^ Qu. ' consorts ' ? — Ed.
44 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XX.
Thirdly, The wicked are cas o;oats. They are as goats both for their nnruliness and unclcanness. UnruKness: they have not the meek- ness of sheep, are ready to break through all fence and restraint ; so a wicked man is yokeless. They are also wanton and loathsome ; it is a baser sort of animal than the sheep ; therefore chosen to set forth a wicked and ungodly man.
The second point expressed is this, that though now there is a con- fusion of godly and wicked, as of goats and sheep in the same field, yet then there shall be a perfect separation.
There will not then be one of one sort in company with the other : Ps. 1. 5, 'He will gather his saints together;' and Ezek. xxxiv. 17, ' I will judge between cattle and cattle, the sheep and the goats ;' Ps. i. 5, ' The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.' When the saints meet in a general assembly, not one bad shall be found among them. Though now they live together in the same kingdom, in the same village, in the same visible church, in the same family, yet then a perfect separation.
The reasons are briefly these two — (1.) The judge's wisdom and perspicuity ; (2.) His justice. They that will not endure them now shall not then abide with them in the same fellowship.
Use 1. Here is comfort to them that mourn under the degenerate and corrupted state of Christianity. The good and the bad are mixed together ; many times they live in the same herd and flock. It is a trouble to the godly that all are not as they are ; and we feel the incon- veniency, for the carnal seed will malign the spiritual, Gal. iv. 29. But God will distinguish between cattle and cattle. Discipline indeed is required in the church to keep the sound from being infected, and the neglect of it is matter of grief But the work is never perfectly done till then ; then there is a perfect separation, and a perpetual separation, never to mix more.
Use 2. This may serve to alarm hypocrites. Many hide the matter from the world and themselves, but Christ shall perfectly discover thein, and bring them to light, and show themselves to themselves and all the world. All their shifts will not serve the turn. Here are mixed together the sheep and the goats, the chaff and the solid grain, tares and wheat, thorns and roses, vessels of honour and dishonour. Many do halt between God and Baal. A man cannot say. They are sheep or goats ; neither do they themselves know it. Therefore it calleth upon us to make our estate more explicit. Yea, many that seemed sheep shall be found goats. Then it will appear whether they are regenerated to the image of Christ, or destitute of the spirit of sanctification, yea or no ; whether they loved God above all, or con- tinued serving the flesh, making it their end and scope.
Use 3. Are we sheep or goats? There is no neutral or middle estate. Is there a sensible distinction between us and others ? Then we shall have the fruit and comfort of it at that day : 1 Peter ii. 25, ' Ye were as sheep going astray ; but now are returned to the bishop and shepherd of your souls.' We all should look back upon our former courses, betaking ourselves to Jesus Christ, seeking to enjoy his favour and fellowship, submitting to him as our ruler and guide, resigning up ourselves to be at his disposal, both for condition of life and choice
YeR. 34.] SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. 45
of way and course. I say, when by his powerful grace we are thus brought back from our sinful way and course, and made to follow him as our Lord, we are his flock, and he will mind us. Time was when you did run wild, according to your former fancies and the bent of your unruly hearts, and were wholly strangers to God, and could spend days, nights, and weeks, and months, and yet never mind com- munion with him ; but now the business of your souls is to give up yourselves to him, or take the way which he hath prescribed to ever- lasting glory, Eesolve no longer to live to yourselves, but to be under his discipline.
Secondly, As to place, ' He shall set the sheep upon the right hand, and the goats upon the left.
In the right hand there is greater strength and ability, and fitness for all kind of operations; therefore that place is counted more honourable. So Christ himself is said to ' sit down at the right hand of God the Father ; ' that is to say, hath obtained the highest place of dignity and power, above all angels and men, in bliss, honour, and dominion.
Doct. The godly shall be placed honourably at the day of judgment, when the wicked shall have the place of least respect.
A type and figure of this we have in Moses his division of the tribes. Some were to stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, some on Mount Ebal to curse ; those born of Jacob's wives put upon Mount Gerizim, those of his servants on Mount Ebal, Reuben ex- cepted, who went into his father's bed. The saints, in their measure, enjoy all the privileges that Christ doth. Now the Father saith to the Son, Ps. ex. 1, ' Sit thou at my right hand.' So they have chosen the best blessings. It is said, Ps. xvi. 11, ' At thy right hand are pleasures for evermore ; ' and Pro v. iii. 16, ' Length of days is in her right hand.' They love God, and are beloved of him ; they honour God in the world : 1 Sam. ii. 30, ' They that honour me I will honour.'