necessary provision for us : and, if he had not specified any thing in his word, we should be contented to continue ignorant of the recompence that he will assign us : but, as he has been pleased to make specific promises to those who trust in him, we cannot do wrong in endeavouring to ascertain their import and extent.]
The answer of our Lord to this inquiry is the next point to be noticed by us —
[St. Matthew records more of our Lord's answer than either of the other Evangelists. He mentions a part which seems more immediately applicable to the Apostles themselves, who, " in the regeneration" that is, in the day when " God will make all things new," and " there shall be new heavens and a new earth," and " when our Lord shall come in his glory to judge the world," shall be honoured above all other men, being, as it were, assessors with Christ in the Judgment, and having their word as the law by which " the twelve tribes of Israel," and the whole world, shall be judged6. St. Mark records that only which was of general use; but still he gives all the satisfaction that the most bereaved and destitute person can desire.
There is a present recompence which all who suffer loss for Christ shall receive ; and that too exceedingly beyond any loss they can possibly sustain. It is taken for granted that they may lose the affection of all their most endeared relatives for their attachment to the Gospel ; and that they may be deprived of all that they possess in the world : but God will often send them such supplies in another way, that they shall in reality sustain no loss at all : but, if he does not recompense them in this way, he will give them " contentment, which with godliness is great gain;" and such an increased enjoyment of their slender pittance, as shall be far sweeter than all the delicacies upon earth. He will " shed abroad his love in their hearts," and, under the loss of earthly parents, and an earthly portion, will enable them to call him, Father, and to view heaven itself as their inheritance. Let any one who has experienced these con- solations, say, Whether they be not "a hundred fold" greater than all that they ever derived from the possession of earthly comforts even in their richest abundance?
But, besides this, there is a future recompence, even " eter- nal life," which shall assuredly be given to all who suffer for, Christ in this world: " If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him," and " be glorified together," and have " a weight of glory proportioned " to the trials we endure, and to the graces which we exercise, in his service. But who can
« Matt. xix. 28.