The worst of Hell--and worse than Hell!

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(Ralph Venning, "The Plague of Plagues!" 1669)

Sin is worse than Hell!

Hell is only a punishment--but sin is a crime! The crime is more evil than the punishment. Hell is the punishment for the crime of sin. The very greatness of this punishment--argues the greatness of the crime, and the sinfulness of sin. That God is glorified on men in such a way--is a clear and full proof what an evil thing it is to sin against and dishonor God. Consequently Hell itself does not inflict so much hurt--as sin does. Hell, indeed, is a dismal place of horror and torment, the extremity of suffering--but it never had any existence until sin came. Nor could Hell have such extreme torments as it does--if sin were not there.

It is reported as a saying of Anselm, that if sin and Hell were set before him and he must go through one of them--he would choose to go through Hell, rather than sin!

Sin is the worst of Hell--and worse than Hell! Sin is what makes sinners cry out for the torment of devouring fire and everlasting burnings--which are no terror to righteous and upright souls (Isaiah 33:14,15). It is sin which makes Hell to be Hell. God was never angry--until sin made Him so. His wrath was never kindled--except by sin.

Now just as sin made Hell, so the more sin--the worse the Hell!

"These shall receive greater damnation!" Mark 12:40

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