Kingdom Violence (5)

There is a blessed violence that will stand under judgment. A man must not be violent and wise in the things of this world; much less after filthy pleasures. Instead, a man 'must become a fool' (1 Cor. 3:19) in these things. But in respect of heavenly things, a man may be violent and wise; for there is such a degree of excellency in the things that no violence can be too much. Men talk of being too strict and too holy. Can there be too much of that which we can never have enough of in this world? I speak of this to confound the evil judgment the world has of a holy disposition. They are thought to be fanatics, to be out of their minds, as they thought Paul was; but he answers, 'If we are out of our wits, it is to God' (2 Cor. 5:13). Christ himself had hands laid on him, as if he had been out of his mind (John 10:20). As Festus told blessed Paul, 'that much learning had made him mad' (Acts 26:24), when he saw him eager in the cause of Christ. So many, when they see a man earnest in the matters of God, think surely these men have lost their discretion. No; it is the highest discretion in the world to be eager and violent for things that are invaluable. It is the violent that have eyes in their heads, violence guided with judgment, from knowing the excellency of the good things of the gospel.
Let us not be frightened by the ill reports of those with idle brains and rotten hearts, those who know not the things that belong to the kingdom of heaven. Is there anything that a man should be earnest for if not for the things of God? Were our souls created to pursue the things that are earthly and fallen? Were our minds made only to plod in the temporal, and to neglect our heavenly calling? If anything is to challenge the best of our endeavours, the marrow of our labours, the utmost of our spirits and minds, certainly it is grace and glory.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Victorious Violence, Works, vol. 6, pp. 303-04
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