into the mansions of bliss ^ and therefore we are sure that no hypocrite can find admittance there. The distuiction between the wheat and the chaff will be unerring and complete.]
Let us proceed to contemplate, II. The final issue of it to the souls of men—
'' The wheat will be treasured up in his garner" — [The husbandman regards the wheat as the object for which he has laboured, and as the recompence of all his toils ; and he considers it as a treasure whereby he is enriched. It is in this light that the Lord Jesus Christ regards his faithful and obedient people. When the separation of them shall be made, and he shall behold them all assembled in one vast body, with what delight will he view them ! How will he call to mind his own labours and sufferings in their behalf! and how will " he be satisfied, when he sees in them the travail of his souP." It was with a view to this, that " he endured the cross, and despised the shame," when he was in this lower world: to "this joy" he had then respecf*: and no feehng of regret will occupy his mind, when he shall see their number, their safety, their felicity. And shall not the saints themselves rejoice, when they shall find themselves thus approved of their Lord, and have no more wintry blasts to menace, or noxious blights to endanger, their security ? O, blessed day ! The Lord prepare us for it, and grant us all to behold that day in peace !]
But " the chaff will be burned up with unquench- able fire" —
[The chaff, as being altogether worthless, was burned'*. And what other end can the wicked hope for in that day? Can they suppose, that, after all the labour that has been bestowed upon them, and bestowed in vain, they shall meet with the same favour as the grain by which the labourer's toil has been repaid? Can it be hoped that there shall be no " difference put between those who have served their God, and those who serve him not?" No: for them is a fire prepared: and happy would it be for them if they might be consumed by it speedily, like chaff! but, though ever burning, they will never be consumed : they themselves will be as imperishable, as " the fire is unquenchable ;" and to all eternity will they endure the justly-merited wrath of an avenging God. Then shall be fulfilled in them the prediction of the Prophet Malachi, " Behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven : and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be as stubble : and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith
^ Rev. xxi. 27. •= Isai. liii. 11. d Heb. xii. 2. <= Isai. v. 24.