The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 372

fonr of these as the most obvious. We may estimate it by the infinite price paid for it, by the immensity of its capacHies, by its intrinsic worth, and by the immortality of its being. 2, The price paid. The price paid for the soul was a precious ransom price, "for the redemption of the soul is precious." 'l'hat price was not "corruptible things, as silver and ~old," but "the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemiHh and without spot.' In him we have" redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." On account of the soul Christ died; on account of the soul the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, is at work; on account of the soul the Word of God is given, the gospel is preached, and "the arm of the Lord revealed," Th us, from the pains God takes to save the soul, from the power the Spirit exerts to sanctify the soul, from the efforts Satan makes to destroy the soul, as well as from the blood which Christ shed to redeem the soul, we may infer the value of the human soul, and consequently infer the exceeding greatness of its loss. 3. Its intrinsic worth. Again, we think of its intrinsic worth. It is a scintillation of Deity; it is the breath of the Almighty; it is the candle of the Lord in man. "God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul." It was at its creation the image of its Maker as well as the masterpiece of his workmanship; it was stamped with the likeness of the Eternal. And though the superscription is sadly defaced by sin, it is an infinite spirit still, and the direct offspring of the Father of spirits. 4. Its immense capacities. When we reflect on its great capacities, we bethink ourselves of its capability of suffering, which is immense. No pain of body is to be compared with the unspeakable anguish of the soul. There is, on the other hand, no pleasure of bodily organization to be compared with the intensely thrilling joyousness of the soul, when it delights itself in God, or meditates on his Word and works, or soars aloft in high and holy contemplation. Even a worldly poet, speaking of the happiness of thought, says, "I have oft been happy thinking.'' Besides, there is its wonderful power of development. The little that the lowe1 animals possess is soon perfected; instinct flows in at once. The mind of man con- tains in itself the elements of almost unlimited improvement. As long as life lasts, accessions may be made to our knowledge, additions made to our attainments, new discoveries made in science, fresh advances in art. Better still, it is the very prerogative of the soul, as it is the very purpose for which its powers were bestowed, to glorify God on earth and be glorified with him in heaven, to enjoy him both here and hereafter, to see him and serve hirn, to hold converse with angels and glorified spirits, to have fellowship with Father, Son, and Spirit, to drink deep of the fountain of grace and love that wells up beside the throne of the Eternal. 5. The immortality of its being. Add to all this the immortality of its being. It is an immortal spirit; it is a flame that can never be extinguished; it is a light that can never be put out; it is unseen, but eternal. 'l'he babe that is only a span long has a soul that will outlive this world. In the bosom of that babe, as it sleeps in the cradle, or hangs on the breast, is a soul that will last longer than sun and moon endure. When the elements shall melt with fervent heat, when the earth shall be burnt up, and the heavens rolled together like a crumpled scroll, that soul shall survive, and remain unhurt amid "the wreck of matter and the crush of worlds." Not so the body. 6. The shroud of Sal,adin. \Vho has not heard, or re.ther read, of that famous Asiatic warrior, Saladin? After subjugating Egypt, establishing himself as Sultan of Egypt and Syria, ta.king towns without nuwber, and retaking Jerusalem itself from the hands of the Crusaders, this Moslem hero of the 'l'hird Cruaade, and beau-ideal of medimval chivalry, had e.t length to yield to a still mightier conqueror. A few moments before he breathed his lo.st, he ordered a herald to suspend on the point of a lance the shroud in which he was to be buried, and to cry as he raised it," Look, here is all that Saladin the Great, the conqueror, the emperor, bears away with him of all his glory." Thus all the hpnours and riches of this world, all bodily pleasures and gratifications, all earthly greatness, are reduced by death to the shroud and the winding-sheet; but the soul, immortal in its nature, and secure in its existence, "smiles at the drawn dagger" or other implement of death. From all these consideration~ may be inferred the immeasurable loss of the soul ; for- " What is the thing of greatest prioe. The whole orention round? That which was lost in Pare.dise, 'fhat which in Obrist is found. ST. MARK 2B  170 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [on. vm.1-38