SERMON VII. _A Hopeful Youth falling Short of Heaven._ MARK x. 21.—Then Jesus beholding him, loved him. THE FIRST PART. If we would know the person who was favoured with the love of Jesus, and be acquainted with his character, it is necessary to read the whole narrative, as we find it delivered in this chapter, from the 17th to the 23d verse. _And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?_ 18. _And Jesus said unto him, why callest thou me good, there is none good save one, that is God._ 19. _Thou knowest the commandments; do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, defraud not, honour thy father and mother._ 20. _And he answered, and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth._ 21. _Then Jesus beholding him, loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest, go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come take up the cross, and follow me._ 22. _And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved; for he had great possessions._ 23. _And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God?_ Now if we consult and compare the account which the other evangelists give us of this transaction, we shall find that the person was a _young man_; Mat. xix. 20. and a _ruler among the Jews_; Luke xviii. 18. He had some concern upon his mind about his future state, and came to Christ, as to a divine prophet, to enquire the way to heaven: But it is evident he had a vain conceit of his own righteousness, and at the same time he had an excessive love to money; he would fain have been an heir of heaven, but he valued his inheritance on earth much more: He wished for the love of God, but would enjoy and love this world too; and rather than renounce the pleasant things of this life, he would quit his pretences to a life to come; for he went away grieved and full of sadness, at the direction which our Saviour gave him, and would not venture the experiment. He forsook Christ and heaven, having great possessions on earth. It is necessary to our purpose, to know whether, in the following years of his life, he was brought to repentance and salvation, though it is most likely that he never was; for if he loved his estate and his money, so well in his younger years, that vice probably increased with his age. Besides, he stands in the history of the gospel, as an example of those men, who lose heaven for the love of money. But howsoever it might be afterward, this is certain, that at that time he was in the state of sin and death; which is sufficient to my present design.