Many cases, like these, of suffering virtue and prosperous vice, we are able clearly to discern: so broad are the lines, so prominent the features, that we can scarcely be mistaken: but perhaps there are many more cases, of which we can form no adequate opinion at all; neither in any instance, could we pretend to award or ascertain the exact degree of merit due to any individual. When we speak of merit, we do not mean to intimate that any action, in itself, is deserving of reward; we regard works of righteousness, only as the fruit of faith in a crucified Redeemer. But this fruit is much more abundant, and much more excellent, in some than others; and sometimes, when it makes the fairest shew, the quality is inferior. By merit then, we here mean the faith and behaviour of a Christian; or, that behaviour by which the faith is manifested; that, to which God has freely promised a reward, for the sake of our great Redeemer. According to the faith, will the fruit be, both in quality and abundance; and according to the fruit will be the gracious reward; which reward He alone can determine and bestow, who discovers the secret springs of the character and conduct of every man living.
The value of an action depends upon the spirit and principle, with which it is performed; and of these things no one can perfectly judge, but the searcher of the heart. Even in the christian community, many words and deeds there are, obtaining applause from men, which will be condemned by the omniscient God, as having proceeded from unworthy motives, and being but the garb of hypocrisy; many persons there are, in whose respective demeanour we may be able to trace no very marked lines of difference, who yet differ most essentially, when measured by the scale of infinite truth and justice: all these secret distinctions will be clearly brought to light at the great inquiry on the judgment-day; every one will then appear in his true character; the veil of deception will be for ever torn aside; and of those, who seem alike to us in the present life, we shall find that one will be taken and another left; one taken to glory, and another left to shame and wretchedness and ruin.
It may be useful to mention a few instances, in which we may be deceived in our comparative estimate of men. Even with regard to the fundamental principles of religion, to a real belief in the truths of the Bible, to the essentials of a christian character, it is possible that we may form very mistaken opinions concerning many around us. It is true, that insincerity and deceit are commonly, sooner or later, in some degree detected; it is difficult to be always dissimulating, and acting a part; some evil fruit, some inconsistency does generally betray the hollowness of hypocritical pretensions: still however, it is not always so; and doubtless there are some,—out of the number of those persons, whom we are in the habit of considering as equally resting their hopes upon the true foundation, equally believing in Jesus Christ for pardon and salvation, equally zealous in the maintenance of His holy religion and attentive to the ordinances,—some there are, who differ materially from others, in the unerring judgment of God. They may repair to the same place of worship, perhaps with the same degree of regularity, but with very different views and impressions: we can judge only of the outward appearance, of the posture of the body or the moving of the lips; it is for the Lord to look upon the posture of the soul and the offering of the heart. Many, no question, come to the House of God from very unworthy motives and for very unworthy purposes; and frequently they do not escape the observance of _man_; but _man_ cannot penetrate into the case of every individual; to the eye of Jehovah alone are “all things naked and open;” He sees and judges, _who_ come unto Him in humble faith; who approach His tabernacle is a pious frame and temper, with holy affections, with integrity of heart; who “worship Him in spirit and in truth.” My brethren, it is an awful consideration: but from the same Church, the same christian society, the same assembly of worshippers, “one shall be taken and another left.”