The worst of Hell - and worse than Hell!

(Ralph Venning, "The Plague of Plagues!" 1669)

Sin is worse than Hell!

Hell is only a punishment - but sin is a crime! The crime is more evil than the punishment. Hell is the punishment for the crime of sin. The very greatness of this punishment - argues the greatness of the crime, and the sinfulness of sin. That God is glorified on men in such a way - is a clear and full proof what an evil thing it is to sin against and dishonor God. Consequently Hell itself does not inflict so much hurt - as sin does. Hell, indeed, is a dismal place of horror and torment, the extremity of suffering - but it never had any existence until sin came. Nor could Hell have such extreme torments as it does - if sin were not there.

It is reported as a saying of Anselm, that if sin and Hell were set before him and he must go through one of them - he would choose to go through Hell, rather than sin!

Sin is the worst of Hell - and worse than Hell! Sin is what makes sinners cry out for the torment of devouring fire and everlasting burnings - which are no terror to righteous and upright souls (Isaiah 33:14,15). It is sin which makes Hell to be Hell. God was never angry - until sin made Him so. His wrath was never kindled - except by sin.

Now just as sin made Hell, so the more sin - the worse the Hell!

"These shall receive greater damnation!" Mark 12:40