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