TART I. SERMON VII. 91 watchful eye over him, that he was keptfrom gross sins, and was brought up in all theforms ofgodliness, and in the observance of the moral law. Now Christ, considered merelyas aman, loved the law of God so well, that he could not but take pleasure in a person that performed it, sofar asthat obedience reached. Virtue, in the mere outward part of it, will command respect even from thevile and thewicked : muchmore willthe good and pious man pay honour to thepractice of it. There is something amiable in sobriety,temperance, charity,justicetruth, and sincerity, though they may not proceed from the divinest principle of love to God rooted in the heart, 4. He had given some diligence in seeking after eternal life, andhad a great concern about his soul. He came running to ask a question of the biggest importance, What shall I do to inherit eternal lift? He was convinced there was a heaven anda hell, and he was willing to do something here to obtain happiness hereafter. He did not come with a design to put curious and ensnaring questions, as the Sadducees did ; Mat. xxii, 23. but he seems to have an honest design to know the way to heaven and happiness; for he went away sorrowful when he could not comply with the demands of Christ. Though he thought he had practised a great deal ofreligion, yet he was willing to receive further instructions ; What lack I yet ? Is there any other pre- cept to be performed, in order to entitle me to life eternal ì Now our Saviourloves to see conscience awakened, to seethe springs ofreligion opened and beginning to flow : A divine teacher con- ceives some hope of a mandials willing to be taught, and ready tolearn, and thereforehe loves him. This youth thought him- self righteous, yet he did not thinklhimselfall-wise ; and there fore submits to further instructions. Now it is apleasure tocom- municate knowledge to those that long to receive it ; and we pity ' them heartily when they do not comply with the necessary duties that are revealed to them, through the charms of some strong temptation. 5. Add to all this, that he had many civil advantages by reason ofhis riches,his authority, andhis power. I3ewas wealthy, and he was a ruler among the people; which things, though they cannot in themselves make any person amiable, yet when they are added to the former good qualities, they render them all more lovely and more valuable ; and that because they are so seldom joined together. Dr. Goodmanremarks very ingeniously here, that his concern about his soul, was not a sick-bed medi- tation, for he was in health ; nor a melancholy qualm of old age, for he was young : nor was it the effect of his being discontented and out of humour with the world, for he was rich and pros- Vol.. I. H
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=