

Spirit of God, as a divine magnet--draws and moves the

heart in obedience, then the work goes on with more ease.

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of

the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men

stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew

their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will

run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A pleasant, easy way to Heaven

Someone asked Him, "Lord, are only a few people

going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every

effort to enter through the narrow door, because

many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be

able to!" Luke 13:23-24

Though Heaven is given us freely--yet we must take

pains for it. Canaan was given Israel freely--but they

had to fight with the Canaanites. It is not a lazy wish,

or a sleepy prayer--which will bring us to Heaven.

We have a long race from earth to Heaven--but a little

time to run; it will soon be sunset. In a race there's not

only a laying aside of all weights which hinder--but a

putting forth of all the strength of the body; a straining

every joint that men may press on with all swiftness to

lay hold on the prize.

Many have made themselves unfit to run this blessed

race; they are drunk with the pleasures of the world.

A drunken man is unfit to run a race.

Others neglect to run this race all their life; and when

sickness and death approach--now they will begin! A

sick man is very unfit to walk, much less to run a race!

I acknowledge that true repentance is never too late;

but when a man can hardly move his hand, or lift up

his eyes--that is a very unfit time to begin the race

from earth to Heaven.

The Lord has in his eternal decree joined the end and

the means together--striving and entering; the race and

the crown. And a man can no more think to come to

Heaven without striving, than he can think to come to

the end of his journey, who never sets a step in the way!

Who expects a harvest without plowing and sowing?

How can we expect the harvest of glory without labor?

Though our salvation with respect to Christ is a purchase

--yet with respect to us, it is a conquest.

We have a precious soul to save! What pains do we take

for the feeding and enriching of the body, the brutish part?

O then what pains should we use for the saving of the soul?

The body is but a ring of clay; the soul is the diamond. If

Christ thought the soul was worth the shedding of His blood,

well may we think it worth spending our sweat.

We have a heavenly kingdom to gain! What pains are

used for earthly crowns and empires; men will wade to the

crown through blood! Heaven is a kingdom which should

make us strive for it--even to blood. The hopes of a kingdom

(says Basil) should carry a Christian cheerfully through all

labors and sufferings.

Some imagine that there is a pleasant, easy way

to Heaven--an idle wish, a deathbed tear. But it is

not so easy a thing as men imagine. There are . . .

so many precepts to obey;

so many promises to believe;

so many rocks to avoid,

so many sins to mortify;

so many temptations to resist;

so many graces to quicken--

that it is a difficult matter to be saved.

Alas, there is a great work to be done; the bias of the

heart must be changed. Man by nature does not only

lack grace--but hates it! He has an envenomed spirit

against God, and is angry with converting grace!

Is it easy for the proud heart to be made humble?

Is it easy for the earthly heart to be made heavenly?

Can this be done without effort? It is all up hill to

Heaven, and it will make us sweat before we get to

the top of the hill.

Is salvation-work so easy? Can a man be saved by a

faint wish? Can he leap out of the Devil's arms--into

Abraham's bosom? Oh no! there must be striving.

A Christian must charge through the whole army of his

lusts, every one of which is stronger than Goliath! He has

no time to drowse; he must be either praying or watching.

Some think free grace will save them; but it must be in

the use of means. "Watch and pray." Others say, the

promises will bring them to Heaven; but the promises

of the Word are not to be separated from the precepts.

The promise tells us of a crown--but the precept says,

"Run in such a way as to get the prize!" 1 Cor. 9:24.

The promises are made to encourage faith, not to nourish

sloth. But others say, Christ has died for sinners; and so

they leave Him to do all for them and they will do nothing.

Our salvation cost Christ blood; it will cost us sweat. The

boat may as well get to shore without rowing, as we can

get to Heaven without effort.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Not whom he may bite--but devour!

We read in Scripture of Satan's snares and darts;

he hurts more by his snares than by his darts!

Satan opposes us both by open violence, and secret

treachery.

1. Satan opposes by open violence--so he is called

the Red Dragon. He labors to storm the castle of the

heart; he stirs up passion, lust, and revenge. These are

called "fiery darts," Ephes. 6:16, because they often set

the soul on fire. Satan in regard to his fierceness, is

called a lion, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy

the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for

someone to devour!" 1 Peter 5:8. Not whom he

may bite--but devour! Yes, there is "a lion in the

way," but we must resolve upon fighting.

2. Satan opposes by secret treachery--so he is

called the Old Serpent. What he cannot do by force,

he will endeavor to do by fraud. Satan has several

subtle devices in tempting:

Satan suits his temptations to the temper of the

individual. Satan studies our dispositions, and lays

suitable baits. He knew Achan's s covetous heart,

and tempted him with a wedge of gold. He tempts

the youthful man with lust.

Satan tempts to sin gradually. He steals into

the heart by degrees. He is at first, more modest.

He did not say to Eve at first, "Eat the apple!" No!

but he goes more subtly to work. He puts forth a

question, "Has God said? Surely Eve, you are mistaken;

the bountiful God never intended to debar one of the

best trees of the garden. Has God said? Surely, either

God did not say it; or if He did, He never really intended

it." Thus by degrees he wrought her to distrust God, and

then she took of the fruit and ate. Oh, take heed of

Satan's first motions to sin, which seem more modest.

He is first a fox, and then a lion.

Satan tempts to evil in lawful things. It was lawful

for Noah to eat the fruit of the grape; but he took too

much, and so sinned. Excess turns that which is good--

into evil. Eating and drinking may turn to intemperance.

Industry in one's calling, when excessive, becomes

covetousness. Satan draws men to an immoderate love

of the creature, and then makes them sin in that which

they love--as Agrippina poisoned her husband Claudius,

in that food which he loved most.

Satan puts men upon doing good out of evil ends.

If he cannot hurt them by scandalous actions--he will by

virtuous actions. Thus he tempts some to espouse religion

out of ulterior motives. He tempts others to give to charity,

for applause, that others may see their good works.

"Take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish

all the flaming arrows of the evil one!" Ephesians 6:16. We

must resist the devil by faith. Faith is a wise, intelligent

grace. Faith can see a hook under the bait! Faith keeps

the castle of the heart, so that it does not yield. Faith beats

back the temptation. Faith holds the promise in one hand,

and Christ in the other. The promise encourages faith, and

Christ strengthens it; so faith beats the enemy out of the field!

We overcome Satan upon our knees! A Christian by prayer

fetches in auxiliary forces from Heaven. In all temptations, go

to God by prayer. "Lord, teach me to use every piece of the

spiritual armor--how to hold the shield, how to wear the helmet,

how to use the sword of the Spirit. Lord, strengthen me in the

battle; let me rather die a conqueror--than be taken prisoner,

and led captive by Satan!"

Remember that Christ has given Satan his death-wound

upon the cross. He has bruised the head of the old Serpent!

He is a chained enemy, and a conquered enemy; therefore

do not fear him. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you!"

James 4:7. "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under

your feet!" Romans 16:20

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Suck out the sweetness of a truth

Meditation is a holy exercise of the mind; whereby we

bring the truths of God to remembrance, and seriously

ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves. It is a

work which cannot be done in a crowd. A Christian must

retire from the world, to have serious thinking upon God.

It is not a few transient thoughts that are quickly gone;

but a fixing and staying of the mind upon heavenly

objects.

As the bee sucks the honey from the flower, so by

meditation we suck out the sweetness of a truth.

It is not the receiving of food into the mouth, but the

digesting of it which makes it nutritious. So it is not

the receiving of the most excellent truths in the ear,

which nourishes our souls--but the digesting of them

by meditation.

Satan does what he can to hinder this duty. He is an

enemy of meditation. The devil does not care not how

much we read--so long as we do not meditate on what

we read. Reading begets knowledge--but meditation

begets devotion.

"Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all

day long." Psalm 119:97

Holy meditation quickens the affections. The reason

why our affections are so cold to heavenly things is

because we do not warm them at the fire of holy

meditation. As the musing on worldly objects makes

the fire of lust burn; the musing on injuries makes

the fire of revenge burn; just so, meditating on the

transcendent beauties of Christ, would make our

love to Christ flame forth.

Meditation has a transforming power in it. The reading

of the Word may affect us--but the meditating upon it

transforms us. Meditation stamps the impression of divine

truths upon our hearts. By meditating on God's holiness,

we grow holy. While by meditation we look upon God's

purity, we are changed into His likeness.

Meditation produces reformation. "I have considered

my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes."

Psalm 119:59. If men would spend but one quarter of

an hour every day in contemplating heavenly objects,

it would leave a mighty impression upon them!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The looking-glass of self-love

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond

cure. Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9.

The heart is the greatest impostor.

Little does a man know what secret atheism,

pride, and lust is in his heart.

As ignorance blinds, so self-love flatters.

Every man is ready to think the best of himself.

What Solomon says of love to our neighbor is most

true of self-love; "it hides a multitude of sins." When

a man looks upon himself in the looking-glass of

self-love--his virtues appear greater than they are,

and his sins less. Self-love makes one rather excuse

what is amiss, than correct it.

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me

and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is

any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way

everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He came hewing and cutting down men's sins!

"Repent! for the kingdom of heaven is near!" Matthew 3:2

Hence learn, what kind of ministry is likely to do most good,

namely, that which works upon the consciences of men. John

the Baptist lifted up his voice like a trumpet, he preached the

doctrine of repentance with power! He came hewing and

cutting down men's sins, and afterwards preached Christ

to them. First, he poured in the vinegar of the law, then the

wine of the gospel. This was that preaching which made men

studiously seek after heaven. John did not so much preach to

please--as to profit; he chose rather to reveal men's sins--than

to show his own eloquence. The best mirror is not that which

is most ornate, but that which shows the truest face. That

preaching is to be preferred which makes the truest discovery

of men's sins, and shows them their hearts!

It is the greatest mercy, to have a soul-searching ministry.

If one had a desperate wound, he would desire to have it

probed to the bottom. Who would not be content to have

their souls searched, so they may have them saved?

John the Baptist was a burning and shining light; he did

burn in his doctrine and shine in his life; and therefore

men pressed into heaven. John 5:35

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Error damns as well as vice

Error is the adultery of the mind; it stains the soul.

Error damns as well as vice. A man may as well

die by poison--as by pistol.

Truth distinguishes a Christian from the world, as

chastity distinguishes a virtuous woman from a harlot.

We have not a richer jewel to trust God with than our

souls; nor He a richer jewel to trust us with than His

truths.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

God's severity against sin

Meditate on God's severity against sin.

Every arrow in God's quiver is shot against sin.

Sin burned Sodom, and drowned the old world.

Sin kindles hell.

The meditation of this would frighten us out of

our sins. There cannot be so much sweetness in

sin--as there is sting. How dreadful is God's anger!

"Who knows the power of His wrath?" All fire,

compared with the fire of God's wrath--is but

painted and imaginary fire.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Our words show what our heart is

"The good man brings good things out of the good

stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil

things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out

of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Luke 6:45

Our discourse demonstrates what our heart is. As the

looking-glass shows what the face is--whether it be fair

or foul; just so, our words show what our heart is.

Vain discourse reveals a light, feathery heart. Gracious

discourse reveals a gracious heart. The water of the

conduit shows what the spring is.

Holy discourse is very edifying. It enlightens the mind

when it is ignorant--and settles it when it is wavering.

A godly life adorns religion; godly discourse propagates it.

Gracious discourse makes us resemble Christ. His words

were perfumed with holiness: "grace was poured into

His lips." Levi made Him a feast--and Christ feasted him

with holy discourse. The more holy our discourse is, the

more we are like Christ.

God takes special notice of every good word we speak

when we meet. "Then those who feared the Lord talked

with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A

scroll of remembrance was written in His presence

concerning those who feared the Lord and honored

His name." Malachi 3:16.

When men entertain bad discourse, Satan draws near,

and makes one of the company; but when they have holy

and gracious discourse, Jesus Christ draws near, and

wherever He comes, He brings a blessing along with Him.

"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned

with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."

Colossians 4:6

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Go in a feather-bed to Hell

Slothful professors are settled on their lees. They make

a lazy profession of piety--but use no diligence. They

are like the lilies, which neither toil, nor do they spin.

They have some faint wishes, "Oh that I had Heaven!"

But a man may desire venison, and lack it--if he does

not hunt for it. "The sluggard craves and gets nothing,

but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied." Pr. 13:4

Men would be content to have the kingdom of Heaven;

but they are loath to fight for it. They choose rather to

go in a feather-bed to Hell, than to be carried to

Heaven in a "fiery chariot" of zeal and diligence. How

many sleep away, and play away, their time--as if

they were made merely to rest, or amuse themselves!

Such as have accustomed themselves to an idle, lazy

disposition, will find it hard to shake off, "I have taken

off my robe--must I put it on again?" Song of Songs 5:3.

The spouse had laid herself upon the bed of sloth, and

though Christ knocked at the door, she was reluctant to

rise and let Him in.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Enslaved

"Enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures."

Titus 3:3

Lust is an inordinate desire or impulse, provoking the

soul to the gratifying of its carnal desires. Aristotle calls

them 'brutish lusts' because when lusts are violent, they

will not let reason or conscience be heard; but a man is

carried brutishly to the satisfying of the flesh.

Men are enslaved by their drunken lusts. Though death

is in the cup, they will drink it up. One having almost lost

his eye-sight, the physician told him there was no cure for

him, unless he would leave off his excessive drinking.

"Then," replied he, "farewell sweet light!"

Men are enslaved by their impure lusts. Men are said to

"burn in lusts," Romans 1:27. The apostle intimates that

lust is a kind of fever. Feverish heats are not more deadly

to the body, than lust is to the soul. O what folly is it--for

a drop of pleasure to drink a sea of wrath!

Men are enslaved by their covetous lusts. Covetousness

is the soul's idolatry. Their God is made of gold, and to it

they bow down. Those who bowed down on their knees to

drink of the waters, were accounted unfit soldiers for Gideon.

So are those unfit for Christ, who stoop immoderately to the

care of earthly things. Those who are enslaved by the world,

what have they but the wind? "What does he gain, since he

toils for the wind?" Eccles. 5:16. The world cannot enrich the

soul, it cannot remove pain. If pangs of conscience come,

the world can no more give comfort, than a crown of gold

can cure a head-ache.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The dregs of old age!

Someone asked Him, "Lord, are only a few people

going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every

effort to enter through the narrow door, because

many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be

able to." Luke 13:23-24

Many put off seeking for heaven, until old age. When

they are fit for no other work, then they will begin this

taking heaven by storm.

No man says, "I will learn my trade when I am old."

It is imprudence for one to begin to work for Heaven,

when he is past his time for labor. There is a night of

sickness and death coming, and our Savior says, "The

night comes, when no man can work." Surely a man

can put forth but little effort for Heaven when old age,

and old sins are upon him. Besides, how unworthy and

insincere it is--to give the Devil the flower of youth;

and God the dregs of old age! There is little hope of

their salvation--who are never seek for Heaven, until

they are on the borders of eternity.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many seek heaven hypocritically

Many seek heaven hypocritically. They would have

Heaven and their lusts too. But let not such seekers

ever think to find happiness; let them not think they

can lie in Delilah's lap--and go to Abraham's bosom

when they die.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

What makes men so loathe to die?

Because their conscience accuses them that

they are not fit for heaven--so now death looks

ghastly! They are afraid death will carry them

as prisoners to hell!

At the hour of death, sinners will awaken out

of their lethargy--and fall into a frenzy of horror

and despair!

But the Christian who has been active in piety, and

has spent his time in the service of God, can look

death in the face with comfort. Death shall do him no

hurt; it shall not be a destruction, but a deliverance!

It shall purge out sin and perfect glory!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He who digs in a gold mine sweats

"Christ's love compels us!" 2 Corinthians 5:14

Love to Christ made Paul labor more than all the other

apostles. A man will only strive for that which he loves.

Why are men so eager in their pursuit after gold--but

because they love it? Love causes delight, and delight

causes diligence. Love is like oil to the wheels. Get love

for Christ and piety--and you will never be weary; you

will count those the best hours which are spent with God.

When a man has warmed himself by this fire, he is fittest

for holy work.

He who digs in a gold mine sweats--yet love for

the gold makes his labor delightful.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It cost more to redeem us, than to make us

Great was the work of creation; but greater the work of

redemption. It cost more to redeem us, than to make

us. In the one, there was only the speaking a Word, Psalm

148:5; in the other, the shedding of blood, Heb. 9:22. The

creation was the work of God's fingers, Psalm 8:3; the

redemption was the work of his arm, Luke 1:5. In creation

God gave us ourselves; in redemption He gives us Himself!