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_.