degrees; but we are soon cut down by the scythe of some ruthless distemper, or nipt and withered by the frost of some wasting weakness and decay. We may prosper here in the riches of the world, but if they do not take to themselves wings and flee away from us, how soon are we hurried away from them into the eternal world by the irresistible arm of death? But what can destroy the prosperity of the soul? Can sickness? No. Can death? St. Paul triumphantly answers—No. "For I am persuaded" says he, "that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."[1] Blessed, yea, thrice blessed is the man whose soul prospers.
But how few comparatively are in this happy condition. You will all agree with
- ↑ Rom. viii., 38-39.
