Discourses upon the rich man and Lazarus by T. Cruso.

SERMON VIII.

Luke xvi.xxvii, xxviii.

27. Then he said, I Pray thee there∣fore, Father, that thou wouldest send him to my Father's House;

28. For I have five Brethren, that he may testifie unto them, lest they also come into this Place of Torment.

THE first Petition of the Rich Man which more directly and plainly concern'd himself, being rejected, and that Rejection ju∣stified and supported by very convincing Reasons (which have been consider'd) we have here before us a second Request from the same Person, which does seemingly referr not so much to himself, now in Hell, as to those whom he left behind him upon Earth. He found he could not succeed in the other Matter, and so he tries whether he can prevail in this. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, Fa∣ther, &c.

In which Request we may take Notice of five things. 1. The Messenger whom he sues for. [That thou wouldst send him] i. e. La∣zarus; the same Person whom he begg'd to have dispatch't upon the former Errand, v.

24. How useless and burdensome soever this poor Beggar was thought to be while he liv'd, (of whom really the World was not worthy) we find, there were more good Offices than one, which he was judg'd capable of perform∣ing after Death. So, many times a double Honour and Respect is paid to the Names and Memories of departed Saints, when Men have learnt by Experience, that the want of their Service is not to be supplied so well by any others; their Enemies very often, who have hasten'd them to their Graves, have wish'd them alive agian, and felt the need of their Assistance; as that wicked king of Israel wept over the Face of dying Elisha, 2 Kings 13.14. 2. The Place which he would have had him sent unto; [To my Fahter's House]. As if he, who lay neglected at the Gate before, might Promise himself better Entertainment now; Lazarus had been trampled on and spurn'd at, as an ungrateful Spectacle, now he is invited to make a Visit, as a desirable and welcome Guest. Thus our Lord Christ, whom his own would not receive, while he went up and down among them, foretels that there would be a Time, when they should say, Blessed is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord, Matth. 23.39. 3. The Occasion of asking this; [For I have five Brethren]. Whether these were strictly such as descended from the same Pa∣rents, or remoter Kindred (who in Scripture are frequently stiled Brethren, as Mat. 13.55. and many other Places) and whether there were precisely so many of them, or only a de∣sinite

and certain number put for an uncertain, is not material. There were some remaining Branches of a dissolute Family, that follow'd the same Course, and trod in the same Steps, as this Rich Man had done; which is no un∣usual thing in the Tents of Wickedness. When one is snatcht away, there are still others that keep up his ungodly Customs, and inherit the Vices, as well as Estate of their wretched Predecessor; as is said, Psalm 49.13. This their Way is their Folly, yet their Posterity ap∣prove their Sayings. 4. The Message which he would have him deliver [That he may te∣stifie to them] 'tis implyed, what the Matter of his Testimony should be; viz. The Evil and Danger of their present Practice, backt with an Account of what the Rich Man himself was now actually endaring for those very Sins in which they yet liv'd. Q. d.

Let Lazarus be a Preacher of Righteousness to that lewd Generation whom I am taken from; let him tell them that which he knows of what I feel, and represent my woful and distressed Case with all those Circumstances of Hor∣ror, which such an Eye-witness is better able to describe than another Person.

5. The End for which he desir'd it; [Lest they also come into this Place of Torment]. He knew that his Brethren must come thither as surely as himself, if they went on in the same Road, and therefore he sought to have this extraor∣dinary Means applied for Prevention. He reckoned, that while they were joyned to the Living, there might be Hope concerning them;

if they were brought to Repentance, they might escape his Doom; and this was what he aimed at in the preferring of his Petition on their behalf. But here the difficulty lyes, how this must be understood; whether the Rich Man had not really more respect to him∣self, than his five Brethren, and whether he askt not this singular Favour rather for his own sake, than theirs, who were still alive. For, 1. It is most undoubted, that there is no real Charity among the Damned to the Souls of their Survivers, nor any true, Zeal for their Salvation; they that have finally lost their own Souls, are not sincerely sollici∣tous about the welfare of other Men's. Can any such good thing be found in Hell, which is the very Sink and Center of all Manner of E∣vil? No certainly. 2. It is possible indeed, (as some have thought) that there may be common Remnants of Humanity in the reason∣able Nature, and that these may produce a few workings of Affection and Compassion towards those that have been dear to them, if they be likely to suffer with them. But however, 3. It is most probable, that the main Reason which swayed the Rich Man to the making of this Request, was the fear of the Aggravation of his own Torments, by the con∣tinued Sin and future Damnation of his now living Brethren; he expected to fare the worse, and suffer the more by their Means, if they were not reclaim'd. So that whatever design was pretended or appear'd at the first sight, this regard to Self was at the Bottom.

Obs. Sinful Relatives and Companions help to add to the Misery of the Damned. Here

• First, Shew in General, that the Misery of the Damned is capable of Addition.
• Secondly, How sinful Relatives and Compa∣nions particularly add to it.
• Thirdly, Why they shall do so.
• Fourthly, The ƲSE.

First, To shew in General, that the Mise∣ry of the Damned is cvapable of Addition; that their Torments may be increas'd in the Place of Torment; their Furnace made hot∣tor, and their Flame more vehement.

1. The Devils are already tormented, and yet are in Expectation of further Torment. As is intimated by that Question of the Ʋnclean Spirits to Christ, Mat. 8.29. Art thou come to Torment us before the Time? Not that they are now at ease, (for they are said to seek rest and find none, c. 12.43.) But there is a set Time which they look for, when they shall be more uneasie, than they now are. Tho now they are under actual Execution, yet still they are kept to be brought forth to a Day of greater Wrath. Hence they are said to tremble, Jam. 2.19. which Springs from their fore-knowledge of some Evil to come deter∣mined against them, and hitherto not infli∣cted. By partity of Reason, we may also conclude, that they who have their miserable

Portion with Devils, do not receive all that Portion at once; but new Scenes of Vengeance may present themselves one after another, and the floods of Divine Wrath in that Bot∣tomless Pit where they are cast, may (like the Waters of the Sanctuary) rise still higher and higher.

2. The Plagues which are laid up in store with God, are not to be exhausted. Tho the Souls in Hell may truly say, that God hath set them up for his Mark, and he is al∣ways spending his Arrows upon them, yet his Quiver is always full. It can never be said, that He hath gone to the utmost in punishing, so that he can go no further. How often is that Threatening repeated, in Levit. 26. I will punish you yet seven times more! Seven is com∣monly taken as a number of Perfection, and so used in the Scripture; and therefore new Degrees (if not Kings) of Punishment may be executed everlastingly. Unless a Man could see to the End of Infinite Displeasure, He can never tell when he is as miserable as he can be. In this Senc e, God's Judgments are a great Deep, and he hath fresh Vials to pour out continually. It is the promised Happiness of Saints, that the Lamb shall lead them to Li∣ving Fountains, Rev. 7.17. Rewarding Mer∣cy, and revenging Justice, make their seve∣ral Distributions from a boundless Stock.

3. The new Sins which are committed in Hell it self, call for an Addition to the Sin∣ner's Misery. As they who are in a state of endless Rewards, are still serving of God, so

they who are in a state of Punishment, are still sinning against him; they do not only not repent of their old sins, but they go on, ad∣ding new ones every Moment. And is it to be suppos'd, that these Sins should escape un∣punisht, or that the Punishment of such new Sins must be included in the Punishment of the old ones? Why should not the same Hell have an Accession of Heat, as the same Soul burns with greater Rage and Fury against God? What Reason is there, that their Misery should be at a stay, when their Wickedness is increasing? Justice seems to require, that their Sorrows should be multiplied in Proportion to their Sins; on the same account, that they who are greater Sinners, receive greater Dam∣nation than the rest. Mat. 23.14. It will be more tolerable for some than others, (tho po∣sitively intolerable for all) and so it may be more tolerable at the beginning of their Mise∣ry, than in the progress of it.

Secondly, How sinful Relatives and Compa∣nions particulrly add to the Misery of the Damned. Ans. Two ways; by their Sins while they live, and by their Society when they dye.

1. The Misery of the Damned is augmen∣ted by the Sins of their Relatives and Com∣panions while they live. Tho they that are in Hell, be ignorant of what is done on Earth, and cannot now be accessory to it, yet we are to consider what they have contributed to it

heretofore, and how thereby they may be yet Partakers of other Men's present Sins. Tho they be now separated from them in another World, the pernicious influence of what they did in this, may still continue. And so God justly visits the Sins of the Living upon the Dead; for he is said to give to every one, not only according to his Ways, but according to the Fruit of his Doings, Jer. 32.19. The Fruit of our Doings may appear a long time after we are gather'd to our Fathers; Men may sow those poysonous Seeds now, which will spring up and bring forth many Years hence, when they are dwelling in the Dust. The Sins of those that out-live us, may be in great measure the Effects of ours, and therefore we may be made to suffer for them. Particularly

(1.) The Sins of Survivers may be very much owing to the former Perswasions and Encourage∣ments, which they had from those that are gone before them. Jeroboam, upon the Re∣volt of the Ten Tribes to him, sets up two Golden Calves, one in Dan, the other in Be∣thel, and the People were quickly induced to go and worship before them, and this Idola∣try lasted so long after his Decease, (even till they were carried Captive by the Assyrians, 2 Kings 17.22, 23.) that the Holy Ghost seldom mentions his Name, without this in∣famous Addition, who made Israel to Sin. Corrupt Nature leads Men to walk in the Counsel of the Ʋngodly, when the Counsellours themselves are perished; now tho they that follow the wicked Suggestions of others shall

bear their own Burden, yet there is a guilt de∣rived upon the Tempters too. Lustful Amnon suffers for the debauching of his innocent Si∣ster, but subtil Jonadab bears his Iniquity also for prompting and advising him to it; and was his own Enemy in being such a Friend of that wanton Prince, 2 Sam. 13.3. So, tho Ahab be mark't out as a Monster in Wicked∣ness, yet 'tis also mention'd, that Jezebel his WIfe stirr'd him up, 1 Kings 21.25. The oft∣ner any Souls are taken in Snares which we have laid, the worse it will be for us.

(2.) Survivers Sin many times by the Assi∣stance of their sinful Predecessors. A wicked Man, while he Lives, does often help to fur∣nish others with fewel for those Lusts, which are not extinct so soon as he. The giving of large Estates to dissolute young Prodigals, that have no Sense of Religion, nor common So∣briety to govern them, is putting of a Wea∣pon into their Hands, wherewith they will cer∣tainly fight against God. The Devil could not have had so much Service from such Persons, if they had not been supplied with materials to Work upon. This will turn to a sad account, not only to themselves, but to those that were the Dispensers of this abused Substance. It is a dreadful thing to be charged with the Main∣taining and supporting of the Wickedness of those that live after us, and stand up in our Room; when it may be said, that this or that Abomination had never been committed, if we had not provided the Means whereby to bring it forth.

(3.) Survivers Sin oftentimes after the ill Examples of those whom they succeed. We will do (cry the rebellious Jews) as we have done, we and our Fathers, Jerem. 44.17. Their Fathers were then Dead, but their bad Presi∣dents (it seems) were of force still; the foul Copy which they set, was eagerly transcrib'd by those that sprung out of their Loins. Such Imitations are very natural; if we have seen others driving towards Hell, who are now arriv'd at that miserable Stage, we have a strong byass within us which draws us the same way. But wo to them by whom this Evil comes; they who are the Originals of it, will suffer the more for their sakes whom their wretched Pattern hath misled. There have been Multitudes in the World, that have not only fallen by their own Iniquity, but have sunk the deeper into Hell, by others falling upon them, to whom their Iniquity hath been a fa∣tal stumbling Block. The more a Sinner's ways are learn't, the more his Punishment is height∣end'd.

2. The Misery of the Damned is increas'd by the Society of their Relatives and Compani∣ons when they dye. This will appear, if we consider these three things.

(1.) If there be any Impressions of Tender∣ness and Kindness left in Damned Souls, the Misery of those that have been dear and de∣lightful to them, will aggravate their own. Whatever Pleasure some Devilish Minds may

take in the Ruine of those whom they hate, yet the Destruction of those whom they Love, will be tormenting. To see the Cala∣mities of any Persons, whom our Affections are peculiarly set upon, is a wounding Specta∣cle; to have the desire of our Eyes put upon the Rack before our Eyes, is enough to cut us to the Heart; as the Sons of Zedekiah were slain in his sight, before they put out his Eyes, 2 Kings 25.7. David tells Hushai for this Reason, when he was flying from Absolom, that if he passed on with him, he would bea bur∣den to him, 2 Sam. 15.33. That Company which otherwise would be the greatest Plea∣sure, adds to our Affliction, when they are made to suffer with us. They must be very unnaturally barbarous, who should chuse to have their dearest Friends involved in the same Punishment with them, rather than ex∣empted from it. It argues utmost Cruelty of Spirit, to be eased by others partaking in our Miseries.

(2.) The sight of those whom they have sinned with, is a fresh revival of their own Guilt; like the casting of the Carkasses of Ido∣laters upon the Carkasses of their Idols; as is threaten'd, Levit. 26.30. The most dreadful Objects to an awakened Sinner here in this World, are such as have been the beloved Partners of his former Wickedness; but it is much more so in the next World. When Amnon had satisfied his Lust upon his Sister tamar, he could not endure her any longer in his Presence; he that was so Sick for her

before, that he could not live without her, was now as hasty in sending her away, 2 Sam. 13.17. Put now this Woman out from me, and bolt the Door after her. He refuses to call her Sister, but with a kind of Disdain and Ab∣horrence, this Woman; and she must be put out now, instantly, without any delay; and the Door must be bolted after her, as if he were resolv'd to see her no more. Tho the Sins of the Damned are ever before them, and 'tis impossible that they should forget them, yet it would be a kind of Negative Comfort, to have all that joyned with them in those Sins, buried out of their view. Their unavoid∣able perpetual Converse with such, is as bad as their fellowship with Devils themselves; for hereby all the Circumstances of their past pro∣fligate Lives will be every moment plainly re∣presented.

(3.) It is not to be doubted, but that when Brethren and Fellow-workers, in Iniquity meet in Hell, they will be always sharply upbraiding and reviling one another. They will not only curse God for preserving them in being, yea and for bringing them into being, but more justly and deservedly Curse those also, who have been any way the Instruments and Occa∣sions of bringing them to that Place of Tor∣ment. As Joab once cahrged David with loving his Enemies, and hating his Friends, 2 Sam. 19.6. So it may be truly said of re∣fractory Sinners, while they are on this side of Hell; they are angry with those that would divert them from their Evil way, and pleas'd

with such as promote them in it; which is in∣deed to do, what David was accus'd of do∣ing. But hereafter their Note will be chang'd; they will most bitterly exclaim against those very Persons, of whom they are now most passionately fond; they will cry out of them as the Murderers of their Souls, who have been the Patrons and Abettors of their Sins; and these mutual Reproaches and Invectives will be the dismal Employment of their Eterni∣ty.

Thridly, Why shall the Misery of the Dam∣ned be aggravated after this Manner. I will only propose these two Reasons of it.

1. Because God does in Infinite Wisdom of∣ten chuse to punish Men in that wherein they do offend; so as to punish them not only for their evil Works, but by them. It tends most remarkably to the Glory of God's Justice, when the Rod of the Wicked is made their own Scourge, and their Plagues grow out of their Provocations. As David's sinful Indulgence to Absolom and Adonijah was punisht in their Rebellion and Ʋsurpation; He let loose the Reins to them, and for a requital, they would have run away with his Crown; so here, Wicked Men by the Propagaation of Sin, do also propa∣gate their own Misery; they turn Corrupters of others, and God makes them suffer by those whom they have corrupted. The Evil which they spread, recoils upon themselves; as a Candle that sets Fire to all heap of combusti∣ble

Matter round about it, is the sooner mel∣ted in a Flame of its own kindling.

2. God chuses likewise oftentimes to pu∣nish Men in that wherein they most delight. He is never more magnified, nor the Sinner more confounded, than when the Sinner's chiefest Joy is turn'd into his greatest Sorrow. Licentious Company is the carnal Man's Hea∣ven in this World, and yet the same Company will be an ungrateful Ingredient of his Future Hell. They that live without God, never think themselves so Happy, as when they are con∣versing with those who are like themselves; and hereafter this very thing will render them the more extreamly miserable. So it fre∣quently happens in the Course of God's Pro∣vidence here, that a Man's mistaken Comforts prove his real Crosses; and what he once em∣brac'd with greatest cagerness, he afterwards unwillingly possesses with greatest Vexation. As Judas threw down the thirty Pieces in a rage, which he so greedily coveted before, Mat. 27.5.

Fourthly, the ƲSE.

1. Information. 1. No solitude upon Earth so sad, as the Society which is in Hell. The Wo of being alone, is a Mercy and a Priviledge, in Comparison of their more wretched Con∣versation there. Retirement and Separation from a Man's pleasant Companions in accoun∣ted very grievous now, whereas hereafter it would be truly desirable. What Job complain∣ed

of, c. 19.13. The Damned Soul might ra∣ther be thankful for; if God would put his Brethren and Acquaintants far from him. It would be better to take an Everlasting Fare∣wel of them at Death, than to behold them any more after it. He that wanders in Desarts and Mountains, lives in Paradise, to him that is under the necessity of renewing such afflictive Converse. 2. No Company can be an Ar∣gument to Sin, which is an Addition rather than Abatement of Suffering. How unreason∣able to follow a Multitude in doing Evil, Exod. 23.2. When Multitude will not help us in the bearing of Evil, but the contrary! Con∣formity to others in their wicked Practises is no more an excuse, than Communion with o∣thers in their Punishment is a Satisfaction. To Plead our going along with the Stream or Crowd of those whom we know and have most Temptation to be influenc'd by, will not cover our Guilt; and to be turned into Hell among such at last, will not procure us any Contentment, but increase our Impatience. that should not be a Motive to allure, which will be a means of Trouble. 3. The Blood of Souls is an heavy Burden; and 'tis every one's great concern to keep himself pure from it; for we see, even the Damned would heave it off, if they could. It is a doleful thing, to have the Temporal Death of any other Person lying at our Door; the old Prophet at Bethel who had seduced the Man of God, and was made to pronounce the sad Sentence against him

for his Compliance, 1 Kings 13.21, 22. mourned over his torn Carkass with a bleeding Heart, v. 29, 30. Because he had by his false Insinuations brought him to that unhappy and untimely End. But what is the Body to the Soul, or a Mortal Life to Immortality? Spirutal Blood-guiltiness is of a much deeper Dye; which we need to pray more earnest∣ly and endeavour more carefully, to be de∣liver'd from.

2. Exhortation. 1. Look to the Piety and Religion of your Families, as well as Personal Holiness; that they may be Fellow-heirs with you, and Partakers of the same Grace. Let every one execute Joshua's Resolution as far as is possible; Josh. 24.15. As for me, and my House, we will serve the Lord. It was a very commendable thing in the two Tribes and half, when they built the ALtar of Wit∣ness, that theri Children in afgter times might not be made to cease from fearing the Lord, c. 22.25. Where Age gives a preheminence, improve it for God, and not for the Devil; like Lot's eldest Daughter, who was the Ring∣leader in that abominable Incest, to her Young∣er Sister, Gen. 19.31, &c. 2. Cut off all the occasions of Sin from others as well as your selves, as much as you can. Take heed of doing any thing, which may probably be∣come (like Gideon's Ephod, Judg. 8.27) a snare to you, or to your House. There is one thing especially very pernicious, which they

that profess a Subjection to the Gospel, are too little scrupulous of; viz. unequal Yoking with those that believe not. The sinful Marri∣ages of HOly and Prophane Persons are ma∣ny times punisht in the Wickedness of their Posterity. The Son of the Israelitish Wo∣man, whose Father was an Egyptian, prov'd a Blasphemer, Levit. 24.10, 11. Solomon had but one Son by his vast number of Wives and Conc ubines, and that one descending partly from an accursed People, was too like unto them; It is twice mention'd that Rehobo∣am's Mother, was Naamah, an Ammonitess, 1 Kings 14.21, 31. 3. Suppress the Sins which you cannot prevent, to your very ut∣termost. Ungodly Secrets are not to be kept, out of a foolish tenderness, but faith∣fully and impartially reveal'd. It is record∣ed to Joseph's Honour, that he brought to his Father the Evil report of his lewd Brethren, Gen. 37.2. The nearest Relations were not to be pitied, nor spar'd, nor conceal'd in the Case of Enticement to Idolatry, Deut. 13.8. Inferiors must discover Sin, and Su∣periors ought to punish it. Eli's House was to be judg'd for ever, because his Sons made themselves Vile, and he restrained them not, 1 Sam. 3.13. His Power was great, not only as a Parent, but a Magistrate, and their Facts notorious; he heard of them from all the People, c. 2.23. Yet he did but soft∣ly rebuke, what he should have severely cor∣rected. Let us therefore discharge our

Consciences towards all under our Autho∣rity or Influence, that if they do perish, we may be guiltless; and then, tho their feared Misery be our Affliction now, their actual Misery will not lessen our Happiness at last.