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DISCOURSE XXVI.

DIVES AND LAZARUS.

LUKE XVI. 31.

If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead. WITH these words our Saviour concludes the

parable of Dives and Lazarus; wherein (after shewing the unhappy state of such as are rich, but without him, and the blessed condition of the poor who are in his favour) he makes Dives to pray out of his torment that Lazarus might go and preach to his five brethren, lest they should also perish; but Abraham, to whom he prayed, answered him, that they had the scriptures, "They have," saith he, "Moses and the prophets, let them hear them." Dives still thinks that if Lazarus went from the dead, and appeared to them in the height of their mirth and banqueting, assuring them that their brother, who had lived like them in pleasure, was now lost, and so warn them to repent, that it would have a better effect than all preaching; but Abraham tells him, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither would they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.".

In this parable our Saviour has greatly honoured the sacred Scriptures, and taught all his people iu future ages to think exceedingly reverently of the words of God, besides warning the rich and such as

have

have this world's goods, lest they have their portion in this life, and teaching common people, and such as are poor and in adversity, that they may set their affections on things above, and have treasure in heaven.

There are many lessons to be learned through the whole; and as all these parables were spoken for the instruction of the sincere followers of Christ, that they may be wise to eternal life, shunning every danger, and escaping the wrath to come, wish all who are my hearers to-day may give the greater attention while I speak a few words on this parable, and make some observations in the course of reading it.

pur

Our Saviour delivers the parable thus, "There was a certain rich man which was cloathed in ple and fine lineu, and who fared sumptuously every day." This is the description of what the world calls a happy man. He was rich, and so a stranger to want, nakedness, and all the miseries of that kind which poor people are subject to. He did not know what it was to be pinched with hunger, suffer thirst, or cold, or weariness; no oppressing creditors bore hard upon him, nor was he made to serve under the rigour of superiors. He had many servants, a fiue house, and perhaps slept on beds of down and ivory. His riches kept him in favour with his friends, and carried him above the envy and contempt of his foes. I doubt not but he had often thanked God that he was rich, and rejoiced that his fortune was so considerable in the world,

"He was cloathed in purple." The Tyrian purple of the ancients was of all colours the most costly, so that none but kings and persons of the first rank in the world wore it. This was his dress, and adorned, I suppose, with embroidery and gold; beside, he had fine linen, and all that could serve

to