Matthew 19

Matthew 19:17

Why do you call me good in this emphatic manner, when you conceive me to be a mere man? There is none good in and from himself but God alone. But, if you desire to work righteousness in order to procure a title to eternal life, you must perfectly keep all to commandments of 3 God

Matthew 19:21

To mark your perfect love to your neighbour, and that your affections are weaned from earthly enjoyments, go sell your whole estate, and give it to the poor in these distressing times, and come and follow me in my poverty and sufferings

Matthew 19:22-30

Ye, who through the regenerating influences of my Spirit, have attended and assisted me in my attempts to reform the nation, and introduce the gospel dispensation, shall, upon my ascension to heaven, be honoured with the distinguished effusion of the Holy Ghost, to render you leading officers in founding the gospel church: and in my appearing to destroy Jerusalem, your predictions shall be fulfilled, and your characters vindicated. In the latter days, your Jewish brethren shall be converted by your doctrines; and, in the last judgment, ye shall be most honoured approvers of the sentence which I shall pass according to my gospel dispensed by you. And all they, who conscientiously suffer losses in their temporal interests or enjoyments for my sake, shall in this life have their losses graciously compensated, to their unspeakable advantage, in inward contentment, and divine consolations and hopes, if not in other external comforts; and in eternal glories in the future state. And yet, to manifest the sovereignty of redeeming grace in all this, many Jews, who are first called, and apparently more fitted to receive me, shall be rejected for their unbelief, while the Gentile strangers to the covenants of promise shall, through faith, be admitted to all the blessings of my kingdom of grace and glory. And even some Jews, more early converted, shall have less honour or usefulness in my church, than some Gentiles who shall be afterwards brought to believe

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIX.—Indefatigable was the gracious Redeemer in doing good wherever he came: prudent in avoiding the snares of his malicious enemies; careful to honour, regulate, and perpetuate, every divine institution which related to the raising up of an holy seed in his church; and delighted with the early and earnest dedication of children to himself. It is cruel then to deprive young subjects of his kingdom, of the seal of his covenant; and criminal to pretend that his incarnation, labours, and glory, abridge the privileges of his chosen. Very important and necessary is a deep concern about the true way to everlasting life; nor can it be obtained but by a perfect righteousness, answerable to the whole law of God: and where can this be found but in Christ? Alas, that multitudes should hope to find it in their own works! and yet those who highly extol and heartily trust in their good works, very seldom remarkably abound in them. And their defect quickly appears if they be tried in what lies opposite to their carnal inclinations and interests. The riches and love of this world are most powerful hindrances to our care about, or progress towards, heaven; and only Almighty grace can conquer the heart and remove the difficulty. In faithfully following Christ, we must expect manifold losses and troubles in this world. But, if we undergo them from love to him, his truths and ways, his blessings here and glories hereafter will inexpressibly more than compensate. And, whether we be first or last in time or in dignity, all must be regulated by the exceeding riches of his grace