Violence for Heaven

Alas, what little violence for heaven is to be seen in most people’s worship! In all the sacrifices of the law there was fire. How can those duties be accepted which have no fire in them, no offering of violence?

If there must be this offering of violence to heaven, then it shows us how dangerous moderation in religion is. Violence and moderation are two different things. Indeed, moderation in the things of the world is commendable. We should moderate our desires here and use the world as if we used it not (1 Cor. 7:31). We may, as Jonathan, dip the end of the rod in honey but not thrust it in too far. In this sense moderation is good, but moderation in matters of practical piety is sinful; it is contrary to offering violence.

Moderation in the world’s sense means not to be too zealous, not to be too fierce for heaven. Moderation is not to venture further in religion than may coexist with self-preservation. As the king of Navarr told Beza: He would launch no farther into the sea than he might be sure to return safe to land. To keep on the warm side of the hedge is a main article in the politician’s creed.

Moderation in the world’s sense is neutrality. The moderate person finds a medium between strictness and profaneness; he is not for debauchery, not for purity. It was the advice Calvin gave Melanchthon, that he should not so affect the name of moderate that at last he lost all his zeal. To be lukewarm in matters of religion is far from offering violence to heaven. "Be zealous therefore, and repent" (Rev. 3:19).

If any should ask us why we are so violent, tell them it is for a kingdom. If any shall ask us why we make such haste in the ways of religion, tell them we are running a heavenly race and a softly moderate pace will never win the prize. Moderation has made many lose heaven; they have not made haste enough; they have come too late, like the foolish virgins, when the door has been shut.

Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm,
(Soli Deo Gloria Publications), p. 49–50.

Recommended:

Vincent Cheung, Prayer and Revelation

Vincent Cheung, Renewing the Mind

Vincent Cheung, Godliness with Contentment

Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm

Solomon Stoddard, A Guide to Christ

Matthew Henry, The Pleasantness of a Religious Life