If there were many among the wealthy contributors to the treasury who gave from motives of vanity and ostentation, it is reasonable to believe that others were characterized by genuine benevolence, and as such approved by their unknown observer. They were not influenced either by a spirit of rivalry or pride, but devoutly wished to be serviceable to religion and acceptable to God. If some came in the temper of the boasting Pharisee, who is represented as professing to pray in these words, "God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican: I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess"--others, no doubt, as they cast in the liberal offering, felt if they did not exclaim with the publican, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." Although the Son of God has reassumed his glory, being exalted "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come;" he minutely investigates the characters and actions of men, and will hereafter "appear in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory," for the purpose of "rendering to every man according to his deeds." The proceedings of that day will be marked by the utmost impartiality and justice, founded upon a perpetual and complete inspection of all human actions, and a most perfect knowledge of their motives. "Can we think, O Saviour, that thy glory hath diminished aught of thy gracious respects to our beneficence? or that thine acceptance of our charity was confined to the earth? Even now that thou sittest at the right hand of thy Father's glory, thou seest every hand that is stretched out to the relief of thy poor saints here below. And if vanity have power to stir up our liberality, out of a conceit to be seen of men; how shall faith encourage our bounty in knowing that we are seen of thee, and accepted by thee? Alas! what, are we the better for the notice of those perishing and impotent eyes, which can only view the outside of our actions; or for that waste wind of applause, which vanisheth in the lips of the speaker? Thine eye, O Lord, is piercing and retributive. As to see thee is perfect happiness, so to be seen of thee is true contentment and glory. "And dost thou, O God, see what we give thee, and not see what we take away from thee? Are our offerings more noted than our sacrileges? Surely, thy mercy is not more quicksighted than thy justice. In both kinds our actions are viewed, our account is kept; and we are as sure to receive rewards for what we have given, as vengeance for what we have defaulted. With thine eye of _knowledge_, thou seest all we _do_; but we _do well_, thou seest with an eye _of approbation!_" [40]