PROPOSITION III.
The good works of a just man, proceeding from grace and charity, are so far acceptable to God, through his goodness and sacred promises, as to be truly deserving of an eternal reward; “God crowning his own gifts, when he crowns the good works of his servants.”
SCRIPTURE.
Matthew,[1] x. 42. “And whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” Ib. xvi. 27. “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels: and then will he render to every man according to his works." Ib. xxv. 34, 35. “Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand : Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world : for I was hungry, and you gave me to eat.”
1 Cor. ix. 24, 25. “Know you not, that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize ? So run that ye may obtain. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself from all things; they, indeed, that they may receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one.”
2 Cor. iv. 17. “For our present tribulation, which is momentary and light, worketh for us above measure exceedingly an eternal weight of glory." Ib. v. 10. “For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that every one
- ↑ St. Matthew, of a publican, became an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He was the first who committed to writing an account of our Saviour's life. His gospel was written in the language of his country, that is, the Syro-Chaldaic; the time is uncertain. Some think about the year 39;—Dr. Lardner, about the year 64.
