11. With this peace of God, wherever it is fix’d in the soul, there is also _joy in the Holy Ghost_: joy wrought in the heart by the Holy Ghost, by the ever blessed Spirit of God. He it is that worketh in us that calm, humble rejoicing in God, through Christ Jesus, _by whom we have now received the atonement_, καταλλαγὴν, the reconciliation with God; and that enables us boldly to confirm the truth of the royal Psalmist’s declaration, _Blessed is the man_ (or rather _happy_) _whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered_. He it is that inspires the Christian soul, with that even, solid joy, which arises from the testimony of the Spirit, that he is a child of God; and that gives him to _rejoice with joy unspeakable, in hope of the glory of God_: Hope, both of the glorious image of God, which is in part and shall be fully _revealed in him_; and of that crown of glory, which fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for him.
12. This holiness and happiness joined in one, are sometimes stiled in the inspired writings, _the kingdom of God_, (as by our Lord in the text) and sometimes, _the kingdom of heaven_. It is termed _the kingdom of God_, because it is the immediate fruit of God’s reigning in the soul. So soon as ever he takes unto himself his mighty power, and sets up his throne in our hearts, they are instantly filled with this _righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost_. It is called _the kingdom of heaven_, because it is (in a degree) heaven opened in the soul. For whosoever they are that experience this, they can aver, before angels and men,
“Everlasting life is won: Glory is on earth begun:”
According to the constant tenor of scripture, which every where bears record, _God hath given unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son_ (reigning in his heart) _hath life_, (even life everlasting) _1 John_ v. 11, 12. _For this is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou has sent_, John xvii. 3. And they to whom this is given, may confidently address God, tho’ they were in the midst of a fiery furnace,
“Thee――Lord, safe shielded by thy pow’r, Thee, Son of God, _Jehovah_, we adore; In form of man descending to appear: To thee be ceaseless hallelujah’s given. Praise, as in heaven thy throne, we offer here; For where thy presence is display’d, is heaven.”
13. And this _kingdom of God_ or of heaven _is at hand_. As these words were originally spoken, they implied, that _the time_ was then _fulfilled_, God being _made manifest in the flesh_, when he would set-up his kingdom among men, and reign in the hearts of his people. And is not the time now fulfilled? For _lo_! saith he, _I am with you always_, you who preach remission of sins in my name, _even unto the end of the world_. (Matt. xxviii. 20.) Wheresoever therefore the gospel of Christ is preached, this his _kingdom is nigh at hand_. It is not far from every one of you. Ye may this hour enter thereinto, if so be ye hearken to his voice, _repent ye, and believe the gospel_.
II. 1. This is the way. Walk ye in it. And first, repent, that is, know yourselves. This is the first repentance, previous to faith; even conviction, or self-knowledge. Awake then thou that sleepest. Know thyself to be a sinner, and what manner of sinner thou art. Know that corruption of thy inmost nature, whereby thou art very far gone from original righteousness, whereby _the flesh lusteth_ always _contrary to the spirit_, through that _carnal mind which is enmity against God_, which _is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be_. Know that thou art corrupted in every power, in every faculty of thy soul; that thou art totally corrupted in every one of these, all the foundations being out of course. The eyes of thine understanding are darkned, so that they cannot discern God or the things of God. The clouds of ignorance and error rest upon thee, and cover thee with the shadow of death. Thou knowest nothing yet, as thou oughtest to know, neither God, nor the world, nor thyself. Thy will is no longer the will of God, but is utterly perverse and distorted, averse from all good, from all which God loves, and prone to all evil, to every abomination which God hateth. Thy affections are alienated from God, and scattered abroad over all the earth. All thy passions, both thy desires and aversions, thy joys and sorrows, thy hopes and fears, are out of frame, are either undue in their degree, or placed on undue objects. So that there is no soundness in thy soul; but _from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot_ (to use the strong expression of the prophet) there are only _wounds and bruises and putrifying sores_.