But certainly, it has a strong repugnance to a belief in endless
torment. Men try to believe it because they think it is taught in the
Bible, and that it would be a dangerous thing to doubt it. But apart
from that, there is no natural or hearty concurrence of the mind in that
view. And I think I may say that such an attitude is more pronounced in
those of an elevated and reverent turn of mind.
Then we know that God "does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the
children of men." Therefore we believe all the suffering of this life
and of the next is but as a means to an end.
The fact, also, that sin and suffering are abnormal features of the
divine administration, indicates almost beyond doubt that they will
finally be done away.
Remember, too, that it is very clearly revealed that an Atonement has
been made for "every man." Thus, a divine provision has been made for
every man Now the provision involves desire; and can the desire fail?
Under a perfect administration, therefore, how can there be endless
suffering?
Then if God gave His own Son, and if the Son gave Himself, for the
redemption of the world, will that Atonement fail of its effect in a
single case? Such a possibility is almost unthinkable.
Consider, also, that the possibility of eternal sin and suffering seems
to imply a failure of the divine administration; which is impossible.
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