The saints everlasting rest

3. Consider who shall be GOD's executioners of their torment; and that is, first, Satan. Secondly, themselves. First, he that was here so successful in drawing them from Christ, will then be the instrument of their punishment, for yielding to his temptations. It was a pitiful fight to see the man possessed, that was bound with chains, and lived among tombs; and that other that would be cast into the fire and into the water; but alas! that was nothing to the torment that Satan puts them to in hell: that is the reward he will give them for all their service; for their rejecting the commands of GOD, and forsaking Christ, and neglecting their souls at his persuasion. Ah, if they had served Christ as faithfully as they did Satan, he would have given them a better reward. 2. And it is most just also, that they should there be their own tormenters, that they may see that their whole destruction is of themselves; and they who were wilfully the meritorious cause, should also be the efficient in their own sufferings; and then who can they complain of but themselves?

3. Consider who shall be GOD's executioners of their torment; and that is, first, Satan. Secondly, themselves. First, he that was here so successful in drawing them from Christ, will then be the instrument of their punishment, for yielding to his temptations. It was a pityful fight to see the man possessed, that was bound with chains, and lived among tombs; and that other that would be cast into the fire and into the water; but alas! that was nothing to the torment that Satan puts them to in hell: that is the reward he will give them for all their service; for their rejecting the commands of GOD, and forsaking Christ, and neglecting their souls at his persuasion. Ah, if they had served Christ as faithfully as they did Satan, he would have given them a better reward. 2. And it is most just also, that they should there be their own tormenters, that they may see that their whole destruction is of themselves; and they who were wilfully the meritorious cause, should also be the efficient in their own sufferings; and then who can they complain of but themselves?

4. Consider also that their torment will be universal, not upon one part alone, while the rest are free; but as all have joined in the sin, so must all partake of the torment. The soul, as it was the chief in sinning, shall be the chief in suffering; and as it is of a more spiritual and excellent nature than bodies are, so will its torments far exceed bodily sufferings. And as the joys of the soul far surpass all sensual pleasures, so the pains of the soul surpass corporal pains.