128 A HOPEFUL YOUTH [SEAM. vII. sible ? It was proper he should try whether they could deny themselves, and become poor for his sake, who made himself poor for their sakes, and promised them unknown treasures in heaven. But the test proved too severe, and the gate too strait for this young man, with all the bulk of his estate to enter in at it. Well might the apostle teach Timothy, the young preacher, to charge them that are rich in this world, not to trust in uncertain riches, but to do good to the poor, to distribute to the needy, that they might lay up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to corne; 1 Tim. vi. 17, &c. because men are so ready to think that a store 6f gold is a good foundation to trust in for happiness here, and forget hereafter. Well might he admonish them to lay hold on eternal life, because they are so ready to hold their money fast, though they let eternal life go. They that have much, are often greedy of more, and thereby fall into temptations and snares, into many foolish and hurtful lusts, that drown men-in perdition : for the love of money is the root of all evil : which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, have forsaken Christ, and pierced them- selves through with many sorrows ; ver. 9, 10. Shall I take occasion here to put the rich in mind of their danger, and intreat them to watch against the shin- ing allurement that besets them around? Have a care lest your eyes be dazzled with this glittering world, and blinded to the gospel of Christ: and shall I comfort the poor, by telling them their privilege, how much more free they are from this golden snare? You have been used to meanness and poverty, therefore we may hope that the plainness and simplicityof the gospel will not offend you : that the doctrine of the cross, and the poverty of the Man of Nazareth, who hung upon it for your sakes, will not be a Scandal toyour thoughts, nor a bar to your faith: In the days ofChrist, the poorreceived the gos- pel; and not many rich, not many mighty, have in any age been the followers of a despised Jesus. Omay the rich in this assembly be led by divine grace to break through all their temptations, and attend their Saviour, though his name, and his disciples here on earth, be surrounded with all the forms- of contempt and poverty ! And may the meaner hearers improve their
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