A30203:138
Sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul discovering from the 16th…
Sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul discovering from the 16th of Luke the lamentable state of the damned : and may fitly serve as a warning-word to sinners, both old and young, by faith in Jesus Christ, to avoid the same place of torment : with a discovery of the usefulness of the Scriptures as our safe conduct for avoiding the torments of hell / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for F. Smith, 1666
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For I am tormented in this flame.
Indeed the reason why the poor world do not so earnestly desire for mercy is, partly because they do not so seriously consider the torment that they must certainly fall into if they die out of Christ. For let me tell you, did but poor souls indeed consider that wrath that doth by right fall to their shares because of their sins against God, they would make more haste to God through Christ for mercy then they do. Then we should have them say, it is good closing with Christ to day before we fall into such distress.
But why is it said, Let him dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue? Because that as the several members in the body have heir share in sin, and committing of that, so the several members of the body, shall at that time be punished for the same. Therefore when Christ is admonishing his disciples, that they should not turn aside from him; and that they should rather fear and dread the power of their God than any other power, he saith, Fear him therefore, that can cast both [body] and soul into hell, Luke 12. 4. And again, Fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. Here is not one member only, but all the body, the whole body, of which the hands, feet; eyes, ears, and tongue are members. And I am persuaded, that though this may be judged carnal by some now, yet it will appear to be a truth then to the greater misery of those who shall be forced to undergo, that which God in his just Judgment shall inflict upon them. O then they will cry, one dram of ease for my cursing, swearing, lying, jeering tongue. Some ease for my b•agging, braving, flattering, threatening, dissembling tongue: Now men can let their tongues run at random▪ as we use to say, now they will be apt to say, Our tongues are our own, who shall control them?