The Worth of the Soul / No. 179

Transcribed from the nineteenth century A. Applegath edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
No. 179.
The soul of every man is of more worth to him than all the world. What would it profit him, if he were to gain the whole world, were he thereby to lose his own Soul? Such is the uncertainty of life, he might not long enjoy his power, his riches, and his pleasures. If he could possess all these, with health and friends, and live to very old age, an eternity then succeeds, and all that is past is but as a tale that is told, or as a dream of the night. For a small portion of the things of time men are all activity and life. They are ingenious in managing their trades, careful in preserving their health, and watchful in securing their property. But should the care of the Soul be overlooked? Should the health of the Soul be neglected? Should the future happiness of the Soul be disregarded? How many have lost their Souls through ignorance , impenitence , unbelief , disobedience , fleshly lusts , love of the world , fear of man , love of ease , or some profitable or pleasant sin , or neglect of the great salvation ; yet how plain and decided are the oracles of God on all these points . Observe each in its order. On the subject of ignorance , it is said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee.” (Hos. iv. 6.) Of impenitence , “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke xiii. 3.) Of unbelief , “He that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John iii. 36.) Of disobedience , “To them who are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, he will render indignation and wrath.” (Rom. ii. 8.) Of fleshly lusts , “They war against the soul.” (1 Pet. ii. 11.) Of the world , “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John ii. 15.) Of the fear of man , “It bringeth a snare.” (Prov. xxix. 25.) “The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” (Rev. xxi. 8.) Of the love of ease , “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matt. xvi. 24.) Of the profits or pleasures of sin , “If thy hand offend thee, cut it off. If thine eye offend thee pluck it out.” (Mark ix. 43, 47.) Of neglect of salvation , “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” (Heb. ii. 3.) On this point read also Prov. i. 24–33.