We have received a communication on the deeply solemn subject of eternal punishment, from a person whose initials are "C. D. S.," and who would seem to be the exponent of the feelings of a very numerous class. Our correspondent does not, by any means, write as an objector, or a caviler, but as an honest inquirer; and we are not sorry to be called upon to bear a clear and decided testimony on a point of such grave moment. He asks us to let him know "what the Holy Ghost has taught us on the subject," and we cheerfully comply.
We believe the Word of God most clearly and fully teaches the eternity of punishment. The word which is rendered "everlasting," or "eternal," occurs about seventy times in the New Testament. We shall give some examples. "To be cast into _everlasting_ fire." (Matt. xviii. 8.) "That I may have _eternal_ life." (Matt. xix. 16.) "These shall go away into _everlasting_ punishment." (Matt. xxv. 46.) And in the same verse, "The righteous unto life _eternal_." "Is in danger of _eternal_ damnation." (Mark iii. 29.) "They may receive you into everlasting habitations." (Luke xvi. 9.) "In the world to come, life _everlasting_." (Luke xviii. 30.) "He that believeth on the Son hath _everlasting_ life." (Jno. iii. 15, 16, 36; v. 24.) "The commandment of the _everlasting_ God." (Rom. xvi. 26.) "An exceeding and _eternal_ weight of glory." (2 Cor. iv. 17.) "The things which are not seen are _eternal_." (_v._ 18.) "A house not made with hands, _eternal_ in the heavens." (Chap. v. 1.) "They shall be punished with _everlasting_ destruction." (2 Thess. i. 9.) "Hath given us _everlasting_ consolation." (Chap. ii. 16.) "In Christ Jesus with _eternal_ glory." (2 Tim. ii. 10.) "The author of _eternal_ salvation." (Heb. v. 9.) "Having obtained _eternal_ redemption." (Chap. ix. 12.) "Who through the _eternal_ Spirit offered Himself without spot to God." (v. 14.) "The promise of _eternal_ inheritance." (v. 15.) "Called us unto His _eternal_ glory." (1 Pet. v. 10.) "Into the _everlasting_ kingdom of our Lord and Saviour." (2 Pet. i. 11.) "This is the true God and _eternal_ life." (1 Jno. v. 20.) "Suffering the vengeance of _eternal_ fire." (Jude 7.)
Now, we are aware that the opposers of the doctrine of eternal punishment endeavor to prove that the word "everlasting" does not mean everlasting in the Greek; and this is one reason why we have quoted such a number of passages in which the Greek word αιωνιος (_aionios_) occurs, and in which the Holy Ghost applies it in such a variety of ways. The word which is applied to the punishment of the wicked is also applied to the life which believers possess, to the salvation and redemption in which they rejoice, to the glory to which they look forward, to those mansions in which they hope to dwell, and to the inheritance which they expect to enjoy. Moreover, it is applied to God, and to the Spirit. If, therefore, it be maintained that the word "everlasting" does not mean everlasting when applied to the punishment of the wicked, what security have we that it means everlasting when applied to the life, blessedness, and glory of the redeemed? What warrant has any one, be he ever so learned, to single out seven instances from the seventy in which the Greek word αιωνιος is used, and say that in those seven it does not mean everlasting, but that in all the rest it does? They have none whatever. Men may reason as they will about divine benevolence and goodness--about its being inconsistent with the mercy of God to permit such a thing as eternal punishment--as to the strange want of proportion between a few years of sin and an endless eternity of punishment; a single line of holy Scripture is amply sufficient, in our judgment, to sweep away ten thousand such reasonings, even though supported by the learned dogma that "everlasting" does not mean everlasting in the Greek. "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." (Mark ix. 46.) Solemn statement! Let men beware of trifling with it, or reasoning about it. Let them believe it, and flee from the wrath to come--flee now to Jesus, who died on Calvary's cursed tree to deliver us from everlasting burnings.