that that which is here is as it were but painted or like a breath of wind, but that which is there shall all of it be most terrible, and shall never have an end; for after it has continued fifty thousand years there remain other fifty thousand millions to pass, and these being passed there remain others, and then others without number or end. For Cain having been in hell more than five thousand years, is as if he began but to-day. And it is some two thousand years now that the covetous Dives burns in hell and asks but one drop of water, and he will for ever burn and for ever desire it.
Colloquy. — Then what folly is it, O my soul, by not suffering in this life so small and so short afflictions, to put thyself in danger of suffering evils so great and so everlasting! How is it that thou wilt not bear patiently that little and short correction which thou sufferest, seeing thou deservest to suffer so great and everlasting for thy sins? O eternal God, enlighten me with Thy sovereign light, that by the evils present I may know the terribleness of those that are eternal, and may live in such manner that I may deserve to be free from them! Amen.
POINT II.
Secondly, I am to consider the causes and circumstances of this eternity, pondering how that all that is in hell is eternal.
1, The damned himself is eternal, not only as to his soul, but also his body; for he will be immortal, neither can he kill himself nor can any other kill him, neither will Almighty God annihilate him. And though he himself should "desire to die," "death shall fly from" [1] him, neither will God accomplish this his desire; rather his
- ↑ Apoc. ix. 6.
