Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/56

 quence of  the  number  of  the  damned. 3. Exceedingly loathsome and  nauseous. 4. It  will  be  a  place,  "where the  shadow  of  death,  and  no  order,  but  everlasting  horror dwelleth." (Job x.  22.)

II. Consider the  nature  of  the  pains  suffered  in  hell. 1. They  will  be  most  severe  and  excruciating,  without relaxation or  respite. Hence the  rich  glutton  could never obtain  one  drop  of  water  to  cool  his  tongue. 2. The damned  will  suffer  every  variety  of  torture;  "Let him  pass  from  the  snow  waters  into  excessive  heat." (Job xxiv.  19.)  These  torments  will  be  increased  by  the company which  the  reprobate  will  be  always  obliged  to keep:  devils  and  damned  souls,  odious  to  themselves  and all around  them,  will  be  their  constant  companions — add to  those,  vipers  and  snakes. " He  shall  suck  the head  of  the  asp,  and  the  viper's  tongue  shall  kill  him; he  shall  be  punished  for  all  that  he  did,  and  yet  shall not  be  consumed." (Job xx.  16.)  How  horrid  a thought,  to  dwell  in  such  a  place  of  woe!

III. Consider the  eternal  existence  of  these  pains. Millions of  years  will  pass  away  and  still  these  torments will exist  as  if  they  were  only  just  beginning. Alas! they will  endure  forever, — yes,  forever. " The  smoke  of their  torments  shall  ascend  up  for  ever  and  ever;  neither have  they  rest  day  nor  night." (Apoc. xiv.  11.)  1. They will be  eternal,  because  the  human  soul  is  immortal; "They shall  desire  to  die,  and  death  shall  fly  from  them." (Apoc. ix.  6.)  2. Because that  place  of  torment  will  never cease to  exist. 3. Because  the  reprobate  will  be  there, "where the  worm  dieth  not  and  the  fire  is  not  extinguished." (Mark ix.  43.)  Lastly,  the  decrees  of  God are immutable,  and  He  will  have  said  to  them,  "Depart from  me,  ye  cursed,  into  everlasting  flames." What ought you not  to  undergo  to  avoid  the  danger  of  such  suffering!