Casuistical morning-exercises the fourth volume /

To this a clear answer may be given: in the next state where the wicked shall for ever be without those sensual objects which here deceive and delight them, their apprehensions will be changed; they shall understand what a happiness the fruition of the blessed God is, and what a misery to be uncapable of enjoying him, and expelled from the Celestial Paradise.¹ Our Saviour tells the infidel Jews, There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you your selves shut out. How will they pine with envy at the sight of that triumphant felicity of which they shall never be partakers? Depart from me, will be as terrible a part of the judgment, as eternal Fire.

To this a clear answer may be given: in the next state where the wicked shall for ever be without those sensual objects which here deceive and delight them, their apprehensions will be changed; they shall understand what a happiness the fruition of the blessed God is, and what a misery to be uncapable of enjoying him, and expell'd from the Celestial Paradise.¹ Our Saviour tells the infidel Jews, There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the Prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you your selves shut out. How will they pine with envy at the sight of that triumphant felicity of which they shall never be partakers? Depart from me, will be as terrible a part of the judgment, as eternal Fire.

1. 1Luke 15.28.

2. Gods justice is not satisfied in depriving them of Heaven, but inflicts the most heavy punishment upon Sense and Conscience in the damned: for as the Soul and Body in their state of union in this life, were both guilty, the one as the guide, the other as the instrument of sin, so 'tis equal when reunited they should feel the penal effects of it. The Scripture represents both to our capacity, by the worm that never dies, and the fire that never shall be quenched: and by the destroying of Body and Soul in Hell fire. Sinners shall then be tormented, wherein they were most delighted: they shall be invested with those objects, that will cause the most dolorous perceptions in their sensitive faculties. The lake of Fire and Brimstone, the blackness of darkness, are words of a terrible signification, and intended to awaken sinners to fly from the wrath to come. But no words can fully reveal the terrible ingredients of their misery: the punishment will be in proportion to the glory of Gods Majesty that is dishonoured and provoked by sin, and the extent of his power. And as the Soul was the principal, and the Body but an accessary in the works of sin, so its capacious faculties will be far more tormented, than the more limited faculties of the outward senses. The fiery Attributes of God shall be transmitted through the glass of Conscience, and concentered upon damned Spirits: the fire without them is not so tormenting as this fire within them. How will the tormenting passions be inflamed? What rancour, reluctance, and rage against the power above that sentenced them to Hell? What impatience and indignation against themselves for their wilful sins the just cause of it? How will they curse their Creation, and wish their utter extinction as the final remedy of their misery? But all their ardent wishes are in vain: for the guilt of sin will never be expiated, nor God so far reconciled as to annihilate them. As long as there is justice