But many that are first shall he last, and the last shall he first. —
Mat. xix. 30.
These words are a part of Christ's answer to Peter's question, ver. 27, ' Behold, we have forsaken all and followed thee : what shall we have therefore ? ' What had Peter to forsake ? a cottage, a net, a fisher-boat : a great all ! But we are apt to think much of what we part with on Christ's score, if it be but the superfluity of our estate, if we suffer a disgraceful word or a small inconveniency, or be but browbeaten with a frown, we are apt to inquire, ' What we shall have therefore ? ' as if God were greatly indebted to us. We need not seek another pay- master ; Christ will not be behindhand with us. Christ's answer is —
1. To their particular case, as apostles, ver. 28, ' Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you. That ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.' We do not enough think of the general renovation of all things. It seemeth the number of the apostles ought to be twelve. Therefore Matthias was chosen in the room of Judas. And that the apostles shall have eminent honour in that day.
2. As to the general case, ver. 29, ' And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. None can be a loser by God, no, not in the midst of his troubles and persecutions, but hath the comforts and experiences of God by the way : Mark x. 29, 30, * And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, but he shall receive an hundred- fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.'
3. By way of admonition, not to reckon too much of their present fidelity to Christ, for temptations might come ; others later called might exceed them : * Many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first.'
In the words observe two things are asserted — (1.) The ' first shall
42 SERMON UPOlSr MATTHEW XIX. 30.
be last ; ' those in the first rank might be cast back ; (2.) The * last shall be first ; ' advanced to the highest place in Christianity.
First, For the former proposition, 'Many that are first shall be last.' For explaining of it, observe —
1. That it doth not universally and necessarily prove so, but for the most part it will be so ; not all without exception, but many that are first shall be last. Therefore : Luke xiii. 30, ' And behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.' You may keep your priority and precedency to the end, if you do not grow dead, and drowsy, and sleepy. If they that began early acquit them- selves with any zeal and industry suitable to their beginnings, the saying shall not prejudice them. Proverbs hold, eVl to ttoXv, for the generality ; and this is a proverbial speech, adapted and used by our Saviour with an holy purpose, to caution his disciples against pride in what they had already done and suffered for his sake : they were too well conceited of their forsaking all to follow Christ.
2. Observe, that it is applicable not only to persons, but nations and societies and communities of men ; for in Luke it is applied to the re- jection of the Jews and the calling of the gentiles: Luke xiii. 29, 30, ' And they shall come from the east and f rom the west, and from the north and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. And behold, there are last which shall be first; and there are first which shall be last' Many nations, cities, and countries that have embraced the true worship and service of God may lose their crown, and suffer their candlestick to be removed to others. In a little succession of time there are strange changes and revolutions as to the state of religion among a people: Mat. xi. 23, 'And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be brought down to hell.' The gospel is the honour of any country, city, or town ; and where it is most clearly preached, that place is exalted mo.st, and made nearest heaven ; but through their unthankfulness, unfruitfulness, and contempt, this honour and glory may be taken from them, and they sunk as low in judgments as formerly exalted for privileges ; and thus it may be interpreted as to the enjoy- ment of means, ' They that are first shall be last ; ' that is, they that get away the gospel from them.
3. Observe, that this firstness and lastness is to be understood with respect to matters of religion. In the world it is often verified that they %vho have had the precedency of others may afterwards be set far be- hind them : 1 Sam. ii. 7, 8, ' The Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich : he bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory : for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them.' That prosperity may not be without a curb, nor adversity without a cordial in the government of the world, God turneth things upside down, and the mighty and opulent are brought low, and the base and despicable raised to great riches, dignity, and honour ; which should quiet our minds whenever it falleth out, because the great sovereign of the world hath so appointed it, and will take his own course without asking our leave or waiting for our consent. But here it is meant of religious matters, or things ap- jiertaining to God. Fir.st and la.st often shift places.