How striking are the examples recorded in the same oracles! _Adam_ risked his soul, through desire of vain knowledge, (Gen. iii. 6.) _Cain_, through hatred to true religion, (Heb. xi. 4. 1 John iii. 12.) _Achan_, for a wedge of gold, (Josh. vii. 21.) _Esau_, for a mess of pottage, (Heb. xii. 16.) _Balaam_, for a reward, (Jude 11.) _Absalom_, for a kingdom, (2 Sam. xv. 10.) _Ahab_, for a garden of herbs, (1 Kings xxi. 4.) _Judas_, for thirty pieces of silver, (Matt. xxvi. 14, 15.) _Ananias_ and _Sapphira_, through a lie, (Acts v. 4.) _Herod_, for vain glory, (Acts xii. 22, 23.) _Pontius Pilate_, for popularity, (Mark xv. 15.) _The Gentiles_ in general, through a dislike to retain God in their knowledge, (Rom. i. 28.) and the _Jews_, through hypocrisy, self-righteousness, and unbelief. (Matt. xvi. 3, Rom. x. 3. xi. 20.) Various are the baits that are employed by the great enemy of the human race. His designs are, to keep men in sin, or draw them from true religion, or hinder their peace and usefulness in the ways of God. His warlike stratagems and subtle snares are all to catch souls. (Ephes. vi. 11. 1 Pet. v. 8.) Therefore, through the blessing of God, it may serve as a guard against our danger, if we consider the following things:— I. _The nature of the Soul_. It is spiritual, and is designed for an eternal existence. (Gen. ii. 7.) It is formed to be the residence of truth, holiness, and happiness. It is capable of knowing, loving, and serving God; (Deut. vi. 5.) and nothing can render it truly happy but this knowledge, love, and service. Then how sad the consideration that error, sin, and misery should occupy it! If it lose an eternity of joy, how dreadful the reverse! It cannot cease to exist. It cannot be annihilated. It must endure positive pain. There is a “worm that dieth not, and a fire that is not quenched.” (Mark ix. 44.) With what anguish will a ruined sinner cry, “How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof.” (Prov. v. 12, 13.) I was warned, but I disregarded the warning. I was invited, but I refused the invitation. I was entreated, but I neglected the entreaty. I was threatened, but I disbelieved the threatening. If an occasional thought of eternity obtruded itself, it was an unwelcome guest. I went to my farm, to my merchandise, to my pleasures, to my sins; but could find no time or inclination to go to my Bible, my Saviour, my God. Evil spirits have been my tempters, they are now my companions and tormenters. I am without hope; darkness and despair have seized my Soul, “the harvest is past, the summer is ended, and I am not saved.” (Jer. viii. 20.) My sins and negligence are set in dread array before me, and this is their desert. I see others entering into the kingdom of heaven, but I am shut out. (Matt. xxv. 10.) The only sound I hear from heaven, is, _Eternity_! _Eternity_! _Eternity_! (Rev. xiv. 10, 11.)