Human nature in its fourfold state ... In several practical discourses

Lastly, I might here show the reasonableness of the eternity of the punishment of the damned; but having already spoke of it in vindicating the justice of God, in his subjecting men in their natural state to eternal wrath, I only remind you of three things, (1.) The infinite dignity of the party offended by sin, requires an infinite punishment to be inflicted for the vindication of his honour: since the demerit of sin riseth according to the dignity and excellency of the person against whom it is committed. The party offended is the great God, the chief ⟨p. 341⟩good: the offender, a vile worm; in respect of perfection infinitely distant from God, to whom he is indebted for all that ever he had, implying any good, or perfection whatsoever. This then requires an infinite punishment to be inflicted on the sinner, the which, since it cannot▪ in him, be infinite in value, must needs be infinite in duration, that is to say, eternal. Sin is a kind of infinite evil, as it wrongs an infinite God; and the guilt and defilement thereof is never taken away, but endures for ever, unless the Lord himself in mercy do remove it God, who is offended, is eternal, his being never comes to an end, the sinful soul is immortal, and the man shall live for ever: the sinner being without strength, (Rom. v 6.) to expiate his guilt, can never put away the offence; therefore it ever remains, unless the Lord do put it away himself, as in the elect, by his Son's blood. Wherefore the party offended, the offender, and the offence, ever remaining, the punishment cannot but be eternal (2.) The sinner would have continued the course of his provocations against God, for ever without end, if God had not put a check to it by death As long as they were capable to act against him, in this world, they did it; and therefore justly he will act against them, while he is; that is, for ever. God who judgeth of the will, intents, and inclinations of the heart may justly do against sinners, in punishing, as they would have done against him, in sinning. Lastly, (though I put not the stress of the matter here, yet) it is just and reasonable the damned suffer eternally, since they will sin eternally in hell, gnashing their teeth (Matth viii. 12.) under their pain, in rage, envy, and grudge, (compare Acts vii. 54. Psal. cxii. 10.