A77813:155
A few sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul. Or, An…
A few sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul. Or, An exposition of those words in the sixteenth of Luke, concerning the rich man and the beggar : wherein is discovered the lamentable state of the damned : their cries, their desires in their distresses, with the determination of God upon them. A good warning word to sinners, both old and young, to take into consideration betimes, and to seek by faith in Jesus Christ to avoid, lest they come into the same place of torment. Also a brief discourse touching the profitableness of the Scriptures for our instruction in the way of righteousness, according to the tendency of the said parable. / By that poor and contemptible servant of Jesus Christ, John Bunyan.A few sighs from hell, or, The groans of a damned soul. Or, An exposition of those words in the sixteenth of Luke, concerning the rich man and the beggar : wherein is discovered the lamentable state of the damned : their cries, their desires in their distresses, with the determination of God upon them. A good warning word to sinners, both old and young, to take into consideration betimes, and to seek by faith in Jesus Christ to avoid, lest they come into the same place of torment. Also a brief discourse touching the profitableness of the Scriptures for our instruction in the way of righteousness, according to the tendancy of the said parable. / By that poor and contemptible servant of Jesus Christ, John Bunyan.
London: printed by Ralph Wood for M. Wright, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
A FEW Sighs from Hell: OR, The Groans of a damned Soul: OR, An Expo… › Verse 24
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.
These words hold forth the reason why the damned do so much request there might be some pity showed to them; namely because they are under sore and sad affliction; 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.
These words hold forth the reason why the damned do so much request there might be some pitty shewed to them; namely because they are under sore and sad affliction; 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 their share ⟨p. 71⟩in sin, and committing of that, so the several members and every member 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 then any other power, he saith, Fear him therefore, that can cast both body and soul into hell. And again; fear him that can destroy both soul and hody 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 judgement shall inflict upon them. O then they will cry, one dram of ease for my cursing, swearing, lying, jeering tongue. Some ease for my bragging, 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