Instruction concerning penance and holy communion the second part fo the instruction of youth, containing the means how we may return to God by penance, and remain in his grace by the good and frequent use of the sacraments. By Charles Gobinet, Doctor of Divinity, of the house and Society of Sorbon, principal of the college of Plessis-Sorbon.

ARTICLE III. Of the effects of Sin in Hell.

LEt us sink down into the Pit of Hell, that so we may conceive a more lively apprehension of the enormity of Mortal Sin: we shall there see the frightfull evills, which, this Monster hath produced; and by the vastness of so many dread∣full effects, frame a judgment of the malice of that cause, which hath brought them forth; and we shall there learn two things, the first to de∣test Sin, the author of so many evils: The Se∣cond to conceive a wholesome fear of falling into that abiss of misery into which man is thrown by Sin. That which, St Bernard said, being most cer∣tain. It is necessary we descend into Hell alive, that

is, think seriously and often on it, That we may escape falling into it at the hour of death.

Consider then, Theotime, attentively, what Faith teacheth us concerning Hell; that it is an Eternal fire, which God hath prepared for the Devil and his Apostate Angels; and with which he hath also decreed to punish the Sins of men, who follow the rebellious example of those Ambitious Spirits.

This we learn from that terrible Sentence, which the Son of God shall pronounce at the day of judgment against the wicked. Go ye accursed into Everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels. Mat. 25. A dreadfull sentence, which contains no more then four words: but in those four words it comprehends Hell intirely, and all the evils, which compose it.

First it teacheth us, that the fame punishment, which is prepared for the Devils, is also appoint∣ed for men; and that they shall be Companions of those wicked and damned Spirits, as they were their followers in their rebellion against God: and by this we may see what Mortall sin is, which renders us obnoxious to the same punishment and damnation with the Devils. Ponder this well, Theotime, and behold what it is to be damn∣ed together with the Devils, and as the Devils are damned; and how great that offence must necessarily be, which deserves a punishment e∣qual to that, with which the Devils are tor∣mented.

But what will that punishment be? I confess we are not able to comprehend; but the Son of God by his infinite wisdom hath summ'd it up in four words, that we may more easily conceive it. Words which contain all the horror of Hell, Go

says he, ye accursed into Everlasting fire. Mat. 25.

By these words are denoted the Separation from God, the curse of God, Fire, and Eternity. Behold in four words what Hell is, behold the punishment of Mortal Sin! To be separated from God, to be accursed of God, to be con∣demned to fire, and that for ever. Who can think of these things, and not tremble with fear and horror? Stay some time here, Theotime, this is not a subject to be read in hast: revive these thoughts often, and pause a while upon each of these frightfull punishments.

To be separated from God, the Author and Fountain of all good, whose only aspect gives a blessing to all Creatures; and who no sooner turns away his face, but all things are in trouble and confusion; as the Prophet hath it, Ps. 103.

To be cursed of God, that is, of Goodness it self. To be cursed, that is, hated, rejected with Indignation, abandoned to all possible mischiefs, without relief, without comfort, without hope.

To be condemned to Fire, that is, to the most horrible of all torments.

And this for all Eternity, that is, without hope ever to be delivered from it; so that neither a hundred years, nor a hundred thousand years, nor a hundred thousand millions of years, make up the least part of that dreadfull duration. The unfortunate Damned shall be cursed of God for ever. They shall be damned to the Fire of Hell, and that for ever. From that very moment that this final decree shall be pronounced a∣gainst them, there will be no further recourse, or hope of relief. This will be a dreadfull Thunder-bolt, which if once it falls upon their

guilty heads, will never be withdrawn. It will incessantly torture them, without ever giving them the least repose. And during all eternity they shall never forget those four words of their Condemnation: Go ye accursed into everlasting Fire. O mighty God! how terrible art thou in thy Judgments? Is not he strangely blind, and wonderfully insensible, who fears not to fall into thy hands at the hour of Death? Who can live without an apprehension of that horrible Thun∣der of thy final Judgment? It is not like the punishments and afflictions, which thou sendest to us during this life; and yet how fearfull are we of these, which last but for a time? whereas that shall never end. Sagittae thae transeunt: vox tonitrui tui in rotâ. Psal. 76. Thy Arrows, says the Prophet, that is, the afflictions of this life, are but passing; at least they end with life: But that terrible Judgment, which thou layest upon the wicked, is a Thunder that shall never cease. From the moment that it shall issue from thy hands, it continually rowls over their heads, and oppresses them without ceasing, and yet makes them not to dye.