Chapter 17. The Last Royal Privilege is—that God will make a public and honorable mention of all the
the book which has the saints' names written in it, and their pardon!
The elect shall be judged out of this book! Surely the sentence cannot be dismal, when our husband is judge—and will judge us by the book of life!
2. The sentence itself. Matt. 25:34, "Come you who are blessed by my Father!"
1. This implies the saints' ACQUITTANCE. The curse is taken off; they have their discharge in the court of justice, and shall have the broad seal of heaven, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—all setting their hands to the pardon, and this Christ shall proclaim.
2. This implies the saints' INSTALLMENT. "Come you who are blessed." As if Christ should say, "You are the heirs to the crown of heaven! Come in—enter upon possession!" And this sentence can never be reversed to eternity; but as Isaac said, "I have blessed him, and he shall be blessed!" At the hearing of this wondrous sentence, O with what ineffable joy will the saints be filled! it will be like music in the ear, and a jubilee in the heart! Even as Elizabeth once said to the virgin Mary, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy! Just so, the heart of a believer will leap inside him—at the hearing of this blessed sentence, and be ready to leap out of him for joy. O what trembling now among the devils! What triumph among the angels!
Chapter 17.
The Last Royal Privilege is—that God will make a public and honorable mention of all the good which the saints have done.
This I ground upon three scriptures. Matt. 15:21, "Well done—good and faithful servant!" The world maligns and censures us. When we
discharge our conscience, they say "Badly done!" But God will say, "Well done—good and faithful servant!" He will set a trophy of honor upon his people, "He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on the right—Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me!"
Matthew 25:33-36.
King Ahasuerus had his book of records; and when he read in his book, he took notice of Mordecai's good service, and caused him to have public honor. Be assured—God has his book of record, and will openly take notice of all the good service you have done, and he himself will be the herald to proclaim your praises! 2 Cor. 4:5, "Then shall every man have praise from God."
I speak this the rather, to encourage you in God's service. Perhaps you have laid out yourself for the cause of God, but it came to nothing, and you begin to think that it was a foolish venture—and all is lost. No! your faith and zeal are recorded; your service iw written in heaven, and God will give you a public testimony of honor, "Well done—good and faithful servant!" What a whetstone is this to duty?
How should it add oil to the flame of our devotion? You perhaps have prayed a great while, and watered this seed with your tears. Be of good comfort—your tears are not lost! God bottles them as precious wine, and it will not be long before he will open his bottle, and this wine which came from the wine-press of your eyes—shall sparkle forth in the sight of men and angels!
More—God will not only take notice of what we have done for him— but what we would have done, if we could have. David had an intention to build God a house, and the Lord interpreted it as if he had done it, 1 Kings 8:18. "Whereas it was in your heart to build a