active in improving those various talents, with which in mercy to many others as well as to himself, God had entrusted him; that it was very natural to touch upon these significations of the word, though it has here a more particular view to another virtue, for which he was so illustriously conspicuous, I mean, the courageous fidelity of a soldier in his warfare. In this sense of the word, it is opposed to treachery or cowardice, desertion or disobedience to military orders. And thus it is used elsewhere in this same book of the Revelation, when speaking of those who war under the banner of The Lamb, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, the inspired writer tells us, they are called, and chosen, and faithful*, a select body of brave and valiant soldiers. This hint will also fix the easiest and plainest sense in which the persons, to whom the text is addressed, are required to be faithful unto death: Which, though it does indeed in general imply a Patient continuance in well-doing †, in whatever scenes of life divine providence may place us; yet does especially refer to martial bravery, and express a readiness to face death in its most terrible forms, when our great general shall lead us on to it. You well know this to be an indispensable condition of our being acknowledged by him in the day of his final triumph: And of this he warned those that gathered around him, when he was first raising his army, under the greatest disadvantages in outward appearance; expressly and plainly telling them, that they must be content to follow him to martyrdom, to follow him to crucifixion, when they receive the word of command to do it; or that all their profession of regard to him would be in vain. If any man, says he, will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me: For He that loveth his own life more than me, is not worthy of me§; he does not deserve the honour of bearing my name, and passing for one of my soldiers indeed he Cannot on any terms be my disciple ||. This therefore is in effect the language of our Lord, when he says, be thou faithful unto death: It is as if he had said, "Remember all you of Smyrna, or of any other place and country, that call yourselves christians, throughout all generations, that you were by baptism enlisted under my banners: Remember, that you have as it were sealed, and subscribed your engagement to me, by every sacrament you have since attended;" as indeed it is well known, the word sacrament originally signifies a military oath, which soldiers take as a pledge of fidelity to *Rev, xvii. 14. Rom. ii. 7. Mark viii, 34. § Mat. x. 37, 39. Luke xiv. 26, their general: "Remember therefore, that you are ever to continue with me, and to march forward under my direction, whatever hardships and fatigues may lie in the way. And remember, that if I lead you on to the most formidable combat, you must cheerfully obey the word of command, and charge boldly, though you should immediately die, whether by the sword, or by fire. Should you dare to flee, I am myself your enemy; and the weapons which I bear, would justly be levelled at your own traitorous beads. But if you bravely follow me, I know how to make you ample amends, even in circumstances when no human power and gratitude can reach you; for it is my glorious prerogative to engage, that to those who are thus faithful unto death, I will give a crown of life." We are therefore, Secondly, to consider the promise, by which the charge is enforced: I will give thee a crown of life. And here I might observe, reward proposed, Christ. a crown of life is the glorious and it is to be received from the hand of 1. A crown of life is the reward proposed: Which we are sure in this connection implies, both grandeur and felicity; here, though rarely, connected together. There is, no doubt, an allusion in these words, to the ancient, and I think very prudent, custom of animating the bravery of soldiers by honorary rewards, and particularly by crowns; sometimes of laurel, and sometimes, in some extraordinary instances, of silver or gold; which they were permitted to wear on public occasions, and in consequence of receiving which they were sometimes entitled to some peculiar immunities. But here our Lord Jesus Christ, conscious of his own divine power and prerogative, speaks with a dignity and elevation, which no earthly prince or commander could ever assume; promising a crown of life, and that, as was observed before, even to those who should fall in the battle: A crown of life in the highest sense; not only one, which should ever be fresh and fair, but which should give immortality to the happy brow it adorned; and be for ever worn, not only as the monument of bravery and victory, but as the ensign of royalty too: A crown connected with a kingdom, and with what no other kingdom can give, perpetual life to enjoy it; perpetual youth and vigour to relish all its delights. And this is agreeable to the language of other scriptures, where we read of the Crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him; a crown of righteousness, which *James i. 12. the Lord the righteous judge shall give*: a crown of glory, which fadeth not away +. We may also observe, 2. That it is said to be given by Christ. This some pious commentators have explained, as intimating, that it is the gift of the Redeemer's free and unmerited grace, and not a retribution due to the merit of him that receiveth it. And this is an undoubted truth, which it is of the highest importance to acknowledge and consider. The proper Wages of sin, is death; but eternal life is, in opposition to wages, the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We should humbly own it every day, that there is no proportion between the value of our services, and the crown which we expect to receive: Should own, that it is mercy, that pardons our sins, and grace, that accepts our services; much more, that crowns them. Grace, grace, shall, as it were, be engraven upon that crown, in characters large and indelible: Nor will that inscription diminish its lustre, or impair the pleasure with which we shall receive it. I could not forbear mentioning this thought, as a truth of the utmost importance, which stands on the firmest basis of very many express scriptures; a truth, of which perhaps no man living had ever a deeper sense, than our deceased friend. But I mention it thus obliquely, because it may be doubted whether we can justly argue it from hence; since the word give is sometimes used for rendering a retribution justly due, and that in instances where grace and favour have, in propriety of speech, no concern at all §. But it is certain, that this expression, I will give thee a crown of life, is intended to lead our thoughts to this important circumstance; that this crown is to be received from the hand of Christ himself. And the apostle Paul evidently refers to the same circumstance, in terms which shew how much he entered into the spirit of the thought, when he says, The Lord the righteous judge shall give it me : He himself, the great judge of the contest, whose eye witnesses the whole course of it, whose decision cannot err, and from whose sentence there is no appeal: Alluding to the judge who presided in the Grecian games, who was always a person of rank and eminence, and himself reached forth the reward to him who overcame in them. So that on the whole, when our Lord Jesus Christ says, Be 2 Tim. iv. 8. +1 Pet. v. 4. Rom. vi. 23. § Compare Mat. xx. 8. Give the labourers their hire with Col. iv. 1. Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal. thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life; methinks our devout meditations may expatiate upon the words, in some such paraphrase as this. It is as if he had said to you, and to me, and to all his people, "Oh my faithful soldiers, fear not death in its most terrible array; for you are immortal. Fear not them that can kill the body*: You have a nobler part, which they cannot reach; and I will undertake, not only for its rescue, but its happiness. I will answer for it, on the honour of my royal word, that it shall live in a state of noble enlargement, of triumphant joy. Think on me: I am he that liveth, though I was dead and behold, I am alive for evermore +: And Because I live, you shall live also; shall exist in a state, that deserves the great and honourable name of life; so that earth in all its lustre and pleasure, when compared with it, is but as a scene of death, or at best as an amusing Dream when one awaketh§.” We may also consider him, as pursuing this animating address, and saying, "My brave companions in tribulation and patience, you shall not only live, but reign. Think not, thou good soldier, who art now fighting under my banner, that thy general will wear his honours alone. If I have my crown, if I have my triumph, be assured that thou also shalt have thine. Thou mayest indeed seem to perish in the combat; and thy friends may mourn, and thine enemies insult, as if thou wert utterly cut off. But behold, true victory spreads over thee her golden wing, and holds out, not a garland of fading flowers or leaves, but a crown that shall keep its lustre, when all the costliest gems on earth are melted in the general burning; yea, when the luminaries of heaven are extinguished, and the sun and stars fade away in their orbs." "Nor will I," does he seem to say, "send thee this crown by some inferior hand; not even by the noblest angel, that waits on the throne I have now ascended. Thou shalt receive it from mine own hand;" from that hand, which would make the least gift valuable: What a dignity then will it add to the greatest! "Nor will I myself confer this reward in private; it shall be given with the most magnificent solemnity. Thou shalt be brought to me before the assembled world. Thy name shall be called over; thou shalt appear, and I will own thee, and crown thee, in public view. Thy friends shall see it with raptures of joy, and congratulate an honour in which they shall also share. Thine enemies shall see it with envy and with rage, to increase their confusion and misery: They shall see, that while by their † Rev. i. 18. * Mat. x. 28. John xiv. 19. Psal. lxxiii. 20. malicious assaults they were endeavouring to destroy thee, they were only establishing thy throne, and brightening the lustre which shall for ever adorn thy brow; while theirs is blasted with the thunder of resistless wrath, and deep engraven with the indelible marks of vengeance. This crown shalt thou for ever wear, as the perpetual token of my esteem and affection: Nor shall it be merely a shining ornament: A rich revenue, a glorious authority, goes along with it. Thou shalt reign for ever and ever*; and be a King, as well as a priest unto God+.” They who enter by a lively faith into the import of these glorious words, will, I doubt not, pardon my having expatiated so largely upon them. We have believed, and therefore have we spoken: And I question not, but that many of you have in the course of this representation prevented me in some of the reflections, which naturally arise from such a subject. Yet it may not be improper to assist your devout meditations upon them. (1.) What reason have we to adore the grace of our blessed Redeemer, which prepares, and bestows, such rewards as these! While we hear him saying, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life; methinks it is but natural for each of our hearts to answer. "Lord, dost thou speak of giving a crown, a crown of life and glory to me! Too great, too great, might the favour seem, if I, who have so often lifted up my rebellious hand against thy throne, might be allowed to lay down this guilty head in the dust, and lose the memory of my treasons, and the sense of my punishment together, in everlasting forgetfulness. And is such a crown prepared, and wilt thou, my injured Sovereign, who mightest so justly arm thyself with vengeance against me, bestow this crown with thine own hand; with all these other circumstances of dignity, so as even to make my triumphs thine own!-What is my strictest fidelity to thee? Though I do indeed, as I humbly desire that I may, continue faithful unto death, I am yet but an Unprofitable servant; I have done no more than my duty §. I have pursued thy work, in thy strength; and, in consequence of that love which thou hast put into my heart, it hath been its own reward: And dost thou thus crown one favour with another!-Blessed Jesus, I would with all humility lay that crown at thy feet, acknowledging before thee, and the whole world, as I shall at length do in a more expressive form, that it is not only the gift of thy love, but *Rev. xxii. 5. + Rev. i. 6. +2 Cor. iv. 13. § Luke xvii. 10. |
