Transcribed from the nineteenth century A. Applegath edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

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No. 179.

THE
WORTH OF THE SOUL.

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.

How striking are the examples recorded in the same oracles! Adam risked his soul, through desire of vain knowledge, (Gen. iii. 6.) Cain, through hatred to true religion, (Heb. xi. 4. 1 John iii. 12.) Achan, for a wedge of gold, (Josh. vii. 21.) Esau, for a mess of pottage, (Heb. xii. 16.) Balaam, for a reward, (Jude 11.) Absalom, for a kingdom, (2 Sam. xv. 10.) Ahab, for a garden of herbs, (1 Kings xxi. 4.) Judas, for thirty pieces of silver, (Matt. xxvi. 14, 15.) Ananias and Sapphira, through a lie, (Acts v. 4.) Herod, for vain glory, (Acts xii. 22, 23.) Pontius Pilate, for popularity, (Mark xv. 15.) The Gentiles in general, through a dislike to retain God in their knowledge, (Rom. i. 28.) and the Jews, through hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and unbelief. (Matt. xvi. 3, Rom. x. 3. xi. 20.)

Various are the baits that are employed by the great enemy of the human race. His designs are, to keep men in sin, or draw them from true religion, or hinder their peace and usefulness in the ways of God. His warlike stratagems and subtle snares are all to catch souls. (Ephes. vi. 11. 1 Pet. v. 8.) Therefore, through the blessing of God, it may serve as a guard against our danger, if we consider the following things:—

I. The nature of the Soul. It is spiritual, and is designed for an eternal existence. (Gen. ii. 7.) It is formed to be the residence of truth, holiness, and happiness. It is capable of knowing, loving, and serving God; (Deut. vi. 5.) and nothing can render it truly happy but this knowledge, love, and service. Then how sad the consideration that error, sin, and misery should occupy it! If it lose an eternity of joy, how dreadful the reverse! It cannot cease to exist. It cannot be annihilated. It must endure positive pain. There is a “worm that dieth not, and a fire that is not quenched.” (Mark ix. 44.) With what anguish will a ruined sinner cry, “How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.” (Prov. v. 12, 13.) I was warned, but I disregarded the warning. I was invited, but I refused the invitation. I was entreated, but I neglected the entreaty. I was threatened, but I disbelieved the threatening. If an occasional thought of eternity obtruded itself, it was an unwelcome guest. I went to my farm, to my merchandise, to my pleasures, to my sins; but could find no time or inclination to go to my Bible, my Saviour, my God. Evil spirits have been my tempters, they are now my companions and tormenters. I am without hope; darkness and despair have seized my Soul, “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved.” (Jer. viii. 20.) My sins and negligence are set in dread array before me, and this is their desert. I see others entering into the kingdom of heaven, but I am shut out. (Matt. xxv. 10.) The only sound I hear from heaven, is, Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! (Rev. xiv. 10, 11.)

Thus, if we consider the capacity of the Soul for happiness or misery, we may learn something of its nature and worth; and surely this ought to serve as a guard against neglect of its welfare. Shall we run into danger, and risk the loss of so invaluable a treasure? Shall we be content that it should remain doubtful whether we shall be saved or lost? Shall we take such a leap in the dark, when, if we be found wrong, there is no remedy? He who once loses his Soul, loses his all. He is like a merchant whose ship sinks with all his property on board. A man may recover many losses on earth, but the loss of the Soul is a loss never to be repaired. Once lost, lost for ever.

Still more shall we discover its worth, if we reflect on:—