own petitions, their lisping accents found a ready ac. ceptance, and he blessed them also: for innocence, seconded by their parents' prayers, prevailed in their be. half. If there were, as is most likely, among this little flock, any who had attained to years of reason, and were capable of forming wishes and petitions for themselves, they without doubt shared our LORD's kindness, and, in consequence of their prayers and earnest desire of instruction, were encouraged to expect the aid of Divine grace, to enable them both to know and practise their daty, and preserve them from the dangers of the world.

How properly did the parents of these children act, in thus seeking to promote the eternal welfare of their beloved offspring from their very birth! How lovely did the children themselves appear, who willingly yielded to the commands of their parents, and sought their SAVIOUR's blessing, before the world with its vain delusions had taken possession of their hearts!

Surely every parent who reads the history of this me. morable transaction must wish for the same advantage; and every child must desire to be thus received by its SAVIOUR. How thankful, therefore, ought all to be, that they are furnished with the means of obtaining his gracious benediction! Though our LORD's personal presence is withdrawn, he continues to behold with kindness all who seek his favour. Let parents, there. fore, with holy confidence present their children to him, and make it the first object of paternal care to secure for them, by inculcating the principles of religion, an eternal inheritance which fadeth not away. And let those who are incapable of Instructing their offspring them. selves, accept with thankfulness the opportunity which these times afford, of having them taught by means of the excellent institution of Sunday and other charity 6 Schools

Schools. The general solicitude which is shewn by many persons in the higher classes of society, for culti vating the knowledge of christianity among the lower orders of people, must kindle in the mind of every sincere Christian the most delightful hopes,

SECTION XCII.

A RICH YOUNG MAN COMES TO CHRIST FOR IN STRUCTION. OUR LORD'S DISCOURSE

ING RICHES.

From Mark, Chap. x.-Matt. xix.

CONCERN

AND when JESUS was gone forth in the way, there came a certain ruler and kneeled to him, and asked, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God; but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness;

Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The young man saith unto him, All these. things have I kept from my youth up; what lack I yet?

Then JESUS beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest go thy way, sell whatso ever thou hast, and give to the poor; and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come take up the cross, and follow me.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved for he had great possessions.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples,

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disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of GOD!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But JESUS answered again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches, to enter into the kingdom of GOD!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God!

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

And Jesus looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with GOD: for with God all things are possible.

Then answered Péter, and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee: what shall we have therefore?

And JESUS saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or chil dren, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred-fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

The young ruler who came to CHRIST seems to have been very solicitous about his future state, and came to our LORD as a prophet, to enquire the way to heaven. JESUS, knowing that he only considered him as an inspired teacher, asked him why be called him good? As a mere master or instructor, no one could be absolutely

good;

good; therefore our LORD would not appropriate to his human nature, a title which belonged to God alone. Had the young ruler fully considered our SAVIOUR'S character and miracles, his own reason would have supplied him with a ready answer; and he would have replied, "LORD, I call thee good, because thou art truly the Son of GoD in union with the FATHER;" it appears, therefore, that he entertained an erroneous opinion of CHRIST. We may also judge from our LORD's next question to this young man, that he had a mistaken notion of his own righteousness, and supposed that the mere observance of moral duties would entitle him to everlasting life. This question he answered without hesitation; for in respect to mankind, his con duct had been just and upright; and so far our LOXD approved him, and felt in his soul a benevolent desire that he might be saved, and a compassionate sorrow that he would miss of heaven: therefore he stood still, and entertained him with friendly discourse; in which our LORD endeavoured by proper methods to convince him of sin, directed him what to do in order to obtain treasure in heaven, called him to be his disciple and follower, and gave him a promise of everlasting riches, if he would comply with his proposal: but though our LORD on this occasion indulged the kind. affections of humanity, which were awakened by the many amiable qualities of this young man, he was still mindful of the honour of his FATHER, and did not com municate Divine grace to him, nor promise him salvation, because he was not a proper object of Divine complacency, as he defrauded GoD of his due, by placing his love on riches. There was no other way of disengaging his mind from the subject which at present oc_ * See an excellent discourse on this subject by Dr. Watts, which ought to be read by every young person.

cupied it, to the exclusion of true piety, but by divesting himself of those great possessions which made him forgetful of Divine providence, and careless of obtain ing God's favour. It seems, at first sight, very unreasonable to desire a man, who was in an eminent station and affluent circumstances, to sell his estate and divide the product amongst the poor, and expose himself to many calamities: but it will strike us differently, if we reflect on the happy consequences his obedience would have been productive of to him, and the incon veniences which would have attended the keeping his possessions till the time of persecution, if he became a profeffed disciple of CHRIST; as the higher his station, and the greater his possessions, the more would be the malice and rage of his enemies against him. Great estates, so far from being advantageous to the first propagators of the Gospel, would have been incumbrances and impediments to the possessors of them, had they returned them, as they were under the necessity of re. moving from place to place, and could not attend to the management of them, without neglecting the peculiar duties assigned to the immediate disciples and successors of their LORD. It was much more convenient and expedient for each to sell his possessions, in order to make a common purse for the daily and occasional relief of any of the community who should stand in need of it: without doubt, all who contributed were allowed a supply for their own natural wants.

By entering into the kingdom of heaven," is here meant embracing the profession of the Gospel, to which an attachment to worldly riches and honours seems to have been a great discouragement,

Our LORD's discourse was so different from the sentiments which the Jews in general entertained, and their doctors taught, concerning temporal blessings, that