And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Ver. 7. The kingdom of heaven is at hand] Repent therefore. Men will do much for a kingdom. And nothing less than a kingdom, and that of heaven, can buy men out of their sweet sins. How many hear we daily making answer to the motion of this heavenly kingdom offered them by God, as the olive and vine did in Jotham's parable! Shall I leave my fat and sweet sins, to reign, though with God? a And yet every man must be either a king or a captive; reign in heaven, or roar for ever in hell. And this the apostles were bidden, wherever they came, to preach; not to sing mass, which is the chief office of priest among the Papists. And for the people, they are taught to believe that the mass only is a work of duty; but the going to sermons a matter of convenience, and such as is left free to men's leisures and opportunities, without imputation of sin.
a At Paris, ut vivat regnetque beatus, cogi posse negat.