Use. This may humble us, that we go not so far, and to caution us that we do not rest here.
VOL. SYI. 2 D
418 SERMONS UPON MARK X. 17-27. [SeR, I.
First, To humble us. Alas ! most men go not so far as this young rich man, that comes thus seriously to Christ about a question of eternal life. It is a saying of Athanasius, TJtinam omnes essent Jiypocritce — Would to God all men would go so far as hypocrites. He means it not as to dissimulation, but partial obedience. It were a blessed thing for the world if all men went so far as this young man ; so as —
1. To have their thoughts taken up about eternal life. The most part of the world never consider whence they are, nor whither they go, nor what shall become of them to all eternity. We busy our thoughts about our temporal interests, and are carking how we may live in the world, and maintain ourselves, but never take care how we shall live for ever. If you go from house to house, you will find this question very rare, ' What shall I do to obtain eternal life ? ' Go up and down among people everywhere, and you meet with no such language as this. Go to young and old, poor and rich, great and small ; we have many thoughts in us how to dispose of our present affairs, but few think of the world to come. Should a man's thoughts be taken up about fur- nishing his inn, where he tarries but a night, and neglect his home ? Thus we busy ourselves about the affairs of this life, when to-morrow we must be gone, and mind not the world to come, where we must abide for ever, Not once a year doth such a thought run in our minds ; we never ask or speak about it, nor will we suffer any to do so ; so far are we from being diligent and earnest to get it resolved, this is the least ]iart of our care.
2. To be sensible it is no slight matter to have an interest in the world to come. Most men think they shall do well enough for heaven ; a small matter will serve the turn for that, and there needs not such great solicitude about it. This was a moral man, no debauched person, yet he is troubled, and makes inquiry after eternal life. Many think a slight saying, God have mei'cy upon me, or a little overly trust upon the mercy of God will serve the turn.
3. To have such a sense as to choose fit means. He had heard the pharisees long, but was not satisfied ; their doctrine was cold, without any spirit and life, and their zeal was all for externals and bodily exercise, that was of little profit. Eternal life was a thing sparingly spoken of by them, but more plentifully by Christ ; therefore he goes not to the scribes and pharisees and chief priests, who arrogated to themselves the knowledge of mysteries. Many heap up teachers to please their own lusts.
4. To be so concerned as to be earnest in the means. This man ran after Christ when he missed him in the house, and they will not come to the congregations of the faithful where this great question is discussed, 'What they shall do to inherit eternal life?' Eccles. v. 1, 'Be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools,'. and James i. 19, ' Be swift to hear.' But we are cold, slack and negligent. Many are even ready to thrust the means from them, and say unto God, ' De- part from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways,' Job xxi. 14. Those means that should do them good are tedious and irksome ; therefore this should humble us, that we go not so far as this pharisee.
Secondly, To caution us ; do not rest in a common work.
] . In a desire of heaven as your only happiness. Alas ! this is a
VeR. 17.] SERMONS UPON MARK X. 17-27. 419
common thing both to regenerate and nnregenerate : John vi. 34, ' Lord, evermore give ns of this bread.' Is any man such an enemy to himself as not to wish it ? Num. xxiii. 10, ' Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his.' A natural man may discern that true happiness lies not in outward things, but in eternal life, as this man did, and accordingly may have a desire as he had.
2. Do not rest barely in a desire that moveth us to the use of some means, unless it bring us to a perfect resignation to God. This man had a good mind to heaven ; he cheapens it, but is not willing to go through with the price. Many have good desires and intentions, but will not ' sell all for the pearl of price,' Mat. xiii. 44 ; they will not come Uj) to Christ's terms, namely, to lay every affection and lust at Christ's feet, and wholly resign themselves to be guided by him in his own way to happiness, and so they may go to hell notwitlistanding all their desires.