ten talents, five, or one, being dealt with accordingly; much being expected from that man to whom much had been given, and little being required from him to whom had been committed little. Our Saviour spoke also distinctly about REWARDS and PUNISHMENTS. He told His disciples, clearly and repeatedly, that the slightest act of single-hearted service on the part of God's children should receive express reward. The secret prayer, the silent alms-deed, the unobtrusive act of fasting, the cup of cold water given to a disciple, should be returned in an abundant recompense.1 Moreover, he by whom the hungry should be fed, the naked clothed, the sick or the imprisoned visited, the stranger lodged, should find his deeds recorded with the spirit in which they had been performed, and dealt with in exact accordance.2 Whereas, neglect of duty towards God, neglect of the just exercise of love towards men, profession of religion without sincerity, should be punished at the hand of the Great King and Judge.

3

The language of the Apostles likewise was decided. We need not quote from them passage by passage, as all that they have said must be familiar to the Bible reader. It might suffice to state that the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, the EPISTLES, and the Book OF REVELATION, are in perfect harmony, declaring plainly not only that God 1 Matt. vi. 1-18. 2 Matt. xii. 36. 3 Matt. xxv. 25-28, 41-45.

"hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom He hath ordained,"1 but also that He will in that day "try every man's work of what sort it is," and "judge the secrets of men," so that "every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."4 But perhaps we may not be deemed wearisome if we pause for an instant to consider one of all these harmonizing testimonies separately; namely, that which is afforded in the twentieth chapter of the REVELATION. The words are few, but they draw a wondrous picture of the awful scene by which that last great act of judgment shall be marked. "And I saw a great white Throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books according to their works. And the SEA gave up the dead which were in it; and DEATH and HELL (or the grave) delivered up the dead which were in them; and they were judged every man according to their works. And

1 Acts xvii. 31.

3 Rom. ii. 16.

2 1 Cor. iii. 13-15.

4 2 Cor. v. 10; Gal. vi. 7, 8.

Death and Hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Thus far, then, is evident: There will be a formal opening of the "Books" wherein are entered all the good and evil men have wrought while in the body. What these "Books" are we know not. Whether actual Records, with the "thoughts, words, and actions of mankind, exist to be produced at the appointed hour of Judgment, we know not, nor need we seek to know. Let it suffice that every secret shall be known, that so full justice may be done, and men, both saved and unsaved, may be judged according to their works.

But now "ANOTHER BOOK" is spoken of as being opened afterwards, which is called "THE BOOK OF LIFE."-We may suppose, then, that when the judgment has been passed upon the works of every man, according to their actual merits or demerits, as found written in the various books first opened, and all the world, those on the right hand and those on the left,— are proved guilty before God; "THE BOOK OF LIFE" will be brought forward, wherein man's works have no place at all. This Book, we may presume, tells only of the LOVE, POWER, GRACE, ATONEMENT, AND SALVATION of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and bears upon its pages the beloved names of those who, through the

mighty power of the Eternal Spirit, have been brought to apprehend their state of condemnation, and have gone with singleness of heart to the Redeemer's cross. Through grace they have believed; through grace they have maintained their heavenward course; and now, complete in grace, they stand, without a fear at the right hand of the Eternal Judge. Nothing have they whereof they should boast: nothing by which any of them might be found worthy, so far as their own doings in the flesh have been concerned. The former Books have proved that every one of them is guilty before God. Their repentance has found need to be repented of, their tears have wanted washing, and their washen tears have needed to be washed again in the blood of the Redeemer. But by grace they are what they are, pardoned, justified, and saved souls; children of God: heirs of glorious immortality. "The Book of Life" contains their names. And their poor imperfect works do follow them. But as to these works which will follow them-Have they been wrought with singleness of heart towards God? Have they been done with a sincere desire to glorify His Word; with fervent love towards Him; and in sincere brotherhood with His redeemed people? If so, in what degree? How fervent has been the desire? How deep the love? How close the brotherhood? for the eternal crown shall be

accordingly. "As one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead." Although when the works stood by themselves for judgment, their actual merits being tested by the former books, they could do nothing but condemn; yet now that they stand forth as the efforts (weak, indeed, and very faulty) of the heart renewed by the Eternal Spirit's grace, they are accepted in Christ Jesus.

Upon these whose names shall be found written in this Book of Life, the blessings of eternal glory will abide; they shall inherit everlasting happiness; the peace of "NEW JERUSALEM" shall be their portion for the everlasting age. As to their estate of glory in that heavenly city we shall have to speak in our next chapter.

For the present let us be content to note, that every believer in the Lord Jesus, standing on the right hand of the Redeemer's throne, shall find his name recorded in THE LAMB'S BOOK OF LIFE! And He who shall be seated on the throne will make confession of his name before His Father and the holy angels, and will say to him, "WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT; ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THY LORD."

But as to those whose names shall not be found written in the BOOK OF LIFE,—it is declared that their eternal portion is to be "THE LAKE OF FIRE." They did not confess the Lord while they were yet on earth,