ich was to be the establishment of the kingdom of
Heaven upon earth-which kingdom we are told is "righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
12
John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way of the Lord for the
establishment of this kingdom. This work of preparation was
performed by him, as he preached saying, "Repent ye, for the
kingdom of Heaven is at hand, the kingdom of "righteousness,
peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." "I indeed baptise you with
water unto repentance, but there cometh one after me, mightier
than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose, He
shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Whose fan is in
his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his
wheat into the garner, but he will burn up the chaff with
unquenchable fire."
The same great truths Christ himself had in view, when he said
to Nicodemus, "Verily verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born
of water and of the Spirit-he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God." What is the kingdom of God? "Righteousness, peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost." What is it to be born of water? It is to
receive John's baptism unto repentance. That is, truly to repent and
being forth fruits meet for repentance. This prepares the way of the
kingdom of heaven in us. What is it to be born of the Spirit? It is to
receive the baptism of Christ with the Holy Ghost, or to have
Christ "sprinkle clean water upon us, and make us clean; and
cleanse us from all our filthiness, and from all our idols
