Francis Patrick Kenrick

The perpetuity of the Christian aolemnitles is signified. a The destruction of the enemies of God by the arms of other nations gives but a faint idea of eternal punishments, which, in the New Testament are represented under the images of an ever*gnawing worm and an inextinguishable fire. Mark 9 : 45. " The worm that dieth not, and the fire which is not extin* guisbed, are understood by many to mean remorse of conscience, which torments the sufferers, as having lost the happinees of the elect through their own fault and sin— so, however, as not to deny the eternal punishment of prevaricators, and of those who deny the Lord." St Jerome. Even professors of the faith who die in mortal sin, are eternally punished. Although it be not of lUth that material fire is employed to punish them, the language of Scripture leads to this conclusion.