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FOURTH LORD'S DAY
Question 11.
But is not God also merciful?
Answer.
God is indeed merciful, but also just; therefore his justice requires that sin,
which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be also punished with
extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment, both of body and soul.
EXPOSITION.
There is here an
objection to what is taught in the preceding question, which affirms, that God
punishes every sin with eternal punishment. The objection is this: It belongs to
him, who is in the highest degree merciful, not to be too rigorous in the
demands of his justice. God is in the highest degree merciful; therefore he will
not exact all that his extreme justice demands, and so will not punish sin with
eternal punishment. To the major proposition we thus reply: It does indeed
belong to him, who is merciful, to be lenient in his demands, but not so as to
wrong his justice, if he be at the same time extremely just. But God is
exceedingly merciful in such a way, that he is also exceedingly just. Hence he
will exercise his mercy in such a manner as not to do any violence to his
justice. Now, the justice of God demands that sin, which is committed against
his most high Majesty, be punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting
punishment, both of body and soul, that there may be a proportion between the
offence and its punishment. Every crime is great, and deserving of punishment in
proportion to the majesty of him against whom it is committed. The following
objection demands a passing notice:
Obj. He who rigorously exacts his right, shuts out
every expectation of clemency. God rigorously exacts his right. Therefore with
him there is no clemency. Or the objection may be thus stated: He who does not
yield any thing in relation to his rights, is not merciful, but only just. God
does not yield any thing as it respects his rights, because he punishes every
sin with a punishment that corresponds with its just desert. Ans. We deny the
minor proposition, because God, although he punishes sin with eternal
punishment, does nevertheless yield much as it respects his right. He exhibits
great clemency, for instance, towards the reprobate, for he defers the
punishment which they deserve, and invites them to repentance by strong and
powerful motives. And as to the punishment which he will inflict upon them in
the world to come, it will be lighter than they deserved. So he also exercises
great mercy towards the faithful, for he has, from his mercy alone, without
being bound by any law or merit on our part, given his son, and subjected him to
punishment for our sake. We also deny the major proposition, if applied either
to him who is endowed with such wisdom that he can discover a method of
exercising mercy without violating his justice, or when applied to him who,
whilst he executes his justice, does not rejoice in the destruction of man, but
would rather that he be saved. As a judge, when he passes the sentence upon a
robber that he deserves to be put to the torture, and yet does not take pleasure
in his punishment, exhibits great equity and clemency, even though he seems to
exact the most rigorous demand of the law, so God is far more equitable and
clement, although, in his just judgment, he punishes sin, for he does not
delight in the destruction of the wicked, (Ez. 18:23; 33:11.) and has also shown
his mercy and compassion towards us, by laying the punishment which we deserved
upon his own Son.
CONCERNING AFFLICTIONS.
There are three questions which particularly claim
our attention in regard to afflictions:
I.
HOW MANY KINDS OF AFFLICTIONS ARE THERE?
There are two kinds of afflictions, such as are
temporal and such as are eternal. Eternal, are those everlasting torments of
body and soul which constitute the final portion of devils, and of the wicked
who in this life are not converted to God. They are called in the Scriptures,
hell, torments, unquenchable fire, a worm that dieth not, and everlasting death,
because they are torments which will be everlasting, and such as are experienced
by the dying, who, although they are always dying, will never be dead. This now
will be the character of eternal death, always to die, and never to be dead; or
it will be a continuation of death, with an infinite increase of hellish agonies
and torments. The following are some of the declarations of Scripture which
refer to everlasting punishment: "Their worm shall not die, neither shall their
fire be quenched." "It is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having
two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched; where the
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." "Depart from me, ye cursed, into
everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." "If the righteous
scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear." (Is. 66:24.
Mark 9:43-44. Matt. 25:41. 1 Pet. 4:18.) The reason which makes this form of
punishment necessary is evident from this: that sin which is committed against
God, who is infinitely good, demands an infinite punishment and satisfaction,
which could not be rendered by the afflictions which are incident merely to this
life. This would not satisfy the infinite and eternal justice of God.
That eternal punishment includes both the soul and
body, is clearly affirmed by Christ himself, when he says: "Fear him which is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28.) The soul is the
fountain of sin; whilst the body, as a thing destitute of reason, executes what
the soul directs. As the soul and body are, therefore, both involved in the
commission of sin, the one being the author and the other the instrument, they
will both be included in the punishment thereof.
Obj. He who is most merciful cannot behold the
eternal torments of his creatures, much less inflict them. God's mercy is
infinitely great, and exceeds our sins; therefore he can neither inflict nor
behold eternal torments in his creatures. Ans. This objection is true if it
refers merely to a being who is infinitely merciful, without being at the same
time infinitely just. But as both of these attributes meet in the character of
God, the objection loses its force when applied to him, as we have already
shown, in our remarks upon the 11th Question of the Catechism.
Temporal afflictions, such as sickness, poverty,
reproach, calumny, oppression, banishment, wars, and the other miseries of this
life, together with temporal death itself, are Common both to the righteous and
the wicked. These afflictions are either punishments, or the cross.
The punishments which are a part of the afflictions
of this life, Consist in the destruction and sufferings which are inflicted upon
those who are guilty of sin. These are peculiar to the reprobate, because they
are inflicted upon them for the purpose of making satisfaction to the justice of
God. For the law binds all men either to obedience or punishment.
Obj. But the evils which are inflicted upon the
wicked in this life, are not sufficient to satisfy the justice of God. Ans. They
do not constitute the whole punishment of the wicked. They are only a part of
it, and a beginning of that full satisfaction which will be exacted from them
through all eternity. Just as every part of the air is called air, so every part
of punishment is called punishment.
There are, however, degrees of punishment. The first
degree is that which pertains to this life; for here already, when conscience
chides and reproves, there is a commencement of the gnawings of the worm which
shall never die. The second degree of punishment is that which is experienced in
temporal death, when the wicked begin to feel the wrath of God, as the soul is
separated from the body and plunged into the place of hopeless torment. The
third degree of punishment is that which will be inflicted in the last judgment,
when the soul and body will be cast into hell, and everlasting agonies will rush
in from every side, as if in torrents, upon the wicked.
The cross comprises those afflictions which are
peculiar to the godly, which are not properly punishments, because they are not
inflicted for the purpose of making satisfaction to the justice of God. There
are four kinds of afflictions included in the cross, and distinguished from each
other by their ends.
The first comprises those chastisements which God
inflicts upon the righteous for their sins, but which are inflicted according to
his mercy, as a father corrects his son with much gentleness and toleration.
They are, therefore, not properly punishments, but fatherly chastisements, by
which the godly are admonished of their impurity, and of their peculiar sins and
backslidings--are stirred up to repentance, and so brought back to the path of
duty and holiness. Thus David was driven from his kingdom, and banished, on
account of his fall: for peculiar sins are followed by peculiar and severe
chastisements, even in the saints. These chastisements, however, are not to be
regarded as a recompense for sin; but they are the effects of divine justice,
through which God designs that we and others should be made acquainted with the
rectitude of his character; that he is greatly displeased with sin, and will
punish it with death, not only in this, but also in the life to come, unless we
repent and return to him.
The second form or species of the cross includes the
proofs or trials which are made of the faith, hope, patience, &c., of the
saints, in order that these virtues may be strengthened and confirmed in them;
and also, that their infirmity may be made manifest to themselves and others.
Such was the nature of Job's affliction.
The third form of the cross is martyrdom, which
includes the testimony and witness of the saints concerning the doctrine of the
gospel, when they confirm and seal with their blood the doctrine which they
professed, by which they declare that it is true--that they themselves
experience in death the comfort which they promised to others in their
teachings, and that there remains another life, and another judgment after this
life.
The cross, in the last place, includes ransom, or the
obedience of Christ; which is a satisfaction for our sins, and includes the
entire humiliation of Christ, from the very moment of his conception to his last
agony upon the cross.
II. WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF AFFLICTIONS?
The causes of the punishments of the wicked are: 1.
Sin, which is the impelling cause. They are made to suffer, that satisfaction
may thus be made by a just punishment for their sins. 2. The justice of God,
which is the chief efficient cause which inflicts punishment for sin. 3. The
instrumental causes are various: they are such as angels and men, both good and
bad, and other creatures, all of whom are armed against the sinner, and fight
under God's banner.
The causes of the cross which is peculiar to the
godly, are:
1. Sin, which,
however, is to be viewed differently in the godly from what it is in the wicked.
The godly are afflicted on account of sin, not for the purpose of making
satisfaction to the justice of God, but that sin may be acknowledged by them,
and removed, through the cross. They are paternally chastised, that they may be
led to a knowledge of their faults. These chastisements are to them sermons, and
call to repentance. "When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we
should not be condemned with the world." "It is good for me that I have been
afflicted." God, however, gives loose reigns to the wicked, that they may rush
into destruction, lie confers upon them the blessings of this life, with a short
season of repose and rejoicing, because they are his creatures, that their
ingratitude may become apparent, and that he may render them inexcusable. But he
corrects and improves the character of the godly through the cross.
2. That we may
learn to hate sin, the devil, and the world. "If ye were of the world, the world
would love his own." " We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities and powers." "Love not the world." (John 15:19. Eph. 6:12. 1 John
2:15.)
3. That we may
be exercised and tried, that thus our faith, hope, patience, prayer, and
obedience, may be strengthened and confirmed; or that we may have matter and
occasion for exercising and proving ourselves, and that our faith, hope, and
patience, may be made manifest both to ourselves and others. When all things go
well, it is an easy thing for us to glory in regard to our faith; but in
adversity, the grace or beauty of virtue becomes apparent. He that has not been
tempted, what knoweth he? "Experience worketh hope." (Rom. 5:4.)
4. The peculiar
faults and slidings of the saints. Manasseh had his peculiar faults; Jehoshaphat
had his; and other saints have other failings and sins peculiar to themselves.
Hence the chastisements by which God shows that he is also displeased with the
sins of the saints, and will avenge them more severely, unless they repent, are
various and different. "That servant which knew his Lord's will, and did not
according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes." (Luke 12:47.)
5. The
exhibition and manifestation of the glory of God in the deliverance of the
church, and of the godly. God often brings his church and people into extreme
danger, that the deliverance which he effects may be the more glorious, as was
the case with the oppression of the children of Israel in Egypt, and their
captivity in Babylon, &c. In these instances the deliverance which God wrought
was truly glorious, and gave evidence of his wisdom in discovering a way of
escape where no creature could hope for it. "The Lord bringeth down to the
grave, and bringeth up." (1 Sam. 2:6.)
6. The
conformity of the members to Christ, their head in affliction and glory. "If we
suffer with him we shall also reign with him." "Whom he did foreknow, he also
did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son." "The servant is not
greater than his Lord, nor the disciple above his master." (2 Tim. 2:12. Rom.
8:29. Matt. 10:24.)
7. That the
saints, by their sufferings and death, may bear witness to the truth of the
doctrine of the gospel: for when the faithful endure every form of suffering,
and even death itself for the sake of their profession of Christianity, they
give the most satisfactory testimony that they themselves are fully persuaded of
its truth, and that they cannot from any consideration be induced to renounce
it; and also that it affords them real and solid consolation, even in death
itself, and must therefore necessarily be true. It was foretold to Peter by what
death he should glorify God. (John 21:19.
8. The
afflictions of the godly are evidences of a judgment to come and of eternal
life. The truth and justice of God both require that it should at length go well
with the righteous, and ill with the wicked. This however is not fully the case
in this life. Therefore there must be another life after this, in which God will
render to every one according to his just deserts. "Which is a manifest token of
the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of
God, for which ye also suffer." (2 Thes. 1:5.)
Having made these remarks in relation to the
afflictions of the godly, we may easily reply to the objection which the men of
the world are wont to bring against the providence of God. The church, say they,
is oppressed throughout the whole world, and trodden under foot by all men.
Therefore it is not the true church, and is not cared for on the part of God.
But this, instead of proving any thing against the church, is rather an argument
in its favor: for if the church were of the world, then this opposition and
persecution would cease, for the world loves its own. The reasons of the
afflictions of the church are therefore manifest; and the end of things will
convict and condemn the world.
III.
WHAT ARE THE COMFORTS WHICH WE MAY OPPOSE TO OUR AFFLICTION?
There are some comforts under afflictions which are
peculiar to the church, whilst there are others that are common both to the
church and philosophy. The first, in connection with the ninth and tenth, which
we shall now present are peculiar to the church, whilst the rest are common both
to it, and philosophy; and yet whilst it may be said that they are common, it is
only as it respects the outward appearance, and not as it regards the matter, or
substance of the thing spoken of. These comforts we shall present in the
following order
1. Remission of
sin. TInS is the first in order and lies at the bottom of all the rest: because
if we have no assurance of the forgiveness of sin, and reconciliation with God,
all the other comforts are of no account; for we should then always be in doubt
whether the promise of grace belongs to us or not. But if thus comfort be well
grounded and fixed, all the others will naturally follow; for if God be our
father, we may rest assured that he will not only not send any tIming that will
be an injury to us, but he will also defend us against all the evils of this
life. " If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom. 8:31.) The reason of all
this is, that where the cause is taken away thie effect is also removed.
Therefore where sin is taken away, punishments and death are also done away
with.
2. The will and
providence of God, or the necessity of obeying God both in adversity and
prosperity, because he wills and directs all things. The reason of this
consequence of obedience is not only because we are not able to resist him, but
more especially, 1. Because he is our Father. 2. Because he is deserving of this
obedience from us to such an extent, that we ought to be willing to endure the
greatest evils for his sake. 3. Because the evils which he sends are fatherly
chastisements. This comfort quiets the mind, inasmuch as it assures us that it
is our heavenly Father's will that we should suffer these things. "Though he
slay me, yet will I trust in him." " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken
away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 13:15; 1:21.) Philosophers tell us
that we ought to endure patiently what we cannot alter and avoid. They establish
a fatal necessity, and then count it foolish to resist it. But in their
calamities they do not submit themselves to God, nor acknowledge his
displeasure, nor endure adversity with the design of obeying God; but because
they cannot avoid these things. This is miserable comfort.
3. The
excellency of virtue, or obedience to God, which is true virtue, on account of
which the mind should not be cast down under the cross. The temporal blessings
which God confers upon mis are great benefits; but obedience, faith, hope, &c.,
are far greater. Therefore it becomes us not to prefer less benefits to those
which are greater, nor to cast away the greater for the sake of redeeming the
loss of those which are less. "he that loveth father, or mother, more than me,
is not worthy of me." "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it." (Matt.
10:37; 16:25.) Philosophers make much account of the dignity of virtue, but it
is with poor grace, inasmuch as they themselves are destitute of true virtue.
4. A good
conscience, which exists only in the godly, who know that God is at peace with
them by, and for the sake of Christ, the mediator. Now, if God be favorable to
us, we cannot but enjoy tranquillity of mind. Philosophers, however, do not
comfort their followers in this manner; for when they are afflicted they ask,
Why doth not good fortune, or prosperity, follow a good conscience? And hence
they complain and murmur, as Cato and others have done.
5. The final
causes, or ends, which are--1. The glory of God, which is apparent in our
deliverance. 2. Our salvation. "We are chastened of the Lord, that we should not
be condemned with the world." 3. The conversion of others, together with the
enlargement of the church. The apostles rejoiced that they were counted worthy
to suffer shame for the name of Jesus, that thus others might be converted, and
confirmed in the faith. Philosophers tell us, it is a good end, when any one
suffers for the purpose of saving his country, and obtaining everlasting glory
and renown. But in the mean time, miserable men! they are led to ask, What will
these things profit us when we die?
6. A comparison
of events. It is better to be chastened of the Lord for a short season, than to
live in the greatest abundance, and at last be driven from God, and be cast into
everlasting destruction. Philosophers, comparing evils with each other, find but
little good arising from this comparison, whilst they are ignorant of the chief
good, to obtain which we ought to be willing to suffer all the varied ills of
life.
7. The hope of
recompense, or of reward, in this and in another life. "Great is your reward in
heaven." (Matt. 5:12.) We know that there are other blessings in reversion for
us, with which the afflictions of this life are not to be compared. And even in
this life the godly enjoy greater blessings than other men; for they have peace
with God, and all other spiritual gifts. Temporal blessings, even though they
are small as far as it respects the righteous, yet they are profitable to them.
"There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters," &c., "but he
shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal
life." "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many
wicked." "We glory in tribulations." (Mark 10:29, 23. Ps. 37:16. Rom. 5:3.) The
hope of reward may administer some little comfort to philosophers in light
afflictions, but not in those which are grievous; because they think it better
to be without this reward than to endure great sufferings for the sake of
obtaining it; and also because they regard it as uncertain, small, and
transient.
8. The example
of Christ and of his saints. "The servant is not above his Lord." (Matt. 10:24.)
God also desires that we should be conformed to the image of his Son. We then
follow Christ in reproach, and glory. Gratitude requires this; because Christ
died for our salvation. Holy martyrs have suffered, nor did they perish under
their afflictions. We ought not to ask for ourselves a better lot than theirs,
since we are not better than they, but much worse. They have suffered and have
been delivered by God. Let us therefore look for a similar event, because the
love of God towards his people is unchangeable. " So persecuted they the
prophets, which were before you." "Resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that
the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."
(Matt. 5:12. 1 Pet. 5:9.)
9. The presence
and help of God in our afflictions. God is present with us, by his Spirit,
strengthening and comforting us under the cross. He does not permit us to be
tempted above that which we are able to bear; and also, with every temptation,
opens a way of escape, and always proportions our afflictions to our strength,
that we may not be overcome. "We have the first fruits of the Spirit." "I will
be with him in trouble." "He shall give you another comforter, that he may abide
with you forever." "If a man love me, my Father will love him, and we will come
unto him, and make our abode with him." "I will not leave you comfortless." "
Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the
son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." (Rom. 8:23.
Ps. 91:15. John 14:13; 23:18. Is. 49:15.) 10. Complete and final deliverance, is the crowning point of all the rest. The first is the chief comfort, and foundation of all the others; this is the perfection and consummation of all. For as there are degrees of punishment, so there are also degrees of deliverance. The first degree is in this life, where we have the beginning of eternal life. The second is in temporal death, when the soul is carried into Abraham's bosom. The third will be in the resurrection of the dead, and their glorification, when we shall be perfectly happy, both in body and soul. "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Rev. 21:4.)
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