Such being the nature of the kingdom of God, we are now brought up to the discussion of the subject of the text, and are prepared to consider:  In what respects, the kingdom of God requires the temper of a child as distinguished from the temper of a man, in order to receive it, and in order to enter it.

The kingdom of God, considered as a kingdom that is within the soul, is tantamount to religion.  To receive this kingdom, then, is equivalent to receiving religion into the heart, so that the character shall be formed by it, and the future destiny be decided by it.  What, then, is the religion that is to be received?  We answer that it is the religion that is needed.  But, the religion that is needed by a sinful man is very different from the religion that is adapted to a holy angel.  He who has never sinned is already in direct and blessed relations with God, and needs only to drink in the overflowing and everflowing stream of purity and pleasure.  Such a spirit requires a religion of only two doctrines:  First, that there is a God; and, secondly, that He ought to be loved supremely and obeyed perfectly.  This is the entire theology of the angels, and it is enough for them.  They know nothing of sin in their personal experience, and consequently they require in their religion, none of those doctrines, and none of those provisions, which are adapted to the needs of sinners.

But, man is in an altogether different condition from this.  He too knows that there is a God, and that He ought to be loved supremely, and obeyed perfectly.  Thus far, he goes along with the angel, and with every other rational being made under the law and government of God.  But, at this point, his path diverges from that of the pure and obedient inhabitant of heaven, and leads in an opposite direction.  For he does not, like the angels, act up to his knowledge.  He is not conformed to these two doctrines.  He does not love God supremely, and he does not obey Him perfectly.  This fact puts him into a very different position, in reference to these two doctrines, from that occupied by the obedient and unfallen spirit.  These two doctrines, in relation to him as one who has contravened them, have become a power of condemnation; and whenever he thinks of them he feels guilty.  It is no longer sufficient to tell him. that religion consists in loving God, and enjoying His presence,—­consists in holiness and happiness.  “This is very true,”—­he says,—­“but I am neither holy nor happy.”  It is no longer enough to remind him that all is well with any creature who loves God with all his heart, and keeps His commandments without a single slip or failure.  “This is very true,”—­he says again,—­“but I do not love in this style, neither have I obeyed in this manner.”  It is too late to preach mere natural religion, the religion of the angels, to one who has failed to stand fully and firmly upon the principles of natural religion.  It is too late to tell a creature who has lost his virtue, that if he is only virtuous he is safe enough.