is usually exercised but with one pain, the stone or headache, at one
those rivers of pleasure at God's right hand. "When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face." Psalm 17:15.
(13) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from the torments of hell. "Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come." 1 Thess 1:10.
1. Consider the multiplicity of those torments. In this life, the body is usually exercised but with one pain, the stone or headache, at one time; but in hell there is a diversity of torments; there is darkness to affright, fire to burn, a lake of sulphur to choke, chains to bind, and the worm to gnaw.
2. The torments of hell will seize upon every part of the body and soul. The eye shall be tortured with the sight of devils, and the tongue that has sworn so many oaths, shall be tortured. "Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue." Luke 16:24. The memory will be tormented to remember the mercies that have been abused, and seasons of grace neglected. The conscience will be tormented with self-accusations.
3. The pains of hell are unmitigated, with no mixture of mercy. In this life, God in anger remembers mercy. Hab 3:2. But in hell there is no alleviation or lessening of the pains. As in the sacrifice of jealousy, God would have no oil or frankincense put into it, so, in hell, there is no oil of mercy to assuage the sufferings of the damned, no incense of prayer to appease his wrath. Numb 5:15.
4. In the pains of hell there is no intermission. The poets feign of Endymion, that he got permission from Jupiter always to sleep. What would the damned in hell give for one hour's sleep! "The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever, and they will have no rest day or night." Rev 14:11. They are perpetually on the rack.