Rome ruin'd by VVhite Hall, or, The papall crown demolisht

SECT. 12. Of Christs preaching to the Spirits in prison.

Object. IN that reply is confirmed, that the wicked of the old world were not so condemned, but that they might be re∣deemed from them by the descension of Christ, who is said by Saint Peter to be quickned in the Spirit, by the which he preached to the spirits in prison, which sometimes were disobedient.

Ans. Those imaginations are contrary to Scripture, for out of* 1.1 Hell is no redemption, as Abraham said to the rich man, They which would goe from hence to you cannot, neither can they come from them to us, Luk. 16. 26. Again, Hell is thus described, Where the worme dyeth not, and the fire never goeth out, Mark 9. 45. the worme of the conscience in everlasting fire shall torment the wick∣ed; and therefore that place in Peter, or the other cannot be understood of the descending of Christs Soule into Hell, for

Christ cannot be said to be quickned, or made alive in his Spi•••••• that is, his Soule, because it was not subject to death; and 〈…〉〈…〉 fore by the word soule, or spirit, they truly understand the Di∣vine power of Christ whereby he preached to Noah. 2. If there were preaching in Hell, then it will follow that there is a Church there, and repentance and conversion of soules. 3. The Apostle only speaketh of such as were disobedient, but they were not de∣livered by Christ. 4. It cannot be shewed in all the Scripture where the resceptacle of the soules of the faithfull and beleevers is called a prison.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Out of Hell is no redemption.