58 SEKMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XXII.
faith, it must be embraced by faith, and taken hold of by faith ; our faith must pitch upon it, draw comfort from it, even before good works are done by us. But because the next accusation will presently arise, as if our faith were not true, we must be justified from this accusation by good works, not be contented with one or two good works, but abounding in all, that thus we may be justified more and more, and approved by our judge.
[4.] That faith is implied in all the works mentioned is evident — (1.) From Christ's scope. The manner of judging those in the visible church is intended. And (2.) The expression showeth it; for it is Christ they respected in his members. Now it requireth faith to see Christ in a poor beggar or prisoner, to love Christ in them above our Avorldly goods, and actually to part with them for Christ's sake. Self-denial is the fruit of faith. It is not merely the relieving of the poor, but the doing of it as in and to Christ. (3.) There is a near link between faith and works. Faith is not sound and perfect unless it produce these works, and these works are not acceptable unless they were the works of faith, and done in faith.
2, The second doubt is, whether the good works of the faithful shall be only mentioned, and not the evil ? I answer —
So some would collect from this scheme and draught set down by Christ. It is a problem disputed, with probabilities on both sides, by good men. Some reason from the terms by which pardon is expressed; as by the blotting out of sin, remembering transgressions no more, cast into the depths of the sea. It is like God will cover them, because repented of and forgiven in the world. On the other side, they urge the exact reckoning, Eev. xx. 11 ; the general particles, 2 Cor. V. 10, and Eccles. xii. 13 ; and that for every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment, Mat. xii. 36. I would not interpose; I cannot say abso- lutely that their sins shall not be mentioned at all ; for Acts iii. 19, it is said, ' Eepent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the pre- sence of the Lord.' Certainly not to their trouble and confusion; possibly not particularly. These scriptures are not cogent to prove they shall. For it may be meant distributively ; all the evil of the wicked, and the good of the godly. However, these scriptures should breed an awe in our hearts.
3. A third doubt is, that only works of mercy and charity, rather than piety, are mentioned by our Lord and Saviour. I answer —
[1.] It is clear that the special is put for the general, and an act of self-denying obedience is put for all the rest. In other places a more general expression is put ; as Mat. xvi. 27, ' For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels ; and then he shall reward every man according to his works ; ' and 2 Cor. v. 10, 'For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his bod}^, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad ; ' and ilev. xx. 12, ' And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God ; and the books were opened : and another book was opened, which is the book of life : and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the
Vers. 35, 36.] sermons upon matthew xxv. 59
books, according to their works.' And therefore acts of mercy are not intended to be cried up alone, as separate from all other acts of piety and charity to God and men ; yea, all acts of charity, for which we are accountable unto God, are not mentioned ; comforting the afHicted, reproving the faulty, instructing the weak, counselling the erring, praying for others. Therefore, under these works of charity, all the fruits of faith are understood, and the real gracious constitution of the heart that must produce them : 1 Cor. xiii. 3, ' And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me not,' ovSev elfMc. But Christ doth not express that so plainly, because he would show that this judgment shall proceed according to what is visible and sensible.
[2.] Christ singled out works of mercy for the evidence ; because the Jews had been more exact and diligent in the observing the cere- monies of external worship, but negligent of these things. Therefore doth God so often by. the prophets tell them of mercy above sacrifices: Hosea vi. 6, ' For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice ; and the know- ledge of God more than burnt-offerings.' And mercy above fasting, Isa. Iviii. 6, 7. These are duties never out of season, and including a real benefit to mankind. God preferreth them before external rites of worship.