stood even a brother Apostle to the face when he was to be blamed: he had written to the Christians of Galatia and Corinth to reclaim them from dangerous errors: he had cautioned the other churches against men who should arise from among themselves, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them': he had exhorted his bishops, Timothy and Titus, to rebuke even with sharpness those who should depart from the faith. Thus had he been faithful unto death; and now he was about to receive the crown of life3. 3. There is yet one further consideration by which the Apostle would comfort Timothy under the near prospect of his death, and would animate him to fill up, by redoubled efforts on his own part, the void thus made.-Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me in that day. He here seems to rise to a still higher note of triumph. The calmness with which he spoke of his impending death, kindled, as we have seen, into holy joy and gratitude when he reviewed his past labours; and now both these feelings are lost in divine rapture, while he anticipates his eternal reward. Mark the triumphant terms in which this reward is described: A crown of righteousness 9 Gal. ii. 5, 11. 2 Tit. i. 13. 'Acts, xx. 30. 3 Rev. ii. 10. a state of dignity as well as happiness-a crown of life, as St. James and the beloved Apostle call it ;-or, to use the language of St. Peter, a crown of glory which fadeth not away 5. The brightest scenes of human splendour are only faint representations of that inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, which awaits the Christian combatant. Images of earthly magnificence may assist our conceptions; but they are at best unspeakably feeble. Royal grandeur with all its dazzling and imposing appendages-the utmost pomp and brilliancy of triumphal celebrations-crowns of celestial radiance-robes of unsullied whitenesspalms of victory-the chaunts and acclamations of innumerable multitudes-all, all are little to shadow forth the glories of the immediate presence of God and the unutterable joy and honour and blessedness which he hath prepared for them that love him. This crown, however, the Apostle expected the Lord, the righteous judge, to award. For God is not unrighteous to forget our work and labour of love'. He will judge the world in righteousness; and render to every man according to his deeds. This reward is not indeed one of desert-even the greatest of the Apostles 4 James, i. 12. Rev. ii. 10. 8 Acts, xvii. 31. Rom. ii. 6. s 1 Pet. v. 4. 7 Heb. vi. 10. could claim no other foundation in respect of merit, than the free justification which is by faith of Jesus Christ. As sinners, we are not only unprofitable servants, but deserve condemnation-but it is a gift of grace; and if we are true believers in Christ, we may humbly expect, for his sake, a heavenly recompense in proportion to our services and sufferings in his cause 9. And this reward was to be given to the Apostle in that day-that last great day of solemn account. On earth he was reviled and persecuted; he was a combatant in the midst of the struggle and the racer running his course: but in that day he knew that he should be finally declared the conqueror, and should receive the prize of his high calling; he knew that then he should be clothed in white raiment, and should grasp the palm of triumph; whilst on his head would be placed the radiant crown, which was the token and pledge of endless and inconceivable joy. Lest, however, this description should appear to confine the promise to those only whose course had been of the same prominent and glorious character with that of the Apostle, he adds, And not to me only, but unto all them also who love his appearing. Thus he stoops 9 See note B, in Appendix. down, if I may so speak, from his celestial chariot in its ascent, to take up with him the humblest of his fellow-combatants in the same cause. The unbroken constancy of St. Paul could have been of little avail to animate Timothy, if the reward had been confined to the Apostle alone. But now he describes in the most encouraging terms the Christian conqueror generally and under all circumstances. However low our station, however limited our means of usefulness, yet if we love the second appearing of our Lord, and, being detached from the world, run the race set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith3, we need not fear a disappointment. That very expectation, that very choice, that very desire, prevailing in us and habitually prompting and influencing our conduct, marks our character; and is the pledge and anticipation of our recompense. All who love the full display of the Redeemer's glory, and desire the release from sin and conflict which that manifestation will bring; all, in a word, who are looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, shall receive the crown of righteousness which is reserved for every one who fights the good fight, who finishes his course, and who keeps the faith. 3 Heb. xii. 1, 2. 4 Tit. ii. 13. After these observations on the sentiments of the text as uttered by the blessed Apostle, I proceed, II. To illustrate them still further in the character of the venerable servant of Christ, to whose departure it is my immediate object to call your attention at this time. " These expressions cannot, indeed, be used of any ordinary individual, however eminent, with the same confidence with which the inspired Apostle employed them; but they may doubtless be adapted to every faithful minister, in proportion as his doctrine and conduct resembled the pattern proposed by St. Paul. And I think no adequate judge will be disposed to deny that there are few to whom they can be more justly applied than to the subject of our present discourse. Let us then proceed to consider, not precisely in the same order, but with a marked reference to the particulars already noticed in the text, 1st, The chief circumstances of the public and private character of our late beloved friend; 2d, The manner of his departure; and 3dly, The glory of his crown. These topics will prepare us for apprehending more fully the great scope of the whole passage, and for stimulating each other to redoubled exertion in following the examples and in supplying the loss of the departed servants of God, by considerations derived |