20. Demonstration. There is no commonwealth which does not possess the right of taking punitive action against certain crimes of citizens by perpetual deprivation of a common good. Hence, in every commonwealth, there is the right of inflicting death and of imposing perpetual exile. But one who denies to God that which all concede to the supreme human magistrates must necessarily be foolish. Therefore there inheres in God the right to sanction his laws with punishments of such a kind that they are perpetual.
21. And indeed, why would this right not inhere in him? Is God’s dominion over men not supreme? Indeed it is supremely so, since he himself is both the creator and preserver of men, and all human things depend upon his command.
But perhaps man is unequal to bearing perpetual punishment? Certainly, if the whole man should perish together with the body and no immortal soul should survive; certainly, if that which is and is called perpetual, because it is bounded by no limit, were not finite.
But is that proportion which justice demands in the distribution of punishments lacking between perpetual punishment and a crime committed by man? By no means—whether you inspect the nature of the right which belongs to God over men, or regard the duties by which men are obliged to render every manner of obedience to God.
The right of God over men is altogether supreme: it is the right of the Creator, of the Lord, and of the supreme Legislator. Therefore it is a right which can be sanctioned by the greatest punishments of all, lest it be violated.
But the duties by which men are bound to obey God correspond to God’s right over men: namely, they are most perfect, they are absolute, they are supreme. Therefore their violation is that which can be prevented by the supreme punishments.
Wherefore we have shown that no contradiction appears in the fact that God sanctions his laws with privative punishments which will endure perpetually.