SERMON IV.

SHEWING THE

IMPORTANCE OF THE QUESTION

PROFOUNDED BY

THE YOUNG MAN IN THE GOSPEL,

CONCERNING

ETERNAL LIFE.

MATTHEW xix. 16.

And behold, one came and said unto him, good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life.

C

It is a sign of a wise and understanding heart, and displays a very hopeful disposition, in one that asks a discreet and pertinent question; especially if he makes choice of a person that is likely to answer it with truth and propriety. These qualifications we find are centered in the man in my text. He does not come with a design of shewing his learning and abilities, and to catch our Saviour in his words, as the Pharisees and Herodians did, but with a sincere desire of being instructed in the will of God, as being sensible that was the only way to guide him to life and immortality. And for the accomplishment of this great end, he applies to the Son of God, who he knew came into the world to give men a more amiable idea of religion and virtue.

In the context are several very remarkable things, which constitute the character of the

person who made this enquiry; and do therefore render the question pronounced by him the more interesting. As 1st, in the 20th verse, he is said to be a young man; and yet the warmth and vigour of youth, together with the common presumption of having a long time to live in this world, did not hinder him from thinking of the world to come. Secondly, in the 22d verse, he is represented as a rich man, "for he had great possessions," yet the riches, nor the cares, and pleasures of life, did not make him forget the one thing needful. Thirdly, in the 18th chapter of St. Luke, and 18th verse, we find this person is called a ruler, by which we understand a man of rank and figure; yet notwithstanding this he sought the kingdom of God. Lastly, in the 21st verse, he is described to be a virtuous and moral man; for he had kept the commandments from his youth up,' nevertheless, he desired to be further instructed in his duty, that he might make sure of eternal life.

Now, since the question was propounded by one of so eminent a character, I shall take occasion to consider

First, The importance of the question, which is indeed very great, and such as every considerate man must have his mind fixed on.

Secondly, That being once satisfied that there is such a state as a life hereafter, he must be divested of his reason who does not earnestly desire to obtain it. And

Thirdly, Whoever desires to possess that blissful state, mast do some good for it.

H

First, then, I am to consider the importance of the question, "Good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life.

This question is of that importance, that every serious Christian must know that he is greatly interested in it; for it is certain that none of us can flatter ourselves of living always in this world. We are convinced of our mortality by observing our neighbours, both young and old, going daily to the grave; and this should lead us to look forward to futurity, and reflect within ourselves, what shall become of us hereafter.

So weighty a consideration as that of our eternal preservation and welfare, demands ou utmost prudence and caution, and should sink home to our consciences.

The question is, whether we shall, after death, live for ever in another state, or be for ever buried in oblivion? Whether we, shall, be as if we had never existed, and our thoughts perish like the beasts of the field, or whether we shall survive our bodies, and exist in the boundless ages of eternity? Or, above every other consideration, whether we shall, for our good actions, be everlastingly rewarded with the most inconceivable felicity, or, for our bad actions, be eternally doomed to such horrible and tremendous punishments, that never entered into the heart of man to conceive? These considerations concern every one of us so deeply, that whoever can withdraw himself from seriously meditating upon them, must do a prodigious violence to his nature, have entirely lost all the