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                                                                     Exhibit 7

                [DRUEN, DIETRICH, REYNOLDS & KOOGLER LETTERHEAD]


May 13, 1998

Nationwide Life Insurance Company
One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, Ohio 43216

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have prepared the Registration Statement filed with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Modified Single Premium Variable Life
Insurance Policies to be sold by Nationwide Life Insurance Company (the
"Company") and to be issued and administered through Nationwide VLI Separate
Account - 4. In connection therewith, we have examined the Articles of
Incorporation and the Code of Regulations of the Company, minutes of meetings 
of the Board of Directors, pertinent provisions of federal and Ohio laws, 
together with such other documents as we have deemed relevant for the purposes 
of this opinion. Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that:

1.  The Company is a stock life insurance company duly organized and validly
    existing under the laws of the State of Ohio and duly authorized to issue
    and sell life, accident and health insurance and annuity contracts.

2.  Nationwide VLI Separate Account - 4 has been properly created and is a
    validly existing separate account pursuant to the laws of the State of Ohio.

3.  The issuance and sale of the Modified Single Premium Variable Life Insurance
    Policies have been duly authorized by the Company. When issued and sold in
    the manner stated in the prospectus constituting a part of the Registration
    Statement, the policies will be legal and binding obligations of the Company
    in accordance with their terms, except that clearance must be obtained, or
    the policy must be approved, prior to the issuance thereof in certain
    jurisdictions.


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Nationwide Life Insurance Company
May 13, 1998
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We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption "Legal
Opinions" in the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement.

Very truly yours,

DRUEN, DIETRICH, REYNOLDS & KOOGLER

Brian M. Bacon