2. The answer itself ; wherein the former passages are explained of Christ's being hungry, thirsty, naked, exiled, imprisoned ; the riddle is opened. What is done to the afflicted, Christ taketh it as if it were done to him in person.
In this answer observe —
[1.] The title that is put upon afflicted christians ; they are his
* brethren.'
[2.] The extent and universality of this title ; the meanest are not excepted, ' The least of these my brethren.' The meanest as well as the most excellent ; the poor, the abject of the world, believing in Christ, are accounted his brethren.
[3.] The particular application of this title, to every one of them,
* To one of the least of my brethren.' We cannot do good to all ; yet if we do good to one, or to as many as are within our reach or the com- pass of our ability, it shall not be unrewarded.
[4.] The interpretation of the kindness showed to these brethren, 'What you have done to the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me.'
1. I shall first consider the force and importance of these expres- sions.
2. Their scope and intendment here, which is to bind us to acts of charity and relief to Christ's poorest servants.
First, For the force and importance of these expressions. And there, first, observe, that whoever believeth in Christ are accounted as his brethren and sisters, and he will not be ashamed to own them as such at the last day.
Here I shall show you— (1.) Who are brethren ; (2.) What a privi- lege this is.
First, Who are brethren ? Some by brethren understand mankind ; and so, ' What you have done to the least of my brethren,' in their sense, is to the meanest man alive, partaker of that human nature
72 SERMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. [SeR. XXIII.
wliich I have honoured by assuming it. But that is brethren in the largest sense. No ; that is not his meaning liere. Upon what grounds charity is to be expressed to them I shall show you more fully by and by. To do good to a poor man, as to a poor man, is a work of natural mercy ; lut to do good to a poor man, as he is one of Christ's brethren,, is a work of christian charity : 2 Peter i. 7, ' Add to brotherly kind- ness, charity.' ^tXaSeX^to. and a^anrrj^ is distinguished. There is a more kindly and tender affection tliat we owe to those who are chil- dren of the same father, or are in charity bound to judge so, by sym- pathising with them in trouble, supplying their necessities, every way studying to promote their spiritual and temporal welfare. But a generariove to all we must thirst after, and endeavour the true good of all, to whom we may be profitable. But the title of brethren to Christ groweth from faith, by wliich we are made the children of God: John i. 12, 'But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God.' And therefore Christ calleth them brethren. And it is very notable to observe : Heb. ii. 11, ' For both he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one ; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.' Mark, the kindred is only reckoned to the sanctified : though all mankind have the same nature, come of the same stock, yet ' He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one ; for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren.' There the relation holdeth of both sides. Christ is born of a woman, and they are born of God, John i. 13 ; and so he is a kinsman doubly. Batione incarnationis suce et recjenerationis nostrce, as Macarius. He taketh part of flesh and blood, partaketh of human nature ; and we are made partakers of a divine nature, 2 Peter i. 4 ; and Mat. xii. 47-50, ' Then one said unto him. Behold thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee : but he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother ? and who are my brethren ? And ho stretched forth his hand towards his disciples, and said. Behold my mother and my brethren ; for whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.'
Secondly, Now I shall show you, in the next place, what a privilege this is. I shall show you —
1. What condescension there is on Christ's part, that he should count the least of his people, not only for his own, but for his brethren. The apostle saith, ' He is not ashamed,' Heb. ii. 11. We are said to be ashamed in two cases : —
[1.] When we do anything that is filthy. As long as we have the heart of a man, we cannot do anything that hath filthiness in it with- out shame. Or —
[2.] When we do anything beneath that dignity and rank which we sustain in the world. The former consideration is of no place here ; the latter then must be considered. Those that bear any rank and port in the world are ashamed to be too familiar with their inferiors ; yet such is the love of Christ towards his people, that though he be infinitely greater and more wortliy than us, yet ' he is not ashamed to call us brethren.' It is said, Prov. xix. 7, ' All the brethren of the poor do hate him.' If a man fall behind-hand in the world, his friends