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.