N13259:463
Sermons, on the following subjects
Sermons, on the following subjects; The manner in which salvation is to be sought. The unreasonableness of indetermination in religion. Unbelievers contemn the glory of Christ. The folly of looking back in fleeing out of Sodom. The warnings of Scripture in the best manner adapted to the awakening and conversion of sinners. Hypocrites deficient in the duty of prayer. The future punishment of the wicked unavoidable and intolerable. The eternity of hell-torments. The peace which Christ gives his true followers. The perpetuity & change of the Sabbath. / By the late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, president of the College of New-Jersey.
Hartford: printed by Hudson and Goodwin, 1780
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
THE other opinion which I mean to oppose is, that though the punishment of the wicked shall consist in sensible misery, yet it shall not be absolutely eternal; but only of a very long continuance.
THEREFORE to establish the doctrine in opposition to these different opinions, I shall undertake to show, I. THAT it is not contrary to the divine perfections, to inflict on wicked men, a punishment that is absolutely eternal. ⟨p. 172⟩II. THAT the eternal death which GOD threatens, is not annihilation, but an abiding, sensible punishment or misery. III. THAT this misery will not only continue for a very long time, but will be absolutely without end. IV. THAT various good ends will be obtained by the eternal punishment of the wicked.
I. I AM to show that it is not contrary to the divine perfections, to inflict on wicked men a punishment that is absolutely eternal.
THIS is the sum of the objections usually made against this doctrine, that it is inconsistent with the justice, and especially with the mercy of GOD. And some say, If it be strictly just, yet how can we suppose that a merciful GOD can bear eternally to torment his creatures.