without producing its effect. For a reason given in the text why it should be adopted is, that those who speak against Christians as evil doers, may, by their good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. This is the Third point to which our attention is to be directed. It is for the glory of God, that those who profess to adhere to His cause, should act consistently with their profession, in obedience to His word and will. And the glory of God is the great object which His people should always propose to themselves. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, as well as our reasonable service, that we should do this. And them that honour Him, He will honour. The good works, the upright conduct of the children of God, is calculated to remove, in some measure, the prejudice which the people of the world naturally entertain against them. A time is mentioned when God will be glorified by the consistent conduct of His people, in an especial manner, that is, in the day of their visitation. This may be explained in a two-fold manner; either as a visitation of mercy, or a visitation of wrath. We find our blessed Saviour weeping over Jerusalem, because she knew not the time of her visitation. This was the time when He, in His mercy and grace, visited her in great humility. So, when the mercy and grace of God are made known to the hearts of the children of men, it is a con 26 firmation to them of the truth of the word of God, if they have had an opportunity of beholding the good conduct of believers in Christ. While, on the other hand, the inconsistency of professors of religion is a great stumbling block to many, and is considered in numberless instances by the people of the world, who are peculiarly sharp-sighted on this subject, to be a full justification of themselves in their disobedience to the gospel; though it will be found a miserable subterfuge to those who avail themselves of it; since the truth of the word of God is not to be ascertained by the good or bad conduct of sinful men. When that day of visitation shall arrive, in which the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls shall appear in power and great glory, as the Judge of the living and the dead, God will be glorified by means of the holy conduct which shall have been manifested in His people. When He shall render to every man according to his deeds," it will be found that His grace has not been inoperative, but has produced the peaceable fruit of righteousness28 in the hearts and lives of those who are influenced by it. And this will redound to the praise of the glory of His grace,29 in the salvation of His believing people; and to the vindication of His justice in the condemnation of the ungodly. 26 Luke xix. 44. 27 Rom. ii. 6. 28 Heb. xii. 11. 29 Eph. i. 6. without producing its effect. For a reason given in the text why it should be adopted is, that those who speak against Christians as evil doers, may, by their good works which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. This is the Third point to which our attention is to be directed. It is for the glory of God, that those who profess to adhere to His cause, should act consistently with their profession, in obedience to His word and will. And the glory of God is the great object which His people should always propose to themselves. It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, as well as our reasonable service, that we should do this. And them that honour Him, He will honour. The good works, the upright conduct of the children of God, is calculated to remove, in some measure, the prejudice which the people of the world naturally entertain against them. A time is mentioned when God will be glorified by the consistent conduct of His people, in an especial manner, that is, in the day of their visitation. This may be explained in a two-fold manner; either as a visitation of mercy, or a visitation of wrath. We find our blessed Saviour weeping over Jerusalem, because she knew not the time of her visitation.26 This was the time when He, in His mercy and grace, visited her in great humility. So, when the mercy and grace of God are made known to the hearts of the children of men, it is a con firmation to them of the truth of the word of God, if they have had an opportunity of beholding the good conduct of believers in Christ. While, on the other hand, the inconsistency of professors of religion is a great stumbling block to many, and is considered in numberless instances by the people of the world, who are peculiarly sharp-sighted on this subject, to be a full justification of themselves in their disobedience to the gospel; though it will be found a miserable subterfuge to those who avail themselves of it; since the truth of the word of God is not to be ascertained by the good or bad conduct of sinful men. When that day of visitation shall arrive, in which the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls shall appear in power and great glory, as the Judge of the living and the dead, God will be glorified by means of the holy conduct which shall have been manifested in His people. When He shall render to every man according to his deeds," it will be found that His grace has not been inoperative, but has produced the peaceable fruit of righteousness28 in the hearts and lives of those who are influenced by it. And this will redound to the praise of the glory of His grace,29 in the salvation of His believing people; and to the vindication of His justice in the condemnation of the ungodly. 26 Luke xix. 44. 27 Rom. ii. 6. 28 Heb. xii. 11. 29 Eph. i. 6. Of this day of visitation we have many intimations in the holy scriptures. St. Peter says, The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; and he therefore exhorts those who are warned of it, to be looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, in all holy conversation and godliness; to be diligent that they may be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless. As we know not how soon this day of visitation may come upon us, it is our wisdom to be prepared to meet it, that it may not be a day of terror and alarm, of confusion and dismay, to us, but a day of rest and peace. It is said respecting it, The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.31 How dreadful will the day of His appearing be to His enemies, to those who have rejected or neglected the gospel of His grace, and would not have Him to reign over them! They will then be banished for ever from His blissful presence. But He will also come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe, in that day.31 How will they hail His coming! If we are numbered among the saints, His believing people, 31 30 2 Peter iii. 10, 12, 14. 31 2 Thess. i. 7-10. 32 1 Cor. vi. 11. |