Watts - BX5200 .W3 1813 v.1

PART I. SERMON VII. '95 see all men happy, though we know this shall not be brought to pass ; for the word of God declares that most part of men walk in the broad-way, and shall go down to hell. Youknow how passionately St. Paul longed for the salvation of all his country- men the Jews. This is called a loveof benevolence ; and it is evident by the followingparticulars, that the Lord expressed this good-will towards the young man in my text. 4. A conferring of actual benefit or kindness, is implied in the loveof Christ, towards this youth ; for he stood still and en- tertained him with friendlydiscourse : He endeavoured by pro- per methods to convince him of sin ; he gave him directions what he should do to obtain treasure in heaven ; he called him to be his disciple and follower ; and gave him a promise of ev'erlasting riches, if he would have complied with his proposal. This is called a love of beneficence : And this our Lord Jesus practised abundantly, even to those whom he did not savingly enlighten and convert by his gospel ; for it was his character, that he went about doinggood ; Acts x.38. 5. This love of Christ includes in it compassion for the young man, and'some degree of sorrow to think that he should miss of heaven ; that he shouldbe sohardened in self-confidence, so puft up with a conceit of his own righteousness, and so hard to be convinced of his weakness andguilt, as to stand to it boldly, that he had kept all the commandmentsof God : and at last, that he should be so entangled with alove to money, as to despise the treasures ofheaven, and to let Christ and salvation go. Such a mournful pity did our Lord express to Jerusalem, in the days of his flesh; O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest then thatare sent unte thee : How oftenwould Ihave gathered thy children together, as a hen Both gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke xiii. 34. -And he mingled the tears of love and sorrow when he came near the gates : for the same evangelist tells us, that he beheld the city and wept over it, with this melting language, If thou,hadst know, event .thou, in this thy day, the things thatbelong to thy peace ; but now they are'hidfront thine eyes ; Luke xix. 41, 42. When we beheld a noble palace, a well-contrived garden, a piece of painting of uncommon art : " It is pity, we cry, that such a building should be reduced to ashes, such a garden over- spread with desolation and disorder, or such a picture be all de- faced." We have a sort ofpity for theseinanimatebeauties, and we are ready to mourn their danger or ruin. And the passion is innocent and becoming : But the grief and the love rise higher still, when we see a livingsoul, a fellow-creature ofour own rank, aman or woman dressed in agreeable accomplishments, and yet making haste to wilfuldestruction. Such love and suchgrief are

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