(Continued from page 108)
by Rev. Matthew Henry
“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.
Matt. 16: 26.
II. I shall improve this subject.
The serious consideration of the worth of our souls should have a mighty influence upon us to make us religious; for what is religion but a concern about the present and the future state of our souls? The practice of serious godliness is that, and that only, which befriends the soul both in its present and its eternal interests. What is it that we are persuading you to in all our preaching, but to mind your souls and do well for your souls?
Be convinced that you have souls, every one of you. Consider thyself. Thou hast a mortal body and an immortal soul. Most men live as if they had no souls, no souls by which to be “governed”, and no souls for which to “provide”. They discover nothing truly rational, they have no concern for what is immortal. But I hope better things of you, or else I shall never hope any good of you. It is not enough to gainsay this truth, but you must consider it.
Be convinced of the worth of your souls. It is no breach of the law of humility to put a value upon our own souls, and to think so well of ourselves as to think ourselves too good to serve sin. Value the body less and the soul more, and it would be better for you. There are some important inferences which may be drawn from these things.
1. If the soul be so precious, then those are our best friends that are friends to our souls, and we should look upon them as such.
The best friend to souls that ever was is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of the soul. Look upon him as a good friend, and prize him accordingly. Study what you shall render for his love. The good shepherd is the “Shepherd of our souls,” 1 Pet. 2: 25. He laid down his life for our souls, and has provided food, and healing, and rest for them: let our souls love him. Faithful ministers are friends to your souls, Heb. 13: 17. Their work is to watch for them. Look upon reprovers as friends to your souls, and reckon friendly rebukes as kindness. They are so, Ps. 145: 5. They help to prevent sin, and save the soul from death. Let them find more favour now, for they will afterwards appear more kind than flatterers. Those that instruct you and comfort you are friends to your souls. Show yourselves to be friends to the souls of others. Do all the good you can to the souls of those with whom you are connected. Be concerned for the souls of your children and servants; gain their souls by guiding them to God.
2. If the soul be so precious, then those are our worst enemies that are enemies to our souls.
The devil is the great enemy to our souls; he is the tempter, and so is the destroyer, and he has his agents, that are busy to ruin souls. There are persons and things that war against the soul, 1 Pet. 2: 11, the worst war that can be: those that seduce the soul and beguile it, 2 Pet. 2: 54, that tempt us to sin; that lay stumbling-blocks before us; that entice us secretly, though they pretend love; — look upon them as enemies to your souls. David complains often of those that did persecute his soul. Wicked companions are real enemies to the soul; therefore say to such, “Depart,” Ps. 119: 115. Enemies to the soul are very subtle, Eph. 6: 12. Therefore we have the more need to stand upon our guard. Consider how precious that soul is which they would injure and destroy.
3. If the soul be so precious, then mercies to the soul are the choicest mercies, for which we should pray most earnestly.
This is the favour that God bears unto his chosen. The hallowing of God’s name by us, and the coming of his kingdom into us, are mercies to the soul which are to be desired above all others, — that is the order in the Lord’s prayer, Matt. 5: 33. The renewing of the soul, and the saving of the soul, are things that must have the pre-eminence in our desires and prayers. Other mercies must be begged with a proviso, but mercies to the soul absolutely. Be more earnest for these than for corn, and wine, and oil, Ps. 4: 6, 7; wrestle with God for these, as Jacob did. Be more concerned in prayer about your sins than your afflictions. So likewise we must be most thankful to God for spiritual mercies, Eph. 1: 3, — redeeming love, gospel grace, Ps. 103: 3, &c. Value every mercy by the reference that it has to the soul, and be thankful for it accordingly, Isa. 38: 17. “In love to my soul.” Go by this rule in your valuation of public mercies; — reckon those the best times that are opportunities for the soul, in which there are plenty of the means of grace.
4. If the soul be so precious, then judgments upon the soul are the sorest judgments.
Spiritual plagues are of all others the worst, and to be most dreaded, as “leanness in the soul,” Ps. 106: 15, when the mind is blinded, the conscience seared, the heart hardened, and the reins laid on the neck of sinful passions. These are spiritual judgments, Isa. 6: 9, 10; Ps. 81: 12, the worst condition a man can be in on this side hell. How sad would our condition be if we were deprived of both the bodily senses of seeing and hearing, (such instances have rarely been heard of,) but much worse to have the soul blind and deaf. Do not provoke God to deny and withdraw his grace. There are judgments upon the soul too, that sometimes befall God’s own children, and they are very painful; as — when the terrors of God set themselves in array against them, Job 6: 4; Ps. 88: 3, &c., and he wounds the spirit, Prov. 18: 14. If God has kept us from these terrors, we must be thankful but not secure. Our Lord Jesus suffered in his soul that he might have compassion, Matt. 26: 38.
5. If the soul be so precious, then the prosperity of the soul is the best prosperity.
There is such a thing as soul prosperity, 3 John 2, and it is that which we should most earnestly desire of God, both for ourselves and for our friends. The soul prospers when it is in a good state, and in a good frame, when it is in the right way, and when it grows in grace; as the body prospers that is in health, and as the estate prospers that increases. That is a prosperous soul that is adding grace to grace, and securing not only an entrance, but an abundant entrance, into the kingdom of God, 2 Pet. 1: 5. The soul prospers when its holy dispositions are lively, its comforts strong, and its evidences clear — when it is walking in the light, and singing in the ways, of the Lord. Seek this as the best prosperity. Soul prosperity either brings outward prosperity along with it, Matt. 6: 33, or sweetens the want of it; and it is that which all the malice of hell and earth cannot disturb or take away.
6. If the soul be so precious, then we are to look upon that condition as best for us which is best for our souls.
That is best for us that is most free from temptations, and that gives us the greatest advantages for spiritual things. That relation is best for us that is best for our souls. Look upon this as a reason why we should be content under afflictions, because they tend to the good of our souls. Though the flesh be destroyed, yet if the spirit be thereby saved, it is well enough, 1 Cor. 5: 5; Heb. 12: 9. Sanctified afflictions are the soul’s promotions; — the chastening is bad for the body, but the teaching that attends it is good for the soul, Ps. 94: 12; 119: 71. Submit willingly to that which is for the good of the soul, though it be displeasing to flesh and blood.
7. If the soul be so precious, then they are fools that “despise their own souls.”
There are those that do so, Prov. 15: 32. This is the fundamental error of sinners, — they despise this jewel of value, which Christ put such a value upon. Let us see who they are that despise their own souls:
(1.) Those that make a light matter of sin despise their own souls, Prov. 14:9.
It is certain that sin is a wrong to the soul, Prov. 8: 36. How do people regard their souls that abuse them thus every day? Those that expose their precious souls to the wrath and curse of the eternal God every day, by wilful sin, do not value them as they should. Those despise their soul that continue in unbelief and impenitency, and will not be awakened to see the misery in which their souls are; they feel nothing from sin, the sins of so many years; they are not concerned though their souls be ready to drop into everlasting burnings. They despise their souls that rush into sin, Jer. 8: 6, that run upon God, Job 15: 25, 26. There are some so daring as to challenge God himself to damn them. They despise their souls that, when they have fallen into sin, make no haste to repent and turn from it.
(2.) Those that take up with a cheap and easy religion despise their own souls;
that are afraid of doing too much for their own souls. Did we put a right value upon our souls, we should object to no pains or care for the securing of their welfare. We should go from strength to strength; we should give diligence to add to our graces, and thus make our calling and election sure, 2 Pet. 1: 5-10. But those that only inquire, will not less serve, manifest that they despise their souls: they labour at the world, and sleep at an ordinance; they crowd their religion into a corner, and make not a business, but a by-business, of it. What account do such make of their souls who will scarce go over the threshold to hear a sermon? They “refuse instruction”. He that is slothful in work for his soul is brother to him that is a great waster.
(3.) Those that are prodigal of their time despise their own souls.
Time is an opportunity of doing something for the soul, and is to be redeemed accordingly, Eph. 5: 16, because there is an eternity depends upon it. Time may be well spent, either in doing something for God with the soul, or in getting something from God for the soul; yet with many their time is a drug. What value do those put upon their souls that fill up their time with mere recreation, and all this while neglect their souls? Every day might be a harvest day for the soul, but it is idled away; the time of the morning and evening sacrifice stolen away by one idle companion or other. Value your souls and you will value your time.
(4.) Those that make themselves drudges to the world despise their own souls.
The soul should be our darling, but many make it a slave, and send it to feed swine, Luke 15: 15, and to provide for the flesh, Rom. 13: 14. Those that are eager in pursuit of worldly wealth despise their souls, not only because the soul is neglected and the body preferred before it, but because it is employed in these pursuits, Ps. 127: 2. Care about the world fills the soul and disquiets it. It is a great disparagement to an immortal soul to be thus wholly employed.
(5.) Those that by sin unfit their bodies to aid their souls in the service of God despise them.
Drunkenness especially does this, it overcharges the heart, Luke 21: 34. Those put a great slight upon their souls that drown them in wine and strong drink, and suffer their hearts thus to be taken away, and themselves to be put out of possession of them. They make beasts of themselves only to please a sensual appetite. They are not their own masters — to govern themselves, and by degrees come to be not their own men — to understand themselves.
(6.) Those that venture their souls upon a false and deceitful foundation despise them.
What we value we shall be sure to lay up in a safe place, and that which we despise we shall venture any where. Those that build their hopes upon the sand, Matt. 7: 26, that presume upon their visible profession, and are willing to take it for granted, without any strict scrutiny, that all is well with them, Rev. 3: 17. Such have a low opinion of their own souls, and must necessarily end in a painful manner; their hope must perish.
(7.) Those that take up with a portion in this life despise their own souls
— who think that will serve them for a happiness which neither suits the nature of a soul, nor will last so long as the soul will last; that take up with that for a portion which doth but fill the belly, Ps. 17: 14. And when they have a great deal of the world, say, “Soul, take thine ease,” Luke 17: 19. And take these for their good things, Luke 16: 25. Let not us despise our own souls, let us desire a better portion for them than the world, even an interest in His love, whose favour is the safety and the felicity of all who truly seek him.