DISCOURSE XII. 255 this very temper of sensuality with them into the world of spirits ; and it is possible that raging appetites to this sensual happiness, may be increased while there are no objects to gratify them ; if this be the case, it must be intense and constant misery to feel eternal hunger with no bread to relieve it ; keen desires of dainties with no luxurious dishes to please their humorous taste ; eternal thirst without one drop of wine or water to allay or cool it ; eternal fatigue or weariness without power to sleep, and eternal lust of pleasure without any hope of gra- tification. But if we should suppose these sensualities shall die toge- ther with the body, yet this is certain, the soul will have ever- lasting appetites of its own, that is, the general desire of ease and happiness, and of some satisfying good : But God, who is the only true source of happiness to spirits, the only 'satisfying portion of souls, is for ever departed and gone ; and thus the natural appetite of felicity will be ever wakeful and violent in damned spirits, while every attempt or hope to satisfy it will meet with perpetual disappointment. Milton, our great English poet, has represented this part of the misery of devils in a beautiful manner. He supposes that ever since they tempted man to sin by the forbidden tree of know -' ledge, they are once a year changed into the form of serpents, and brought by millions into a grove.of such trees, with the same golden appearance of fruit upon them And while with eager appetite they seize those fair appearances to allay their thirst and hunger, instead of fruit they chew nothing but bitter ashes, and reject the hateful taste )with spattering noise ; and still they repeat their attempts with shameful disappointment, till they are vexed, and tormented, and torn with meagre famine, and then are permitted to resume the shape of devils again. And why may we not suppose that the crimes of which the wicked children of men have been guilty in the present life, may be punished with some such kind of pain and confusion, both of body. and soul, as is here represented in this poetic emblem or parable! VII. Another misery of damned creatures is, that "vexing envy which arises against the saints in glory, and which shall never be appeased or gratified. The blessed in heaven shall be for ever blessed, and the envy of devils and of damned souls shall never hurt their felicity, nor see their joys diminished. This vile passion of those cursed spirits therefore against the blessed inhabitants of heaven, though it rage never so high, is only preying upon their own hearts, and increasing their own inward anguish. Let us imagine how many thousand holy souls are arrived safe at paradise, who were surrounded with mean and low sir- aumstauces here upon earth, while their haughty lords; and their
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