Considerations of the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, with…

2. If it be objected that it seems hard that a transient sin should be punished with Eternal Torments: a clear and just answer may be given.

2. If it be objected that it seems hard that a transient sin should be punish't with Eternal Torments: a clear and just answer may be given.

This conceit in Men proceeds ⟨p. 242⟩from a superficial deceitful view of sin in the disguises of a temptation, as it flatters the senses, without a sincere distinct reflection on its essential malignity. From hence they judge of their sins, as light spots, inevitable accidents, lapses that cannot be prevented by humane frailty, errors excusable by common practice. Thus the subtlety of Satan joined with the folly of Men represents great sins as small, and small as none at all, to undervalue and extenuate some, and to give full license and warrant to others. And thus deceived, they are ready to think it disagreeing to the Divine Goodness to punish sin so severely as 'tis threatened. But did they with intent and feeling thoughts look through the pleasing surface into the intrinsic evil of Sin, as it is ⟨p. 243⟩rebellion against God, and the progeny of a will corrupted by its own perverseness and pernicious habits, they would be convinced, that God acts in a manner worthy of his Nature, in the ordaining and inflicting eternal punishment on impenitent sinners. And 'tis observable that most dangerous effects follow by separating these two in the minds of Men. For if they consider eternal death without respect to the merit of Sin, they easily conceive of God as incompassionate, an enemy to his Creature, that is pleased with its misery. And such fearful conceits, such black melancholy vapours congeal the heart and stupefy its active powers, and cause a desperate neglect of our duties, as if God would not accept our sincere endeavours to please him. But if ⟨p. 244⟩on the other side, they regard their Sins abstracted from the dreadful punishment that ensues, they form the notion of a Deity soft and careless, little moved with their faults, easy and indulgent to pardon them. Thus the sensual presumer becomes secure, and incorrigible in his wickedness. But we must consider these two Objects as most strictly joined; the Judgment of God with respect to Sin that always precedes it, and Sin with respect to the punishment that follows it, in the infallible order of Divine Justice. And thus we shall conceive of God becoming his perfections: that he is gracious and merciful, and loves the work of his hands; but that he is Holy and Just, and hates Sin infinitely more than Men love it.