Theol. The Scriptures do affirm, that as the torments of Hell are extreme, so they are without all hope of remedy:1 as it is written, A man can by no means redeem his brother: he cannot give his ransom unto God: so precious is the redemption of the soul, and the continuance for ever. To this purpose Abraham said to the rich man,2 being in Hell torments, Betwixt you and us there is a great gulf set, so that they which would go from hence to you cannot, neither can they come from thence to us. Our Lord Jesus also saith,3 What shall a man give for the recompense of his soul? Where our Saviour doth plainly affirm, that there is no ransom or recompense, though never so great, to be given for a damned soul. For the soul being in Hell, can never be released, it is past remedy, no means whatsoever can do any good: no gold, no silver, no friends, no riches, no power, ⟨p. 395⟩no policy, no flattery, no bribery, no reach, no fetch or device whatsoever, can prevail one jot: for a man being once in Hell hath no remedy, he is in close prison, he is shut up under the hatches for ever, there is no getting out again, he must suffer perpetual imprisonment. He cannot bring a writ of false imprisonment, because he is laid in by the most righteous and just Judge, who cannot possibly do any wrong; but he must lye by it. For being there once, he is there for ever. If all the Angels of Heaven should entreat for a damned soul; if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob should make great suit; if all the Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs should be continual solicitors to Christ for release; if the father should make request for his son, or the mother for the daughter, yet can none of these be heard, they must all have the repulse. For the sentence of Christ cannot be reversed, his decree is unrepealable. The due consideration of these things may make all hearts to quake, and all knees to tremble. In the troubles and afflictions of this life, though a man come in never so great danger, yet he may wind out again by one means or another, by money, or friendship, or rewards, or such like means: but in Hell-fire, this is it that gripes, ⟨p. 396⟩and maketh the heart despair, that there is no remedy at all to be used. If we should ask of a damned soul, or an afflicted conscience, what they would give for the ease and redemption of their souls; they would answer, the whole world:
Theol. The Scriptures do affirm, that as the torments of Hell are extreme, so they are without all hope of remedy:1 as it is written, A man can by no meanes redeem his brother: hee cannot give his ransome unto God: so precious is the redemption of the soule, and the continuance for ever. To this purpose Abraham said to the rich man,2 being in Hell torments, Betwixt you and us there is a great gulfe set, so that they which would goe from hence to you cannot, neither can they come from thence to us. Our Lord Iesus also saith,3 What shall a man give for the recompence of his soule? Where our Saviour doth plainly affirme, that there is no ransome or recompence, though never so great, to be given for a damned soule. For the soule being in Hell, can never be released, it is past remedy, no meanes whatsoever can doe any good: no gold, no silver, no friends, no riches, no power, ⟨p. 395⟩no policy, no flattery, no bribery, no reach, no fetch or device whatsoever, can prevaile one jot: for a man being once in Hell hath no remedy, hee is in close prison, he is shut up under the hatches for ever, there is no getting out againe, he must suffer perpetuall imprisonment. Hee cannot bring a writ of false imprisonment, because he is laid in by the most righteous and just Iudge, who cannot possibly doe any wrong; but hee must lye by it. For being there once, he is there for ever. If all the Angels of Heaven should intreat for a damned soule; if Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob should make great suit; if all the Prophets, Apostles and Martyrs should be continuall solicitors to Christ for release; if the father should make request for his son, or the mother for the daughter, yet can none of these be heard, they must all have the repuise. For the sentence of Christ cannot be reversed, his decree is unrepealeable. The due consideration of these things may make all hearts to quake, and all knees to tremble. In the troubles and afflictions of this life, though a man come in never so great danger, yet hee may wind out againe by one meanes or another, by mony, or friendship, or rewards, or such like meanes: but in Hell-fire, this is it that gripes, ⟨p. 396⟩and maketh the heart despaire, that there is no remedy at all to be used. If wee should aske of a damned soule, or an afflicted conscience, what they would give for the ease and redemption of their soules; they would answer, the whole world:
- 1Psal. 4•.8.
- 2Luk. 16.16.
- 3[…]. 19.〈…〉. 19.
