SIGHS FROM HELL

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or, THE GROANS OF A LOST SOUL.

CHAPTER 1.

There Was A Certain Rich Man, Which Was Clothed In Purple And Fine Linen, Fared Sumptuously Everyday — Luke 16:19-31.

THIS scripture was not spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ, to show you the state of two single persons only, (as some through ignorance of the drift of Christ in his parables do dream); but to show you the state of the godly and ungodly to the world’s end; as is clear to him that is of an understanding heart. For he spake them to the end that after generations should take notice thereof, and fear, lest they also fall into the same condition.

Now, in my discourse upon these words, I shall not be tedious; but as briefly as I may, I shall pass through the several verses, and lay you down some of the several truths contained therein: and the Lord grant that they may be profitable, and of great advantage to those that read them or hear them read.

The first two or three verses of the parable I shall not spend much time upon, only give you three or four short hints, and so pass to the next verses; for they are the words I do intend most especially to insist upon.

The verses run thus: “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,” etc.

If these verses had been spoken by Jesus Christ, and no more, all the world would have been apt to have east a wrong interpretation upon them.

I say, if Jesus had said only this much, There was a certain rich man, which fared sumptuously daily, and a certain beggar laid at his gates full of sores, the world would have made this conclusion of them: The rich man was the happy man. For, at first view, it doth represent such a thing. But take all together — that is, read the whole parable, and you shall find, that there is no man in a worse condition than he; as I shall clearly hold forth afterward.

Again, if a man would judge of men according to outward appearance, he shall ofttimes take his mark amiss. Here is a man who to outward appearance, appears the only blessed man, better by half than the beggar, inasmuch as he is rich, the ‘beggar poor; he is well clothed, but peradventure the beggar is naked; he hath good food, but the beggar would be glad of dog’s meat: “And he desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.” The rich. man fares well every day; but the beggar must be glad of a bit; when he can get it. O! who would not be in a rich man’s estate? A wealthy man; sorts of new suits, and dainty dishes every day; enough to make one who minds nothing but his belly, and his back, and his lusts, to say, O that I were in that man’s condition! O that I had things about me, as that man has! Then I should live a life indeed; then should I have heart’s-ease, good store; then I should live pleasantly, and might say to my soul, Soul, be of good cheer; eat, drink, and be merry ( Luke 12:19); thou hast every thing plenty, and art in a most blessed condition.

I say, this might be the conclusion with them that judge according to outward appearance. But if the whole parable be well considered, you will see that which is had in high estimation with men, is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15. And again, that condition that is the saddest condition according to outward appearance, is ofttimes the most excellent. Job 16:20-22. For the beggar had ten thousand degrees the best of it, though to outward appearance his state was the saddest. From whence we shall observe thus much: 1. That those who judge according to outward appearance, do for the most part judge amiss. John 7:24. 2. That they who look upon their outward enjoyments to be tokens of God’s special grace unto them, are also deceived. Revelation 3:17. For as it is here in the parable, a man of wealth, and a child of the devil, may make but one person; or, a. man may have abundance of outward enjoyments, and yet be carried by the devils into eternal burning. Luke 16:23. But this is the trap in which the devil hath caught many thousands of poor souls, namely, by getting them to judge according to outward appearance, or according to God’s outward blessings.

Do but ask a poor, carnal, covetous wretch, how he should knows man to be in a happy state; and he will answer, Those that God blesseth, and giveth abundance of this world to; when, for the most part, they are they that are the cursed men. Alas, poor men! they are so ignorant as to think, that because a man is increased in outward things, and that by a small stock, therefore God doth love that man with a special love, or else he would never do so much for him, never bless him so, and prosper the works of his hands. Ah, poor soul! it is the rich man that goes to hell. And “the rich man died, — and in hell,” mark, “in hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torment.”

Methinks to see how the great ones of the world will go strutting up and down the streets sometimes, it makes me wonder. Surely they look upon themselves to be the only happy men; but it is because they judge according to outward appearance; they look upon themselves to be the only blessed men, when the Lord knows the generality of such are left out of that blessed condition. “Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.” 1 Corinthians 1:26.

Ah! did they that do now so brag, that nobody dare scarce look on them, but believe this, it would make them hang down their heads and cry, O give me a Lazarus’ portion!

I might here enlarge very much, but I shall not; only this much I shall say to you that have much of this world: Have a care that you have not your portion in this world: take heed that it be not said to you hereafter, when you would very willingly have heaven, Remember in your lifetime you had your good things; in your lifetime you had your portion. Psalm 17:14.

And, friend, thou that seekest after this world, and desires? riches, let me ask :his question: Wouldst thou be content that God should put thee off with a portion in this life? Wouldst thou be glad to be kept out of heaven with a back well clothed, and a belly well filled with the dainties of this world? Wouldst thou be glad to have all thy good things in thy lifetime; to have thy heaven to last no longer than while thou dost live in this world?

Wouldst thou be willing to be deprived of eternal happiness and felicity? If thou say, No, then have a care of the world and thy sins; have a care of desiring to be a rich man, lest thy table be matte a snare unto thee ( Psalm 64:22); lest the wealth of this world do bar thee out of glory.

For, as the apostle saith, “They that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1 Timothy 6:9. Thus much in general: but now, particularly, These two men here spoken of (as I said) do hold forth to us the state of the godly and ungodly: the beggar holdeth forth the godly:, and the rich man the ungodly.

But why, under the notion of a rich man, are the ungodly held forth? 1. Because Christ would not have them look too high, as I said before; but that those who have riches would have a care that they be not all their portion. James 1:10-12; 1 Timothy 4:17. 2. Because rich men are most liable to the devil’s temptations; are most ready to be puffed up with pride, stoutness, and cares of this world; in which things they spend most of their time — in lusts, drunkenness, wantonness, idleness, together with other works of the flesh; “For which thing’s sake, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience.” Colossians 3:6. 3. Because he would comfort the hearts of his own, which tire most commonly of the poorer sort: for God hath chosen the poor, despised, and base things of this world. 1 Corinthians 1:28. Should God have set the rich man in the blessed state, his own children would have concluded, being poor, that they had no share in the life to come. 4. And again, had not God given such a discovery of the sad condition of those that are for the most part rich men, we should have had men conclude absolutely, that the rich are the blessed men. Nay, though the Lord himself doth so evidently declare, that the, rich ones of the world are for the most part in the saddest condition, yet they, through unbelief, or else presumption, do harden themselves, and seek for the glory of this world, as though the Lord Jesus Christ did not mean as he said, or else that he will say more than shall assuredly come to pass; but let them know that the Lord hath a time to fulfill what he had a time to declare, for the scripture cannot be broken. John 10:35. 5. But observe, the Lord by his word doth not mean those are ungodly who are rich in the world, and no other; for then must all those that are poor, yet graceless and vain men, be saved, and delivered from eternal vengeance; which would be contrary to the word of God, which saith, that together with the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, there are bondmen or servants, and slaves, that cry out at the appearance of the Almighty God, and his Son Jesus Christ to judgment;. Revelation 6:15.

So that though Christ doth say, “There was a certain rich man.” yet :you must understand, he meaneth all the ungodly, rich or poor. Nay, if you will not understand it so now, you shall be made to understand it to be so meant at the day of Christ’s second coming, when all that are ungodly shall stand at the left hand of Christ with pale faces, and guilty consciences, with the vials of the Almighty’s wrath ready to be poured out upon them.

Thus much in brief touching this verse. I might have observed other things from it, but now I forbear, having other things to speak of at this time.

CHAPTER - and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores. — Luke 16:20.

THIS verse doth chiefly hold forth these things: 1. That the saints of God are a poor contemptible people: “There was a certain beggar.” If you understand the word, beggar, to hold forth outward poverty, or scarcity in outward things; such are saints of the Lord, for they are for the most part a poor, despised, contemptible people. But if you allegorize it, and interpret it thus: They are such as beg earnestly for heavenly food; this is also the spirit of the children of God; and it may be, and is a truth in this sense, though not so naturally gathered from this scripture. 2. These words hold forth the distempers of believers, saying, “He was full of sores;” which may signify the many troubles, temptations, persecutions, and afflictions in body and spirit which they meet with while they are in the world; and also the entertainment they meet with at the hands of those ungodly ones who live upon the earth. Whereas it is said, “He was laid at his gate full of sores;” mark, he was laid at his gate, not in his house: that was thought too good for him.; but he was laid at his gate, full of sores. From whence observe, that the ungodly world do not, desire to entertain and receive the poor saints of God into their houses. If they must needs be somewhere near unto them, yet they shall not come into their houses. Shut them out of doors: if they will needs be near us, let them be at the gate. “And he was laid at the gate, full of sores.” Observe, also, that the world are not at all touched with the afflictions of God’s children; for all they are full of sores. A despised, afflicted, tempted, persecuted people the world doth not: pity; no, but rather labor to aggravate their trouble by shutting them out of doors. Sink or swim, what cares the world? they are resolved to disown them; they will give them no entertainment; if the lying in the streets will do them. any good, if hard usage will do them any good, if it to be disowned, rejected, and shut out of doors by the world will do them any good, they shall have enough of that; but otherwise no refreshment, no comfort from the world. “And he was laid at his gate, full of sores.”

CHAPTER - and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. — Luke 16:21.

By all these words our Lord Jesus doth show us the frame of a Christian’s heart, and also the heart and carriage of worldly men towards the saints of the Lord. The Christian’s heart is held, forth by this, that any thing will content him while he is on this side glory. “And he desired to be fed with the crumbs;” the dogs’ meat, any thing. I say, a Christian will be content with any thing; if he have but enough to keep life and soul together (as we use to say) he is content, he is satisfied. he hath learned (if he hath learned to be a Christian) to be content with any thing: as Paul saith, “I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” He learns in all conditions to study to love God, to walk with God, to give up himself to God; and if the crumbs that fall from the rich man’s table will but satisfy nature, and give him bodily strength, that thereby he may be the more able to walk in the way of God, he is contented. “And he desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table.” But mark, he had them not; you do not find that he had so much as a crumb, or a scrap, allowed unto him. No; then the dogs will be beguiled; that must be preserved for the dogs.

From whence observe, that the ungodly world do love their dogs better than the children of God. You will say, That is strange. It is so, indeed; yet it is true, as will be clearly manifested. As for instance: how many pounds do some men spend on their dogs, when in the mean while the poor saints of God may starve for hunger? They will built houses for their dogs, when the saints must be glad to wander and lodge in dens and caves of the earth. Hebrews 11:38. And if they be in any of their houses, for the rent thereof they will warn them out, or eject them, or pull down the house over their heads, rather than not rid themselves of such tenants. Again, some men cannot go half a mile from home but they must have dogs at their heels; but they can very willingly go half a score; of miles without the society of a Christian. Nay, if when they are busy with their dogs, they should chance to meet a Christian, they would willingly shift him if they could; they will go on the other side the hedge or the way, rather than they will have any society with him. And if at any time a child of God should come into a house where there are but two or three ungodly wretches, they do commonly wish either themselves or the saint out of doors. And why so? Because they cannot down with the society of a Christian; though if there come in at the same time a dog, or a drunken, swearing wretch (which is worse than a dog), they will make him welcome; he shall sit down with them, and partake of their dainties. And now tell me, you that love your sins and your pleasures, had you not rather keep company with a drunkard, a swearer, a strumpet, a thief, nay, a dog, than with an honesthearted Christian? If you say, No; what means your sour carriage to the people of God? Why do you look on them as if you would eat them up? yet at the very same time, if you can but meet your dog, or a drunken companion, you can fawn upon them, take acquaintance with them, to the tavern or ale-house with them, if it be two or three times in a week; but if the saints of God meet together, pray together, and labor to edify one another, you will stay till doomsday before you will look into the house where they are. Ah! friends, when all comes to all, you will be found to love drunkards, strumpets, dogs, any thing; nay, to serve the devil, rather than to have loving and friendly society with the saints of God. “Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.” Here again you may see, not only the afflicted state of saints of God in this world; but also, that even dogs themselves according to their kind, are more favorable to the saints than the sinful would. Though the ungodly will have no mercy on the saints, yet it is ordered so, that these creatures, dogs, lions, etc, will.

Though the rich man would not entertain him in his house, yet his dogs will come, and do him the best good they can, even to lick his running sores. It was thus with Daniel, when the world was mad against him, and would have thrown him to the lions to be devoured, the lions shut their mouths at him (or rather the Lord did shut them up), so that there was not that hurt befell him, that was desired by the adversaries. Daniel 6. And this I am persuaded of, that; would the creatures do as some men would have them, the saints of God should not walk so quietly up and down the streets, and other places, as they do. And as I said before, so I say again; I am persuaded; that at the day of judgment many men’s conditions and carriages will be so laid open, that it will evidently appear they have been very merciless, and mad against the children of God; insomuch that when the providence of God did fall out so as to cross their expectation, they have been very much offended thereat; as is wary evidently seen in them who set themselves to study how to bring the saints into bondage, and to thrust them into comers, as in these late years. Psalm 31:13. And because God hath in his goodness ordered things otherwise, they have gnashed their teeth thereat. Hence then, let the saints learn not to commit themselves to their enemies. “Beware of men.” Matthew 10:17. They are very merciless men, and will not so much favor you (if they can help it), as you may suppose they may. Nay, unless the over-ruling hand of God, in goodness do order things contrary to their natural inclination, they will not favor you so much as a dog.

CHAPTER - and it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was. — Luke 16:22.

The former verses briefly hold forth the carriage of the ungodly in this life, toward the saints. Now this verse doth hold forth the departure both of the godly and ungodly, out of this life.

Wherefore it is said, “And it came to pass that the beggar died, and was carried into Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man died also.” This beggar died; that represents the godly: and the rich man died; that represents the ungodly. From whence observe, Neither godly nor ungodly must live always without a change, either by death or judgment. The good man died, and the bad man died. That scripture doth also back this truth, that good and bad must die, marvelous well, where it is said, “And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27.

Mark, this doth not say it is so, that men by chance may die; which might be at in the hearts of the ungodly especially, some hope to escape the bitterness of it: but it saith, it is a thing most certain; it is appointed.

Mark, “It is appointed unto men once to die, and after that the judgment.”

God hath decreed it, that since men have fallen from that happy estate that God at the first did set them in, they shall die. Romans 6:23. Now, when it is said, the beggar died, and the rich man died, part of the meaning is, they ceased to be any more in this world; I say, partly the meaning is, but not altogether. Though it be altogether the meaning, when some of the creatures die; yet it is but in part the meaning, when it is said that men, women, or children die; for there is to them something else to be said, more than a barely going out of the world. For if when unregenerate men and women die, there were an end of them, not only in his world, but also in the world to come, they would be happy over what they will be now; for when ungodly men and women die, there is that to come after death that will be very terrible to them, namely, to be carried by the angels of darkness from their death-beds to hell; there to be reserved to the judgment of the great day, when both body and soul shall meet and be united together again, and made capable of undergoing the uttermost vengeance of the Almighty to all eternity. This is that, I say, which doth follow a man that is not born again, after death; as is dear from. 1 Peter 3:18,19, where, before speaking of Christ being raised again by the power of the eternal Spirit, he saith, “By which,” that is, by that Spirit, “he went and preached to the spirits in prison.” But what is the meaning of this? Why, thus much, That those souls who were once alive in the world, in he time or days in which Noah lived, being disobedient in their times to the calls of God, by his Spirit in Noah (for so I understand it), were, according to that which was foretold by that preacher, overcome by the flood, deprived of life, and are now in prison. Mark, he preached to the spirits in prison (he doth not say, who were in prison); under chains of darkness, reserved, or kept; there in that; prison, in which now they are; ready like villains in the jail, to be brought before the judgment-seat of Christ at the great day. But of this I shall speak further by and by.

Now, if this one truth, that men must die and depart this world, and either enter into joy, or else into prison, to be reserved to the day of judgment, were believed, we should not have so many wantons walk up and down the streets as there do; at least it would put a mighty check to their filthy carriages, so that they would not, could not, walk so basely and sinfully as they do. Belshazzar, notwithstanding he was so far from the fear of God as he was, yet when he did but see God was offended, and threatened him for his wickedness, it made him hang down his head, and knock his knees together. Daniel 5:5,6. If yea read the verses before, you will find he was careless, and satisfying his lusts in drinking, and playing the wanton with, his concubines; but so soon as he did perceive the finger of an handwriting, “then,” saith the scripture, “the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.” And when Paul told Felix of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, it made him tremble.

And let me tell thee, soul, whoever thou art, that if thou didst but verily believe that thou must die, and come to judgment, it would make thee turn over a new leaf.

But this is the misery, the devil doth labor by all means, as to keep out other things that; are good, so to keep out of the heart, as much as in him lies, the thoughts of passing from this life into another world; for he knows, if he can but keep them from the serious thoughts of death, he shall the more easily keep them in their sins, and so from closing with Jesus Christ. As Job saith, “Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.” Which makes them say to God, “Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.” Job 22:14. Because there is no fear of death and judgment to come, therefore they do put off God and his ways, and spend their days in their sins, and in a moment, that is, before they are aware, go down to the grave. Job 22:17. And thus it fared also with the man spoken of in Luke 12:20. This man, instead of thinking on death, thought how he might make his barns bigger; but in the midst of his business in the world, he lost his soul before he was aware, supposing that death had been many years off. But God said unto him, Thou feel, thou troublest thyself about things of this life; thou puttest off the thoughts of departing this world, when this night thy soul shall be taken from thee; or, This night, they, that is, devils will fetch away thy soul from thee. And hence it comes to pass, by men’s not being exercised with the thoughts of departing this life, that they are so unexpectedly to themselves and their neighbors, taken away from the pleasures and profits, yea, and all the enjoyments they busy themselves with while they live in this world. And hence it is again, that you have some in your towns and cities that are so suddenly taken away; some from haunting the alehouses, others from haunting the whorehouses, others from playing and gaming, others from cares and covetous desires after this world, unlooked for as by themselves, or their companions. Hence it is also, that men do so wonder at such tidings as these, that there is such a one dead, such a one departed; it is because they do so little consider both the transitoriness of themselves and their neighbors. For had they but their thoughts well exercised about the shortness of this life, and the danger that will befall such as do miss of the Lord Jesus Christ, it would make them more wary and sober, and spend more time in the service of God, and be more delighted and diligent in inquiring after the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the deliverer from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10. For, as I said before, it is evident that they who, live after the flesh in the lusts thereof do not really and seriously think on death, and the judgment that doth follow after; neither do they indeed endeavor so to do; for did they, it would make them say with holy Job, “All the days of my appointed time will wait, till my change come.” Job 14:14.

And, as I said before, not only the wicked, but also the godly, have their time to depart this life; “And the beggar died.” The saints of the Lord, they must be deprived of this life also; they must yield up the ghost into the hands of the Lord their God; they must also be separated from their wives, children, husbands, friends, goods, and all that they have in the world or God hath decreed it, “It is appointed,” namely, by the Lord: “for men once to die;” and we must “appear before the judgment-seat of Christ,” as it is, 2 Corinthians 5:10. But it may be objected, If the godly die as well as the wicked, and if the saints must appear before the judgment-seat, as well as the sinners; then what advantage have the godly more than the ungodly? and how can the saints be in a better condition than the wicked? Answer. Read this verse over again, and you will find a marvellous difference between them, as much as is between heaven and hell, everlasting; joy and everlasting torments: for you find, that when the beggar died, who represents the godly, he was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom, or into everlasting joy. But the ungodly are not so ( Psalm 1.), but are driven away in their wickedness ( Proverbs 14:32); hurried by the devils into the bottomless pit, for it saith, “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” When the ungodly die, their misery beginneth; for then appear the devils:, like so many lions, waiting every moment till the soul depart from the body. Sometimes they are visible to the dying party, but sometimes more invisible; but always this is certain, they never miss of the soul, if it do die out of the Lord Jesus Christ; but do haul it away to the prison, as I said before; there to be fermented and reserved until the great and dreadful day of judgment; at which day they must, body and soul, receive a final sentence from the righteous judge, and from that time be shut out from the presence of God into everlasting woe and distress. But the godly, when the time of their departure is at hand, then also are the angels of the Lord at hand; yea, these are ready, waiting upon the soul to conduct it safe into Abraham’s bosom. I do not say but the devils are ofttimes very busy doubtless, and attending the saints in their sickness; ay, and. no question but they would willingly deprive the soul of glory.

But here is the comfort; as the devils come from hell to devour the soul (if it be possible) at its departure; so the angels of the Lord come from heaven, to watch over and conduct the soul (in spite of the devils) safe into Abraham’s bosom.

David had the comfort of this, and speaks it forth for the comfort of his brethren ( Psalm 34:7), swing, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them? Mark, the angel of the Lord encampeth round about his children, to deliver them. From what? From their enemies; of which the devil is not the least. This is an excellent, comfort at any time, to have the holy angels of God to attend a poor man or woman; but especially it is comfortable in the time of distress, at the time of death, when the, devils beset the soul with all the power that hell can afford them. But now it may be, that the glorious angels of God do not appear at the first to the view of the soul; nay, rather, hell stands before it, and the devils ready, as if they would carry it thither; but this is the comfort, the angels do always appear at the last, and will not fail the soul, but will carry it safe into Abraham’s bosom. Ah friends! consider; here is an ungodly man upon his death-bed, and he hath none to speak for him, none to speak comfort- unto him; but it is not so with the children of God, for they have the Spirit to comfort them. there are the ungodly, and they have no Christ to pray for their safe conduct to glory; but the saints have an intercessor. Job 17:9. Here are the world; when they die, they have none of the angels of God to attend upon them; but the saints have their company. In a word, the unconverted person when he dies, sinks into the bottomless pit; but the saints when they die, ascend with, and by the angels, into Abraham’s bosom, or into unspeakable glory. Luke 23:43.

Again, it is said, that the rich man when he died, was buried, or put into the earth; but when the beggar died, he was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The one is a very excellent style, where it saith, he was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom; it denotes the excellent condition of the saints of God, as said before; and not only so, but also the preciousness of the death of the saints in the eyes of the Lord. <19B615> Psalm 116:15. After generations may see how precious in the sight of the Lord the death of his saints is, when he saith, they are carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom.

Thus many times the Lord adorneth the death and departure of his saints, to hold forth to after generations how excellent they are in his eyes. It is said of Enoch, that God took him; of Abraham, that he died in a good old age; of Moses, that the Lord buried him; of Elijah, that he was takes up into heaven; that the saints die in the Lord; that they sleep in Jesus; that they rest from their labors, and that their works follow them; that they are under the altar; that they are with Christ; that they are in light; that they are to come with the Lord Jesus to judge the world. All which sayings signify thus ranch, that to die as a saint, is a very great honor and dignity.

But the ungodly are not so. The rich man dies, and is buried; he is carried from his dwelling to his grave, and there he is hid in the dust; and his body doth not so fast moulder and come to nought there, as his name doth stink as fast in the world. As saith the holy scripture, “The name of the wicked shall rot.” And indeed, the names of the godly are not in so much honor after their departure, but the wicked and their names do as much rot. What a dishonor to posterity was the death of Baham, Aging, Ahitophel, Haman, Judas, Herod, with the rest of their companions!

Thus the wicked have their names written in the earth, and they do perish and rot; but the names of the saints east forth a dainty savor to following generations. And that the Lord Jesus doth signify where he faith, the godly are carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; and that the wicked are nothing worth, where he saith, the ungodly die and are buried.

CHAPTER - and in hell be lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his. — Luke 16:23.

THE former verse speaks only of the departure of the ungodly out of this life, together with the glorious conduct that the godly have into the kingdom of their Father. Now, our Lord doth show in this verse, partly what doth and shall befall the reprobate, after this life is ended, where he saith, “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” That is, the ungodly, after they depart this life, do lift up their eyes in hell. From these words may be observed these things. 1. That there is a Hell for souls to be tormented in, when. this life is ended.

Mark, after he was dead and buried, “In hell he lift up his eyes.” 2. That all that are ungodly, and do live and die in their sins, so soon as ever they die, they go into Hell. He died, and was buried, “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” 3. That some are fast asleep, trod so secure in their sins, that they scarce know well where they are till they come into Hell, and that I gather from these words, “In hell he lift up his eyes.” He was asleep before, but hell makes him lift up his eyes.

As I said before, it is evident there is a he for souls (yea, and bodies too) to be tormented in after they depart this life, as is clear; first, because the Lord Jesus Christ, that cannot lie, did say, that after the sinner was dead and buried, “In hell he lift up his eyes.”

Now, if it be objected, that by hell is here meant the grave, that I plainly deny: 1. Because there the body is not sensible of torment or ease; but in that hell into which the spirits of the damned depart, they are sensible of torment, and would very willingly be free from it, to enjoy ease, which they are sensible of the want of; as is clearly discovered in this parable, “Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, to cool my tongue.” 2. It is not meant the grave, but; some other place; because the bodies, so long as hey lie there, are not capable of lifting up their eyes to see the glorious condition of the children of God, as the souls of the damned do. “In hell he lift up his eyes.” 3. It cannot be the grave; for then it must follow, that the soul was buried there with the body, which cannot, stand with such a dead state as is here mentioned; for he saith, “The rich man died;” that is, his soul was separated from his body; “and in hell he lift up his eyes.”

If it be again objected, That there is no hell but in this life, that I do also deny; as I said before, after he was dead and buried, “in hell he lift up his eyes.” And let me tell thee, O soul, whoever thou art, that if thou close not in savingly with the Lord Jesus Christ, and lay hold on what he hath done, and is doing in his own person for sinners, thou wilt find such a hell after this life is ended, that thou wilt not get out of again for ever and ever. And thou that art wanton, and dost make but a mock at the servants of the Lord, when they tell thee of the torments of hell, thou wilt find, that when thou departest out of this life, that hell, even the hell which is after this life, will meet thee in thy journey thither, and will, with its hellish crew, give thee such a sad salutation, that thou wilt not forget it to all eternity; when that scripture comes to be fulfilled on thy soul in Isaiah 14:9,10, “Hell from beneath it moved for thee, to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth: it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. All they,” that is, that are in hell, “shall say, Art thou also become weak as we? Art thou become like unto us?” Oh! sometimes when I have had but thoughts of going to hell, and consider the everlastingness of their ruin that fall in thither, it hath stirred me up rather to seek to the Lord Jesus Christ to deliver me from thence, than to slight it, and make a mock at it. “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” The second thing I told you was this, that all the ungodly that live and die in their sins, so soon as ever they depart this life, do descend into hell. This is also verified by the words in this parable, where Christ saith, “He died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes.” As the tree falls, so shall it lie, Ecclesiastes 11:3, whether it be to heaven or hell. And as Christ said to the thief on the cross, “This day shalt thou be with me in paradise; even so the devil, in the like manner, may say unto the soul, To-morrow shalt thou be with me in hell. See then what a miserable case he that dies in an unregenerate state is in. He departs from a long sickness to a longer hell; from the gripings of death to the everlasting torments of hell. “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” Ah, friends! if you were but yourselves, you would have a care of your souls; if you did but regard, you would see how mad they are that slight the salvation of their souls. O what will it profit thy soul to have pleasure in this life, and torment in hell! Mark 8:36. Thou hadst, better part with all thy sins, and pleasures, and companions, or whatsoever thou delightest in, than to have soul and body east into hell. Mark 9:43. O then do not neglect our Lord Jesus Christ, lest thou drop down to hell! Hebrews 2:3. Consider, would it not wound thee to thine heart, to come upon thy death-bed, and instead of having the comfort of a well-spent life, and the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, together with the comfort of his glorious Spirit, to have, first, the sight of an ill-spent life, thy sins flying in thy face, thy conscience uttering itself with thunderclaps against thee, the thoughts of God terrifying thee, death, with his merciless paw, seizing upon thee, the devils standing ready to scramble for thy soul, and hell enlarging herself, and ready ‘to swallow thee up; and then an eternity of misery and torment attending upon thee, from which there will be no release. For, mark; death doth not come alone to an unconverted soul, but with such company as, wast thou but sensible of it, would make thee tremble. I pray consider that scripture: Revelation 6:8, “And I looked, and behold a pale horse; and his name that sat upon him was Death, and hell followed with him.”

Mark, death doth not come alone to the ungodly; no, but hell goeth with him. O miserable comforters! O miserable society! Here come death and hell unto thee. Death goeth into thy body, and separates body and soul asunder; hell stands without (as I may say) to embrace, or rather, to crush thy soul between its everlasting grinders. Then thy mirth, thy joy, thy sinful delights, will be ended when it comes to pass. Lo, it will come.

Blessed are those, that through Jesus Christ’s mercies, by faith, do escape these soul-murdering companions. “And in hell he lift up his eyes.”

The third thing, you know, that we did observe from these words, was this, that some are so fast asleep, and secure in their sins, that they scarce know where they are, until they come into hell. And that I told you, I gather by these words, “In hell he lift up his eyes:” mark, it was in hell that he lift up his eyes. Now, some do understand by these words, that he came to himself, or began to consider himself, or to think with himself, in what a state he was, and what he was deprived of; which is still a confirmation of the thing laid down by me. There it is that they come to themselves, that is, there they are sensible where they are indeed. Thus it fares with some men, that they scarce know where they are, till they lift up their eyes in hell. It is with these people as with those that fall down in a swoon. You know if a man fall down in a swoon in one room, though you take him up and carry him into another, yet he is not sensible where he is, till he comes to himself, and lifts up his eyes.

Truly, thus, as it is to be feared, it is with many poor souls, they are so senseless, so hard, so seared in their conscience ( 1 Timothy 4:2), that they are very ignorant of their state; and when death comes, it strikes them, as it were, into a swoon (especially if they die suddenly), and so they are hurried away, and scarce know where they are, till in hell they lift up their eyes. This is he who dieth in his full strength, fully at ease and quiet. Job 21:23.

Of this sort are they spoken of in Psalm 73, where it saith, “There are no bands in their death; but their strength is firm. They are not troubled as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.” And again, “They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment,” mark, “in a moment,” before they are aware, “they go down into the grave.” Job 21:13.

Indeed, this is too much known by woeful and daily experience.

Sometimes when we go to visit them that are sick in the towns and places where we live, O how senseless, how seared in their conscience are they!

They are neither sensible of heaven nor of hell; of sin nor of a Savior; speak to them of their condition and the state of their souls, and you shall find them as ignorant as if they had no souls to regard. Others, though they lie ready to die, yet they are busying themselves about their outward affairs, as though they should certainly live here, even to live and enjoy the same for ever. Again, come to others, speak to them about the state of their souls; though they have no more experience of the new birth than a beast, yet will they speak as confidently of their eternal, state, and the welfare of their souls, as if they had the most excellent experience of any man or woman in the world saying, “I shall have peace” ( Deuteronomy 29:19), when, as I said even now, the Lord knows they are as ignorant of the new birth, of the nature and operation of faith, of the witness of the Spirit, as if there were no new birth, no faith, no witness of the Spirit of Christ, in any of the saints in the world. Nay, thus many of them are, even an hour or less before their departure. Ah, poor souls! though they may go away here like a lamb, as the world says, yet if you could but follow them a little, to stand and Listen; soon after their departure, it is to be feared, you shall hear them roar like a lion, at their first entrance into hell, far worse than ever did Korah, and his company, when they went down quick into the ground. Numbers 16:31-35.

Now, by this one thing doth the devil take great advantage on the hearts of the ignorant, suggesting to them, that because the party deceased departed so quietly, without all doubt they are gone, to rest and joy; when, alas! it is to be feared, the reason why they went away so quietly, was rather because they were senseless and hardened in their conscience; yea, dead before in sin and trespasses. For had they but some awakenings on their death-beds, as some have had, they would have made all the town ring of their doleful condition; but because, they are seared and ignorant, and so departed quietly, therefore the world takes heart at grass (as we use to say) and makes no great matter of living and dying they cannot tell how: “Therefore pride compasseth them as a chain.” Psalm 73:5,6. But let them look to themselves; for if they have not an interest in the Lord Jesus now, while they live in the world, they will, whether they die raging or still, go unto the same place, and lift up their eyes in hell.

O my friends, did you but know what a miserable condition they are in, that go out of this world without an interest in the Son of God, it would make you smite upon your thigh, and in the bitterness of your souls cry out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved?” Acts 2:37.

And not only so, sinner, but thou wouldst not be comforted until thou. didst find a rest for thy soul in the Lord Jesus Christ.

CHAPTER - and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. — Luke 16:23.

SOMETHING in brief I have observed from the first part of this verse, namely, from these words, “And in hell he lift up his eyes.” And indeed I have observed but some things; for they are very full of matter, and many things :might be taken notice of in them. There is one thing more that I might touch upon, as couched in this saying, and that is this. Methinks the Lord Jesus Christ doth hereby signify, that men are naturally unwilling to see or to take notice of their sad state; I say by nature; but, though now the; are willingly ignorant, yet in hell they shall lift up their eyes. That is, in hell they shall see and understand their miserable condition; and therefore to these words, “In hell he lift up his eyes,” he adds, “being in torments.” As if he had said, Though once they shut their eyes; though once they were willingly ignorant ( 2 Peter 3:5); yet when they depart into hell, they shall be so miserably handled and tormented, that they shall be forced to open their eyes. While men live in this world, and are in a natural state, they will have a good conceit of themselves, and of their condition; they will conclude that they are Christians, that Abraham is their father ( Matthew 3:7,8), trod that their state is as good as the best; they will conclude they have faith, the Spirit; good hope, an interest in the Lord Jesus Christ: but when they drop into hell, and lift; up their eyes there, and behold, first their souls to be in extreme torment; their dwelling to be the bottomless pit; their company thousands of damned souls, also the innumerable company of devils; and the hot scalding vengeance of God, not only to drop, but to fall very violently upon them; then they will be awakened, who all their lifetime were in a sleep. I say, when this comes to pass for lo, it will — then in hell they shall lift up their eyes; in the midst of torment they shall lift up their eyes.

Again, you may observe in these words, “And in hell he lift up his eyes, beginning in torments ,” that ungodly men will smart for their sins, in the torments of hell. Now, here I am put to stand, when I consider the torments of hell into which the damned do fall. O unspeakable torments! O endless torments! Now, that thy soul might be made to flee from those intolerable torments into which the damned do go, shall show you briefly what are the torments of hell. First, by the names of hell. Secondly, by the sad state thou wilt be in, if thou comest there. 1. The names. It is called a never-dying worm ( Mark 9.); it is called an oven-fire, hot ( Malachi 4:1); it is called a furnace, a fiery furnace, ( Matthew 13.); it is called the bottomless pit, the unquenchable fire, fire and brimstone, hellfire, a stream of fire, the lake of fire, devouring fire, everlasting fire, eternal fire. Revelation 20.; Matthew 3.; Mark 9. 1. One part of thy torments will be this: Thou shalt have at full sight of all thy ill spent life from first to last. Though here thou cause to-day, and forget it by tomorrow; yet there thou shalt be made to remember how thou didst sin against God at such a time, and in such a place, for such a thing, and with such a one, which will be a hell unto thee. Psalm 1:21. God will “set them (thy sins) in order before thine eyes.” 2. Thou shalt have the guilt of them all lie heavy on thy soul, not only the guilt of one or two, but the guilt of them all together, and there they shall lie in thy soul, as if thy belly were full of pitch, and set on a light fire. Here men can sometimes think on their sins with delight, but there with unspeakable torment; for that I understand to be the fire that Christ speaketh of, which shall never be quenched. Mark 9:43-47. While men live here, O how doth the guilt of one sin sometimes crush the soul! It makes a man in such a plight, that he is weary of his life; so that he can neither rest at home nor abroad, neither up nor in bed; nay, I do not know, but they have been so tormented with the guilt of one sinful thought, that they have been even at their wits’ ends, and have hanged themselves. But now when thou comest into hell, and hast not only one, or two, or an hundred sins, with the guilt of them all on thy seal and body; but all the sins that ever thou didst commit since thou camest into the world, all together clapped on thy conscience at one time, as one should clap a red hot iron to thy breast, and there to continue to all eternity; this is miserable. 3. Again, then thou shalt have brought into thy remembrance, the slighting of the gospel of