Not far from the kingdom
If to this lively conviction of your inward and outward sins, of your utter guiltiness and helplessness, there are added the affections that suit it, then hear what follows. Sorrow of heart, for having despised your own mercies. Remorse, and self-condemnation, having the mouth stopped. Shame, to lift up your eyes to heaven. Fear of the wrath of God abiding on you, of his curse hanging over your head, and of the fiery indignation ready to devour those who forget God, and do not obey our Lord Jesus Christ. An earnest desire to escape from that indignation, to cease from evil, and to learn to do well.
Then I say to you, in the name of the Lord, you are not far from the kingdom of God. One step more, and you shall enter in. You do repent. Now, believe the gospel.
1771 text
7. If to this lively conviction of thy inward and outward sins, of thy utter guiltiness and helplessness, there be added suitable affections sorrow of heart, for having despised thy own mercies, remorse and self-condemnation, having the mouth stop’d, shame to lift up thine eyes to heaven; fear of the wrath of God abiding on thee, of his curse hanging over thy head, and of the fiery indignation ready to devour those who forget God, and obey not our Lord Jesus Christ: earnest desire to escape from that indignation, to cease from evil and learn to do well: then I say unto thee, in the name of the Lord, thou art not far from the kingdom of God. One step more and thou shalt enter in. Thou dost repent. Now, believe the gospel.
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 7 in the 1771 Works. Mark 1:15.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.