The trials of the " beggar/' and the sumptuous faring of the '^rich man," alike ceased at last. There came a time when both of them died. "All go to one place." (Eccles. iii. 20.)
Death is a great fact that all acknowledge, but very few seem to realize. Most men eat, and drink, and talk, and plan, as if they were going to Kve upon earth for ever. The true Christian must be on his guard against this spirit. " He that would live well," said a great divine, " should often think of his last day, and make it his company-keeper." Against murmuring, and discontent, and envy, in the state of poverty, — against pride, and self-sufficiency, and arrogance, in the possession of wealth, — there are few better antidotes than the remembrance of death. " The beggar died," and his bodily wants were at an end. " The rich man died," and his feasting was stopped for evermore.
We learn, thirdly, from this parable, that the souk of believers are specially cared for by God in the hour of death. The Lord Jesus tells us that when the beggar died he " was carried by aneels to Abraham's bosom."
There is something yery comforting in this expression. We know little or nothing of the state and feelings of the dead. When our own last hour comes, and we lie down to die, we shall be like those who journey into an un- known country. But it may satisfy us to know that all who fall asleep in Jesus are in good keeping. They are not houseless, homeless wanderers between the hour of death and the day of resurrection. They are at rest in the midst of friends, with all who have had like faith with Abraham. They have no lack of anything. And,
214 EXFOSnORT THOrGHTS.
best of all, St. Paul tells us they are ''with Christ." (Pha. i. 23.)
We learn, fourthly, from this parable, the reality and eternity of hell. The Lord Jesus tells us plainly, that after death the rich man was '' in hell, — ^tormented with flame.'' He gives us a fearful picture of his longing for a drop of "water to cool his tongue," and of "the gulf" between him and Abraham, which could not be passed. There are few more awful passages perhaps in the whole Bible than this. And He from whose lips it came, be it remembered, was one who delighted in mercy !
The certainty and endlessness of the future punish- ment of the wicked, are truths which we must hold fast and never let go. From the day when Satan said to Eve, " Ye shall not surely die," there never have been wanting men who have denied them. Let us not be deceived. There is a hell for the impenitent, as well as a heaven for believers. There is a wrath to come for all who " obey not the Gospel of Christ." (2 Thess. i. 8.) From that wrath let us flee betimes to the great hiding- place, Jesus Christ the Lord. If men find themselves " in torment " at last, it will not be because there was no way to escape.
We learn, fifthly, from this parable, that unconverted men find out the value of a soul, after death, when it i% too late. We read that the rich man desired Lazarus might be sent to his five brethren who were yet aUve, " lest they also should come to the place of torment." While he lived he had never done anything for their spiritual good. They had probably been his companions in worldliness, and, like him, had neglected their souls