A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 69 (Question 19 cont.)
SERMON LXIX.
3. THE duration of theſe miſeries, and that is for ever And this is that which puts great emphaſis upon all that we have been before conſidering. To dwell in ſuch a place, and to undergo ſuch miſeries there as we have heard of, is in it ſelf terrible; but to do ſo for ever, that makes it dreadful beyond co…ception. That it muſt be ſo with all thoſe whoſe unhappy lot it is to come into that horrid place, is an article of faith, which we have confirmed to us by Scripture teſtimony. See Pſal. 92.7. They ſhall … for over. Iſai. 22.14. Dwell with everlaſting burnings. … the Hebrew and Greek words, tranſlated, for ever, and everlaſting, do ſometimes intend, though a long, yet a limitted time, yet not always ſo, but frequently a perpetual duration: but this alſo is expreſs'd in the Scripture by the negative, never, which plainly points us to an eternity. Iſai. 66.24. Their worm ſhall not die, Mat. 9.44. It is therefore put into the ſentence of condemnation pronounced in the great Day, Math. 25.41. Depart from me ye curſed, into everlaſting fire. And is accordingly executed on them, ver. 46. And theſe ſhall go … into everlaſting puniſhment.
IN the clearing of this Truth, we … enquire,
1. What is this eternity of their miſeries?
2. What reaſon, juſtice, or equity there is for their ſo ſuffering?
3. How the cre… ſhall be more … ſuffering eternal miſeries?
Of each of theſe briefly.
1. WHAT is this eternity of their miſeries?
A. ETERNITY may be conſidered as it is it Scripture attributed either is God or the c… ture. In what ſeaſe it is attributed to God, we have already conſidered, in the Doctrine of that Attribute, in which we obſerved hi… to be without beginning, ſucceſſion, or ending of time: in which reſpect, it is an incommunicable perfection of his, and no ſecond being can lay any claim unto it. When it is aſcribed unto the creature, it is an improper kind of term, which only bears a reſemblance to me of the properties of God's Eternity. The creatures Eternity; or, as ſome for diſtinction ſake, call it, Eriternity, hath, 1. A beginning; for all ſecond beings are the offspring of times once they were not. 2. A ſucceſſion their duration is meaſured, becauſe they … finite beings. But, 3. It hath no ending; I know ſome deny ſucceſſion alſo to ſpirited ſubſtances; but, how a finite being, ſhould in have its finitude inſeperably attended with ſucceſſion, or how a ſpiritual being, ſhould not be ſaid to be older now, than it was in the firſt hour of its creation. I cannot … jecture. Some define the creatures eternity, to be a ſucceeding now, as they call it, becauſe of its endleſs duration: in which reſpect it is differenced from time, which hath an…d; in regard of which endleſs duration, in an improper ſeaſe, a thouſand years may be … to be as a day; becauſe the ſinners torment ſhall be no nearer an end, after a thouſand years, than they were the firſt day they began, becauſe they have no end: a ſucceeding now they call it, becauſe, as it began, ſo it hath a ſucceſſion: it hath ſo far a rete… to, or repreſentation of time, that the … ſhall be making progreſs in his miſeries, which is a ſore aggravation of them, and will made his torments appear long and tireſome. So that it is, as it were, a middle ſtate between time and eternity: it hath a relation to time by ſucceſſion, which will weary the … out, under his torments; a relation alſo a eternity in its perpetuity, which ſhall … the ſinner with endleſs deſpair.
2. WHAT reaſon, juſtice, or equity there is for their ſo ſuffering theſe miſeries?
A. AS for the ſufferings themſelves, it hath already been evidenced, that they are no … than ſins demerit; but why they muſt be perpetual and without end, is the preſent enquity. Now there is a two-fold juſtice that we conceive to be in God, and they are both … concerned, viz. Sovereign, and Relative. God's Sovereign juſtice is his arbitrary liberty to diſpoſe of his creatures according to his holy pleaſure; and this was moſt eminently exerted in his Decree; in which it was his good will to have ſome everlaſting monuments of his righteous diſpleaſure at ſin, and accor…ingly appointed the ſubjects of it: and …herefore, to any who cavil againſt this, that …nſwer is ſufficient, Rom. 9.22. What …f God, …a…ing to … his wrath, and to make his power …, endured with much l…ng ſuffering the …is of wrath … t… deſtru…tion. Of which …ill we are further allured. Prov. 10.4. The Lord hath made all things for himſelf: yea, ever He worked for the day of evils. But for a clearer diſplay of the equity of this, there is the …e…rve juſtice of God, comes in, in the fulfilment of this purpoſe; which conſiſts in his …eadering to every one according to his deeds; as they hand related to the law, which was given and ratified in the covenant between God and man: ſo that though God is arbitrary in decreeing this puniſhment, yet he proceeds according to a known and revealed rule in the execution of it; and …is is our preſent e…quiry. The equity then of this proceeding, will appear evidently, if we con…er,
1. THAT there is in ſin a proper demerit of everlaſting puniſhment; or, that the penalties of … ſhould abide upon the ſinner for ever. Nor indeed is there any other way, for the finning creature to be puniſhed up to his demerit: and there is a double merit here to be conſidered,
1. THERE is a covenant merit: It is the … …or ſin according to the indentures when were made between God and man. Rom. 6.23. The …ges of ſin is death. The … ſignifies a ſtipend, or ſomething that is agreed for. God indented and bargained with … at firſt, that if he ſhould break his laws, he ſhould ſuffer the penalty of eternal death Gen. 2.17. In the day that thou eareſt thereof thou … ſurely die. Now, not only hath the ſ…er no cauſe to complain, becauſe he knew what he had to ſtand to; but becauſe God did affix ſuch a penalty to the law of the firſt covenant, it muſt needs be righteous, elſe he would not have made it, ſince it would be …righteous for him to execute it; and this ſhould ſatisfy us. But,
2. THERE is alſo a merit in the nature of the thing. It is true, there cannot be guilt but where there is a law, but for all that the foundation of the equity of laws is, when there is a proportion between the offence and the penalty, and this is antecedent to guilt: a man may be worthy of death, and yet not guilty of it, if there be not a law for it; now the valuation of the equity is in this worthineſs. Now ſin is ſuch a thing as in it ſelf truly deſerves not only all theſe puniſhments, but the everlaſting continuance of then; and the juſtice of the law cannot in any other way be anſwered in the perſon of the ſinner. For,
(1.) THE end of puniſhment is that the law may be ſatisfied. And if the law be juſt, juſtice doth thus recover its own. Satisfaction to the law, conſiſts in a full compenſation for the injury done to it; and till this be made, the law is not fulfilled: and for this reaſon no ſinner can be acquitted upon his own ſcore, or for any righteouſneſs of his, becauſe he cannot anſwer theſe demands.
(2.) HENCE when the law hath once ſeized, the ſinner, and laid him in the priſon of hell, it cannot diſcharge him till it be thus ſatisfied. If it ſhould, it would not be all fulfilled, but there would be ſome points or tittles of it ſuperſeded, which may not be. Math. 5.18. One ſ…te or one titt…e ſ…al in anywiſe paſs from the …ill a… be fufilled. He muſt therefore remain under the impreſſions of it, until this be done. So our Saviour Chriſt gives us to underſtand, Math. 5.25, 26. Verily, I ſay unto thee thou ſhalt by no means c…me out thence till thou haſt paid the utmoſt farthing.
(3.) THIS cannot be done in meaſure, and therefore muſt be compenſated in duration, and that can be nothing ſhort of eternity. The reaſon of this is, from the creatures incapacity: when its veſſel is never ſo much widened, and its puniſhments encreaſed to the height, it cannot contain ſo much wrath as it hath deſerved by fi…; and for this cauſe it muſt ſuffer eternally. Jeſus Chriſt could and did at once bear all, and therefore he was releaſed and diſcharged. Here then the great cavil of vain men is to be encountred, viz. How can a finite act d…ſerve an infinite puniſhment? or a temporary tranſient ſ…lt bring the creature juſtly under the impreſſions of God's everlaſting wrath? But the anſwer is very ready, for, though the creature be finite, and the act temporary and tranſient, yet the object againſt whom it is committed, is infinite and eternal: the creature gives the provocation, but it is God who is provoked by him, and he doth it up to the utmoſt of his ability, according to his manner and meaſure; a finite creature affronts an infinite majeſty; hence, though the act is finite, the injury is objectively infinite, in that it falls upon him who is i…finite; and ſuch as is the injury, ſuch muſt the demerit be. In ſum, the creature by finning offers the greateſt affront that it can to God; and therefore it deſerves to ſuffer all the miſeries that it can; and though it cannot undergo an infinite weight of wrath at once, becauſe that would ann ihilate it, yet it can ſuffer it in a ſort of infinite duration, which is the only way to make it proportionable.
2. THAT there is a permanency of ſin in hell. It is true, the puniſhment of ſinners in hell proceeds according to the guilt they have contracted to themſelves in this life. 2 Cor. 5.10. That every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. It is therefore a diſpute whether they contract any new guilt there, and there is much pleaded on both ſides; but I ſhall leave it in medio: but theſe two things are, as I think, very evident.
(1.) THAT hell's torments do not alter the ſinners nature, or change his ſinful inclinations. Whatſoever convictions of conſcience he hath on him, or how much ſoever he is ſtung with remorſe, i…t the ſins he committed in this w…d: yet he remai…s …nder the power and d…m… … c…rrupt nature, and ſ… as … he continues … us … unto G…d, and an … is … …ole is … th… … on h…m … G…d …p…eth.
2. THAT …. his natur… …; itſ… ſo …e … We b…fore … ferr…, that there he hath loſt all his morality, to tr…t ſi…ful…eſs is c…mpleat…d i… him; and he is ſtill an active bei 5. and muſt act his own nature. The ſinner there hath not only in him the p…yſon of ſin ha… it …lly, wi…: he would quietly diſ…orer if he might be …ed again into the w…ld, and l…ſt at his l…berty; but he doth nothing t…ere but ſin, and his ſufferings occaſion his ſinni…g. Whereas there are ſome who think, that hell's ſins are not properly ſi…s it is a great miſtake; for the crea…ure is not d…charged from the obliga… … eternal law, he is therefore g…g Go… c…nti…ual pr…v…cation to perpetuate his torments; he c…ues to hate God eternally, and therefore well may God hate him for ever.
3. THAT the ſinner hath deſpiſed a day of grace, and now it is …ver with him for ever. This indeed only conc…r…s ſuch as have lived under the Goſpel: and it further clears up the equity of this in regard of ſuch: as God hath found out a way to ſave ſinners from h…ll's miſeries, ſo he hath made a diſcovery of this way unto ſome, in which he hath offered ſalvation to them, and invited them to accept of it. The time of this treaty is truly called a day of grace: but this determines with the life of the ſinner, and when he dies his hope is put to an end. If a Saviour were proclaimed to ſinners in hell, and if the ſpirit of God would work faith and repenta…ce in thoſe ſouls that are in priſon, there m…ght be hope of a releaſe for them, but there is no ſuch g…od news as this, there to be h…ard of. We are …ld, 2 Cor. 6.2. N…w is the dece…ed time, beh…d, n…w is the day …f ſalvation. When they c…me there the gulf is fixed, …uk. 16.26. and there is no other poſſible way for their eſcape but this; and there is all reaſon, that they u…o might have eſcaped the eternal perdition, they had procuted for themſelves, and would not, be made to ſuffer it, at the hands of that God, whom they have thus d…ed to deſp…ſe a…d provoke: we have therefore a particular aſſurance given us, that all ſuch ſhall certainly be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruction, 2 Theſ. 1.8, 9. … ſhall be puniſhed with everlaſting deſtruct… from the preſence of the L…rd, and from the … of his power.
… the creatur… ſhall …e … capable of … miſeries eternally?
… GOD ſhall o… his almighty power for & prepare the …nn…r for … …ndition as this. That he is able to do it, there is no ground for us to queſtion, it no believe his Omnipotency; that he will exert this power of his in this aſ…ir, we are …red. R…m. 9.22. There needs …ly three things to be here ſaid for the illuſtration of this.
1. THAT th… … m…n is by its re…d …. It being of a ſpiritual natu…e … …ot: it needs not elements, not elementary ſubſtances to give it ſufferance, or preſerve its …ng to it: it lives without fo…d or ra…me…t, or any other ſupplies as are requiſite for the ſhori…g up of the body; and he…ce t…e death of the ſoul, is not a death of annihilation, but of miſery; and the ſoul cannot ceaſe to be what it is for its ſubſ…, by any other power, but that of God who made it; ſo that it naturally abides for ever.
2. GOD will, when he ſhall by his mighty power, raiſe t…e … of ſinners, put into th… a ſ…ritual nature in many reſpects. 1 Cor. 15.44. It is ſo… a nature body, it is raiſed a ſ…ritu… body. Th…re is a natural body, and there is a ſpiritual b…dy. It is true, they ſhall … be turned into ſpirits, but re…a…n the ſubſtance of bodies ſtill. Now there are … thi…gs in which they ſhall ſpecially be made ſpiritual, … in the perpetuity of their …, a…d the ſuſte…tation of them without ſoul: this God can do, a…d hath given ſome pr… of it in this world: and he will do it, he doth ſo by the bodies of his ſaints, that ſo they may be everlaſting monuments of his grace; and he will do ſo by the bodies of his enemies, becauſe he will have them equally to be eternal inſtances of his revenging justice.
3. GOD will with his own hand and p… keep together the principles of their nature, … they ſhall n…t ſuffer diſſolution. God will, as it were, put one hand under the ſinner to uphold him in his being, whiles with the other hand he will ſtrike him, and ſi…k him do… under his miſery. It were impoſſible for the creature to hold out of himſelf, or by his own ſtrength, but God ſhall make him to… dure: He ſhall enlarge his veſſel, and make him able to h…ld ſo much of wrath, as he ſhall ſee meet to pour into him; this is the ſitting him for deſtruction.
USE. THERE are Five Leſſons I would urge from the preſent conſideration; Three for Sinners, and Two for Saints.
I. TO Sinners, that are yet in their ſins.
1. SEE what a deſperate ſol…y and madneſs it is to live in ſin, and count it y…ur delight. One Would think, that if ſinners ſhould only compare the pleaſures of ſin, with the pai…s of hell tha… follow after, and are the recompences o… it, this might be enough to convince them: But if beſides this you compare the duration of your carnal delights, with the eternity of theſe ſufferings which follow, what an addition w…ll this make to the reckoning? How pre…is is that advice, …. 11.8. Poor wretch! what doſt thou meas? for a …ew vaſ…: pleaſures, to bring thy ſelf into everlaſti…g burnings. The delight of … is but a crackling blaze, and ſo expires …. 7 …. For is the making of th…res under a … is the …, that alſo is …. But the part of it is perpetual: the act will quickly be over, but the ſorrow will abide for in…ite ages. On… t…at ſinners would think of this, when they are going about the gratifying of their own luſts, … little know how much pr…rit it would afford you in an hour of temptation.
2. LET this flew you the in…nite what of a Saviour, and put you upon making … your … get … in …. Were there any …pes of an end of theſe miſeries, the creature might in ſome meaſure comfort it ſelf, without a Saviour: but to think that they are eternal torments, which He comes to deliver us fr…, they are everlaſting burnings, that He comes to extinguiſh, this i…ha…ceth His worth. How ſweet is that expreſſion. 1 Theſ. 1.10. Jeſus which deliver…th as from the wrath to come. Think then how intollerable theſe miſeries are in themſelves, and then h…w …dians muſt it be to endure them for ever. Ezek. 22.14. Can th…e heart endure, or can th…e hands he ſtr…ng in the day that I ſhall deal with thee? Remember, that there is none but He can ſave you from theſe pains. Act. 4.12. Neither is there ſalvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among …, whereby we must be ſo…d. Redemption work is too weighty for any to undergo but him Pſal. 49.7, &c. Conſider what he hath do…e on the account, that he may be an a…le Saviour, Gal. 3.13. Chriſt … redeemed us from the curſe of the law, being …ode a curſe for us. And behold Him now coming to you in the offers of the Goſpel, inviting you to come to Him, and promiſing you life if you do, Math. 11.29. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am weak and lonely in heart: and ye ſhall …nd rest … your ſouls. Oh! do not withſtand him, put him not upon ſaying to you another day, as Math. 73.37. O Jeruſal…, Jeruſalem, thou that killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them which are ſent unto thee, b…te often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a ben gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not.
3. LEARN from hence the incomparable worth of the preſent time: What a price is is your hands, by this ſeaſon allowed you; before you enter upon your unchangeable …e; and be awakened by this thought to make ſpeedy uſe of it; think how far better your condition is, than their's who are now in hell; they are gone to eternal miſery, and have no hope to eſcape: they have no more Sermons, &c. but you have a call ſtill; think alſo how near you are to this eternity, a…d how uncertain your time is; you … devery m…m…t upon the brink, a…d the beaſt u… of God's a…gry hand, will turn you ever: health, ſtre…gth a…d youth … …;c…tity a… … and health … ſinner of you all, may be …hell before morning, and tolem… …ni…k want will become of you it …me be gone, before you are g… …o … w…th G…d: after time there follows …ng but …; …ty; if you dye this night in your preſent condition, you go to the place where the …rm dies …, &c. to dwell with everlaſting burnings.
II. TO Saints that are gotten into Chriſt.
1. LET this make you … for and with poor Sinners, that they may be converted and ſ…ved. Had not …. ta…s on his heart, w…en …e uttered that p…thetical w…ſh R…m. ….1.2. Iſa. the trath in Chri…, …, my … …earing me … in the body …. That I have great heaven…ſs an… … ſorrow in my h…rt. When you pray for them, remember it is for eternity. When you ex…ort and perswade them, bear it on your hearts, that it is for everlaſting. Though they ſhould be angry with you, yet let p…ty to ever enduring creatures, move you, to bear it and not leave off: and On uſe ſpeed in what you do with them, begin betimes with them, leſt whiles you delay, they be gone over to eternity and then they are paſt your h…l….
2. LET this engage you in the purſ…it …f Holineſs. If duty at a…y time ſeems …ard, think how hard it would have been to be everlaſtingly ſeparated from the preſence of God. Are the ſufferings of this life heavy a…d red…ous? lay them in the ballance againſt eternity, think of the millions of ages, wherein dam…ed ſinners muſt ſuffer the wrath of God, and then be but at the begi…ning of their woes. Thi…k …othing too hard to do or ſuffer for Chriſt, who ſuffered for you the eternal weight of wrath.
IN a …, Let us all ſeek of God the grace, to entertain ourſelves with ſuch meditations of that eter…ity, whither we are making haſte, that we may have …! to number …ur days, and apply our hearts to wiſdom. And when our mome…ta…y time ſhall run down into, and be ſwall…wed … of eter…ity, we may be delivered from everlaſting torments and poſſeſſed of eternal Glory.
[JANUARY 23. 1693.]