MATTHEW xxv. 46.
_These shall go away into everlasting punishment._
THE excellency of the gospel dispensation, is greatly evidenced by
those sanctions of rewards and punishments, which it offers to the
choice of all its hearers, in order to engage them to be obedient to
its precepts. For it promises no less than eternal happiness to the
good, and denounces no slighter a punishment than everlasting misery
against the wicked: On the one hand, “It is a savour of life unto life,”
on the other, “A savour of death unto death.” And though one would
imagine, the bare mentioning of the former would be sufficient to draw
men to their duty, yet ministers in all ages have found it necessary,
frequently to remind their people of the latter, and to set before them
the terrors of the LORD, as so many powerful dissuasives from sin.
But whence is it that men are so disingenuous? The reason seems to
be this: The promise of eternal happiness is so agreeable to the
inclinations and wishes of mankind, that all who call themselves
christians, universally and willingly subscribe to the belief of it:
but then there is something so shocking in the consideration of eternal
torments, and seemingly such an infinite disproportion between an
endless duration of pain, and a short life spent in pleasure, that men
(some at least of them) can scarcely be brought to confess it as an
article of their faith, that an eternity of misery awaits the wicked
in a future state.
I shall therefore at this time, beg leave to insist on the proof of
this part of one of the Articles of our Creed; and endeavour to make
good what our blessed LORD has here threatened in the words of the text,
“These (that is, the wicked) shall go away into everlasting punishment.”
Accordingly, without considering the words as they stand in relation to
the context, I shall resolve all I have to say, into this one general
proposition, “That the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter, are
eternal.”
But before I proceed to make good this, I must inform you that I take
it for granted,
All present do stedfastly believe, They have something within them,
which we call a soul, and which is capable of surviving the dissolution
of the body, and of being miserable or happy to all eternity.
I take it for granted farther, That you believe a divine revelation;
that those books, emphatically called the Scriptures, were written by
the inspiration of GOD, and that the things therein contained, are
founded upon eternal truth.
I take it for granted, That you believe, that the Son of GOD came down
to die for sinners; and that there is but one Mediator between GOD and
man, even the man CHRIST JESUS.
These things being granted, (and they were necessary to be premised)
proceed we now to make good the one general proposition asserted in the
text, That the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are eternal.
“These shall go away into everlasting punishment.” The
_First_ argument I shall advance to prove that the torments reserved
for the wicked hereafter, are eternal, is, That the word of GOD himself
assures us, in line upon line, that it will be so.
To quote all the texts that might be produced in proof of this, would
be endless. Let it suffice to instance only in a few. In the Old
Testament, in the book of _Daniel_, chapter xii. verse 2. we are told,
that “some shall awake to everlasting life, and others to everlasting
contempt.” In the book of _Isaiah_, it is said, that “the worm of those
that have transgressed GOD’s law, and die impenitently, shall not die,
nor their fire be quenched.” And in another place, the holy Prophet,
struck, no doubt, with astonishment and horror at the prospect of the
continuance of the torments of the damned, breaks out into this moving
expostulation, “Who can dwell with everlasting burnings?”
The New Testament is still fuller as to this point, it being a
revelation which brought this and such-like particulars to a clear
light. The Apostle _Jude_ tells us of the profane despisers of
dignities in his days, that “for them was reserved the blackness of
darkness for ever.” And in the book of the _Revelations_, it is written,
that “the smoke of the torments of the wicked ascendeth for ever and
ever.” And if we believe the witness of men inspired, the witness of
the Son of GOD, who had the Spirit given him, as Mediator, without
measure, is still far greater: and in St. _Mark_’s gospel, He repeats
this solemn declaration three several times, “It is better for thee
to enter into life maimed;” that is, it is better to forego the
gratification of thy lust, or incur the displeasure of a friend, which
may be as dear to thee as a hand, or as useful as a foot, “than having
two hands and feet, (that is, for indulging the one, or disobeying GOD
to oblige the other) to be cast into hell, where the worm dieth not,
and the fire is not quenched.”
And here again, in the words of the text, “These (the wicked) shall go
away into everlasting punishment.”
I know it has been objected by some who have denied the eternity of
hell-torments, That the words _everlasting_ and _ever and ever_, are
often used in the Holy Scriptures, (especially in the Old Testament)
when they signify not an endless duration, but a limited term of time.
And this we readily grant: but then we reply, That when the words
are used with this limitation, they either manifestly appear to be
used so from the context; or are put in opposition to occasional
types which GOD gave his people on some special occasions, as when
it is said, “It shall be a perpetual or everlasting statute,” or, “a
statute for ever;” that is, a standing type, and not merely transient
or occasional, as was the pillar of cloud, the manna, and such-like.
Or, lastly, they have a relation to that covenant, GOD made with his
spiritually _Israel_; which, if understood in a spiritual sense, will
be everlasting, though the ceremonial dispensation be abolished.
Besides, it ought to be observed, that some of the passages just now
referred to, have neither of these words so much as mentioned in them,
and cannot possibly be interpreted, so as to denote only a limited term
of years.
But let that be as it will, it is evident even to a demonstration, that
the words of the text will not admit of such a restrained signification,
as appears from their being directly opposed to the words immediately
following, “That the righteous shall go into life eternal.” From which
words, all are ready to grant, that the life promised to the righteous
will be eternal. And why the punishment threatened to the wicked should
not be understood to be eternal likewise, when the very same word in
the original, is used to express the duration of each, no shadow of a
reason can be given.
But, _Secondly_, There cannot be one argument urged, why GOD should
reward his saints with everlasting happiness, which will not equally
prove that he ought to punish sinners with eternal misery.
For, since we know nothing (at least for a certainty) how he will deal
with either, but by a Divine Revelation; and since, as was proved by
the foregoing argument, he hath as positively threatened eternally to
punish the wicked, as to reward the good; it follows, that his truth
will be as much impeached and called in question, did he not inflict
his punishments, as it would be, if he did not confer his rewards.
To this also it has been objected, That though GOD is obliged by
promise to give his rewards, yet his veracity could not be called
in question, supposing he should not execute his threatenings, as
he actually did not in the case of _Nineveh_; which GOD expressly
declared by his Prophet _Jonah_, “should be destroyed in forty days:”
notwithstanding the sequel of the story informs us, that _Nineveh_ was
spared.
But in answer to this objection we affirm, that GOD’s threatenings, as
well as promises, are without repentance; and for this reason, because
they are both founded on the eternal laws of right reason. Accordingly
we always find, that where the conditions were not performed, on
the non-performance of which the threatenings were denounced, GOD
always executed the punishment threatened. The driving _Adam_ out of
_Eden_, the destruction of the old world by a deluge of water, and the
overthrow of _Sodom_ and _Gomorrah_, are, and will be always so many
standing monuments of GOD’s executing his threatenings when denounced,
though to our weak apprehensions, the punishment may seem far to exceed
the crime.
It is true, GOD did spare _Nineveh_, and that because the inhabitants
did actually repent, and therefore performed the conditions upon
which it was supposed, by the Prophet’s being sent to warn them, the
threatened punishment should be withheld.
And so in respect to gospel threatenings. If men will so far consult
their own welfare, as to comply with the gospel, GOD certainly will
not punish them, but on the contrary, confer upon them his rewards. But
to affirm that he will not punish, and that eternally to, impenitent,
obstinate sinners, according as he hath threatened; what is it, in
effect, but to make GOD like a man, that he should lie, or the son of
man, that he should repent?
But the absurdity of such an opinion will appear still more evident
from
The _Third_ argument I shall offer to prove, that the torments reserved
for the wicked hereafter are eternal, From the nature of the christian
covenant.
And here I must again observe, that it was taken for granted at the
beginning of this discourse, that you believe the Son of GOD came down
to save sinners; and that there is but one Mediator between GOD and man,
even the man CHRIST JESUS.
And here I take it for granted farther, (unless you believe the absurd
and unwarrantable doctrine of purgatory) that you are fully persuaded,
this life is the only time allotted by Almighty GOD for working out
our salvation, and that after a few years are passed over, there will
remain no more sacrifice for sin.
And if this be granted (and who dares deny it?) it follows, that if
a wicked man dieth in his wickedness, and under the wrath of GOD,
he must continue in that state to all eternity. For, since there is
no possibility of their being delivered out of such a condition, but
by and through CHRIST; and since, at the hour of death, the time of
CHRIST’s mediation and intercession for him is irrecoverably gone;
the same reason that may be given, why GOD should punish a sinner that
dieth under the guilt of his sins for a single day, will equally hold
good, why he should continue to punish him for a year, an age, nay to
all eternity.
But I hasten to the _Fourth_ and last argument, to prove, That the
torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are eternal, Because the
devil’s punishment is to be so.
That there is such a being whom we call the devil; that he was once an
angel of light, but for his pride and rebellion against GOD, was cast
down from heaven, and is now permitted, with the rest of the spiritual
wickednesses, to walk to and fro, seeking whom they may devour; that
there is a place of torment reserved for them, or, to use the Apostle’s
words, “That they are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness
unto the judgment of the great day;” are truths all here present were
supposed to be convinced of, at the beginning of this discourse, you
believing the Holy Scriptures to be written by the inspiration of GOD,
wherein these truths are delivered.
But then if we allow all this, and think it no injustice in GOD to
punish those once glorious spirits for their rebellion; how can we
think it unjust in him, to punish wicked men for their impenitency to
all eternity?
You will say, perhaps, that they have sinned against greater light,
and therefore deserve a greater punishment. And so we grant that the
punishment of the fallen angels may be greater as to degree; than that
of wicked men; but then we affirm; it will be equal as to the eternal
duration of it: for in that day, as the lively oracles of GOD inform us,
shall the Son of Man say to them on his left hand, “Depart from me, ye
cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.”
Where we find that impenitent sinners are to be cast into the same
everlasting fire, with the devil and his angels; and that too very
justly. For though they may have sinned against greater light, yet
christians sin against greater mercy. Since CHRIST took not hold of,
did not die for, the fallen angels, but for men and for our salvation.
So that if GOD spared not those excellent beings, assure thyself, O
obstinate sinner, whoever thou art, he will by no means spare thee.
From what then has been said it plainly appears, that verily the
torments reserved for the wicked hereafter, are eternal. And if so,
brethren, how ought we to fly to JESUS CHRIST for refuge; how holy
ought we to be in all manner of conversation and godliness, that we
may be accounted worthy to escape this wrath to come!
But before I proceed to a practical exhortation, permit me to draw an
inference or two from what has been said.
And _First_, If the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are
eternal, what shall we say to those, who make an open profession in
their creed to believe a life everlasting, a life of misery as well as
happiness, and yet dare to live in the actual commission of those sins
which will unavoidably, without repentance, bring them into that place
of torment? Thou believest that the punishments of the impenitently
wicked in another life, are eternal: “Thou dost well, the devils also
believe and tremble.” But know, O vain man, unless this belief doth
influence thy practice, and makes thee bid adieu to thy sins, every
time thou repeatest thy creed, thou doest in effect say, I believe I
shall be undone for ever.
But, _Secondly_, If the torments reserved for the wicked hereafter are
eternal, then let this serve as a caution to such persons, (and it is
to be feared there are some such) who go about to dissuade others from
the belief of such an important truth: There being no surer way, in all
probability, to encourage and promote infidelity and prophaneness, than
the broaching or maintaining so unwarrantable a doctrine. For if the
positive threats of GOD concerning the eternity of hell-torments, are
already found insufficient to deter men from sin, what a higher pitch
of wickedness may we imagine they will quickly arrive at, when they
are taught to entertain any hopes of a future recovery out of them; or,
what is still worse, that their souls are hereafter to be annihilated,
and become like the beasts that perish? But wo unto such blind leaders
of the blind. No wonder if they both fall into the ditch. And let
such corrupters of GOD’s word know, that I testify unto every man that
heareth me this day, “That if any one shall add unto, or take away from
the words that are written in the book of GOD, GOD shall take his part
out of the book of life, and shall add unto him all the plagues that
are in that book.”
_Thirdly_ and _Lastly_, If the torments reserved for the wicked
hereafter are eternal, then this may serve as a reproof for those
who quarrel with GOD, and say it is inconsistent with his justice,
to punish a person to all eternity, only for enjoying the pleasures
of sin for a season. But such persons must be told, that it is not
their thinking or calling GOD unjust, will make him so, no more
than a condemned prisoner’s saying the law or judge is unjust, will
render either duly chargeable with such an imputation. But knowest
thou, O worm, what blasphemy thou art guilty of, in charging GOD with
injustice? “Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, why hast
thou made me thus?” Wilt thou presume to arraign the Almighty at the
bar of thy shallow reasoning? and call him unjust, for punishing thee
eternally, only because thou wishest it may not be so? But hath GOD
said it, and shall he not do it? He hath said it: and let GOD be true,
though every man be a liar. “Shall not the judge of all the earth do
right?” Assuredly he will. And if sinners will not own his justice in
his threatenings here, they will be compelled ere long to own and feel
them, when tormented by him hereafter.
But to come to a more practical application of what has been delivered.
You have heard, brethren, the eternity of hell-torments plainly proved,
from the express declarations of holy scriptures, and consequences
naturally drawn from them. And now there seems to need no great art of
rhetoric to persuade any understanding person to avoid and abhor those
sins, which without repentance will certainly plunge him into this
eternal gulph. The disproportion between the pleasure and the pain (if
there be any pleasure in sin) is so infinitely great, that supposing
it was only possible, though not certain, that the wicked would be
everlastingly punished, no one that has the reason of a man, for the
enjoying a little momentary pleasure, would, one might imagine, run the
hazard of enduring eternal pain. But since the torments of the damned
are not only possible, but certain, (since GOD himself, who cannot
lie, has told us so) for men, notwithstanding, to persist in their
disobedience, and then flatter themselves, that GOD will not make good
his threatenings, is a most egregious instance of folly and presumption.
_Dives_ himself supposed, that if one rose from the dead, his brethren
would amend their lives; but Christians, it seems, will not repent,
though the Son of GOD died and rose again, and told them what they must
expect, if they continue obstinate in evil-doing.
Would we now and then draw off our thoughts from sensible objects,
and by faith meditate a while on the miseries of the damned, I doubt
not but we should, as it were, hear many an unhappy soul venting his
fruitless sorrows, in some such piteous moans as these.
“O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body
of death!” O foolish mortal that I was, thus to bring myself into
these never-ceasing tortures, for the transitory enjoyment of a few
short-lived pleasures, which scarcely afforded me any satisfaction,
even when I most indulged myself in them. Alas! are these the wages,
these the effects of sin? Are all the grand deceiver’s inviting
promises come to this? O damned apostate! First to delude me with
pretended promises of happiness, and after several years drudgery in
his service, thus to involve me in eternal woe. O that I had never
hearkened to his beguiling insinuations! O that I had rejected his
very first suggestions with the utmost detestation and abhorrence! O
that I had taken up my cross and followed CHRIST! O that I had never
ridiculed serious godliness; and out of a false politeness, condemned
the truly pious as too severe, enthusiastic, or superstitious! For I
then had been happy indeed, happy beyond expression, happy to all
eternity, yonder in those blessed regions where they sit, cloathed
with unspeakable glory, and chanting forth their seraphic hallelujahs
to the Lamb that sitteth upon the throne for ever. But, alas! these
reflections come now too late: these wishes now are vain and fruitless.
I have not suffered, and therefore must not reign with them. I have
in effect denied the LORD that bought me, and therefore justly am I
now denied by him. But must I live for ever tormented in these flames?
Must this body of mine, which not long since lay in state, was cloathed
in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day, must it be
here eternally confined, and made the mockery of insulting devils? O
eternity! that thought fills me with despair: I must be miserable for
ever.
Come then, all ye self-deluding, self-deluded sinners, and imagine
yourselves for once in the place of that truly wretched man I have been
here describing. Think, I beseech you by the mercies of GOD in CHRIST
JESUS, think with yourselves, how racking, how unsupportable the
never-dying worm of a self-condemning conscience will hereafter be to
you. Think how impossible it will be for you to dwell with everlasting
burnings.
Come, all ye christians of a lukewarm, _Laodicean_ spirit, ye
_Gallio_’s in religion, who care a little, but not enough for the
things of GOD; O think, think with yourselves, how deplorable it will
be to lose the enjoyment of heaven, and run into endless torments,
merely because you will be content to be almost, and will not strive
to be altogether christians. Consider, I beseech you consider, how you
will rave and curse that fatal stupidity which made you believe any
thing less than true faith in JESUS, productive of a life of strict
piety, self-denial, and mortification, can keep you from those torments,
the eternity of which I have been endeavouring to prove.
But I can no more. These thoughts are too melancholy for me to dwell
on, as well as for you to hear; and GOD knows, as punishing is his
strange work, so denouncing his threatenings is mine. But if the bare
mentioning the torments of the damned is so shocking, how terrible must
the enduring of them be!
And now, are not some of you ready to cry out, “These are hard sayings,
who can bear them?”
But let not sincere christians be in the least terrified at what has
been delivered: No, for you is reserved a crown, a kingdom, an eternal
and exceeding weight of glory. CHRIST never said that the righteous,
the believing, the upright, the sincere, but the wicked, merciless,
negatively good professors before described, shall go into everlasting
punishment. For you, who love him in sincerity, a new and living way
is laid open into the Holy of Holies by the blood of JESUS CHRIST: and
an abundant entrance will be administered unto you, at the great day of
account, into eternal life. Take heed, therefore, and beware that there
be not in any of you a root of bitterness springing up of unbelief:
but on the contrary, stedfastly and heartily rely on the many precious
promises reached out to you in the gospel, knowing that he who hath
promised is faithful, and therefore will perform.
But let no obstinately wicked professors dare to apply any of the
divine promises to themselves: “For it is not meet to take the
childrens meat and give it unto dogs:” No, to such the terrors of
the LORD only belong. And as certainly as CHRIST will say to his
true followers, “Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the
kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world;” so he will
unalterably pronounce this dreadful sentence against all that die in
their sins, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared
for the devil and his angels.”
From which unhappy state, may GOD of his infinite mercy deliver us
all through JESUS CHRIST; to whom, with thee O Father, and thee O Holy
Ghost, three Persons and one eternal GOD, be ascribed, as is most due,
all honour, power, might, majesty, and dominion, now and for evermore.