The kingdom of heaven
This holiness and this happiness, joined in one, are sometimes called, in the inspired writings, the kingdom of God, as by our Lord in the text, and sometimes the kingdom of heaven. It is called the kingdom of God because it is the immediate fruit of God's reigning in the soul. As soon as ever he takes to 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 whoever they are that experience this, they can declare, before angels and men:
Everlasting life is won. Glory is on earth begun.
According to the constant tenor of Scripture, which everywhere bears record: God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son, reigning in his heart, has life, even life everlasting. 1 John 5:11-12. For this is life eternal, to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3. And those to whom this is given may confidently address God, though they were in the midst of a fiery furnace.
You, Lord, safe shielded by your power, you, Son of God, Jehovah, we adore, in form of man descending to appear. To you be ceaseless hallelujahs given. Praise, as in heaven your throne, we offer here. For where your presence is displayed, is heaven.
1771 text
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.”
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 7 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.