are many poor souls that think they believe the Scriptures to be the word of God and yet they never enjoyed any thing of the life and promises they come in upon the heart to quicken to revive thee to raise thâ—e from the sentence of death that is passed 〈◊〉 thee by the Law And through the faith that is wrought in thy soul by the operation of Gods holy Spirit though once killed by the Law or Letter thou art made alive in the Lord Jesus Christ who is presented to thy soul in the promises 3. Dost thou indeed and in truth believe the Scriptures to be the word of God then â—he things contained in them especially the things of the Gospel are very excellent to thy soul as the birth of Christ the death resurrection intercession and second coming O! how precious and excellent are they to thy soul insomuch that thou regardest nothing in comparison of them O! it is Christs birth death blood resurrection c. according to the Scriptures that thou dost rejoyce in exceedingly and abundantly desire after whom having not seen ye love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing the mercy with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Cor. 15. 1 2 3 4 5 6. compare with Phil. 3. 6 7 8. 1 Pet. 1. 8. 4. Dost thou believe the Scriptures to be the word of God Then thou standest in awâ—of and dost much reverence them Why they are the word of God the true sayings of God they are the counsel of God they are his promises and his threatnings Poor souls are apt to think If I could hear God speak to me from Heaven with an audible voice then sure I should be serious and believe it But truly if God should speak to thee from Heaven except thou wert converted thou wouldest not regard not really believe him But if thou dost believe the Scriptures thou seest that they are the truth as really believe him But if thou dost believe the Scriptures thou seest that they are the truth as really as if God should speak to thee from Heaven through the Clouds and therefore never flatter thy self foolishly thinking that if it were so and so then thou couldest believe I tell thee saith Christ If they believe not Moses and the Prophets neither will they believe though one should rise from the dead But 5. Doest thou believe the Scripture to be the word of God Then through faith in Christ thou endeavourest to have thy life squared according to the Scriptures both in word and practice Nay this I say thou mayst have though thou do not believe them all My meaning is that if thou believe none but the ten Commandements thy life may be according to them a legal holy life and if thou do believe the Gospel too then thy life will be the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ that is either thou wilt live in the blessed and holy enjoyment of what is testified in the Scripture concerning the glorious things of the Lord Jesus Christ or else thou wilt be exceedingly panting after them For the Scriptures carry such a blessed beauty in them to that soul that hath faith in the things contained in them that they do take the heart and captivate the soul of him that believeth them into the love and liking of them believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets and have hope towards God that there shall be a Resurrection of the dead both of the just and unjust and herein do I exercise my self to have always a Conscience void of offence both towards God and towards man Acts 24. 14 15 16. 6. He that believes the Scriptures to be the word of God if he do but suppose that any one place of Scripture doth exclude him and shut him out of and from a share in the promises contained in them O it will trouble him grieve him perplex him yea he will not be satisfied untill he be resolved and the contrary sealed to his soul for he knows that the Scriptures are the word of God all truth and therefore he knows that if any one sentence doth exclude or bar out him for want of this or the other qualification he knows also that not the word alone shuts him out but he that speaks it even God himself and â—â—herefore he cannot will not dare not be conented until he find his soul and Scripture together with the things contained therein to embrace each other and a sweet correspondency and agreement between them For you must know that to him that believes the Scriptures aright the promises or threatnings are of more power to comfort or cast down then all the promises or threatnings of all the men in the world And this was the cause why the Marryrs of Jesus did so slight both the promises of their adversaries when they would have overcome them with prâ—fering the great things of this world unto them and also their 〈…〉 them they would rack them haâ—g them 〈…〉 Acts 20. 24. Noâ—â— of these things câ—â—lâ— prâ—vail upon them or against them because they did most really believe the Scriptures and the things contained in them as is clearly found and to be seen in Heb. 11. and also in Mr. Fox's Records of their Brethren 7. He that believeth the Scriptures to be the word of God believeth that men must be born again and also be partakers of that faith which is of the operation of God according as he hath read and believes he must and shall be damned And he that believeth this aright will not be contented until according as it is written he do partake of and enjoy the nâ—w birth and until he do find through grace that faith that is wrought by the operation of God in his soul. For this is the cause why men do satisfâ—â— themselves with so slender a conceited hope that their state is good when it is nothing so namely because they do not credit the Scripture for did they they would look into their own hearts and examine seriously whether that faith that hope that grace which they think they have be of that nature and wrought by that spirit and power that the Scripture speaketh of I speak this of an effectual believing without which all other is nothing unto salvation Now then because I would not be too tedious I shall at this time lay down no more discoveries of such an one as doth savingly believe the Scriptures and the things contained in them but shall speak a few words of examination containing the things already mentioned As 1. Thou sayest thou dost indeed and in truth effectually believe the Scriptures I ask therefore wast thou ever killed stark dead by the Law of works contained in the Scriptures killed by the Law or letter and made to see thy sins against it and left in an helpless condition by that Law For as I said the proper work of the Law is to slay the Soul and to leave it dead in a
gave them forth upon the Soul The Letter killeth the Letter strikes men dead 2 Cor. 3. 6. and this Paul witnessed and found before he could say I believe all that the Prophets have spoken Where he saith I was alive without the Law once That is in my natural state before the Law was set on my heart with power But when the Commandement came sinne revived and I died Rom. 7. 9. And that Law that was ordained to life I found to be unto death For sinne taking occasion by the Commandment deceived me and thereby slew me ver 10. Now that which is called the Letter in Cor. is called the Law in Rom. 7. which by its power and operation as it is wielded by the Spirit of God doth in the first place kill and slay all those that are inabled to believe the Scriptures I kill saith God That is with my Law I pierce I wound I prick men into the very heart by shewing them their sins against my Law Deut. 32. 39. Act. 2. 36 37. And he that is ignorant of this is also ignorant of and doth not really and effectually believe the Scripture But you will say How doth the Law kill and strike dead the poor Creature Answ. First The Letter or Law do kill thus It is set home upon the Soul and discovers to the Soul its Transgressions against the Law and shews the Soul also that it cannot compleatly satisfie the Justice of GOD for the breach of his Law therefore it is condemned Joh. 3. 19. Mark He that believes not is condemned already To wit by the Law that is the Law doth condemn him yea it hath condemned him already for his sins against it as it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them Gal. 3. 10. Now all men as they come into the World are in this condition that is condemned by the Law Yet not believing their Condemnation by the Law really they do not also believe really and effectually the Law that doth condemn them For as men have but a notion of the one that is their condemnation because of sins against the Law so they have but a notion of the condemning killing and destroying power of the Law for as the one is so in these Things always is the other There is no man that doth really believe the Law or Gospel further than they do feel the power and authority of them in their hearts Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Now this Letter or Law is not to be taken in the largest sense but is strictly to be tyed to the Ten Commandments whose proper Work is onely by shewing the Soul its sins against this Law to kill and there leaves him stark dead not giving him the least life or support or comfort but leaves the Soul in an helpless and hopeless condition as from it self or any other meeâ— Creature 'T is true the Law hath laid all men for dead as they come into the World but all men do not see themselves dead until they see that Law that struck them dead sticking in their Souls and having struck them that fatal blow As a man that is fast asleep in an house and that on fire about his Ears and he not knowing of it because he is asleep even so because poor Souls are asleep in sinne though the Wrath of God the Curse of his Law and the flames of Hell have beset them round about yet they do not believe it because they are asleep in sin Now as he that is awakened and sees this sees that through this he is a dead man Even so they that do see their state by nature being such a sad condition do also see themselves by that Law to be dead men naturally But now when didst thou feel the power of this first part of the Scripture the Law so mighty as to strike thee dead If not thou dost not so much as verily believe that part of Scripture that doth contain the Law in it to be the truth of God Yet if thou shouldest have felt something I say something of the killing power of the Law of God in thine heart this is not an Argument to prove that thou believest all the Things contained in Scripture for there is Gospel as well as Law and therefore I shall speak to that also that is whether thou hast felt the power of the Gospel as well as something of the power of the Law 2. Then thou hast found the power of the Gospel and so believed it thou hast found it thus with thy soul. 1. Thou hast been shewed by the word or truth of the Gospel in the light of the Spirit of Christ that by nature thou were without the true faith of the Son of God in thy soul For when He the Spirit is come he shall shew men that they believe not in me saith Christ. Joh. 16. 9. Mark though thou hast as I said before felt somewhat of the power of the Law Letter or ten Commandments yet if thou hast not been brought to this to see by the spirit in the Gospel that thou art without faith by nature thou hast not yet tasted much less believed any part of the Gospel For the Gospel and the Law are two distinct Covenants And they that are under the Law may be convinced by it and so believe the Law or first Covenant and yet in the mean time to be a stranger to the Covenant of promise that is the Gospel and so have no hope in them Ephes. 2. 12. There is not any promise that can be savingly believed until the soul be by the Gospel converted to Jesus Christ. For though men do think never so much that they believe the things or the word of the Gospel of our salvation yet unless they have the work of grace in their souls they do noâ— cannot rightly believe the things contained in the Scriptures Again as the Law killeth those that believe it even so the promises contained in the Gospel do through faith administer comfort to those that believe iâ— aâ—igâ—t My words saith Christ my words they are spirit and they are life Joh. 6. 63. As if he had said the words contained in the law as a Covenant of works they wound they kill they strike dead those that are under them But as for me the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life That is whosoever doth receive them believingly shall find them full of operation to comfort quicken and revive their soul. For as I did not come into the world to destroy mens lives so the words that I speak as I am sent to preach the Gospel they have no such tendency unto those that believe them The promises that are in the Gospel Oh how do they comfort them such a promise and such a promise O how sweet is it how comfortable to those that believe them Alas there
is said of some These things are spoken to them that are without in Parables that seeing they might not see and that hearing they might not understand Luke 8. 10. I say take heed of being a quarreller against Christ's Parables lest Christ also objecteth against the salvation of thy Soul at the Judgment Day Friend I have no more to say to thee now if thou dost love me pray for me that my God would not forsake me nor take his holy Spirit from me and that God would fit me to do and suffer what shall be from the World or Devil inflicted upon me I must tell thee the World rages they stamp and shake their heads and fain they would be doing the Lord help me to take all they shall do with patience and when they smite the one cheek to turn the other to them that I may do as Christ hath bidden me for then the Spirit of God and of glory shall rest upon me Farewell I am thine to serve in the Lord Jesus John Bunyan Sighs from Hell OR The Groans of a damned Soul Luke the 16th Verse 19. c. verse 19 THere was a certain rich man which was cloathed in Purple and fine linnen and fared sumptuously every day verse 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazirus which was laid at his gate full of sores verse 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich mans Table moreover the Dogs came and licked his sores verse 22 And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome the rich man also dyed and was buried verse 23 And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torments and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosome verse 24 And he cryed and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame verse 25 But Abraham said Son remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evill things but now he is comforted and thou art tormented verse 26 And besides all this between us and you there is a great Gulf fixed so that they which would passe from hence to you cannot neither can they pass to us that would come from thence verse 27 Then he said I pray thee therefore Father that thou wouldest send him to my Fathers House verse 28 For I have five Brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come into this place of torment verse 29 Abraham saith unto him They have Moses and the Prophets lâ—t them hear them verse 30 And he said Nay Father Abraham but if one went unto them from the dead they will repent verse 31 And he said unto him If they hear not Moses and the Prophets neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the dead Verse 19. THis Scripture was not spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ to shew you the state of two single persons onely as some through their ignorance of the drift of Christ in his Parables do dream but to shew you the state of the godly and ungodly to the Worlds 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 fell 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 19 and 20 Verse also I shall not spend much time upon onelâ— 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 19 20 and 2â— Verses â—un thus There was a 〈◊〉 rich man which was cloathed in Purple and sâ—â—e 〈◊〉 and fared deliciâ—â—sly 〈◊〉 sumptuously everyday And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus which was laid at his Gate full of force c. 1. If these Verses had been spoken by Jesus Christ and no more all the World would have gone 〈◊〉 to have cast a wrong interpretation on 〈…〉 if Jesus had said onely thus much There was a certain rich man that fared sumptuously daily and a certain beggar laid at his Gate full of sores The World would have made this conclusion of them the rich man was the happy man For at the 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 then he as I shall clearly hold forth afterward 2. Again if a man would judge of men according to outward appearance he shall oftâ—â—â—â—â— take his mark â—miss Here is a man to outward appearance appears the only blessed man betâ—eâ— by half then the beggar in as much as he is rich the beggar poor he is well cloathed but peradventure the beggar is naked he hath good food but the beggar would be glad of Dogs meat And he desired to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich mans Table the rich man fares well every day but the beggar must be glad of a bit when he can get it Oh! who would not be in the rich mans state 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 Oh that I were in that mans condition Oh that I had about me as that man had Then I should live a life indeed then should I have hearts ease good store then I should live pleasantly and might say to my soul Soul be of good chear 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 I and is the conclusion with them that judge according to outward appearance But if the whole Parable be well considered you will see Luke 16. 15. That that which is had in high estimation with men is an abomination in the sight of God And again Joh. 16. 20 21 22. that condition that is the saddest condition according to outward appearance is oft times the most excellent 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 Joh. 7. 24. 2. That they who look upon their outward enjoyments to be tokens of Gods special grace unto them are also deceived Rev. 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 carryed by the devils into eternal burnings Luke 12. 20. But this is the trap in which the Devil hath caught many thousands of poor souls namely by getting them to judg according to outward appearance or according to Gods outward blessings Do but ask a poor carnal covetous wretch how we should know a man to be in a happy estate and he will answer Those that God blesseth and giveth abundance of this world unto 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 work of his hands Ah poor soul it is the rich man that goes to hell And the rich man dyed and in hell mark in hell he lift up his eyes c. Methinks to see how the great ones of the world will go stâ—nâ—â—ing 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 judg according to outward appearance they look upon themselves to be the only blessed men when the Lord knows the generality are left out of that blessed condition Not many wise men after the flesh not many mighty not many noble are called 1 Cor. 1. 26. Ah! did they that do now so brâ—g that no body dare scarce look on them but believe this it would make them hang down their heads and cry O give me a Lazarus's portion I might here enlarge very much but I shall not only thus 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 life time you had your good things in your life time you had your portion Psalm 17. 14. And Friend thou that seekest after this world and desirest riches let me ask this question wouldest thou be content that God should put thee off with a portion in this life Wouldest thou be glad to be kept out of heaven with a back well cloathed and a belly well filled with the dainties of this world Wouldest thou be glad to have all thy good things in thy life time to have thy heaven to last no longer then while thou dost live in this world Wouldest thou be willing to be deprived of eternal happiness and felicity If you 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 made a snare unto thee Psal. 69. 22. lest the wealth in this world do bar thee out of glory For as the Apostle saith They that will be rich do fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtfull lusts which drown men in perdition and destruction 1 Tim. 6. 9. Thus much in general but now more 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 There was a certain rich man c. But why are the ungodly held forth under the notion of a rich man 1. Because Christ would not have them look too high as I said before but that those who have riches should have a care that they be not all their portion Jam. 1. 10 11 12. 1 Tim. 6. 17. 2. Because rich men are mostly able to the Devils temptations are most ready to be puft up with pride stoutness cares of this world in which things they spend most of their time in lusts drunkenness wantonness idleness together with the other works of the flesh For which things sake the wrath of God commeth upon the children of disobedience Col. 3. 6. 3. Because he would comfort the hearts of his own which are most commonly of the poorer sort But God hath chosen the poor despised and base things of this world 1 Cor. 1. 26. Should God have set the rich man in the blessed state his children would have concluded being poor that they had no share in the life to come 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 albeit 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 means 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 that he had a time to declare for the Scripture cannot be broken Joh. 10. 35. But again the Lord by this 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 Rev. 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 Christs second comming when all that are ungodly shall stand at the left hand of Christ with pale faces and guilty Consciences with the vials of the Almighties wrath ready to be powred out upon them Thus much in brief touching the 19th verse I might have observed other things from it but now I forbear having other things to speak of at this time Verse 20. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus which was laid at his gate full of sores 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 the 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
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 â—s to cross their expectations they have been very much offended thereat as is very evidently seen in them who set themselves to study Psal. 31 13. how to bring the Saints into bondage and to thrust them into Corners as in these late Years 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 Matth. 10. 17. They are very merciless men and will not so much favour 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 favour you so much as a Dog Vers. 22. And it came to pass that the Beggar died and was carryed by the Angels into Abraham's Bosome the rich man also died and was buried THe former Verses do 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 the ungodly out of this Life Where he saith And it came to pass that the Beggar died and was carryed into Abraham's Bosome and the rich man died also The Beggar dyed 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 marvellous well where it is said And it is appointed to men once to die and after that the Judgment Heb. 9. 27. Mark he doth not say it is so that men by chance may die which might beget in the hearts of the ungodly especially some hope to scape the bitterness of it But he saith It is a thing most certain it is appointed Mark it is appointed for 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 Rom. 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 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 barely a going out of the World For if when unregenerate men and women die there were an end of them not onely in this World but also in the World to come they would be happy over they will be now for when ungodly men 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 to undergo 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 clear from that in 1 Pet. 3. 18 19. Where before speaking of Christ being raised again by the power of his 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 the 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 was according to that which was foretold by that Preacher deprived of Life and overcome by the Flouâ— and are now in Prison Mark he preached to the Spirits in Prison he doth not say who were in Prison but to them in that is now in Prison under Chains of Darkness reserved or kept there in that Prison in which now they are ready like Villains in the Jayl 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 Belshazzer notwithstanding he was so far from the fear of God as he was yet when be did but see that God was offended and threatned him for his wickedness it made him hang down his head and knock his knees together Dan. 5. 5 6. If you 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 Hand writing then saith the Scripture the King's Countenance was changed and his Thoughts troubled him so that the Joynts 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 whosoever thou art that if thou didst but verily believe that thou must die and come into the Judgment it would make thee turn over a new leaf But this is the misery the Devil doth labour 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 knowledg of thy ways vers 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 ver 17. And thus it fared also with the man spoken of in Luk. 12. 20. the man instead of thinking of Death he 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 Fool thou troublest thy self about Things of this Life thou puttest off the Thoughts of departing this World when this Night thy Soul shall be taken from thee Oâ— this Night they that is the Devil will fetch away thy Soul from thee And here it comes to pass mens not being exercised with the Thoughts of departing this Life that they are so unexpected to themselves and their Neighbours taken away from the pleasures and profits yea all the Enjoyments they busie themselves withall while they live in this World And hence it is again that you have some in your Towns and Cities that are so suddainly taken away some from haunting the Ale-house others from haunting the Where-houses others from playing and gaming others from the 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 this There is such an one dead such an one is departed it is because they do so little consider both the transitoriness of themselves and their Neighbours for had they but their Thoughts well exercised about the shortness of this Life and the danger that will befal 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 enquiring after the Lord Jesus who is the Deliverer from wrath to come 1 Thes. 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 endeavour so to do for did they it would make them say with Holy Job All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my Change come Job 14. 14. And as I said before that not onely 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 For God hath decreed it It is appointed namely by the Lord for men once to die and we must appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ. As it is 2 Cor. 5. 10 11. But it may be objected if the godly do 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 then the ungodly and how can the Saints be in a better condition then the wicked Answ. Read the 22th Verse over again and you shall find a marvellous difference between them as much as is between Heaven and Hell everlasting joy and everlasting torment for you find that when the beggar died which represents the godly He was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosom or into everlasting joy Psal. 1. but the ungodly are not so but are hurried by the Devils into the bottomless pit drawn away in their wickedness Prov. 14. 32. for he saith And in Hell he lift up his eyes When the ungodly do 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 very 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 hale it away to the prison as I said before there to be tormented and reserved until that great and general day of Judgment at which day they must Body and Soul receive a finall 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 they are ready waiting upon the Soul to conduct it safely into Abrahams Bosom I do not say but the Devils are oft times very busie doubtless and attending the Saints in their sickness I 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 Devil safe into Abrahams Bosome David had the comfort of this and speaks it forth for the comfort of his Brethren Psal 34. 7. saying 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 â—o always appear at the last and will not faâ—l the Soul but will carry it safe into Abrahams Bosom Ah Friendâ— consider here is an ungodly manupon 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 Here is the ungodly and they have no Christ to pray for their safe conduct to glory but the Saints have an Intercessor John 17. 9. Here is 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 dieth he sinks into the bottomless pit But the Saints when they die do ascend with and by the Angels into Abrahams Bosom or into unto 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 Abrahams Bosome The one is a very excellent stile where he saith he was carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosome it denotes he excellent condition of the Saints of God as I said before and not onely so but also the preciousness of the death of the Saints in the eyes of the Lord Psal. 116. 15. that 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 Abrahams Bosom Thus many times the Lord adorneth the death and departure of his Saints to hold forth unto 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 taken up into Heaven that the Saints sleep in Jesus that they die in the Lord that they rest from their labour 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 signifie thus much That to die a Saint is very great Honour and Dignity But the ungodly are not so The rich or ungodly die and are buried he is carried from his dwelling to the Grave and there he is buried hid in the dust and his Body doth not so fast molder and come to nought there but 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 honour after their departure but the wicked and their names do as much rot What a dishonour to Posterity was the death of Balaam Agag Achitophel 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 and the name of the Saints do cast forth a dainty savour to following Generations and that the Lord Jesus doth signifie where he saith The godly are carried by the Angels into Abrahams Bosom And that the wicked are nothing worth where he saith The ungodly die and are buried Verse 23. And in Hell he lift up his eyes being in torment and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his Bosom THE formâ—â— Verse speaks onely 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 shew in this Verses partly what doth and shall befall to 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 an 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 so fast asleep and 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 that there is an Hell 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 Hell is here meant the Grave that I plainly deny First 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 be very willingly freed 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 Secondly It is not meant the Grave but some other place because the Bodies so long as they 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 Thirdly 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 an 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 Isa. 14. 9. Hell from beneath is 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 from their Thrones all the Kings of the Nations All they that is that are in hell shall say Art thou become weak as we Art thou become like unto us O sometimes when I have had but thoughts of going to hell and considered the everlastingness of their ruine 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 it shall lie whâ—â—â—er it be to Heaven or Hell Eccl. 11. 3. 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 thy Soul Tomorrow 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 your selves you would have a care
the Lord will sit still as I may say and let thy Tongue run as it lists and yet never bring you to an account for the same No stay The Lord will not alwayes keep silence but will reprove thee and set thy sins in order before thine eyes O sinner Yea and thy Tongue together with the rest of thy members shall be tormented for sinning And I say I am very confident that though this be made light of now yet the time is coming when many poor souls will rue the day that ever they did speak with a tongue O will one say that I should so disregard my tongue O that I when I said so and so had before bitten off my tongue that I had been born without a tongue my tongue my tongue a little water to cool my tongue for I am tormented in this flame even that flame that my tongue together with the rest of my members by sinning have brought me to Poor Souls now will let their tongues say any thing for a little profit for two pence or three pence gain But O what a grief will this be at that day when they together with their tongue must smart for that which they by their tongues have done while they were in this world Then you that love your souls look to your tongues lest you bind your selves down so fast to hell with the sins of your tongues that you will never be able to get loose again to all eternity For by thy words thou shalt be condemned if thou have not a care of thy tongu For I say unto you that for every idle word that men shall speak he shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment Matth. 1â— 36. Verse 25. But Abraham said Son remember that thou in thy life-time hadst thy good things and likewise Lazarus evill things now he is comforted and thou art tormented THese words are the answer to the request of the damned The Verse before as I told you is a discovery of the desires they have after they depart this world Here is the answer Son Remember c. The answer signifies thus much That instead of having any relief or ease they are hereby the more tormented and that by fresh recollections or by bringing afresh their former ill-spent life while in the world into their remembrance Son Remember thou hadst good things in thy life-time As much as if he had said Thou art now sensible what it is to lose thy Soul thou art now sensible what it is to put off repentance thou art now sensible that thou hast befooled thy self in that thou didst spend that time in seeking after outward momentary earthly things which thou shouldest have spent in seeking to make Jesus Christ sure to thy soul and now through thy anguish of spirit in the pains of hell thou wouldst enjoy that which in former time thou didst make light of but alas thou art here beguiled and altogether disappointed thy crying will now avail thee nothing at all This is not the acceptable time 2 Cor. 6. 2. This is not a time to answer the desires of damned Reprobates If thou hadst cryed out in good earnest while grace was offered much might have been but then thou wert careless and didst turn the forbearance and goodness of God into wantonness wert thou not told that these who would not hear the Lord when he did call should not be heard if they turned away from him when they did call Prov. 1. 24. to 28. But contrariwise he would lough at their calamity and mock when their fear did come Now therefore instead of expecting the least drop of mercy and favour call into thy mind how thou didst spend those days which God did permit thee to live I say remember that in thy life-time thou didst behave thy self rebelliously against the Lord in that thou wert careless of his Word and Ordinances yea and of the welfare of thine own soul also therefore now I say instead of expecting or hoping for any relief thou must be forced to call to remembrance thy filthy waies and feed upon them to thine everlasting astonishment and confusion From these words therefore which say Remember that thou in thy life time hadst thy good things There are these things to be taken notice of 1. They that by putting off repentance and living in their sins lose their souls shall instead of having the least measure of comfort when they come into hell have their ill-spent life alwayes very fresh in their remembrance While they live here they can sin and forget it but when they depart they shall have it before them they shall have a remembrance or their memory notably enlightened and a clearer and a continual sight of all their wicked practices that they wrought and did while they were in the World Son remember saith he then you will be made to remember 1. How you were born in sin and brought up in the same 2. Remember how thou hadst many a time the Gospel preached to thee for taking away of the same by him whom the Gospel doth hold forth 3. Remember that out of love to thy sins and lusts thou didst turn thy back on the tenders of the same Gospel of good tidings and peace 4. Remember that the reason why thou didst lose thy Soul was because thou didst not close in with free grace and the tenders of a loving and freehearted Jesus Christ. 5. Remember how near thou wast to turning at such and such a time only thou wast willing to give way to thy lusts when they wrought to drunkards when they called to pleasures when they proffered themselves to the cares and incumbrances of the world which like so many thorns did choak that or those convictions that were set on thy heart 6. Remember how willing thou wast to satisfy thy self with an Hypocrites hope and with a notion of the things of God without the real power and life of the same 7. Remember how thou when thou wert admonished to turn didst put off turning and repeâ—â—ng till another time 8. Remember how thou didst dissemble at such â— time â—â—e at such a time cheat thy neighbour at such a time mock slout scoff taunt hate persecute the people of God at such a time in such a place among such company 9. Remember that while others were met together in the fear of the Lord to seek him thou wast met with a company of vain companions to sin against him while the Saints were a praying thou were a cursing while they were speaking good of the name of God thou wert speaking evil of the Saints of God O then thou shalt have a scalding hot remembrance of all thy sinful thoughts words and actions from the very first to the last of them that ever thou didst commit in all thy life time Then thou wilt find that Scripture to be a truth Deut. 28. 65 66 67. The Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart and failing of eyes and
In my life time I did not care to hear that word that cut me most and shewed me mine estate aright I was vexed to hear my sins mentioned and laid to my charge I loved him best that deceived me most that said peace peace when there was no such thing Jer. 5. 30 31. But now Oh that I had been soundly told of it Oh that it had pierced both mine ears and heart and had stuck so fast that nothing could have cured me saving the blood of Christ It is better to be dealt plainly with then that we should be deceived they had better see their lost condition in the World then stay while they be damned as I have done therefore send Lazarus send him to my Fathers house Let him go and say I saw your son your brother in hell weeping and wailing and gnashing his teeth Let him beat them down in it and teâ—l them plainly it is so and that they shall see to their everlasting misery if they have not a special care Send him to my Fathers house Verse 28. For I have five Brethren that he may testifie unto them lest they also come into this place of torment THese words are if I may so say a reason given by those in hell why they are so restless and do cry so loud it is that their companions might be delivered from those intolerable torments which they must and shall undergo if they fall short of everlasting life by Jesus Christ. Send him to my Fathers house for I have five brethren c. Though while they lived among them in the world they were not so sensible of their ruine yet now they are passed out of the world and do partake of that which before they were warned of they can I say then cry out now I find that to be true indeed which was once and again told and declared to me that it would certainly come to pass For I have five brethren Here you may see that there may be and are whole housholds in a damnable state and condition as our Lord Jesus doth by this signifie Send him to my Fathers house for they are all in one state I left all my brethren in a pittiful case People while they live here cannot indure to hear that they should be all in a miserable condition but when they are under the wrath of God they see it they know it and are very sure of it for they themselves when they were in the world lived as they do but they fell short of Heaven and therefore if they go on so shall they Oh therefore send him quickly to my Fathers house for all the house is in an undone condition and must be damned if they continue so The thing observable is this namely that those that are in hell do not desire that their companions should come thither nay rather saith he send him to my Fathers house and let him testifie to them that are therein lest they also come c Quest. But some may say what should be the reason that the damned should desire not to have their companions come into the same condition that they are fallen into but rather that they might be kept from it and escape that dreadful state Answ. I do believe there is scarce so much love in any of the damned in hell as really to desire the salvation of any But in that there is any desire in them that are damned that their friends and relations should not come into that place of torment It appears to me to be rather for their own ease then for their neighbours good for let me tell you this I do believe that it will aggravate the grief and horrour of them to see their ungodly neighbours in the like destruction with them For where the ungodlie do live and die and descend into the pit together the one is rather a vexation to the other than any thing else And it must needs be so because there are no ungodlie people that do live ungodlie together but they do learn ill examples one of another as thus If there live one in the Town that is verie expert and cunning for the World why now the rest that are of the same mind with him they will labour to imitate and follow his steps this is commonlie seen Again If there be one given to drunkenness others of the Town through his means â—un the more into that sin with him and do accustom themselves the more unto it because of his inticing them and also by setting such an ill example before them And so if there be any addicted to pride and must needs be in all the newest fashions how do their example provoke others to love and follow the same vanitie spending that upon their lusts which should relieve their own and others wants Also if there be any given to jesting scoffing lying whoring backbiting junketting wantonness or any other sin they that are most expert in these things do oft-times intangle others that peradventure would not have been so vile as now they are had they not had such an example and hence they are called corruptors Isa. 1. 4. Now these will by their doings exceedingly aggravate the condemnation of one another He that did set his Neighbour an ill example and thereby caused him to walk in sin He will be found one cause of his friends destruction insomuch that he will have to answer for his own sins and for a great part of his Neighbours too which will still add to his destruction as that Scripture in Ezekiel sheweth where speaking of the watchman that should give the people warning if he did not though the man did die in his sins yet his blood should be required at the Watchmans hand Ezek 33. So here let me tell thee that if thou shouldest be such an one as by thy conversation and practices shalt be a trap and a stumbling-block to cause thy neighbour to fall into eternal ruine though he be damned for his own sin yet God may nay he will charge thee as being guiltie of his blood in that thou didst not content thy self to keep from Heaven thy self but didst also by thy filthy conversation keep away others and cause them to fall with thee O therefore will not this aggravate thy torment Yea if thou shouldest die and go to Hell before thy neighbour or companions besides the guilt of thine own sins thou wouldest be so â—oaden with the fear of the damnation of others to be laid to thy charge that thou wouldest cry cut O send one from the dead to this companion and that companion with whom I had society in my life-time for I see my cursed carriage will be one cause of his condemnation if he fall short of glory I left him living in foul and hainous offences But I was one of the first instruments to bring him to them Oh I shall be guilty both of mine own and his damnation too O that he might be kept out hence
own Terms and close with him effectually God hath promised yea made many Promises that thy Soul shall be conducted safe to glory and shall for certain escape all the evils that I have told thee of I and many more then I can imagine Do but search the Scriptures and see how full of consolation they are to a poor Soul that is minded to close in with Jesus Christ. He that cometh to me saith Christ I will in no wise cast out Though he be an old sinner I will in no wise cast him out Mark in no wise though he be a great sinner I will in no wise cast him out if he come to me Though he have slighted me never so many times and not regarded the welfare of his own Soul yet let him now come to me and notwithstanding this I will in no wise cast him out nor throw away his Soul John 6. 37. Again saith the Apostle Now Mark now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation Now here is mercy good store now Gods heart is open to sinners now he will make you welcome now he will receive any body if they do but come to Christ. He that comes to me saith Christ I will in no wise cast out And why Because now is the accepted time now is the day of Salvation 2 Cor. 6. 2 3. As if the Apostle had said If you will have mercy have it now receive it now close in with it now God hath a certain day to hold out his grace to sinners Now is the time now is the day 'T is true there is a day of damnation but this is a day of Salvation There is a day coming wherein sinners must cry to the Mountains to fall on them to the Hills to cover them from the wrath of God but now now is the day in which he doth hold out his grace There is a day a coming in which you will not be admitted to have the priviledge of one drop of water to cool your tongue if now I say if now you slight his grace and goodness which he holds out to you Ah friends consider there is now hopes of mercy but then there will not now Christ holds forth mercy unto you but then he will not Mat. 7. 23. Now there are his Servants that do beseech you to accept of his grace but if thou lose the opportunity that is put into thine hand thou thy self mayst beseech hereafter and no mercy be given thee And he cryed and said Father Abraham have mercy on me and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue And there was none given Therefore let it never be said of thee as it will be said of some Why is there a price put into the hand of a fool seeing he hath no heart to it Seeing he hath no heart to make a good use of it Prov. 17. 16. consider therefore with thy self and say It is better going to Heaven then Hell it is better to be saved than damned it is better to be with Saints than with damned souls and to go to God is better than to go to the Devill Therefore seek the Lord while he may be found and call upon him while he is near Isa. 55. 6. Lest in thy trouble he leave thee to thy self and say unto thee plainly Where I am thither ye cannot come Joh. 8. 21. O if they that are in Hell might but now again have one such invitation as this how would they leap for joy I have thought sometimes should God send but one of his Ministers to the damned in Hell and give him Commission to preach the free love of God in Christ extended to them and held out to them if now while it is profered to them they will accept of his kindness O how welcome would they make this news and close in with it on any tearms Certainly they would say we will accept of grace on any tearms in the World and thank you too though it cost life and limbs to boot we will spare no cost nor charge if mercy may be had But poor souls while they live here they will not part from sin with hell-bred devilish sin No they will rather lose their souls then lose their filthy sins But friend thou wilt change thy note before it be long and cry O simple wretch that I am that I should damn my soul by sin 'T is true I have had the Gospel preached to me and have been invited in I have been preached to and have been warned of this but how have I hated instruction and mine heart despised reproof I have not obâ—yed the voice of my teachers nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me Prov. 5. 10 11. O therefore I say poor soul Iâ— there hope then lay thine hand upon thy mouth and kiss the dust and close in with the Lord Jesus Christ and make much of his glorious mercy and invite also thy companions to close in with the same Lord Jesus Christ â—est one of you do go to Hell before-hand and expect with grief of heart your companions to come after And in the mean time with anguish of heart do siâ—h and say O send him to my companions and let him testifie to them lest they also come into this place of torment Now then from what hath been said there might many things be spoken by way of Use and Application But I shall be very brief and but touch some things and so wind up And first I shall begin with the sad condition of those that die out of Christ and speak something to that Secondly to the latter end of the Parable which more evidently concerns the Scripture and speak somewhat to that 1. Therefore you see that the former part of the Parable contains a sad declaration of the state of one living and dying out of Christ how that they lose Heaven for Hell God for the Devil light for darkness joy for sorrow 2. How that they have not so much as the least comfort from God who in the time they live here below neglect coming to him for mercy not so much as one drop of cold water 3. That such souls will repent of their folly when repentance will do them no good or when they shall be past recovery 4. That all the comfort such souls are like to have they have iâ— in this world 5. That all their groanings and sighs will not move God to mitigate in the least his heavy hand of vengeance that is upon them for the transgressions they have committed against him 6. That their sad state is irrecoverable or they must never mark never come out of that condition 7. There desires will not be heard for their ungodly neighbours From these things then I pray you consider the state of those that â—ie out of Christ Jesus yea I say consider their miserable state and think thus with thy self Well if I neglect coming to Christ I
24. Who bare our sins in his own body on the tree Wouldest thou know whether he did rise again after he was crucified with the very same body then read Luke 24. at ver 38 39. 40 41. Wouldest thou know whether he did eat or drink with his Disciples after he arose out of the Grave then read Luke 24. 42. and Acts 10. 41. If thou wouldest be perswaded of the truth of this that that very body is now above the Clouds and Stars read Acts 1. 9 10 11 and Luke 24. toward the end If thou wouldest know that the Quakers hold an errour that say the body of Christ is within them consider the same Scripture Wouldest thou know what that Christ that died for sinners is doing in that place whether he is gone then read Heb. 7. 24. Wouldest thou know who shall have life by him read 1 Tim. 1. 14. 15. and Rom. 5. 6 7 8. which say Christ died for sinners for the ungodly Wouldest thou know whether they that live and die in their sins shall go to Heaven or not then read 1 Cor. 6. 9 10. Rev. 21. 8 27. which saith They shall have their part in the like that burns with fire and Brimstone Wouldest thou know whether mans obedience will obtain that Christ should die for them or save them then read Mark 2. 17. Rom. 5. 7. Wouldst thou know whether Righteousness Justification and Sanctification doth come through the vertue of Christs blood compare Rom. 5. 9. with Heb. 12. 12. Wouldest thou know whether natural man can abstain from the outward act of sin against the Law meerly by a principal of nature then compare well Rom. 2. 14. with Phil. 3. 6. Wouldest thou know whether a man by nature may know something of the invisible things of God compare seriously Rom. 1. 20. 21. with Rom. 2. 14. 5. Wouldest thou know how far a man may go on in a profession of the Gospel and yet fall away then read Heb. 6. 4 5 6. They may taste the good word of God and the powers of the world to come They may taste the Heavenly gift and be partakers of the Holy Ghost and yet so fall as never to be recovered or renewed again unto repentance see also Luke 13. Wouldest thou know how hard it is to go to Heaven read Mat. 7. 13 14. Luke 13. 24. Wouldest thou know whether a man by nature be a friend to God or an enemy then read Rom. 5. 11. Col. 1. 21. Wouldest thou know what or who they are that shall go to Heaven then read John 3. 3. 5. 7. and 2 Cor. 5. 17. Also wouldest thou know what a sad thing it is for any to turn their backs upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ then read Heb. 10. 28 29. and Mark 16 16. Wouldest thou know what is the wages of sin then read Rom. 6. 23. Wouldest thou know whither those do go that die unconverted to the faith of Christ then read Psal. 9. 17. and Isa. 14. 9. Reader here might I spend many sheets of paper yea I might upon this subject write a very great Book but I shall now forhear desiring thee to be very conversant in the Scriptures for they are they that will testifie of Jesus Christ Joh. 5. 39. The Bereans were counted noble upon this account These were more noble then those of Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily c. Acts 17. 11. But here let me give thee one caution that is have a care that thou do not satisfie thy self with a bare search of them without a real application of him whom they testifie of to thy soul lest instead of faring the better for thy doing this work thou dost fare a great deal the worse thy condemnation be very much heightned in that though thou didst read so often the sad state of those that die in sin and the glorious estate of them that close in with Christ yet thou thy self shouldst be such a fool as to lose Jesus Christ notwithstanding thy hearing and reading so plentifully of him They have Moses and the Prophets let them 〈◊〉 them As if he should say What need have they that one should be sent to them from the dead Have they not Moses and the Prophets hath not Moses told them the danger of living in sin Deut. 27. from ver 15. to ver 26. And chap. 28. 15. 16 17 18 19. 20. c. to the end of the Chapter also chap. 29. 18 19 20 21. hath he not there told them what a sad state these persons are in that deceive themselves with the deceit of their hearts saying They shall have peace though they follow their sins in these words And when he heareth the words of this curse he bless himself in his heart saying I shall have peace though I go on or walk in the imagination of my heart to add drunkenness to thirst The Lord will not spare that man but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against him and all the curses that are written in this Book shall lie upon him and the Lord shall blot out his name from under Heaven Again did not Moses write of the Saviour that was to come afterwards into the World Deut. 18. 18. Nay have not all the Prophets from Samuel with all those that follow after prophesied and foretold these things therefore what need have they that I should work such a miracle as to send one from the dead unto them They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them From whence observe again That God doth honour the writings of Moses and the Prophets as much nay more than if one should rise from the dead Should not a People seek unto their God what seek for the living among the dead To the Law and to the Testimonies saith God if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa. 8. 19 20. And let me tell you plainly I do believe that the Devil knows this full well which makes him labour to beget in the hearts of his Disciples and followers light thoughts of them and doth perswade them that even a motion from their own beguiled conscience or from his own wicked Spirit is to be observed and obeyed before them when the very Apostle of Jesus Christ though he heard a voice from the excellent glory saying This is my beloved Son c. Yet writing to the Churches he commends the writings of the Prophets before it saying We have also a more sure word of the Prophets unto which ye do well to take heed c. 2 Pet. 1. 17 18 19. Now if thou doubtest whether that place be meant the Scriptures the words of the Prophets or no read but the next Verse where he addeth for a certain confirmation there of these words Knowing this first that there is no Prophecy of the Scriptures of any private interpretation for Prophecy
in vexation and anguish of soul One drop of cold water to cool my tongue Thus might I add many things out of the holy Wâ—it both threatning and promises besides those heavenly Counsels loving Reproofs free invitations to all sorts of sinners both old and young rich and poor bond and free wise and unwise All which have been now are and it is to be feared as long as this World lasts will be trampled under the feet of those Swine I call them not men who will continue in the same But take a review of some of them 1. Counsel What heavenly counsel is that where Christ saith Buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou mayst be rich and white rayment that thou mayst bâ— cloathed that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear Rev. 3. 17 18. Also that Ho every one that thirsteth come to the waters Yea come buy wine and miâ—â— without money and without price Isa. 55. 1. Hear and your souls shall live Veâ—se 3. Lay hold of 〈◊〉 strength that you may make peace with me and yâ—â— shall make peace with me Isa. 27. 5. 2. Instruction What Instruction is here Hear instruction and be wise and refuse it nâ—t Blessed is the man that heareth me saith Christ watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doors For who so findeth me findeth life and shall obtain favour of the Lord. Prov. 8. 32 33 34 35. Take heed that no man deceive you by any means Labour not for the meat that perisheth but for that which endureth unto everlasting life Joâ— 6. 27. Strive to enter in at the strait gate Luke 13. 24. Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved Act. 16. 31. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits Quench not the spirit Lay hold on eternal life Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in Heaven Mat. 5. 16. Take heed and beware of hypocrisie watch and be sober Learn of me saith Christ. Come unto me 3. Forewarning What forewarning is here Because there is wrath beware lest he take thee away with his stroak then a great ransome cannot deliver thee Job 36. 18. Be ye not mockers lest your bands be made strong for I have heard from the Lord God of Hosts a Consumption even determined on the whole Earth Isa. 28. 22. Beware therefore lest that come upon you that is written Behold ye dispisers and wonder and perish For behold I work a work in your dayes which ye shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Act. 13. 40. 41. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall 1 Cor. 10. 12. Watch and pray lest you enter into temptation Luke 22. 40. Let us fear therefore lest a promise being made or left us of entring into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it Heb. 4. 1. I will therefore put you in remembrance though you once knew this how that the Lord having saved the people out of Aegypt afterward destroyed them that believed not Jude 5. Hold fast that thou hast let no man take thy Crown Rev. 3. 11. 4. Comfort What comfort is here He that cometh unto me I will in no wise east out Joh. 6. Vers. 37. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11. 28. Be of good chear thy sins are forgiven thee I will never leave thee nor forsake thee for I have loved thee with an everlasting love Jer. 31. 3. I lay down my life for my sheep I lay down my life that they might have life I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly I have heard thee in a time accepted and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee 2 Cor. 6. 2. Though their sins be as Scarlet they shall be as white as Snow though they be as Crimson they shall be as Wooll For I have blotted out as a thick Cloud thy transgressions and as a Cloud thy sins return unto me for I have redeemed thee Isa. 44. 22. 5. Grief to those that fall short O sad grief How have I hated instruction and mine heart despised reproof and have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me Prov. 7. 11 12 13. They shall curse their King and their God and look upwards And they shall look to the Earth and behold trouble and darkness and dimness of anguish and they shall be driven into darkness Isa. 8. vers 21 22. He hath dispersed abroad he hath given to the poor his Righteousness endureth for ever The wicked shall see it and be grieved he shall gnash with his teeth and mâ—â—t away the desire of the wicked shall perish Psal. 112. 9 10. There shall be weeping when ye shall see Abraham Isaac and Jacob and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of Heaven and your selves thrust out Luke 13. 26 27 28. all which things are slighted by the world Thus much in short touching this that ungodly men undervalue the Scriptures and give no credit to them when the truth that is contained in them is held forth in simplicity unto them but rather cry out nay but if one should rise from the dead then they think something might be done when alas though signs and wonders were wrought by the hands of those that preach the Gospel these poor creatures would never the sooner convert though they suppose they should as is evident by the carriages of their fore-runners who albeit the Lord Jesus Christ himself did confirm his Doctrine by miracles as opening blind eyes casting out of Devils and raising the dead they were so far from receiving either him or his Doctrine that they put him to death for his pains though he had done so many Miracles among them yet they believed not in him John 12. 37. But to pass this I shall lay down some of the grounds of their rejecting and undervalâ—ing the Scriptures and so pass on 1. Because they do not believe that they are the Word of God but rather suppose them to be the inventions of men written by some Politicians on purpose to make poor ignorant people to submit to some Religion and Government Though they do not say this yet their practices testifie the same as he that when he hears the words of the curse yet blesseth himself in his heart and saith he shall have peace though God saith he shall have none Deut. 29. 18 19 20. And this must needs be for did but men believe this that it is the Word of God then they must believe that he that spake it is true therefore shall every word and tittle be fulfilled And if they come once to this unless they be stark mad they will have a care how they do throw themselves under the lash of eternal vengeance For the Reason why the Thessalonians
helpless state For it doth neither give the Soul any comfort it self when it comes nor doth it shew the soul where comfort is to be had and therefore it is called the ministration of condemnation as in 2 Cor. 3. 9. the ministration of death 2 Cor. 3. 7. For though men may have a notion of the blessed Word of God as the children had yet before they be converted it may truly be said of to them Ye erre not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God Mark 12. 24. 2. You say you do believe the Scriptures to be the Word of God I say again examine wast thou ever quickened from a dead state by the power of the Spirit of Christ through the other part of the Scripture That is to say by the power of God in his Son Jesus Christ through the Covenant of Promise I tell thee from the Lord If thou hast thou hast fâ—lt such a quickning power in the words of Christ Joh. 6. that thou hast been lifted out of that dead condition that thou before wast in and that when thou wast under the guilt of sin the curse of the Law and the power of the devil and the justice of the great God thou hast been inabled by the power of God in Christ revealed to thee by the Spirit through and by the Scripture to look sin death hell the devil and the Law and all things that are aâ— enmiâ—y with thee with boldness and comfort in the face through the bloud death righteousness resurrection and intercession of Christ made mention of in the Scriptures And thirdly on this account O how excellent are the Scriptures to thy soul O how much vertue dost thou â—ee in such a Promise in such an invitation they are so large as to say Christ will in no wise cast me â—ut My crimson sins shall be white as Snow I â—ell thee friend there are some Promises that the Lord hath helped me to lay hold of Jesus Christ thâ—â—ugh and by that I would not have out of the Bible for as much Gold and Silver as can lye between York and London piled up to the stars because through them Christ is pleased by his Spirit to convey comfort to my soul I say when the Law curses when the devil tempes when hell-fire flames in my Conscience my sins with the guilt of them tearing of me then is Christ revealed so sweâ—â—ly to my poor soul through the Promises that all is forced to fly and leave off to accuse my soul. So also when the World frowns when the Enemies rage and threaâ—en to kill me then also the pretious the exceeding great and pretious Promises do weight down all and comfort the soul against all This is the effect of believing the Scriptures savingly for they that do so have by and through the Scriptures good comfort and also ground of hope Rom. 15. 4. believing those things to be its own which the Scriptures hold forth 4. Examine dost thou stand in awe of sinning against God because he hath in the Scriptures commanded thee to abstain from it Dost thou give diligence to make thy Calling and Election sure because God commandeth it in Scripture Dost thou examine thy self whether thou be in the Faith or no having a command in Scripture so to do Or dost thou notwithstanding what thou readest 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 wicked company and the like Then know that it is because thou dost not indeed and in truth believe the Scriptures effectually For as I said before if a man do believe them and that savingly then he stands in â—w he looks to his steps he turns his feet from evil and endeavors to follow that which is good which God hath commanded in the Scriptures of truth yet not from a legal or natural principle that is to seek for life by doing that good thing but knowing that Salvation is already obtained for him by the bloud of that man Christ Jesus on the Cross because he believes the Scriptures therefore mark I pray therefore I say he labours to walk with his God in all well pleasing and godliness because he sweet power of the loves of Christ which he feels in his soul by the Spirit according to the Scriptures constrain him so to do 2 Cor. 5. 14. 5. Examine again Dost thou labour after those qualifications that the Scriptures do describe a child of God by that is saith yea the right faith the most holy faith the faith of the operation of God And also dost thou examine whether there is a real growth of Grace in thy soul as love zeal self-denial and a seeking by all means to attain if possible to the Resurrection of the dead that is not to satisfy thy self until thou be dissolved and rid of this body of death and be transformed into that glory that the Saints shall be in after the Resurrection day and in the mean time dost labour and take all opportunities to walk as near as may be to the pitch though thou know thou canst not attain it perfectly yet I say thou dost aim at it seek after it press towards it and to hold on in thy race thou â—hunnest that which may any way hinder thee and also close in with what may any way further the same knowing that that must be or desiring that it should be thine eternal frame and therefore out of love and liking to it thou dost desire and long after it as being the thing that doth most please thy soul. Or how is it with thy soul Art thou such an one as regards not these things but rather busy thy thoughts about the things here below following those things that have no scent of divine glory upon them If so look to thy self thou art an unbeliever and so under the wrath of God and wilt for certain fall into the same place of torment that thy fellows have fallen into before thee to the grief of thy own soul and thy everlasting destruction Consider and regard these things and lay them to thy heart before it be too late to recover thy self by repenâ—ing of the one and desiring to close in with the other O I say regard regard for hell is hot Gods hand is up the Law is resolved to discharge against thy soul the Judgment day is at hand the graves are ready to fly open the 〈◊〉 is nea◠〈◊〉 â—ounding the sentence will â—re long be pâ—st and then you and I cannot call â—imâ— again But again seeing they are so certain so sure so irreâ—â—â—â—ble and firm and seeing the saving faith of the thingâ— contained therein is to reform the soul and bring iâ— over into the things of God really conforming to the things contained therein both to the point of Justification and also an impractical walking and giving up the soul and body to a conformity to all
obedience not of thee but of another man viz. Jesus Christ. Secondly Then if the Law thou readest of tell thee in thy Conscience thou must do this and the other good work of the Law if ever thou wilt be saved Answer plainly that for thy part thou art resolved now not to work for life but to believe in the vertue of that bloud shed upon the Cross upon Mount Calvary for the remission of sins and yet because Christ hath justified thee freely by his Grace thou wilt seâ—ve him in Holiness and Righteousness all the dayes of thy life yet not in a legal Spirit or in a Covenant of Works but mine obedience say thou I will endeavour to have it free and chearful out of love to my Lord Jesus Thirdly Have a care thou receive not this doctrine in the notion only lest thou bring a just damnation upon thy soul by professing thy self to be freed by Christs bloud from the guilt of sin while thou remainest still a servant to the filth of sin For I must tell you that unless you have the true and saving work of the Faith and Grace of the Gospel in your hearts you will either go on in a legal Holiness according to the tenour of the Law or else through a notion of the Gospel the Devil bewitching and beguiling thy understanding will and affections thou wilt Ranter like turn the Grace of God into wantonness and bring upon thy soul double if not treble damnation in that thou couldest not be contented to be damned for thy sins against the Law but also to make ruine sure to thy soul thou wouldest dishonour the Gospel and turn the Grace of God held forth and discovered to man by that into licenticusness But that thou mightest be sure to escape these dangerous looks on the right hand and on the left see that thy faith be such as spoken of in Sâ—â—â—pture and that thou be not satisfied without thâ—t which is a faith wrought by the mighty operation of God revealing Christ to and in thee as having wholly freed thee from thy sins by his most pretious bloud Which Faith if thou attain unto will so work in thy heart thâ—â— first thou wilt see the nature of the Law and also the nature of the Gospel and delight in the glory of it and also thou wilt find an ingaging of thy heart and soul to Jesus Christ even to the giving up of thy whole man unto him to be ruled and governed by him to his glory and thy comfort by the Faith of the Lord Jesus The End Books printed for Francis Smith at the Elephant and Castle without Temple-Barre CHristianismus Redivivus or Baptizing and Inchurching believers after faith and repentance vindicated also the writings of Mr. Baxâ—er Dr. â—eatley Dr. Hilins Mr. Marshall Mr. Blake Mr. Cook Mr. Cotton answered with a Vindication of Ordinances till Christs Personal coming proved in Folio The Work of Faith with Power Wherein the nature of that dead Faith is detected by which multitudes that hope for Salvation are as is to be feared deceived Published on purpose to rectify some dangerous and Damning mistakes of Men about their Faith and to Awaken all to the Work of Faith with Power In quarto Means to prevent perishing or the usefulness of the saving knowledg of God discovered Shewing what blessed tendency the right knowledg of God hath to bring men to Salvation in 4to Sions groans for her distressed Proving it the undoubted right of Christian Liberty under different perswasions in matters Spiritual to have equal protection as to their civil Peace with the Testimony of 15. Antients humbly offered to the Kings Majesty Parliament and People in 4to Faith in Gods Promises the Saints best weapon or the great use and availableness of 〈◊〉 both for the support and growth of Saints in times most perilous With several considerations for the encrease of Faith 4to A Contention for Truth In two Publick Disputations before thousands of People between Dr. Gunning and Mr. Daâ—n touching the Baptism of Infants Whether Lawful or Unlawful 4to The free Grace of God to all the Sons of Adam vindicated In a plain discovery of that Truth with 20 Queries to all men concerned 4to A Plea for Toleration of Opinions and Perswasions in matters of Religion differing from the Church of England Shewing the unreasonableness of prescribing to other Mens Faith and the evil of persecuting differing Opinions Humbly Presented to the Kings Majesty 4to The great Case of Conscience Opened in the particular unfoulding of those two difficult Texts Matth. 5. 33 34. with Jam. 5. 12. about the lawfulness or unlawfulness of Swearing 4to Godly Adversity far better than Wicked Prosperity or The Rage of the Wicked should not hinder the Race of the Godly 4to An Epistle of Information and Consolation to all such as are distinguished by names of reproach Containing also A sober Rebuke for former Slothfulness 4to The 〈…〉 causes of Gods Foreknoâ—â—â—g of Election and Predestination and of Man's Salvation or Damnation As also Whether Christ Dyed for all or not for all with the Causes and Effects that may follow or not follow The fifth Edition 4â—0 Mr. Hooles Latine and English Grammer fitted not only for the use of Schools but very useful for any person that is desirous to learn the Latine Tongue being a more plain and speedy help than any yet extâ—nt The fourth Edition Octavo A Discovery of the Latitude of the Loss of the Earthly Paradice by Original Sin With 20 Characteâ—s of the true and false Ministry To which is added Siâ—ns Redemption with the manner of the Rice of the Man of Sin with a brief Description of Christs Personal Reign upon Earth a thousand years Symptomes of Growth and Decay to Godliness In LX. Signs of A Living and Dying Christian with the cause of Decay and Remedies for Recovery Octavo Laying on of Hands Asserted under New Testament Câ—nsiâ—erations viz. 1 Upon Persons for Healing With a brief Discovery of that Ordinance of Annointing with Oyl 2. Upon Persons to Office 3. Upon Believers Baptized as such A Profitable Concordance to the Bible With Doctrinal and Alphabetical Observations upon most Points material in the Holy Scriptures Oct. Saturday no Sabâ—â—â—â— or 〈…〉 Sabboth proved not to be 〈◊〉 force to Believing Gentiles neither by the Law of Nature Law of Moses nor Law of Christ Octavo The truth of the Resurrection of the Bodies both of Good and Bad at the Great Day Asserted and Proved by Gods Word also the manner and order of their coming forth of their Graves And a Discourse of the Last Judgment and final Conclusion of the whole World in Octavo A short Catechisme very teachable as well for young Christians as Children in seven particulars in Octavo Christian Beheaviour being the fruits of true Christianity teâ—ching Husbands Wives Parents Children Masters Servants so to walk as to please God the 3d Edition in Twelves Prayer with the Spirit and Understanding also shewing what it is to pray with the Spirit and with Understanding the 2d Edition in 120. Prison Meditations directed to the heart of suffering Saints and raigning sinners in 120. Self 〈◊〉 the grand Enemy of Jesus Christ or a Treatise shewing what a heart-plague self is with special Remedies for its ruine in 12â— The Doctrine of Christianity teaching how to become a Christian how to lead a Christian life and what is the Government of Christs Church with the Articles of their faith in 12â— first 〈…〉 with the Rule of Three also the way to find the solid content of Board Glass Land Timber Stone Globes c. in 12â— 2d Edition One thing is needful or serious Meditations upon the Four last Things Death Judgment Heaven and Hell with a Conference between Christ and a sinner in 12â— The Line of Life and the Line of Death or a Map shewing the order and causes of Salvation and Damnation all cut in Brass The Poor Mans Physitian or the true Art of Medicine as it s Chimically prepared for the healing all Diseases incident to Man-kind A brief Confession of Faith as it was presented to the King in the name of many thousands commonly called Anabaptists Also their Apologie and Vindication against the injurious aspersions of being like some pretended German Anabaptists A Treatiise touching faâ—ling from Grace or 13 Arguments proving that Believers may fall from the truth of Grace with the most material Objections to the contrary Answered 4â—0 Gods Oracle and Christ's Doctrine or the Six Principles and beginning word of ever Christian Man shewing the Foundation every Convert is to lay