The saints everlasting rest

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.

And it is not only a soul, but a sinful soul that must suffer: the guilt which still remains upon it, will make it fit for the wrath of GOD to work upon: as fire will not burn, except the fuel be combustible; but if the wood be dry, how fiercely will it burn then! The guilt of their sins will be as tinder to gunpowder to the damned soul, to make the flames of hell take hold upon them with fury.

And as the soul, so also the body must bear its part. That body that must needs be pleased, whatsoever became of its eternal safety, shall now be paid for its unlawful pleasures. That body which was so carefully looked to, so tenderly cherished—That body which could not endure heat or cold, or an ill smell, or a loathsome sight: Oh what must it now endure! how are its haughty looks now taken down! how little will those flames regard its comeliness and beauty! but as death did not regard it, nor the worms regard it, but as freely feed upon the face of the proud and lustful dames, and the heart of the most ambitious lords or princes, as if they had been but beggars; so will their tormenters then as little pity their tenderness, or reverence their lordliness. Those eyes which were wont to be delighted with curious sights, must then see nothing, but what shall amaze and terrify them; an angry GOD above them, and those saints whom they scorned, enjoying the glory which they have ⟨p. 117⟩