MEDITATION XLVII.
MEDITATION XLVII.
GOD'S EQUITY IN THE ETERNITY OF TORMENT.
July 10, 1758.
Man is daringly bold to find fault with God, and tell him to his face—that his ways are not just. For God to make a creature to be miserable for some small offence; to make a creature to be damned—they complain is unjust. Or for God to punish a few follies in frail man, the extravagancies of a few days—with eternal wrath; and the failings of a finite creature, who is crushed before the moth—with the whole collected fury of an Omnipotent God, an Almighty Avenger—they complain is unjust.
As to the first, God creates not to destroy—but still delights in mercy; yet, before any creatures rob him of his glory by a course of sin—he will magnify himself in their damnation. Again, shall the man that derides revelation, scorns to search the word of truth, despises counsel, casts instruction behind his back, hates him who reproves, sins against his light, will not hearken to the reproofs of conscience—but eagerly runs into all sin, and commits wickedness with greediness, dragging as many as he can with him to hell—shall such a wretch (and generally such they are who have these sorry and pitiful pleas) talk of mercy?
Would he have God to take him, sin and all to heaven—who would not forsake his sin for heaven, nor cease from wickedness for God? Those who will not receive mercy, who will not have a gift of salvation on God's terms, and in God's time—must expect damnation from him in due time, which shall measure with eternity!
I have, for a long time, been convinced of the punishment for sin being infinite (as far as creatures can sustain) and eternal, on account of the infinite Majesty against whom it was committed. Because it is impossible for finite creatures, who despise the salvation provided by God, to atone for one sin; and because the sinner continues, even in the torments of hell—to be the enemy of God and righteousness. But now I see another thing, even that infinite and eternal punishment, is no more than the just payment of their sin.
For the sinner employs all his thoughts, exerts all his might, and goes to the very utmost of his finite omnipotence (may I use the expression?) against God. Had he power equal to his ungodly inclinations, he would destroy righteousness out of the world, just as he does in his own bosom! Yes, could he effect it, he who daily tears the moral law in pieces—would pull the angels out of heaven! More—he, who will not let God govern his poor insignificant self—could he rise in power, he would contend even with the Almighty, and take the government of heaven and earth out of his hand!
Now, is it not strict justice in God to punish to the uttermost of his power—those who sin against him to the uttermost of their power; and to cast the fury of his wrath on those who, in their sinning against him, would not repent? Moreover, is it not equitable with God to punish as long as he lives—those who sinned against him as long as they lived? So may an earthly king condemn to perpetual imprisonment—a rebel or one who attempts to assassinate him.
Again, though their life was short and passing, yet how did they spend it, every moment of it, in abominable sin! And since they spend the eternity of their life (might I again use the expression?) against God, and would never cease to offend the everlasting Jehovah, were they to continue in their present state to perpetuity; therefore it is but just that he should punish them through the eternity of his existence.
Finally, sinners have no grounds of excuse or complaint left, being well apprised of their danger in time, and therefore shall, through an eternity of torment, confess that their own ways have been unjust—but that God is just and righteous in all his ways.
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