[2.] Let us shame ourselves that, having so much time, we have done so little work. Our master hath tarried long, and given us a large space of time wherein to employ ourselves ; but what have we done for his glory ? Alas ! either we do nihil agere, or male agere, or aliucl agere ; either we do nothing, or nothing to the purpose, or that which is worse than nothing, which will undo us for ever. Oh ! what thoughts will we have of a careless and misspent life when we come to die ! Many do not think of the end of their lives till their lives be ended ; and then they moan and bewail themselves when they lie a-dying. Oh ! rather think of your last end and great account betimes. It is lamentable to begin to live when we must die. Quidam tunc in- cipiunt vivere cum dcsinendum est — they end their lives before they begin to live. Therefore if hitherto you have been pleasing the flesh, idling and wantoning away your precious time, say, 1 Peter iv. 3, 'Let the time past suffice.' I have been long enough dishonouring God, and destroying my own soul : hath my master tarried so long, and shall I still abuse his patience ? This is a holy and right use of this delay.
Secondly, His work, what he will do when he conieth : he ' reckoneth with his servants.'
Doct, 2. Those that have talents must look to reckon for them, for though he be long first, yet at length the Lord cometh.
1. Consider the certainty of this account ; his wisdom, justice, good- ness, and truth require it. His wisdom requireth it ; for no wise man would put his goods to trust, and never look after them more ; and
Vers. 19-23.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 449
shall we imagine that the wise God would send reasonable creatures into the world, and furnish them with excellent gifts and endowments, and never consider how they employ themselves ? Is man God's ser- vant ? then certainly he is liable to an account. You had never come into the world but for this business, to serve and please God. For God maketh nothing in vain, but all things for himself, Pro v. xvi. 4. And do you think that after you are made for this end you may live as you list, and never be called to a reckoning ? So absurd a thought cannot enter into the heart of a reasonable man : Eccles. xi. 9, ' Rejoice, 0 young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes : but know thou, for all these things God will bring thee to judgment.' Man would be but a sort of beast if he had no other end of his actions but to eat and drink and sleep, and no other account to give. Surely the most wise God would not have given us such excel- lent faculties in vain. He fitteth all creatures for their use : every workman fitteth his work for the end for which it serveth ; so God hath made man for some end and use. And God's justice requireth it that it should be well with them that do well, and ill with them that do ill. In the world it is not so : his servants are very often abused while doing their work most faithfully, the world thinks them mad, hateth them. They that neglect their own work beat their fellow- servants ; therefore the honour of his justice requireth they should be called to an account : 1 Peter iv. 5, ' Who must give an account to him who is ready to judge the quick and the dead.' There is- not a thought in wicked men's hearts, nor a word in their mouths, contrary to God and his people, but he taketh notice of it, and will exact an account thereof, a strict and impartial account of all their hard speeches. And the goodness of God requireth it. His goodness to the world in general ; the world would be a wilderness, and men like ravenous beasts, if there were not some bridle and awe of a world to come upon them ; but every one that had power would prey upon others, but that there is a higher judge. God hath appointed a supreme tribunal, where causes are judged over again ; otherwise those that have power enough to do mischief would be under no restraint. But it is goodness to his people, whom he hath set a-work, and there- fore hath appointed a day when he will give them their wages ; his goodness will not permit that they should be any losers by God, their love and obedience to him that deny themselves, their own affections and interest, for his sake. Therefore certainly the great God of recom- penses will come and call the world to an account, that the faithful- ness of his servants may appear with praise and honour. This is a supreme truth : Heb. xi. 6, ' That he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' And his truth requireth it, it is laid at pledge in the word ; that is the proper ground for faith to build upon. Now there we have not only God's word, but God's oath : Rom. xiv. 10, 11, ' For we must all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.' There we have plentiful evidence.