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O reader,
have you given attention to that which is contained in the
word SALVATION? O man, think of this; it concerns you more
than all other objects taken together for which the whole
world is in pursuit.
Salvation is worth a thousand times more than health of
body; in comparison with which men consider money no
object; and for the hope of regaining they lavish gold and
greenbacks as free as dirt.
Salvation is more to be desired than all the glory and
pleasure that the highest honors of earth can yield. Yea,
it places the soul upon a plane so elevated as to receive
the admiration and adoration of Heaven. "If any man
serve me, saith the Lord, him will my Father
honor."—John 12:26. It places a man far above the
highest object of earthly ambition. It gives him a kingdom
greater than Alexander or Napoleon ever swayed scepter
over. "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you
the kingdom. " Even the " kingdom of
heaven." "They which receive abundance of grace
and the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life by one
Jesus Christ. "—Rom. 5: 17. And this glorious reign
is not located in some future age; but John, writing to
the seven churches in Asia, in the first century of
Christian grace, declared that Jesus Christ, who is the
faithful Witness, the Prince of the kings of the earth,
him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood, hath also "made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father. "—Rev. 1: 5, 6. As again seen in
this beautiful book of symbols, at the very opening of the
plan of redemption the bloodwashed celebrated the praises
of God with a "new song, saying; Thou art worthy to
take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou
west slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out
of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and
hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall
reign on the earth. "—Rev. 5: 9, 10. And Peter
calls God's church "a royal priesthood," i. e.,
a priesthood of kings.
All who live in sin are slaves to their own lusts, and are
not able to govern themselves. But salvation makes us
kings in rule over our own selves; over our passions,
appetites, and desires. "And he that ruleth his
spirit is greater than he that taketh a city."—Prov.
16: 32. Salvation also places us in kingly triumph over
all the elements of this world; over sin, fashion, and
popular sentiments; and over the devil himself, who claims
to be the ruler of earth. A master of the situation of
life, with a peace that nothing disturbs; and a joyful
faith in God which sees all things working together for
our good, and contributing to our happiness.
Salvation, is greater riches than all the gold, silver,
and valuable treasures of this earth summed up together A
treasure that never faileth; a wealth so great that to the
happy possessor every thing of earth is, in comparison,
reduced to dust and dirt. O "the unsearchable riches
of Christ!"—Eph. 3:8. "Ye know the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for
your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty
might be rich."—2 Cor. 8: 9! How rich ? " He
that overcometh shall inherit all things."—Rev. 21:
7. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him
up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give
us all things. "—Rom. 8: 32. Yea, hath given "
For all things are yours. Whether Paul or Apollos, or
Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things
present, or things to come, all are yours."—1. Cor.
3: 22.
So teaches the word of God, and so bear witness all who
have tasted its wonderful claims. Reader, look back over
that long line of holy martyrs, who, in the possession of
this great treasure, gloried in tribulations, and shouted
for joy amid the flames; disdaining life, with all it
could offer, when tendered to them as a compensation for
their hope in Christ; and there behold the eternal and
incalculable value of salvation. If, then, such unbounded
wealth, such innumerable blessings, and such infinite
bliss and happiness are all treasured up in SALVATION, who
can afford to be indifferent to the gracious treasure ?
But again we ask, What does it mean?
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