Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I. Repentance is a necessary QUALIFICATION TO FIT US FOR GLORY. 1. Be it never so troublesome and painful a work, it is richly worth our while. 2. Reward is the life of action. 3. The encouragement of industry. II. Repentance does not only give us a future evidence for heaven, but PUTS US INTO ACTUAL POSSESSION. 1. It instates us into our happiness. 2. Is an earnest of future glory. Thus grace is the incohation of glory, and glory is the consummation of grace. III. What CONTENT must this needs be, to enjoy the morning of our eternity, even in this life; and through the crannies of our mortality to have a glimpse of that broad day of glory, which, unlike our longest days, will never have an end. IV. If every penitential tear were a diamond, and thou didst nothing all thy lifetime but shed tears of liquid pearl, the kingdom of heaven would still be a CHEAP PRACTISE. Thou shouldst never have cause to complain of thy bargain. (Adam Littleton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.WEB: From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." |
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