Theorem IX. Well-considered reason, far from condemning it, approves that men who depart from life bound by sin immediately incur perpetual punishments.

28. Demonstration. We have shown, I. that reason finds nothing absurd in the fact that God sanctions the laws enacted by him with perpetual punishments both privative and positive.¹ We have shown, II. that it accords beautifully with reason that God has sanctioned the laws enacted by him with punishments of this kind.²

But in addition we have shown, I. that reason finds nothing absurd in the fact that God has appointed a certain time after whose lapse no hope of condonation and pardon would remain;³ II. that it likewise finds nothing absurd in the fact that this time predetermined by God is contained within the limits of mortal life;⁴ and finally, III. that it accords with the principles of reason that the limits of the present life be judged also the limits for obtaining pardon.⁵

It therefore remains demonstrated, I. that reason finds nothing absurd in the fact that immediately after death men bound by sin incur perpetual punishments; II. that it accords well with reason that those who depart from life subject to sin be punished by perpetual punishments.