Similar observations will of course hold good, with regard to the practice of particular virtues. They, “who give alms only to be seen of men;” who dispense their bounty from any other principle, than that of love to their Saviour; for any other purpose, than to serve God and to benefit their fellow-creatures; they “_have_ their reward” already—the only reward, which they are caring to seek—the applause, the good will, or the esteem of mankind: and they must not expect, on the latter day, the reward which they seek not; the approval of their sovereign Lord; the praises and blessings of christian charity. Again, they who exercise the virtues of honesty or sobriety, merely for the sake of worldly expedience or reputation, will likewise “have their reward” all the reward they are to expect, in this life. Christian faith and christian principle are the only foundations, upon which a Christian can surely and successfully build; they, who build upon them, will be taken to see the goodly fabric perfected in heaven; whilst every work, which is raised upon “other foundation,” will be left to desolation and devouring fire. And even they, who have communed together, through their earthly pilgrimage, in the bonds of familiar intimacy; who have been united all their lives long, by the nearest and dearest ties of kindred; even they will be subject to the same discriminating judgment at the last. If they have been bound together in the holy bonds of the gospel, as well as of family affection; if they have been faithful brethren in the Lord, as well as in the flesh, “walking with God as friends,” it will be well; then, as they “were lovely and pleasant in their lives, in their deaths they shall not be divided:” {304} together shall they go to heaven, and be admitted to enjoy a more delightful communion with each other, in the happy paradise above. But if it be otherwise, if such friends be of opposite characters; the one “carnally” the other “spiritually minded;” then, their ends must be opposite also; “death” is the portion of one, “life and peace” {305a} of the other: their union therefore must be dissolved. The world may regard all the members of a family, as nearly alike in character; but the difference may nevertheless be great; and the distinction, in another world, will be great also. The wicked parent shall see its innocent offspring no more; the pious father shall not deliver the undutiful child, nor the obedient child its rebellious father; {305b} each can save but his own soul. How feelingly and powerfully does this consideration appeal to christian families; admonishing them, to regard not the present only, but the everlasting welfare of each other; to “edify one another” in holiness and godly love; lest, after they have been so intimately connected together upon earth, while the one is taken to felicity and glory, the other be left to “mourning, lamentation and woe.”