3. It is urged that God should issue a universal amnesty; that he should open every prison-door in the universe; that he should say to lost men, "You are forgiven;" and to devils, "You are free." It is contended that this would be magnanimity worthy of a God. But it must be remembered that amnesty, in itself, would work no moral change. Would the thief and the murderer become virtuous members of society by being simply liberated from jail? Does their moral character depend upon which side of the prison-door they are? Would a devil be any less a devil on one side of a prison-door than on another? It is not the door that makes the devil. Forgiveness requires the consent of two parties. An enemy can not by any so-called act of forgiveness be turned into a friend. A man may excuse an offense against himself, but he has no power to excuse an offense against righteousness. He may rise superior to mere personal considerations, but if he trifle with the demands of morality, which alone can make personal considerations of any consequence, his so-called forgiveness is a sin. Hence it appears that even God himself can not forgive a sinner, apart from certain conditions which the sinner himself must supply. 4. It is suggested that a second probation might meet the case. A second probation is an impossibility. But if possible, where would be the equity? Give men to know that there would he a second probation, and how many of them would care for the first? If they neglected the first they would be necessarily weaker to encounter the discipline of the second. And if a second probation, why not a third and a fourth? If temporary punishment in hell would bring man to God, why send Christ into the world to die for sinners? Hell is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as exerting a remedial influence upon criminals. But Christ is "the only name given, under heaven, amongst men, whereby we must be saved." ISAIAH XXX, 33. For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it. MATT. XXIII, 33. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? LUKE XVI, 24. And he cried and said, father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 2 THESS. I, 7. And to you, who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.