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. 12. _Theirs is the kingdom of heaven._ Whosoever thou art, to whom God hath given to be _poor in spirit_, to feel thyself lost, thou hast a right thereto, through the gracious promise of him who cannot lie. It is purchased for thee by the blood of the Lamb. It is very nigh: thou art on the brink of heaven. Another step, and thou enterest into the kingdom, of righteousness and peace and joy. Art thou all sin? _Behold the Lamb of_ God, _who taketh away the sin of the world_. All unholy? See thy _Advocate with the Father_, Jesus Christ _the righteous_. Art thou unable to atone for the least of thy sins? _He is the propitiation for_ all thy _sins_. Now believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and all thy sins are blotted out. Art thou totally unclean in soul and body? Here is the _fountain for sin and uncleanness. Arise and wash away thy sins_: stagger no more at the promise through unbelief. Give glory to God: dare to believe! Now cry out, from the ground of thy heart, Yes, I yield, I yield at last, Listen to thy speaking blood; Me with all my sins I cast On my atoning God!