A Threefold Repetition of This Worm
The sermon highlights the extremity and eternity of hellish torments, emphasizing the hopelessness of deliverance and the infinite majesty of God.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes the eternal and unbearable nature of hell's torments, illustrated by the 'worm that never dies' as mentioned by Christ in Mark 9:44, 46, and 48. He stresses that the concept of eternity in hell is a source of despair for the damned, as there is no hope for relief or redemption. Brooks contrasts earthly suffering, which may offer some hope of alleviation, with the endless and remediless pain of hell. He argues that the infinite majesty of God necessitates a punishment that matches the gravity of sin, leading to eternal torment. The sermon serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of hell.
Text
Certainly, hell-fire is neither tolerable nor terminable.
The extremity and eternity of hellish torments is set forth
by the worm which never dies. Christ makes a threefold
repetition of this worm in Mark 9:44, 46, and 48--
"Their worm does not die--and the fire is not quenched!"
"Their worm does not die--and the fire is not quenched!"
"Their worm does not die--and the fire is not quenched!"
Certainly those punishments are beyond all conception and
expression--which our Lord Jesus does so often inculcate
within so small a space!
If after so many millions of years as there are drops in
the ocean, there might be a deliverance out of hell, this
would yield a little ease, a little comfort to the damned.
Oh but this word, "Eternity! Eternity! Eternity!" This word,
"Everlasting! Everlasting! Everlasting!" will break the
hearts of the damned in ten thousand pieces!
There is scarcely any pain or torment here on earth--but
there is ever some hope of ease, mitigation, or intermission,
there is some hope of relief or delivery. But in hell, the
torments there are all easeless, remediless, and endless!
Here on earth, if one falls into the fire, he may like a brand
be pulled out of it and be saved; but out of that fiery lake
of hell-fire, there is no redemption. That majesty of God,
which the sinner has offended and provoked--is an infinite
majesty. Now, there must be some proportion between the
sinner's sin--and his punishment and torment. Now the
sinner being a finite creature, he is not capable of bearing
the weight of that punishment or torment which is intensively
infinite, because it would be his abolishing or annihilating;
and therefore he must bear the weight of that punishment
or torment, which is extensively infinite--that is, infinite in
the continuance and endurance. What is lacking in torment,
must be made up in time.
Sermon Outline
- The Extremity and Eternity of Hellish Torments
- The Incomprehensibility of Hellish Punishments
- The Hopelessness of Deliverance from Hell
- No Redemption from Hell
- Infinite Majesty of God
- Proportion Between Sin and Punishment
Key Quotes
“Their worm does not die--and the fire is not quenched!” — Thomas Brooks
“Oh but this word, 'Eternity! Eternity! Eternity!' This word, 'Everlasting! Everlasting! Everlasting!' will break the hearts of the damned in ten thousand pieces!” — Thomas Brooks
“What is lacking in torment, must be made up in time.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- The torments of hell are beyond human comprehension and are a reminder of the infinite majesty of God.
- There is no hope of redemption or deliverance from hell, and the punishment must be proportionate to the sin.
- The weight of punishment must be made up in time, as what is lacking in torment must be made up in duration.