of helping to deceive and destroy each other." O that men knew but what they desire, when they would so fain have all things suited to the desires of the flesh! It is but to desire their temptations to be increased, and their snares strengthened. § 8. (II.) As the loss of the Saint's Rest will be aggravated by losing the enjoyments of time, it will be much more so by suffering the torments of hell. The exceeding greatness of such torments may appear by considering,—the principal author of them, which is God himself;—the place or state of torment;—that these torments are the fruit of Divine vengeance;—that the Almighty takes pleasure in them;—that Satan and sinners themselves shall be God's executioners;—that these torments shall be universal,—without mitigation,—and without end. § 9. (1.) The principal Author of hell-torments is God himself. As it was no less than God whom the sinner had offended, so it is no less than God who will punish them for their offences. He hath prepared those torments for his enemies. His continued anger will still be devouring them. His breath of indignation will kindle the flames. His wrath will be an intolerable burden to their souls. If it were but a creature they had to do with, they might better bear it. Woe to him that falls under the strokes of the Almighty! _it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God_.[256] It were nothing, in comparison to this, if all the world were against them, or if the strength of all creatures were united in one to inflict their penalty. They had now rather venture to displease God than displease a landlord, a customer, a master, a friend, a neighbor, or their own flesh; but then they will wish a thousand times in vain, that they had been hated of all the world, rather than have lost the favor of God. What a consuming fire is his _wrath_? If it _be kindled_ here _but a little_, how do we _wither like the grass_? How soon doth our strength decay, and turn to weakness, and our beauty to deformity? The flames do not so easily run through the dry stubble, as the wrath of God will consume these wretches. They that could not bear a prison, or a gibbet, or fire, for Christ, nor scarce a few scoffs, how will they now bear the devouring flames of Divine wrath? [Footnote 256] Hebrews x, 31.