Oldalképek
PDF
ePub

to shew, that the whole is no other than a parable; one of those ingenious fictions intended to make a deeper impression upon the mind by representing things in the strong and lively colours of a real transaction.

What colouring then can be stronger than that which is here made use of by our Saviour to deter men from those heavy sins, which brought the rich man into so deplorable a state of misery? We see the unhappy wretch in a moment stripped of all that grandeur, which had puffed up his soul and made him deaf to the cries of the poor, and by a just sentence plunged into the torments of hell, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. In this situation, amid the racking pains of his own conscience, under the sense of God's everlasting displeasure and the loss of heaven, under all the bitter agonies of utter despair, he asks so small a favour as a drop of water to cool his tongue; and yet even that is denied.

One

One might think this a sufficient description of the poor wretch's misery: it might seem a sufficient torment that he was in hell; but a double and worse hell yet remained for him, even that of seeing Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Could there be a more painful sight? Could there be a greater aggravation of his torments, than to see him, whom he had so lately driven from his gate as a despicable beggar, now transformed into an angel of light, and enjoying the glories of heaven, whilst himself was doomed to all the horrors of hell?

And yet, as if even this was not suf ficient to redouble his pangs, and kindle a worse hell in his soul than that which

preyed upon his body, even holy Abraham calls upon him to remember that, which he certainly above all things most wished to forget, that bitterest ingredient in his cup of sorrow: "Son, remember that "thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good. "things, and likewise Lazarus evil things:

"but

"but now he is comforted, and thou art "tormented."

Such was the deplorable condition to which this unhappy man had reduced himself by his folly! Will it not then be a very natural, as well as interesting, enquiry for us all to make, what were the particular crimes, which brought upon him so heavy a sentence?

The first of these seems to have been pride. Exalted with prosperity, his heart was vainly puffed up, and taught him to consider the rest of mankind as beings below his notice or regard. Hence he could behold an unhappy fellow-creature groveling at his feet, under all the distresses of want, without condescending to enquire into or relieve them; though at a time when no legal provision was made for the poor, and therefore it was a duty to relieve those, whose necessities led them abroad to solicit the aid of the rich. And much I fear the same spirit is still too often the companion of wealth and grandeur. Riches, among too many, seem

to supply the place of every thing, and to raise them above the common level of mortality. Hence affability, courtesy, meekness, and humility, are virtues unknown or disregarded. Hence, not content with those advantages which they have received from Providence, they despise and trample under foot their inferiors with daring insolence and unfeeling barbarity. Hence they are deaf to the voice of complaint, and stop their ears against the cries of the poor and needy. But what an abuse is this of the wise and gracious designs of Providence! It is indeed necessary, that there should be different ranks amongst mankind, for carrying on the purposes of society; but it never was intended that one man should lord it over another with oppressive tyranny. Pride was not made for man in any shape; much less is it to be exercised by man towards man. For, however our conditions or abilities may differ, they are all the appointment of the same God, who maketh one man poor and another rich; we are all fashioned in the image of the same Creator, and must all return to

the same level, after the revolution of a few short moments. "Look then to the earth from whence thou wast taken, or to the dust to which thou shalt soon return, thou that art puffed up with pride, and learn humility, lest thou also come into a place of torment*."

2dly, Another part of the rich man's guilt seems to have arisen from his luxu rious and sensual way of life: "He was "clothed in purple and fine linen, and "fared sumptuously every day." Not that these words, simply considered, imply any imputation of guilt; for a man may be clothed in purple and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day, and yet be both a good man and a good Christian. But since we do not find this rich man described as being at any time better employed, we have just ground to believe, that his whole care and attention was confined to the gratification of his sensual appetites; and in this consisted his guilt. The truth is, the sinfulness of

Ἵνα ὅταν ἐπαιρώμεθα, διὰ τὸν χῶν συς λλώμεθα.

zianz.]
Vos. IV.

N

luxury

« ElőzőTovább »