Copyright©MonergismBooks

AFewSighsFromHell

byJohnBunyan

AFewSighsFromHellor"TheGroansoftheDamnedSoul"bythatpoorandcontemptibleservantofJesusChrist,JohnBunyan,1658.BeinganexpositionofLuke16:19-31,concerningtheRichManand theBeggar,whereinisrevealedthelamentablestateoftheDamned—theircries,andtheirdesiresintheirdistresses,withthedeterminedjudgmentofGoduponthem.Agoodwarningwordtosinners,botholdandyoung,toseeksalvationbyfaithinJesusChrist—lesttheycomeintothesameplaceoftorment!

Also, a brief discourse touching the profitableness of the Scriptures forourinstructioninthewayofrighteousness,accordingtothetendencyoftheparable.

"ThewickedshallbetunedintoHell,andallthenationsthatforgetGod."Psalm9:17

"Andwhoeverwasnotfoundwritteninthebookoflifewascastintothelakeoffire."Revelation20:15

TableofContents

TheAuthortotheReader

Luke16:19-31,concerningtheRichManandtheBeggar

Verses19-20

Verse20

Verse21

Verse22

Verse23

Verse24

Verse25

Verse26

Verse27

Verse28

TheMiserableConditionofthosewhoDieOutsideofChrist

AFewEncouragements

Verse29

Verse30

Verse31

FiveUsesbyWayofSelf-Examination

FinalUseandApplication

Copyright

THEAUTHORTOTHEREADERFriend,becauseitisadangerousthingtobewalkingtowardstheplaceofdarknessandanguish;andagain,because it is the journey thatmostofthepoorsoulsintheworldaretaking,andthatwithdelightandgladness,asiftherewastheonlyhappinesstobefound—Ihavethereforethoughtitmyduty,beingmadesensibleofthedangerthatwillbefall thosewhowalktherein—forthepreventingofyou,Oyoupoormanorwoman!totellyou,byopeningthisparable,whatsadsuccessthosesoulshavehad,

andarealsolikelytohave,whohavebeen,orshallbefoundperseveringtherein.

We use to count him a friend, who will forewarn his neighbor of thedanger,whenheknowsthereof,andalsoseesthatthewayhisneighboriswalking in, leads right thereto, especially when we think that ourneighbormay be either ignorant or careless of his way.Why friend, itmaybe,naytwentytoone,butyouhavewalked,eversinceyoudidcomeinto theworld,with your back towardsHeaven, and your face towardsHell;andyou,itmaybe,eitherthroughignoranceorcarelessness,whichisasbad,ifnotworse,havebeenrunningfullhastilythatwayeversince!Whyfriend?Ibeseechyouputalittlestoptoyourmadrace,andtakeaviewofwhattreatmentyouwillhave,ifyoudoindeedpersistinthisyourdreadfulcourse.Friend,yourwayleads 'downtodeath,'andyour 'stepstakeholdonHell'(Prov5:5).Itmaybe,thatthepathindeedispleasanttotheflesh—buttheendthereofwillbebittertoyoursoul.Hearken!Doyounothearthebittercriesofthosewhohaverecentlydied,saying:'Lethim dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I amtormentedinthisflame!'(Luke16:24).Doyounothearthemsay: 'Sendsomeoneoutfromthedead—topreventmyfather,mybrother,andmyfather's house, from coming into this place of torment!' Shall not thenthesemournfulgroanspierceyourflintyheart?Willyoustopyourears,andshutyoureyes?Andwillyounotregardthissolemnwarning?

Takewarningandstopyourmadjourney,beforeitbetoolate!Willyoubelikethesillyfly—whichisnotquietunlesssheiseitherentangledinthespider'sweb,orburnedinthecandle?Willyoube likethebirdthathastenstothesnareofthefowler?WillyoubelikethatsimpleonenamedintheseventhchapterofProverbs,whowillbedrawntotheslaughterbythecordofasillylust?

O sinner, sinner, there are better things thanHell to be had, and at acheaperratebythethousandthpart!O!thereisnocomparison!ThereisHeaven, there is God, there is Christ, there is communion with aninnumerablecompanyofsaintsandangels.Hear themessagethenthatGodsends, thatChrist sends, that saintsbring,nay, that thedeadsenduntoyou: 'Ibegyou, therefore, thatyouwouldsendhim tomy father'shouse!Ifonewentuntothemfromthedead—theywouldrepent!'

'How long, you simple ones,will you love simplicity?And the scornersdelightintheirscorning?Andfoolshateknowledge?Turnatmyreproof!''Behold,'saysGod,'IwillpouroutmySpirituntoyou,Iwillmakeknownmywordsuntoyou.'Isay,hearthisvoice,Osillyone,andturnandlive,Osinful soul, lesthemakeyouhear thatother saying— 'But sinceyourejectedmewhenIcalledandnoonegaveheedwhenIstretchedoutmyhand,sinceyouignoredallmyadviceandwouldnotacceptmyrebuke,Iin turnwill laughatyourdisaster; Iwillmockwhencalamityovertakesyou—whencalamityovertakes you likea storm,whendisaster sweepsover you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you!'(Prov1:14-27).

O poor soul, If God and Christ invited you for your harm, itwould beanothermatter; then if you did refuse, youmight have some excuse tomake, or fault to find, and ground tomake delays. But this is for yourprofit,foryouradvantage,forthepardoningofyoursins,thesalvationofyoursoul, thedeliveringofyou fromHell fire, fromthewrath to come,fromeverlastingburnings—intofavorwithGod,Christ,andcommunionwithallhappiness—thatissoindeed.

Butitmaybeyouwillsay,Allthathasbeenspokentointhisdiscourseisbutaparable, andparablesarenorealities. I answerwith this answer,Thatthoughitisaparable—yetitisatruth,andnotalie;andyoushallfinditsotoo,toyourcost—ifyoushallbefoundaslighterofGod,Christ,andthesalvationofyourownsoul.

Butsecondly,knowforcertain, thatthethingssignifiedbyparablesarewonderfulrealities.Owhatagloriousrealitywastheresignifiedbythatparable,'ThekingdomofHeavenislikeuntoanetthatwascastintothesea,' etc. Signifying, that sinners of all sorts, of all nations, should bebroughtintoGod'skingdom,bythenetofthegospel.AndO!howrealathingshalltheotherpartthereofbe,whenitisfulfilled,whichsays,And'whenitwasfulltheydrewtoshore,andgatheredthegoodintovessels—butcastthebadaway'(Matt13:47,48).Signifyingthemansionsofglorythatthesaintswouldhave,andalsotherejectionthatGodwillgivetotheungodly,andtosinners.

Andalso thatparable,what a glorious reality is there in it,which says,'Exceptagrainofwheatfall intothegroundanddies—itabidesalone;but if it dies— it brings forthmuch fruit' (John 12:24).To signify thatunlessJesusChristdidindeedspillhisblood,anddiethecurseddeath—heshouldabidealone;thatis,haveneverasoulintoglorywithhim.Butifhedied,heshouldbringforthmuchfruit—thatis,savemanysinners.

AndalsohowrealatruththerewasinthatparableconcerningtheJewsputting Christ to death, which the poor dispersed Jews can bestexperiencetotheircost;fortheyhavebeenalmosteversince,abanishedpeople, and such as have had God's sore displeasure wonderfullymanifested against them, according to the truth of the parable (Matt21:33-41).

Otherefore,forJesusChrist'ssake,donotslightthetruth,becauseitisrevealed inaparable!Forby thisargumentyoumayalso,nay,youwillslightalmostallthethingsthatourLordJesusChristtaught;forhespokethemforthemostpart—inparables.Whyshoulditbesaidofyouasitissaid of some, These things are spoken to those who are outside 'inparables, that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might notunderstand?' (Luke 8:10). I say, take heed of being a quarreler againstChrist'sparables,lestChristalsoobjectagainstthesalvationofyoursoulatthejudgmentday!

Friend,Ihavenomoretosaytoyounow.Ifyoudoloveme,prayforme,thatmyGodwouldnotforsakeme,nortakehisHolySpiritfromme;andthatGodwould fitme todoandsufferwhatshallbe fromtheworldordevilinflicteduponme.Imusttellyou,theworldrages,theystampandshaketheirheadsatme;theLordhelpmetotakealltheyshalldowithpatience;andwhentheysmitetheonecheek,toturntheothertothem,thatImaydoasChristhasbiddenme;forthentheSpiritofGod,andofglory,shallrestuponme.Farewell.

I am yours, if you be not ashamed to ownme, because ofmy low andcontemptibleplaceintheworld.JohnBunyan

Luke16:19-31,concerningtheRichManandtheBeggar

"Therewasarichmanwhowasdressedinpurpleandfinelinenandlivedinluxuryeveryday.AthisgatewaslaidabeggarnamedLazarus,coveredwithsoresandlongingtoeatwhatfellfromtherichman'stable.Eventhedogscameandlickedhissores.

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him toAbraham'sside.Therichmanalsodiedandwasburied.InHell,wherehewasintorment,helookedupandsawAbrahamfaraway,withLazarusbyhisside.Sohecalledtohim,'FatherAbraham,havepityonmeandsendLazarustodipthetipofhisfingerinwaterandcoolmytongue,becauseIaminagonyinthisfire.'

ButAbrahamreplied, 'Son,rememberthatinyourlifetimeyoureceivedyour good things, while Lazarus received bad things — but now he iscomforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between usandyouagreatchasmhasbeenfixed,sothatthosewhowanttogofromheretoyoucannot,norcananyonecrossoverfromtheretous.'

Heanswered,'ThenIbegyou,father,sendLazarustomyfather'shouse,for I have five brothers. Let himwarn them, so that theywill not alsocometothisplaceoftorment.'

Abrahamreplied, 'TheyhaveMosesandtheProphets;letthemlistentothem.'

'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes tothem,theywillrepent.'

Hesaidtohim,'IftheydonotlistentoMosesandtheProphets,theywillnotbeconvincedevenifsomeonerisesfromthedead!'"Luke16:19-31

ThisScripturewasnotspokenbyourLordJesusChristtoshowyouthestate of two individual people only, as some, through ignorance of thedriftofChristinHisparables,dream;buttoshowyouthestateofallthegodlyandungodlytotheendoftheworld.Thisiscleartohimwhoisof

anunderstandingheart.ForHespokethesewordsto theendthat latergenerations should take notice thereof, and fear, lest they also fall intothesamedreadfulcondition.

InmydiscourseuponthesewordsIshallnotbetedious;butasbrieflyasImay,Ishallpassthroughtheseveralversesandlaydownsomeofthevarious truths contained therein. May the Lord grant that they beprofitable,andofgreatadvantagetothosewhoreadthemorhearthemread. I shall not spendmuch timeupon verses 19–20—but shall onlygiveyouthreeorfourshorthints,andsopasstothenextverses,fortheyarethewordsIintendmostespeciallytodwellupon.

Verses 19–20 run thus: 'There was a rich man who would dress inpurpleandfinelinen,feastinglavishlyeveryday.ButapoormannamedLazarus,coveredwithsores,wasleftathisgate.'

Ifonly these twoverseshadbeenspokenbyJesusChrist,nearlyall theworldwouldhavecastawronginterpretationonthem.IfJesushadsaidonly thismuch, theworldwould havemade this conclusion: 'Then therichmanwascertainlythehappyman.'

Foratfirstviewitrepresentssuchathing;buttakeall together, that is,readthewholeparable,andyoushallfindthatthereisnomaninaworseconditionthanhe,asIshallclearlyholdforthafterward.

Again,ifamanwouldjudgemenaccordingtooutwardappearances,heshall oftentimes miss his mark. Here is a man who, to outwardappearances, appears as the only blessedman—better by far than thebeggar,inasmuchasheisrich—andthebeggarpoor;heiswellclothed—butthebeggarisnearlynaked;hefeastedlavishlyeveryday—butthebeggarwouldbeglad tohavedog's food. 'Hedesired tobe fedwith thecrumbs which fell from the rich man's table.' The rich man feastedlavishlyeveryday—butthebeggarisgladforabitwhenhecangetit.

Oh,whowouldnotbe in the richman's state?Awealthyman,withallsortsofnewsuitsanddaintydisheseveryday,hasenoughtomakeonewhomindsnothingbuthisbelly,hisback,andhisluststosay,'Oh,thatIwere in thatman's condition!Oh, that Ihadasmuchas thatmanhas!

Then Iwould livea life indeed; then Iwouldhaveheart's easeaplenty;thenIwouldlivepleasantly,andmightsaytomysoul, 'Soul,beofgoodcheer;eat,drink,andbemerry.Youhaveeverythingaplenty,andareinamostblessedcondition.'

This is the conclusion with those who judge according to outwardappearances.Butifthewholeparableiswellconsidered,youwillseethatthatwhich isheld inhighestimationwithmen— isanabomination inthesightofGod.

And John 16:20–22 shows that the saddest condition, according tooutwardappearances,isoftentimesthemostexcellentone;forthebeggarhad ten thousand times thebest of it, though, to outward appearances,hisstatewasthesaddest.

From this we observe that those who judge according to outwardappearances,forthemostpart,judgeamiss(John7:24).ThosewholookupontheiroutwardenjoymentsastokensofGod'sspecialgracetothem,are also deceived (Revelation 3:17). For here in the parable, aman ofwealthandachildofthedevilmaybethesameperson;amanmayhaveanabundanceofoutwardenjoyments—andyetbecarriedbythedevilsintoeternalburnings!(Luke12:20).

This is the trap inwhich the devil has caughtmany thousands of poorsouls, namely by getting them to judge according to outwardappearances,oraccordingtoGod'soutwardblessings.Askapoor,carnal,covetouswretch—howweshouldknowamantobeinahappystate,andhewillanswer,'ThosewhomGodblessesandgivesanabundanceofthisworldto.'Yet,forthemostpart,theyarethecursedmen.Alas!Poormen,they are so ignorant as to think that because a man is increased inoutwardthings—thereforeGodlovesthatmanwithaspeciallove,orelseHewouldneverdosomuchforhim,neverblesshimso,andprospertheworkofhishands.

Ah!Poorsoul,itistherichmanwhogoestoHell.'Therichmandied,andinHell[markit,'inHell']helifteduphiseyes.'Toseehowthegreatonesof the world go struttingup and down the streets, makesme wonder.Surely they look upon themselves to be the only happy men; but it is

because they judge according to outward appearances. They look uponthemselves to be the only blessed men, when the Lord knows thegeneralityareleftoutofthatblessedcondition.'Notmanywisemenafterthe flesh, notmanymighty, not many nobleare called' (1 Corinthians1:26).

Ah!Iftheywhonowsobragthatnobodydaresscarcelylookonthemdidbutbelievethis,itwouldmakethemhangdowntheirheadsandcry,'Oh,givemeLazarus'portion!'Imighthereenlargeverymuch—butIshallnot. Ishallonlysaytoyouwhohavemuchof thisworld, takecare thatyoudonothaveyourportioninthisworld.Takeheedthatitisnotsaidtoyouhereafter,when youwould verywillingly haveHeaven, 'Rememberthatinyourlifetimeyouhadyourgoodthings—inyourlifetimeyouhadyourportion'(seePsalm17:14).

And friend,who seeks after thisworld anddesires riches— letme askthisquestion:WouldyoubecontentthatGodshouldputyouoffwithaportionofthislife?WouldyoubegladtobekeptoutofHeaven,andgotoHell—withawell-clothedbackandabellyfilledwiththedaintiesofthisworld?Wouldyoubegladtohaveallyourgoodthingsinyourlifetime,tohaveyourHeavenlastnolongerthanwhileyouliveinthisworld?Wouldyoubewillingtobedeprivedofeternalhappinessandfelicity?

Ifyousayno—thenhaveacareoftheworldandyoursins;haveacareofdesiringtobearichman—lestyourtablebemadeasnaretoyou(Psalm69:22); lest the wealth of this world bars you out of glory. For, as theapostlesays,'Thosewhowillberichfallintotemptationandasnare,andintomanyfoolishandhurtfullusts,whichdrownmenindestructionandperdition!'(1Timothy6:9).

Thesetwomenherespokenof,holdforthtousthestateofthegodlyandungodly. Thebeggarholds forth the state of the godly— and the richmanholdsforththestatetheungodly.

'Therewasacertainrichman.'Butwhyaretheungodlyheldforthunderthenotionofarichman?

First,becauseChristwouldnothavethemlooktoohigh,asIsaidbefore

—but that thosewhohaverichesshouldbeconcerned that theirrichesarenotalltheirportion(James1:10–12;1Timothy6:17).

Second,becauserichmenaremostliabletothedevil'stemptations:theyaremostreadytobepuffedupwithpride,worldliness,andthecaresofthis world — in which things they spend most of their time in lusts,drunkenness, immorality, idleness, togetherwiththeotherworksof theflesh— forwhich things thewrath ofGod comes upon the children ofdisobedience!(Colossians3:6).

Third,becauseHewouldcomforttheheartsofHisownpeople,whoaremostcommonlyof thepoorersort.Godhas chosen thepoor,despised,andbase thingsof thisworld(1Corinthians1:26).ShouldGodhavesetthe rich man in the blessed state — then His children would haveconcludedthatthey,beingpoor,hadnoshareinthelifetocome.Again,hadnotGodgivensuchadiscoveryof themiserable conditionof thosewhoareforthemostpartrichmen—wewouldhaveconcludedthattherichareabsolutelytheblessedmen.

Nay, albeit theLordHimself so evidentlydeclares that the richonesoftheworldare, for themostpart, in themostmiserablecondition—yetthey, throughunbelieforpresumption,harden themselves and seek fortherichesofthisworld—asthoughtheLordJesusChristdidnotmeanwhatHesaid,orelsethatHewillsaymorethanshallassuredlycometopass!

ButletsuchknowthattheLordhasatimetofulfill—whatHehadtimetodeclare,fortheScripturecannotbebroken(John10:35).

TheLorddoesnotmeanthatthosewhoareungodlyarerichintheworld,andnoothersshallbedamned—forthenall thosewhoarepoor—yetgraceless and vain men, must be saved and delivered from eternalvengeance,whichwouldbecontrarytotheWordofGod,whichsaysthattogetherwiththekingsoftheearth,thegreatmen,thechiefcaptains,andthemightymen— there are bondmenor servants, and slaves,who cryoutattheappearanceoftheAlmightyGod,andHisSonJesusChrist,tojudgment(Revelation6:15).

Sothat,thoughChristsays,'Therewasacertainrichman,'yetyoumustunderstandthatHemeansalltheungodly—richorpoor.Nay,ifyouwillnotunderstanditsonow—thenyoushallunderstandittobesomeantatthedayofChrist'ssecondcoming,whenallwhoareungodlyshallstandat the lefthandofChristwithpalefacesandguiltyconsciences—withthevialsoftheAlmighty'swrathreadytobepouredoutuponthem!Thusmuchregardingverse19.

Verse20:'Andtherewasacertainbeggar,namedLazarus,whowaslaidathisgate,fullofsores.'Thisversechieflyholdsforththesethings:ThesaintsofGodareapoor,contemptiblepeople.

'Therewasacertainbeggar.'Ifyouunderstandtheword'beggar'toholdforthoutwardpoverty,orscarcityinoutwardthings—sucharethesaintsoftheLord;fortheyare,forthemostpart,apoor,despised,contemptiblepeople.Butifyouallegorizeitandinterpretitthus,theyaresuchasbegearnestlyforHeavenlyfood,thisisalsothespiritofthechildrenofGod.And it may be, and is a truth in this sense, though not as naturallygatheredfromthisScripture.

That 'hewas laid at his gate, full of sores.' Thesewords hold forth thedistempersofbelievers.Sayingthathewas fullofsoresmaysignify themany troubles, temptations, persecutions, and afflictions in body andspiritwhichtheymeetwithalwhiletheyareintheworld—butalsothetreatmenttheyfindatthehandsofthoseungodlyoneswholiveupontheearth.Whereasitissaidthathewas'laidathisgate,fullofsores.'Markit:hewaslaidathisgate,notinhishouse—thatwasthoughttoogoodforhim.Buthewas'laidathisgate,fullofsores.'

Fromhere observe that the ungodlyworld does not desire to entertainand receive the poor saints of God into their houses. If they must besomewherenearthem—yettheyshallnotcomeintotheirhouses—butwillbe shutoutofdoors. If theyneed tobenearus, let thembeat thegate.Observe that theworld isnotatall touchedwith theafflictions ofGod'schildren,fortheyareallfullofsores.Theyareadespised,afflicted,tempted,andpersecutedpeoplewhomtheworlddoesnotpity,no—butratherwilllabortoaggravatetheirtroublebyshuttingthemoutofdoors.Iftheysinkorswim—whatdoestheworldcare?Theworldisresolvedto

disownthem;theywillgivethemnoentertainment.Iflyingdowninthestreetswilldothemanygood,ifhardusagewilldothemanygood,if tobedisowned, rejected,andshutoutofdoorsby theworldwilldo themany good — they shall have enough of that — but otherwise norefreshment,nocomfortfromtheworld.Andhe'waslaidathisgate,fullofsores.'

Verse21:'Andhedesiredtobefedwiththecrumbswhichfellfromtherichman'stable;thedogscamealsoandlickedhissores.'BythesewordsourLordJesus showsus the frameofaChristian'sheart, andalso theheart andbehavior ofworldlymen towards the saints of theLord. TheChristian's heart is held forth by this, that anything will content himwhileheisonthissideofglory:'hedesiredtobefedwiththecrumbs,'—withdogs'food,withanything.AChristianwillbecontentwithanythingifhecankeeplifeandsoultogether.Heiscontent;heissatisfied;hehaslearned — if he has learned to be a Christian — to be content withanything. As Paul says, 'I have learned in whatsoever state I am,therewithtobecontent'(Philippians4:11).

HelearnsinallconditionstostudytoloveGod,towalkwithGod,togiveuphimselftoGod;andif thecrumbsthatfall fromtherichman'stablewillsatisfynatureandgivehimbodilystrength,sothattherebyhemaybethemoreabletowalkinthewayofGod—thenheiscontent.

Andhe 'desiredtobe fedwith thecrumbs that fell from the richman'stable.'Butmarkit:hedidnothavethem.Youdonotfindthathehadsomuch as a crumb or a scrap allowed unto him. No, those must bepreservedforthedogs!FromwhenceobservethattheungodlyworldlovetheirdogsbetterthanthechildrenofGod.Youwillsay,'Thatisstrange.'Itissoindeed—yetitistrue,aswillbeclearlymanifested.

For instance,howmanypoundsdo somemen spend ina yearontheirdogs, when in the meanwhile the poor saints of God may starve forhunger? They will build houses for their dogs, when the saints mustwanderandlodgeindensandcavesoftheearth(Hebrews11:38).Andifsaintsareinanyoftheirhousesforthehirethereof,theywillejectthemorpullthehousedownovertheirheads,ratherthannotridthemselvesofsuchtenants.Somemencannotgohalfamilefromhome,buttheymust

havedogsattheirheels;buttheycanverywillinglygohalfascoremileswithoutthesocietyofaChristian.Nay, ifwhentheyarebusywiththeirdogs,theyshouldchancetomeetaChristian,theywouldwillinglyberidofhim if they could.Theywill goon theother sideof thehedgeor theway,ratherthanhaveanysocietywithhim;andifatanytimeachildofGodshouldcomeintoahousewheretherearebuttwoorthreeungodlywretches, they commonly wish either themselves or the saint out ofdoors.

Andwhyisitso?BecausetheycannotfindanypleasureinthesocietyofaChristian; though if there should come in at the same time adog, or adrunken, swearingwretch (which is worse than a dog), theywill makehimwelcome.Heshallsitdownwiththemandpartakeoftheirdainties.Andnowtellme,youwholoveyoursinsandyourpleasures—wouldyounotratherkeepcompanywithadrunkard,aswearer,astrumpet,athief,nay, a dog— than an honest-hearted Christian? If you say no — thenwhatdoes your sourbehavior to thepeopleofGodmean?Whydoyoulookonthemasifyouwouldeatthemup?Yetattheverysametime,ifyou can but meet your dog or a drunken companion, you fawn uponthem, take acquaintance with them, and go to the tavern or ale-housewiththemtwoorthreetimesaweek.

But if thesaintsofGodmeettogether,praytogether,and labor toedifyoneanother, youwill stayuntil doomsdaybefore youwill look into thehousewhere they are.Ah, friends,when all comes to all— youwill befoundto lovedrunkards,harlots,dogs,anything,nay, toserve thedevilhimself—ratherthantohavelovingandfriendlysocietywiththesaintsofGod!

Moreover, 'thedogscameandlickedhissores.'HereagainyoumayseenotonlytheafflictedstateofthesaintsofGodinthisworld—butalsothatevendogsthemselves,accordingtotheirkind,aremorefavorabletothesaintsthanthesinfulworld.Thoughtheungodlywillhavenomercyonthesaints—yetitisorderedsothatthesecreatureswill.Thoughtherichmanwouldnotentertainhimintohishouse—yethisdogscameanddidthebestgoodtheycould,eventolickhisrunningsores.

ItwasthuswithDanielwhentheworldwasmadagainsthim,andwould

havehimthrowntothelionstobedevoured.Thelionsshuttheirmouthsathim,orrathertheLordshutthemup,sothattheharmdidnotbefallhim,whichwasdesiredbyhisadversaries(Daniel6).

AsIsaidbefore,Iampersuadedthat,atthedayofjudgment,manymen'sconditionsandbehaviorswillbesolaidopenthatitwillbeevidentthattheyhavebeenverymercilesstowardthechildrenofGod,insomuchthatwhentheprovidenceofGodfelloutsoastocrosstheirexpectations,theyhavebeenverymuchoffendedthereat,asisveryevidentlyseeninthemwhosetthemselvestostudyhowtobringthesaintsintobondage,andtothrust them into corners, as in these late years (Psalm 31:13). AndbecauseGodhas, inHis goodness, ordered things otherwise, theyhavegnashedtheirteeththereat.

Hence, then, let the saints learn not to commit themselves to theirenemies.'Bewareofmen'(Matthew10:17).Theyareverymercilessmen,andwillnotsomuchfavoryou, if theycanhelp it,asyoumaysupposethey may. Nay, unless the overruling hand of God in goodness ordersthingscontrarytotheirnaturalinclination—theywillnotevenshowyouasmuchfavorasadog!

Verse22.'Anditcametopassthatthebeggardied,andwascarriedbythe angels into Abraham's bosom; the rich man also died, and wasburied.'

The former verses do briefly hold forth thebehaviorof the ungodly inthislifetowardthesaints.Nowthisverseholdsforththedeparture,bothofthegodlyandungodly,outofthislife.

Wherehesaid,'Anditcametopass,thatthebeggardied,andwascarriedinto Abraham's bosom,' and 'the richman also died'; thebeggar died,that represents the godly; and the richman died, that represents theungodly. From whence observe, neither godly nor ungodly must livealwayswithoutachange,eitherbydeathorjudgment;thegoodmandiedand thebadmandied.That scripturealsobacks this truthmarvelouslywell, that good andbadmust die,where it is said, 'And it is appointeduntomenoncetodie—butafterthisthejudgment'(Heb9:27).

Mark,hedoesnotsayitissothatmenbychancemaydie;whichmightbeget, in the hearts of the ungodly especially, somehope to escape thebitterness of it. But he says it is a thingmost certain, it is appointed;mark, 'it is appointed unto men once to die — but after this thejudgment.' God has decreed it, that since men have fallen from thathappyestatethatGodatthefirstdidsetthemin—theyshalldie(Rom6:23).

Nowwhen it is said thebeggardiedand the richmandied,partof themeaning is they ceased to be anymore in this world; I say partly themeaning—butnotaltogether.Thoughitbealtogetherthemeaningwhensomeof thecreaturesdie—yet it isbut inpart themeaningwhen it issaid thatmen,women, or children die; for there is to them somethingelse to be said,more than barely agoing out of the world. For if whenunregeneratemenandwomendie,thatwastheendofthem,notonlyinthis world but also in the world to come— they would be happy. Butwhenungodlymenandwomendie,thereisthattocomeafterdeaththatwill be very terrible to them, namely, to be carried by the angels ofdarknessfromtheirdeath-bedsuntoHell— there tobe reserved to thejudgmentof thegreatday,whenbothbodyand soul shallmeet andbeunited together again, and made capable to undergo the uttermostvengeanceoftheAlmightytoalleternity.

Nowifthisonetruth,thatmenmustdieanddepartthisworld,andeitherenterintoeternaljoyorelseintotheinfernalprison,tobereservedtothedayof judgment,werebelieved—wewouldnothavesomanywantonswalkupanddownthestreetsastheredo,atleastitwouldputamightychecktotheirfilthybehaviors,sothattheywouldnot,couldnotwalksobaselyandsinfullyastheydo.

Belshazzar,notwithstandinghewassofarfromthefearofGodashewas—yetwhenhedidbutseethatGodwasoffendedandthreatenedhimforhiswickedness, itmade him hang down his head and knock his kneestogether (Dan5:5,6). If you read theversesbeforeyouwill findhewascareless, and satisfying his lusts in drinking and playing the adultererwithhisconcubines.Butsosoonashedidperceivethefingerofahand-writing, 'then,' says the scripture, 'the king's countenancewas changed,andhisthoughtstroubledhim,sothatthejointsofhisloinswereloosed,

andhiskneessmoteoneagainstanother.'

AndwhenPaultoldFelixofrighteousness,temperance,andjudgmenttocome—itmakehimtremble.Andletmetellyou,soul,whoeveryouare,that if you did but truly believe that you must die and come into thejudgment — it would make you turn over a new leaf. But this is themisery,thedevillaborsbyallmeansastokeepoutotherthingsthataregood,sotokeepoutoftheheart,asmuchasinhimlies,thethoughtsofpassingfromthislifeintoanotherworld;forheknows,ifhecanbutkeepthem from the serious thoughtsofdeath,he shall themore easily keepthem in their sins, and so from closingwith Jesus Christ; as Job says,'Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod ofGodupon them.'Whichmakes them say to God, 'Depart from us, for we desire not theknowledgeofyourways'(Job21:14).

Because there isno fearofdeathand judgment tocome, therefore theyput off God and his ways, and spend their days in their sins, and in amoment,thatis,beforetheyareaware—theygodowntothegrave(Job21:17).AndthusitfaredalsowiththemanspokenofinLuke12:20.Theman, instead of thinking of death, he thought how hemightmake hisbarnsbigger.But, in themidst ofhis business in theworld,he losthissoulbeforehewasaware,supposingthatdeathhadbeenmanyyearsoff.ButGod said unto him, 'You fool,' you trouble yourself about things ofthislife,youputoffthethoughtsofdepartingthisworld,whenthisnightyoursoulshallbetakenfromyou;or, thisnight, they, that is, thedevil,willfetchawayyoursoulfromyou!

Andhereitcomestopass,men'snotbeingexercisedwiththethoughtsofdepartingthislife,thattheyare,sounexpectedlytothemselvesandtheirneighbors, taken away from the pleasures and profits, yes, and all theenjoymentstheybusythemselveswithalwhiletheyliveinthisworld.Andhenceitisagain,thatyouhavesomeinyourtownsandcitiesthataresosuddenly taken away, some from haunting the ale-houses, others fromhauntingthewhore-houses,othersfromplayingandgaming,othersfromthe cares and covetous desires after this world, unlooked for as bythemselvesortheircompanions.

It is because they do so little consider both the transitoriness of

themselves and their neighbors. For had they but their thoughts wellexercisedabouttheshortnessofthislife,andthedangerthatwillbefallsuch as domiss of the Lord Jesus Christ— it wouldmake themmorewaryandsober,andspendmoretimeintheserviceofGod,andbemoredelighted and diligent in inquiring after the Lord Jesus, who is thedeliverer'fromthewrathtocome'(1Thess1:10).For,asIsaidbefore,itisevident, that those who live after the flesh in the lusts thereof, do notreallyandseriouslythinkondeath,andthejudgmentthatfollowsafter:neither do they indeed endeavor so to do; for did they, it wouldmakethem saywithholy Job, 'All thedays ofmy appointed time,will Iwaituntilmychangecomes'(Job14:14).

AndasIsaidbefore,thatnotonlythewicked—butalsothegodlyhavetheirtimetodepartthislife.Andthebeggardied.ThesaintsoftheLordmustbedeprivedof this lifealso, theymustyieldup the spirit into thehands of the Lord their God; they must also be separated from theirwives, children, husbands, friends, goods, and all that they have in theworld.ForGodhasdecreed it; it isappointed,namely,by theLord, formen once to die, and 'wemust all appear before the judgment-seat ofChrist,'2Corinthian5:10,11.

But itmaybeobjected, if thegodlydieaswellasthewicked,andif thesaintsmustappearbeforethejudgmentaswellasthesinners,thenwhatadvantagehavethegodlymorethantheungodly,andhowcanthesaintsbeinabetterconditionthanthewicked?

Answer.Read the22ndverseoveragain,andyouwill findamarvelousdifference between them, as much as is between Heaven and Hell,everlasting joy and everlasting torments; for you find, that when thebeggardied,whorepresentsthegodly,hewascarriedbytheangelsintoAbraham'sbosom,orintoeverlastingjoy.Buttheungodlyarenotso—butarehurriedbythedevilsintothebottomlesspit,drawnawayintheirwickedness (Prov 14:32), 'And inHell, he lifted up his eyes.'When theungodly die — their misery begins, for then appear the devils, like somanylions,waitingeverymomentuntilthesouldepartsfromthebody.Sometimestheyareveryvisibletothedyingparty,butsometimesmoreinvisible;butalwaysthis iscertain,theynevermissofthesoul if itdiesoutoftheLordJesusChrist;butcarryitawaytotheinfernalprison,asI

said before, there to be tormented and reserved until that great day ofjudgment,atwhichdaytheymust,bodyandsoul,receiveafinalsentencefrom the righteous Judge, and from that time be shut out from thepresenceofGod,intoeverlastingwoeanddistress!

Butthegodly,whenthetimeoftheirdepartureisathand,thenalsoaretheangelsoftheLordathand;yes,theyarereadywaitinguponthesoultoconduct itsafe intoAbraham'sbosom.Idonotsaybutthedevilsareofttimesverybusydoubtless,andattending thesaints in their sickness:ay,andnoquestionbuttheywouldwillinglydeprivethesoulofglory.Buthereisthecomfort,asthedevilscomefromHelltodevourthesoul,ifitbe possible, at its departure — so the angels of the Lord come fromHeaven,towatchoverandconductthesoul,inspiteofthedevil,safeintoAbraham'sbosom.

Davidhadthecomfortofthis,andspeaksit forthforthecomfortofhisbrethren (Psalm 34:7), saying, 'The angel of the Lord encamps roundaboutthosewhofearhim,anddeliversthem.'Mark,theangeloftheLordencamps round about his children, to deliver them. Fromwhat? Fromtheir enemies, of which the devil is not the least. This is an excellentcomfortatanytime,tohavetheholyangelsofGodtoattendapoormanorwoman;butespecially it iscomfortable inthetimeofdistress,at thetimeofdeath,whenthedevilsbesetthesoulwithallthepowerthatHellcanaffordthem.

Butnowitmaybe,thatthegloriousangelsofGoddonotappearat thefirst, to the view of the soul; nay, ratherHell stands before it, and thedevils ready,as if theywouldcarry it there.But this is thecomfort, theangelsdoalwaysappearat the last,andwillnot fail thesoul—butwillcarryitsafeintoAbraham'sbosom.

Ahfriends,consider:hereisanungodlymanuponhisdeath-bed,andhehasnonetospeakforhim,nonetospeakcomfortuntohim;butitisnotso with the children of God, for they have the Spirit to comfort them.Here is the ungodly, and they have no Christ to pray for their safeconducttoglory;butthesaintshaveanintercessor(John17:9).Hereistheworld,whentheydie,theyhavenoneoftheangelsofGodtoattendupon them; but the saints have their company. In a word, the

unconvertedperson,whenhedies,hesinks intothebottomlesspit;butthesaints,whentheydie,ascendwith,andbytheangels,intoAbraham'sbosom,orintounspeakableglory(Luke23:43).

Again,itissaid,thattherichmanwhenhedied,wasburiedorputintothe earth; butwhen the beggar died, hewas carried by the angels intoAbraham'sbosom.Theoneisaveryexcellentstyle,wherehesayshewascarried by angels into Abraham's bosom: it denotes the excellentconditionofthesaintsofGod,asIsaidbefore;andnotonlyso—butalsothepreciousnessofthedeathofthesaintsintheeyesoftheLord(Psalm116:15).Thatafter-generationsmayseehowprecious in thesightof theLordthedeathofhissaintsis,whenhesaystheyarecarriedbytheangelsintoAbraham'sbosom.

ThusmanytimestheLordadornsthedeathanddepartureofhissaints,toholdforthuntoafter-generations,howexcellenttheyareinhiseyes.ItissaidofEnoch,thatGodtookhim;ofAbraham,thathediedinagoodoldage;ofMoses,thattheLordburiedhim;ofElijah,thathewastakenupintoHeaven;thatthesaintssleepinJesus;thattheydieintheLord;thattheyrestfromtheirlabor,thattheirworksfollowthem;thattheyareunderthealtar;thattheyarewithChrist;thattheyareinlight;thattheyare to comewith the Lord Jesus to judge theworld. All which sayingssignifythusmuch—thattodieasaintisverygreathonoranddignity.

Buttheungodlyarenotso.Theungodlydieandareburied;heiscarriedfromhisdwelling— to thegrave, and therehe isburied,hidden in thedust;andhisbodydoesnotsofastmoulderandcometonothingthere—but hisname rots as fast in theworld, as says the holy scripture: 'Thenameofthewickedshallrot' (Prov10:7).Andindeed, thenamesof thegodly arenot in somuchhonor after theirdeparture—but thewickedand their namesdo asmuch rot.What a dishonor to posteritywas thedeathofBalaam,Agag,Ahithophel,Haman,Judas,Herod,withtherestoftheircompanions?

Thus thewickedhave theirnameswritten in theearth,and theyperishand rot; and the name of the saints do cast forth a dainty savor tofollowinggenerations;andthattheLordJesussignifieswherehesaysthegodly are 'carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom'; and that the

wicked are nothing worth — where he says the ungodly die and areburied.

Verse23.'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes,beingintorments,andsawAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.'

Theformerversespeaksonlyofthedepartureoftheungodlyoutofthislife, together with the glorious conduct that the godly have into thekingdomoftheirFather.NowourLordshows,inthisverse,partlywhatdoes and shall befall to the reprobate after this life is ended,where hesays, 'And inHellhe lifteduphis eyes.'That is, theungodly, aftertheydepartthislife—liftuptheireyesinHell.

Fromthesewords,maybeobservedthesethings:

First.That there isaHell forsouls tobe tormented in,when this life isended.Mark, after he was dead and buried, 'In Hell, where he was intorment.'

Second.Thatallwhoareungodly,andliveanddieintheirsins,sosoonas ever they die— they go intoHell: 'The richman also died andwasburied.InHell,wherehewasintorment.'

Third. That some are so fast asleep, and secure in their sins, that theyscarcelyknowwheretheyare,untiltheycomeintoHell.AndthatIgatherfromthesewords,'InHellhelifteduphiseyes.'Hewasasleepbefore—butHellmakeshimliftuphiseyes.

[First.]AsIsaidbefore,itisevidentthatthereisaHellforsouls,yes,andbodiestoo,tobetormentedinaftertheydepartthislife,asisclear,first,becausetheLordJesusChrist,whocannotlie,saidthatafterthesinnerwasdeadandburied,'InHellhelifteduphiseyes.'

NowifitbeobjectedthatbyHellisheremeantthegrave, thatIplainlydeny:

1.Becausetherethebodyisnotsensibleof tormentorease;but in thatHell into which the spirits of the damned depart, they are sensible oftorment,andwouldverywillinglybefreedfromit, toenjoyease,which

they are sensible of the lack of; as is clearly discovered in this parable,'SendLazarus,thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue.'

2.Itisnotmeantthegrave—butsomeotherplace,becausethebodies,solongastheyliethere,arenotcapableofliftinguptheireyes,toseethegloriousconditionofthechildrenofGod,asthesoulsofthedamneddo.'InHellhelifteduphiseyes.'

3.Itcannotbethegrave,forthenitmustfollowthatthesoulwasburiedtherewiththebody,whichcannotstandwithsuchadeadstateasisherementioned; for he says, 'The rich man died'; that is, his soul wasseparatedfromhisbody.'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes.'

IfitbeagainobjectedthatthereisnoHellbutinthislife;thatIdoalsodeny,asIsaidbefore:afterhewasdeadandburied,'InHellhelifteduphiseyes.'Andletmetellyou,Osoul,whoeveryouare,thatifyoudonotsavinglybelieveon theLordJesusChrist, and layhold onwhathehasdoneand isdoing inhisownperson for sinners—youwill findsuchaHellafterthislifeisended,thatyouwillnotgetoutofagainforeverandever!Andyouwhoarewanton,anddomakebutamockattheservantsoftheLord,whentheytellyouofthetormentsofHell—youwillfindthatwhenyoudepartoutofthislife,thatHell,eventheHellwhichisafterthislife,willmeetyouinyour journeythere;andwill,with itsHellishcrew,give you such a miserable salutation that you will not forget it to alleternity!

Whenthatscripturecomestobefulfilledonyoursoul,inIsaiah14:9,10,'Hellfrombeneathismovedforyoutomeetyouatyourcoming:itstirsupthedeadforyou,evenallthechiefonesoftheearth;ithasraisedupfromtheirthronesallthekingsofthenations.Allthey,'thatis,thatareinHell, shall say, 'Are you also becomeweak aswe? are you become likeuntous?'O sometimeswhen I havehadbut thoughts of going toHell,and consider the everlastingness of their ruin that fall in there, it hasstirredmeuprathertoseektotheLordJesusChristtodelivermefromthence,thantoslightit,andmakeamockatit.'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes.'

[Second.]ThesecondthingItoldyouwasthis,thatalltheungodlythatliveanddieintheirsins,sosoonasevertheydepartthislife—descendintoHell.Thisisalsoverifiedbythewordsinthisparable,whereChristsaid,He 'diedandwasburied,and inHellhe lifteduphiseyes.'As thetreefalls,soitshalllie—whetheritbetoHeavenorHell(Eccl11:3).AndasChrist said to the thief on the cross, 'Today you shall bewithme inparadise.'Evenso thedevil in the likemannermaysayuntoyoursoul,TomorrowshallyoubewithmeinHell.

Seethenwhatamiserablecasehewhodiesinanunregeneratestateisin!Hedepartsfromalongsickness—toalongerHell;fromthegripingsofdeath—totheeverlastingtormentsofHell.'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes.' Ah friends! If youwere but yourselves, youwould have a care ofyoursouls; ifyoudidbutregard,youwouldseehowmadtheyare,whoslightthesalvationoftheirsouls.Owhatwill itprofityoursoultohavepleasure in this life,andtorments inHell? (Mark8:36).Youhadbetterpartwithallyoursins,andpleasures,andcompanions,orwhateveryoudelightin,thantohavesoulandbodytobecastintoHell.

OthendonotnowneglectourLordJesusChrist,lestyoudropdowntoHell(Heb2:3).Consider,woulditnotwoundyoutoyourhearttocomeuponyourdeath-bed,and insteadofhaving thecomfortofawell spentlife,andthemeritsoftheLordJesusChrist,togetherwiththecomfortsofhisgloriousSpirit—tohave...thesightofanill-spentlife,yoursinsflyinginyourface,yourconscienceutteringitselfwiththunder-clapsagainstyou,thethoughtsofGodterrifyingofyou,deathwithhismercilesspawseizinguponyou,thedevilsstandingreadytoscrambleforyoursoul,Hellenlargingherself,andreadytoswallowyouup;andaneternityofmiseryand tormentattendinguponyou, fromwhichtherewillbenorelease!

Formark,deathdoesnotcomealonetoanunconvertedsoul—butwithsuchcompany,aswereyoubutsensibleofitwouldmakeyoutremble.Ipray,considerthatscripture(Rev6:8), 'AndI lookedandbeholdapalehorse,andhisnamethatsatonhimwasDeath,andHell followedwith

him.'Mark,deathdoesnotcomealonetotheungodly,no—butHellgoeswith him. O miserable comforters! O miserable society! Here comesdeathandHelluntoyou.Deathgoesintoyourbody,andseparatesbodyand soul asunder; Hell stands without, as I may say, to embrace, orrather, to crush your soul between its everlasting grinders. Then yourmirth, your joy, your sinful delights will be ended when this comes topass.Loitwillcome.BlessedareallthosewhothroughChristJesushismerits, by faith, do escape these soul-murdering companions. 'And inHellhelifteduphiseyes.'

[Third.]Thethirdthingyouknowthatweobservedfromthesewordswasthis, That some are so fast asleep, and secure in their sins, that theyscarcelyknowwheretheyare,untiltheycomeintoHell.AndthatItoldyouIgatherbythesewords,'InHell,helifteduphiseyes.'Mark,itwasinHell,thatheliftuphiseyes.Nowsomeunderstandbythesewordsthathe came tohimself, orbegan to considerwithhimself, or to thinkwithhimselfinwhatanestatehewas,andwhathewasdeprivedof;whichisstill a confirmation of the thing laid down byme. There it is that theycometothemselves,thatis,theretheyaresensiblewheretheyareindeed.Thusitfareswithsomementhattheyscarcelyknowwheretheyare,untiltheyliftuptheireyesinHell.Itiswiththosepeopleaswiththosewhofalldowninaswoon;youknowifamanfallsdowninaswooninoneroom,though you take him up and carry him into another — yet he is notsensiblewhereheisuntilhecomesuntohimself,andliftsuphiseyes.

Truly thus, it is to be feared, it is with many poor souls, they are sosenseless,sohard,sosearedintheirconscience(1Tim4:2),thattheyarevery ignorantof their state;andwhendeathcomes it strikes themas itwereintoaswoon,especiallyiftheydiesuddenly,andsotheyarehurriedaway, and scarcely knowwhere they are, until inHell they lift up theireyes: this is hewho 'dies in his full strength, beingwholly at ease andquiet'(Job21:23).

OfthissortaretheyspokenofinPsalm73,wherehesays,'Therearenobandsintheirdeath:buttheirstrengthisfirm.' 'Theyarenotintroubleasothermen,neitheraretheyplaguedlikeothermen.'Andagain,'theyspendtheirdaysinwealth,andinamoment,'mark,'inamoment,'beforetheyareaware,they'godowntothegrave!'(Job21:13).

Indeed this is too much known by woeful and daily experience;sometimeswhenwegotovisitthosewhoaresickinthetownsandplaceswherewelive,Ohowsenseless,howsearedintheirconsciencesarethey!TheyareneithersensibleofHeavennorofHell,ofsinnorofaSavior!Ifyouspeaktothemoftheircondition,andthestateoftheirsouls,andyoushall find them as ignorant as if they had no souls to regard! Others,thoughtheyliereadytodie—yettheyarebusyingthemselvesabouttheiroutwardaffairs,asthoughtheywouldcertainlylivehere,eventoliveandenjoythesameforever.

Again, come to others, speak to them about the state of their souls,thoughtheyhavenomoreexperienceofthenewbirththanabeast—yetwill they speak as confidently of their eternal state, and the welfare oftheir souls, as if they had themost excellent experience of anyman orwomanintheworld,saying,'Ishallhavepeace'(Deut29:19).When,asIsaidevennow,theLordknowsthattheyareasignorantofthenewbirth,of thenatureandoperationof faith,of thewitnessof theSpirit—as iftherewerenonewbirth,nofaith,nowitnessoftheSpiritofChristinanyofthesaints intheworld.Nay,thusmanyofthemare,evenanhourorlessbeforetheirdeparture.Ah,poorsouls!thoughtheymaydieherelikealamb,astheworldsays—yet, ifyoucouldbutfollowthemalittle, tostandandlistensoonaftertheirdeath,itistobefeared,youshouldhearthemroarlikealionattheirfirstentranceintoHell,farworsethanevendidKorah,etc.,whentheywentdownquickintotheground(Num16:31-35).

Now,bythisonethingdoesthedeviltakegreatadvantageontheheartsof the ignorant, suggesting unto them that because the party deceaseddepartedsoquietly,withoutalldoubttheyaregonetorestandjoy;when,alas! it is to be feared the reason why they went away so quietly, wasrather because they were senselessandhardened in their consciences;yes, dead before in sins and trespasses. For, had they had but someawakenings on their death-beds, as some have had, they would havemadeallthetowntoringoftheirdolefulcondition;butbecausetheyareseared and ignorant, and so depart quietly, therefore the world takesheart; 'thereforepridecompasses themasachain' (Psalm75:6).But letthemlooktothemselves,foriftheyhavenotaninterestintheLordJesus

now,while they live in theworld, theywill,whether they die raging orpeaceful,gountothesameplace;'andliftuptheireyesinHell.'

O,myfriends,didyoubutknowwhatamiserableconditiontheyarein,whogooutof thisworldwithoutasaving interest in theSonofGod, itwould make you smite upon your thigh, and in the bitterness of yoursouls cry out, 'Men and brethren,what shallwe do to be saved?' (Acts16:29-31).Andnotonlyso—butyouwouldnotbecomforteduntilyoufoundarestforyoursoulintheLordJesusChrist.

Verse23. 'AndinHellhe lifteduphiseyes,beingintorments,andseesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.'

Something, in brief, I have observed from the first part of this verse,namely,fromthesewords,'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes.'And,indeed,Ihaveobservedbutsomething,fortheyareveryfullofmatter,andmanythingsmightbe takennoticeof in them.There isone thingmore that Imight touchupon,as touched in this saying, and that is this:Methinksthe Lord Jesus Christ does hereby signify that men are naturallyunwilling to seeor takenoticeof theirmiserable state, I saybynature;butthoughnowtheyarewillinglyignorant—yetinHelltheyshallliftuptheireyes.Thatis,inHelltheyshallseeandunderstandtheirmiserablecondition;and,therefore,tothesewords:'InHellhelifteduphiseyes,'headds, 'being intorments.'As ifhehadsaid, thoughoncetheyshuttheireyes,thoughoncetheywerewillinglyignorant(2Peter3:5)—yet,whentheydepart intoHell, theyshallbesomiserablytreatedandtormented,thattheyshallbeforcedtoliftuptheireyes.

Whilemenliveinthisworld,andareinanaturalstate,theywillhaveagoodconceitofthemselvesandoftheircondition,theywillconcludethattheyareChristians,thatAbrahamistheirfather,andtheirstatetobeasgood as the best (Matt 3:7-9). They will conclude they have faith, theSpirit, a goodhope, andan interest in theLordJesusChrist; but then,when they drop intoHell, and lift up their eyes there, and behold firsttheirsoultobeinextremetorments;theirdwellingtobethebottomlesspit; their company thousands of damned souls; also the innumerablecompany of devils; and the hot scalding vengeance ofGod, not only todrop—but to fall very violently upon them; then theywill begin to be

awakened,whoall their lifetimewhere inadeadsleep.Isay,whenthiscomestopass, lo itwill; then inHell theyshall liftuptheireyes, inthemidstoftormentstheyshallliftuptheireyes.

Again,youmayobserveinthesewords,'AndinHellhelifteduphiseyes,beingintorments,'thatthetimeoftheungodlymen'ssmartingfortheirsins—willbeinthetormentsofHell.NowhereIamputtoastand,whenI consider the torments of Hell into which the damned do fall. Ounspeakabletorments!Oendlesstorments!Nowthatyoursoulmightbemadetofleefromthoseintolerabletormentsintowhichthedamneddogo,Ishall showyoubrieflywhatare the tormentsofHell.First,bythenamesof it. Second,by themiserable stateyouwill be in, if you comethere.

First.ThenamesofHell.

Itiscalledanever-dyingworm(Mark9).

Itiscalledanovenfire,hot(Mal4:1).

Itiscalledafurnace,afiery-furnace(Matt13).

Itiscalledthebottomlesspit,theunquenchablefire,fireandbrimstone,Hell-fire, the lake of fire, devouring fire, everlasting fire, eternal fire, astreamoffire(Rev21).

Second.Bythemiserablestateyouwillbein,ifyoucomethere.

1.Onepartofyourtormentswillbethis—youshallhaveafullsightofallyour ill spent life, from first to last; thoughhere you can sin todayandforget itby tomorrow—yet thereyou shallbemade to rememberhowyou sinned againstGod at such a time, and in such a place, for such athing,andwithsuchaone—whichwillbeaHelluntoyou.Godwill'settheminorderbeforeyoureyes'(Psalm51:21).

2.Youshallhavetheguiltofthemalllieheavyonyoursoul,notonlytheguilt of oneor two—but the guilt of themall together, and there theyshall lie inyour soul, as if yourbellywere full ofpitch, and seton fire.Heremen can sometimes think on their sins with delight — but there

withunspeakabletorment;forthatIunderstandtobethefirethatChristspeaksof,whichshallneverbequenched(Mar9:43-49).

Whilemenlivehere,Ohowdoestheguiltofonesinsometimescrushthesoul!Itmakesamaninsuchplightthatheiswearyofhislife,sothathecanneitherrestathomenorabroad,neitherbydaynorinbed.Nay,Idoknow that they have been so tormented with the guilt of one sinfulthought, that they have been even at their wits' end, and have hangedthemselves.ButnowwhenyoucomeintoHell,andhavenotonlyoneortwo,oranhundredsins,withtheguiltofthemallonyoursoulandbody—butallthesinsthateveryoudidcommitsinceyoucameintotheworld,altogetherclappedonyourconscienceatonetime,asoneshouldclaparedhotirontoyourbreasts,andtheretocontinuetoalleternity—thisismiserable!

3. Again, then you shall have brought into your remembrance theslighting of the gospel of Christ; here you shall consider how willingChristwas to come into theworld to save sinners, and forwhata trifleyourejectedhim.ThisisplainlyheldforthinIsaiah28,where,speakingoftheLordJesusChrist,thefoundationofsalvation,verse16,hesaysofthem that reject the gospel, that, when the overflowing scourge passesthroughtheearth,whichIunderstandtobeattheendoftheworld,then,sayshe,itshalltakeyoumorningbymorning,bydayandbynightshallitpassoveryou;thatis,continually,withoutanyintermission.'Anditshallbe a vexation only to understand the report.' 'A vexation,' that is, atorment, or a great part of Hell only to understand the report, tounderstand thegood tidings that came into theworldbyChrist's deathforpoorsinners.

AndyouwillfindthistrulytobethemindoftheSpirit,ifyoucompareitwithIsaiah53:1,wherehespeaksofmen'sturningtheirbacksupontheoffersofGod'sgraceinthegospel,hesays,'Whohasbelievedourreport?'or thegospeldeclaredbyus?Now thiswill beamighty torment to theungodly,when they shall understand the goodnessofGodwas so greatthatheevensenthisSonoutofhisbosomtodieforsinners,andyetthattheyshouldbesofoolishastoputhimofffromonetimetoanother;thattheyshouldbesofoolishastoloseHeavenandChrist,andeternallifeinglory—forthesocietyofacompanyofdrunkards;thattheyshouldlose

theirsouls—foralittlesport,forthisworld,foraharlot,forthatwhichislighter than vanity and nothing; I say thiswill be a very great tormentuntoyou!

4.Anotherpartofyourtormentwillbethis:Youshallseeyourfriends,your acquaintances, your neighbors; nay, it may be your father, yourmother,yourwife,yourhusband,yourchildren,yourbrother,yoursister,withothers—inthekingdomofHeaven,andyourselfthrustout!(Luke13:28).'Thereshallbeweepingandgnashingofteeth,whenyoushallseeAbraham (your father), and Isaac, and Jacob, (together with yourbrethren), and all the prophets in the kingdom of Heaven, and youyourselves thrustout.'Nay,sayshe, 'theyshallcomefromtheeast,andfromthewest'thatis,thosewhoyouneversawinallyourlifebefore,andtheyshallsitdownwithyourfriends,andyourneighbors,yourwifeandyour children, in the kingdomofHeaven— and you, for your sins anddisobedience,shallbeshut,nay,thrustout.Oastonishingtorment!

5.Again,youshallhavenonebuta companyofdamnedsouls,withaninnumerablecompanyofdevils,tokeepcompanywithyou.Whileyouareinthisworld,theverythoughtsofthedevilsappearingtoyoumakesyourfleshtotremble,andyourhairreadytostanduprightonyourhead.ButO! what will you do, when not only the supposition of the devilsappearing—buttherealsocietyofallthedevilsinHellwillbewithyou—howlingandroaring,screechingandroaring insuchahideousmanner,that youwill be even at yourwits' end, and be ready to run starkmadagainforanguishandtorment?

6.Again, that youmight be tormented to purpose, themighty God ofHeavenwilllayasgreatwrathandvengeanceuponyouaseverhecan,bythemightofhisgloriouspower.AsIsaidbefore,youshallhavehiswrath,notbydrops—but bywhole showers shall it come, thunder, thunder,uponyourbodyandsoulsofast,andsothick,thatyoushallbetormentedoutofmeasure.AndsosaystheScripture(2Thess1:9),speakingof thewicked, 'Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from thepresenceof theLord,and fromthegloryofhispower,'when thesaintsshallbeadmiringhisgoodnessandglory.

Again,thisyoushallhave,asIsaidbefore,withoutanyintermission;you

shall not have any ease; you shall have it always every hour, day andnight; for their worm never dies— but always gnaws, and their fire isneverquenched;asitiswritteninMark9.

7.Again,inthisconditionyoumustbeforever,andthatisasmiserableasalltherest.Forifamanweretohaveallhissinslaidtohischarge,andcommunion with the devils, and as much wrath as the great God ofHeaven can inflict unto him; I say, if it were but for a time, even tenthousand years, and so end— there would be ground of comfort, andhopesofdeliverance!Buthereisyourmisery—thisisyourstateforever,here youmust be forever!When you look about you, and see what aninnumerablecompanyofhowlingdevilsyouareamong,youshall thinkthisagain—this ismyportion forever!Whenyouhavebeen inHell somanythousandyearsastherearestarsinthesky,ordropsinthesea,orsandson the sea-shore— yet you have to lie there forever. O this onewordFOREVER,howwillittormentyoursoul!

Friends,IhaveonlygivenaveryshorttouchofthetormentsofHell.O!IamnotabletoutterwhatmymindconceivesofthetormentsofHell.Yetthis letmesay toyou—acceptofGod'smercy throughourLordJesusChrist,lestyoufeelthatwithyourconscience—whichIcannotexpresswithmytongue,andsay,'Iamsorelytormentedinthisflame!'

'AndseesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.'

When the damned are in this pitiful state, surroundedwith fears,withterrors,withtormentandvengeance,onethingtheyshallhave,whichisthis— they shall see thehappyandblessed stateofGod's children.HeseesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom;which,asIsaidbefore,isthehappystateofthesaintswhenthislifeisended.Thisnowshallbeso far frombeing anyeaseunto them— that it shallmostwonderfullyaggravate or heighten their torment, as I said before. There shall beweeping, or cause of lamentation—when they shall seeAbraham, andIsaac,andJacob,inthekingdomofHeaven—andthemselvesthrustout.

1.Observe,ThosethatdieintheirsinsarefarfromgoingtoHeaven;heseesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarus inhisbosom.And, indeed, it is justwithGodtodealwiththemthatdieintheirsinsaccordingtowhatthey

havedone;andtomakethemwhoarefarfromrighteousnessnow—tostandfarfromHeaventoalleternity.Hearkentothis,youstout-hearted,that are far from righteousness, and that are resolved to go on in yoursins,whenyoudieyouwillbe far fromHeaven;youwill seeLazarus—butitwillbeafaroff.

Again,he'seesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarusinhisbosom.'

Thesearesomeof the things thedamnedbehold,assoonastheycomeintotorment.Mark,andhe'seesLazarusinAbraham'sbosom.'Lazarus,who was he? Why even he who was so slighted, so disregarded, soundervalued by this ungodly one while he was in the world, he seesLazarusinAbraham'sbosom.

Fromwhence observe, That those who live and die the enemies of thesaintsofGod, let thembeever sogreat,or stout, let thembearever somuchswaywhiletheyare intheworld, let thembragandboasteversomuchwhiletheyarehere—theyshallseethesaints,yes,thepoorsaints,even the Lazaruses or the ragged ones that belong to Jesus, to be in abetterconditionthanthemselves.

O!who do you thinkwas in the best condition?whodo you think sawthemselvesinthebestcondition?HewhowasinHell—orhewhowasinHeaven?Hewhowasineternaldarkness—orhewhowasineverlastinglight? He who was in everlasting joy — or he who was in everlastingtorments? The one with God, Christ, saints, angels — or the other intormenting flames, under the curse of God's eternal hatred, with thedevils and their angels, together with an innumerable company ofhowling, roaring, cursing, ever-burning reprobates? Certainly, thisobservationwillbeeasilyprovedtobetruehereinthisworld,byhimthatlooksuponitwithanunderstandingheart,andwillclearitselftobetrueintheworldtocome,bysuchasshallgoeithertoHeavenortoHell.

2.Thesecondobservationfromthesewords,'AndseesAbrahamafaroff,andLazarus inhisbosom,' is this; thosewhoare thepersecutorsof thesaints of the Lord now in thisworld— shall see the Lord's persecutedonestobethosewhoaresohighlyesteemedbytheLord,astositortobeinAbraham'sbosom,ineverlastingglory,thoughthey,theenemiestothe

childrenofGod,didsolightlyesteemthem,thattheyscornedtoletthemgatherupthedog'sfoodthatfallsundertheirtable.Thisisalsoverified,and held forth plainly by this parable. And therefore be not grieved,Oyouwhoarethetempted,persecuted,afflicted,sighing,prayingsaintsoftheLord,thoughyouradversaries lookuponyounowwithadisdainful,surly,rugged,proud,andhaughtycountenance—yetthetimeshallcomewhentheyshallbeholdyouinAbraham'sbosom!

Imightenlargeuponthesethings—butshallleavethemtotheSpiritoftheLord,whocanbetterbytenthousanddegreesenlargethemonyourheartandconscience,thanIcanuponapieceofpaper.Therefore,leavingthesetotheblessingoftheLord,Ishallcometothenextverse,andshallbebriefinspeakingtothatalso,andsopasstotherest.

Verse24. 'Andhecried,andsaid,FatherAbraham,havemercyonme,andsendLazarus,thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue;forIamtormentedinthisflame!'

Verse22isarevealingofthedepartureofthegodlyandtheungodlyoutofthislife;wherehesaysthebeggardied,andtherichmanalsodied.

The23dverse isarevealingof theproperplaces,bothof thegodlyandtheungodlyafterdeath;onebeinginAbraham'sbosom,oringlory, theotherinHell.

Nowthis24thverseisarevealingofpartofthetoolaterepentanceoftheungodly,whentheyaredroppeddownintoHell;'Andhecried,andsaid,FatherAbraham,havemercyonme.'

Fromthesewords,'Andhecried,'wemayobserve,

[FIRST.]What achangetheungodlywill have—when they come intoHell.'Hecried.'Itislikelythathewaslaughing,jesting,jeering,drinking,mocking, swearing, cursing, prating, in his prosperity, among his filthycompanions.Butnowthecaseischanged!Nowheisinanotherframe—nowhisproud,stout,currishbehavior,hasbeenhumbled!

'Andhecried.'Thelaughteroftheungodlywillnotlastalways—butwill

be sure to end in a cry! 'The triumphing of the wicked is short!' (Job20:5).

Consider,youmusthaveachangeeitherhere—orinHell.Ifyouarenotnewcreatures,regeneratepeopleinthisworld—yournotewillsoonbechanged,yourconditionswillsoonbechanged;forifyoucomeintoHell,youmust cry. O did but the singing drunkards, when they aremakingmerryonthealebench,thinkonthis—itwouldmakethemchangetheirnote,andcry,WhatshallIdo?WhereshallIgowhenIdie?

But,asIsaidbefore—thedevil,ashelaborstogetpoorsoulstofollowtheirsins—sohelaborsalsotokeepthethoughtsofeternaldamnationoutoftheirminds.Butletthemknowthatitshallnotalwaysbethuswiththem;forif,whentheydepart,theydropdownintoeternaldestruction,theyshallhavesuchasenseoftheirsins,andthepunishmentduetothesame,thatitshallmakethemcry!

'And he cried!' O what an alteration there will be among the ungodlywhentheygooutofthisworld?Itmaybe,thatshortlybeforetheirdeath— they were light, stout, surly, drinking themselves drunk, slightingGod'speople,mockingatgodliness,delightinginsin,followingtheworld,seeking after riches, feasting sumptuously, keeping company with themostvain;butnow,theyaredroppeddownintoHell—andtheycry!Alittle while ago they were painting their faces, feeding their lusts,followingtheirwhores,playingtheirgamesandsports topassawaythetime;butnowtheyareinHell—andtheycry!

Itmaybe,thatlastyeartheyheardsomegoodsermons,were invitedtoreceiveHeaven,weretoldtheirsinsshouldbepardonediftheyclosedinwithJesus.But,refusingHisoffers,andslightingthegracethatwasonceoffered—theyarenowinHell,andtheycry.

Before,theyhadsomuchtime,theythoughtthattheycouldnottellhowto spend it, unless it were in gaming, and whoring, in dancing, andplaying,andspendingwholehours,yes,days,nay,weeks,inthelustsoftheflesh!Butwhentheydie,andbeginto liftuptheireyes inHell,andconsidertheirmiserableandirrecoverablecondition—theywillcry!

O what a dreadful condition will you fall into, if you depart from thisworld unconverted! It would have been better for you to have beensmotheredthefirsthouryouwereborn!Itwouldhavebeenbetterforyoutohavebeenmadeadog,atoad,aserpent,nay,anyothercreatureintheworld—thantodieunconverted!Andthisyouwillfindtobetrue,wheninHellyouliftupyoureyes,andcry!

Here then,beforewegoany further, youmaysee that it isnotwithoutgoodgroundthatthesewordsareherespokenbyourLord—thatwhenanyoftheungodlydepartintoHell—theywillcry.

CRY—whyso?

1.Theywillcrytothinkthattheyshouldbecutofffromthe landof theliving,nevermoretohaveanyfootingtherein.

2. They will cry to think that the gospel of Christ should be so oftenofferedthem—andyettheyarenotprofitedbyit.

3.Theywillcrytothinkthatnow,thoughtheywouldsowillinglyrepentandbesaved—yettheyarepastallrecovery.

4.Theywillcrytothinkthattheyshouldbesofoolishastofollowtheirpleasures,whenotherswerefollowingofChrist.

5.Theywill cry to think that theymustbe separated fromGod,Christ,andthekingdomofHeaven—andthatforever.

6.Theywillcrytothinkthattheircryingwillnowdothemnogood.

7.Theywillcrytothinkthat,atthedayofjudgment,theymuststandatthe lefthandofChrist,amongan innumerablecompanyof thedamnedones.

8.TheywillcrytothinkthatLazarus,whomoncetheyslighted,mustbeofthosewhomustsitdownwithChristtojudge—topassasentenceofcondemnationontheirsoulsforeverandever(1Cor6:2,3).

9.Theywillcrytothinkthattheyshallbetormentedaslongaseternity

lasts—withouttheleastintermissionorease!

Tellmenow, if it is not better to leave sin, and to close inwithChristJesus—thantolivea littlewhile inthisworldinpleasuresandfeedingyour lusts, in neglecting the welfare of your soul, and refusing to bejustified by Jesus; and in a moment to drop down to Hell, and to cryforever?

O!consider,Isay,anddonotputofftheoffersofthegraceofourLordJesus Christ — lest the same be said of you, "And he cried and said,FatherAbraham,havemercyonme,andsendLazarus,thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue;forIamtormentedinthisflame!"

'And he cried and said, Father Abraham, havemercy onme, and sendLazarus,'etc.

[SECOND.]Thesewordsdonotonlyholdforththelamentableconditionofthedamned,andtheirlamentablehowlingandcryingoutundertheiranguishofspirit—butalsotheysignifytous,asIsaidbefore,theirtoolaterepentance;andalsothattheywouldverywillingly,iftheymight,beset at liberty from that everlastingmisery that by their sins they haveplungedthemselves into! Isay, thesewordshold forthadesirethatthedamnedhave—tobedeliveredfromthosetormentsthattheynowarein!'OFatherAbraham,'sayshe,'havemercyonme,andsendLazarus,thathemaydip the tipofhis finger inwater, andcoolmy tongue, for I amtormentedinthisflame!'

Thesewords, 'FatherAbraham,'mayhavesomedifficulty in them.It ispossiblethatsomemaythinkthemtobemeantoftheliteralAbraham—andhimthatcriesouthere,tobetheJews.

OritmaybesomemayunderstandittobeGod,orJesusChristhisSon,whichIrathersupposeitmaybe,thatisherecriedoutunto;becauseyoufindthesamecrytohimasitwereutteredbytheungodlyinotherplacesoftheScripture;asinLuke13:25,26.Thenshalltheysay,'Lord,Lord,wehave eaten and drank in your presence, and you have taught in ourstreets.'Naymore,'Inyournamehavecastoutdevils,andinyourname

donemanywonderfulworks'(Matt7:22).Thiswasjustattheirrejection.Andagain,inMatthew25:11,theycryagaintohim,eventoJesus,'Lord,Lord,opentous.'Andhethereagaingivesthemarepulse,asalsointhisparable.

ButhoweverorwhoeverAbrahamis—yetthesetruthsmaybeobservedfromthewords:

1. That the damned, when in an irrecoverable estate, will seek for, ordesire deliverance from the wrath that they are in, and shall be in foreternity.

2.Thattheywillpray, if Imaysocall it,earnestly fordeliverance fromtheirmiserable estate. These two things are clear from the words. Formark, he not only said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me'; but 'heCRIED,'andsaid,'FatherAbraham,havemercyonme.'

3. From whence take a third observation; and that is, there is a timecoming wherein, thoughmen shall both cry and pray— yet they shallhavenomercyatthehandsofGod;forsowasthismanserved,asIshallfurthershowbyandbywhenIcometoit.

Some people are so deluded by the devil, as to think that God is somercifulastoownorregardanythingforprayer;theythinkanythingwillgo for current and good satisfaction,while they are here in thisworld,through ignorance of the true nature of the mercy of God, and theknowledge inwhatwayGod is satisfied for sinners.NowI say, throughignorance they think, that if they do but mutter over some form ofprayers,thoughtheyknownotwhattheysay,norwhattheyrequest—yetGod is satisfied, yes, very well satisfied with their doings; when, alas!thereisnothinglesstrue.Ofriends,Ibeseechyoutolookaboutyou,andseekingoodearnestfortheSpiritofChristsotohelpyounow,tostriveandpray,andtoenableyoutolayholdofChrist,thatyoursoulsmaybesaved,lestthetimecomethatthoughyoucryandpray,andwishalsothatyouhadlaidholdontheLordJesus—yetyoumustandshallbedamned!

Then again, youmay see that thoughGod is willing to save sinners atsometime—yetthistimedoesnotalwayslast.No,hewhocanfindinhis

heart to turn his back upon Jesus Christ now— shall have God's backturneduponhimhereafter,whenhemaycryandprayformercy,andyetgowithoutit!Godwillhaveatimetomeetwiththem—whonowdonotseek after him. They shall have a time, yes time enough hereafter torepenttheirfolly,andtobefoolthemselves,forturningtheirbacksupontheLordJesusChrist.

'But since you rejectedmewhen I called andnoone gaveheedwhen Istretched outmyhand, since you ignored allmy advice andwould notacceptmyrebuke,Iinturnwilllaughatyourdisaster;Iwillmockwhencalamityovertakesyou—whencalamityovertakesyoulikeastorm,whendisaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and troubleoverwhelmyou.ThentheywillcalltomebutIwillnotanswer;theywilllookformebutwillnotfindme!'(Proverbs1:24-28).

Again, this should admonishus to take timewhile it is offered, lestwerepentforeverofourunbeliefandrebellion,whenwearedeprivedof it.Ahfriends!Timeisprecious,anhour'stimetohearasermonisprecious.Ihavesometimesthoughtthuswithmyself:SupposethattheLordshouldsend two or three of his servants, the ministers of the gospel, to Hellamong the damned, with this commission: Go to Hell, and preach mygracetothosewhoarethere.Letyoursermonbeanhourlong,andholdforth the merits of my Son's birth, righteousness, death, resurrection,ascension,andintercession,withallmyloveinhim,andofferittothem,telling themthatnowoncemore,andbutonce,doIoffer themeansofreconciliationtothem.TheywhoarenowroaringinHell,beingpasthope—would then leap at the least offer ofmercy!O they that could spendwholedays,weeks,nay,years,inrejectingtheSonofGod—wouldnowbegladofonetenderofthatmercy.'Father,'sayshe,'havemercyonme.'

Again,fromthesewordsyoumayobserve,thatmercywouldbewelcome—whensoulsareunderdivinejudgment.Nowhissoulisinthefire,nowhe isunder thewrathofGod,nowhe is inHell, there tobe tormentedforever;nowhe iswith thedevilsanddamnedspirits;nowhe feels thevengeanceofGod. 'Now,Onow,havemercyonme!'Hereyoumaysee,thatmercyisprizedbythemthatareinHell,theywouldbegladif theycouldhave it. 'Father,havemercyonme; formypoorsoul's sake,sendmealittlemercy!'

'AndsendLazarus,thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue.'

[THIRD.] These words do not only hold forth that the ungodly have adesireofmercy—butwhatthosemerciesare,whatthesepoorcreatureswouldbegladtohave.As,

1.TheywouldbegladtohavethecompanyofaLazarusgrantedtothem.Father Abraham, havemercy onme, and sendLazarus! Now LazaruswashewhowasbelovedbyGod—andalsohewhowashatedbythem.Therefore,

2. Observe, that those saints, that the ungodly world in their lifetimecouldnotendure,nowthattheyaredeparted,theywouldbegladtohavesocietywith them. 'O now, send Lazarus! Though the timewaswhen Icarednotforhim—yetnowletmehavesomesocietywithhim.'

Though the world disregards the society of God's children now — yetthere is a time coming in which they would be glad to have the leastcompanywiththem.Nay,dobutobserve:thosesaintswhoarenowmostrejected by them— even from them shall they be glad of comfort, if itmightbe. 'SendLazarus!SendhewhoIslightedmorethanmydogs,hewhoIcouldnotendureshouldcomeintomyhouse—butmustlieatmygate—sendhim!NowLazarusshallbewelcometome,nowdoIdesiresomecomfortfromhim!'Butheshallgowithoutit.

From whence again observe, that there is a time coming, O you surlydoggedpersecutorsofthesaints,thatthegodlyshallslightyouasmuchaseveryouslightedthem!Youhavegiventhemmanyahardword,toldmany a lie about them, given them many a blow. And now in yourgreatestneedandextremity,theyshallnotpityyou!Therighteousshallrather 'rejoice when he sees the vengeance' of God upon you! (Psalm58:10)

Again,'SendLazarus.'Fromwhenceobserve,thatanyofthesaintsshallthenbeownedby you tobe saints.Nowyou lookupon them tobe thedespisedoftheworld—butthenyoushallseethemtobetheLazaruses

ofGod,evenGod'sdearchildren.ThoughnowthesaintsoftheLordwillnotbeownedbyyou,becausetheyarebeggarly,low,poor,contemptibleamongyou;yet theday iscomingthatyoushallownthem,desire theircompany,andwishfortheleastcourtesyfromthem.

'SendLazarus,thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue;forIamtormentedinthisflame!'

Thus shall the souls that abide in their sins cryout in thebitternessoftheirspirits,withastonishinganguishandtormentofconscience,withoutintermission!

'Thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue.'Thathe,namely,themanwhobeforeIscornedshouldeatwithmydogs,whobeforeIslightedandhadnoregardof,whoIshutoutofdoor;sendhim—'thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue!'

Nowthesewords,'thathemaydipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue!'areasifhewouldhavesaid,'NowIwouldbegladoftheleastmercy, now Iwould be glad of the least comfort, though it be but onedropofcoldwateronthetipofhisfinger!'

One would have thought that this would have been a small request, asmallcourtesy:ONEDROPOFWATERwhatisthat?Takeapailfullofit—ifthatwilldoyouanygood.Butmark,heisnotpermittedtohavesomuchasonedrop,not somuchasamanmayholdupon the tipofhisfinger! This signifies that those who fall short of Christ, shall betormented as long as eternity lasts, and shall not have somuch as theleastease,no,notevenpermissionastoswallowhisspittle—notadropofcoldwater.

Othatthesethingsdidtakeplaceinyourhearts,howwoulditmakeyoutoseekafterrestforyoursoulsbeforeitbetoolate,beforethesunofthegospelbesetuponyou!

Consider,Isay,themiseryoftheungodlythattheyshallbein,andavoidtheirvices,byclosinginwiththeoffersofmercy;lestyoupartakeofthesameportionwiththem,andcryoutinthebitternessofyoursouls:'Oh,

foronedropofcoldwatertocoolmytongue!'

'ForIamtormentedinthisflame!'

Indeed, the reasonwhy thepoorworlddoesnot so earnestly desire formercy, is partly because they do not so seriously consider the tormentthattheymustcertainlyfallintoiftheydieoutsideofChrist.Forletmetell you, did but poor souls indeed consider that wrath, which does byright fall to thembecauseof their sinsagainstGod— theywouldmakemorehastetoGodthroughChristformercythantheydo;thenwewouldhave themsay, 'It is good closingwithChrist today,beforewe fall intosuchdistress.'

Butwhyisitsaid,Lethim'dipthetipofhisfingerinwater,andcoolmytongue?' Because that, as the several members in the body have theirshareinsin,andcommittingofthat,sotheseveralmembersofthebodyshall at that time be punished for the same. Therefore, when Christ isadmonishinghisdisciples,thattheyshouldnotturnasidefromhim,andthat theyshouldrather fearanddread thepowerof theirGod thananyotherpower,hesays, 'Fearhim,'therefore, 'whocancastbothbodyandsoulintoHell!'(Luke12:4).Andagain,'FearhimwhichisabletodestroybothsoulandbodyinHell'(Matt10:28).

Hereisnotonememberonly—butallthebody,thewholebodyofwhichthehands,feet,eyes,ears,andtonguearemembers.AndIampersuaded,thatthoughthismaybejudgedcarnalbysomenow—yetitwillappeartobe a truth then, to the greater misery of those who shall be forced toundergo thatwrathwhichGod, in his just judgment, shall inflict uponthem.Othentheywillcry, 'Onegrainofease formycursing,swearing,lying, jeering tongue! Some ease for my bragging, braving, flattering,threatening,dissemblingtongue!'

Nowmencanlettheirtonguesrunatrandom,aswesay;nowtheywillbeapttosay,'Ourtonguesareourown,whoshallcontrolthem?'(Psalm12:4).Butthentheywillbeinanothermind.Then,'OthatImighthavealittleeaseformydeceitfultongue!'

Methinkssometimestoconsiderhowsomemendolettheirtonguesrun

at random, itmakesmemarvel. Surely they do not think they shall bemadetogiveanaccount fortheiroffendingwiththeirtongue.Didtheybut think theyshallbemade togiveanaccount tohimwho is ready tojudge the living and the dead, surely theywould bemorewary of, andhavemoreregarduntotheirtongue!

'Thetongue,'saysJames,'isanunrulyevil,fullofdeadlypoison';'itsetsonfirethecourseofnature,andit issetonfirebyHell' (James2).Thetongue— howmuchmischief will it stir up in a very little time! Howmanyblowsandwoundsdoesitcause!Howmanytimesdoesit,asJamessays, curse man! How often is the tongue made the conveyor of thatHellishpoisonthatisintheheart,bothtothedishonorofGod,thehurtofitsneighbors,andtheutterruinofitsownsoul!

AnddoyouthinktheLordwillsitstill,andletyourtonguerunasitwills—andyetneverbringyoutoanaccountforthesame?No!TheLordwillnotalwayskeepsilence—butwillreproveyou,andsetyoursinsinorderbeforeyoureyes,Osinner!Yes,andyourtongue,togetherwiththerestofyourmembers—shallbetormentedforsinning.

Iamveryconfident,thatthoughthisismadelightofnow—yetthetimeiscomingwhenmanypoorsoulswillruethedaythatevertheydidspeakwithatongue!'O,'willonesay,'thatIshouldsodisregardmytongue!OthatI,whenIsaidsuchandsuch,hadbeforebittenoffmytongue!OthatIhadbeenbornwithoutatongue!Mytongue,mytongue,alittlewatertocoolmy tongue— for Iamtormented in this flame!Even in that flamethatmytongue,togetherwiththerestofmymembers,bysinning,havebroughtmeto!'

Poorsoulsnowwill let their tongues sayanything fora littleprofit, fortwo-penceorthree-pencegain.But,Owhatagriefwillthisbeatthatdaywhenthey,togetherwiththeirtongue,mustsmartforthatwhichtheybytheirtongues,havedonewhiletheywereinthisworld.

Youwholoveyoursouls—looktoyourtongues,lestyoubindyourselvesdownsofasttoHellwiththesinsofyourtongues,thatyouwillneverbeable to get loose again to all eternity! 'For by your words you shall becondemned,' if youhavenotacareofyour tongue.For 'I sayunto you,

thateveryidlewordthatmenshallspeak,theyshallgiveaccountthereofinthedayofjudgment!'(Matt12:36).

Verse25. 'ButAbrahamsaid,Son,remember thatyou inyour lifetimereceivedyourgoodthings,andlikewiseLazarusevilthings;butnowheiscomforted,andyouaretormented.'

These words are the answer to the request of the damned. The versebefore, as I told you, is a revealing of the desires they have after theydepartthisworld.Hereistheanswer,'Son,remember,'etc.

Theanswersignifiesthismuch,that,insteadofhavinganyrelieforease—theyareherebythemoretormented,andthatbyfreshrecollections,orbybringingafreshtheirformerill-spentlife,whileintheworld,intotheirremembrance.

'Son,rememberyouhadgood things inyour lifetime;' asmuchas ifhehadsaid,Youarenowsensiblewhat it isto loseyoursoul;youarenowsensiblewhat it is toputoff repentance; youarenowsensible that youhave befooled yourself, in that you spent that time in seeking afteroutward, momentary, earthly things, which you should have spent inseeking tomakeJesusChrist sure toyour soul.Andnow, throughyouranguishofspirit,inthepainsofHellyouwouldsurelyhavethatwhichinformer time youdidmake light of; but alas! you areherebeguiled andaltogetherdisappointed,yourcryingwillnowavailyounothingatall;thisisnot theacceptabletime(2Cor6:2).This isnot a time toanswer thedesiresofdamnedreprobates;ifyouhadcriedoutingoodearnestwhilegrace was offered,muchmight have been; but then you were careless,and turned the forbearance and goodness of God into a license forwantonness.Wereyounottold,thatthosewhowouldnotheartheLordwhenhecalled—shouldnotbeheardwhentheycall.Butcontrariwisehewould laughat their calamity, andmockwhen their fear comes (Prov1:24-28).

Now, therefore, instead of expecting the least drop ofmercy and favor,callintoyourmindhowyouspentthosedayswhichGodpermittedyoutolive; I say, remember that in your lifetime you behaved yourselfrebelliously against theLord, in that youwere carelessofhiswordand

ordinances,yes,andofthewelfareofyourownsoulalso!Therefore,nowIsay,insteadofexpectingorhopingforanyrelief—youmustbeforcedto call toremembranceyour filthyways,and feedupon them, to youreverlastingastonishmentandconfusion!

Fromthesewords,therefore,whichsay,'Rememberthatyouinyourlife-timereceivedYOURGOODTHINGS,'therearethesethingstobetakennoticeof,

FIRST.Thosewho,byputtingoffrepentanceandlivingintheirsins,losetheir souls, shall, instead of having the leastmeasure of comfortwhenthey come into Hell, have their ill-spent life always very fresh in theirremembrance!Whiletheylivehere—theycansinandforgetit;butwhenthey depart — they shall have it before them; they shall have aremembrance,ortheirmemorynotablyenlightened,andaclearer,andacontinual sight of all theirwickedpractices that theywrought and didwhiletheywereintheworld. 'Son,remember,'sayshe;thenyouwillbemadetoremember:

1.Howyouwereborninsin,andbroughtupinthesame.

2.Rememberhowyouhadmanya time thegospelpreached toyou fortakingawayofyoursin,byhimwhomthegospelholdsforth.

3.Rememberthatoutoflovetoyoursinsandlusts,youturnedyourbackontheoffersofthesamegospelofgoodtidingsandpeace.

4.Rememberthatthereasonwhyyoulostyoursoul,wasbecauseyoudidnot close inwith free grace, and theoffersof a lovingand free-heartedJesusChrist.

5.Rememberhownearyouweretoturningatsuchandsuchatime,onlyyougavewaytoyour lustswhentheywrought; todrunkardswhentheycalled; to pleasures when they offered themselves; to the cares andencumbrancesoftheworld,which,likesomanythorns,didchokethoseconvictionswhichweresetonyourheart.

6.Rememberhowwillingyouweretosatisfyyourselfwithahypocrite's

hope,andwithamerenotionofthethingsofGod,withouttherealpowerandlifeofthesame.

7. Remember how you, when you were admonished to turn — put offturningandrepentinguntilanothertime.

8.Rememberhowyouliedatsuchatime,cheatedyourneighboratsuchatime,mocked,flouted,scoffed,taunted,hated,persecuted—thepeopleofGodatsuchatime,insuchaplace,amongsuchcompany.

9. Remember thatwhile othersmet together in the fear of the Lord toseek him — that you met with a company of vain companions to sinagainst him! While the saints were a-praying — you were a-cursing!WhiletheywerespeakinggoodofthenameofGod—youwerespeakingevil of the saints of God. O then you shall have a scalding hotremembranceof all your sinful thoughts, words, and actions, from thevery firsttothe lastof them,whicheveryoucommitted inallyour life-time.Thenyouwill findthatscripturetobea truth, 'TheLordwillgiveyouan anxiousmind, eyeswearywith longing, and a despairing heart.Youwill liveinconstantsuspense, filledwithdreadbothnightandday,never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, "If only it wereevening!"andintheevening,"Ifonlyitweremorning!"—becauseoftheterror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see!'(Deut28:65-67).

Nay,youwillfindworsethingstoyourwoe,thanthisscripturemanifests!For,indeed,thereisnotongueabletoexpressthehorror,terror,torment,andeternalmiserythatthosepoorsoulsshallundergo,withouttheleastmitigationofease;andaverygreatpartofitshallcomefromthatquick,full,andcontinualremembranceoftheirsinsthattheyshallhave.And,therefore,thereismuchweightinthesewords,'Son,rememberthatyouinyourlifetimereceivedyourgoodthings.'

Fromthesewordsyouseethisistobeobserved:Thattheungodlyshallremember, or have in remembrance, the misspending their lives.'Rememberthatinyourlifetime,youreceivedyourgoodthings.'Youmaytakethesewords,goodthings,eithersimplyforthethingsofthisworld,which in themselves are called, andmaybe called good things.Or else

namely, all the pleasures, delights, profits, and vanities of this life —whichtheignorantpeopleoftheworldcounttheirgoodthings,andverymuchcheer themselves therewith. 'Soul, soul, eat,drink,andbemerry;foryouhavemuchgoodslaidupformanyyears'(Luke12:19,20).

NowIsay,God,accordingtohisgloriouspowerandwisdom,willmakepoorcreatureshavealwaysintheirmindsafreshandclearremembranceoftheirill-spentlife;hewillsayuntothem, 'Remember,remember,thatinyourlifetime,itwasthusandthuswithyou,andinyourlifetimeyourbehaviorwassoandso!'

If sinnersmight have their choice, they would not have their sins andtransgressions so much in the remembrance, as it is evident by theirbehaviors here in this world; for they will not endure to entertain aseriousthoughtoftheirfilthylife,they'putfarawaytheevilday'(Amos6:3;Eze12:27);butwilllaborbyallmeanstoputthethoughtsofitoutoftheirmind.ButthereinHell,theyshallbemadetoremembertopurpose,andtothinkcontinuallyoftheirungodlydeeds.

And therefore it is said, that when our Lord Jesus Christ comes tojudgment, itwill be to convince the ungodlyworld of theirwicked andungodly deeds; mark, 'to convince' them (Jude 14,15). They will notwillinglytakenoticeofthemnow.Butthentheyshallhereafter,inspiteofthemselves. Those who die out of Christ shall be made to see,acknowledge, and confess, do what they can—when they lift up theireyes in Hell, and remember their transgressions. God will be a swiftwitnessagainstthem(Mal3:5),andwillsay,'Rememberwhatyoudidinyourlifetime,howyoulivedinyourlifetime.'

Ha, friend! if you do not in these days of light 'remember the days ofdarkness'(Eccl11:8),theninthedaysofdeath,Hell,andjudgment,youshall be made to remember the days of the gospel, and how youdisregarded them too, to your owndestruction, and everlastingmisery.Thisisintimatedinthat25thchapterofMatthew.

'Rememberthatyouinyourlifetimereceivedyourgoodthings.'

The great God, instead of giving the ungodly any ease, will even

aggravate their torments; first, by slighting their perplexities, and bytellingof themwhat theymust be thinkingof. 'Remember,' says he, 'Oyou lostsouls—remember thatyouhadyour joy inyour lifetime, yourpeaceinyourlifetime,yourcomforts,delights,ease,wealth,health,yourHeaven,yourhappiness,andyourportioninyourlifetime!'

Omiserablestate!Youwillthenbeinamiserableconditionindeed,whenyoushallseethatyouhavehadyourgoodthings,yourbestthings,yourpleasant things; for that is clearly signified by thesewords, 'Rememberthatyouinyourlifetimereceivedyourgoodthings,'orallthegoodthingsyouareevertohave.

Second.Fromwhencetakenoticeofanothertruth,thoughitisadreadfulone,whichisthis:therearemanypoorcreatures,whohavealltheirgood,sweet,andcomfortable things in this life,orwhile theyarealive in thisworld.'Remember,'sayshe,'thatinyourlifetimeyoureceivedyourgoodthings'(Psalm17:14).

Thewicked'sgoodthingswillshortlyhaveanend;theywilllastnolongerwiththem,thanthislife,ortheirlifetime.Thatscripturewasnotwritteninvain: it is like thecracklingof thornsunderapot.Theymakea littleblazeforawhile,alittleheatforawhile;butcomeandconsiderthembyandby,andinsteadofacomfortableheat,youwillfindnothingbutafewdeadashes;andinsteadofaflamingfire,nothingbutasmellofsmoke!

There is a time coming, that the ungodly would be glad of a betterportion,when theyshall see thevanityof thisworld; that is,whentheyshall see what a poor thing it is for aman to have his portion in thisworld.Itistrue,whiletheyarehereonthissideHell,theythinkthereisnothingtobecomparedwithriches,honors,andpleasuresinthisworld;whichmakes them cry out, 'Whowill show us any good?' (Psalm 4:6).Whatiscomparabletothepleasures,profits,andgloryofthisworld?Butthentheywill see there is another thing that is far better, and ofmorevaluethantenthousandworlds.

And seriously, friends, will it not grieve you, trouble, perplex, andtorment you, when you shall see that you lost Heaven — for a littlepleasure and profit in your lifetime? Certainly, it will grieve you and

perplex you exceedingly— to seewhat a blessedHeaven you left for adunghill-world!O!thatyoudidbutbelievethis!thatyoudidbutconsiderthis, and say within yourselves, What! shall I be contented with myportion in this world!What! shall I lose Heaven for this world! I say,consider itwhile you have day-light, and gospel-light,while the Son ofGodholdsouttermsofreconciliationtoyou—lestyoubemadetohearsuchavoiceasthisis,'Son,rememberthatinyourlifetimeyoureceivedyourgoodthings';yourcomforts,yourjoys,yourease,yourpeace,andalltheHeavenyouareevertohave.OpoorHeaven!Oshortpleasures!

Whatapitifulthingitistobeleftinsuchacase?Soul,consider—isitnotmiserable to lose Heaven — for twenty, thirty, or forty years' sinningagainstGod?Whenyourlifeisdone—yourHeavenisalsodone!Whendeath comes to separate your soul andbody, in that day also youmusthave your Heaven and happiness separated from you, and you fromthem. Consider these things early, lest you have your portion in yourlifetime.'Forifinthislifeonlywehavehope,'ourportion,'weareofallmenmostmiserable'(1Cor15:19).

Againconsider,thatwhenthesaintsaretoreceivetheirgoodthings,thenyouhavealreadyhadyours.Whenothersaretoenterintojoy,thenyouare to leaveanddepart fromyour joy.Whenothersare togo toGod—youmustgotothedevil!Omiserable!Youhadbetteryouhadneverbeenborn,thantobeanheirofsuchaportion;therefore,Isay,haveacareitbenotyoureternalcondition.

'Remember that you received your good things, and LAZARUS, EVILTHINGS.'

Thesewordsdonotonlyholdforththemiseryofthewickedinthislife—butalsogreatconsolationtothesaints;wherehesays,'AndLazarus,evilthings.'Thatis,Lazarushadhisevilthingsinhislifetime,orwhenhewasintheworld.Fromwhenceobserve,

1.Thatthelifeofthesaints,solongastheyareinthisworld,isattendedwithmany evils or afflictions;whichmay be discovered to be of diversnatures;assaystheScripture,'Manyarethetroublesoftherighteous—buttheLorddelivershimoutofthemall'(Psalm34:19).

2.Takenotice, that the afflictionsor evilswhich accompany the saints,maycontinuewiththemtheirlifetime,solongastheyliveinthisvalleyof tears; yes, and they may be of several sorts; some outward, someinward;and theymay lastas longas theyshall continueherebelow,ashasbeentheexperienceofallsaintsinallages.Allthismightbeprovedatlarge—butIonlyhintinthesethings,althoughImightenlargemuchuponthem.

3.Theevilsandafflictionswhichaccompanythesaintswillcontinuewiththem no longer than their lifetime. Here indeed lies the comfort ofbelievers,theLazaruses,thesaints—theymusthavealltheirbittercupwrungouttothemintheirlifetime.Hereinthisworld—mustbealltheirtrouble;heremustbealltheirgrief!Behold,saysChrist,'theworldshallrejoice—butyoushall lament;butyourmourning'shall,mark, it 'shallbeturnedintojoy'(John16:20).Youshalllament,youshallbesorrowful,you shallweep in your lifetime—but your sorrow shall be turned intojoy,andyourjoynoman,lethimbewhathewill,nomanshalltakeawayfromyou!

Now if you think, when I say the saints have all their evil things andafflictions in their lifetime, that Imean that theyhavenothing else buttrouble in this their lifetime—this isyourmistake.For letme tell you,thatthoughthesaintshavealltheirevilthingsintheirlifetime—yetevenin their lifetime theyhavealso joyunspeakable, and fullofglory,whiletheylooknotatthethingsthatareseen—butatthethingswhicharenotseen.Thejoythatthesaintshavesometimesintheirheart,byabelievingconsideration of the good things to come, when this life is ended, fillsthemfullerofjoy—thanallthecrosses,troubles,temptations,andevils,whichaccompanytheminthislife,canfillthemwithgrief(2Cor4).

Butsomesaintsmaysay,Mytroublesaresuchasarereadytoovercomeme.

Answer. Yet be of good comfort, they shall last no longer than yourlifetime.

Butmytroubleis,Iamperplexedwithaheartfullofcorruptionandsin,sothatIammuchhinderedinwalkingwithGod.

Answer.Itislikelyso—butyoushallhavethesetroublesnolongerthanyourlifetime.

ButIhaveacrosshusband,andthatisagreatgrieftome.

Answer.Well—butyoushallbetroubledwithhimnolongerthanyourlifetime, and thereforebenotdismayed,benotdiscomforted, you shallhave no trouble longer than this lifetime. Are you troubled with crosschildren, cross relations, cross neighbors? They shall trouble you nolongerthanthislifetime.

Areyoutroubledwithacunningdevil,withunbelief;yes,letitbewhatitwill—youshalltakeyourfarewellofthemall,ifyoubeabeliever,afteryour lifetime isended.O!Howexcellent! 'ThenGodshallwipeawayalltears from your eyes; and there shall be no more death nor sorrow,neithercrying,noranymorepain;fortheformerthingsarepassedaway'(Rev21:4).

Butnowonthecontrary,ifyouarenotatrueandsoundbeliever; then,thoughyoushouldliveathousandyearsinthisworld,andmeetwithsoreafflictions every day — yet these afflictions, be they ever so great andgrievous,theyarenothing,comparedtothattormentthatwillcomeuponyou,bothinsoulandinbody,afterthislifeisended.

I say, bewhat youwill, if you are found in unbelief, or under the firstcovenant—youaresuretosmart for itat thetimewhenyoudodepartthisworld.Butthethingtobe lamentedis, forall this issomiserableacondition to be fallen into — yet poor souls are, for the most part,senselessof it, yes, sosenseless,at some times,as though therewasnosuchmisery to comehereafter!Because theLorddoesnot immediatelystrikewithhissword—butbearslongwithhiscreature,waitingthathemightbegracious.Therefore,Isay,theheartsofsomeofthesonsofmenarewholly set upon it to domischief (Eccl 8:11). And that forbearanceand goodness of God, that one would think should lead them torepentance;thedevilhardeningofthem,bytheircontinuinginsin,andbyblindingtheireyes,astotheendofGod'sforbearancetowardsthem—they are led awaywith a very hardened and senseless heart, evenuntiltheydropintoeternaldestruction!

But poor hearts, they must have a time in which they must be madesensibleof their formerbehaviors,whenthe just judgmentsof theLordshallflameabouttheirears,insomuch,thattheyshallbemadetocryoutagainwithanguish,Iamsorely'tormentedinthisflame!'

'Butnowheiscomforted—andyouaretormented.'Asifheshouldsay,NowhasGodrecompensedbothLazarusandyou,accordingtowhatyousoughtafterwhileyouwereinthisworld.Asforyourpart,youneglectedthe preciousmercy and goodness ofGod, you turned your back on theSonofGod,whocameintotheworldtosavesinners;youmadeamockofpreaching the gospel; you were admonished over and over, to close inwiththeloving-kindnessoftheLord,inhisSonJesusChrist.TheLordletyoulivetwenty,thirty,forty,fifty,sixtyyears;allwhichtimeyou,insteadofspendingit'tomakeyourcallingandelectionsure'(2Peter1:10),spentitinmakingeternaldamnationsuretoyoursoul!(Job21:29,30).

AndalsoLazarus,heinhislifetimemadeithisbusinesstoacceptofmygraceandsalvationintheLordJesusChrist.Whenyouwereintheale-house — he frequented the word preached; when you were jeering atgodliness—hewas sighing to the sins of the times (Eccl 9:4-6).Whileyouwereswearing—hewaspraying;inaword,whileyouweremakingsureofeternalruin—he,byfaithinthebloodoftheLordJesusChrist,wasmakingsureofeternalsalvation.Therefore,'Nowheiscomforted—andyouaretormented!'

Here,then,youmaysee,thatastherighteousshallnotbealwaysvoidofcomfortandblessedness;soneithershalltheungodlygoalwayswithouttheir punishment. As sure asGod is inHeaven— itwill be thus. Theymusthavetheirseveralportions.And,therefore,youwhoarethesaintsoftheLord,followon,benotdismayed,forasmuchasyouknowthatyourlaborisnotinvainintheLord(1Cor15:58).Yourportioniseternalglory.Andyouwhoare so reluctantnow toclose inwithJesusChrist, and toleave your sins to follow him— your 'day is coming' (Psalm 37:13), inwhich you shall know, that your sweet morsels of sin, that you do soeasily swallowdown (Job20:12-14), and it scarcely troubles you—willhaveatimesotoworkwithinyoutoyoureternalruin,thatyouwillbeinaworseconditionthanifyouhadtenthousanddevilstormentingofyou!Nay,youhadbetterhavebeenpluckedlimbfromlimbathousandtimes,

if itcouldbe—thantobepartakersof this tormentthatwill,assuredlywithoutmercy,lieuponyou!

Verse26.'Andbesidesallthis,betweenusandyouagreatgulfhasbeenfixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor cananyonecrossoverfromtheretous.'

These words are still part of that answer which the souls in Hell shallhave for all their sobbings, sighings, grievous cries, tears, and desires,that theyhave— tobe releasedoutof those intolerablepains theyfeel,andareperplexedwith.AndO!methinks thewordsat the first view, ifrightly considered, are enough tomake any hard-hearted sinner in theworldtofalldowndead.

TheverseIlastspoketowasandisaveryterribleone,andaggravatesthetormentsofpoorsinnersastonishingly.Wherehesays, 'Remember thatyou inyour lifetimereceivedyourgoodthings,andLazarusevil things,'etc.Isay,thesewordsareveryterribletothosepoorsoulsthatdieoutofChrist.Buttheselatterwordsdomuchmoreholdouttheirsorrow.Theywere spoken as to the present condition then upon the sinner. Thesewords in verse 26 do not only back the former — but do yet furtheraggravatetheirmisery,holdingforththatwhichwillbemoreintolerable.Theformerverseisenoughtosmiteanysinnerintoaswoon—butthisistomakehimfalldowndead!Wherehesays,'Andbesideallthis.'Thereisstillsomethingtoaggravateyourmiseryyetfarmoreabundantly.

I shall briefly speak to the words as they have relation to the terrorspokenofintheversesbefore.Asifhehadsaid,Youthinkyourpresentstateisunsupportable,itmakesyousobandsigh,itmakesyoutoruethetimethateveryouwereborn.Nowyoufindthe lackofmercy;nowyouwould leap at the least grain of it; now you feelwhat it is to slight theoffers of the grace of God; now it makes you to sob, sigh, and roarexceedinglyfortheanguishthatyouarein.

'Butbesideallthis,'Thatis,Ihaveotherthingstotellyouof—whichwillbreakyourheart indeed.Youarenowdeprivedofbeing inHeaven;youaredeprivedofhearing thegospel; thedevilhasbeen toohard foryou,and has made you miss of Heaven; you are now in Hell among an

innumerable companyofdevils, andall your sinsbeset you round;youarealloverwrappedinflames,andcannothaveonedropofwatertogiveyou any ease; you cry in vain, for nothingwill be granted. You see thesaintsinHeaven,whichisnosmalltroubletoyourdamnedsoul;youseethat neither God nor Christ takes any care to ease you, or speak anycomfortuntoyou.'Butbesideallthis,'thereyouare,andthereyouwilllieforever—neverthinkofanyease,neverlookforanycomfort;repentancenowwilldoyounogood,thetimeispast,andcanneverbecalledagain;the torment youhavenow—youmusthave forever. It is true, I spokeenoughbeforetobreakyourheartasunder;'Butbesideallthis,'youmustliethereandswiminflamesforever.

Thesewords,'Besideallthis,'areterriblewordsindeed.Iwillgiveyouthescope of them in a similitude. To show the dreadful case— youwouldtakeaman,andtiehimtoastake,andwithred-hotpinchers,pinchoffhisfleshbylittlepiecesfortwoorthreeyearstogether,andatlast,whenthe poorman cries out for ease andhelp, the tormentors answer,Nay,'butbesideallthis,'youmustbehandledworse!Wewillserveyouthus,thesetwentyyearstogether,andafterthatwewillfillyourmangledbodyfullofscalding lead,orrunyouthroughwithared-hotspit!Wouldnotthisbelamentable?

Yet this is but a flea-bitingcompared to the sorrowof thosewhogo toHell;forifamanweretreatedso,therewould,beforeitwerelong,beanendofhim.ButhewhogoestoHellshallsuffertenthousandtimesworsetorments than these— and yet shall never die under them. There theyshall be ever whining, pining, weeping, mourning, ever tormentedwithoutease—andyetneverdissolvedintonothing.

IfthebiggestdevilinHellmightpullyoualltopieces,andrendyousmallasdust,anddissolveyou intonothing—youwouldcountthisamercy.But here you may lie and fry, scorch, and broil, and burn forever.FOREVER!Thatisalongwhile,andyetitmustbesolong.'Departfromme,youcursed,'saysChrist,'intoeverlastingfire,'intothefirethatburnsforever, 'preparedforthedevilandhisangels'(Matt25:41).O!youwhowerereluctanttogohalfamile,yes,halfablocktohearthewordofGod,if it were but a little dark; youwhowere reluctant to leave a few vaincompanions,toedifyyoursoul;youshallhavefireenough,youshallhave

nightenough,andevilcompanyenough,yourbelly-full—ifyoumissofJesus Christ; and 'beside all this,' you shall have them forever, andforever!

O you who spend whole nights in carding and dicing, in rioting andwantonness; you who count it a brave thing to swear as fast as thebravest, to spendwith the greatest spendthrift in the country; youwholove to sin in a cornerwhennobody sees you!O youwho for bye-endscarry on the hypocrite's profession, because you would be countedsomebodyamongthechildrenofGod—butareanenemytothethingsofChristinyourheart.Youwhosatisfyyourself,eitherwithsins,orabareprofession of godliness— your soul will fall into extreme torment andanguish,assoonaseveryoudodepartthisworld,andthereyoushallbeweeping andgnashing your teeth (Matt 8:12). 'Andbesideall this,' youwill never have any ease or remedy, never expect any deliverance, youshalldieinyoursins,andbetormentedasmanyyearsastherearestarsinthesky,orsandsontheseashore;'andbesideallthis,'youmustabideitforever!

'Andbesidesall this,betweenusandyouagreatgulfhasbeenfixed,sothatthosewhowanttogofromheretoyoucannot,norcananyonecrossover fromtheretous.' 'There isagreatgulf fixed.'Youwillsay,what isthat?

Answer.

1.Seeyourathertoenterinatthestraitgate—thancuriouslytoinquirewhatthisgulfis.But,

2.IfyouwouldneedsknowifyoudofallshortofHeaven,youwillfinditthis,namely:theeverlastingdecreeofGod;that is, there isdecreegoneforthfromGod,thatthosewhofallshortofHeaveninthisworld,Godisresolvedtheyshallneverenjoyitintheworldtocome.Andyouwillfindthisgulfsodeep—thatyoushallneverbeabletowadethroughitaslongaseternitylasts.AsChristsays,'Agreewithyouradversaryquickly,whileyouare inthewaywithhim'(Matt5:25); 'lesthehaleyoutothe judge,andthejudgedeliveryoutotheofficer,andyoubecastintoprison.Itellyou, you shall by no means come out thence!' There is the gulf, the

decree, 'you shall not depart thence until you have paid the' utmostfarthing,or'verylastmite'(Luke12:58,59).

Thesewordstherefore,'thereisagreatgulffixed,'Idounderstandtobethe everlasting decree of God. God has decreed that those who go toHeaven shall never go from thence again into a worse place; and alsothosewhogotoHell,andwouldcomeout,theyshallnotcomeoutthenceagain.Andfriend,thisissuchagulf,sofixedbyhimwhocannotlie,thatyouwillfinditso,whicheverwayyougo,whetheritbetoHeavenorHell.

Here thereforeyouseehowsecureGodwillmake thosewhodie in thefaith;Godwillkeep them inHeaven.But thosewhodie in their sins—God will throw them to Hell and keep them there! So that those whowouldgofromHelltoHeaven,cannot.Mark,hedoesnotsay,theywouldnotfor,Ohowgladlywouldthesewhohavelosttheirsoulsforalust,fortwo-pence,forajugofale,foraharlot,forthisworld—comeoutofthathotscaldingfieryfurnaceofGod'seternalvengeance, if theymight!Buthereistheirmisery:thosewhowouldcomefromHelltoHeaven,cannot,theymust not, they shall not! They cannot, God has decreed it, and isresolvedthecontrary.

Here therefore lies themisery,notsomuch that theyare inHell—buttheretheymustlieforeverandever!Therefore,ifyourheartwouldatanytimetemptyoutosinagainstGod,cryout,'No,forthenImustgotoHell—andliethereforever!'Ifthedrunkards,swearers,liars,andhypocritesdid but take this doctrine soundly down, it wouldmake them tremblewhen theyeven thinkof sinning.Butpoor souls,now theywill 'makeamockofsin'(Prov14:9),andplaywithitasachildplayswitharattle;butthe time is coming, that these rattleswhich now they play with—willmakesuchanoiseintheirearsandconsciences,thattheyshallfind,thatifallthedevilsinHellwereyellingattheirheels,thenoisewouldnotbecomparabletoit!

Friend,yoursins,assomanybloodhounds,willfirsthuntyouout(Num32:23),andthentakeyouandbindyou,andholdyoudownforever(Prov5:22).Theywillgripyouandgnawyouasifyouhadanestofpoisonousserpentsinyourbelly(Job20:14).Andthiswillnotbeforatime—but,asIhavesaid,forever,forever,forever!

Verse27.'Thenhesaid,Ibegyoutherefore,father,thatyouwouldsendhimtomyfather'shouse.'

Theversesbefore,Itoldyou,werespokenpartlytoholdforththedesirethatthedamnedhavetobefreedoftheirendlessmisery.Nowthisversestillholdsforththecriesof thosepoorsoulsveryvehement, theywouldverygladlyhavesomethinggrantedtothem—butitwillnotbe;aswillmoreclearlyappearafterward.

'Thenhesaid,IbegyouTHEREFORE,FATHER,'etc.Asifheshouldsay,seeing Ihavebroughtmyself into suchamiserable condition, thatGodwill not regardme, thatmy exceeding loud and bitter crieswill not beheardformyself;seeingImustnotbeadmittedtohavesomuchasonedropofcoldwater,northeleasthelpfromthepoorestsaints.Andseeing,'besideallthis,'heremysoulmustlietoalleternity,broilingandfrying;seeingImustundergothehandofeternalvengeance,andtherebukesofdevouringfire;seeingmystateissuch,thatIwouldnotwishadoginmycondition,'sendhimtomyfather'shouse.'

It isworthytobetakennoticeof,again,who it ishedesiredtobesent,namely,Lazarus.Ofriend,seeherehowthestoutheartsandstomachsofpoorcreatureswillbehumbled,asIsaidbefore,theywillbesobroughtdown, that those things that they disdained and made light of in thisworld,theywouldbegladofinthelifetocome.Hewhobythismanwassoslighted,as thathethought itadishonorthatheshouldeatwith thedogs of his flock. What, shall I regard Lazarus, scabbed, beggarlyLazarus!what, shall I so fardishonormy fair, sumptuous,andmirthfulhouse,withsuchaloathsomebeggarashe!No,Idespisethatheshouldever be entertained under my roof. Thus he would say in his lifetime,whilehewasinhisbravery;butnowheiscomeintoanotherworld,nowhe is parted fromhis pleasures, now he sees his fine house, his daintydishes,hisrichneighborsandcompanions,andhe,arepartedasunder;nowhefinds...insteadofpleasures—torments;insteadofjoys—heaviness;insteadofHeaven—Hell;insteadofthepleasuresofsin—thehorrorandguiltofsin;Onow,sendLazarus!

Lazarus, itmay be,might have done him some good, if hemight havebeenentertainedintimepast,andmighthavepersuadedhim,atleastnottohave goneon so grievouslywicked—buthe slightshim,hewill notregardhim,heisresolvedtodisownhim,thoughhelosehisownsoulforsodoing.Ay—butnowsendLazarus, ifnottome—yettomyfather'shouse,andlethimtellthem,fromme,thatiftheyrunoninsin,asIhavedone,theymustandshallreceivethesamewagesthatIhavereceived!

Takenoticeofthis,youwhoaredespisersoftheleastoftheLazarusesofourLordJesusChrist; itmaybenowyouare reluctant to receive theselittle ones of his, because they are not gentlemen, because they areunlearned.

ThoughnowthegospeloftheLordJesusChristmaybepreachedtothemfreely,andfornothing;nay,theyarenowbeggedtohearandreceive it:thoughnowtheywillnotown,regard,orembracetheseChristianoffersoftheglorioustruthofJesus,becausetheycomeoutofsomeofthebasestearthenvessels;yetthetimeiscoming,whentheywillbothsighandcry,Send him tomy father's house (1 Cor 1:26). I say, remember this, youwhodespisethedayofsmallthings;thetimeiscoming,whenyouwouldbeglad,ifyoumightenjoyfromGod,fromChrist,orhissaints,onesmalldropofcoldwater,thoughnowyouareunwillingtoreceivethegloriousdistillingdropsofthegospelofourLordJesus.

Again,seeherethelamentablestatetheyarein,whogotoHellfromtheirfathers,mothers,sisters,brothers,etc.Whiletheyareinthisworld,mendelighttosetsinfulexamplesfortheirchildren;andalsochildrenlovetofollow thewicked steps of their ungodly parents; butwhen theydepartthis life, anddropdown intoHell, and find themselves in irrecoverablemisery — then they cry, send somebody to my father's house, to mybrother'shouse.Tell themmystate ismiserable,tell themIamundoneforever;andtell themalso, that if theywillbewalking intheseungodlystepswhereinIleftthem—thattheywillassuredlyfallintothisplaceoftorments.

'I beg you— SENDHIM TOMY FATHER'SHOUSE.' Ah, friends andneighbors,itislikelyyoulittlethinkofthis,thatsomeofyourfriendsand

relations are crying out in Hell, Lord, send somebody to my father'shouse, to preach the gospel to them, lest they also come into thesetorments!

Here,menwhiletheylive,canwillinglywalktogetherinthewayofsin,andwhentheyarepartedbydeath,thosewhoareliving,seldomorneverconsider of the miserable condition that those who are dead aredescended into! But you ungodly fathers — how are your ungodlychildrenroaringnowinHell?Andyouungodlychildren—howareyourungodly parentswho lived and died ungodly, now in the pains ofHellalso?Andonedrunkardissingingonthealebench,andanotherroaringunder the wrath of God, saying, O that I waswith him, howwould Irebuke him, and persuade him by all means to leave off these evilcourses. O! that they did but consider what I now suffer for pride,covetousness,drunkenness,lying,swearing,stealing,whoring,andthelike.O!did theybut feel the thousandthpart thereof— itwouldmakethemlookaboutthem,andnotbuysinatsodeararateasIhavedone;evenwiththelossofmyprecioussoul!

'Sendhimtomy father'shouse.'Not tomy father—but tomy 'father'shouse.' It may be, there are ungodly children, or ungodly servants,wallowing in their ungodliness — send him therefore to my father'shouse.ItislikelythattheyarestillthesamethatIleftthem;Ileftthemwicked— and they are wicked still; I left them slighters of the gospel,saints, andways of God— and they are still. 'Send him tomy father'shouse,' it is likely there is but a little timebetween themand the placewhereIam;sendhimtoday,beforetomorrow, 'lesttheyalsocomeintothesameplaceoftorment.Ibegyouthatyouwouldsendhim!'

Ibegitonmybendedknee,withcryingandwithtears,intheagonyofmysoul.Itmaybetheywillnotconsider—ifyoudonotsendhim.Ileftthemsottishenough,hardenedaswellasI;theyhavethesamedeviltotemptthem,thesamelustsandworldtoovercomethem! 'Ibegyoutherefore,thatyouwouldsendhimtomyfather'shouse';makenodelay,lesttheylosetheirsouls—lesttheycomehere!Iftheydo,theyarelikelynevertoreturnagain.O!littledotheythinkhoweasilytheymaylosetheirsouls;theyareapttothinktheirconditiontobeasgoodasthebest,asIoncethroughignorancedid;butsendhim,sendhimwithoutdelay, 'lest they

alsocomeintothisplaceoftorment.'

But now, O that I was to live in the world again; andmight have thatprivilege to have some acquaintance with blessed Lazarus, somefamiliarity with that holyman; what attendance would I give unto hiswholesomewords!HowwouldI learnhisdoctrine,andclose inwith it!HowwouldIsquaremylifethereby!Nowtherefore,asitisbettertohearthe gospel under a hedge than to sit roaring in a tavern, it is better towelcomeGod'sbegging Lazaruses than thewicked companions of thisworld.Itisbettertoreceiveasaintinthenameofasaint,adiscipleinthenameofadisciple,thantodoasIhavedone(Luke10:16).O!itisbettertoreceiveachildofGod,whocanbyexperiencedeliverthethingsofGod,hisfreelove,histendergrace,hisrichforbearance,andalsothemiseryofman.O! Imay curse the day that ever I gaveway to the flatteries andfawningofacompanyofcarnalclergymen,butthismyrepentanceistoolate; I shouldhave lookedaboutmesooner, if Iwouldhavebeensavedfromthiswoefulplace!Thereforesendhim,notonlytothetownIlivedin,anduntosomeofmyacquaintance—buttomyfather'shouse.

Inmy lifetime I did not care to hear that word that cutmemost, andshowedmemylostestatearight.Iwasvexedtohearmysinsmentioned,andlaidtomycharge.Ilovedhimbest,whodeceivedmemost;whosaid,Peace, peace, when therewas no such thing (Jer 5:30,31). But now, OthatIhadbeensoundlytoldofit!Othatithadpiercedbothmyearsandheart, andhad stuck so fast that nothing couldhave curedme, but thebloodofChrist!Itisbettertobedealtplainlywith,thanthatweshouldbedeceived;theyhadbetterseetheirlostconditionintheworld—thantheybe damned, as I am. Therefore send Lazarus, send him tomy father'shouse. Let him go and say, I saw your son, your brother, in Hell,weepingandwailing,andgnashinghisteeth!Lethimtellthemplainlyitisso,thattheyshallseetheireverlastingmisery.'Sendhimtomyfather'shouse.'

Verse28. 'ForIhavefivebrethren;thathemaytestifyuntothem, lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment!'

Thesewordsare,ifImaysosay,areasongivenbythoseinHellwhytheyare so restlessanddo cry so loud; it is that their companionsmightbe

delivered from those intolerable torments which they must and shallundergo,iftheyfallshortofeverlastinglifebyJesusChrist.'Sendhimtomy father's house; for I have five brethren.' Though, while they livedamong them in theworld, theywerenot sosensibleof their ruin—yetnowtheyarepassedoutoftheworld,anddopartakeofthatwhichbeforetheywerewarnedof;theycan,Isay,thencryout,NowIfindthattobetrue indeed,whichwasonceandagaintoldanddeclaredtomethat itwouldcertainlycometopass.

'FORIHAVEFIVEBRETHREN.'Hereyoumaysee that theremay be,and are,whole households in a damnable state and condition, as ourLordJesusbythissignifies.'Sendhimtomyfather'shouse,'fortheyareall inonedreadful state, I left allmybrethren in apitiful case. People,whiletheylivehere,cannotenduretohearthattheyareallinamiserablecondition;butwhentheyareunderthewrathofGod—theyfeelit, theyknow it,andareverysureof it; fortheythemselves,whentheywere intheworld,livedastheydo—buttheyfellshortofHeaven,andtherefore,iftheygoon—soshallthey.O,therefore,sendhimquicklytomyfather'shouse,forallthehouseisinanundonecondition,andmustbedamnediftheycontinueso!

The thingobservable is this,namely: that thosewhoare inHell donotdesirethattheircompanionsshouldcomethere;nayrather,sayshe,sendhimtomyfather'shouse,andlethimtestifytothosewhoaretherein,lesttheyalsocometothisdreadfulHell,etc.

Question.Butsomemaysay,Whatshouldbethereasonthatthedamnedshoulddesirenottohavetheircompanionscomeintothesameconditionthattheyarefalleninto—butratherthattheymightbekeptfromit,andescapethatdreadfulstate?

Answer.Ibelievethereisnosuch love inanyof thedamnedinHell,asreally to desire the salvation of any. But in that there is any desire inthosewhoaredamned,thattheirfriendsandrelationsshouldnotcomeintothatplaceoftorment—itappearstometoberatherfortheirowneasethanfortheirneighbor'sgood.Foritwouldaggravatetheirgriefandhorror—toseetheirungodlyneighborsinthelikedestructionwiththem.Forwheretheungodlyliveanddie,anddescendintothepittogether,the

oneisratheravexationandtormenttotheother,andnotanycomfortatall.Anditmustneedsbeso,becausetherearenoungodlypeoplewholiveungodlytogether,buttheydolearnbadexamplesoneofanother,asthus:If there livesone in thetownwho isveryshadyinbusinesspractices—whytherestwhoareofthesamemindwithhim,theywilllabortoimitateandfollowhissteps:thisiscommonlyseen.

Again, if there isonegiventodrunkenness,othersof thetown,throughhismeans, run themore into that sinwithhim,becauseofhis enticingthem,andalsobysettingsuchabadexamplebeforethem.

And so, if therebe anyaddicted topride, andmust needs be in all thenewest fashions — how do their example provoke others to love andfollow the same vanity; spending that upon their lusts—which shouldrelievetheirownandothers'wants.

Also,ifthereareanygiventojesting,scoffing,lying,whoring,backbiting,secretwickedness,wantonness, or any other sin— then those who aremostexpertinthesethings,ofttimesentangleothers,whoperhapswouldnothavebeensovileasnowtheyare,hadtheynothadsuchanexample,andhencetheyarecalledcorrupters(Isa1:4).

Nowthesewill,bytheirdoings,exceedinglyaggravatethecondemnationof one another.Hewho set his neighbor a sinful example, and therebycaused him towalk in sin—hewill be found one cause of his friend'sdestruction, insomuch that he will have to answer for his own sins —AND for a great part of his neighbor's too, which will add to hisdestruction! As that scripture in Ezekiel shows, where, speaking of thewatchmanthatshouldgivethepeoplewarning,ifhedidnot,thoughtheman did die in his sins — yet his blood shall be required at thewatchman'shand!(Eze33).

So here let me tell you, that if you should be such a one, as by yourconversationandpracticesshallbeatrapandastumbling-blocktocauseyourneighbortofallintoeternalruinthoughhebedamnedforhisownsins—yetGodwill chargeyouasbeingguiltyofhis blood, in that youwerenotcontent tokeep fromHeavenyourself—butdidalso,byyourfilthyconversation,keepawayothers,andcausethemtofallwithyou!O,

therefore,willnotthisaggravateyourtorment!Yes,ifyoushoulddieandgotoHellbeforeyourneighbororcompanions,besidestheguiltofyourown sins — you would be so laden with the fear of the damnation ofotherstobelaidtoyourcharge,thatyouwouldcryout:OsendonefromthedeadtothiscompanionandthatcompanionwithwhomIhadsocietyinmy lifetime— for I seemycursedbehaviorwill be onecauseof hiscondemnation!Ilefthimlivinginfoulandheinoussins;butIwasoneofthefirstinstrumentstobringhimtothem.O!Ishallbeguiltybothofmyown—andhisdamnationtoo!Othathemightbekeptouthence—lestmytormentbeaggravatedbyhiscominghither!

For where ungodly people dwell together, they being a snare andstumbling-blockone to another by their wicked practices— they mustneedsbeatormentone toanother,andanaggravationof eachother'sdamnation!

'Ocursedbeyourface!'saysone, 'thateverIsetmyeyesonyou!Itwasyouwhoenticedmeandensnaredme.Itwasyourfilthyconversationthatwasastumbling-blocktome.Itwasyourcovetousness,itwasyourpride,yourhauntingtheale-house,yourgamingandwhoring.Itwasbecauseofyou—thatIfellshortofeternallife!Ifyouhadsetmeagoodexample,asyoudid setmea sinful one— itmaybe Imightnothave come to thisdreadfulHell;butIlearnedofyou,Ifollowedyoursteps,Itookcounselofyou.OthatIhadneverseenyourface!Othatyouhadneverbeenborntodomysoulthiswrong,asyouhavedone!'

Saystheother,'O,Imayasmuchblameyou,forrememberhowatsuchatime, and at such a place— youdrewmeout, anddrewmeaway, andaskedmeifIwouldgowithyou,whenIwasgoingaboutotherbusiness,aboutmycalling;butyoucalledmeaway,yousentforme—youareasmuch in the faultas I!ThoughIwerecovetous,youwereproud;and ifyoulearnedcovetousnessfromme,Ilearnedprideanddrunkennessfromyou!ThoughI taughtyou tocheat—you taughtme towhore, to lie, toscoffatgoodness.ThoughI,basewretch,stumbledyouinsomethings—yetyoudidasmuchstumblemeinothers.Icanblameyou—justasyoublameme!AndifIhavetoanswerforsomeofyourmostfilthyactions—youhave toanswer for someofmine. Iwishyouhadnot comehere—yourverylookswoundmysoul,bybringingmysinsafreshintomymind

— the time when, themanner how, the place where, the persons withwhom.Itwaswithyou,you!Youareagrieftomysoul!SinceIcouldnotshunyourcompanythereintheworld—OthatIhadbeenwithoutyourcompanyhereinHell!

Isay,therefore,forthosewhohavesinnedtogethertogotoHelltogether—itwillverymuchgrieveandtormentthemboth.ThereforeIjudgethisis one reason why those who are in Hell desire that their friends orcompanionsdonotcomethereintothesameplaceoftormentthattheyarein.AndthereforewhereChristsaysthatthesedamnedsoulscryout,'Send toour companions, that theymaybewarnedandcommanded tolook to themselves,Osend tomy fivebrethren!' It isonlybecause theywouldnothavetheirowntormentsheightenedbytheircompany;andasense, yes, a continual sense of their sins, which they caused them tocommitwhentheywereintheworldwiththem.

I believe that the very looksof those who have been beguiled of theirfellows,Isaytheirverylookswillbeatormenttothem!Fortherebywillthe remembranceof their own sins be kept, if possible, the fresher ontheir consciences, which they committedwith them; and also they willwonderfullyhavetheguiltoftheotherssinsuponthem,inthattheywerepartlythecauseofhiscommittingthem,beinginstrumentsinthehandsofthedeviltodrawthemintoo.

And, therefore, lest this come to pass, 'I beg you send Lazarus to myfather'shouse.' For if theymightnot comehither, perhapsmy tormentmighthavesomemitigation!That is, if theymightbe saved, then theirsinswillbepardoned,andnotsoheavilychargedonmysoul.Butiftheyfall into the sameplacewhere I am— then the sins that Ihave causedthemtocommitwill lie soheavy,notonlyon theirsouls—butalsoonmine, that they sin me into eternal misery, deeper and deeper! OthereforesendLazarustomyfather'shouse,tomyfivebrethren,andlethimtestifytothem,lesttheycomeintothisplaceoftorment!

Thesewordsbeingthusunderstood—whatadreadfulconditiondoesitshow them to be in then, who now much delight in being the veryringleadersoftheircompanionsintosinsofallsorts!

Whilemen livehere, if theycanbecounted thecunningest incheating,the boldest for lying, the greatest for whoring, the most subtle forcoveting and getting the world; if they can but cunningly defraud,undermine,cross,andangertheirneighbors,yes,andhinderthemfromthemeansofgrace,thegospelofChrist—theygloryinit,takeaprideinit, and think themselves pretty well at ease, and their minds aresomewhatquiet,beingbeguiledwithsin.

But,friend,whenyouhavelostthislife,andbegintoliftupyoureyesinHell,andseewhatyoursinshavebroughtyouto;andnotonlyso—butthatyou,byyourfilthysins,causedothers,devil-like,tofallintothesamecondemnationwithyou;andthatoneofthereasonsof theirdamnationwasthis—thatyouledthemtothecommissionofthosewickedpracticesof thisworld,and the lusts thereof!Then,O that somebodywouldstopthemfromcoming,lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment—andbe damned as I am! How ill it torment me! Balaam could not becontentedtobedamnedhimself—butalsohemust,byhiswickedness,causeotherstostumbleandfall.TheScribesandPhariseescouldnotbecontented to keep out ofHeaven themselves— but theymust labor tokeepoutotherstoo.Thereforetheirsisthegreaterdamnation!

Thedeceivedcannotbecontenttobedeceivedhimself;buthemustlabortodeceiveothersalso.ThedrunkardcannotbecontenttogotoHellforhis own sins—buthemust labor to cause others to fall into the samefurnacewith him. But look to yourselves, for here will be damnationupon damnation — damned for your own sins, and damned for yourbeingapartakerwithothersintheirsins;anddamnedforbeingguiltyofthedamnationofothers!Ohowwillthedrunkardscryfor leadingtheirneighbors into drunkenness! How will the covetous person howl forsettinghisneighbor,hisfriend,hisbrother,hischildrenandrelations—sowickedanexample!bywhichhehasnotonlywrongedhisownsoul—but also the souls of others.The liar,by lying, taught others to lie; theswearer taught others to swear; the whoremonger taught others towhore.

Nowallthese,withothersofthelikesort,willbeguilty,notonlyoftheirowndamnation— but also of the damnation ofothers. I tell you, thatsomemen have somuch been the authors of the damnation of others,

that I almost think that the damnation of them, will trouble them asmuchastheirowndamnation.Somemen,itistobefeared,atthedayofjudgment,will be found to be the authors of destroyingwhole nations!How many souls do you think Balaam, with his deceit, will have toanswerfor?HowmanyMohammed?HowmanythePharisees,whohiredthesoldierstosaythedisciplesstoleawayJesus?(Matt18:11-15);andbythatmeans stumbled their brethren to this day; andwas onemeans ofhinderingthemfrombelievingthethingsofGodandJesusChrist,andsothecauseofthedamnationoftheirbrethrentothisveryday!

Howmanypoorsoulshavethemanyfilthyblindprieststoanswerfor,doyouthink?Howmanysoulshavetheybeenthemeansofdestroying—bytheir ignorance and corrupt doctrine? Preaching, that which was nobetterforotherssouls—thanrat-poisonforthebody—andallforfilthylucre's sake (Oyoupriests—thisword is foryou!).Theyshallsee, thatthey,manyofthemitistobefeared,willhavewholetownstoanswerfor;wholecitiestoanswerfor.

Ah, friend, I tell you — you who have taken in hand to preach to thepeople,itmaybeyouhavetakeninhandyoucannottellwhat.Willitnotgrieve you to see your whole parish come bellowing after you to Hell,cryingout,'Wemaythankyouforthis!Thisisbecauseofyou—youdidnotteachusthetruth!Youledusawaywithfables—youwereafraidtotellusofoursins,lestweshouldnotputmeatfastenoughinyourmouth.O you cursed wretch, that ever you should beguile us thus, deceive usthus,flatterusthus!WewouldhavegoneouttoheartheWordabroad—butthatyoureprovedus;andalsothatusthatthatwhichweseenowisthewayofGod—washeresy, andadeceivabledoctrine!Andwerenotcontentedwiththat,blindguideasyouwere,tofallintotheditchofHellyourself—buthavealsoledustherewithyou!

Isay,looktoyourself,lestyoucryoutwhenitistoolate:SendLazarustomy people, my friends, my children, my congregation to whom Ipreached,andbeguiledthroughmyfolly!SendhimtothetowninwhichIpreached last, lest I be the cause of their damnation. Send him tomyfriendsfromwhenceIcame,lestIbemadetoanswerfortheirsoulsandmyowntoo!(Eze33:1-6).

Osendhimtherefore,andlethimtellthem,andtestifyuntothem—lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment!

Considerthis,youwholivethusintheworld,whileyouareinthelandoftheliving—lestyoufallintothisdreadfulcondition.

Suppose you should by your behavior, destroy but one soul— but onepoor soul, by one of your behaviors or actions, by your sinful works;consideritnow,Isay,lestyoubeforcedtocry,'Ibegyoutherefore, thatyouwouldsendhimtomyfather'shouse,forIhavefivebrethren,thathemaytestifyuntothem—lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment!'

Ifso,thenIshallnotonlysaytotheblindguides—Looktoyourselves,anddonotshutoutothers;no—butthisreachesuntoallthosewhodonotonlykeepsoulsfromHeavenbypreachingandthelike—butspeaksforththedoomofthosewhoshall inanywaybeinstrumentaltohinderothersfromclosinginwithJesusChrist.

Owhatred lineswill those be against all those rich ungodly landlords,who sohinder their poor tenants that theydarenot go out to hear theword,forfeartheirrentshouldberaised,ortheybeturnedoutof theirhouses!Whatdoyousay,landlord—willitnotcutyoursoul,whenyoushallseethatyoucouldnotbecontenttomissofHeavenyourself—butyou must labor to hinder others also! Will it not give you an eternalwoundinyourheart,bothatdeathandjudgment—tobeaccusedoftheruinofyourneighbor'ssoul,yourservant'ssoul,yourwife'ssoul,togetherwiththeruinofyourown!Thinkonthis,youdrunken,proud,rich,andscornfullandlords!

Thinkonthis,youmad-brainedblasphemoushusbands,whoareagainstthe godly and chaste behavior of your wives! Also you who hold yourservantssohardtoitthatyouwillnotsparethemtimetoheartheWord,unlessitbewhereandwhenyourlustswillletyou.Ifyouloveyourownsouls, your tenants' souls, your wives' souls, your servants' souls, yourchildren'ssouls;ifyouwouldnotcry,ifyouwouldnothowl,ifyouwouldnotbeartheburdenoftheruinofothersforever—thenIbeseechyoutoconsider this doleful story, and labor to avoid the soul-killing tormentthat thispoorwretchgroansunder,whenhe says, 'I beg you therefore,

thatyouwouldsendhimtomyfather'shouse!'

'ForIhavefivebrethren,THATHEMAYTESTIFY,'mark, 'thathemaytestify UNTO THEM, lest they also come into this place of torment.'ThesewordshavestillsomethingmoreinthemthanIhaveyetobservedfrom them; there are one or two thingsmore that I shall briefly touchupon,andtherefore,mark,hesays,'Thathemaytestifyuntothem,'etc.

Mark,Ibegyou,andtakenoticeofthewordTESTIFY.Hedoesnotsay,And let him go unto them, or speakwith, or tell them such and suchthings. No — but let him testify, or affirm it constantly, in case anyshould oppose it. 'Let him testify unto them.' It is the same word theScripture uses to set forth the vehemency of Christ, his telling of hisdisciplesofhimthatshouldbetrayhim.'Andhetestified,saying,Oneofyoushallbetrayme.'Andhetestified,thatis,hespokeitsoastodashorovercome any that should have said it shall not be. It is a word thatsignifies, that incaseanyshouldoppose the thingspokenof—yet thatthe party speaking should still continue constant in his saying. And hecommanded them to preach, 'and to testify, that it is he who wasordainedofGodtobethejudgeoflivinganddead.'Totestify,mark,thatis—tobeconstant,irresistible,undaunted,incaseitshouldbeopposedandobjectedagainst.Sohere,lethimtestifytothem,lesttheycomeintothisplaceoftorment.

Fromwhenceobserve,thatitisnotaneasymattertopersuadethosewhoare in their sins in thisworld— that theymustand shallbedamned iftheyturnnot,andareconvertedtoGod.'Lethimtestifytothem,'lethimspeak confidently, though they frown upon him, or dislike his way ofspeaking.

Andhowisthistruthverifiedbythebehaviorsofalmostallmennowintheworld, toward thosewhonowpreach thegospel! If amandoes butindeedlabortoconvincesinnersoftheirsinsandlostcondition,thoughtheymustbedamnediftheyliveanddieinthatcondition—Ohowangryaretheyat thepreacher! 'Lookhowhe judgesus,'saythey, 'seehowhecondemnsus!He tellsus thatwemustbedamned ifwe liveanddie inthisstate.Weareoffendedathim,wecannotabidetohearhim,oranysuchashe!Wewillbelievenoneofthemall—butgooninthewayweare

agoing!'

'Butthekinginterruptedhimandsaid:SincewhenhaveImadeyoutheking'scounselor?BequietbeforeIhaveyoukilled!'saidtheungodlykingtotheprophet,whenhetoldhimofhissins(2Chron25:16).

Isay,tellthedrunkardthathemustbedamnedifhedoesnot leavehisdrunkenness; tell the swearer, the liar, the cheater, the thief, thecovetous,therailer,oranyungodlypeople—thattheymustandshalllieinHellforit,iftheydieinthiscondition;yettheywillnotbelieveyou,butturnonyou!

Again,tellothersthattherearemanyinHellwhohavelivedanddiedinjust their conditions — and so will they go to Hell, if they are notconvertedtoJesusChrist,andarefoundinhim.Ortellthemthatthereareothersthataremorecivilandsobermen,who,althoughweknowthattheir civility will not save them, if we do but tell them plainly of theemptiness and unprofitableness of that, as to the saving of their souls,andthatGodwillnotacceptthem,norlovethem,notwithstandingthesethings—andthatiftheyintendtobesaved,theymustbebetterprovidedthanwithsucharighteousnessas this—theywilleither fleeaway,andcome to hear no more; or else if they do come, they will bring suchprejudice with them in their hearts, that theWord preached shall notprofitthem,itbeingmixednotwithfaith—butwithprejudice inthosewhohearit(Heb4:1,2).

Nay, theywill someof thembeso fullofanger that theywillbreakoutand call, even thosewho speak the truth—heretics!Yes, and even killthemiftheycould!(Luke4:25-29).Andwhyso?Becausetheytellthem,thatiftheyliveintheirsins—thatwilldamnthem;yetiftheyturnandlivearighteouslife,accordingtotheholy,andjust,andgoodlawofGod—thatwillnotsavethem.

Yes,becausewetellthemplainlythatunlesstheyleavetheirsinsandself-righteousnesstoo,andclose inwithJesusChristalone—hisbloodandmerits, andwhat he has done, and is now doing for sinners, that theycannotbesaved—theyareimmediatelyoffendedatit,astheJewswerewithChristforspeakingthesamethingtothem(John6:53,60).Andtheyfling away themselves, their souls and all — by quarreling against thedoctrineoftheSonofGod.

Therefore,hewhoisapreacheroftheWord,hadneednotonlytellthem—buttestifytothem,againandagain,thattheirsins,iftheycontinueinthem,willdamnthem,anddamnthemagain.Andtellthemagain,theirliving honestly according to the law, their paying everyone their own,their living quietly with their neighbors, their giving to the poor, theirnotionofthegospel,andsayingtheybelieveinChrist—willdothemnogoodatthedayofjudgment.

Ah,friends!Howmanyofyouarethereatthisveryday,whohavebeentoldonceandagainofyourlostundonecondition,becauseyoulacktheright, real, andsavingworkofGoduponyour souls! I say,hasnot thisbeentoldyou,yes,testifieduntoyoufromtimetotime,thatyourstateismiserable—andyetyouareneverthebetter—butstillstandwhereyoudid;someinanopenungodlylife,andsomedrownedinaself-conceitedrighteousness?Therefore,forGod'ssake,ifyouloveyoursouls,consider,andbegofGodforJesusChrist'ssake—thathewouldworksuchaworkofgraceinyourhearts,andgiveyousuchafaithinhisSonJesusChrist,thatyoumaynotonlyhaveresthere,asyou think,notonly think yourstatesafewhileyoulivehere—butthatyoumaybesafeindeed,notonlyhere — but also when you are gone, lest you cry in the anguish andperplexityofyoursouls,SendLazarustomycompanionswhohavebeenbeguiledbySatanasIhavebeen—totestifytothem,lesttheycomeinto

thisplaceoftormentasIhavedone.

Again,onethingmoreistobeobservedfromthesewords,Lethim'testifytothem,LESTTHEYALSOCOMEINTOTHISPLACEOFTORMENT.'

Mark,lesttheycome.Asifhehadsaid,Orelsetheywillsurelycomeintothisplaceoftorment—assureasIamhere!Fromwhenceobserve,thatthoughsomesoulsfallintothebottomlesspitofHellbeforetheirfellows,because theydepart thisworldbefore them—yet theother, abiding inthesamecourse,areassuretogotothesameplaceasiftheyweretherealready!How so? Because all are condemned together— they have allfallen under the same law, andhave all offended the same justice, andmustforcertain,iftheydieinthatcondition,drinkasdeep,ifnotdeeper,of the same destruction.Mark, I beg you, what the Scriptures say, 'Hewhobelievesnot,iscondemnedalready'(John3:18).

He is condemned, as well as they— having broken the same law withthem; if so, then what hinders but they will partake of the samedestructionwiththem?Onlytheonehasnotthelawyetsoexecuteduponthem, because they are still here on earth; the other has had the lawexecutedupon them, theyaregone todrinkthatwhich they have beenbrewing;andyouarebrewingthat inthis lifewhichyoumustcertainlydrink.

Thesamelaw,Isay,isinforceagainstyouboth,onlyheisnowexecuted—andyouarenotyet.Justasiftherewereacompanyofprisonersatthebar,andallcondemnedtodie;what,becausetheyarenotallexecutedinoneday,thereforeshalltheynotbeexecutedatall?Yes,thesamelawthatexecuteditsseverityuponthepartiesnowdeceased—willforcertainbeexecutedonthosewhoarealiveinitsappointedtime.Evensoitishere,weareallcondemnedbynature;ifweclosenotinwiththegraceofGodby Jesus Christ — we must and shall be destroyed with the samedestruction; and 'therefore send him,' says he, 'LEST,' mark, 'lest theyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment!'

Again,'Sendhimtomyfather'shouse,'andlethim'testifyuntothem,lesttheyalsocomeintothisplaceoftorment.'Asifhehadsaid,Itmaybethathemayprevailwiththem;itmaybethathemaywinuponthem,andso

theymay be kept from hence, from coming into this grievous place oftorment!

Observeagain,thatthereisapossibilityofobtainingmercy,ifnow,Isay,nowinthisdayofgrace—weturnfromoursinstoJesusChrist;yes,itismore than possible. And therefore, for your encouragement, know forcertain,thatifyoushallinthisyourday,acceptofmercyuponGod'sownterms,andclosewithhimeffectually—thatGodhaspromised,yes,mademany promises, that your soul shall be conducted safely to glory, andshallforcertainescapealltheevilsthatIhavetoldyouof;yes,andmanymorethanIcanimagine.

DobutsearchtheScriptures,andseehowfullofconsolationtheyaretoapoorsoulwhoismindedtocloseinwithJesusChrist.'Himthatcomestome,'saysChrist,'Iwillnevercastout.'Thoughheisanoldsinner,'Iwillnever cast him out'; mark, NEVER, though he is a great sinner, I willnevercasthimout,ifhecomestome.Thoughhehasslightedmeeversomanytimes,andnotregardedthewelfareofhisownsoul—yet lethimnowcometome,andnotwithstandingthis,'Iwillnevercasthimout,'northrowawayhissoul(John6:37).

Again,saystheapostle,'Now,'marknow,'istheacceptedtime,nowisthedayoftheirsalvation.'Nowhereisabundantmercy—nowGod'sheartisopen to sinners; now you arewelcome;nowhewill receiveanybody, ifthey do but come to Christ. 'He who comes tome,' says Christ, 'I willnevercastout.'Andwhy?Because'NOWistheacceptedtime,nowisthedayofsalvation' (2Cor6:2).As if theapostlehadsaid, Ifyouwillhavemercy—haveitnow,receiveitnow,closeinwithitnow.

Godhasacertaindaytoholdouthisgracetosinners.Now is thetime,nowistheday.Itistrue,thereisadayofdamnation—butnowisadayof salvation. There is a day coming, wherein sinners must cry to themountains to fallon them, to thehills tocover them fromthewrathofGod;butnow,nowisthedayinwhichheholdsouthisgrace.

There is a day coming, in which you will not be admitted to have theprivilegeofonedropofwater tocoolyour tongue, ifnow, I say, ifnowyouslighthisgraceandgoodnesswhichheholdsouttoyou!

Ah, friends, consider there isnowhopeofmercy—but then therewillnone;nowChristholdsforthmercyuntoyou—butthenhewillnot(Matt7:23).Nowtherearehisservantswhobeseechyoutoacceptofhisgrace—butifyoulosetheopportunitythatisputintoyourhand,youyourselfmaybeseechhereafter—andnomercybegivenyou.

'And he cried and said, Father Abraham, havemercy onme, and sendLazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool mytongue.'Andwasnonegiven!Therefore let itneverbesaidofyou,as itwillbesaidofsome,'Ofwhatuseismoneyinthehandofafool—sincehehasnodesiretogetwisdom?'Thatis,seeinghehasnohearttomakeagooduseofit(Prov17:16).Considerthereforewithyourself,andsay:ItisbettergoingtoHeaventhanHell.Itisbettertobesavedthandamned.Itisbettertobewithsaintsthanwithdamnedsouls—andtogotoGodisbetterthantogotothedevil.

Therefore 'seektheLordwhilehemaybefound,andcallyouuponhimwhileheisnear'(Isa55:6).Lestinyourtrouble,heleaveyoutoyourself,andsayuntoyouplainly:WhereIam—there 'youcannotcome' (John8:21).

OifthosewhoareinHellmightbutnowagainhaveonesuchinvitationasthis—howwouldtheyleapforjoy!Ihavethoughtsometimes:shouldGodsendbutoneofhisministers to thedamned inHell,andgivehimcommission to preach the free love ofGod inChrist extended to them,andheldouttothem,ifwhileitisofferedtothemtheywillacceptofhiskindness;Ohowwelcomewouldtheymakethisnews,andcloseinwithiton any terms!Certainly theywould say:wewill accept of grace on anyterms in theworld, and thank you too, though it cost life and limbs toboot;wewillsparenocostnorcharge—ifmercymaybehad.

Butpoorsouls,whiletheylivehereinthisworld,theywillnotpartfromsin—withHell-breddevilishsin!No,theywillratherlosetheirsouls—thanlosetheirfilthysins!

But, friend, you will change your note before long, and cry: O foolishwretchthatIam—thatIshoulddamnmysoulbysin!Itistrue,Ihavehad the gospel preached tome, and have been invited in. I have been

preached to, and have been warned of this; but 'how have I hatedinstruction, and my heart despised reproof; and have not obeyed thevoice ofmy teachers, nor inclinedmy ear to thosewho instructedme!'(Prov5:12,13).

O therefore, poor soul— is there nowhope?Then lay your hand uponyourmouth,andkiss thedust,andclose inwith theLordJesusChrist,andmakemuchofhisgloriousmercy;andinvitealsoyourcompanionstoclose inwith the sameLord JesusChrist, lest one of youdo go toHellbeforehand,andexpectwithgriefofheartyourcompanionstocomeafter— and with anguish of heart, sigh and say: O send him to mycompanions, and let him testify to them, lest they also come into thisplaceoftorment!

Initial USE and APPLICATION (of the Preceding portion of theParable)

Nowthen,fromwhathasbeensaid,theremightmanythingsbespokenbywayofuseandapplication; but I shall be very brief, and but touchsomethings,andsowindup.

First,IshallbeginwiththemiserableconditionofthosewhodieoutsideofChrist,andspeaksomethingtothat.

Secondly, I shall speak of the latter end of the parable, which moreevidentlyconcernstheScripture.

First. I shallbeginwith themiserable conditionof thosewhodieoutofChrist.

1. Therefore you see that the former part of the parable contains amiserable declaration of the state of one living and dying outside ofChrist;howtheylose...HeavenforHell,Godforthedevil,lightfordarkness,

joyforsorrow.

2.HowthattheyhavenotsomuchastheleastcomfortfromGod—notsomuchasonedropofcoldwater—whointhetimetheyliveherebelow,neglectcomingtohimformercy.

3.Thatsuchsoulswillrepentoftheirfolly,whenrepentancewilldothemnogood,orwhentheyshallbepastrecovery.

4. That all the comfort such souls have — they have it in this presentworld.

5.ThatalltheirgroaningsandsighswillnotmoveGodtomitigateintheleast, his heavy hand of vengeance that is upon them, for thetransgressiontheyhavecommittedagainsthim.

6.That theirmiserable state is irrecoverable— theymustnever,mark,nevercomeoutofthatdreadfulcondition.

Fromthesethingsthen,Ibegyoutoconsiderthestateofthosewhodieoutside of Christ Jesus; yes, I say, consider their miserable state; andthinkthuswithyourself:Well,ifIneglectcomingtoChrist,Imustgotothedevil,andhewillnotneglecttofetchmeawayintothoseintolerabletorments!

Thinkthuswithyourself:What,shallIloseaneternalHeaven—forshortpleasure?Shall Ibuy thepleasuresof thisworldat sodeara rateas tolosemy soul toobtain them?Shall I contentmyselfwithaheaven thatwilllastnolongerthanmylifetime?Whatadvantagewillthesebetome,whentheLordshallseparatesoulandbodyasunder,andsendonetothegrave, theother toHell; andat the judgment-day, the final sentence ofeternalruinmustbepasseduponme?

1.Consider,thattheprofits,pleasures,andvanitiesofthisworldwillnotlastforever—butthetimeiscoming,yes,justatthedoor,whentheywillgiveyoutheslip,andleaveyouinsuchadreadfulcondition,andinthebramblesofallthatyouhavedone.Andthereforetopreventthis,

2.Consideryourdismalstate,thinkthuswithyourself:

It is true, Ido lovemysins,my lustsandpleasures;butwhatgoodwilltheydomeatthedayofdeathandofjudgment?Willmysinsdomegoodthen?WilltheybeabletohelpmewhenIcometofetchmylastbreath?What good will my profits then do for me? And what good will myvanities then do, when death drags me away? What good will all mycompanions, fellow-jesters, jeerers, liars, drunkards, and allmyharlotsdoforme?WilltheyhelptoeasethepainsofHell?WillthesehelptoturnthehandofGodfrominflictinghis fierceangeruponme?Nay,willnottheyrathercauseGodtoshowmenomercy,togivemenocomfort;butrathertothrustmedowninthehottestplaceofHell,whereIwillswiminfireandbrimstone!

3.Considerthuswithyourself:WouldIbegladtohaveall,everyoneofmysinstocomeinagainstme,toinflamethejusticeofGodagainstme?Would I be glad to be boundup in themas the threeHebrew childrenwerebound in their clothes—and tobeas really thrown into the fieryfurnaceofthewrathofAlmightyGodastheywereinto

Nebuchadnezzar'sfieryfurnace?

4.Consider thus:Would Ibeglad tohaveall, andeveryoneof the tencommandments, to discharge themselves against my soul? The firstsaying,Damnhim!forhehasbrokenme!Thesecondsaying,Damnhim!for he has broken me, etc. Consider how terrible this will be! Theseindictmentswillkillbothbodyandsoul;andthatnotforanhour,aday,amonth,orayear—buttheywillcondemnyouforever.

O consider — your doom is forever, forever! It is into everlastingdamnation,eternaldestruction,eternalwrathanddispleasurefromGod,eternalgnawingsofconscience,eternalcontinuancewithdevils.

O consider, itmay be, that the thought of now seeing the devil,makesyourhairtostandstraightuponyourhead!Obutthis—tobedamned,to be among all the devils, and that not only for a short time — butforever, to all eternity! This is so astonishingly miserable — that notongueofman,no,norofangels,isabletoexpressit!

5.Considermuchwithyourself,Notonlymysinsagainstthelawwillbelaid tomycharge—butalso thesins Ihavecommitted inslighting thegospel, the glorious gospel. These alsomust comewith a voice againstme.

As thus:Nay,he isworthy tobedamned, forherejected thegospel,heslightedthefreegraceofGodofferedinthegospel!Howmanytimeswereyou,damnedwretch—invited,entreated,beseechedtocometoChrist,toacceptofmercy—thatyoumighthaveHeaven,yoursinspardoned,yoursoulsaved,andbodyandsoulglorified,andallthisfornothing,buttheacceptance, and through faith forsaking those imps of Satan, which bytheirembracementshavedrawnyoudownwardtowardthegulfofGod'seternaldispleasure?Howoftendidyouread thepromises,yes, the freepromisesofeternalsalvation!Howoftendidyoureadthesweetcounselsandadmonitionsof the gospel, to accept of the grace of God! But youwouldnotcome,youregarditnot,youslightall.

Second.AsIwouldhaveyoutoconsiderthemiserableandwoefulstateofthosewhodieoutofChrist,andarepastallrecovery—sowouldIhaveyou consider the manymercies and privileges you enjoy above some,perhaps, of your companions—who have departed to theirHell, theireternalabode.As,

1.Consider,youhavestill the threadofyour life lengthened,which foryoursinsmightsevenyearsago,ormore,havebeencutasunder—andyou would have dropped down among the flames for these past sevenyears.

2.ConsiderthetermsofreconciliationbyfaithinChristarestilloffereduntoyou,andyouinvited,yes,entreatedtoacceptthem.

3.Considerthetermsofreconciliationarebut(bearwithmethoughIsaybut)onlytobelieveinJesusChrist,withthatfaiththatpurifiestheheart,andenablesyoursoultofeedonhimeffectually,andbesavedfromthismiserablestate.

4. Consider that the time of your death is at hand, and the time isuncertain;andalsothatforoughtyouknowthatthedayofgracemaybe

past to youbefore youdie,not lasting so longas youruncertain life inthisworld.And if so, then know for certain, that you are as sure to bedamned as if youwere inHell already; if you are not converted in themeanwhile.

5.Consideritmaybethatsomeofyourfriendsaregivingalldiligencetomake their calling and election sure, being resolved forHeaven— andyou yourself endeavoring as fast tomake sure ofHell, as if resolved tohaveit!Andtogetherwiththis,considerhowitwillgrieveyouthatwhileyouweremaking sureofHell— that your friendsweremaking sure ofHeaven;butmoreofthisbyandby.

6.Considerwhatamiserablereflectionthiswillhaveonyoursoul—tosee...yourfriendsinHeaven—andyourselfinHell;yourfatherinHeaven—andyourselfinHell;yourmotherinHeaven—andyourselfinHell;yourbrother,yoursister,inHeaven—andyourselfinHell;yourchildreninHeaven—andyourselfinHell.

AsChristsaidtotheJewsoftheirrelationsaccordingtotheflesh,somayI say to you concerning your friends, 'There shall be weeping andgnashingofteeth,'whenyoushallseeyourfathersandmothers,brethrenandsisters,husbandsandwives,childrenandkinsfolk,withyourfriendsandneighborsinthekingdomofHeaven—andyouyourselfthrustout!(Luke13:27-29).

But again, because I would not only tell you of the damnable state ofthosewhodieoutofChrist—butalsopersuadeyoutotakeholdoflife,andgotoHeaven,takenoticeofthesefollowingthings:

(1.)Considerthatwhateveryoucando,astoyouracceptancewithGod,isnotworth thedirtofyourshoes—but isall 'as filthy rags' toGod (Isa54:6).

(2.)Considerthatalltheconditionsofthenewcovenant,astosalvation,are and have been completely fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ— andthatforsinners.

(3.)ConsiderthattheLordcallstoyoutoreceiveallthatChristhasdone—andthatonfreecost(Rev22:17).

(4.)ConsiderthatyoucannothonorGodmore,thantocloseinwithhisoffersofgrace,mercy,andpardonofsin(Rom4).

Again,thatwhichwilladdtoalltherest,youshallhave:theverymercyofGod,thebloodofChrist, thepreachersof theword, togetherwitheverysermon, all thepromises, invitations, exhortations, andall the counselsand threatenings of the blessed word of God. You shall have all yourthoughts,words,andactions,togetherwithallyourfood,yourclothing,yoursleep,yourgoods,andalsoallhours,days,weeks,monthsandyears,togetherwithwhatever elseGodhasgivenyou. I say, yourabuseofalltheseshallcomeupin judgmentagainstyoursoul!ForGodwill reckonwithyouforeverything,whetheritbegoodorevil(Eccl12:14).

(5.)Nay further, it issounreasonableathingfora sinner to refuse thegospel,thattheverydevilsthemselveswillcomeintotestifyagainstyouatthebarofGod'sjustice,saying:Oyoufoolishman!Ovilewretch!Youhadnotsomuchcareofyoursoul,yourprecioussoul,asthebeasthasofitsyoung,orthedogoftheveryboneinitsmouth!Wasyoursoulworthsomuch—anddidyousolittleregardit?Werethethunder-clapsofthelawsoterrible—anddidyousoslightthem?Besides,wasthegospelsofreely,sofrequently,sofullyofferedtoyou—andyethaveyourejectedall these things?Haveyouvaluedsinatahigher rate thanyoursoul—higher than God, Christ, angels, saints, and communion with them ineternal blessedness and glory? Were you not told of Hell-fire, thoseintolerableflames?Didyouneverhearoftheintolerableroaringsofthedamnedones that are therein?Did younever hear or read that dolefulsayinginLuke16,howthesinfulmancriesoutamongtheflames,'Oforonedropofwatertocoolmytongue!'

Thus, I say, may the very devils, being ready to go with you into theburning furnaceof fire andbrimstone, thoughnot for sinsof sohighanature as yours, trembling say:O thatChristhaddied fordevils, as hediedforman!And,Othatthegospelhadbeenpreachedtous—asithasbeen toyou!Howwouldwehave labored tohaveclosed inwith it!Butwoebetous,forwehaveneverhaditofferedtous;no,notintheleast,

thoughwewouldhavebeen glad for it. Butyou— you have it offered,preached, andproclaimedunto you (Prov8:4). Besides, you have beenentreated,andbeseechedtoacceptofit—butyouwouldnotreceiveit.Ovile fools!Youmighthaveescapedwrath,vengeance,Hell-fire,andthattoalleternity—butyouhadnodesireforthis!

(6.)MaynotthemessengersofJesusChristalsocomeinwithashrillandterriblenoteagainstyoursoul,whenyoustandatthebarofGod'sjustice,saying:Nay, you ungodly one, how often have you been forewarned ofthis dreadful day? Did we not sound an alarm in your ears — by thetrumpetofGod'sWorddayafterday?Howoftendidyouhearustellyouofthesethings?Didwenottellyou,thatsinwoulddamnyoursoul?Didwenottellyou,thatwithouttrueconversiontherewasnosalvation?Didwenottellyou,thatthosewholovedtheirsinswouldbesurelydamnedatthisdarkandgloomyday?Yes,didwenot tell you thatGod, out ofhislovetosinners,sentChristtodieforthem,thattheymight,bycomingtohim,besaved?Didnotwetellyouofthesethings?Didwenotrun,ride,labor,andstriveabundantly, if itmighthavebeen, forthegoodofyoursoul—thoughnowadamnedsoul?

Did we not venture our goods, our names, our lives? Yes, did we notourselves with our earnest entreaties, beg to you to consider of yourwoeful estate, and by Christ to escape this dreadful day? O miserabledoom!Whenyoushallbeforcedfullsoreagainstyourwill to fallunderthetruthof this judgment,saying, 'OhowhaveIhated instruction,andhowhasmyheartdespisedreproof!' for, indeed, 'Ihavenotobeyed thevoice ofmy teachers, nor inclinedmy ear to those who instructedme'(Prov5:12,13).

(7.) May not your father, your mother, your brother, your sister, yourchild, your friend, etc., appearwith gladness against you at theterribleday,saying:Oyousillywretch!howjustlyhasGodmetwithyou!Ohowrighteouslydoeshissentencepassuponyou!Rememberthatyouwouldnotbe rulednorpersuaded in your lifetime.As youdidnot care forusandouradmonitionsthen—soneitherdowecareforyourruin,terror,anddamnationnow!No—butwewillstandonGod'ssideinsentencingof you to that portion which the devils must be partakers of! 'Therighteousshallrejoicewhenheseesthevengeance,heshallwashhisfeet

inthebloodofthewicked'(Psalm58:10).

Ohowmiserable!Itisenoughtomakemountainstremble,andtherocksrendinpieces—tohearthisdolefulsound.

Considerthesesolemnthings,andifyouwouldbereluctanttobeinthiscondition,thenhaveaconcernoflivinginsinnow.HowgrudginglywillyoubetobethrustawayfromthegatesofHeaven!AndhowgrudginglywillyoubetobedeprivedofthemercyofGod!Howunwillinglywillyouset foot forward towards the lake of fire! Never did a criminal sounwillinglystepofftheladderwhenthehalterwasaroundhisneck—asyou will turn from God to the devil, from Heaven to Hell, when thesentenceispasseduponyoursoul!

Ohowwill you sighandgroan!Howwillinglywouldyouhideyourself,andrunaway from justice!Butalas!as it iswith thosewhoareon theladderreadytobeexecuted—so itwillbewithyou.Theywouldgladlyrun away — but there are many hang-men to stop them. And so theangelsofGodwillencircleyouaround—Isayaroundoneveryside;sothatyoumayindeedlook—butrunyoucannot.Youmaywishyourselfundersomerock,ormountain(Rev6:15,16)—buthowtogetunder,youknownot!

OhowunwillingwillyoubetoseeyourfathergotoHeavenwithoutyou!Toseeyourmotherorchildor friends,gotoHeavenwithoutyou!Howwillinglywouldyouhangonthem,andnotletthemgo!Omother!cannotyouhelpme?Mychild!cannotyoudomesomegood?OhowafraidIamtoburnandfryinHell—whileyouaresinginginHeaven!Butalas!thefather,mother, childor friends reject them, slight them, and turn theirbacks upon them, saying: You would have none of Heaven in yourlifetime — therefore you shall have none of it now. You slighted ourcounsels then—andwe slight your tears, cries, anddreadful conditionnow.

Whatdoyousay,sinner?Willnotthispersuadeyourheart,normakeyoubethinkyourself?Now,beforeyoufallintothatdreadfulplace,thatfieryfurnace! But O consider how dreadful the place itself, the devilsthemselves, the fire itselfwillbe!Andthisat theendofall—Hereyou

must lie forever!Here you must fry forever, and forever! This will bemore to you than any man with tongue can express, or with pen canwrite. There is none who can, of the ten thousandth part, express thedreadfulstateandconditionofsuchasoul!

Ishallconcludethis,then,withAFEWENCOURAGEMENTS.

FirstEncouragement.Consider,forIwouldgladlyhaveyoucomein,sinner—thatthereiswaymadebyJesusChristforthosewhoareunderthecurseofGod,tocometothiscomfortableandblessedstateofLazarusIwasspeakingof.SeeEphesians2.

SecondEncouragement. Consider what pains Christ Jesus took fortheransomingsinnersfromallthecurses,thunder-claps,andtempestsofthe law; from all the intolerable flames of Hell; from that soul-sinkingappearanceofyourperson,onthelefthand,beforethejudgment-seatofChrist Jesus, from everlasting dwellingwith innumerable companies ofyellingandsoul-amazingdevils.Isay,considerwhatpainstheLordJesusChristtookinbringinginredemptionforsinnersfromthesethings.

'Inthatthoughhewasrich—yethebecamepoor,thatyou,throughhispoverty,mightbemade rich' (2Cor8:9).He laidasidehis glory(John17),andbecameaservant(Phil2:7).Heleftthecompanyofangels,andencounteredwiththedevil(Luke4;Matt4).HeleftHeaven'seaseforatime, to lie upon hardmountains (Luke 6:12; John 8:1). In aword, hebecamepoorerthanthosewhogowithflailandrake;yes,thantheverybirdsorfoxes—andalltodogoodtounworthysinners.

Besides, consider the unspeakable and intolerable slightings andrejections,andthemanifoldabusesthatcamefrommenuponhim.Howhewasfalselyaccused,beingasweet,harmless,andundefiledlamb.Howhe was undervalued, so that a murderer was counted less worthy ofcondemnationthanhe.Besides,howtheymockedhim,spitonhim,beathimover theheadwith staves,had thehairplucked fromhis cheeks. 'Igave my back to the smiters,' says he, 'and my cheeks to those whopluckedoffthehair;Ididnothidemyfacefromshameandspitting'(Isa50:6).Hisheadcrownedwith thorns,hishandspiercedwithnails, andhis side with a spear; together with how they scourged him, and so

miserably abused him, that they had even almost killed him in a greatmeasure before they crucified him; insomuch that there was anotherneededtocarryhiscross.Again,

ThirdEncouragement.Notonlythis—butlaytoheartalittlewhathereceivedfromGod,hisdearFather,thoughhewerehisdearandtenderSon.

1. In thathedid reckonhim thegreatest sinnerandrebel in theworld.Forhe laid the sinsof thousands,and ten thousands,andthousandsofthousandsofsinnerstohischarge(Isa53).Andcausedhimtodrinktheterriblecupthatwasduetothemall;andnotonlyso—butdelightedinsodoing. 'For itpleasedtheLord tobruisehim.'Goddealt indeedwithhisson,asAbrahamwouldhavedealwithIsaac;yes,andmoreterriblybyten thousandparts.Forhedidnot only tearhis body like a lion—butmade his soulan offering for sin. And this was really done, for justicecalledforit—hestandingintheplaceofsinners.

Witnessthathorribleandunspeakableagonythatfellonhimsuddenlyinthegarden,asifallthevialsofGod'sunspeakablescaldingvengeancehadbeencastuponhimallatonce,andallthedevilsinHellhadbrokenloosefromthenceatoncetodestroyhim,andthatforever;insomuchthattheverypangsofdeathseizeduponhiminthesamehour.For,sayshe,'Mysoul is exceeding sorrowful' and 'soreamazed,' even 'untodeath' (Mark14:34).

2.Witness also that strange kind of sweat that trickled downhismostblessed face,where it is said: 'Andhe sweat, as itwere, greatdrops' orclots'ofblood,'trickling'downtotheground.'OLordJesus!whataloaddidyoucarry!Whataburdendidyoubearofthesinsof theworld,andthewrathofGod!Oyouweresopressed, so laden, that thepurebloodgushed through the flesh and skin, and so ran trickling down to theground. 'Andhissweatwasas itweregreatdropsofblood,' trickling or'falling down to the ground' (Luke 22:44). Can you read this, O youwicked sinner—andyet goon in sin?Canyou thinkof this, anddeferrepentance one hour longer?O heart of flint! yes, harder. Omiserablewretch!WhatplaceinHellwillbehotenoughforyoutohaveyoursoulputinto,ifyoushallpersistorgoonstilltoaddiniquitytoiniquity!

3.Besides, his soulwentdown toHell, andhisbodyto the bars of thegrave (Psalm16:10;Acts2:31).AndhadHell,death,or thegrave,beenstrongenoughtoholdhim—thenhewouldhavesufferedthevengeanceofeternalfiretoalleternity.

But, O blessed Jesus! how you revealed your love toman in your thussuffering!

And,OGodtheFather!howyoualsodeclaredyourpurityandexactnessofyourjustice,inthat,thoughitwasyouronly,holy,innocent,harmless,andundefiledSonJesus—whotookonhimournature,andrepresentedour persons, answering for our sins, instead of ourselves! You soastonishinglypouredoutyourwrathuponhim,tothemakingofhimcryout,'MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?'

And, O Lord Jesus! what a glorious conquesthave you made over theenemiesofoursouls,evenwrath,sin,death,Hell,anddevils,inthatyoubroughtyourselffromunderthepowerofthemall!Andnotonlyso—buthave led them captive,whichwould have led us captive; and also havereceived for us that glorious and unspeakable inheritance that 'eye hasnot seen, nor earheard, neitherhave entered into theheart ofman' toconceive;andalsohavegivenyoursomediscoverythereofthroughyourSpirit.

Andnow,sinner,togetherwiththisconsider,

4.ThatthoughJesusChristhasdoneallthesethingsforsinners—yetthedevilsmakeittheirwholework,andcontinuallystudyhowtheymaykeepyouandothers fromenjoyingof theseblessedprivileges thathavebeenthusobtainedforsinnersbythissweetJesus.Helabors,Isay:

(1.)Tokeepyouignorantofyourstatebynature.

(2.)TohardenyourheartagainstthewaysofGod.

(3.)Toinflametheyheartwithlovetosinandthewaysofdarkness.

(4.)Togetyoutocontinueherein.

For that is theway, he knows, to get you to be a partakerwith him offlamingHell-fire, even the same that he himself is fallen into, togetherwiththerestofthewickedworld,byreasonofsin.Looktoittherefore.

Fourth Encouragement. But now, in the next place, a word ofencouragementtoyouwhoarethesaintsoftheLord.

1.Consider,whatahappystateyouare in, thathavegottenfaith intheLordJesusintoyoursoul;Isay,howsafe,howsure,howhappyareyou!

ForwhenothersgotoHell—youmustgotoHeaven;

whenothersgotothedevil—youmustgotoGod;

whenasothersgotoprison—youmustbesetatliberty,atease,andatfreedom;

whenothersmustroarforsorrowofheart—thenyoushallalsosingforthejoyofheart.

2. Consider, you must have all your well-spent life to follow you —insteadofallyoursins;andthegloriousblessingsofthegospel—insteadofthedreadfulcursesandcondemnationsofthelaw;theblessingofthefather—insteadofafierysentencefromthejudge.

3.Letdeathcomewhenitwill, itcandoyounoharm;foritwillbebutonlyapassage...

outofaprison—intoapalace;

outofaseaoftroubles—intoahavenofrest;

out of a crowd of enemies — into an innumerable company of true,loving,andfaithfulfriends;

outofshame,reproach,andcontempt—intoexceedinggreatandeternalglory!

Fordeathshall not hurt youwith his sting, nor bite youwith his soul-

murderingteeth;butshallbeawelcomeguesttoyou,eventoyoursoul,in that it is sent to free you fromyour troubleswhich you are inwhilehereinthispoorworld,dwellinginthetabernacleofclay.

4.Consider, however it goeswith friends and relations—yet itwill gowellwithyou(Eccl8:12).Howeveritgoeswiththewicked—yet'surelyIknow';mark, 'yetsurelyIknow,'sayshe, 'thatitshallbewellwithGod-fearingmen,whoarereverentbeforeGod!'

(1.) And therefore let this, in the first place, cause you cheerfully toexercise your patience under all the calamities, crosses, troubles, andafflictions which may come upon you; and, by patient continuance inwell-doing,tocommitbothyourselfandyouraffairsandactionsintothehandsofGod,throughJesusChrist,astoafaithfulCreator,whoistrueinhisword,andlovestogiveuntoyouwhateverhehaspromisedtoyou.

(2.)And,therefore,toencourageyouwhileyouarehere,withcomforttoholdonforallyourcrossesinthisyourjourney—bemuchinconsideringtheplacethatyoumustgointososoonasdeathcomes.Itmustbe intoHeaven,toGodthejudgeofall,toaninnumerablecompanyofangels,tothespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect,tothegeneralassemblyandchurchofthefirst-born,whosenamesarewritteninHeaven,andtoJesus,totheredeemer,whoisthemediatorofthenewcovenant,andtothebloodofsprinkling, which speaks better things for you than Abel's did for Cain(Heb11:22-24).

(3.)Consider,thatwhenthetimeofthedeadtoberaisedhascome,thenshallyourbodyberaisedoutofthegraveandbeglorified,andbemadeliketoJesusChrist(Phil3:21).Oexcellentcondition!

(4.)Consider,thatwhenJesusChristshallsitonthethroneofhisglory—youalso shall sitwithhim, evenwhenhe shall sit on the throne of hisglory!Owillnotthisbeglorious,thatwhenthousands,andthousandsofthousandsshallbearraignedbefore the judgment-seatofChrist—thenforthemtositwithhimuponthethrone,togetherwithhimtopassthesentenceupontheungodly(1Cor6:2,3).Willitnotbeglorioustoenjoythosethingswhicheyehasnotseen,norearheard,neitherhasenteredintotheheartofmantoconceive?

Will it not be glorious to have this sentence, 'Come, you blessed ofmyFather,inheritthekingdompreparedforyoufromthefoundationoftheworld!'Willitnotbeglorioustoenterthenwiththeangelsandsaintsintothatgloriouskingdom?Willitnotbegloriousforyoutobeinglorywiththem— while others are in unutterable torments? O then, how will itcomfortyoutoseeyouhavenotlostthatglory;tothinkthatthedevilhasnot got your soul, that your soul should be saved, and that not from alittle — but from an exceeding danger; not with a little — but a greatsalvation.O,therefore,letthesaintsbejoyfulinglory,letthemtriumphover all their enemies. Let them begin to sing Heaven upon earth,triumphbeforetheycometoglory,salvation,evenwhentheyare inthemidstoftheirenemies,for'thishonorhaveallhissaints'(Psalm149:9).

Verse29.'Abrahamsaiduntohim:TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets,letthemhearthem.'

In the foregoing verses, you see there is a discovery of the lamentablestateofthepoorsoulthatdiesoutsideofChristandthespecial favorofGod.And alsohow little the gloriousGodofHeaven regards and takesnoticeoftheirmostmiserablecondition.

NowinthisversehemagnifiestheWordwhichwasspokentothepeopleby the prophets and apostles, 'They have Moses and the prophets, letthem hear them.' As if he should say, you ask me that I should sendLazarusbackagainintotheworldtopreachtothosewholivethere,thattheymightescapethatdolefulplacethatyouarein.Whatistheneedofthat? Have they not Moses and the prophets? Have they not had myministers and servants sent unto them and coming as fromme? I sentEnoch and Noah, Moses and Samuel. I sent David, Isaiah, Jeremiah,Ezekiel,Daniel,Hosea,andtherestoftheprophets,togetherwithPeter,Paul, John,Matthew,James, Jude,with the rest; 'Let themhear them.'WhattheyhavespokenbydivineinspirationIwillown—whetheritbeforthedamnationofthosewhoreject,orthesavingofthemthatreceivetheir doctrine. And, therefore,what need have they that one should besentuntotheminanotherway? 'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets, letthemhearthem.'Letthemreceivetheirword,closeinwiththedoctrinedeclaredbythem.

Ishalltellyouwhatistobeunderstoodbythesewords,'TheyhaveMosesand the prophets, let them hear them.' The things that I shall observefromhencearethese:

[First.]ThatthescripturesspokenbytheholymenofGodareasufficientruletoinstructtosalvation,thosewhoassuredlybelieveandcloseinwithwhattheyholdforth. 'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets, let themhearthem.' That is, if they would escape that doleful place, and be savedindeedfromtheintolerablepainsofHell-fire,astheydesire—theyhavethat which is sufficient to counsel them. 'They have Moses and theprophets';letthembeinstructedbythem,'Letthemhearthem.'For 'allscriptureisgivenbyinspirationofGod,andisprofitablefordoctrine,forreproof, forcorrection, for instruction in righteousness';why? 'That themanofGodmaybeperfect,thoroughlyfurnisheduntoallgoodworks'(2Tim3:16,17).Dobutmarkthesewords,'Allscriptureisprofitable.'ALL;take itwhereyouwill,andinwhatplaceyouwill, 'All isprofitable'.Forwhat?'ThatthemanofGod,'orhewhoisboundforHeaven,andwouldinstructothersintheirprogressthere.

Itisprofitable...toinstructhim—incaseheisignorant;toreprovehim—incasehetransgresses;tocorrecthim—ifhehasneedofit;toconfirmhim—ifheiswavering.

It isprofitablefordoctrine,andall this inaveryrighteouswaythatthepoorsoulmaynotonlybehelped—butthoroughlyfurnished,notonlytosome—buttoallgoodworks.AndwhenPaulwouldcounselTimothytostickclose to the things thataresoundandsure,presentlyheputshimupon the Scripture, saying, 'From a child you have known the holyScriptures,whichareabletomakeyouwiseuntosalvation,throughfaithwhichisinChristJesus.'TheScriptureholdsforthGod'smindandwill,of his love andmercy towardsman— and also the creature's behaviortowardshim from first to last; so if youwouldknow the loveofGodinChristtosinners,then'searchthescriptures,fortheytestifyofHim.'

Wouldyouknowwhatyouare,andwhat is inyourheart?ThensearchtheScripturesandseewhatiswritteninthem(Rom1:29-31,3:9-18;Jer

17:9;Gen6:5,8:21;Eph4:18,withmanyothers).TheScriptures,Isay,areable togiveamanperfect instruction intoanyof the thingsofGodnecessarytofaithandgodliness, ifhehasbutanhonestheartseriouslytoweighandpondertheseveralthingscontainedinthem.Astoinstanceinthingsmoreparticularforthefurtherclearingupofthis.

And first, ifwe come to theCREATIONof theworld.Would you knowsomething concerning that? Then read Genesis 1 and 2, and comparethemwithPsalm33:6;alsoIsaiah66:2;Proverbs8towardstheend.

Wouldyouknowwhetherhemadethemofsomething,oroutofnothing?ReadHebrews11:3.

Wouldyouknowwhetherheputforthanylaborinmakingthem,aswedoinmakingthings?ReadPsalm33:9.

If youwouldknowwhethermanwasmadebyGod corruptorupright?ReadEcclesiastes7:29;Genesis1:10,18,25,31.

WouldyouknowwhereGodplacedmanafterhehadmadehim?ReadGenesis2:15.

Wouldyouknowwhetherthatmanlivedthereallhistimeornot?ThenreadGenesis3:23,24.

Ifyouwouldknowwhethermanisstillinthatstatebynature,thatGodplacedhimin?ThenreadEcclesiastes7:29,andcompareitwithRomans5:16; Ephesians 2:1-3. 'Godmademen upright— but they have soughtoutmanyinventions.'

Ifyouwouldknowwhetherthemanwasfirstbeguiled,orthewomanthatGodmadeahelp-mate forhim?ReadGenesis3:6, andcomparewith 1Timothy2:14.

Would you know whether God looked upon Adam's eating of theforbidden tree, tobe sinornot?ReadRomans5:12-15, and compare itwithGenesis3:17.

Wouldyouknowwhetheritwasthedevilwhobeguiledthem,orwhether

it was a natural serpent, such as do haunt the desolate places? ReadGenesis3:13,withRevelation20:1-3.

Wouldyouknowwhetherthatsinisimputedtous?ReadRomans5:12-15,andcompareitwithEphesians2:2.

Would you knowwhethermanwas cursed for his sin? ReadGalatians3:10;Romans5:15.

Would you know whether the curse did fall on man, or on the wholecreationwithhim?CompareGenesis3:17,withRomans8:20-22.

Wouldyouknowwhethermanisdefiledineverypartofhimbythesinhehascommitted?ThenreadIsaiah1:6.

Would you knowman's inclination so soon as he is born?ReadPsalm58:3.'Thewickedareestrangedfromthewomb;theygoastrayassoonastheybeborn.'

Would you knowwhetherman once fallen fromGod by transgression,canrecoverhimselfbyallhecando?ThenreadRomans3:20,23.

Wouldyouknowwhetheritisthedesireoftheheartofmanbynature,tofollow God in his own way or not? Compare Genesis 6:5, and Genesis8:21,withHosea11:7.

WouldyouknowhowGod'sheartstoodaffectedtowardmanbeforetheworldbegan?CompareEphesians1:4,with2Timothy1:9.

WouldyouknowwhethersinwassufficienttodrawGod'slovefromhiscreatures?CompareJeremiah3:7,andMicah7:18,withRomans5:6-8.

WouldyouknowwhetherGod'slovedidstillabidetowardshiscreaturesfor anything they could do to make him amends? Then readDeuteronomy11:5-8.

WouldyouknowhowGodcouldstilllovehiscreatures,anddohisjusticenowrong?ReadRomans3:23-26. 'Forallhave sinnedand fall shortofthe glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the

redemptionthatcamebyChristJesus.Godpresentedhimasasacrificeofatonement,throughfaithinhisblood.Hedidthistodemonstratehisjustice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committedbeforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at thepresent time, soas tobe just and theonewho justifies thosewhohavefaithinJesus.'

Thatis,Godhavinghisjusticesatisfiedintheblood,andrighteousness,anddeathofhisownSonJesusChristforthesinsofpoorsinners—hecannowsavethemthatcometohim,thougheversogreatsinners,anddo his justice no wrong, because it has had a full and completesatisfactiongivenitbythatblood!(1John1:7,8).

Wouldyouknowwhohewas,andwhathewas,whodidoutofhislove,die for sinners? Then compare John 3:16, 17; Romans 5:8, with Isaiah9:6.

Would you know whether this Savior had a body of flesh and bonesbefore the world was, or took it from the Virgin Mary? Then readGalatians4:4.

Would you know whether he did in that body bear all our sins, andwhere?Thenread1Peter2:24.'Whoboreoursinsinhisownbodyonthetree.'

Wouldyouknowwhetherhe roseagainafterhewascrucified,with theverysamebody?ThenreadLuke24:38-41.

Wouldyouknowwhetherheateordrankwithhisdisciplesafterheroseoutofthegrave?ThenreadLuke24:42,andActs10:41.

Ifyouwouldbepersuadedofthetruthofthis,thatthatverybodyisnowabovethecloudsandstars,readActs1:9-11,andLuke24towardtheend.

WouldyouknowwhatthatChristwhodiedforsinners, isdoing inthatplacewhereheisgone?ThenreadHebrews7:24.

Wouldyouknowwhoshallhavelifebyhim,read1Timothy1:14,15,andRomans5:6-8,whichsay,'Christdied'forsinners,'fortheungodly.'

WouldyouknowwhetherthosewholiveanddieintheirsinsshallgotoHeavenornot?Thenread1Corinthians6:10;Revelation21:8,27,whichsays, 'They shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire andbrimstone.'

Wouldyouknowwhetherman'sobediencewillobtainthatChristshoulddieforthem,orsavethem?ThenreadMark2:17;Romans5:6,7.

Wouldyouknowwhetherrighteousness, justification,andsanctificationcome through the virtue of Christ's blood? Compare Romans 5:9 withHebrews12:12.

Wouldyouknowwhethernaturalmancanabstainfromtheoutwardactofsinagainstthelaw,merelybyaprincipleofnature?ThencomparewellRomans2:14,withPhilippians3:6.

Wouldyouknowwhetheramanbynaturemayknowsomethingof theinvisiblethingsofGod?CompareseriouslyRomans1:20,21with2:14,15.

Wouldyouknowhowfaramanmaygooninaprofessionofthegospel,and yet fall away?Then readHebrews 6:4-6. 'Theymay taste the goodWordofGod,andthepowersoftheworldtocome.'Theymaytaste'theHeavenlygift,andbepartakersoftheHolySpirit,'andyetsofallasnevertoberecovered,orrenewedagainuntorepentance.SeealsoLuke13.

WouldyouknowhowharditistogotoHeaven?ReadMatthew7:13,14;Luke13:24.

Would you know whether a man by nature be a friend to God, or anenemy?ThenreadRomans5:10;Colossians1:21.

Wouldyouknowwhat,orwho theyare,whoshall go toHeaven? ThenreadJohn3:3-7,and2Corinthians5:17.

WouldyouknowwhatamiserablethingitisforanytoturntheirbacksuponthegospelofJesusChrist?ThenreadHebrews10:28,29,andMark16:16.

Wouldyouknowwhatisthewagesofsin?ThenreadRomans6:23,'Thewagesofsinisdeath.'

Wouldyouknowwherethosego,whodieunconverted?ThenreadPsalm9:17,andIsaiah14:9.

Reader,heremightIspendmanysheetsofpaper,yes,Imightuponthissubjectwriteaverygreatbook—butIshallnowforbear,desiringyoutobe very conversant in the Scriptures, 'for they testify of Jesus Christ!'(John5:39).TheBereanswerecountednobleuponthisaccount: 'Theseweremore noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received theWordwithallreadinessofmind,andsearchedthescripturesdaily,'etc.(Acts17:11).

Buthereletmegiveyouonecaution,thatis,haveacarethatyoudonotsatisfyyourselfwithabaresearchofthem,withoutarealapplicationofhimwhomtheytestifyoftoyoursoul,lestinsteadoffaringthebetterforyour doing this work — you fare a great deal the worse, and yourcondemnationbeverymuchheightened,inthatthoughyoureadsooftenthe miserable state of those who die in sin, and the glorious estate ofthosewhocloseinwithChrist—yetyouyourselfshouldbesuchafoolasto lose Jesus Christ, notwithstanding your hearing, and reading soplentifullyofhim.

'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets,letthemhearthem.'Asifheshouldsay:whatneedhavetheythatoneshouldbesenttothemfromthedead?Have they notMoses and the prophets? Has notMoses told them thedangerof livinginsin?(Deut27:15-26,28:15-68,29:18-22).Hashenottheretoldthem,whatamiserablestatethosepeoplearein,whodeceivethemselveswith the deceit of their hearts, saying they shall have peacethough they follow their sins, in these words: 'And when he hears thewordsofthiscurse,heblesseshimselfinhisheart,saying,"Iwillbesafe,even though I persist in going my own way." The Lord will never bewillingtoforgivehim;hiswrathandzealwillburnagainstthatman.Allthecurseswritteninthisbookwillfalluponhim,andtheLordwillblotouthisnamefromunderheaven!'

Again,DidnotMoseswriteoftheSaviorwhowastocomeafterwardsinto

the world? (Deut 18:18). Nay, have not all the prophets from Samuel,with all those who follow after, prophesied, and foretold these things?Thereforewhatneedhavethey,thatIshouldworksuchamiracle,astosendonefromthedeaduntothem?'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets—letthemhearthem.'

[Second.] Fromwhence observe again, thatGodhonors thewritings ofMoses and the prophets, asmuch, naymore— than if one should risefromthedead:'ShouldnotapeopleseekuntotheirGod?'What,seek'forthelivingamongthedead?Tothelaw,andtothetestimony,'saysGod,'iftheyspeaknotaccording to thisWord, it isbecause there isno light inthem' (Isa8:19,20).And letme tell youplainly, I believe that thedevilknowsthisfullwell,whichmakeshimlabortobegetintheheartsofhisdisciples and followers light thoughts of the Scriptures; and persuadesthem,thatevenamotionfromtheirownbeguiledconscience,orfromhisownwickedspirit—istobeobservedandobeyedbeforethem.

WhentheveryapostleofJesusChrist,thoughheheardavoicefromtheexcellentglory,saying,'ThisismybelovedSon,'etc.—yetwritingtothechurches,hecommends,thewritingoftheprophetsbeforeit,saying,'Wehavealsoamoresurewordoftheprophets,towhichyoudowelltotakeheed,' etc. (2 Peter 1:17-19). Now if you doubt whether that place bemeant the Scriptures, thewords of the prophets or not— read but thenextverse,whereheaddsforacertainconfirmationthereof,thesewords,'Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any privateinterpretation.Fortheprophecycamenotinoldtimebythewillofman—butholymenofGodspokeastheyweremovedbytheHolySpirit.'

And therefore what a miserable thing is it for those who go about todisowntheScriptures! I tell you,however theymayslight themnow—yetwhentheycomeintoHell,theywillseetheirfolly!'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets,letthemhearthem.'

Further, who are those who are so tossed to and fro, with the severalwindsofdoctrinethathavebeenbroachedinthesedays—butsuchforthe most part, as have had a light esteem of the Scriptures. For thegroundoferror,asChristsays,"Areyounot inerror—becauseyoudonotknowtheScriptures?"(Mark12:24).Andindeed,itisjustwithGodto

give them over to follow their own dark blinded consciences, to be ledintoerrors, that theymightbedamnedintoHell—whodidnotbelievethatthethingscontainedintheScripturewerethetruth,thattheymightbesavedandgotoHeaven.

Asfortheunbelieving,Ishallsaytothem,ratherthanGodwillsavethemfromHellwiththebreachofhisholyWord,iftheyhadathousandsoulsapiece,Godwoulddestroythemall;for'theScripturecannotbebroken'(John10:35).

Verse30. 'And he said,Nay, Father Abraham; but if one went untothemfromthedead,theywillrepent.'

Theversebefore,youknow,asItoldyou,itwaspartofananswertosuchaslosetheirsouls;soitisavindicationoftheScripturesofMosesandtheprophets,'TheyhaveMosesandtheprophets,letthemhearthem.'

Nowthisverse isananswertowhatwassaid intheformer;andsuchaoneashasinitarejectionoftheformeranswer.'Nay,fatherAbraham.'Nay, sayshe—donot say so, donot put themoffwith this; send onefromthedead,andthentherewillbesomehope!ItistrueyouspeakoftheScripture,ofMosesandtheprophets,andsay, 'letthemhearthem';butthesethingsarenotsowellasIcouldwish,Ihadratheryouwouldsendonefromthedead.

Inthesewordstherefore,Nay,fatherAbraham,thereisarepulsegiven:Nay, let itnotbeso!Nay,Idonot likeof thatanswer.HearMosesandtheprophets,nay.

Thesameexpression isusedbyChrist,Luke13:2,3. 'Doyou think thattheseGalileanswereworse sinners thanall theotherGalileans becausetheysufferedthisway?Itellyou,Nay!Butunlessyourepent,youtoowillallperish!'Sohere,Nay,fatherAbraham,etc.

BythiswordNay,therefore,issignifiedarejectingthefirstanswer.

Now observe, I beg you, the reason why he saysNay, is, because Godenjoins all those who will be saved, to observe and receive the truth

containedinScripture,andbelievethat.Tohaveahighesteemofthem,and to loveandsearch them,asChrist says, 'Search theScriptures,' for'they testifyofme' (John5:39).But thedamnedsay,Nay!As if hehadsaid: "To be short,my brethren are unbelievers, and do not regard theWordofGod.Iknowitbymyself,forwhenIwasintheworld—itwassowithme.ManyagoodsermondidIhear,manyatimewasIadmonished,entreated, beseeched, threatened, forewarnedofwhat Inow suffer.Butalas!Iwasignorant,self-conceited,surly,obstinate,andrebellious.ManyatimethepreachertoldmethatHellwouldbemyportion,thatthedevilwould wreck his malice on me; that God would pour on me his soredispleasure.Buthemight justaswellhavepreachedtothetrees, tothepost,tothestonesItrodon!Hiswordsranginmyears—butIkeptthemfrommyheart. I remember he allegedmany a Scripture—but those Ivaluednot.TheScriptures, thought I—whatare they?Adead letter,alittle ink and paper, of three or four shillings' price. Alas!What is theScripturetome?Givemeafoolishballad,anewspaper,anovel—givemesomebookthat tellsofold fables.But for theholyScriptures—Icarednot.Andasitwaswithmethen—soitiswithmybrethrennow,wewereallof one spirit, lovedall the same sins, slightedall the same counsels,promises,encouragementsandthreateningsof theScriptures!Andtheyarestill, just as I left them— still in unbelief, still provokingGod, andrejectinggoodcounsel,sohardenedintheirways,sobenttofollowsin—that let the Scriptures be showed to them daily, let the messengers ofChrist preach until their hearts ache, until they fall down dead withpreaching—mybrotherswillrathertrampleitunderfoot,andswine-likerend them, than close in with those gentle and blessed offers of thegospel."

"Nay,fatherAbraham—butifonewouldrisefromthedead,theywouldrepent.ThoughtheyhaveMosesandtheprophets,theScriptures—theywill not repent and close in with Jesus Christ, though the Scriptureswitnessagainstthem.Ifthereforethereisanygooddonetothem—theymust have itanotherway. I think that it would convince them, if onewouldrisefromthedead."

Andthistruthindeedissoevident,thatungodlyoneshavealightesteemof the Scriptures, that it needs notmany strong arguments to prove it,

beingsoevidentlymanifestedbytheireveryday'spractice,bothinwordsandactions,almostinallthingstheysayanddo.Yetforthesatisfactionofthereader,IshallshowyoubyaScriptureortwo,thoughImightshowmany,thatthiswasandistrue,withthegeneralityoftheworld.

SeethewordsofNehemiahinhis9thchapterconcerningthechildrenofIsrael,whothoughtheLordofferedthemmercyuponmercy,asitisfromverse19-25,yetverse26,sayshe,'Neverthelesstheyweredisobedient'forall your goodness towards them, 'and rebelled against you.' But how?'Theycastyour lawbehind theirbacks.Theykilledyourprophets,whohadadmonishedtheminordertoturnthembacktoyou;theycommittedawfulblasphemies.'

Observe,

1.Theysinnedagainstmercy.Andthen,

2.Theyslightedthelaw,orWordofGod.

3.Theyslewtheprophetswhodeclaredituntothem.

4.TheLordcountsitagreatprovocation.SeeHebrews3:10-19.

Zechariah 7:11, 12, 'But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly theyturnedtheirbacksandstoppeduptheirears.TheymadetheirheartsashardasflintandwouldnotlistentothelawortothewordsthattheLordAlmightyhadsentbyhisSpiritthroughtheearlierprophets.SotheLordAlmightywasveryangry!'etc.

Mark,Ibegyou,hereisalso,

(1.)Arefusingtohearkentothewordsoftheprophets.

(2.)Thattheymightsodo,theystoppeduptheirears.

(3.)Ifanythingwastobedone,theyturnedtheirbacks.

(4.)Toeffecthis,theymadetheirheartsashardasflint.

(5.)Andallthis—lesttheyshouldhearandcloseinwithJesus,andlive,andbedeliveredfromthewrathtocome.

Allwhichthingsdoholdoutanunwillingnesstosubmitto,andembracethewordsofGod,andsoJesusChrist,whoistestifiedofbythem.ManyotherscripturesImightbringinforconfirmationofthethisfact,asthatin Amos 7:12, 13; 1 Samuel 2:24, 25; 2 Chronicles 25:15, 16; Jeremiah7:23-28, 16:12. Read also seriously, that saying in 2 Chronicles 36:15,where he says, 'And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by hismessengers, rising up early, because he had compassion on his people,andonhisdwelling-place.'Anddidtheymakethemwelcome?No!buttheymocked themessengers ofGod, and despised hiswords. Andwasthatall?No!They'misusedhisprophets.'Howlong?'Untilthewrathofthe Lord arose against them. Until there was no remedy!' See alsoJeremiah29:19,25:3-7;Luke11:49.

Both religiousandprofanepeople neglect, reject, and turn their backsupontheplaintestimonyoftheScriptures.As,

First.TaketheTHREATENINGSlaiddowninholywrit—andhowaretheydisregarded?ThesearebutafewplacesintheBiblewheretherearethreateningsagainst one sinner or other: against drunkards, swearers,liars, proud people, strumpets, whoremongers, covetous, railers,extortioners, thieves, lazypeople, etc. In aword, allmannerof sins arereproved,andwithoutfaithintheLordJesus,thereisasorepunishmenttobeexecutedonthecommittersofthem;andallthisisclearlytaughtintheScriptures.

Butforallthis—howthick,andbyheaps,dothesewretcheswalkupanddownourstreets?Dobutgointothealehouses,andyoushallseealmosteveryroombesprinkledwiththem,sofoamingouttheirownshame,thatitisenoughtomaketheheartofasainttotremble!Theywouldnotdesireto have societywith them any longwhile, for all theworld. For as thewaysofthegodlyarenotlikedofbythewicked,evensothewaysofthewicked'areanabominationtothejust'(Prov29:27;Psalm120:5,6).

1.TheScripturesays, 'Cursed is themanthat trusts inman,andmakesfleshhisarm,andwhoseheartdepartsfromtheLord'(Jer17:5).Andyet

howmanypoorsoulsarethereintheworld,whostandinsomuchaweanddreadofmen,andsohighlyesteemtheirfavor—thattheywillratherventuretheirsoulsintothehandsofthedevilwiththeirfavor,thantheywill fly toJesusChrist forthesalvationof theirsouls!Nay, thoughtheyareconvincedintheirsouls, thatthewayofholiness is thewayofGod;yethowdotheylabortostifleconviction,andturntheirearsawayfromthe truth— and all because they will not lose the favor of an ungodlyneighbor!

Says one, "O! I darenot offendmymaster,mybrother,my landlord! Ishalllosehisfavor,hisbusiness—andsodecaymyownbusiness."

"O,saysanother,IwouldwillinglygoinGod'sway—butformyfather,hechidesandtellsmehewillnotbemyfriendwhenIcometopoverty;thatIshallneverenjoyapennyworthofhisgoods;hewilldisinheritme!"

"And I dare not", says another, "formy husbandwill be a-railing, andtellsmehewill turnme out of doors!Hewill beatme, and cut offmysupport!"

ButItellyou,ifanyofthese,oranyotherthingsaresoprevalentwithyounow,astokeepyoufromseekingafterChristinhisways—theywillalsobesoprevalentwithGodagainstyou,astomakehimcastoffyoursoul,because you rather trusted man than God; and delighted in theembracingofman,ratherthaninthefavoroftheLord!

2.Again, theScripture says, 'Hewhobeingoften reproved,hardenshisneck — shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy!' (Prov29:1).Yetmanyaresofarfromturning,thoughtheyhavebeenconvincedoftheirwretchedstateahundredtimes,thatwhenconvictionsortroubleforsincomesontheirconsciences—theygoonstillinthesamemannerresistingandchokingthesame—thoughremedilessdestructionishardattheirheels!

3.Again youhaveheard say, 'Unless aman is born again—he cannotenter into the kingdom of God' (John 3:3-7). And yet you go on in anatural state, anunregenerate condition; nay, you do resolve never toturnnorbechanged,thoughHellisappointedonpurposetoswallowup

such(Isa14:9).'ThewickedshallbeturnedintoHell,andallthenationsthatforgetGod'(Psalm9:17).

4.Again,theScripturesaysplainly,thatallliarsanddeceiversshallhavetheirpart'inthelakewhichburnswithfireandbrimstone'(Rev21:8,27).Andyetyouaresofarfromdreadingit,thatitisyourdelighttojestandjeer,andlieforapenny,ortwopence,orsixpence,again.Andalsoifyoucanmaketherestofyourcompanionsmerry,bytellingfalsethingsofthegodly—youdonotcareastraw!Orifyouhearaliefrom,orofanother—youwilltellittoothers,andsweartothetruthofit.Omiserablestate!

5.Youhaveheardandread,that 'Hewhobelievesnotshallbedamned'(Mark16:16).Andthat'allmenhavenotfaith'(2Thess3:2).Andyetyoudo somuchdisregard these things, that it is like you scarcely ever somuch as examined seriously whether youwere in the faith or not; butcontentyourselfwiththehypocrite'shope,whichatthelastGodwillcutoff, and count itno better than the spider's web (Job 8:13,14), or thehousethatisbuiltonthesands(Luke6:49).Nay,youperhapsdoflatteryourself,andthinkthatyourfaithisasgoodasthebestofthemall;when,alas,poorsoul,youmayhavenosavingfaithatall;foryouarenotbornagain,andmadeanewcreature(2Cor2:17).

6. You have heard, that he who neglects God's great salvation — shallneverescapehisgreatdamnation(Heb2:3,comparedwithLuke14:24,and Rev 14:19,20). And yet when you are invited, entreated, andbeseechedtocomein,youwillmakeanyexcusetoservetheturn(Luke14:17,18;Rom12:1;2Cor5:19,20).Nay,youwillbesowickedastoputoffChristtimeaftertime,notwithstandingheissofreelyofferedtoyou:alittleground,afewoxen,afarm,awife,atwo-pennymatter,aplay;nay,the fear of amock, a scoff or a jeer— is of greaterweight todrawyouback, than the salvationof your soul todrawyou forward!Omiserablestate!

7.Andyouhaveheard,thatwhoeverwillbeafriendoftheworld—istheenemyofGod(James4:4).Butyouhavenoregardforthesethings—butcontrariwise; rather than yoube out of the friendship and favor of thisworld, you will sin against your own conscience, and get yourself intofavor,byfawningandflatteringoftheworld.Yes,ratherthanyouwillgo

without it — you will dissemble, lie, backbite your neighbor, and anhundredothertricksyouwillhave!

8.Youhaveheardthatthedayofjudgmentisnear, inwhichyouandI,all of us,must appear before the tribunal of JesusChrist, and there bemadetogiveanaccounttohimwhoisreadytojudgethelivingandthedead—evenofallthateverwedid,yes,ofalloursinsinthought,word,anddeed—andshallcertainlybedamnedforthemtoo—ifweclosenotin with our Lord Jesus Christ, and what he has done and suffered foreternal life; and that not notionally or traditionally — but really andsavingly, inthepower,andbytheoperationof theSpirit, throughfaith(Eccl11:9,12:14;Acts10:42,17:30,31;2Cor5:10;Heb9:27;Rev20:12).

'And I saw thedead, small and great, standbeforeGod; and thebookswereopened:andanotherbookwasopened,whichisthebookoflife,andthe dead were judged out of those things which were written in thebooks.'

Thereareseveral'books':thebookofconscience,thebookoftheLord'sremembrance,thebookofthelaw,thebookofthegospel(Rom1:20,comparewithRom2:12,15;Rev6:17;John12:48).

Then'heshallseparatethemonefromanother,asashepherddivideshissheepontherighthand—butthegoatsonhisleft'(Matt25:30-41).'Andheshallsaytothemonhisrighthand—Come,youwhoareblessed!'Buttotheother,go,or'Depart,youwhoarecursed!'

Yet,notwithstandingtheScripturesdosoplainlyandplentifullyspeakofthesethings,alas!whoistherethatisweanedfromtheworld,andfromtheirsinsandpleasures—toflyfromthewrathtocome?(Matt3:7).

NotwithstandingtheScripturesaysalsothatHeavenandearthshallpassaway,ratherthanonejot,oronetittleofthewordshallfail,'untilallbefulfilled,'theyaresocertain(Luke21:33;Matt5:18).

But leaving the threatenings, let us come to the promises, and speaksomewhatof them,andyoumayseehow lightmenmakeof them,andhow little theysetby them,notwithstanding themouthof theLordhasspokenthem.

Second,TakethePROMISESlaiddowninholywrit—andhowaretheydisregarded?

1. 'Turn,' you fools, you scorners, you simple ones, 'atmy reproof'; and'behold Iwill pour outmySpirit unto you' (Prov 1:23).And yet peoplehad rather be in their foolishness and scorning still, and had ratherembracesomefilthylust—thantheholy,undefiled,andblessedSpiritofChrist, through the promise; though by it, as many as receive it, 'aresealeduntothedayofredemption'(Eph4:30);andalthoughhewholivesanddieswithoutit,isnoneofChrist's(Rom8:9).

2.Godhassaid,ifyoudobutcometohiminChrist,'Thoughyoursinsbeas red as scarlet— they shall be as white as snow'; and he will by nomeanscastyouaway.CompareIsaiah1:18withJohn6:37.YetpoorsoulswillnotcometoChristthattheymighthavelife(John5:40)—butratherafter their hardness and impenitent heart, treasureupunto themselveswrathagainstthedayofwrath,andrevelationoftherighteousjudgmentofGod(Rom2:5).

3.ChristJesushassaid intheWordof truth, that ifanymanwillserveand followhim, thatwherehe is, 'thereshall alsohis servantbe' (John12:26).Butyetpoorself-deludedsoulschooserathertoserveandfollowsin,Satan,andtheworld—thoughtheircompanionsarethedevilsanddamnedsoulsforever(Matt25:41).

4.Hehasalsosaid,'SeekfirstthekingdomofGod—andallotherthingsshallbeadded.'But letwhoeverwill, seekafter thekingdomofHeavenfirst.And if it is so, that theymustneeds seekafterHeaven,or elsebedamned—theywillwaituntiltheyhavemoreleisuretime,oruntiltheycanbetterattendtoit;oruntiltheyhaveotherfinethingsaboutthem,oruntiltheyareolder;whentheyhavelittleelsetodo,orwhentheycometobe sick, and to die.Only then they will desire the Lord to havemercyuponthem!thoughitbetenthousandtoone—buttheyperishforever!

ForcommonlytheLordhasthiswaytodealwithsuchsinners,whoputhimoffwhenhe isstrivingwiththem:either to laughat their calamity,andmockwhentheirfearcomes(Prov1:26,28).Orelsesendthemtothegodstheyhaveserved,whicharethedevils(Judg10:13,14)"Butyouhaveforsakenmeandservedothergods—soIwillnolongersaveyou.Goandcryouttothegodsyouhavechosen.Letthemsaveyouwhenyouareintrouble!"ComparethiswithJohn8:44.

5.Hehassaid,'Thereisnomanwhoforsakesfather,ormother,wife,orchildren, or lands, for his sake and the gospel's — but shall have ahundred-foldinthisworld,alongwithpersecution—andintheworldtocomelifeeverlasting'(Mark10:29,30).

Butmen,forthemostpart,aresofarofffrombelievingthecertaintyofthis,thattheywillscarcelylosetheearningofapennytoheartheWordofGod,thegospelofsalvation.Nay,theywillneithergothemselves,norallowothers togo, if theycanhelp it,without threatening todo themamischief,ifitliesintheirway.Nay,further,manyaresofarfrompartingfromanyworldlygainforChrist'ssake,andthegospel's—thattheyarestill striving, by hook and by crook, as we say, by swearing, lying,deceiving,stealing,covetousness,extortion,oppression,forgery,bribery,flattery, or any other way to get more! Yet they get along with theirworldly gain — death, wrath, damnation, Hell, the devil, and all theplaguesthatGodcanpouruponthem!

Andifanydonotrunwiththemtothesameexcessofriot—butratherforalltheirthreatswillbesoboldandcareless,astheycallit,astofollowtheways ofGod; if they can do nomore— yet theywill sharpen theirtongueslikeaswordtowoundthem,anddothemthegreatestmischiefthey can, both in speaking against them to neighbors, to wives, tohusbands, to landlords, and raising false reports of them. But let suchtakeheedlesttheybeinsuchastate,andwoefulconditionashewasin,whosaid,invexationandanguishofsoul,'OhthatIhadonedropofcoldwatertocoolmytongue!'

Thusmight I addmany things out of the holyWrit, both threateningsand promises, besides those Heavenly counsels, loving reproofs, freeinvitations to all sorts of sinners, both old and young, rich and poor,

bondandfree,wiseandunwise.Allwhichhavebeen,noware,andistobefeared,aslongasthisworldlasts—willbetrampledunderthefeetofthoseswine—Icallthemnotmen—whowillcontinueinthesame!Buttakeareviewofsomeofthem:

1.COUNSEL.

WhatHeavenly counsel is thatwhereChrist says, 'I counsel you tobuyfromme gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; andwhiteclothestowear,soyoucancoveryourshamefulnakedness;andsalvetoputonyoureyes,soyoucansee!'(Rev3:18).Alsothat,'Ho,everyonethatthirsts, come to the waters! Yes, come, buy wine and milk — withoutmoneyandwithoutprice'(Isa55:1).'Hear,andyoursoulshalllive'(53).'Takehold ofmy strength, that youmaymakepeacewithme, and youshallmakepeacewithme'(Isa27:5).

2.INSTRUCTION.

'Hearinstructionandbewise,andrefuseitnot.Blessedisthemanthathearsme,'saysChrist,'watchingdailyatmygates,waitingatthepostsofmydoors.Forwhoeverfindsme,findslife,andshallobtainfavorof theLord'(Prov8:33-35).'Takeheedthatnomandeceiveyoubyanymeans.''Labornotforthefoodwhichperishes—butforthatwhichenduresuntoeverlasting life' (John 6:27). 'Strive to enter in at the strait gate' (Luke13:24).'BelieveontheLordJesus—andyoushallbesaved'(Acts16:31).'Believenoteveryspirit—buttrythespirits.''QuenchnottheSpirit.''Layholdoneternallife.''Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgoodworks,andglorifyyourFatherwhoisinHeaven'(Matt5:16).'Takeheed,andbewareofhypocrisy.''Watchandbesober.''Learnofme,'saysChrist,'comeuntome.'

3.FOREWARNING.

'Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with his stroke,then a great ransom cannot deliver you' (Job36:18). 'For the Lord hasplainly said that he is determined to crush thewhole land. So scoff nomore, or your punishment will be even greater!' (Isa 28:22). 'Beware,therefore,lestthatcomeuponyouthatiswritten,Behold,youdespisers,

andwonderandperish.ForIworkaworkinyourdays,whichyoushallinnowisebelieve,thoughamandeclareituntoyou'(Acts13:40,41).'Lethimthatthinkshestands—takeheedlesthefall' (1Cor10:12). 'Watchand pray — that you enter not into temptation' (Matt 26:41). 'Let usthereforefearlestapromisebeing'made,andleftusofenteringintohisrest—thatanyofyoushouldseemtocomeshortofit'(Heb4:1). 'Iwillthereforeputyouinremembrance,thoughyouonceknewthis,howthattheLordhavingsavedthepeopleoutofEgypt,afterwarddestroyedthemthatbelievednot' (Jude5). 'Holdthat fastwhichyouhave, thatnomantakesyourcrown'(Rev3:11).

4.COMFORT.

'Himthatcomestome—Iwillnevercastout' (John6:37). 'Comeuntome, all youwho labor, and are heavy laden— and Iwill give you rest'(Matt11:28).'Beofgoodcheer—yoursinsareforgiven'(Matt9:2).'Iwillnever leave, nor forsake you,' for 'I have loved youwith an everlastinglove'(Jer31:3).'Ilaydownmylifeforthesheep.'Ilaydownmylifethattheymayhavelife. 'Ihavecomethattheymighthavelife,andthattheymighthave itmoreabundantly.' 'At just theright time,Iheardyou.Onthedayof salvation, Ihelped you' (2Cor6:2). 'Thoughyour sinsbe asscarlet—theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;thoughtheyareredlikecrimson— they shall be as wool.' 'For I have blotted out as a thick cloud yourtransgression, and as a cloud your sins; return unto me, for I haveredeemedyou'(Isa44:22).

5.GRIEFtothosewhofallshort.Omiserablegrief!

'HowhaveIhatedinstruction,andmyheartdespisedreproof,andhavenot obeyed the voice ofmy teachers, nor inclinedmy ear to thosewhoinstructedme'(Prov5:11-13).Theyshall 'cursetheirkingandtheirGod,andlookupward.Andtheyshalllookuntotheearth,andbeholdtroubleanddarkness,dimnessofanguish,andtheyshallbedriventodarkness'(Isa 8:21,22). 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, hisrighteousnessenduresforever;hishornwillbeliftedhighinhonor.Thewickedmanwillseeandbevexed,hewillgnashhisteethandwasteaway;thelongingsofthewickedwillcometonothing!'(Psalm112:9,10).'Therewill be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham,

IsaacandJacobandall theprophets in thekingdomofGod—butyouyourselves thrown out!' (Luke 13:28). All of the above Scripturethreateningsareslightedbytheworld!

Thusmuch,inshort,concerningthis:ThatungodlymenundervaluetheScriptures,andgivenocredittothem,whenthetruththatiscontainedinthemisheldforthinsimplicityuntothem—butrathercryout,"Nay—butifoneshouldrisefromthedead!"Thentheythinkthatpeoplewouldbelieve. When alas, though signs and wonders were wrought by thehandsofthosewhopreachthegospel,thesepoorcreatureswouldneverthesoonerbelieve;thoughtheysupposetheywould,asisevidentbythebehaviorsof their forerunners,whoalbeit theLordJesusChristhimselfdidconfirmhisdoctrinebymiracles—asopeningblindeyes,castingoutofdevils,andraising thedead— theywereso far fromreceivingeitherhimorhisdoctrine—thattheyputhimtodeathforhispains!Thoughhehaddonesomanymiraclesamongthem—yettheywouldnotbelieveinhim!(John12:37).

But to pass this, I shall lay down some of theGROUNDS of theirrejectingandundervaluingtheScriptures,andsopasson.

1.BecausetheydonotbelievethattheScripturesaretheWordofGod—but rather suppose them to be the inventions ofmen,written by somepoliticians,onpurposetomakepoorignorantpeopletosubmittosomereligion and government. Though they do not say this — yet theirpracticestestifythesame:"Whensuchapersonhearsthewordsof thisoath,heinvokesablessingonhimselfandthereforethinks,'Iwillbesafe,even thoughIpersist ingoingmyownway.'Thiswillbringdisaster onthe watered land as well as the dry. The Lord will never be willing toforgivehim;hiswrathandzealwillburnagainstthatman.Allthecurseswritten in this book will fall upon him, and the Lord will blot out hisnamefromunderheaven!"Deuteronomy29:19-20

Andthismustneedsbe,fordidbutmenbelievethis,thatitistheWordofGod,thentheymustbelievethathewhospeaksitistrue—thereforeshall every word and tittle be fulfilled. And if they come once to this,unless they are stark mad — they will be concerned lest they throwthemselvesunderthelashofeternalvengeance.

For the reasonwhy theThessaloniansreceivedtheWord,was, becausetheybelieved itwas theWordofGod, andnot thewordofman,whicheffectuallyworked in them by their thus believing. 'When you receivedtheWordofGodwhichyouheardofus,'sayshe, 'youreceiveditnotasthe word of man — but, as it is in truth, the Word of God, whicheffectuallyworks also in youwho believe' (1 Thess 2:13). So that did amanbutreceiveitinhearing,orreading,ormeditating,asitistheWordofGod—hewouldbeconverted. 'ButtheWordpreacheddidnotprofitthem—notbeingmixedwithfaithinthosewhoheardit'(Heb4:2).

2.Becausetheydonot indeedseethemselvesasheirsofthatexceedingwrath and vengeance, which the Scriptures testify of. For did they butconsiderwhatGodintendstodowiththosewholiveanddieinanaturalstate — it would either sink them into despair, or make them fly forrefugetothehopethatissetbeforethem.Butifthereareeversuchsinscommitted,andeversogreatwrathdenounced,andthetimeofexecutioniseversonear—yetifthepartywhoisguiltyissenseless,andaltogetherignorantthereof—thenhewillbecareless,andregarditasnothingatall.

Andthatman,bynature, is inthiscondition—isevident.For, takethesamemanthatissenseless,andignorantofthatmiseryheisinbynature,Isay,takehimatanothertimewhenheisalittleawakened—andthenyoushallhearhimroar,andcryoutaslongastroubleisuponhim,andasenseofthewrathofGodhangingoverhishead,'Sirs,whatmustIdotobesaved!'

Though the same man at another time, when his conscience is fallenasleep,andgrownhard—willlieliketheblacksmith'sdogatthefootoftheanvil,thoughthefire-sparksflyinhisface.

But,asIsaidbefore,whenanyoneisalittleawakened,Owhatworkwillone verse, one line, nay, one word of the holy Scriptures make in hisheart! He cannot eat, sleep, work, keep company with his formercompanions—andallbecauseheisafraidthatthedamnationspokenofin Scripture will fall to his share! Like Balaam, who said, 'I cannot gobeyondthewordoftheLord'(Num22:18).SolongashehadsomethingofthewordoftheLordwithauthority,severity,andpoweronhisheart;butatanothertimehecouldteach'Balaktocastastumbling-blockbefore

thechildrenofIsrael'(Rev2:14).

3.Becausethegodlessprieststickletheearsof theirhearerswithvainphilosophy and deceit, and thereby harden their hearts against thesimplicity of the gospel and Word of God; which things the apostleadmonished those who have a mind to close in with Christ to avoid,saying, 'Beware lest anyman,' be he what he will, 'takes you captivethrough hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on humantraditionandthebasicprinciplesofthisworldratherthanonChrist'(Col2:8).

Andyouwhomuzzleup yourpeople in ignorancewithAristotle, Plato,andtherestoftheheathenishphilosophers,andpreachlittle,ifanything,of Christ rightly; I say unto you— that you will find you have sinnedagainstGod,andbeguiledyourhearers,whenGodshall,inthejudgment-day, laythecauseofthedamnationofmanythousandsofsoulstoyourcharge,andwillrequiretheirbloodatyourhands!(Eze33:6).

4.AnotherreasonwhythecarnalunbelievingworldsoslighttheWordofGod,is,becausethejudgmentspokenofintheScriptureisnotpresentlyexecuted on the transgressors. "When the sentence for a crime is notquicklycarriedout—theheartsofthepeoplearefilledwithschemestodowrong!"(Ecclesiastes8:11).

BecauseGoddoesnotpresentlystrikethepoorwretchdownassoonashe sins—butwaits, and forbears, and ispatient— therefore theworldjudging God to be unfaithful to His threatenings — commit their sinsagainandagain,andeverytimegrowharderandharder,untilatlastGodsendsdeath,withthedevilandHell—tofetchthem!

"These things you have done and I kept silent! You thought I wasaltogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.Considerthis,youwhoforgetGod,orIwilltearyoutopieces,withnonetorescue!"Psalm50:21,22

5.AnotherreasonwhytheblindworldslightstheauthorityofScripture,is,becausetheygiveeartothedevil,who,throughhissubtlety,castsfalseevasions and corrupt interpretations on them, rendering them not so

pointblankas themindofGod, anda rule fordirection to poor souls;persuading them that they must give ear and way to something elsebesides the Scriptures. Or else he labors to render it vile andcontemptible,bypersuadingthemthatitisadeadletter.

But theScripture isnot sodead,but that theknowledgeof it is able tomake anymanwise unto salvation, through faith and love,which is inChristJesus(2Tim3:15);andisprofitable for instruction,reproof,andcorrection in righteousness— that theman of Godmay be thoroughlyfurnishedtoallgoodworks(517).

And where it is said the letter kills, he means the law, as it is theministration of damnation, or a covenant of works— and so indeed itkills, andmust do so, because it is just; forasmuch as the partywho isunder the same, is not able to yield to it a complete and continualobedience.

Butyet Iwill callPeterandPaul towitness that theScripturesareofaverygloriousconcernment, inasmuchas in them isheld forth tous thewayoflife;andalsointhattheydoadministergoodgroundofhopetous.'For whatever things were written aforetime were written for ourlearning, thatwe throughpatience and comfort of theScripturesmighthavehope'(Rom15:4).Andagain, 'NowtohimwhoisabletoestablishyoubymygospelandtheproclamationofJesusChrist,accordingtotherevelationofthemysteryhiddenforlongagespast,butnowrevealedandmade known through the prophetic writings by the command of theeternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him' (Rom16:25,26). And thereforewhoever they arewho slight the Scriptures—theyslight thatwhich isno less than theWordofGod!And thosewhoslightthat—slighthimwhospokeit!Andthosewhodoso,letthemlookto themselves, forGodwill be revenged on such!Muchmoremight besaidtothismatter—butIwouldnotbetedious.

Awordortwomore,soIwillbedonewiththis.Considerthedangerofslighting the words of the prophets or apostles, whether they becorrection, reproof, admonition, forewarning, or the blessed invitationsandpromisescontainedinthem.

1. Consider: Such souls do provoke God to anger, and to execute hisvengeanceon them. 'But they refused topay attention; stubbornly theyturnedtheirbacksandstoppeduptheirears.TheymadetheirheartsashardasflintandwouldnotlistentothelawortothewordsthattheLordAlmightyhadsentbyhisSpiritthroughtheearlierprophets.SotheLordAlmightywasveryangry.'WhenIcalled,theydidnotlisten;sowhentheycalled,Iwouldnotlisten,'saystheLordAlmighty'(Zech7:11-13).

2. Consider:Godwill not regard them in their calamity. 'But sinceyourejectedmewhenIcalledandnoonegaveheedwhenIstretchedoutmyhand,sinceyouignoredallmyadviceandwouldnotacceptmyrebuke,Iin turnwill laughatyourdisaster; Iwillmockwhencalamityovertakesyou—whencalamityovertakesyoulikeastorm,whendisastersweepsover you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you.ThentheywillcalltomebutIwillnotanswer;theywilllookformebutwillnotfindme.SincetheyhatedknowledgeanddidnotchoosetofeartheLord.'(Prov1:24-29).

3.Consider:Godcommonlygivesupsuchmentodelusions—tobelievelies. 'Because they receivednot the loveof the truth that theymightbesaved,' therefore 'Godshallsendthemstrongdelusion, thattheyshouldbelievealie—thattheyallmightbedamned!'(2Thess2:10-12).

4.Consider:Inaword,thosewhocontinuetorejectandslighttheWordofGod—theyaresuch,forthemostpart,asareordainedtobedamned!Old Eli, his sons not hearkening to the voice of their father reprovingthemfortheirsins—butdisobeyinghisvoice,itissaid,Itwas'becausetheLordwouldslaythem'(1Sam2:25).Againseein2Chronicles25:15,16.AmaziahhavingsinnedagainsttheLord,hesendstohimaprophettoreprovehim;butAmaziahsays,'Forbear,whyshouldyoubesmitten?'HedidnothearkentothewordofGod,'Thentheprophetforbore,saying,Iknow that God has determined to destroy you, because you have nothearkened unto my counsel.' Read, therefore, and the Lord give youunderstanding.Foramiserableendwillthosehave—whogoonsinningagainstGod,rejectinghisWord.

Otherthingsmighthavebeenobservedfromthisverse,whichatthistimeI shallpassby;partlybecause the sumof themhasbeen touchedupon

already, andmay bemore clearly hinted at in the following verse; andthereforeIshallspeakafewwordstothenextverse,andsodrawtowardsaconclusion.

Verse 31. 'And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and theprophets,neitherwilltheybepersuaded,thoughonerosefromthedead.'

'Andhesaid'; that is,andGodmadeanswertothewordsspokenintheversebefore,'Andhesaiduntohim,IftheyhearnotMoses,'etc.Asifhehadsaid,Moseswasamanofgreatrenown,amanofworthynote,amanwho talked with God face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Thewords thatMoses spokewere such as I commanded him to speak. Letwhowill question them, Iwill own them, credit them,bless thosewhoclosewiththem—andcursethosewhorejectthem.

Imyselfsenttheprophets,theydidnotrunoftheirownvolition,Igavethemcommission,Isentthemout,andtoldthemwhattheywouldsay.Inaword,theyhavetoldtheworldwhatmymindistodo,bothtosinnersandtosaints.

'They haveMoses and the prophets, let themhear them.' Therefore hewhoshallrejectandturnhisbackeitheruponthethreatenings,counsels,admonitions,invitations,promises,orwhateverelseIhavecommandedthemtospeakastosalvationandlife,andtodirectionstherein—shallbesuretohaveashare in themanycursesthat theyhavespoken,andthedestructionwhichispronouncedbythem.

Again, 'If theyhearnotMosesand theprophets,' etc.As ifhehadsaid,Youwouldhavemesendonefromthedeaduntothem—whatistheneedof that?Theyhavemymindalready, Ihavedeclaredunto themwhat Iintendtodo,bothforsavingthosewhobelieve,anddamningthosewhodo not. That therefore which I have said— I will surelymake good—whethertheyhearorforbear.Andasforthisdesireofyours,youhadasjust as well askedme to make a new Bible, and so to revokemy firstsayingsbythemouthofmyprophets!ButIamGodandnotman,andmyWordis immutable,andunchangeable—andshall standas firmasmydecreescanmakeit!Heavenandearthshallpassaway—butonejotortittleofmyWordshallnotpassaway!(Matt5:18).

Ifyouhadtenthousandbrethren,andeveryoneindangerof losinghissoul,iftheydidnotcloseinwithwhatisalreadycontainedandrecordedintheScripturesoftruth—everyoneofthemmustsurelyperish,andbeforeverdamnedinHell—fortheScripturescannotbebroken!

I did not give the Scriptures so unadvisedly, as to recall it again byanotherconsideration.No,forIspeakinrighteousnessandinjudgment(Isa 63:1-3), and in much wisdom and counsel. The Scripture beingthereforegoneoutofmymouthinthismanner,itshallnotreturninvain,untilithasaccomplishedthethingwheretoIhavesentit(Isa55:11).

But again, you suppose thatmiraclesandwonderswill work more onthem,whichmakesyousay,'Sendonefromthedead.'Buthereinyouaremistaken,forIhaveprovedthemwiththatmanytimes—bymyservants.HowmanymiraclesdidmyservantMosesworkbycommandmentfrommeinthelandofEgypt,attheRedSea,andinthewilderness!Yetthoseofthatgenerationwereneverconvertedforallthat;but,notwithstanding,rebelledandlusted,andintheirheartsturnedbackintoEgypt!(Acts7).

Howmanymiracles didSamuel,David,Elijah,Elisha,Daniel, and theprophets, togetherwithmySon—whoraised thedead, castoutdevils,healedblindeyeandgave and restored limbs!Yet for all this, as I saidbefore—theyhatedhim,theycrucifiedhim!Iraisedhimagainfromthedead,andheappearedtohisdisciples,whowerecalled,andchosen,andfaithful, and he gave them commandment and commission to go andtestifythetruthofthistotheworld;andtoconfirmthesameheenabledthem to speak with divers languages, and to work miracles mostplentifully — yet there was great persecution raised against them,insomuch that but a few of them died peacefully in their beds. And,therefore,thoughyouthinkthatamiraclewilldosomuchwiththeworld— yet I say no! For if they will not believe Moses and the prophets,neitherwilltheybepersuadedthoughoneshouldrisefromthedead!

From these words, therefore, take notice of this truth, namely — thatthosewhorejectandbelievenotMosesandtheprophets,areaveryhard-hearted people, who will not be persuaded though one rises from thedead.Thosewho regardnot theholyScriptures to turn toGod, findingthemto testifyofhisgoodnessandmercy— there isbut littlehopesof

their salvation; for theywill not — mark, theywill not be persuaded,thoughoneshouldrisefromthedead.

ThistruthisconfirmedbyJesusChristhimself.IfyoureadJohn5,wherethe Lord is speaking of himself that he is the very Christ, he brings inseveralwitnessestobackwhathesaid.

1.JohnBaptist.

2.TheworksthathisFathergavehimtodo.

3.HisFatherspeakingfromHeaven.

4.ThetestimonyoftheScriptures.

Whenallthiswasdone,seeingyettheywouldnotbelieve—he laysthefaultupononeofthesetwothings:

(1.)Theirregardinganesteemamongmen.

(2.)Theirnotbelievingoftheprophets'writings,evenMosesandtherest.'ForhadyoubelievedMoses,'sayshe, 'youwouldhavebelievedme; forhewroteofme.Butifyoubelievenothiswritings,howshallyoubelievemywords?'

Now, I say,hewhoshall slight theScriptures,and the testimonyof theprophets in them concerning Jesus Christ — must needs be in greatdangerof losinghissoul, ifheabides inthiscondition;becausehewhoslightsthetestimony,doesalsoslightthethingtestifiedof.ForasJesusChristhashere laiddownthereasonofmen'snotreceivinghim,sotheapostle in another place lays down the reason again with a high andmightyaggravation(1John5:10),saying,'HewhobelievesontheSonofGodhasthewitnessinhimself:hewhobelievesnotGodhasmadehimaliar,becausehebelievesnottherecord,'mark,'therecordthatGodgaveofhisSon.'

Therecord,youwillsay—whatisthat?WhyeventhetestimonythatGodgaveofhimbythemouthofalltheholyprophetssincetheworldbegan(Acts3:18-20).Thatis,GodsendinghisholySpiritintotheheartsofhis

servants, the prophets and apostles — he, by his Spirit in them, borewitnessorrecordofthetruthofsalvationbyhisSonJesus,bothbeforeandafterhiscoming.

Theapostle,speakingofJesusChristandobediencetoGodthroughhim,saysthus,Now'hewhodespises,despisesnotman—butGod.'ButitisPaulwhospeaks;true—butitisbyandthroughtheSpirit,'Hethereforethatdespises,despisesnotman—butGod,whohasalsogivenuntoushisHolySpirit.'Thisisthereforeamightyconfirmationofthistruth,thathe who slights the record or testimony that God, by his Spirit in hisprophetsandapostles,hastestifieduntous—slightsthetestimonyoftheSpirit whomoved them to speak these things; and if so, then I wouldgladlyknowhowanymancanbesavedbyJesusChrist—whoslightsthetestimony concerning Christ, yes, the testimony of his own Spiritconcerninghim?

'To the law,' therefore, 'and to the testimony,' try themby that; 'if theyspeaknotaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereisnolightinthem.'

TheapostlePeter,whenhespeaksofthegloriousvoicethathehadfromthe excellentmajesty, saying ofChrist, 'This ismy beloved Son—hearhim,'says thusto thosewhohewroteunto, 'Youhavealsoamore surewordofprophecy,'oroftheprophets,forsoyoumayreadit,'untowhichyoudowellthatyoutakeheed.'That is, thoughwetellyouthatwehadthisexcellenttestimonyfromhisownmouthevidently—yetyouhavetheprophets.Wetellyouthis,andyouneednotdoubtofthetruthofit;butifyou should — yet you may not, must not, ought not to question theScriptures.Searchthereforeintothem,untilthedaydawns,andtheday-stararisesinyourhearts.Thatis,untilbythesameSpiritwhogaveforththeScripture,youfindthetruthconfirmedtoyoursouls,whichyouhaverecordedintheScripturesthatthiswordofprophecy,oroftheprophets,is the Scriptures. Read on; for, says he, 'knowing this first, that noprophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation,' etc. (2 Peter1:20).

OBJECTION:But,youwillsay,Whatistheneedofallthisado,andwhyisallthistimeandpainspentinspeakingtothis,whichissurelybelievedalready?Thisisathingreceivedbyall,thattheybelievetheScripturesto

betheWordofGod,thatsurewordofprophecy;andthereforeyouneednot spend your time in proving these things, and the truth of them,seeingwegrantandconfessthetruthofitbeforeyoubeingtospeakyourjudgmentofthem.

ANSWER.ThetruthsofGodcannotbebornewitnessuntotoooften:

1.Youmay aswell say—You need not preach Jesus Christ somuch,seeinghehasbeen,andisreceivedforthetrueMessiahalready.

2. Thoughmanymay suppose that they believe the Scriptures— yet iftheywerebutwellexamined,youwillfindthemeitherbywordofmouth,orelsebytheirlifestyle—todeny,reject,andslighttheholyScriptures.Itistrue,thereisanotionalandhistoricalassentinthehead.Isay,intheheadofmany, ormost— to the truths contained in Scripture. But trythem,Isay,andyoushallfindbutalittle,ifany,ofthefaithwhichistheoperationofGod in theirhearts— tobelieve theScriptures,and thingscontained in them.Many, yes,most people believe the Scriptures— astheybelieveafable,astory,atale,ofwhichthereisnocertainty!Butalas!therearebutfewdoindeedandintruthbelievetheScripturestobetheveryWordofGod.

OBJECTION:Butyouwillsay,Thisseemsstrangetome.

ANSWER.Anditseemsastruetome,andIwillmakeitmanifest, thattherearebutfew,yes,veryfew—whoeffectuallybelievetheScriptures,andthetruthscontainedinandspokenofbythem.

Buttomakethisappear,andthattopurpose,ifGodwill,Ishalllaydownthe severaloperations that theScriptureshaveon thosewhoeffectuallybelievethethingscontainedinthem.

First.Hewho effectually believes the Scriptures, has in the first placebeenkilled—Isaykilledbytheauthorityof theholyScriptures;struckstarkdeadinaspiritualsense,bytheholyScriptures,beingsenthomebythat Spirit, which gave them forth, upon the soul. 'The letter kills'; theletterstrikesmendead(2Cor3:6).AndthisPaulwitnessedandfound,'Iwasalivewithout the lawonce.'That is, inmynatural state,before the

lawwas applied tomyheartwithpower; 'Butwhen the commandmentcame, sin revived and I died' (Rom 7:9). 'And that law which wasordainedtolife,Ifoundtobeuntodeath;forsin,takingoccasionbythecommandment,deceivedme,andbyitslewme'(511).

Nowthatwhichiscalled'theletter'in2Corinthians,iscalledthelawinRomans7,whichbyitspowerandoperation,asitiswieldedbytheSpiritofGod,does inthefirstplacekillandslayall thosewhoareenabledtobelievetheScriptures.'Ikill,'saysGod—thatis,withmylawIpierce,Iwound, I prick men into the very heart, by showing them their sinsagainstmylaw(Deut31:26;Acts2:37).Andhewhoisignorantofthis,isalsoignorantof,anddoesnotreallyandeffectuallybelievetheScripture.

But you will say, 'How does the law kill and strike dead the poorcreatures?'

Answer. The letteror lawkills thus: It is set home upon the soul, andreveal to thesoul its transgressionsagainst the law,andshows thesoulalso,thatitcannotcompletelysatisfythejusticeofGod,forthebreachofhis law; therefore it is condemned (John3:18).Mark, 'Hewhobelievesnot,iscondemnedalready.'Namely,condemnedbythelaw—thatis,thelaw condemns him; yes, it has condemned him already for his sinsagainst it; as it iswritten, 'Cursed is everyonewho continues not in allthingswhicharewritten in thebookof the law, todo them' (Gal3:10).Nowallmenastheycomeintotheworldareinthiscondition—thatis,condemnedbythelaw.

Yetnotbelievingtheircondemnationbythe lawreally, theydonotalsobelieve really and effectually the law that condemns them. For as menhavebutapoornotionoftheone,thatis,theircondemnation,becauseofsinsagainstthelaw—sotheyhavebutapoornotionofthecondemning,killing,anddestroyingpowerofthelaw.For,astheoneis—soalwaysistheother.Thereisnomanthatreallybelievesthelaworgospel,furtherthantheydofeelthepowerandauthorityofthemintheirhearts.'Youarein error, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.' Now thisletterorlaw,isnottobetakeninthelargestsense—butisstrictlytobetiedtothetencommandments,whoseproperworkisonlybyshowingthesoulitssinagainstthislaw—tokill—andthereleaveshimstarkdead,

notgivinghimtheleastlife,orsupport,orcomfort—butleavesthesoulin a helpless and hopeless condition, as from itself, or any othermerecreature.

Itistruethelawseesallmenasdeadinsin,astheycomeintotheworld;butallmendonotseethemselvesdead,untiltheyseethatlawthatstruckthemdead,strikingintheirsouls,andhavingstruckthemthatfatalblow.Asamanwho is fastasleep inaburninghouse,with the fire abouthisears—andhenotknowingof itbecauseheisasleep—isunconcerned.Justso,becausepoorsoulsareasleepinsin,thoughthewrathofGod,thecurseofhis law,andtheflamesofHellhavebesetthemroundabout—yettheydonotbelieveit,becausetheyareasleepinsin!

Now,ashewhoisawakenedandseesthis,seesthatthroughthisheisadeadman;evensothosewhodoseetheirstatebynature,beingsuchamiserablecondition,doalsoseethemselvesbythat lawtobedeadmennaturally.

Butnow,whendidyoufeel thepowerof this firstpartof theScripture,the law,somightyas tostrikeyoudead?Ifnot,youdonotsomuchastrulybelievethatpartoftheScripturethatcontainsthelawinit,tobethetruthofGod.Yet ifyoushouldhave feltsomething, I say, somethingofthekillingpowerofthelawofGodinyourheart,thisisnotanargumenttoprovethatyoubelieveallthethingscontainedinScripture,forthereisgospel as well as law; and therefore I shall speak to that also, that is,whetheryouhavefeltthepowerofthegospel,aswellassomethingofthepowerofthelaw.

Second.Thenyouhavefoundthepowerofthegospel,andsobelievedit,youhavefounditthuswithyoursoul.

1.YouhavebeenshowedbytheWordortruthofthegospel,inthelightof theSpiritofChrist, thatbynatureyouwerewithout the true faithoftheSonofGodinyoursoul.ForwhenHe,theSpirit,hascome,heshallshowmen that 'they believe not inme,' says Christ (John 16:9).Mark,thoughyouhave,asIsaidbefore,feltsomewhatofthepowerofthelaw,letter,ortencommandments—yet,asyouhavenotbeenbroughttothis,toseebytheSpiritinthegospel,thatyouarewithoutfaithbynature,you

havenotyettasted,muchlessbelieved,anypartofthegospel.

Forthegospelandthelawaretwodistinctcovenants.Andthosewhoareunderthelaworfirstcovenant,andyetinthemeantimetobeastrangerto the covenant ofpromise, that is, the gospel, and sohavenohope inthem(Eph2:12).Thereisnotanypromisethatcanbesavinglybelieved,untilthesoulbebythegospelconvertedtoJesusChrist.ForthoughmenthinkeversomuchthattheybelievethethingsortheWordofthegospelofoursalvation;yetunlesstheyhavetheworkofgraceintheirsouls,theydo not, cannot rightly believe the things contained in the Scriptures.Again,

2.Asthelawkillsthosewhobelieveit,evensothepromisescontainedinthegospeldo, throughfaith,administercomforttothosewhobelieve itaright.Mywords,saysChrist,Mywords,'theyareSpirit,andtheyarelife'(John 6:63). As if he had said, the words contained in the law as acovenantofworks—theywound,theykill,theystrikedeadthosewhoareunder them.But as forme, 'Thewords that I speak unto you, they arespirit, and they are life.' That is, whoever receives them believingly —shall find them full of operation, to comfort, quicken, and revive theirsoul.ForasIdidnotcomeintotheworldtodestroymen's lives,sothewordsthatIspeak,asIamsenttopreachthegospel,theyhavenosuchtendencyuntothosewhobelievethem.

Thepromisesthatareinthegospel,Ohowdotheycomfortthem!Suchapromise, and suchapromise—Ohow sweet is it!Howcomfortabletothosewhobelievethem!Alas!therearemanypoorsoulswhothinktheybelievetheScripturestobetheWordofGod,andyettheyneverenjoyedanything of the life and promises; they come in upon the heart toquicken, to revive you, to raise you from the sentence of death that ispassedonyoubythelaw.Andthroughthefaiththatiswroughtinyoursoul,bytheoperationofGod'sHolySpirit,thoughoncekilledbythelaworletter—youaremadealiveintheLordJesusChrist,whoispresentedtoyoursoulinthepromises.

Third.DoyouindeedandintruthbelievetheScripturestobetheWordofGod?Then the thingscontained in them,especially the thingsof thegospel,areveryexcellenttoyoursoul;as thebirthofChrist, thedeath,

resurrection, intercession, and second coming. O how precious andexcellent are they to your soul— insomuch that you regard nothing incomparison of them! O! it is Christ's birth, death, blood, resurrection,etc.,accordingto theScriptures, thatyoudorejoice inexceedingly,andabundantlydesireafter! 'Whomhavingnotseen,youlove;inwhomyounowyouseehimnot—yetbelievingyourejoice,with joyunspeakable,andfullofglory'(1Cor15:1-6,comparedwithPhil3:6-8;1Peter1:8).

Fourth.DoyoubelievetheScripturestobetheWordofGod?Thenyoustandinaweof,anddomuchreverencethem.Why,theyaretheWordofGod, the true sayingsofGod; they are the counsel ofGod; theyarehispromisesandhisthreatenings.Poorsoulsareapttothink,ifIcouldhearGodspeaktomefromHeavenwithanaudiblevoice,thensurelyIshouldbe serious and believe it. But truly, if God should speak to you fromHeaven, except you were converted, you would not regard, nor reallybelievehim.ButifyoudobelievetheScriptures,youseethattheyarethetruth as really as ifGod should speak to you fromHeaven through theclouds.Thereforeneverflatteryourself,foolishlythinking,thatifitweresoandso, thenyoucouldbelieve. I tell you, saysChrist, If theybelieve'notMosesandtheprophets,neitherwilltheybelievethoughoneshouldrisefromthedead!'But,

Fifth. Do you believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God? Then,throughfaithinChrist,youendeavortohaveyourlifesquaredaccordingto the Scriptures, both in word and practice. Nay, this I say, you mayhave, though you do not believe them all. My meaning is, that if youbelievenonebutthetencommandments,yourlifemaybe,accordingtothem,alegalholylife;andifyoudobelievethegospeltoo,thenyourlifewillbethefaithoftheLordJesusChrist;thatis,eitheryouwillliveintheblessed and holy enjoyment of what is testified in the ScriptureconcerningthegloriousthingsoftheLordJesusChrist,orelseyouwillbeexceedinglypanting after them.For theScriptures carry such ablessedbeautyinthemtothatsoulwhohasfaithinthethingscontainedinthem,thattheytaketheheartandcaptivatethesoulofhimwhobelievesthem—intotheloveandlikingofthem,believingallthingsthatarewritteninthelawandtheprophets,andhavehopetowardsGodthatthereshallbearesurrectionof thedead,bothof the justandunjust. 'AndhereindoI

exercisemyself, tohavealwaysaconsciencevoidofoffencetowardGodandtowardmen'(Acts24:14-16).

Sixth.HewhobelievestheScripturestobetheWordofGod,ifhedoesbutsupposethatanyoneplaceofScriptureexcludeshim,andshuthimoutof, and froma share in thepromises contained in them—O itwilltroublehim,grievehim,perplexhim!Yes,hewillnotbesatisfieduntilheis resolved, and the contrary sealed to his soul; for he knows that theScripturesarethewordofGod,alltruth;andthereforeheknowsthatifanyone sentence excludes or barshimout for lack of this or the otherqualification,heknowsalsothatnottheWordaloneshutshimout—buthewhospeaks it,evenGodhimself.And, therefore,hecannot,willnot,darenotbecontenteduntilhefindhissoulandScripturetogether,withthe things contained therein, to embrace each other, and a sweetcorrespondenceandagreementbetweenthem.To

himwhobelievestheScripturesaright—thepromises,orthreatenings,are of more power to comfort or cast down, than all the promises orthreateningsofallthemenintheworld.AndthiswasthecausewhythemartyrsofJesussoslightedboththepromisesoftheiradversaries,whenthey would have overcome them, with offering the great things of thisworlduntothem;andalsotheirthreatenings,whentheytoldthemtheywould rack them, hang them, burn them (Acts 20:24). None of thesethingscouldprevailuponthem,oragainstthem;becausetheymostreallybelieved the Scriptures, and the things contained in them, as is clearlyfound,andtobeseeninHebrews11,andalsoinMr.Fox'srecordsoftheirmartyredbrethren.

Seventh.HewhobelievestheScripturestobetheWordofGod,believesthatmenmustbebornagain,andalsobepartakersofthatfaithwhichisoftheoperationofGod,accordingashehasreadandbelieved—orelsehemustandshallbedamned.Andhewhobelievesthisaright,willnotbecontenteduntil,accordingasit iswritten,hepartakesofandenjoysthenewbirth;anduntilhefinds,throughgrace,thatfaiththatiswroughtbytheoperationofGodinhissoul.

For this is the cause why men satisfy themselves with so slender aconceited hope that their state is good, when it is nothing so, namely,

because they do not credit the Scripture; for did they, theywould lookinto their own hearts, and examine seriously whether that faith, thathope, that grace which they think they have, be of that nature, andwroughtbythatspiritandpowerthattheScripturespeaksof.Ispeakthisof an effectual believing, without which all other is nothing untosalvation.

FiveUsesbyWayofSelf-examination.

Now then, because I would not be too tedious, I shall at this time laydownnomoremarks of such a one as savingly believes theScriptures,and the things contained in them — but shall speak a few words ofexaminationconcerningthethingsalreadymentioned.As,

FirstUSE.Yousayyoudo indeedand in trutheffectuallybelieve theScriptures:Iask,therefore—wereyoueverkilledstarkdeadbythelawofworks contained in the Scriptures— killed by the law or letter, andmadetoseeyoursinsagainst it,and left inahelplessconditionbythatlaw?For,asIsaid,theproperworkofthelawistoslaythesoul,andtoleaveitdeadinahelplessstate.Foritneithergivesthesoulanycomfortitselfwhenitcomes,nordoesitshowthesoulwherecomfortistobehad;and therefore it is called 'the ministration of condemnation,' as in 2Corinthians3:9,'theministrationofdeath,'verse7.ForthoughmenmayhaveanotionoftheblessedWordofGod—yetbeforetheybeconverted,it may truly be said of them, You are in error, not knowing theScriptures,northepowerofGod(Mark12:24).

SecondUSE.Yousayyoudobelieve theScriptures tobe theWordofGod.Isayagain,Examine,wereyoueverquickenedfromadeadstatebythepoweroftheSpiritofChrist;thatistosay,bythepowerofGodinhisSonJesusChrist, through the covenantofpromise?I tell you from theLord, if youhave— thenyouhave felt suchaquickeningpower in thewords of Christ (John 6) that you have been lifted out of that deadcondition that you before were in. And that when you were under theguilt of sin, the curse of the law, and the power of the devil, and thejusticeofthegreatGod—youhavebeenenabled,bythepowerofGodinChrist, revealed to youby theSpirit throughandby theScripture— tolook sin, death, Hell, the devil, and the law, and all things that are at

enmitywith you—with boldness and comfort in the face, through theblood, death, righteousness, resurrection, and intercession of Christ,madementionofintheScriptures.And,

ThirdUSE.Onthisaccount,OhowexcellentaretheScripturestoyoursoul! O how much virtue do you see in such a promise, in such aninvitation!Theyaresolargeastosay,Christwillnevercastmeout!Mycrimson sins shall be white as snow! I tell you, friend, there are somepromisesthattheLordhashelpedmetolayholdofJesusChristthroughandby,thatIwouldnothaveoutoftheBibleforasmuchgoldandsilveras can lie between York and London piled up to the stars! Becausethrough them, Christ is pleased by his Spirit to convey comfort tomysoul.

Isay,whenthelawcurses,whenthedeviltempts,whenHell-fireflamesinmyconscience—mysinswiththeguiltofthemtearingme—thenisChristrevealedsosweetlytomypoorsoulthroughthepromises,thatallisforcedtofleeawayandstopaccusingmysoul.

Soalso,whentheworldfrowns,whentheenemiesrageandthreatentokill me — then also the precious, the exceeding great and preciouspromises—weighdownall,andcomfortthesoulagainstall.Thisis theeffect of believing the Scriptures savingly; for thosewho do so have byand through the Scriptures good comfort, and also ground of hope,believing those things to be their own,which the Scriptures hold forth(Rom15:4).

FourthUSE.Examine,Doyoustand inaweofsinningagainstGod—becausehehasintheScripturescommandedyoutoabstainfromit?Doyougivediligencetomakeyourcallingandelectionsure—becauseGodcommandeditinScripture?Doyouexamineyourselfwhetheryouareinthe faithornot—havingacommand inScriptureso todo?Ordoyou,notwithstanding what you read in the Scripture — follow the world,delight in sin, neglect coming to Jesus Christ, speak evil of the saints,slight and make a mock at the ordinances of God, delight in wickedcompany,andthelike?Thenknowforsure,thatitisbecauseyoudonotindeedandintruthbelievetheScriptureseffectually.

For,asIsaidbefore,ifamandoestrulybelievethem,andthatsavingly—thenhestands inawe,he lookstohissteps,heturnshis feet fromevil;andendeavorstofollowthatwhichisgood,whichGodhascommandedintheScripturesoftruth.Yetnotfromalegalornaturalprinciple; thatis, to seek for salvation by doing good things — but knowing thatsalvationisalreadyobtainedforhimbythebloodofChristJesusonthecross.

BecausehebelievestheScriptures,therefore,Isay,helaborstowalkwithhisGodinallwell-pleasingandgodliness,becausethesweetpowerofthelove ofChrist,whichhe feels inhis soul by theSpirit, according to theScriptures,constrainhimsotodo(2Cor5:14).

FifthUSE.Examineagain,Doyoulaborafterthosequalificationsthatthe Scriptures describe a child of God by? That is, faith, yes the rightfaith,themostholyfaith,thefaithoftheoperationofGod.Andalso,doyouexaminewhether there isa realgrowthofgrace inyour soul—aslove,zeal,self-denial,andaseekingbyallmeanstoattain,ifpossible,totheresurrectionofthedead?Thatis,nottosatisfyyourselfuntilyouaredissolved and rid of this body of death, and are transformed into thatglorythatthesaintsshallbein,aftertheresurrection-day.

Andinthemeantimedolaborandtakeallopportunitiestowalkasnearasmaybetothegospelstandard,thoughyouknowyoucannotattain itperfectly.Yet,Isay,youdoaimatit,seekafterit,presstowardsit,andtoholdoninyourrace;youshunthatwhichmayanywayhinderyou,andalsoembracewhatevermayanywayfurtherthesame;knowingthatthatmustbe,ordesiringthatitshouldbe,youreternal frame,andthereforeout of love and liking to it— youdesireand longafter it, as being thethingthatmostpleasesyoursoul.

O,howisitwithyoursoul?Areyousuchaoneasregardsnotthesethings—butratherbusyyour thoughtsabout thethingsherebelow, followingthosethingsthathavenoscentofdivinegloryuponthem?Ifso,looktoyourself—youareanunbeliever,andsounderthewrathofGod,andwillfor certain fall into the same place of torment that your fellows havefallenintobeforeyou,tothegriefofyourownsoul,andyoureverlastingdestruction!

Considerandregardthesethings,andlaythemtoyourheartbeforeitistoo late to recover yourself— by repenting of the one, and desiring toembrace the other. O! I say, regard, regard — for Hell is hot! God'srighteous hand is raised up against you, and the law is resolved todischargeagainstyoursoul!Thejudgment-dayisathand,thegravesarereadyto flyopen, the trumpet isready tobesounded, thesentencewillbeforelongbepassed—andthenonlyeternityremains!

FINALUSEANDAPPLICATION

Butagain,seeingtheScripturesaresocertain,sosure,soirrevocableandfirm, and seeing the saving faith of the things contained therein, is toreform the soul, and bring it over into the things of God, reallyconforming to the things contained therein, both to the point ofjustification,andalsoanimpartialwalking,andgivingupyoursoulandbody to a conformity to all the commands, counsels, instructions, andexhortationscontainedtherein—thisthenwillteachushowtojudgeofthosewho giveup themselves towalk in the imaginations of their ownhearts,whoslightandlayasidetheScriptures,countingthembutemptyand uncertain things, and will live every day in open contradiction towhatiscontained,commanded,andforbiddentherein.As

FIRST.Thiswillshowusaboutallyoudrunkards,whoremasters, liars,thieves,swearers,backbiters,slanderers,scoffersatgoodness,etc.Isay,we may see by this, that those who live in such things, have not trueScripturalfaithcontainedintheirhearts—seeingtheydelighttopracticethose things that are forbidden by and in the Scriptures. And so, theycontinuing living and dying in this state — we may conclude withouthesitance, that these portions of holy Scripture belong unto them, andshall for certain be fulfilled upon them: 'He who believes not shall bedamned!'(Mark16:16).'TheunrighteousshallnotinheritthekingdomofGod!' (1 Cor 6:9,10). 'But the abominable, the unbelieving, thewhoremongers,andallliars,shallhavetheirpartinthelakewhichburnswith fire and brimstone!' (Rev 21:8). 'Depart, you cursed ones, intoeverlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels!' (Matt 25:41).Depart,departfromme,forIwillnotsaveyou.Depart,formybloodshallnot at all wash you. Depart, for you shall not set one foot into thekingdomofHeaven!

'Depart,youcursed,'youarecursedbyGod,cursedbyhislaw,cursedbyChristwho spoke thesewords, cursed by the saints, and cursed by theangels! You are cursed all over; you are nothing but cursed! Thereforedepartfromme!

Departwhere?Intoeverlastingfirefirethatwillscald,scorch,burn,andflametopurpose.'Firethatshallneverbequenched'(Mark9).Firethatwilllasttoalleternity!

Andmustwebeallalone?No,youshallhavecompany—agreatstoreofcompanywithyou.Namely, all the raging, roaringdevils, togetherwithaninnumerablecompanyoffellow-damnedsinners—men,women,andchildren.AndiftheScripturesaretrue,astheywillonedaywonderfullyappeartobe—thenthismustandshallbeyourportion,ifyouliveanddie inyourunconverted state; andof all thosewhocontinue in sinningagainstthetruthcontainedintheScriptures.As,

First.Do youdelight to sin against plain commands?Then youwill bedamned!

Second.DoyouslightandscornthecounselscontainedintheScriptures,andcontinueinsodoing?Thenyouwillbedamned!

Third.DoyoucontinuallyneglecttocometoChrist,anduseargumentsinyour own heart to satisfy your soul with so doing? Then you will bedamned! (Luke14:17,18,comparedwith524,andHeb2:3). 'How shallweescapeifweneglectsogreatsalvation?'Howshallweescape—thatis,thereisnowaytoescape!

(1.)BecauseGodhassaidweshallnotescape(Heb12:25).'Seetoitthatyou do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when theyrefusedhimwhowarnedthemonearth(Moses),howmuchlesswillwe,ifweturnawayfromhimwhowarnsusfromheaven?'

(2.) Because he has not only said they shallnot escape— but also hasbound itwith anoath, saying, 'So I swore inmywrath, They shall notenter intomyrest!' (Heb3:11).Towhomdidheswear that theyshould

not enter intohis rest?Answer, 'to thosewhobelievednot.' Sowe see,thattheycouldnotenterinbecauseofunbelief(verses18,19).

SECOND.Thiswill teachuswhat to thinkandconcludeof such,who,though they do not so openly reveal their folly by open and gross sinsagainstthelaw—yettheyhavenoinwarddesiretotheholyaccordingtotherevealedwillofGod.Isay,suchmenareinasbadastateastheothertothefull,beingdisobedienttoGod'swillrevealedinhisWord,aswellasthey,thoughinadifferentmanner;theoneopenlytransgressingagainstthe plain andwell-known truths revealed in it; the other, thoughmorehidden—yetsecretlyrejectingandslightingthem.

Afewwordsmore—andsoIshallCONCLUDE.And,

First.TakeheedthatyoudonotcontentyourselfwithabarenotionoftheScripturesinyourheads—bywhichyoumaygofar,evensofarastobe able to dispute for the truth, to preach the gospel, and labor tovindicate it in opposition to gainsayers— and yet be found at the lefthand of Christ at the judgment-day, forasmuch as you did contentyourselfwithamerenotionortraditionalknowledgeofthem.

Second.HaveacarethatyouownthewholeScripture,andnotownonepartandneglectanother,orslightit;asthus:Toownthelaw,andslightthegospel.Ortothinkthatyoumustbesavedbyyourgooddoingsandworks;forthatisalloneasifyouthrustChristawayfromyou.Orelsesotoownthegospel,asifbyityouwereexemptedfromallobediencetothetencommandments,andconformitytothelawinlifeandconversation;forinsodoingyouwillforcertainmakesureofeternalvengeance!

Third.Haveacarethatyoudonotconfuse,orputwrongnamesonthethingscontainedintheScriptures,astocallthelaw—Christ;andChrist—thelaw;forsomehavingdoneso,havesodarkenedtothemselvestheglorious truths of the gospel, that in a very little time they have beenresolvedtothwartandopposethem,andsohavemaderoomintheirownsoulsforthedevil to inhabit,andobtainedaplaceinHell fortheirownsoulstobetormentedforeverandever!

Against thisdanger therefore in readingand receiving the testimony of

Scripture, learn to distinguishbetween the law and the gospel, and tokeepthemclearasunder,astothesalvationofyoursoul.

1.And thatyoumaysodo, in the firstplace,begofGod thathewouldshow you thenature of the gospel, and set it home effectuallywith lifeandpoweruponyoursoulbyfaith.Whichis this, thatGodwouldshowyou, that as you beingman, have sinned against God; so Christ, beingGod-man,hasboughtyouagain,andwithhismostpreciousbloodsetyoufree from the bondage you have fallen into by your sins. And that notupon condition that youwilldothus and thus, this and theother goodwork; but rather, that you, being first justified freely by mere gracethrough thebloodofJesus, shouldalso receiveyour strength fromhimwho has bought you, to walk before him in all well-pleasing. BeingenabledtheretobyvirtueofhisSpirit,whohasrevealedtoyoursoulthatyouaredeliveredalready fromwrath to come,by theobedience,notofyourself—butofanothernamely,JesusChrist.

2.Thenifthelawyoureadof,tellsyouinyourconscienceyoumustdothisandtheothergoodworkofthelaw,ifeveryouwillbesaved;answerplainly:thatforyourpartyouareresolvednownottoworkforsalvation—but tobelieve in the virtue of that blood shed upon the cross, uponMountCalvary,fortheremissionofsins.

And yet because Christ has justified you freely by his grace— youwillservehiminholinessandrighteousnessallthedaysofyourlife—yetnotinalegalspirit,orinacovenantofworks;butbyobediencewhichisfree,andcheerful,outoflovetomyLordJesus.

3.Haveacareyoureceivenotthisdoctrineinthemerenotiononly, lestyoubringajustdamnationuponyoursoul,byprofessingyourselftobefreed byChrist's blood from theguiltof sin—while you remain still aservant to the filthof sin.For Imust tell you, that unless youhave thetrueandsavingworkofthefaithandgraceofthegospelinyourhearts—youwilleithergooninalegalholiness,accordingtothetenorofthelaw;or else through a mere notion of the gospel, the devil bewitching andbeguilingyourunderstanding,will,andaffections,youwillturnthegraceofGod intowantonness, andbringuponyour souldouble, ifnot trebledamnation—inthatyoucouldnotbecontentedtobedamnedforyour

sinsagainstthelaw—butalsotomakeruinsuretoyoursoul,youwoulddishonorthegospel,andturnthegraceofGod,intolicentiousness.

Butthatyoumightbesuretoescapethesedangerousrocksontherighthand and on the left — see that your faith be such as is spoken of inScripture. And that you be not satisfied without that, which is a faithwroughtbythemightyoperationofGod,revealingChristtoandinyou,as havingwholly freed you from your sins by hismost precious blood.Whichfaith,ifyouattainunto—willsoworkinyourheart,thatfirstyouwill see thenatureof the law, andalso thenatureof thegospel— anddelightinthegloryofit!Andalsoyouwillfindanengagingofyourheartandsoul toJesusChrist,even to thegivingupofyourwholemanuntohim, toberuledandgovernedbyhim— tohis glory, and your eternalcomfort.

MONERGISMBOOKS

AFewSighsfromHellbyJohnBunyan,Copyright©2011

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