Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 16:24

24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

[non-Latin text not transcribed] and in Hell. The World hath been filled with disputes, about the true signification of the Word [non-Latin text not transcribed] which is here translated Hell. The most probably true notion of it is; that it signifies, the state of the Dead, both of the Dead Body, and so it often signifieth the Grave, and of the departed Soul. A very Learned Man saith, that if he mistaketh not, This is the only Test in Scripture, in which by it is to be understood, the place of Torments. The Hebrew Word which is translated by this, far more often signifying the place of the Blessed, whither the Saints and Patriarchs went when they Died, then the place whither Sinners went; but v. 24. makes it appear, that here it signifies Hell, properly so called, as it importeth the place of the Damned. We must understand our Saviour in this whole [non-Latin text not transcribed] to speak to us figuratively that by things which we understand, we might comprehend spiritual things. Heaven and Hell are at two great a distance, for Souls in each to discourse one with another; neither have Souls any Eyes to lift up. We are by this taught 1. That as the Souls of good Men when they leave their Bodies, go into an estate of eternal Bliss, where are Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, and enjoy a felicity which we are not able to express, but is set out to us under the Notion of Abraham's bosom, to let us know that it is a place of rest, and Communion with Saints, and the same felicity which Abraham the Friend of God, doth enjoy: So the Souls of Wicked Men when they leave their Bodies, shall go into a place of Torments, the greatness of which being such as we are not able to conceive, they are expressed to us under the Notion of being tormented by Fire. 2. That it will be a great part of the misery of Damned Souls. To understand those to be in a state of happiness, whom they in this Life have scorned, despised, and abused, and it may be, have been instruments to hasten them to those Blessed Mansions. 3. That there will come a time when the Proudest Sinners, will be glad of the help of the meanest Saints, if they could obtain it. Father Abraham (saith the Rich Man) send Lazarus, that Lazarus whom when alive, I suffered to lye at my Gate full of Sores, and would not relieve. 4. That the state of the Damned will be void of the least degrees of Comfort and Satisfaction. The Rich Man desireth but a cooling of his Tongue, with so much Water, as could be brought upon the tip of Lazarus his finger. 5. That the Tongue is a Member, the abuse of which will in another Life, lye very heavy upon lost Souls.

Marginal references: Zech. 14.12.; Isa. 66.24. Mark 9.44. &c.