2. Q. Shall the wicked, as well as the righteous live for ever?

A. They shall, if such a state of inexpressible misery as they shall be condemned to, may be called living. For they shall never cease to be; nor ever cease to be tormented to all eternity.

Matt. x. 28. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. xxv. 41, 46. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. xviii. 8. Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Compare Mark, ix. 44, 45, 46, 47. Where their worm diethnot, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire, that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

3. Q. How then is everlasting life a privilege of the church of Christ?

A. As the resurrection of the body was before said to be. That life which alone deserves to be so called; that happy and glorious life which God has prepared for the faithful in his kingdom, that is the sin

gular privilege of Christ's church, and of the faithful members of it. The other is rather an everlasting duration, a state of endless dying, than an everlasting life.

4. Q. But can it be consistent with the justice and mercy of God, to punish the temporary and transient sins of men with an everlasting state of misery and sufferings?

A. We must confess it so to be, or say, (which is as unreasonable as it would be wicked,) that God will deal unjustly and unmercifully with sinners at the last day. For certain it is, that this he has declared shall be the result of their evil doings.

5. Q. Why may we not by the everlasting death, and everlasting punishment, of which the Scriptures speak on this occasion, understand rather the final destruction of such wicked persons, than an eternal continuance of them in pain and misery?

A. Because the Scriptures have plainly declared, were men willing to understand it, that by everlasting punishment is meant everlasting torment. That their worm shall not die, nor their fire be quenched; but they shall dwell in everlasting burnings, Mark, ix. 44. Isa. lxvi. 44. That there shall be weeping and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, Matt. vii. 12, 13, 42,

50.

All which phrases, however they be understood, must denote suffering as well as punishment: an eternity of pain, not an eternal state of death and insensibility. Besides, that everlasting death or destruction, would not otherwise be, properly speaking, an everlasting punishment. For as soon as men are thus dead, they cease to suffer; and, for that very reason, cease to be punished. And one may as well

say, that a malefactor who was executed for his crimes a hundred years ago still continues to be punished by the magistrate; as that after a man should be once annihilated, he should continue to be. punished for his sins by God Almighty.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Compare Rev. xiv. 11. xxi. 8. and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name—But the fearful and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.

6. Q. Wherein do you suppose the everlasting happiness of the righteous shall consist?

a

A. As to the particulars of it, they are altogether unknown to us: nor, indeed, are we able in our present estate perfectly to comprehend the greatness of them. Thus much in general, we are told, that they shall be placed in a most glorious and perfect state; free from all sin, and from all suffering: where they shall enjoy all the pleasure and satisfaction that their natures, then vastly enlarged, shall be capable of. They shall dwell in the presence of God; shall be continually entertained, not only in the contemplation, but with the fruition of all the riches of his goodness and glory. They shall be companions with the holy angels, and pass their time in the greatest love of God, and of one another, that can be imagined. They shall turn all their service into praise and wonder; shall have nothing left to wish or desire of him. And they shall both love, and serve, and praise him, with such rapture and

satisfaction, with such joy to themselves, as well as such fervour towards God, as no thoughts can conceive, nor is it possible for us, by any words, to express the greatness of it. 1 Cor. ii. 9. Compare Isa. Ixiv. 4. Cor. As it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Isaiah, lxiv. 4. For since the beginning of the world, men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-1 Cor. xv. 42, &c. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. Phil. iii. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 1 John, iii. 2. Beloved, now we are the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him: for we shall see him as he is. Rev. xxi. 4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Psalm xvi. 11. Thou wilt shew me. the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

PART III.

OF THE GOSPEL OBEDIENCE.

SECT. XXI.

Of Obedience in General.

1. Q. WHAT was the third thing which your Godfathers and Godmothers promised for you at your baptism?

A. That I should keep God's holy will and commandment, and walk in the same all the days of my life.

2. Q. Do you account it to be necessary for you herein also to fulfil what they promised for you?

A. I do; and that so necessary that I cannot be saved without it.

PROOFS SUBJOINED.-Matt. vii. 21, 24, &c. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built his house upon a rock. xix. 17, 18. If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness; honour thy father and thy mother: and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.