Puritan Paperbacks - Heaven Taken By Storm Or, The Christian Soldier

Book Description

Heaven Taken by Storm, or, The Christian Soldier is a call to arms. In it Thomas Watson expounds and applies, in his own unique and much-loved style, the words of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:12: ‘And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.’ ‘Heaven,’ he says, is like a ‘town or castle that holds out in war, and is not taken but by storm. … Though heaven be given us freely, yet we must contend for it.’ What that means for the believer forms the substance of this book. The author shows us the nature of this ‘holy violence’ – ‘resolution of will, vigour of affection, strength of endeavour.’ His aim throughout is to awaken the reader to the urgency of the gospel’s call. ‘Our work is great, our time short, our master urgent; we have need therefore to summon together all the powers of our souls, and strive as in a matter of life and death, that we may arrive at the kingdom above: we must not only put forth diligence, but violence.’

‘Though heaven be given us freely, yet we must contend for it.’ — Thomas Watson

Author

Thomas Watson (c. 1620-1686), the Puritan preacher and author, was probably born in Yorkshire, although the exact place and date of his birth are unknown. He studied at Emmanuel College, Cambridge (BA, 1639; MA, 1642), where he was apparently a diligent student. Certainly his intellect is apparent in his writings, which show a profound grasp of the English language, as well as a solid understanding of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. He quotes from the early church fathers, and his familiarity with the breadth of the scriptural canon is stunning.

Watson’s works are a legacy that have continued to be a blessing to those who love sound, heart-searching exposition of the Scriptures.

Additional Information

Cover: Softcover
Number of Pages: 144
Publisher: Banner of Truth Trust
Publication Date: 2025