ETERNALLY DAMNED , ar● words , that he to whom they wer● propounded , in remote Parts , hath ever since been so dissatisfied about , that he is thence moved to take in hand so grand an Enquiry , [ as , Whether DAMNATION , or the Torment of the Damned or of Hell it self , shall be so eternal , as never to have any End ? or Whether that Damnation shall be only Eviternal and have an End , a●ter the Duration of a certain Number of limited Ages , suppose a thousand thousand Years , or longer ?

And the best Expedient that is known in this controverted Case , may be ( after solemn seeking the LORD about it ) a diligent consulting with , and a di●considering the holy Scriptures of Truth , by the teaching of the holy Spirit , a●cording to the proper significacy of the Words and Expressions , of the Hebrew ● the old , and in the Greek of the New Testament .

Not to insist now on Catacrima , Crima , Crisis , or Apoleia , which three latt● Words are sometimes translated Judgment , and sometimes Damnation , we ma● here only take notice , that the word Englished Damnation , so far as doth concer● the present Question , and is commonly intended by Translators and Annotators , ● that which doth denote a Judicial , both sentencing of guilty Transgressors ( suc● as live and dy in unpardoned Sin ) unto , and also the executing upon them thei● deserved Destruction , or Torment in Hell , commonly accounted Eternal .

This Damnation hath many Expressions both in Hebrew and Greek Scriptures whereby it is set out , which distinctly to ●xamine , and much to enlarge upon , i● not here my present Purpose , who would at present confine my now first offere● Apprehensions , within one Sheet , reserving the rest to another Discourse , if Call , and also Encourragement ( as needed ) be given hereunto .

The Word , and meaning of the word , Eternal , is that , which in this short Paper my Thoughts and Meditations are more taken up about , and confined unto As for the common Acceptation of it , relating to Damnation , or the Torment o● the Damned in Hell , or in the Lake of Fire , which is the second Death , as if ● should never have an end , and as if it did signify such a Perpetuity as is endles● ●his now dissatisfying me , gives me an occasion and motive at the present to search very diligently , whether in those Scriptures , where it is most ordinarily used , it doth not , in the intendment of the holy Spirit , hold forth rather Eviternity , or Age-wise , if I may so speak , or a Plurality of Ages , in the space of the different Durations of the old first Creation , and new second Creation , in Correspondency with the Generations of both , and the like ; all which , after a definite Continuance , of a certain Number of limited Ages , shall have an End put to it . And this , in this inquiring Age , is mainly the Subject-matter queried here .

Let me therefore , as one , who is made , both serious in this Enquiry , and willing either to receive or give Satisfaction , as the LORD shall graciously send forth his Light and Truth , with more cleerness , not at all to favour any the least Sin , much less those exceeding odious intollerable Sins of Atheism , and Infidelity , in any present Disobedience against Christ and his Gospel , much less for any Curiosity , mere Scepticisms or Contentiousness , but with a quite contrary Design of Practical Improvement thereof , for the promoting of the great Ends of that which is true and sound Christianity , and good and pure Religion , with that now seasonable Love , that now waxeth cold , if I may meet with any winning Invitations , Let me , I say , for Intents and Purposes thus approved , be allowed the modest Liberty , of a tractable Disciple of Jesus Christ , to argue for an Eviternity of Damna●ion only , till I can be farther convinced of the contrary , by any better instructed faithful Friend , under Christ , who may be otherwise helpful to me herein . This Eviternity only I thus argue for .

Arg. 1. From the Significancy of Gnolam , and Gnolomim in the Hebrew , and ●f Aiωn , Aiωnes , and Aiωnios in the Greek , as they relate to mere Creatures .

1. Gnolam and Gnolamim , a parte ante , or in what foregoes , do in divers Scriptures denote the foregoing Ages and Generations ; hence the Latine Olim , from Gnolam , where it is taken , of past time ; so Deut. 32.7 . Remember the days of Gnolam , ( seculi , i.e. of old , consider the Years of Generation and Generation , of the Age past , Psal . 77.5 , 11. & 119.52 . Isa . 42.9 . so Joshua 24.2 . in passing over the River your Fathers have dwelt Megnolam a seculo , i.e. olim , from of old , Eccles . 1.10 . that hath already been Begnolamim , aliquot retro Seculis , in some Ages past .

2. Also a parte post , in what Gnolam and Gnolamim are consequent towards , and wherein they have respect to a future Duration , Gen. 17.7 . a Covenant Gnolam of the Age , where it doth respect Abrahams Seed in their future Generations , and ver . 8 , about their Possessions ( where it is not everlasting , but Gnolam , of the Age , Exod . 21.6 . He shall serve thee Legnolam in Seculum , not for ever , but unto the Age , i.e. unto the Years of Jubile .

3. Sometimes it takes in both , a parte ante , and respects Duration past , and a parte post too , and respects Duration to come , as Psal . 145.13 . Where Christ's Kingdom is said to be a Kingdom Col-Gnolamim , omnium Seculorum , of all or every of the Ages , his Dominations in all Generation and Generations , Isa . 45.17 . a Salvation ( not everlasting , ) but Gnolamim of the Ages ; and ye shall not be ashamed , word , Heb . 1.2 . that Christ made the Ages , fecit secula , or that the Father m● the Ages by Christ . Hence the Rabbins speak , amongst their Traditions , of a threefold Gnolamim , the upper , middle , and lower Gnolam , all whith three Gnolamim● they apply , to the Worlds created in time , and may be understood of the Ages of the World , as made in their course of Duration , and the Forms thereof , by Christ Jesus , 1 Tim . 1.17 . Christ may be there called the Kingdom tωn Aiωnωn , of the Ages , but what refers to Aiωn may fall in under the next Particular , where ,

4. More particularly of the Greek Aiωn , Aiωnes , and Aiωnios , and Arguments , or Reasons , why they in Scripture mostly , or therein most ordinarily and usually signifie not Eternity , but rather Eviternity , or Age-wise . The Reasons hereof follow .

1. Because these Words are used in Scripture not to express God's absolute Eternity , such as 1 Tim . 6.16 . but even in relation to us his Decree is but ( Gr. ) tωn Aiωnωn , Eph. 3.11 . that is , of the Ages , and not eternal .

2. Because as here the Predetermination of the Ages is made in Christ so ( not the Cosms or Worlds , ) but Aiωnes , or the Ages are made by Christ , Heb . 1.2 . and as these Texts are of Ages past , or a parte ante , so is also Col. 1.26 . where Aiωnes also thus signifies , and is englished , the Ages .

3. Because Aiωnios also being made an Epithite to Chronos plurally , Rom. 16.25 . 2 Tim . 1.9 . Tit . 1.2 . is yet more evidently made not to signify , a parte ante , any other than what is temporal , for so it is also used with a Greek pro , i.e. before .

4. Because as it is an Epithete to Cronos , time plu . of which Cronos the Angel swears that it shall be no more , Rev. 10.6 , 7. so a parte post , it also can't ever signify eternal , because made an Epithete to hope , Tit . 1.2 . beginning , which shall fail and cease , as 1 Cor . 13.13 . so that the Ages and Generations coupled together , Col. 1.26 . seem much of the same Duration ; Christ in the Original being called the Father of the Age , Isa . 9.6 . and as Aiωn plurally is used according to the Greek , in Jude 25 with an all , so are Generations also used with an all , Eph. 3.21 . where , according to the Greek , it is word for word , Unto all the Generations of the Age of the Ages . Thus will not Christ's last of Generations be the last of his Ages ?

5. Because this a parte post , what the Translators englished the end of the World , or the ends of the World , Mat . 13.29 , 40. ch . 24.3 . ch . 28. v. 20. Heb . 9.26 . 1 Cor . 10.11 . it is only Aiωn , whether singularly or plurally .

6. Because Gnolam and Aiωn would be plainly cleared , to signify not that which is eternal or endless , but age-wise , were they not so much concealed , when Englished , of old , for ever , from the beginning , from the beginning of the World , for evermore , for ever and ever , and with a Negative , never , World , both singularly and plurally , and so used plurally is Aiωn also englished World , Course , World withou● end , and the like .

Arg. 2. I argue Damnation not to be only Eternal , but Age-wise , from the very nature and being of God himself , and of his glorious Excellencies , and singular Attributes , and from God the Father his chusing , appointing , and covenanting with his Son , finally to save all Men , and consequently the whole World , when ●rist shall become a Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World , 2 Joh . 2.2 . with ●oh . 3.17 . And thus according to my Understanding , the said Excellencies and At●ibutes seem best-reconciled this way , and thus do they offer matter of sweetest ●editation to all Mankind , God in Christ being Philanthrωpos , Tit . 3.4 . Prov. 8.31 . ● well as Theanthrωpos , God-man , or Emanuel , God with us .

But how many hard Thoughts have risen in the Minds of many , yea of some ●aring God , about the common Opinion , that by far the most shall everlastingly be ●rmented , for a short whiles temporary sinning ? and how many have been vexed and ●erplexed in their Minds and Spirits , with that dreadful and amazing Question , ●hether it be better or more eligible for rational Creatures , not to have any being at ●l , and to be utterly annihilated , rather than to be endlesly miserable , and to be tormented ●r ever in Hell ?

And let it be further minded , notwithstanding God's just Judgment upon and a●ainst fallen Angels , yet he hath given them much Relaxation , and Liberty for thou●nds of Years , here in this World , Gen. 3.15 . with Mat . 12 43 , 44 , 45. Mat . 8.30 , 31. ●uk . 8.30 , 31. Whereas God is gracious , long suffering and great in Goodness ; ●nd how doth he testify it , Act. 14.17 . and how exemplarily doth he reach out ●nd extend Good to all , Mat . 5.45 . thereby to encourage us ▪ to love our very ●nemies ! For thus his tender Mercies are over all his Works , and all his Works ●all praise him , Psal . 145.8 , 9 , 10. and his Mercy triumpheth over Judgment , Jam . ● 13. Psal . 103.8 , 9 , 10. and therefore he judgeth no Man , but hath committed ● Judgment to the Son , Joh . 5.22 . But this may appear farther under the next ●rgument .

Arg. 3. I argue from Christ's two natuures in one Subsistence , and consequently ●m his Office of Mediatorship , or Priest , Prophet , and King , and accordingly ●m his two States , both of Humiliation and Exaltation ; There being Scriptures ●ry express concerning his dying for all actually , as Joh . 3.16 , 17. 2 Cor . 5.14 , 15. ● Tim . 2.4 , 5 ; 6. Heb . 2.9 , 10. Psal . 6.8 , 10. he being the Head of every Man , 1 Cor . ● . 3 . and this being plainly spoken of the Son , of his being manifest , on purpose ● destroy the Works of the Devil , 1 Joh . 3.8 . with Heb . 2.14 . and thus also is it ●ike testified of his being sent into the World , not to condemn the World , but that the ●orld through Him might be saved , Joh . 3.17 . and therefore he claims it accordingly ●d saith , All Souls are mine , Ezek . 18.4 . how willing may he be therefore , that ●st or last all may come to the Knowledg of the Truth , and Repentance , and that ●ey may thus actually in effect , all be s●ved , 1 Tim . 2.4 . 2 Pet . 3.9 . also Christ ●aid to be the Saviour of all Men , 1 Tim . 4.10 . and he thus giving himself , is said ● be a Ransom for all , 2 Pet . 3.9 . as also he is the Propitiation for the Sins of the ●ole World , 1 Joh . 2.2 .

And thus it may be herewith also farther supposed that Christ did actually feel ●d undergo , for all fallen Mankind , all that Death , all those Deaths in the several ●ds of them , which were threatned against Sin and Sinners , even the whole ●l full Wrath of God due to Sin , even the very Torments , as some apprehend , of Hell ; or else , that however his Soul was sorrowful unto Death , wherein he might and did undergoe the sorrows of Death and Hell , as Gen. 2.17 . & 3.15 . with Psal . 18.5 , 6. Mat . 26.38 . Mark 14.34 . Luke 22.44 . Act. 2.31 . Gal. 3.10 , 13. 1 Cor . 15.22 . 2 Sam . 22.5 , 6. and Psal . 19.4 , 5.

Neither is the Everlastingness of the Torments to be suffered in Hell , as some suppose , or in the Lake of Fire , any part of the Penalty threatned by way of Satisfaction to infinite Justice . For so , God's infinite Justice could never be fully satisfied , no not by the endless Torments of the Damned , if they were to be endless ; for more and more Justice would still call for further Satisfaction , which meer Man can never fully satisfy , by all his Sufferings ; but rather , that full Satisfaction was an Effect of somewhat annext to infinite Justice , the Punishment it self in the whole of it , being not endurable by any meer guilty Creature ; and thus the long-lastingness of the Torment in Hell hath no place , where that which is full Punishment for Sin , is actually born , and fully satisfied , as that was which was performed in and by Christ , so that henceforth on this account no Man therefore was or now is , or shall be tormented in Hell , for want of a Remedy , but only for rejecting the one only Remedy , Heb . 2.3 . Such things which may he well proved and cleared by Scripture , may help to a right Determination in the Case . For Christ's Kingdom is that which is age-wise , 2 Pet . 1.11 . and yet not of this World , John 18.36 . and must at last have an end , 1 Cor . 15.24 . and yet then first bring forth Judgment unto Victory , in the moment when that which is perfect shall come , Matth . 12.20 . with 1 Cor . 13.10 . after all its encrease , Isa . 9.7 . that corruption shall thus in a moment , at last , put on incorruption , 1 Cor . 15.51 ; 52 , &c. and the Triumph be then accordingly , ver . 54 , 55 , 56. with ver . 57. and thus shall Christ reign , till he make all his Enemies his Foot-stool , ver . 24 , 26. he exercising , doing , or executing all his victorious Judgment , John 5.22 , 27. in humane nature , and to the especial honour of his Saints in this World , Psal . 149. last ; that when God's Judgments ●hall be thus in the Earth , the Inhabitants ( not of the Earth only , but ) of the World may learn Righteousness , Isa . 26.9 . and thus Christ be glorified and admi●ed in his most believing Saints , 2 Thess. 1.10 . to the benefit of all Crea●ures every where , as Rev. 5.10 , 14.

Arg. 4. I argue the like hereto , from the never-failing all-efficiency , which in ●he irresistible and effectual application of Christ's Universal Redemption , is most manifestly the very Office and proper Work of the Holy Spirit . For this Holy Spirit , who is one with the Father and Son in his testimony , 1 John 5.7 . being ●iωnian , or agewise , as well as Christ's Kingdom is aiωnian , Heb . 9.14 . with 2 Pet . 1.11 . How is the Spirit alike judicial also with the Son in its changing and renewing Work , on all , how diversly soever , Isa . 4.4 . with 1 Cor . 15.51 . and with Ezek . 17.24 . and being already given to this very purpose , in way of Earnest , ●nd first Fruits , 2 Cor . 1.22 . Rom. 8.23 . and why ? but in order to the residue of the Spirit , that it may bring in the residue of Men , after Israel's Restitution , Mal . 2.15 . Rom. 11.32 , 15. with Acts 15.16 , 17. in a transforming way changing , all by degrees , in their Light , Life , and Liberty , 2 Cor . 3.17 , 18. with Rom. ● . ● . Prov. 4.18 . 1 Cor . 13.10 . till that all shall at such a perfect day have the benefit thereof accordingly , in seeing by this revealing Spirit , all that the Father hath , to become the Glory of the Son , who is the Age-wise Lord , Heb . 11.40 . 1 Cor . 15.51 . with Chap. 2.9 , 10 , 11. Isa . 40.5 . Joh . 16.14 , 15. 1 Joh 3.2 . and how universal , on all flesh , shall this effusion of the Spirit be , Joel 2.28 . and that to an answerable universal effect of the Spirit , in and on all Flesh , Isa . 40.5 . and that after fore-going Judgment and Tribulation , Joel 2.28 . with v. 18 , &c. and with Mat . 24.22 . ( Gr. ) with Isa . 40. v. 7 , 6 , 5. Hab. 3.2 .

Arg. 5. This I might largely argue also ( if I had space here ) from the capacity and expectation of the humane Nature and Rational being in all Mankind , in the which is a hope that is aiωnian or age-wise , Tit . 1. v. 2. beg . alike with such things , as Heb . 6.2 . Mark 3.29 , &c. which seems to good purpose , to reach the very Creature it self indefinitely , without exception , and that with , and from the very now first suffering Saints , Rom. 8.20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25. and therefore the Gospel to be Gospel so universally preacht , as Mat . 28.18 , 19. with Mark 16.15 , 16. in all the World , to every Creature , as with a regard had therein to every Creature , and that in order to put us therefore upon an abounding in the Work of the Lord , as 1 Cor . 15.58 . having our Senses exercised so well , to discern between Good and Evil , in such soundness of Principles , as may conduce to the going on to Perfection , Heb . 5. lat. with Chap. 6. beg . and therefore the Gospel of Christ's Kingdom sometimes is hinted at as alike aiωnian with his Kingdom it self , as Rev. 14.6 . Matth . 24.13 , 14. with 2 Pet . 1.11 . and is not in vain so called aiωnian .

Arg. 6. I argue it from the New Covenant , about the New Creation that is to be established , thorow and by means of , and upon the taking away of the first old Covenant , Jer . 31.31 , &c. Heb . 8.8 , &c. Heb . 10.9 . and that unto the making , not only of a new Heaven and Ear h according to Promise , 2 Pet . 3.13 . Rev. 21.1 . but to the making of all Things new , v. 5. So that God causing so great a shaking , as well in Heaven as in Earth , most remarkably : Why is there so great a shaking , [ thereby to remove that which is shaken ] but in order to establish that which cannot be shaken , that that may remain in the room and stead of that , which being shaken , is to give place , and to be no more , and all this for encouragement to serve God acceptably and aright , Heb . 12.26 , 27 , 28 , 29. And therefore it is all spoken of , as assuredly as if already done , how that with respect had to the New Creature in Christ , all old Things are done away , and all Things become New , 2 Cor . 5.17 , 18.

Therefore if the first old decayed World , and this corrupt Creation-state of things shall be but near an hundred such Generations , as Psal . 90 , v. 10. or according to the seven days of its Creation-week , Gen. 1st , 2d , 3d , Chapters , with 2 Pet . 5.8 . Yet there are a thousand Generations mentioned Psal . 105.8 . 1 Chron . 16.15 . Deut . 7.9 . with Exod . 20.6 . and do they not hint out the Son's special Generation , proper to the New Creation and Covenant , of which his Kingdom shall in particular especially consist ? And which of these thousand Generations shall be less than a thousand Years ? For did not Methuselah , in a World destroyed , live near a thousand Years ? which may have something of Type in it , there being to be a Season , wherein a hundred Years shall be but an Infants Age , Isa . 65.20 . And at the latter end of this World , when the Beast and False Prophet shall suffer , shall not the suffering Saints reign then a thousand Years , Rev. 19. lat. with Rev. 20.4 ? And is not all this something to intimate , that Christ's Age-wise special Kingdom , in Type and Antitype both , shall be more than a thousand thousand Years ? And in all this time , and at the end of it , such as at the last Change , shall not Judgment , for and in the behalf of Incorruption , be indeed victorious : as 1 Cor . 15.51 , &c. with Matth . 12.20 . that there may be a deliverance out of the hands of all Enemies , Luke 1.74 . and there be then also no more curse , Rev. 22.3 . but Sin it self , or Sins be made an end of , Dan . 9.24 . and so the very inferior Creature also be no more made Subject to the vanity which it is at present groaning under , Rom. 8.21 , 22 ?

Arg. 7. Lastly , I argue it from the final destruction of Death , the Gulph , Hell it self , and the very Abyss or Deep , which is become the special place of the great Leviathan , spoken of as the Dragon in the Sea . For what though gradual Death was threatned , Gen. 2.17 . ( Heb . ) yet this shall not prevent Death , the last Enemy , 1 Cor . 15.26 . but this second Death at last , after all the time of the first Death and Hell , before the last Judgment unaccomplished and unfixt , shall become Death to the very last change of all Creatures , 1 Cor . 15.51 . with Rom. 8.21 . even till then a Death of Deaths , a Hell-death , the Death of Hell , made up of the two special Ingredients ; the one Ingredient of and from that of the former first Death , and of and from the other this of Hell , as it was before unfixed , as if then formerly it had been in the Air , and Sea , or Abysse , rather than in Gehenna , or the Lake of Fire and Brimstone on Earth , in that which is in respect of the Holy City and its Appurtenances , called thee without , Rev. 22.15 . And how is this place of outward and utter darkness decyphered or deno●ed , in its Type or Antitype , as before , but as 1 Cor . 15.26 . Rev. 1.18 , & 2.11 . & 20.1 , 10 , 14. & 12.8 . Ezek . 28.10 . & 32 . 21.24-32 . & 18.23 . & 33.11 . with 1 Joh . 5.16 , 17. and the like .

But yet shall it not however be a Death , as great and long a Death and as long as it is , and shall endure , that shall be final and destroyed ? And therefore shall there not be a season , when the Sea it self shall be no more , and that as Rev. 21. v. 1 end , as an earnest of a full issue , to what results from thence , which is therefore the more considerable , according to Isa . 27.1 , &c. with the end of the former Chapter , and with Isa . 57.20 , 21. and so with Rev. 13.1 . & 11.7 . & 17.8 . & 20.1 , 3. & 9.1 , 2 , 11. Luke 8.31 . Rom. 10.7 . Deut . 30.12 . and the like . And therefore shall not all this be that which Christ hath not in vain triumphed against , Hos . 13.14 . speaking then so long ago to this purpose ; From the hand of Sheol will I free them , from Death I , saith the LORD Christ , ( who by consanguinity and propinquity , have a Right , Authority , and Power thereunto ) will redeem them : I will be thy killing Pestilence , O Death : I will be thy exterminating Excision , O Sheol , ( that is , O thou gulf & Hell ! ) Repentance ( as to this thus determination ●f all the Ages , and all the Generations thereof , in victory against Hell-death ) ●hall be hidden from mine eyes . Neither doth the New Testament disagree from ●his , in 1 Cor . 15.54 , 55 , 56 , with 57. Where the Apostle doth triumph , first , in the ●eneral , against Death , ver . 54 end , and then more especially make a more particular Triumph ; 1. Against Death's great sharpness , as quite enervated , ver . 55 ●eginning ; and then , 2ly . against Hades , v. 55 , latter end , which doth more properly signify Hell than the Grave , as Psal . 16.10 . For who would not conceive the Soul here in this of the Psalmist , to be distinct from the Flesh , in the former verse ; and if then the Flesh may be understood of the Body in the Grave , where bodily corruption is usually suffered , how can the Soul be understood but of the incorruptible p●rt of Christ's Humanity , even of his inward man elsewhere ? For , did not his Soul continue elsewhere separate from his Body all the time his Flesh or Body was in the Grave ? Surely his Flesh , or Body and Soul , may not both of them be thought to have their being and abode , after his Death till his Resurrection , in the same place , till the very hour of his Resurrection , or the third day . But this will appear more evidently from the following 56th verse , where Sin , as the cause mostly and principally of Hell's Victory , is therefore most directly triumphed against , and that as to its Sting , which is not without torment , whereas the Flesh or Body hath no torment at all , or sensible suffering in the Grave . Nay , there also in that same verse , the Law it self , that of Nature , and of the first Covenant broken , yea and of both Covenants not continued in , or of what ever is Law , and is transgressed , and become any way the strength of Sin , is here explicated , and that also under this head of Triumph , which is the Triumph that is here made against all the greatest and most powerful Enemies of the Creature , and therefore against Hell it self , as an Enemy , that all will confess doth last longer than the first Death , and also than the Grave ; and that is that which doth take in all Deads , otherwise than the Grave doth . Thus therefore is that which is concluded on in v. 57. that which is to nikos , or cat'exochen , that which is the Victory , as the whole and full Victory through our Lord Jesus ; only my Preparatory Sheet will now admit no more but the following