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from suffering that eternal death which the divine law threatens to every transgressor. It only rendered it consistent for God to forgive and save penitent believers of the gospel. Though Christ suffered death in the room of all mankind; yet he did not suffer that punishment which they had deserved, and which God had threatened to inflict upon them. Sinners deserve to be punished according to the threatening of the divine law, as much as if Christ had never made atonement for them; and of consequence, God may, consistently with the atonement, make all the impenitent and unbelieving completely and forever miserable. And this appears not only from the nature of the atonement, but from the fact, that God does actually punish sinners in this life, notwithstanding Christ died for them and we know that he has constantly been punishing mankind, from age to age, notwithstanding Christ has died for them. Now if Christ's atonement does not render it inconsistent for God to punish sinners in this life, how can it render it inconsistent for him to punish them in the life to come? God's actually punishing sinners in this life, is instead of a thousand arguments, to prove that it is consistent with the atonement, to punish them according to their desert, forever. The atonement of Christ, either has or has not, removed the guilt of sinners. If it has removed their guilt, then it is inconsistent for God to inflict the least punishment upon them in this world; but if it has not removed their guilt, then it is not inconsistent for God to punish them, both in this world and the next. And since God's conduct proves, that it is consistent with the atonement to punish them in this life, it equally proves, that it is consistent to punish them in the life to come. It is too absurd for any man to say, that it is inconsistent with the atonement of Christ, for God to punish sinners in this world; but it is no less absurd to say, that it is inconsistent for God to punish them in a future and eternal world. Every argument that can be drawn from the atonement of Christ, against the future and eternal punishment of sinners, stands completely refuted by the ten thousand instances of God's punishing them in this world.

5. God's punishing sinners in this world, shows that it is consistent with his desire for their salvation, to punish them forever. God is a being of perfect benevolence; which disposes him to desire the happiness, and regret the misery of his creatures, simply considered. He loves happiness for its own nature, and hates misery for its own nature. He takes pleasure in bestowing happiness, but not in inflicting pain. Accordingly, he solemnly declares, "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have

no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live." God sincerely desires that sinners should be happy both in time and eternity, simply considered; but not all things considered. His benevolent desires are under the direction and influence of his unerring wisdom, which sees great and good ends to be answered, by actually punishing those, who deserve to be punished. This we know to be true, from God's conduct in ten thousand instances before our eyes. Though God does not afflict willingly, yet he does afflict; though he does not punish willingly, yet he does punish. Though God strove with the old world, by the influences of his spirit, to prevent their awful doom; yet he finally destroyed them. Though God invites sinners to accept of mercy; yet when they disregard and reject his kind and gracious offers, he cuts them down as cumberers of the ground. God's conduct in punishing sinners in this life, demonstrates, that it is consistent with his desires for their present happiness, to punish them in this present state. And if it be consistent with his desires for the happiness of sinners in this world, to punish them in this world; then it must be equally consistent with his desires for their eternal happiness, to make them, for wise and good ends, eternally miserable. Since we all know from plain and stubborn facts, that it is really consistent with God's perfect benevolence, to punish sinners in this life; we must know, that it is really consistent with his perfect benevolence, to punish them forever, in the life to come. It is just as consistent with divine goodness to inflict an eternal, as a temporal punishment, upon sinners, when they equally deserve both.

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6. God's punishing sinners in this world, shows that he not only may, but certainly will punish the finally impenitent forever in a future state. Accordingly the apostle Peter says, Making them," that is the inhabitants of the old world, and the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, "ensamples unto those that after should live ungodly." And the apostle Jude declares, Sodom and Gomorrah "are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire." It appears from these express declarations, that one end God had in view in destroying the old world, and the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, was to prove the certainty of his actually inflicting upon the finally impenitent, the vengeance of eternal fire. God has frequently threatened to cast the wicked into hell with the fallen angels. But actions speak louder than words; and for this reason, among others, God actually punishes sinners in this world, to put it beyond the possibility of doubt, that he certainly will punish the finally impenitent eternally. God is not obliged in

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point of justice, to punish any sinner in this world; but he does punish both good and bad men in this world, to give assurance that he will punish the finally impenitent forever. So the apostle Peter plainly intimates in the fourth chapter of his first epistle. "The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear ??? Since the apostle repeatedly asserts, that it is one design, God had in view, in punishing men in this world, to give them the highest possible evidence, that he will certainly cause them to suffer the vengeance of eternal fire, if they remain finally impenitent; then it is just as certain, that God will eternally punish those that do not eventually obey the gospel, as that he has punished the fallen angels, or the inhabitants of the old world, or the men of Sodom and Gomorrah, or any other men since that day. In a word, we have an ocular evidence of the future and eternal punishment of the wicked.

IMPROVEMENT.

1. If God's punishing sinners in this world, infallibly proves, that he will punish the finally impenitent forever in the next; then it is easy for every one to see, that the doctrine of Universal Salvation is absolutely false and absurd. There are many minor, and some great religious errors, that are quite plausible, and not easy for people in general to discover. But the doctrine of Universal Salvation, is so plainly and visibly false, that every person is capable of seeing its falsehood and absurdity. It is contrary, not only to the whole current of scripture, but to the whole course of Providence. It stands condemned by all the threatenings of the law, and of the gospel; and by the most solemn and awful dispensations of Providence from the beginning of the world to this day. It is difficult to conceive, how God could say anything plainer, than he has said, or do anything better calculated than he has done, to convince every person in the world, that he will eternally punish every impenitent and incorrigible sinner. Though there have been some in the Christian world for more than fourteen hundred years, who have taught the pleasing doctrine of Universal Salvation; yet they have generally been very unsuccessful in making proselytes. Though thousands and millions have embraced the error of Arianism, the error of Socinianism, and the error of Arminianism; yet only a few individuals until very recently have

ever embraced the error of Universalism. This the advocates of Universalism have frankly acknowledged. But it cannot be accounted for, upon any other supposition, than that of its plain and palpable absurdity. God has expressly told us, that he will treat the finally impenitent in another world, as he has actually treated them in this. If this be true, then every person can clearly see and know, that all men will not escape the wrath to come; but some will forever suffer with the fallen angels, whom God has actually cast down to hell. If the apostle's argument, which has been illustrated, be just, it puts an argument into every person's mouth, to refute a Universalist.

2. If God's punishing men in this world, proves that he will punish the finally impenitent forever in a future state; then the doctrine of Universal Salvation is not only false and absurd, but extremely dangerous. It has a direct and powerful tendency to harden the hearts and stupify the consciences of sinners, who are walking in the broad road to ruin. If they once give a listening ear to this fatal delusion, they become deaf to the voice of reason, to the voice of the gospel, and to the terror of the law. They are prepared to avoid, to oppose, to reject all means of light and conviction, and rush on the thick bosses of God's buckler, and trifle with all the motives and objects of the eternal world. Like the scoffers of old, they feel and say, "The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil." "Let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die," and be happy. This is the fatal effect of a full belief of Universal Salvation. But when the doctrine is not fully believed, and only begets a hope, that it may be true, that all men will be saved, it has a secret and powerful tendency to lull sinners into carnal ease and stupidity respecting their spiritual and eternal interests. And here, at this day, the danger of the doctrine principally lies. Though there is not one solid argument in favor of Universal Salvation; yet there are many plausible and sophistical arguments, that may be thrown out which may create a hope, that it is possibly true. And this hope leads to presumption, and then to despair.

3. If God's punishing sinners in this world, proves that he will punish the impenitent forever in a future state; then those who teach the gross and dangerous error of Universal Salvation, are criminal and inexcusable. They not only, as the apostle says, bring destruction upon themselves, but upon others whom they deceive. Such false teachers are extremely criminal, if they do not believe the doctrine they teach, and there is reason to think this is often the case. And when it is the case, it proves them to be guilty of the most perverse falsehood and deception. But if they do believe it, they are utterly

guilty and inexcusable; for they have no right to believe it, and it is owing to nothing but their love of error, instead of the truth. God has revealed his wrath from heaven, against those who corrupt his word; and the apostle says, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." To hate and reject the plain truths of the gospel, is infinitely criminal. Such persons, instead of warning the wicked from their way, aid and encourage them to continue in their way to everlasting ruin. And though they may perish, yet their blood will God require at their teacher's and deceiver's hands.

4. If God, by punishing sinners in this world, has made it certain, that the doctrine of Universal Salvation is absolutely false, and extremely dangerous to the souls of men; then it is kind in ministers to preach against, and refute it, and guard their hearers against it. The preachers of the doctrine pretend that they do it in kindness. But if it were true, there is no great kindness in preaching it; for all men are equally safe, whether they believe it or not. But if it be false and fatal; then there is kindness in preaching against it, and guarding men against going near those who spread such mortal poison. The prophets did this. Christ did this. The apostles did this. And faithful ministers have done it, and been successful. Error is destined to fall before truth. Let false teachers pass on your right hand and left, and say nothing to them unless they attack you. And then tell them, God has commanded you to avoid them, and absolutely refuse to hear strong delusions, lest you should believe a lie, and be damned.

5. If God has, by punishing men in this life, given the highest possible evidence, that he will forever punish the impenitent and unbelieving; then it is a great mercy, that they now have a space for repentance, and that God is waiting to be gracious. This God might have denied long ago, and may deny soon. Now is the only accepted time. Next year, or the next day may be too late. Let awakened sinners flee immediately from the wrath to come. There will soon be a final and awful separation between the saved and the lost. Are you prepared for the awful event? Have you done all that you ought to have done, and all that you will soon wish you had done, to promote your own salvation, and the salvation of others?

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