Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

2. God's 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 ⟨p. 66⟩Guide, the other as the Instrument of Sin; so 'tis equal, when re-united, 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 shall never 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 God's Majesty that is dishonoured and provoked by Sin, and extent of his Power. And as the Soul was the Principal, and the ⟨p. 67⟩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 ⟨p. 68⟩in Heaven, and Fire in Hell, as long as God and Eternity shall continue, they must suffer these Torments, which the Strength and Patience of an Angel cannot bear one hour. From hence we may infer, what an inconceivable Evil there is in Sin, and how hateful it is to the most High, when God who is Love, who is styled the Father of Mercies, has prepared and does inflict such Plagues for ever for the Transgression of his holy Laws: