" I keep under ray body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away." (1 Cor. ix. 27.)
We see, in the last place, in these verses, the reality, awf ulness, and eternity of future punishment. Three times the Lord Jesus speaks of " hell." Three times He men- tions the " worm that never dies." Three times He says that " the fire is not quenched."
These are awful expressions. They call for reflection rather than exposition. They should be pondered, con- sidered, and remembered by all professing Christians. It matters little whether we regard them as figurative aud emblematic. If they are so, one thing at least is very clear. The worm and the fire are emblems of real things. There is a real hell, and that hell is eternal.
There is no mercy in keeping back from men the sub- ject of hell. Fearful and tremendous as it is, it ought to be pressed on all, as one of the great truths of Chris- tianity. Our loving Saviour speaks frequently of it. The apostle John, in the book of Revelation, often de- scribes it. The servants of God in these days must not be ashamed of confessing their belief in it. Were there no boundless mercy in Christ for all that believe in Him, we might well shrink from the awful topic. Were there no precious blood of Christ able to cleanse away all sin, we might well keep silence about the wrath to come. But there is mercy for all who ask in Christ's name. There is a fountain open for all sin. Let us then boldly and unhesitatingly maintain that there is a hell, and beseech men to flee from it, before it be too late. "Knowing the terrors of the Lord," the worm, and the fire, let us " persuade men." (1 Cor. v. 11.) It is