A Body of Practical Divinity

Resp. We must hold with St. Augustine, that God's Judgment on the wicked, Occulta esse possunt injusta esse non possunt, may be secret, but never unjust. The reason why sin committed in a short time is eternally punished, is because every sin is committed against an Infinite Essence, and no less than Eternity of Punishment can satisfy. Why is Treason punished with Confiscation and Death, but because it is against ⟨p. 35⟩the King's Person, which is Sacred; much more that Offence which is against God's Crown and Dignity, is of an heinous and infinite Nature, and cannot be satisfied with less than Eternal Punishment.

Resp. We must hold with St. Augustine, that God's Judgment on the wicked, Occulta esse possunt injusta esse non possunt, may be secret, but never unjust. The reason why sin committed in a short time is eternally punished, is because every sin is committed against an Infinite Essence, and no less than Eternity of Punishment can satisfie. Why is Treason punished with Confiscation and Death, but because it is against ⟨p. 35⟩the King's Person, which is Sacred; much more that Offence which is against God's Crown and Dignity, is of an heinous and infinite Nature, and cannot be satisfied with less than Eternal Punishment.

Use 2. Of Comfort to the Godly, God is Eternal, therefore lives for ever to Reward the Godly, Rom. 2.7. To them who seek for glory and honour eternal life. The People of God here are in a suffering Condition, Acts 20.23. Bonds and Afflictions abide me. The Head being crowned with Thorns, the Feet must not tread upon Roses. The Wicked are clad in Purple, and fare deliciously, while the Godly suffer. Goats climb upon the high Mountains, while Christ's Sheep are in the Valley of Slaughter. But here is the Comfort, God is Eternal, and he hath appointed Eternal Recompenses for the Saints. In Heaven are fresh Delights, Sweetness without Surfeit. And that which is the Crown and Zenith of Heavens happiness is, it is Eternal,