Saints rewarded at the judgment.

Now the saved having accounted for all their evil, and confessed to God’s glory how they fell short and did not the truth in this or that particular, and having received their eternal acquittance from the Lord and Judge, in the sight of both angels and saints, forthwith the Lord Jesus will make inquiry into all the good and holy actions they do in the world.  Now here shall all things be reckoned up, from the very first good thing that was done by Adam or Abel, to the last that will fall out to be done in the world—­the good of all the holy prophets, of all apostles, pastors, teachers, and helps in the church—­here also will be brought forth to light all the good deeds of masters of families, of parents, of children, of servants, of neighbors, or whatever good things any man doeth.

1.  Here will be a recompense for all that have labored sincerely in the word and doctrine.  Now shall Paul the planter, and Apollos the waterer, with every one of their companions, receive the reward that is according to their works.

Now all the preaching, praying, watching, and labor thou hast been at, in thy endeavoring to catch men from Satan to God, shall be rewarded with spangling glory.  Not a soul thou hast converted to the Lord Jesus, not a soul thou hast comforted, strengthened, or helped by thy wholesome counsel, admonition, and comfortable speech, but it shall stick as a pearl in that crown which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give thee at that day; that is, if thou doest it willingly, delighting to lift up the name of God among men; if thou doest it with love, and longing after the salvation of sinners:  otherwise thou wilt have only thy labor for thy pains, and no more.  If I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed to my charge.

But if thou do it graciously, then a reward followeth; “for what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye,” says Paul, “in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?  For ye are our glory and joy.”

Let him therefore that Christ has put into his harvest, take comfort in the midst of all his sorrows; and know that God acknowledges that he that converteth a sinner from the error of his way, doth even save that soul from death, and covereth a multitude of sins.  Wherefore, labor to convert, labor to water, labor to build up and to feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

2.  And as the ministers of Christ’s gospel shall at this day be recompensed, so shall also those more private saints be with tender affections and love looked on and rewarded for all their work and labor of love which they have showed to the name of Christ, in ministering to his saints and suffering for his sake.  “Whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”