The kingdom within
This is that kingdom of heaven, or of God, which is within us, even righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). And what is righteousness but the life of God in the soul, the mind which was in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5), the image of God stamped upon the heart, now renewed after the likeness of him who created it? What is it but the love of God, because he first loved us, and the love of all mankind for his sake?
And what is this peace, the peace of God (Philippians 4:7), but that calm serenity of soul, that sweet rest in the blood of Jesus, which leaves no doubt of our acceptance in him? It shuts out all fear except the loving, childlike fear of offending our Father who is in heaven.
This inward kingdom also implies joy in the Holy Ghost, who seals upon our hearts the redemption which is in Jesus, the righteousness of Christ imputed to us for the forgiveness of the sins that are past, who gives us now the pledge of our inheritance, of the crown which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give at that day. And well may this be called the kingdom of heaven, since it is heaven already opened in the soul, the first springing up of those rivers of pleasure which flow at God's right hand for evermore.
1771 text
11. This is that kingdom of heaven or of God which is within us, even righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. And what is righteousness, but the life of God in the soul: the mind which was in Christ Jesus: the image of God stampt upon the heart, now renewed after the likeness of him that created it? What is it but the love of God because he first loved us, and the love of all mankind, for his sake?
And what is this peace, the peace of God, but that calm serenity of soul, that sweet repose in the blood of Jesus, which leaves no doubt of our acceptance in him? Which excludes all fear, but the loving, filial fear of offending our Father which is in heaven.
This inward kingdom implies also joy in the Holy Ghost, who seals upon our hearts, the redemption which is in Jesus, the righteousness of Christ, imputed to us, for the remission of the sins that are past: who giveth us now the earnest of our inheritance, of the crown which the Lord, the righteous judge will give at that day. And well may this be termed The kingdom of heaven; seeing it is heaven already opened in the soul; the first springing up of those rivers of pleasure which flow at God’s right-hand for evermore.
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 21 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:1-4.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.