9 is said to have been the opinion of Chrysostom, as likewise of Luther and some later divines. Besides, if, as has been shown from various passages of the New Testament, the whole world is to be finally consumed by fire, it follows that hell, being situated in the centre of the earth, must share the fate of the surrounding universe, and perish likewise; a consummation more to be desired than expected by the souls in perdition. Thus far of the punishment of the wicked; it remains to speak of the perfect glorification of the righteous. Perfect glorification consists in eternal life and perfect happiness, arising chiefly from the divine vision.1 It is described Psal. xvi. 11. thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. xvii. 15. I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy • Καὶ που, φησὶ, καὶ ἐν ποίῳ χωρίῳ αὕτη ἔσται ἡ γέεννα; τί σοι τούτου μέλει; τὸ γὰρ ζητούμενον, δεῖξαι ὅτι ἐστὶν, οὐ ποῦ τεταμίευται, καὶ ἐν ποίῳ χωρίῳ ..... ἀλλ' ἐν ποίῳ τόπῳ, φησίν, ἔσται; ἔξω που, ὡς ἔγωγε οἶμαι, τοῦ κόσμου τούτου παντός. καθάπερ γὰρ τῶν βασιλείων τὰ δεσμωτήρια καὶ τὰ μέταλλα πόῤῥω διέστηκεν, οὕτω δὴ καὶ τῆς οἰκουμένης ταύτης ἔξω που čoraι yéerva. Chrysost. in Ep. ad Rom. Homil. 31. Milton elsewhere refers to the locality n of hell: Such place eternal justice had prepared For those rebellious; here their prison ordain'd In utter darkness, and their portion set As far remov'd from God and light of heaven, As from the center thrice to th' utmost pole. Paradise Lost, I. 70. Again to banish for ever into a local hell, whether in the air or in the center, or in that uttermost and bottomless gulf of Chaos, deeper from holy bliss than the world's diameter multiplied, they thought not a punishment so proper and proportionate for God to inflict, as to punish sin with sin.' Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce. Prose Works, II. 11. 'The distinction which Milton makes between the beginnings of bliss which are attainable in this life, and that perfect glorification which will ensue hereafter, coincides with the expressions in the Hymn on the Nativity: And then at last our bliss Full and perfect is, But now begins. xviii. 165. likeness. Dan. xii. 3. they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Matt. xiii. 43. then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. xxii. 30. they are as the angels of God in heaven. v. 8. blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 1 Cor. ii. 9. as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. xiii. 12. now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known. xv. 42, 43. so also is the resurrection of the dead: it is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 2 Cor. iv. 17. a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. v. 1. we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Eph. ii. 6. hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Philipp. iii. 21. who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. 1 Thess. iv. 17. we shall be caught up together with them into the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 2 Tim. iv. 8. henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but to all them also that love his appearing. 1 Pet. i. 4. an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. v. 4. when the chief shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. v.10. who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus. 1 John iii. 2. we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Rev. vii. 14-17. these are they......therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them; they shall hunger no more, neither thirst. xxi. 4. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain. xxii. 1-5. he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb—. It appears that all the saints will not attain to an equal state of glory. Dan. xii. 3. they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Matt. xx. 23. to sit on my right hand and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them of whom it is prepared of my Father. 1 Cor. xv. 41, 42. there is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory: so also is the resurrection of the dead. In heaven. Matt. v. 12. great is your reward in heaven. Luke xii. 33. provide yourselves......a treasure in the heavens that faileth not. Philipp. iii. 20. our conversation is in heaven. Heb. x. 34. knowing in yourselves that ye have a better and an enduring substance. Our glorification will be accompanied by the renovation of heaven and earth, and of all things therein adapted to our service or delight, to be possessed by us in perpetuity. Isai. lxv. 17. behold, I create 2 The following quotations will show that Milton took pleasure in frequently recurring to this idea. The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring And after all their tribulations long See golden days. Paradise Lost, III. 334. Then heav'n and earth renew'd shall be made pure To sanctity that shall receive no stain. X. 638. Wak'd in the renovation of the just Resigns him up with heav'n and earth renew'd. XI. 64. .. till fire purge all things new, Both heav'n and earth, wherein the just shall dwell. Ibid. 900. to reward His faithful, and receive them into bliss, 3 x 2 Whether new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. lxvi. 22. as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith Jehovah, so shall your seed and your name remain. Acts iii. 21. whom the heavens must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Matt. xix. 29. every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. xxvi. 29. I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Luke xiv. 15. one of them that sat at meat with him...... said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God; nor is he reproved by Christ for this saying. xxii. 30. that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom. Rom. viii. 19-24. the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God....in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 2 Pet. iii. 13. we according to his pro Whether in heav'n or earth; for then the earth Shall all be Paradise, far happier place Than this of Eden, and far happier days. XII. 461. then raise From the conflagrant mass, purg'd and refin'd, New heav'ns, new earth, ages of endless date Founded in righteousness and peace and love, To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. Ibid. 547. And again, in a splendid passage near the end of the treatise On Reformation in England: Thou, the eternal and shortly expected King, shalt open the clouds to judge the several kingdoms of the world, and distributing national honours and rewards to religious and just commonwealths, shall put an end to all earthly tyrannies, proclaiming thy universal and mild monarchy through heaven and earth; where they undoubtedly, that by their labours, counsels, and prayers, have been earnest for the common good of religion and their country, shall receive above the inferior orders of the blessed, the regal addition of principalities, legions, and thrones into their glorious titles, and in supereminence of beatific vision, progressing the dateless and irrevoluble circle of eternity, shall clasp inseparable hands with joy and bliss, in over-measure for ever.' Prose Works, I. 58. ness. mise look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousRev. v. 10. thou hast made us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth. xxi. 1, &c. I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea: and I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. |