First, A distinction of the persons ; these and the righteous. See the last sermon on 2 Cor. v. 10.
Secondly, As there arc different persons, so different recompenses. See 2 Cor. v 10.
Thirdly, Observe, these different recompenses are dispensed with respect to the different qualifications and state of the persons judged, as their case shall appear upon trial, according to their works. Some are wicked, and others righteous: God must needs deal differently with them —
1. To show the holiness of his nature. The holy God delighteth in holiness and holy persons, and hateth sin and the workers of ini- quity ; and therefore will not deal with the one as he dealeth with the other. Both parts of his holiness are spoken of in scripture, his delight in holy things and persons. See the fourth sermon on 2 Cor. v. 10.
2. The righteousness of his government requireth that there should be a different proceeding with the godly and the wicked ; that every man should reap according to what he hath sown, whether he hath sown according to the flesh or the spirit ; that the fruit of his doings should be given into his bosom. And this, though it be not evident in this life, whore good and evil is promiscuously dispensed, because now is the time of God's patience and our trial, yet, in the life to come, when God will judge the world in righteousness, Acts xvii. 31,
VeE. 46.] SEKMONS UPON MATTHEW XXV. 101
it is necessary that it should go well with the good and ill with the bad; or, as the apostle saith, 2 Thes. i. 6, 7, * It is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you, and to you that are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels.' Mark, both parts of the recompense belong to the righteousness of his government, to give rest to the troubled, as well as tribulation to the troublers. Indeed, with the one he dealeth in strict justice ; to the other he dispenseth a reward of grace. Yet that also belongeth to his right- eousness ; that is, his new-covenant righteousness ; for so it is said, Heb. vi. 10, ' God is not unrighteous, to forget your work and labour of love ; ' as he hath bound himself by gracious promise to give life and glory to the penitent, obedient, and faithful.
3. The graciousness of his rewarding mercy and free love to his faithful servants. Though they were involved in the same condemna- tion with others as to their original and first estate, and the merit of their evil actions, and the constant imperfection of their best works ; yet since it was the sincere bent of their hearts to serve and honour God, he will give them a crown of life. They might have perished everlastingly, as others do, if God should enter into a strict judg- ment with them. But when others receive the fruit of their doings, he dealeth graciously with them, pardoning their failings, and accept- ing them in the Beloved. God is not bound in justice, from the right and merit of their actions, to reward them that have done him most faithful service, but merely of his grace upon the account of Christ : 1 Peter i. 13, ' Hoj)ing unto the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ ; ' and Jude 21, ' Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life ; ' and 2 Tim, i. 18, ' The Lord grant that he may find mercy of the Lord in that day,' namely, when the Lord shall judge the quick and the dead, and shall distribute punishments and rewards. In some measure we see grace here, but never so fully and perfectly as then.
[1.] Partly because now we have not so full a view of our unworthi- ness as when our actions are scanned, and all things are brought to light whether they be good or evil. And —
[2.] Partly because there is not so full and large a manifestation of God's favour now, as there is in our full and final reward. It is grace now that he is pleased to pass by our offences, and to take us into his family, and give us some taste of his love, and a right to his heavenly kingdom ; but then it is another manner of grace and favour, when our pardon shall be pronounced by our Judge's own mouth, and he shall not only take us into his family, but into his immediate presence and heavenly palace ; not only give us a right, but possession : ' Come, ye blessed of my Father ; inherit the kingdom prepared for you ; ' and shall not only have some remote service and ministration, but be everlastingly employed in loving, and delighting in, and praising of God. This is grace indeed. The grace of God, or his free favour to sinners, is never seen in all its glory or graciousness till then. And it is the more amplified, vv^hen we see how God dealeth with others, who as to natural endowments were every way as acceptable as ourselves ; and, as to spirituals, grace alone making the difference.