A Few Sighs from Hell, Exposition · Verse 28

A Few Sighs from Hell · Exposition · Verse 28

p. 110Ver. 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 intollerable 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 & p. 111condition, 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 there 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.

p. 112Anſw. I do believe there is ſcarce ſo much love in any of the damned in hell, as really to deſire the ſalvation of any; it would ſeem ſtrange to me, that ſuch a quality ſhould be found in any there, as out of ſingleneſs of heart, to deſire the ſalvation of their neighbours, out of love to them. 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 or heighten the grief and horrour of them, to ſee their ungodly neighbours in the like deſtruction with them: For where the ungodly do live, and die, and deſcend into the pit together, the one is rather a vexation to the other, then any thing elſe. And it muſt needs be ſo, becauſe there are no ungodly people, that do live ungodly together, but they do learn ill examples one of another, as thus. If there live one in the town that is very expert and cunning for the world, why now the reſt of his neighbours that are of the ſame mind with him, they will labour to imitate him and follow p. 113his ſteps: this is commonly ſeen. Again, if there be one given to drunkenneſs, others of the town through his means, run the more into that ſin with him, & do accuſtom themſelves the more unto it, becauſe of his inticing them, and alſo byſetting ſuch an ill example before them. And ſo if there be any addicted to pride, & muſt needs be in all the neweſt faſhions, how do their example provoke other to love and follow the ſame vanity; 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. Now theſe will by their doings exceedingly aggravate the condemnation of one another, as thus. 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 and 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 adde to p. 114his deſtruction: as that Scripture in Ezek. 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 guilty 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 alſo, & 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 loaden with the fear of the damnation of others to be laid to thy charge, that thou wouldeſt cry out; 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 p. 115his condemnation, if he fall ſhort of glory. It is true, 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! that he might be kept out hence leſt my torment be aggravated by his comming hither.

For as I ſaid before, where ungodly people do dwell together, they being a ſnare and ſtumbling-block one to another by their practices, they muſt needs be a torment one to another, and an aggravation of each others damnation. O curſed be thy face, ſaith one, that ever I ſet mine eyes on thee: It was long of thee; I may thank the; it was thee that did intice me, and enſnare me; it was your filthy converſation that was as a ſtumbling-block to me, it was your covetouſneſs, it was your pride, your haunting the Alehouſe, your gaming and whoring, it was long o… you that I fell ſhort of life, if you had ſet me a good example as you did ſet me an ill one, it may be I might have done better then now I do: But I learned of you, I followed your ſteps, I took counſel of you. O that I had never ſeen thy face! p. 116O that thou hadſt never been born! to do my ſoul this wrong as you have done: O ſaith the other, And I may as much blame you, for do not you remember how at ſuch a time, and at ſuch a time, you drew me out, and drew me away, and asked me if I would go with you, when I was going about other buſineſs, about my calling; but you called me away, you ſent for me, you are as much in the fault as I, though I were covetous, you were proud; and if you learned covetouſneſs of me,**This language is ſometimes heard at the gallows, but for ought that I can learn, it is more to be heard in hell. I learned pride and drunkenneſs of you; though I learned you to cheat, you learned me to whore, to lye, to ſcoff at goodneſs. Though I baſe wretch did ſtumble you in ſome things, yet you did as much ſtumble me in others. I can blame you as you blame me; and if I have to anſwer for ſome of your moſt filthy actions, you have to anſwer for ſome of mine. I would you had not come hither, the very looks of you doth wound my ſoul, by bringing my ſins afreſh into my mind, the time when, the manner how, the place where, the perſons with whom: it was with you, you! grief to my ſoul! ſince I could not ſhun thy p. 117company there. Oh! that I had been without thy company here.

I ſay therefore for theſe that have ſinned together, to go to hell together, it will very much perplex and torment them both. Therefore I judge this is one reaſon why they that are in hell do deſire, that their friends, or companions do not come thither into the ſame place of torment that they are in. And therefore, where Chriſt ſaith, that theſe damned ſouls cry out, Send to our companions, that they may be warned and commanded to look to themſelves. O ſend to my five brethren; it is becauſe they would not have their own torments heightned by their company; and a ſenſe, yea, a continual ſenſe of their ſins which they did cauſe them to commit, when they were in the world with them. For I do believe that the very looks of thoſe that have been beguiled by their fellows, I ſay, their very looks will be a torment to them: for thereby will the remembrance of their own ſins be kept (if poſſible) the freſher on their conſciences, which they committed with them, and alſo they will wonderfully have the guilt of the others ſins upon them, in p. 118that they we…e partly the cauſe of his committing …em, being inſtruments in the hands of the devil to draw them into them. And therefore leſt this come to paſs, I pray thee ſend him to my fathers houſe. For if they might not come hither, peradventure my torment might have ſome mitigation: that is, if they might be ſaved, then their ſins will be pardoned, and not ſo heavily charged on my ſoul. But if they do fall into the ſame place where I am, the ſins that I have cauſed them to commit will lie ſo heavy, not only on their ſouls but alſo on mine, that they will be enough to ſink me into eternal miſery deeper and deeper. O therefore, ſend him to my fathers houſe, to my five brethren, and let him teſtifie to them leſt they come into this place of torment.

Theſe words being thus underſtood. What a condition doth it ſhew them to be in then, that now ſo much delight in being the very ring-leaders of their companions into ſins of all ſorts whatſoever.

Now while men live here, if they can be counted the cunningeſt in cheating, the boldeſt for lying, the archeſt for p. 119whoring, the ſubtilleſt for coveting, and getting the world: Now if men can but cunningly defraud, undermine, croſs, and anger their neighbours▪ yea, and hinder their neighbours from the means of Grace, the Goſpel of Chriſt; they can now glory in't, take a pride in't, and think themſelves pretty well at eaſe, and there minds and are ſomewhat quiet being beguiled with ſin.

But my friend, when thou haſt loſt this life, and doſt begin to lift up thine eyes in hell, and ſeeſt what thy ſins have brought thee to; and not onelyonly ſo, but that thou by thy filthy ſins didſt cauſe others, (devil-like) to fall into the ſame condemnation with thee: And that one of the reaſons of their damnation was this, that thou didſt lead them to the commiſſion of thoſe wicked practices of this world, and the luſts thereof. Oh! that ſome body would ſtop them from coming, leſt they alſo come into this place of torment, and be damned as I am; how will it torment me? For the reaſon (as I ſaid before) why ſome mens condemnations are more intollerable then others, is ſometimes, becauſe they have not onelyonly damned themſelves by p. 120their ſins, but their ungodly carriages have been ſtumbling-blocks to others; cauſing them alſo to ſtumble and fall at that for which thou thy ſelf art damned. Balaam could not be contented to be damned himſelf, but alſo he muſt by his wickedneſs cauſe others to ſtumble and fall.Rev. 2.14.Rev 2:14 The Scribes and Phariſees could not be converted to keep out of heaven themſelves, but they muſt labour to keep out others too.

The deceived cannot be content to be deceived himſelf, but he muſt labour to deceive others alſo. The drunkard cannot be contented to go to hell for his own ſins, but he muſt labour to cauſe others to fall into the ſame furnace with him. O friends! look to your ſelves, for here will be damnation upon damnation, damned for thy own ſins, and damned for thy being a partaker with others in their ſins; and damned for being guilty of the damnation of others. O how will the drunkard cry for leading their neighbours into drunkenneſs? How will the covetous perſon howle for ſetting his neighbour, his friend, his brother, his children and relations ſo wicked an example; by which p. 121he hath not onelyonly wronged his own ſoul, but alſo the ſouls of others. The liar by lying, learned others to lie; the ſwearer learned others to ſwear, the whoremonger learns others to whore. Now all theſe, with others of the like ſort, will be guilty, not onelyonly of their own damnation, but alſo of the damnation of others. I tell you, that ſome men have been ſo much the authors of the damnation of others, that I am ready to think that the damnation of them will trouble them as much as their own damnation. Some men (it is to be feared) at the day of judgement will be found to be the author of deſtroying whole nations. How many ſouls do you think Balaam with his deceit will have to anſwer for? How many, Mahomet? How many, the Phariſees, that hired the ſouldiers to ſay the Diſciples ſtole away Jeſus, and by that means ſtumbled their brethren to this day; and was one means of hindering them from believing the things of God and Jeſus Chriſt; and ſo the cauſe of the damnation of their brethren to this very day.

How many ſouls hath Bonner to anſwer for think you? and ſeveral filthy p. 122blind Prieſts? How many ſouls have they been the means of deſtroying by their ignorance, and corrupt doctrine? preaching that that was no better to their ſouls, than Rats-bane to the body, for filthy lucres ſake.**O ye Prieſts this word is for you. They ſhall ſee, that they, many of them, it is to be feared, will have whole towns to anſwer for; whole cities to anſwer for. Ah, Friend, I tell thee, thou that haſt taken in hand to preach to the people; it may be thou haſt taken in hand thou canſt not tell what; Will it not grieve thee to ſee thy whole pariſh come bellowing after thee to hell, crying out, this we may thank thee for, this is long of thee, thou didſt not teach us the truth; thou didſt lead us away with fables, thou waſt afraid to tell us of our ſins, leſt we ſhould not put meat faſt enough in thy mouth.☞ O curſed wretch, that ever thou ſhouldeſt beguile us thus! deceive us thus! flatter us thus. We would have gone out to hear the word abroad, but that thou didſt reprove us; and alſo tell us, that that which we ſee now is the way of God, was Hereſie, and a deceivable doctrine; and waſt not contented (blind Guide as thou wert) to fall into p. 123the dich thy ſelf, but haſt alſo lead us thither with thee.

I ſay, look to thy ſelf, leſt thou cry out when it is too late; O ſend Lazarus to my people, my friends, my children, my congregation to whom I preached, and beguiled through my folly. Send him to the town in which I did pr…ach laſt, leſt I be the cauſe of their damnation. Send him to my friends from whence I came, leſt I be made to anſwer for their ſoul and mine own too, Ezek. 33.1.2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

O ſend him therefore, and let him tell them, and teſtifie unto them leſt they alſo come into this place of torment. Conſider this ye that live in the world, while you are in the land of the living, leſt you fall into this condition. Set caſe thou ſhouldeſt by thy carriage deſtroy but a ſoul, but one poor ſoul, by one of thy carriages, or actions, by thy ſinful works; conſider it now, I ſay, leſt thou be forced to cry, I pray thee therefore, that thou wouldeſt ſend him to my fathers houſe for I have five brethren, that he may testifie unto them, leſt they alſo come into this place of torment.

If ſo, then I ſhall not onelyonly ſay to the blind guides, look you to your ſelves, p. 124and ſhut out others: no, but this doth reach in all thoſe that do not onelyonly keep ſouls from heaven by preaching, and the like, but this doth alſo ſpeak forth the doom of thoſe that ſhall any wayes be inſtrumental to hinder others for cloſing in with Jeſus Chriſt. O what red lines will thoſe be againſt all theſe rich ungodly Landlords, that ſo keep under their poor Tenants, that they dare not go out to hear the word, for fear their Rent ſhould be raiſed, or they turned out of their houſes. What ſayeſt thou, Landlord, will it not cut thy ſoul, when thou ſhalt ſee that thou couldeſt not be content to miſs of heaven thy ſelf, but thou muſt labour to hinder others alſo? Will it not give thee an eternal wound in thy heart, both at death and judgement, to be accuſed of the ruine of thy neighbours ſoul, thy ſervants ſoul, thy wives ſoul, together with the ruine of thy own. Think on this you drunken proud, rich, and ſcornful Landlords, think on this you mad-brain'd blaſphemous Husbands, that are againſt the godly and chaſte converſation of your Wives; alſo you that hold your Servants ſo hard to it, that you will not ſpare p. 125them time to hear the word, unleſs it be where, and when your luſts will let you. O if you love your own ſouls your Tenants ſouls: your Wives ſouls, your Servants ſouls, your Children ſouls: if you would not cry, if you would not howl, if you would not bear the burden of the ruine of others for ever; then I beſeech you to conſider this doleful ſtory, and labour to avoid the ſoul-killing torment that this poor wretch groaneth under, when he ſaith, I pray thee therefore that thou wouldeſt ſend him to my fathers houſe.

For I have five brethren, that he may teſtifie. Mark, that he may teſtifie unto them; lest they alſo come into this place of torment.

Theſe words have ſtill ſomething more in them then I have yet obſerved from them; there are one or two things more that I ſhall briefly touch upon, and therefore, Mark, he ſaith, That he may teſtifie unto them, leſt, &c. Mark, I pray, you and take notice of the word, Teſtifie. He doth not ſay, and let him go unto them, or ſpeak with, or tell them ſuch and ſuch things. No, but let him teſtifie, or affirme it conſtantly, in p. 126caſe any ſhould oppoſe it. Let him teſtifie to them. It is the ſame word the Scripture uſeth to ſet forth the vehemencie of Chriſt his telling of his diſciples of him that ſhould betray him, And he teſtified, ſaying, One of you ſhall betray me. And he teſtified, that is, he ſpake it ſo, as to daſh, or overcome any that ſhould have ſaid, it ſhall not be ſo. It is a word that ſignifies thus much. That in caſe any ſhould oppoſe the things ſpoken of, yet that the party ſpeaking ſhould ſtill continue conſtant in his ſaying. And he commanded them to preach, and to testifie that it is he which was ordained of God to be the ju…ge of quick and dead. To teſtifie, Mark, that is, to be conſtant, irreſiſtible, undanted, in caſe it ſhould be oppoſed and objected againſt. So here▪ let him teſtifie to them, leſt they come into this place of torment.

From whence obſerve; That it is not an eaſie matter to perſwade them who are in their ſins alive in this world, that they muſt and ſhall be damned if they turne not, and be converted to God. Let him teſtifie to them, let him ſpeak confidently, though they frown upon p. 127him, or diſlike his way of ſpeaking to them. And how is this truth verified and cleared by the carriages of almoſt all men now in the world, toward them that do preach the Goſpel; and ſhew their own miſerable ſtate plainly to them if they cloſe not with it. If a man do but indeed labour to convince ſinners of their ſins, and loſt condition by nature, though they muſt be damned if they live and die in that condition; Oh how angry are they at it. Look how he judges, ſay they; hark how he condemns us; he tells us we muſt be damned if we live and die in this ſtate; we are offended at him, we cannot abide to hear him, or any ſuch as he; we will believe none of them all, but go on in the way we are a going.

I ſay, tell the drunkard he muſt be damned if he leave not his drunkenneſs, the ſwearer, liar, cheater, thief, covetous, railers, or any ungodly perſons, they muſt and ſhall lie in hell for it, if they die in this condition, they will not believe you, nor credit you. Again, tell others that there are many in hell that have lived and died in their conditions, and ſo are they like to be if they convert p. 128not to Jeſus Chriſt and be found in him. Again, there are others that are more civil and ſober men, who, (although we know that their civility will not ſave them) if we do but tell them plainly of the emptineſs, and unprofitableneſs of that, as to the ſaving of their ſouls, and that God will not accept them, nor love them, notwithſtanding theſe things, and that if they intend to be ſaved, they muſt be better provided than with ſuch a righteouſneſs as this; they will either fling away and come to hear no more, or elſe if they do come, they will bring ſuch prejudice with them in their hearts, that the word preached ſhall not profit them, it being mixed, not with faith but with prejudice in them that hear it. Nay, they will ſome of them be ſo full of anger, that they will break out and call even thoſe that ſpeak the truth Heretiques; and ſay they would deceive them. And why ſo? Becauſe they tell them, that if they live in their ſins that will damne them, yet if the turne and live a righteous life, according to the holy and juſt and good law of God, that will not ſave them. Yea, becauſe we tell them p. 129plainly, that unleſs they leave their ſins and righteouſneſs too and cloſe in with a naked Jeſus Chriſt, his blood and merits, and what he hath done, and is now doing for ſinners, they cannot be ſaved. And unleſs they do eat the fleſh of the Sonne of man and drink his blood, they have no life abiding in them: they gravel preſently, and are offended at it (as the Jews were with Chriſt for ſpeaking of the ſame thing to them, Joh. 6.53, 60.) and fling away themſelves, the ſouls and all, by quarrelling againſt the doctrine of the Sonne of God, as indeed they do, though they will not believe they do; and therefore he that is a Preacher of the word, had need, not onelyonly tell them, but teſtifie to them again, and again, that their ſins, if they continue in them, will damne them, and damne them again. And tell them again, their living honeſtly according to the law, their paying every one their own, their living quietly with their neighbours, their giving to the poor, their notion of the Goſpel, and ſaying they do believe in Chriſt, will do them no good at the general day of Judgement, they are offended alſo. Ha friends! p. 130how many of you are there at this very day, that have been told once and again, of your loſt undone condition, becauſe you want the right, reall, and ſaving work of God upon our ſouls. I ſay, hath not this been told you, yea, teſtified unto you from time to time, that your ſtate is miſerable, that yet you are never the better, but do ſtill ſtand where you did; ſome in an openly ungodly life, and ſome drowned in a ſelf-conceited holineſs of Chriſtianity. Therefore for Gods ſake if you love your ſouls, conſider, and beg of God for Jeſus Chriſts ſake, that he would work ſuch a work of grace in your hearts, and give you ſuch a faith in his Sonne Jeſus Chriſt, that you may not onelyonly have reſt here, as you think, not onelyonly think your ſtate ſafe while you live here; but that you may be ſafe indeed, not onelyonly here, but alſo when you are gone; leſt you do cry in the anguiſh and perplexity of your ſouls, O ſend one to my companions that have been beguiled by Satan, as I have been; and ſo by going on, come into this place of torment, as I have done.

Again, one thing more is to be obſerved p. 131from theſe words, Let him teſtifie to them leſt they come into this place of torment.

Mark, leſt they come in, as if he had ſaid, or elſe they will come into this place of torment, as ſure as I am here. From whence obſerve. That though ſome ſouls for ſin do fall into the bottomleſs pit of hell before their fellows, becauſe they depart this world before them; yet the other abiding in the ſame courſe, are as ſure to go to the ſame place, as if they were there already. How ſo? Becauſe, they are all condemned together, they have all fallen under the ſame law, and have all offended the ſame juſtice; and muſt for certain, if they die in that condition, drink as deep, if not deeper, of the ſame deſtruction. Mark, I pray you what the Scriptures ſay, He that believeth not, is condemned already.John 3.18.John 3:18

He is condemned as well as they, having broken the ſame law with them: if ſo, then what hinders, but they will partake of the ſame deſtruction with them? onelyonly the one hath not the law yet ſo executed upon them, becauſe they are here; the other have had the law executed upon them, they are gone to drink that which they have been brewing, p. 132and thou art brewing that in this life, which thou muſt certainly drink, if thou be not found in Jeſus Chriſt. Mark, the ſame law I ſay, is in force againſt you both, onelyonly he is executed, and thou art not. Juſt as if there were a company of priſoners at the bar, and all condemned to die; what, becauſe they are not all executed in one day, therefore ſhall they not be executed at all? Yes, the ſame law that executed its ſeverity upon the parties now deceaſed, will for certain be executed on them that are alive in its appointed time: Even ſo it is here, we are all condemned by nature, if we cloſe not in with the grace of God by Jeſus Chriſt, we muſt and ſhall be deſtroyed with the ſame deſtruction; and therefore, ſend him (ſaith he) leſt. Mark, leſt they come into this place of torment.

Again, Send him to my fathers houſe, & let him teſtifie to them, leſt they come into this place of torment. As if he had ſaid, It may be he may prevail with them; It may be he may win upon them, and ſo they may be kept from hence, from coming into this grievous place of torment. From whence obſerve again.

p. 133That there is a poſſibility of obtaining mercy, if now, I ſay, now in this day of grace we turn from our ſins to Jeſus Chriſt; yea, it is more then poſſible. And therefore for thy incouragement, do thou know for certain, that if thou ſhalt in this thy day accept of mercy upon Gods 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 commeth 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, Joh. 6.37. Again, ſaith the Apoſtle. Now (Mark now) is p. 134the 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. 'Tis true, there is a day of damnation, but this is a day of ſalvation. 'Tis true, 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 p. 135holds 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 mayeſt 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 then damned; it is better to be with Saints, then with damned ſouls; and to go to God, is better then to go to the devil.

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 p. 136now 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 termes.

Certainly they would ſay, we will accept of grace on any termes 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 ere it be long, and cry O ſimple wretch that I am, that I ſhould damne my ſoul by ſin. 'Tis 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 obeyed the voice of my teachers, p. 137nor inclined mine eare to them that inſtructed me. Prov. 5.10, 11. O therefore, I ſay, poor ſoul, is 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, leſt 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 ſpirit do ſigh and ſay,

O ſend him to my companions, and let him teſtifie to them, leſt they alſo come into this place of torment.

Again I might obſerve from theſe words, that though men in their life time are ſo proud and ſtout, that they will not hear nor regard the poor people of God, and their exhortations, I ſay, in their life time: yet the time is coming, that they would be glad, that the very meaneſt of all the ſervants of God, ſhould not onelyonly adminiſter comfort to them, but alſo, (when once they are departed this life) that even thoſe whom once they ſlighted ſhould go and teſtifie the certainty of eternal damnation p. 138to thoſe their companions,Verſ. 29. and that at home, at their houſes, in all plainneſs amd ſimplicity of ſoul. But I paſs by enlarging upon it, as having touched on it already.