-16 Chapter 16. Of the Consummation of Death.
1-16 Chapter 16. Of the Consummation of Death.
1. The CONSUMMATION of Death is the highest degree of the punishment appointed, and it is to endure forever. As touching the degree of it, it is said to be infinite.
2. But it is infinite only in respect to the loss and privation. Because it is the loosing of an infinite good (not in respect to sense or positive affliction), it may be said to be positively infinite in respect to the thing that is afflicting, but not in respect to the manner of afflicting.
3. This is why there are certain degrees in this punishment, according to the variety of degrees which are found in sins. Luke 12:47-48, He shall be beaten with many stripes; he shall be beaten with few stripes.
4. As touching its continuance, this punishment is said to be eternal or never to be ended. Mark 9:44; Mark 9:46; Mark 9:48. Where their worm does not die, and their fire never goes out.
5. Now it is eternal, 1. Because of the eternal abiding of the offence. 2. Because of the unchangeableness of the condition which that degree of punishment follows. 3. Because of the lack of satisfaction for it.271
6. This is why the incorruptibility of the damned is their immortality in death, and to death.
7. The consummation of spiritual death in matter of LOSS, is a total and final forsaking, whereby a man is separated wholly from the face, presence, and favour of God. Matthew 7:23, Depart from me. And Matthew 25:41, Go you cursed. 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, being driven from the Face of the Lord, and the glory of his Power.
8. Hence follows the greatest and eternal hardening in evil, and despairing of good, Luke 16:26.272
9. The consummation of spiritual Death in matter of SENSE, is fulness of bondage, whereby man is altogether delivered into the power of the Devil, Matthew 25:41.273
10. From this comes the fulness of the terrors of conscience, and the fulness of sin; for the damned sin and will sin forever, even though they are neither the same sins committed in this life (such as Theft, Murder, Adultery), nor are they altogether of the same condition which the sharpness of punishment gives occasion to. Also these sins after death do not have the same respect to desert which they have in this life, because then there is neither any possibility of avoiding sin, nor is there a place for threatening, and an increase of punishment by them.
11. This is why sins themselves, in the damned, have more respect to punishment; but in those that live, they have more respect to the offence.
12. Terror of conscience is as it were, a worm perpetually gnawing. Mark 9:44; Isaiah 66:24.274
13. The Consummation of corporal Death together with spiritual, is first by separation of the soul from the body, 1 Corinthians 15:42-43,275 to which the change in some corresponds, and is like death, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Corinthians 1:1-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16.276 Secondly, the consummation is by casting the soul and body into Hell, or that place which God has prepared for the extreme torments of sins, Revelation 21:8.277
14. From this come pains, and the greatest vexations of both soul and body, Luke 16:23.278
15. From this come Lamentation, Howlings, Gnashing of Teeth, and similar effects of greatest vexation, Luke 13:28.279
16. But of the place of Hell, and the manner of torture, and the nature of outward things which pertain to it, because they are not necessary for us to know, the Scripture has not pronounced anything distinctly about them.