appeal to themselves, If this amiable youth was not saved, how can you imagine that salvation belongs to you, who have not done half so much for it as this perishing youth ? Methinks, this one example speaks more forcibly to you than ten thou- sand arguments. You must be wilfully blind, if you do not see how deplorable is your condition, and how certain your ruin, if you continue in your present state. Be persuaded, that it is not so easy a matter to get to heaven. You must have a real concern about your souls : the attainment of heaven must be paramount to every other consideration. If you will gain heaven at all, you must " take it by the holy violence" of prayer and faith.]
3. How blessed are they whose hearts are right
with God !
[They may indeed be exercised with great trials: they may be called to relinquish much of their worldly interests; to suffer much reproach ; and to bear many a heavy cross. But the "heavenly treasure" will richly repay for all: yea, the very prospect of it is a sufficient compensation for all that we can endure. Could we but consult this unhappy youth, and ask him what he noiv thinks of his past conduct, how would he condemn his conduct, how would he deplore his folly ! If, on the contrary, we could ask of Paul what views he now had of his conduct in " suffering the loss of all things" for Christ's sake; would he not confirm his former declara- tions? would he not affirm more strongly than ever, that all things were dung and dross in comparison of Christ? Let us then take joyfully the loss of man's esteem, and the spoiling of our goods: let the views and prospects of glory cheer us when dejected, and animate us when faint. We have reason to expect, that " the more our afflictions abound for Christ's sake, the more our consolations also shall abound through Christ :" and we are sure, that, " if we suffer with Christ, we shall also be glorified together."] a
a If the Sermon on the three following verses be not preached in connexion with this, the third inference should be, How little to be desired are great riches ! This is the reflection which our Lord him- self makes upon it ; and therefore it would he very improper to omit it here, except with a view to a fuller and distinct consideration of that subject.