much less can he the soul from spiritual and eternal death : the price required for that is more than all the creatures in earth or heaven are able to payi. But Christ has paid the mighty ran- som : with his own " precious blood," he has redeemed us from sin and Satan, from death and hell. Seek him then, and you are richer than ten thousand worlds could make you. In him you have " durable riches, and righteousness." Go to him, and he will give you " gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich." After him your desires cannot be too ardent j your expectations from him cannot be too enlarged ; your dependence on him can- not be too entire and confident. On that side you need not fear excess. And if the world deride your way as folly, regard it not : they will soon alter their sentiments : the moment they enter into the eternal world, they will know infallibly who were wise and who were fools: and when they meet you at the judg- ment-seat of Christ, they will say, " We fools counted their life madness:" their reproaches then will be turned upon themselves, and their one subject of lamentation will be, that they " approved the sayings " of a blind ungodly world, instead of the infallible sayings of their God. This is the way to " walk not as fools, but as wise :" and, so walking, you shall surely ere long have the plaudit of your Judge, '' Well done, good and faithful servants ! enter ye into the joy of your Lord."]
■J ver. 7—9.