A Few Sighs from Hell, Exposition · Verse 29
Ver. 29. Abraham ſaid unto him, they have Moſes and the Prophets, let them hear them.
IN the verſes foregoing, you ſee there is a diſcovery of the lamentable ſtate of the poor ſoul that dies out of Chriſt, and the ſpecial favour of God. And alſo how little the glorious God of heaven doth regard and take notice of their moſt miſerable condition, that he will not ſo much as afford them one drop of cold water; that is, the leaſt eaſe or comfort. Now in this verſe, the Lord doth magnifie the word which was ſpoken to the people by the Prophets and Apoſtles, where he ſaith, They have Moſes and the Prophets, let them here them. As if he ſhould ſay, thou askeſt me that I ſhould ſend Lazarus back again into the world, to preach to them that live there, that they might eſcape that doleful place that thou art in: what needs that? have they not Moſes and the Prophets, have they not had my Miniſters and ſervants ſent unto them, and coming as from me? I ſent Enoch, and Noah, Moſes, and Samuel. I ſent David, Iſaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hoſea, and the reſt of the Prophets, together with Peter, Paul, John, Matthew, James, Jude, with the reſt; Let them hear them. As if he ſhould ſay again, what they have ſpoken by divine inſpiration, I will own, whether it be for the damnation of thoſe that reject, or the ſaving of them that receive their doctrine: And therefore, what need have they that one ſhould be ſent unto them in another way? Seeing they have Moſes and the Prophets let them hear them; let them receive their word, cloſe in with the doctrine declared by them; let them hear them. I ſhall not at this time ſpeak any thing to that word (Abraham) having touched upon it already; but ſhall tell you what is to be underſtood by theſe words, They have Moſes and the Prophets, let them hear them. The things that I ſhall obſerve from hence are theſe. 1. That the Scriptures ſpoken by the holy men of God, are a ſufficient rule to inſtruct to ſalvation, them that do aſſuredly believe and cloſe in with what they hold forth. They have Moſes and the prophets, let them hear them. That is, if they would eſcape, that doleful place, and be ſaved indeed from the intollerable pains of hell fire, as they deſire, they have that which is ſufficient to counſel them, for their going aſide from that. They have Moſes and the Prophets, let them be inſtructed by them, be admoniſhed by them, let them hear them; 2 Tim. 3.16.17.for all Scripture is given by inſpiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inſtruction in righteouſneſs, why, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furniſhed to every good work.
Do but mark the words. All Scripture is profitable, Mark All, take it where you will, and in what place you will; profitable, for what? That the man of God, or he that is bound for heaven, and would inſtruct others in their progreſs thither.
It is profitable to inſtruct him, in caſe he be ignorant; to reprove him, in caſe he tranſgreſs; to correct him, if he hath need of it; to confirme him, if he be wavering. It is profitable for doctrine, & all this in a very righteous way, that the poor ſoul may not onelyonly be helped, but throughly furniſhed, not onelyonly to ſome, but to all good works. And when Paul would counſel Timothy, to ſtick cloſe to the things that are ſound & ſure, preſently he puts him upon the Scriptures, ſaying, Thou haſt from a child known the Scriptures which are able to make thee wiſe unto ſalvation, 2 Tim. 3.15.through faith which is in Chriſt Jeſus. The Scriptures holds forth Gods mind and will, of his love and mercy towards man, and alſo the creatures carriage towards him from firſt to laſt; ſo if thou wouldſt know the love of God in Chriſt to ſinners?Joh. 5.39. Then ſearch the Scriptures, for they are they that teſtifie of him.
Would thou know what thou art, and what is in thy heart, then ſearch the Scriptures, and ſee what's written in them. Rom. 3. from 9. to 18. Rom 1.19.30, 31, 32. Jer. 17.9. Gen. 6.5. ch. 8.21. Eph. 4.18. with many others. The Scriptures I ſay, they are able to give a man perfect inſtruction into any of the things of God neceſſary to faith and godlineſs, if he have but an honeſt heart, ſeriouſly to weigh and ponder the ſeveral things contained in them. As to inſtance in things more particular for the further clearing up of this; And firſt if we come to the creation of the world.
Wouldeſt thou know ſomewhat concerning that, then read Gen. 1. and 2. chap. and compare them with Pſal, 33. at the 6. Alſo, Iſaiah 66.2. Prov. 8. toward the end.
Wouldeſt thou know whether he made them of ſomething or nothing, read Heb. 11.3.
Wouldeſt thou know whether he put forth any labour in making them, as we do in making things, read Pſal. 33.9.
If thou wouldeſt know whether man was made by God corrupt or upright, read Eccleſ. 7, 26. Gen. 1.10, 18, 25, 31.
Wouldſt thou know where God did place man after he had made him, read Gen. 2.15.
Wouldſt thou know whether that man did live there all his time or not, then read, Gen. 3.23, 24.
If thou wouldeſt know whether man be ſtill in that ſtate by nature, that God did place him in, then read Eccleſ. 7.26. and compare it with Rom. 5.16. and Eph. 2.1, 2, 3. God made man upright, but he hath ſought out many inventions.
If thou wouldeſt know whether the man were firſt beguiled, or the woman that God made an help meet for him, read Gen. 3.6. & com. it with 1 Tim. 2.14.
Wouldeſt thou know whether God looked upon Adams eating of the forbidden tree to be ſin, or no, read Rom. 5.12, 13, 14, 15, and compare it with Gen. 3.17.
Wouldeſt thou know whether it were the devil who beguiled them, or whether it was a natural Serpent ſuch as do haunt the deſolate places, read Gen. 3.12. with Rev. 20.1, 2, 3.
Wouldeſt thou know whether that ſin be imputed to us, read Rom. 5.12.13, 14, 15. and compare it with Eph. 2.2.
Wouldeſt thou know whether man were curſed for his ſin, read Gal. 3.10. Rom. 5.15.
Wouldeſt thou know whether the curſe did fall on man, or on the whole creation with him, compare Gen, 3.17. with Rom. 8.20, 21, 22.
Wouldeſt thou know whether man be defiled in every part of him by the ſin he hath committed, then read Iſa. 1.6.
Wouldeſt thou know mans inclination ſo ſoon as he is borne, read Pſ. 58.3.
The wicked are estranged from the womb, they go aſtray as ſoon as they be borne.
Wouldeſt thou know whether man once fallen from God by tranſgreſſion, can recover himſelf by all he can do, then read Rom 3.20, 23.
Wouldeſt thou know whether it be the deſire of the heart of man by nature to follow God in his own way, or no, compare Gen. 6.5. and Gen. 8.21. with Hoſ. 11.7.
Wouldeſt thou know how Gods heart ſtood affected towards man before the world began, compare Eph. 1.4. with 1 Tim. 1.9.
Woudeſt thou know whether ſin were ſufficient to draw Gods love from his creatures, compare Jer. 3.7. and Micah. 7.18. with Rom. 5.6, 7, 8.
Wouldeſt thou know whether Gods love did ſtill abide towards his creatures for any thing they could do to make him amends, then read Deut. 11.5, 6, 7, 8.
Wouldeſt thou know how God could ſtill love his creature and do his juſtice no wrong, read Rom. 3.24, 25, 26. Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Chriſt Jeſus. Whom God hath ſet forth to be a propitiation for ſin, through faith in his blood, to declare his righteouſneſs for the remiſſion of ſins that are paſt, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I ſay, at this time his righteouſneſs, that he might be juſt, and the juſtifier of him that believeth in Jeſus. That is, God having his juſtice ſatisfied, in the blood, and righteouſneſs, and death of his own Sonne Jeſus Chriſt, for the ſins of poor ſinners, he can now ſave them that come to him, though never ſo great ſinners, and do his juſtice no wrong, becauſe it hath had a full and compleat ſatisfaction given it by that blood, 1 Joh. 1.7, 8.
Wouldeſt thou know who he was, and what he was, that did out of his love die for ſinners, then compare Joh. 3.16, 17. Rom. 5, 8. with Iſa. 9.6.
Wouldeſt thou know whether this Saviour had a body of fleſh and bones, before the world was, or took it from the Virgin Mary, then read Gal. 4.4.
Wouldeſt thou know whether he did in that body bear all our ſins, and where, then read 1 Pet. 2.21. 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 Luk. 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 Luk. 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 whither 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.
Wouldeſt thou know whether right Juſtification and Sanctification doth come through the virtue of Chriſts blood, compare Rom. 5.9. with Heb. 13.12.
Wouldeſt thou know whether natural man can abſtain from the outward act of ſin againſt the law, meerly by a principle of n…ture, then compare well Rom. 2.14. …ith 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, Luk. 13.
Wouldeſt thou know how hard it is to go to heaven, read, Mat. 7.13, 14. Luk. 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, Joh. 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, Pſ. 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 forbear, 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. 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; and thy condemnation be very much heightened 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, 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 hear them.
As if he ſhould ſay, What need have they, that one ſhould be ſent to them from the dead? what need have they of ſuch a thing? 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 ch. 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 ſh…ll have peace, though I go on, or walk in the imagination of my heart, to adde 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 lye upon him: and the Lord ſhall blot out his name from under heaven.
Ag…in, 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 …ave 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, then if one ſhould riſe from the dead: Should not a people ſeek unto their God? what, ſeek for, ſeek for the living among the dead? To the Law and to the teſtimonies, (ſaith …od) 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, and telling them he heard ſuch a voice 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 thereof theſe words. Knowing this firſt, that there is no prophecy of the Scriptures. Mark, it is the prophecy of the Scriptures. There is no prophecy of the Scriptures of any private interpretation: for prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God ſpake as they were moved by the Holy Ghoſt.
And therefore, O what a ſad thing is it with thoſe that go about to diſown the Scriptures. I tell you, however you may ſlight them now, yet when they come into hell, and in bitterneſs of ſoul cry out, Oh that one might go to forewarn my companions of their folly, leſt they come into this place of torment. God doth and will anſwer them with theſe words, they have Moſes and the Prophets, let them hear them.
Again, it is very obſervable, who they are, that are ſo toſſed to and fro with the ſeveral winds of doctrine, that have been broached in theſe dayes. They are ſuch, for the moſt part, as have had a light eſteem of the Scriptures: for the ground of errour (as Chriſt ſaith) is becauſe they know not them, Mark. 12.24. And indeed it is juſt with God to give them over to follow their own dark blinded conſciences, to be led into errours, that they might be damned into hell, who did not believe that the things contained in the Scripture were the truth, that they might be ſaved and go to heaven. I cannot well tell how to have done ſpeaking for, and on the Scriptures ſide, onelyonly this I conſider,Verſe 30. A word is enough to the wiſe; and therefore I ſhall commit theſe things into the hands of them that are of God: and as for the reſt, if they convert not to Jeſus Chriſt, I ſhall ſay to them, rather then God will ſave them from hell with the breach of his holy word, if they had a thouſand ſouls a piece, God would deſtroy them all; for the Scriptures cannot be broken, Joh. 10.35.