rstanding
and reason. I speak to you as mortals, and yet immortals; as
sinners, who have broken the laws of God, and are therefore obnoxious
to his displeasure. And my sole aim and desire is, to be instrumental
in turning you from darkness to light, from sin to holiness, from the
power of Satan to the service and favour of God [Acts xxvi. 18.].

Seek then, I beseech you, above all things, an interest in the
blessings of the gospel. Be assured it is a matter of much less moment,
whether you are rich or poor, respected or despised in this world. The
rich have their cares, fears, crosses, and vexations, no less than the
poor; but admitting that they could pass through life with greater ease
than others, we all know that they cannot escape death. The great point
is, how we shall die? whether as believers or unbelievers, as saints
or sinners. One soul, according to our Lord's declaration, is of
more value than the whole world [Mark viii. 36.]. If you lose your soul,
you lose all at once. You lose heaven and happiness for ever.
Whatever, therefore, you do, or leave undone, for God's sake,
and for your own sakes, neglect not for one day or hour longer,
the vast concerns of another life. Delays are dangerous. The
more we have to risk or lose, the greater folly it would be accounted,
to defer securing our property and goods, which we know to be in
danger. What folly, therefore, what madness must it be, to put off with
careless indifference, the concernments of eternity; and to prefer
the trifles of this transitory life to heaven, and the favour of God!
Let the parable of the rich man, who pleased himself with the thought
of having much good laid up for many years, be a warning to
you![Luke xii. 16-28.] That very night his soul was required of him.
Such persons may now deem themselves wise; but ere long they will be
sensible they were fools.

It you consider what a valuable price was paid for our redemptions you
must be convinced that the soul of man is very precious in the sight
of God, and that sin is not so light and small an evil, as many of you
have supposed. To disobey the commandments of the just and holy God,
is, as far as in us lies, to renounce our allegiance to him, and our
dependence upon him, and to set up for ourselves, and even to join
with the devil in open rebellion against our Maker. It is, in plain
terms, to fly in his face, and to bid defiance to his almighty arm. Sin
is such a horrid evil, that unless it is