Therefore it is said, he
must suffer it in duration. Hence the necessity of everlasting
punishment. That is the argument.
But the main premise is by no means clear. It may well be doubted if man
can commit an infinite sin. First; he is a finite being; and can a
finite being do on infinite wrong? Further; he cannot suffer everlasting
punishment. For everlasting has no end. He would never have rendered a
due equivalent for his sin. When he would have suffered millions and
millions of years he would be as for from rendering a due equivalent as
at the beginning. Thus the demands of God's law would never be
satisfied.
We have therefore to confront the idea of God inflicting a punishment
that could never be rendered. In that case might not God suspend all
punishment at once? For when man shall have suffered for aeons and aeons
untold he would really be as far from the end as he is now. Could you
think of the Infinitely Wise and Holy One pronouncing a sentence that
could never be executed? Then add to the idea of Infinite Holiness and
Infinite Wisdom, the idea of Infinite Power and Infinite Love, and I
think you will find yourself involved in a series of contradictions
which you will be glad to see dissolved as an ugly dream.
But now, supposing that man, not being infinite in his nature, cannot
commit an infinite sin, is it not reasonable to think that a less
punishment than an infinite one would suffice even eternal justice?
Suppose, for instance, that God had cut off the first human pair when
they sinned, and thus have prevented this hideous tale of mourning,
lamentation, and woe, would not that suffice? For us to be debarred
forever from existence and consciousness--would not that suffice? Well;
the Infinite One had that alternative.
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