The intimation here afforded of the perfect knowledge and the just discrimination of the Almighty, in regard to His judgments upon the Jewish people, applies with peculiar force and truth to His perfect dealings with all mankind, at the last great day. Although, when Jerusalem was destroyed, it is undoubtedly true, that the faithful disciples of Jesus were generally delivered, yet it cannot be supposed that, in so extensive an overthrow, all the Christians, and all their innocent children, without any exception escaped. But when Christ shall sit upon His throne of judgment, not one undeserved victim shall there be; and not one, who “has sinned against the light,” shall escape with impunity. All those inequalities, which are unavoidable in the present constitution of things, shall then be made right and recompensed. The murdered innocent shall be requited with a robe of glory; and the prosperous sinner be abased with scorn and infamy.
How necessary, how indispensable, for the assertion and execution of divine justice, is the appointment of such a tribunal! How unequally are deserts distributed in this probationary world!—very often in cases, of which we ourselves may form an adequate opinion. Not unfrequently do we observe the righteous, doomed to extreme poverty and affliction and suffering; and though they be most graciously comforted and supported under their several burdens, we can hardly imagine, that such alleviation is all the requital they are to receive: and in truth, what is the principal source of their comfort and support? Is it not the hope of a happy termination? Is it not the prospect of entering into an everlasting rest, of being for ever delivered from sorrow and pain, in the presence of their Saviour and their God? And can we believe, that this blessed expectation, vouchsafed as the solace of their woes, will end in disappointment and nothingness? Does it not point to a day, in which their bright hopes will be more than realized in the merciful sentence of their Judge; in their reception, at His hands and through His merits, of “an eternal recompense of reward?”
And thus, on the contrary, frequently do we see the unprincipled and the profligate enjoying the favour of the world, and rising to no inconsiderable eminence of earthly prosperity: their crosses and vexations and troubles no doubt they have, as the natural fruit of irreligion and vice; as the retributive chastisement of an offended God; “sowing in corruption,” they do certainly more or less reap in sorrow; but still, if there were no other state, their lot would be, comparatively at least, much happier than they deserve; and therefore _their_ condition also leads us to expect, and fearfully does it betoken, a day of fuller retribution; when the infinite justice and truth of God will be finally and perfectly vindicated.