Chapter 17: The Last Prerogative Royal

The last privilege to come is, God will make a public and honorable mention of all the good which the saints have done. This I ground upon three Scriptures (Matthew 25:21). Euge, bone serve, Well done, you good and faithful servant. The world maligns and censures; when we discharge our conscience they say, ill done; but God will say, well done, you good and faithful servant; he will set a trophy of honor upon his people (Matthew 25:35). I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; naked, and you clothed me, etc. King Ahashuerus had his book of records, and when he did read in his book, he took notice of Mordecai's good service, and caused him to have public honor. Be assured, God has his book of records, and will openly take notice of all the good service you have done, and he himself will be the herald to proclaim your praises (2 Corinthians 4:5). Then shall every man have praise of God.

I speak this the rather, to encourage you in God's service. Perhaps you have laid out yourself for the cause of God, and you see Providence blows upon it, and you begin to think, it was a desperate venture, all is lost. No: your faith and zeal is recorded, your name is taken in heaven, and God will shortly give you a public testimonial of honor, Well done, you good and faithful servant. What a whetstone is this to duty? How should it add oil to the flame of our devotion? You perhaps have prayed a great while, and watered this seed with your tears; be of good comfort, your tears are not lost, God bottles them as precious wine, and it is not long before he will open his bottle, and this wine which came from the wine press of your eyes, shall sparkle forth in the sight of men and angels. In fact, God will not only take notice of what we have done for him, but what we would have done. David had an intention to build God a house, and the Lord did interpret it as if he had done it (1 Kings 8:18). Whereas it was in your heart to build a house to my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Intentional goodness is recorded, and it shall add to our crown.

What a good God do we serve! Who would ever change such a Master! It were, one would think, enough, that God should give us wages for our work (especially seeing he gave us ability to work;) but that God should applaud us, Well done! Think how sweet it will be to hear such a word from God, how amazing and ravishing, when he shall say openly, These are the servants of the most high God, these are they that have feared an oath, that have wept in secret for that which it was not in their power to reform; these are they that have kept their garments pure, that have valued my favor above life, that did rather choose to honor me than humor men: these are they that were willing to wash off the stains from the face of religion with their blood, and to make my crown flourish though it were in their ashes. Well done, good and faithful servants, enter into the joy of your Lord. Thus shall it be done to them whom God delights to honor.

These are those glorious things which are to come: I have led you up to the top of the mount, and given you a prospect of heaven, I have shown it you at the little end of the perspective; I shall say of this glory of heaven, as once the Queen of Sheba of Solomon's pomp and magnificence, The half of it has not been told; the angels here must be silent.