[3.] These are most evident and sensible discoveries, and so fitted to be produced as fruits of faith. There is a demonstration of the soundness of it ; a signis notiorihus. These are most conspicuous, and so fittest to justify believers before all the world, who reckon good and evil most by the bodily life. Therefore doth Christ instance in acts of bodily rather than spiritual charity. Not in reproving, con- verting, counselling, but in feeding and clothing.
[4.] These are acts wherein we do exercise faith and self-denial. In imparting spiritual gifts to others we lose nothing ourselves, as our candle loseth nothing by communicating light to another. Christ would have us venture something on our heavenly hopes ; and not please ourselves with a religion that costs us nothing, and puts us to no charges. Alms is an expensive duty ; here is something parted with, and that upon reasons of faith : Eccles. xi. 1, ' Cast thy bread u])on the waters, for thou shaft find it after many days ; ' Prov. xix. 17, 'He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he giveth them, will he pay it again.'
[5.] Christ would hereby represent the excellency of charity, and commend it to the covetous niggardly world. It is the duty wherein we do very much resemble God and Christ ; and all his followers should be like him. These are all works of God ; to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, we imitate him in this, are instruments of his providence. Mercy is a very lovely thing, an imitation of the divine nature. Our Lord told us. Acts xx. 35, it is a more blessed thing to give than to receive. It cometli nearest the nature of God. So Christ himself went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed. And by helpfulness to others we do very much resemble Christ. I cannot exclude this, since mercy is mentioned only.
4. A fourth doubt is this, that all cannot express their love and self-denial this way ; some are so very poor and miserable. I answer —
60 SEKMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XXII.
[1.] All must have that faith which Avill work by love: Gal. v. G, ' Tor in Jesus Christ ucither circumcision availeth anything, nor im- circumcision ; but faith, which worketh by love;' and self-denial, which some way or other must be expressed : IMat. xvi. 24, ' Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cr^ss, and follow me.' By denying the ease of the flesh, if not the interests of it ; to be serviceable in their place, whatsoever it be.
[2.] Though some be so needy themselves that they cannot clothe the naked or feed the hungry, yet they may visit the sick, resort to such as are in prison. Every one, in some kind or other, may be the object of his neighbour's charity ; so may every one be either the instrument or agent in the doing of it. The rich may stand in need of the help or prayers of the poor, and the poor of the bounty of the rich. If we have a heart to part with all for Christ, we have that faith which will carry away the price of gospel .privileges. All must have such a value for Christ, see such an excellency in the world to come, that they have a heart and disposition to part with all, rather than quit the profession of the gospel, or neglect the duties thereof, Mat. xiii. 44, 45.
These things premised, I come now to observe these points: —
First, That at the general judgment all men shall receive their doom, or judgment shall be pronounced according to their works ; for Christ produceth works both in the sentence of absolution and con- demnation.
Secondly, That Christ hatli so ordered his providence about his members, that some of them are exposed to necessities and wants, others in a capacity to relieve them.
Tiiirdly, That works of charity, done out of faith and love to Christ, are of greater weight and consequence than the world usually taketh them to be.
Other points may be raised, but to these three all the rest may be reduced.
First, That at the general judgment all men shall receive their doom, or judgment shall be pronounced according to their works.
Of the wicked there is no doubt but that they shall receive accord- ing to their works ; they stand on their own bottom ; their works deserve ])unishnient ; their doom and sentence is justified by their works. But for the godly, it is also true that life everlasting shall be awarded, secundum opera, non propter oj)era. Not that this kingdom is by right due to us for our works ; but the righteousness of the sentence is manifested by producing our works. This will appear if we consider — (1.) The business, scope, or end of the day of judg- ment; (2.) The respect of good works, and how far they are con- sidered.
1. The business of that day is not only to glorify God's free love and mercy, but also his holiness rewarding justice and truth. Then God will not only glorify the riches of his glorious grace, in the elect- ing of his people out of his love and favour to them, without anything considered in them — (' Come, ye blessed of my Father.' The first cause of our salvation is made the blessing of the Father) — but also his