VeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON MARK X. 17-27. 415
US that we have lived more plentifully than others, unless we have made provision for a better life. Eich men are wont to command others, and we must command them whose office it is to come to them in a greater name. What to do ? 1 Tim. vi. 17, ' Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches.' Charge them that they do not scornfully refuse the gospel, and think to bear it out with their Avealth and greatness ; so I interpret ' trusting in uncertain riches.' There will a time come when they shall stand on the same level with the poor, therefore let it be their gi'cat business to get in with God, and to be useful in their places ; to sow to the Spirit rather than to the flesh, that they may be sure of a good estate in the world to come, and take hold of eternal life. This rich man was not satisfied with his estate ; he comes with this question, ' What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? '
3. He was apxcov, a ruler, not a vulgar and obscure plebeian, but a man of eminency and authority, a nobleman (to speak in the English language), or the chief of his family. Men of this rank are usually either seeking how they may raise their name and estate in the world by the favour of princes, aiming to be built up every day a storey higher, with new additions of honour and title; this is their great business ; it little entereth into their thoughts to have their names written in the book of life ; or else abusing their power and greatness, by opposing Christ, his interests, servants, and kingdom ; and there- fore the psalmist saith, ' Be wise now therefore, 0 ye kings ! be instructed, ye judges of the earth,' Ps. ii. 10. Most men have stumbled upon the corner-stone, and taken no warning by those that have been broken in pieces before them. Or else they are such as are afraid and ashamed to be reckoned among the followers of a despised Christ, as that which would lessen their grandeur, and make them of no reputa- tion among men of their rank and quality ; that they should be taken notice of, if they favour religion, and the things of God : John vii. 48, ' Have any of the rulers or the pharisees believed on him ? ' that is, in the Jewish dialect, have any of the nobles and chiefs ? But this man, though a ruler, he comes with his case of conscience to Christ, and he comes openly, ' What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? ' We have seen his question, and found it to be serious and momentous, such as becomes us all to make, and we have considered his person.
Thirdly, Here is the manner of his address, and thence you may observe —
1, The voluntariness of it. He came not called by others, but he came of himself ; not driven by afilictions, or by any bodily or outward necessity, but came to Christ. Many of Christ's own disciples and menial servants came not so. Peter came not till Andrew brought him ; yea, the other apostles were all called. Here we read of no calling, no inviting, but he came of his own accord, and that not upon the impulsion, or urging of any bodily necessity. Many came to Christ, but thanks to their calamities and necessities that drove them ; they were blind and lame, or possessed with devils, or had their sick to cure ; but this man comes without any collateral respect, nothing but a desire of satisfaction to his grand scruples, ' What shall I do to obtain eternal life ? ' This brings him to Christ.
416 SERMONS UPON MAKK X. 17-27. [SeR. I.
2. The earnestness and fervour of his coming, ' He came running.' This nobleman seemed to forget and neglect the dignity of his con- dition ; he doth not walk in state, but, when Christ was gone out of the house where he was before, lest he should miss of him, he runs after him. This shows his zeal and forwardness to meet with Christ, and to put this question to him. He had an earnest desire to confer with Christ, and is not ashamed even then to run after him when Christ was a despised person. When David danced before the ark, and Michal scoffed at him, as if it argued lightness, 2 Sam. vi. 16, he said, 'If this be to be vile, I will be more vile.' It was disgraceful in that age for this ruler to come to Christ, much more to run after him. Nicodemus, a man of his rank, was convinced, yet he durst not publicly own Christ, but came to him by night, so as least to be taken notice of ; but this man runs after him in the highway, and sets all other respects aside, that he might seek a salve for the sore which run upon him, so great and earnest was his desire to have his conscience satisfied, ' Wliat must I do to inherit eternal life ? '