SERM. VI1.) FALLÌWG SHORT bF HEAVEN. 115 complacency in his person ; a sort of human delight in afellow-creature that had several excellent properties though the love of God,, and powerful religion were wanting. If I read a book that has much good sense in it, and where the reasonings are well connected, I can- not but have a delight in reading, though the subject itself may be trifling, or the theme disagreeable. If I hear an oration well composed, with many ingenioü's turns of thought and pathetic expressions : and all these pronounced with the various decencies of speech and gesture, I take pleasure in the performance, and may love the orator, though he insist upon sentiments qúite contrary to my own. So I may be pleased with the learned conversation of a knowing and well-tempered man, and love him so far, though he may be myenemy, and perhaps, in his heart, an enemy to God too ; for such was this young man, an idolater ofgold, and there- fore an enemy to God, Jam. iv. 4. concerning whom it is written, that Jesus loved him. 3. Some natural good wishes for his welfare are im- plied in this love. There is in every wise and good man, a hearty desire of the happiness of his fellow-creatures, he loves them all in this sense, even the foolish and the wicked. Human nature that has any goodness in it, is ready to wish well to anyperson, though be be an utter stranger, and unknown ; especially if he has sonne agree- able qualities. There may be an innocent inclination to see all men happy, though we know this shall not be brought topass; for the word of God declares that most part of men walk in the broad-way, and shall go down to hell. You know. howpassionatelySt. Paul longed for the salvation of all his countrymen the Jews. This is called a love of benevolence and it is evident by the following particulars, that the Lord expressed this good- towards the young man in my text. 4. A conferring of actual benefit or kindness, is im- plied in the love of Christ towards this youth ; for he stood still and entertained him with friendlydiscourse: He endeavoured by proper methods to convince him of sin; he gave him direction what he should do to obtain treasure in heaven ; he called him to be his discipleand follower; and gave him a promise ofeverlasting riches, ifhe would have complied with his proposal : this iscalled 12
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