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.