Moses his choice with his eye fixed upon Heaven, discovering the happy condition of…

CHAP. XL. How far we may aim at the recompense of reward in what we do.

CHAP. XL. How far we may aym at the recompence of reward in what we do.

IT is true, will some say, there are glorious things prepared for some of the children of men; but whether may we look after them? may we have a respect to the reward? Is not this a mercenary thing, and hypocrisy? we are not to serve God for reward, but for himself: and therefore how is this that Moses had a respect unto the recompense of reward, and how is this a thing that should help us on in our way?

IT is true, will some say, there are glorious things prepared for some of the children of men; but whether may we look after them? may we have a respect to the reward? Is not this a mercenary thing, and hypocrisie? we are not to serve God for reward, but for himself: and therefore how is this that Moses had a respect unto the recompence of reward, and how is this a thing that should help us on in our way?

First, this is granted, that we are bound to serve the ¹Lord, and to walk with him, and obey him; if there were no reward to be expected hereafter, God is infinitely worthy of himself, of all our services, of all that we are able to do in this world; and whatsoever we have, the Lord hath more interest in it, then we have in it our selves; and therefore we owe all that we are, or have, unto him, and righteousness it self is sufficient to cause us to perform the works of it: In the keeping of thy Commandments there is great reward, Psalm 19. 11. Not only for keeping them, but in keeping them there is great reward, and the excellency of our work would be sufficient reward for our work; though there were no reward that were to come hereafter, we are bound to do all we do.