Kingdom Violence (7)

Consider Paul for an instance. He was as earnest when he was a Christian as before he was a Christian. He was never more eager after shedding of the blood of Christians and breathing out slaughter against them, as he was afterwards in breathing after the salvation of God's people and a desire to enlarge the gospel. Zacchaeus was never so covetous of the world before, as he was desirous of heaven when he became a Christian. I say religion takes nothing away, it only turns the stream. But it is a miracle for the stream to be turned. It was God that turned the Jordan River (Josh. 3:16). It is a greater work than man can do to turn the streams of a man's affections, to make them run upward. It is only God's work. This is the excellency of religion. It ennobles our nature. That which was natural is made heavenly and spiritual.
It would be of little comfort to hear of the excellency and necessity of these heavenly things if there were no hope of them. Hope stirs up diligence and endeavour in the things of this world. What makes men adventure to the east or west? They hope for a voyage that will enrich them for their whole life. Hope in doubtful things stirs up industry. What makes the poor farmer diligent to plough and sow? The hope that he will have a harvest, but a harvest is not always the certain outcome. But spiritual things are certain. Hope in spiritual things stirs up endeavour. We need not call them into question. As it stirs up diligence, so it stirs up the use of the means; to not give up until we see our hopes fulfilled. It also stirs up the hope of success, that we will not lose our labour, it enables and strengthens us to bear the tediousness of the time and the encumbrance of afflictions.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Victorious Violence, Works, vol. 6, pp. 305-07
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