Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Thus shall the good works of the godly have a glorious, not a gratuitous reward; a reward of grace, not of debt, which will fill them with wonder at the riches of free grace, and the Lord's condescending to take any notice, especially such public notice, of their poor worthless works. The which seems to be the import of what they are said to answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, &c. Ver. 37, 38, 39. And may they not justly wonder to see themselves set down to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, in consequence of a dinner or supper, a little meat or drink (such as they had) which they gave to an hungry or thirsty member of Christ, for his sake? Oh plentiful harvest following upon the seed of good works• rivers of pleasure springing up from (perhaps) a cup of cold water given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple! eternal mansions of glory rising out of a night's lodging given to a saint, who was a stranger! everlasting robes of glory given in exchange of a new coat, or it (may be) an old one, bestowed on some saint, who had not necessary clothing! a visit to a sick saint, repaid by Christ himself, coming in the glory of his Father, with all his holy angels! a visit made to a poor prisoner, for the cause of Christ, repaid with a visit from the Judge of all, taking away the visitant with him to the palace of heaven, there to be ever with himself! these things will be matter of everlasting wonder; and should stir up all, to sow liberally in time, while the seed-time of good works doth last. But it is Christ's stamp on good works, that puts a value on them, in the eye of a gracious God; which seems to be the import of our Lord's reply, ver. 40. In as much as ye have done it, unto one of the least of the se my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Thus shall the good works of the godly have a glorious, not a gratuitous reward; a reward of grace, not of debt, which will fill them with wonder at the riches of free grace, and the Lord's condescending to take any notice, especially such public notice, of their poor worthless works. The which seems to be the import of what they are said to answer, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, &c. Ver. 37, 38, 39. And may they not justly wonder to see themselves set down to the marriage-supper of the Lamb, in consequence of a dinner or supper, a little meat or drink (such as they had) which they gave to an hungry or thirsty member of Christ, for his sake? Oh plentiful harvest following upon the seed of good works• rivers of pleasure springing up from (perhaps) a cup of cold water given to a disciple, in the name of a disciple! eternal mansions of glory rising out of a night's lodging given to a saint, who was a stranger! everlasting robes of glory given in exchange of a new coat, or it (may be) an old one, bestowed on some saint, who had not necessary clothing! a visit to a sick saint, repaid by Christ himself, coming in the glory of his Father, with all his holy angels! a visit made to a poor prisoner, for the cause of Christ, repaid with a visit from the Judge of all, taking away the visitant with him to the palace of heaven, there to be ever with himself! these things will be matter of everlasting wonder; and should stir up all, to sow liberally in time, while the seed-time of good works doth last. But it is Christ's stamp on good works, that puts a value on them, in the eye of a gracious God; which seems to be the import of our Lord's reply, ver. 40. In as much as ye have done it, unto one of the least of the se my brethren, ye have done it unto me.