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# How violent were the blessed martyrs
- URL: https://www.theholyfight.com/how-violent-were-the-blessed-martyrs/
- Published: 2026-11-03T21:24:02.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-03T21:24:02.000Z
- Description: Thomas Watson, Heaven Taken by Storm
- Author: Sean Catlett
- Tags: Library, Thomas Watson

> How violent were the blessed martyrs! They wore their fetters as ornaments; they snatched up torments as crowns, and embraced the flames as cheerfully as Elijah did the fiery chariot that came to fetch him to Heaven.

**Thomas Watson**, *Heaven Taken by Storm* (1669)

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Thomas Watson (c. 1620–1686) was an English Puritan preacher. *Heaven Taken by Storm* was first published in 1669\. Spelling here is modernised; the words are his.

"Holy violence" is Watson's phrase for all-out, wholehearted effort toward God (Matthew 11:12).

More words from the saints who fought before us are in [the Library](https://www.theholyfight.com/tag/library/).