SEAM. VII. FALLING SHORT OF HEAVEN. 117 various wretchedness and folly, yet we cannot suppose his present exaltation and blessedness does indulge real sorrow, or admit any smarting affliction ; though in his humble state on earth, his human love expressed it- self agreeably in such mournful compassion and ten- derness. II. We come to consider, what there was in this per- son that might attract our Saviour's love. 1. He had probably some natural qualifications which were agreeable and pleasing. His youth is expressed; Mat. xix. 20. A young man in the prime of his days, in the force and flower of his age, the beautyand vigour of his nature : And it is very likely, that he might be of a comely figure and ingenuous countenance ; for it is said, our Saviour beholding him, loved him. He fixed his eyes, and probably saw something in him delightful in his very aspect and appearance, which might partly induce him to those various expressions of love before-men- tioned, and to pity so lovely a youth, who was enslaved to riches, and bound to destruction in fetters of gold. 2. He had a courteous and obliging carriage, which appears in several instances; viz. he kneeled before our Lord, and paid hirn great respect with the gesture of his body; he saluted him, good Master! which our Lord did not reprove, when he said, there is none good but God ; but put him to the trial, whether he would own him to he God or no. He acknowledged Christ as his superior, though he was so much a stranger to him, and so much a poorer man than himself. By his whole de- portment we find him a person of great civility ; he knew how to pay the honours of his country well, to give titles to whom titles are due, and to do these things gracefully. A courteous, humble, and decent behavi- our, without affectation or flattery, is so far from being reproved by Christ, that not only, in this place, our Lord seems to be pleased with it, but in many places of the New Testament, it is recommended to make christi-' anity amiable : It is pleasing to human nature, and can- not but gain love and esteemwith all wise and virtuous persons. 3. He was religiously educated even from bis child- hood, and had grown up in sobriety, perhaps, from his verycradle; for he was but a young man when he camé 13
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