Heaven Taken by Storm by Thomas Watson - Part 2 and 3

Part 2 – Offering Violence to ourselves

• Offering violence to ourselves consists of:

I. Mortification of sin
Withdraw fuel for sin
Fight with spiritual weapons

II. Provocation to duty
What need is there?
- It is desperately needed – our natural path is not spiritual

What is it to provoke ourselves to duty?
- It is to awaken ourselves

There are several duties we must provoke ourselves to:
a. Reading the Word
b. Hearing the Word
c. Prayer
d. Meditation
e. Self-examination
f. Sanctifying the Lord’s day
g. Holy conversation


Part 3 – Reading and Hearing the Word

I. Reading the Word
a. How do we read the Word?
1. As a book made by God
2. As a perfect rule of faith
3. As a soul-enriching treasury
4. As a spiritual magazine (weaponry)
5. As a spiritual looking glass
6. As a spiritual receipt (prescription, medicine, antidote)
7. As a sovereign elixir for comfort
8. As a last will and testament of Christ
9. As a means by which you will be judged

II. Hearing the Word – “We may bring our bodies to the Word with ease, but not our hearts without offering violence to ourselves.”
a. Consider:
1. It is God speaking
2. The weightiness of the matters delivered
3. If it not be regarded it won’t be remembered
4. It could be the last time God speaks to you