The Marrow of Sacred Divinity - William Ames (1642)

1. THE Consummation of Death is the highest degree of the punishment appointed, and to endure for ever. As touching the degree, it is said to be infinite.

2. But it is infinite only in respect of the losse and privation: because it is the loosing of an infinit good, not in respect of sence or positive affliction; yet it may be said to be positively infinite, in respect of the thing afflicting, but not in respect of the manner of afflicting.

3. Hence it is that there are certaine 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 beaten with few stripes.

4. As touching the continuance, this punishment is said to be eternall or never to be ended. Marc. 9. 44. 46. 48. Where their Worme dieth not, and their fire never goeth out.

5. Now it is eternall. 1. Because of the eternall abiding of the offence. 2. Because of the unchangeablenesse of the condition which that degree of punishment doth follow. 3. Because of the want of satisfaction.

6. Hence it is that the incorruptibility of the damned is their immortality in death, and to death.

7. The consummation of spirituall death in matter of losse, is a totall and finall forsaking, whereby a man is separated wholy from the face, presence, and favour of God. Matth. 7. 23. Depart from me. And 25. 41. Go yee cursed. 2. Thess. 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 followes the greatest, and eternall hardning in evill, and despaire of good Luc. 16, 26.

9. The consummation of spirituall Death in matter of sence, is fulnesse of bondage, whereby he is altogether delivered into the power of the Devill, Matth. 25. 41.

10. Hence is fulnesse of terrors of conscience, and fulnesse of sinne, for the damned doe sin, and will fin for ever, although neither the same sins which were in this life, as Theft, Murder, Adultery; nor altogether of the same condition, with them which they committed alive. For they offend chiefly in hatred, envy indignation, and such like affections, which the sharpenesse of punishment gives occasion to. Also these sins after death, have not the same respect of desert which they have in this life, because then there is neither any possibility to avoyd sin, neither is there place for threatning and increase of punishment by them.

11. Hence it is that sins themselves, in the damned, have more respect of punishment: but in those that live, they have more respect of offence.

12. Terror of conscience is as it were a worme, perpetually gnawing. Mar. 9. 44. Esay 66. 24.

13. The Consummation of corporall Death together with spirituall, is first by separation of the soule from the body. 1. Cor. 15. 42. 43. To which that change of some is answerable, which is like death. 1. Cor. 15. 51. 52. 1. Thess. 4. 15. 16. Secondly, by casting the soule and body into Hell, or that place which God hath prepared, for the extreame torments of sins. Rev. 21. 8.

14. Hence are paines, and greatest vexations both of soule and body. Luc. 16. 23.

15. Hence are Lamentation, Howlings, Gnashing of Teeth, and such like effects, of greatest vexation. Luc. 13. 28.

16. But of the place of Hell, and manner of torture, & nature of outward things which pertaine thereunto, because they are not necessary for us to know, the Scripture hath not pronounced any thing distinctly of them.