1. That we have nothing to hope from any worldly distinctions —
[The Jewish notion of God's regarding men on account of outward distinctions is generally prevalent amongst ourselves. Many fancy, that because we have been baptized we must of necessity be in a state of favour with God ; and many who will not altogether avow that principle, yet imagine that God will not proceed with the same severity against the great and learned, as he will against the poor and ignorant. Hence, though we may be permitted to warn the poor of their guilt and danger, we must not presume to take such a liberty with the rich : we are not to suppose that any of them can perish, or that God requires from them the same homage and service as he does from the lower classes of mankind. But to this point the text is plain and express : " God is no respecter of persons :" his law is equally obligatory on all ; and his decisions in the day of judgment will be impartial, every one being ad- judged to happiness or misery according to his works f. In the book of Revelation is a passage well deserving the notice of those who think that any regard will be shewn to learning or
wealth or honour in that day g At the same time, the
poor will find it equally instructive to them : for they are ready to suppose that their present trials and difficulties will procure them the same kind of favour in that day, as the rich are looking for on account of their fancied greatness. But the poor, even the poorest bond-slaves, will there be found, associ- ates in misery with their proud oppressors, and equally " call- ing upon the rocks and mountains to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb." The only difference between one and another will be this : they who were the foremost in religious privileges, will be most signally visited with the Divine judgments : in that only will the Jew be distinguished from the Gentile, or the rich from the poor11; "To whom much has been given, of them will the more be required:" but there will be the same ground of judgment for all1 : the image of Christ upon the soul will be the only thing that will be regarded, either as the evidence of our conversion, or as the measure of our recompencek.]
2. That we have nothing to fear from any secret decrees —
[That " God chooses men to salvation through sanctifica- tion of the Spirit and belief of the truth," is asserted by God
f See Job xxxiv. 19.
g Rev. vi. 15 — 17. Observe how many words are used to cha- racterize the rich ! Does not that speak loudly to them ? •> Rom. ii. 9—11. i 1 Pet. i. 17.
k This is the true meaning of Col. iii. 1 1 .