Many cases, like these, of suffering virtue and prosperous vice, we are able clearly to discern: so broad are the lines, so prominent the features, that we can scarcely be mistaken: but perhaps there are many more cases, of which we can form no adequate opinion at all; neither in any instance, could we pretend to award or ascertain the exact degree of merit due to any individual. When we speak of merit, we do not mean to intimate that any action, in itself, is deserving of reward; we regard works of righteousness, only as the fruit of faith in a crucified Redeemer. But this fruit is much more abundant, and much more excellent, in some than others; and sometimes, when it makes the fairest shew, the quality is inferior. By merit then, we here mean the faith and behaviour of a Christian; or, that behaviour by which the faith is manifested; that, to which God has freely promised a reward, for the sake of our great Redeemer. According to the faith, will the fruit be, both in quality and abundance; and according to the fruit will be the gracious reward; which reward He alone can determine and bestow, who discovers the secret springs of the character and conduct of every man living.
The value of an action depends upon the spirit and principle, with which it is performed; and of these things no one can perfectly judge, but the searcher of the heart. Even in the christian community, many words and deeds there are, obtaining applause from men, which will be condemned by the omniscient God, as having proceeded from unworthy motives, and being but the garb of hypocrisy; many persons there are, in whose respective demeanour we may be able to trace no very marked lines of difference, who yet differ most essentially, when measured by the scale of infinite truth and justice: all these secret distinctions will be clearly brought to light at the great inquiry on the judgment-day; every one will then appear in his true character; the veil of deception will be for ever torn aside; and of those, who seem alike to us in the present life, we shall find that one will be taken and another left; one taken to glory, and another left to shame and wretchedness and ruin.
It may be useful to mention a few instances, in which we may be deceived in our comparative estimate of men. Even with regard to the fundamental principles of religion, to a real belief in the truths of the Bible, to the essentials of a christian character, it is possible that we may form very mistaken opinions concerning many around us. It is true, that insincerity and deceit are commonly, sooner or later, in some degree detected; it is difficult to be always dissimulating, and acting a part; some evil fruit, some inconsistency does generally betray the hollowness of hypocritical pretensions: still however, it is not always so; and doubtless there are some,—out of the number of those persons, whom we are in the habit of considering as equally resting their hopes upon the true foundation, equally believing in Jesus Christ for pardon and salvation, equally zealous in the maintenance of His holy religion and attentive to the ordinances,—some there are, who differ materially from others, in the unerring judgment of God. They may repair to the same place of worship, perhaps with the same degree of regularity, but with very different views and impressions: we can judge only of the outward appearance, of the posture of the body or the moving of the lips; it is for the Lord to look upon the posture of the soul and the offering of the heart. Many, no question, come to the House of God from very unworthy motives and for very unworthy purposes; and frequently they do not escape the observance of man; but man cannot penetrate into the case of every individual; to the eye of Jehovah alone are “all things naked and open;” He sees and judges, who come unto Him in humble faith; who approach His tabernacle is a pious frame and temper, with holy affections, with integrity of heart; who “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” My brethren, it is an awful consideration: but from the same Church, the same christian society, the same assembly of worshippers, “one shall be taken and another left.”
Again, with respect to a discharge of the ordinary duties of life, there may be much real, though little seeming difference, in the characters of many, with whom we are daily acquainted. Punctuality and diligence, though always commendable and useful for the public good, may be, in as far as the person himself is concerned, of little value in the sight of God; our acceptableness with God, in this matter, depends upon the principle and the view and the spirit, with which the business of life is conducted: it may be carried on merely for the sake of self-interest; of gain, reputation, and pleasure; without any religious feeling or purpose whatever, without a single prayer offered up for heavenly assistance and blessing, without a word of thanksgiving or acknowledgment: or, on the other hand, we may proceed to our daily employments and pursuits, “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might;” imploring and depending upon His grace; “doing whatever we do for His glory;” active and diligent and faithful, from a sense of love and duty to Him, for the sake of obeying the law of our blessed Redeemer, and thus bringing forth the fruit of faith unto perfection; “living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world,” [302a] with the continual hope and expectation of a glorious world to come. Now, whether industry be the work of religious principle, or whether it arise merely from selfish and earthly views, we are often unable to decide: but God knoweth all the thoughts of man; and therefore can assign, to every action and habit and pursuit, its true origin and its due reward; and many persons, it will be found at last, who have gone forth together unto their labour, who have been engaged in the same occupations, have toiled together as companions in life, will be separated when the day of full inquiry comes; the one, having “sown unto the spirit,” shall be taken to enjoy the fruit of life everlasting; the other, having “sown unto the flesh,” shall be left to “reap corruption.” [302b]
Similar observations will of course hold good, with regard to the practice of particular virtues. They, “who give alms only to be seen of men;” who dispense their bounty from any other principle, than that of love to their Saviour; for any other purpose, than to serve God and to benefit their fellow-creatures; they “have their reward” already—the only reward, which they are caring to seek—the applause, the good will, or the esteem of mankind: and they must not expect, on the latter day, the reward which they seek not; the approval of their sovereign Lord; the praises and blessings of christian charity. Again, they who exercise the virtues of honesty or sobriety, merely for the sake of worldly expedience or reputation, will likewise “have their reward” all the reward they are to expect, in this life. Christian faith and christian principle are the only foundations, upon which a Christian can surely and successfully build; they, who build upon them, will be taken to see the goodly fabric perfected in heaven; whilst every work, which is raised upon “other foundation,” will be left to desolation and devouring fire.
And even they, who have communed together, through their earthly pilgrimage, in the bonds of familiar intimacy; who have been united all their lives long, by the nearest and dearest ties of kindred; even they will be subject to the same discriminating judgment at the last. If they have been bound together in the holy bonds of the gospel, as well as of family affection; if they have been faithful brethren in the Lord, as well as in the flesh, “walking with God as friends,” it will be well; then, as they “were lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their deaths they shall not be divided:” [304] together shall they go to heaven, and be admitted to enjoy a more delightful communion with each other, in the happy paradise above. But if it be otherwise, if such friends be of opposite characters; the one “carnally” the other “spiritually minded;” then, their ends must be opposite also; “death” is the portion of one, “life and peace” [305a] of the other: their union therefore must be dissolved. The world may regard all the members of a family, as nearly alike in character; but the difference may nevertheless be great; and the distinction, in another world, will be great also. The wicked parent shall see its innocent offspring no more; the pious father shall not deliver the undutiful child, nor the obedient child its rebellious father; [305b] each can save but his own soul. How feelingly and powerfully does this consideration appeal to christian families; admonishing them, to regard not the present only, but the everlasting welfare of each other; to “edify one another” in holiness and godly love; lest, after they have been so intimately connected together upon earth, while the one is taken to felicity and glory, the other be left to “mourning, lamentation and woe.”
How are christian parents bound, to watch over the offspring they so tenderly love! Watch they do, with continual anxiety, for the temporal benefit of their children, for all that can minister to their comfort and honour and advancement in life: they rejoice in the joy of their children, and weep when their children weep: but O how infinitely more important is the provision for eternity: earthly ties will soon be broken; how important, that we should provide for a happy renewal of intercourse and love hereafter! Parting now, to meet no more, were enough to break the heart; but the bright prospect of a re-union in paradise consoles and reconciles; forbidding us “to sorrow as those who have no hope.” See then, ye christian parents, to the nurture and training of the “olive branches round about your table;” bestow, upon their spiritual well-being, an especial and exceeding care; that ye may behold them “flourishing in the house of the Lord” above: that, whether ye be taken from them, or they from you, there may be comfort in the parting. See, all christian relatives and friends, by whatever name ye are endeared; see that ye live not in worldly, but heavenly affection: instructing, admonishing, animating one another in the profession of the true faith and the exercise of all godliness; that so your converse and communion may never be embittered by the fear of eternal separation.
Lastly, let the truth, here declared by the infallible word of God, check the presumption of the careless and the wicked; and give comfort and encouragement to the faithful. The worldling may fancy, because no great distinction, between him and others, is made upon earth; because he perhaps can see no great reason for such distinction; that, therefore, he shall escape in the end; but in the day when “God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ,” [307] when “every one shall receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad,” [308] he will find, that an immeasurable distinction will be made between him “that hath served God, and him that hath served him not;” between him, whose heart has been given to his Creator and Redeemer, and sanctified by the Spirit of grace, and him, who has only made it his object to maintain a decent appearance in the world. If we do believe in the final judgment, if we believe in the perfect truth and justice of the Almighty, we must conclude, that this fearful difference will be made. And if it were so dreadful a calamity, to be left to fall in the tremendous overthrow of Jerusalem, what will it be, to be left an everlasting-prey to the tortures of Satan and of sin?
But let the true believer, the righteous servant of God in Jesus Christ, take encouragement and comfort: there is no exercise of faith, no holy meditation, no fervent prayer, no religious deed, no pious intention or design, however secret from the eyes of men, which can escape the notice of their heavenly Father: though justice is not, cannot be, done to their characters here; though sometimes the greatest injustice and injury and wrong; yet shall they be triumphantly and gloriously vindicated at the last: though they be on earth forsaken or oppressed, though they bear the burden of private affliction or public scorn, in a “world which is not worthy of them,” they shall be visited and acknowledged and received at the last; shall lift up their heads with honour and with joy, and be admitted into a kingdom, which is more than worthy of all their faith and all their constancy; the Redeemer has marked them for His own; He will single them out, on the last day, from the crowd of countless multitudes, as objects of his compassion and favour; will take them into the arms of His mercy, and so “they shall be forever with the Lord.” [309]