Discourses Upon the Rich Man and Lazarus, Title page – Errata
Discourses Upon the Rich Man AND LAZARUS.
By T. CRƲSO.
Prov, 28.6.
Better is the Poor that walketh in his Ʋprightness, than he that is perverse in his Ways, tho he be Rich.
LONDON: Printed by S. Bridge, for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chapel, 1697.
THE PREFACE
THE whole Scripture is a Field, wherein Rich Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge are hid, and yet not hid so, but that they may be found and possess't, by those that seek and search for them, as such, in a due Manner, and to right Ends. How far it may be allowed, to make Comparisons between one part of Scripture and another, and preferr one before another, I am not now concern'd to determine or enquire; but considering how very instructive all the Words of our Lord were, and how much valuable Truth hath been often brought forth by the elaborate Discussion of a single Sentence, I have sometimes wonder'd, that this piece of Holy Ground, hath remained hitherto in so great a measure untoucht, when it deserves so well to be broken up by the most able and skilful Hand; for if I had met with any such endeavours of that kind, as the peculiarity of the Subject seems to call for, this poor Service of mine had been never undertaken.
Nor did I design, long after the first undertaking, that it should be made thus Publick; but it should have breath'd it's last in the Pulpit, if my own Inclinations and Purposes could have prevail'd against the repeated and undeniable Requests of several other Persons. However I am so far defended against the Censures, which this performance may meet with from Enemies of all sorts, that none can have meaner thoughts of it, than I have my self, even while I am over-rul'd to offer it to the World; And I account it a real Mercy, as well as my special Duty, to go thro every Work of God, with a just Sense of my own unworthiness and unfitness for it; to whom, I am Convinc'd, Those very humble Confessions of Holy Agur, at the beginning of a remarkable Prophesie, Prov. 30.2, 3. are more strictly applicable, than to the most.
What there is of humane Infirmity and mistake in the Management of the Points here spoken to, I hope, the sincere Friends of Religion will charitably excuse and overlook; what there is of God, hath a right to be receiv'd and improv'd, as coming from him, notwithstanding the disadvantage of it's Delivery; for excellent Oil should bear the deserved Price in our esteem, not only, when 'tis emptied out of a golden Pipe (as in the Prophet's Vision) Zech. 4.12. But even tho it be as it is here, convey'd in Lead.
I have been carried by the Stream of our Lord's Discourse in this Place, to lay open much of the Nature, and insist particularly on some of the Aggravations, of Hell-torments; which besides their useful tendency to the awakening of those that are stupid and secure, lying as upon the top of a Mast, over that burning Lake, may not be unprofitable to the most sound and establisht Believers, who from hence will see the more abundant Cause of thankfulness to God for the unspeakable Gift of Jesus Christ, and of rejoycing and triumphine in him, as their Deliverer from such a woful State. The Glorious Sun of Righteousness having put out this Fire, ought certainly to be the more pleasant to them whom he is risen upon, and who Experience the Benefit of healing in his Wings; there being not one Saint in Heaven, or in Earth, but what may truly say, All this Misery had been my Everlasting Lot among the worst of Sinners, if the Eternal Son of God had not been made Sin, and a Curse for me.
If God will vouchsafe his Blessing upon what is written here, for the accomplishing of so good Effects, I shall have (that which I covet above all the Prosperity of the World) Whereof I may Glory through Jesus Christ, in things pertaining to God; Rom. 15.17. For undoubtedly the success of our Labours, is onr most solid Reputation, and that Author hath the best and greatest Name, whose Writings are of most advantage to the Souls of Men. And therefore, tho in the Preaching of the following Sermons, I thought not of their having any other Impression than on the Hearts of the Hearers, I do now profess my earnest Desire, that they may be Printed over again, upon the Mind of every Reader; leaving my solemn Supplication at the Throne of Grace, that this may be done by the Finger of God.
Octob. 26. 1696. T. C.
ERRATA.
PAge 16. Line 12. Read dispensing, p. 35. l. 11. r. Lord, p. 46. l. 10. r. difference, p. 55. l. 6. r. honour of, p. 62. l. 30. blot out, after they, p. 82. l. 8. r. begin, p. 110. l. 6. r. insolvent, p. 112. l. 13. blot out, after preserved.