Abernathy - Houston-Packer Collection BX9178.A33 S4 1748 v.1

l 50 ) SERMON III. Of REPENTANCE. Matth. iv. 17. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. SE RM. HE kingdom of Heaven, or the III. kingdom of God, does ufually in the New- Tefiament, and particu- larly in the difcourfes of our Saviour him- felf, fignify the gofpel Rate, that glorious model formed in the divine counfels for re- covering finful men to their duty, and re- ftoring them to the favour of God. The Deity has a fupreme unalienable right to our obedience, which neceffarily refults from our relation to him as the workmanfhip of his hands, endued with thofe powers which render us capable of knowing and doing his will, continually depending on him, and receiving favours from him. But when mankind had corrupted their ways, and fallen fhort of the glory of God, it pleafed him

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