Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Ver. 44. Where their worm] As out of the corruption of our bodies worms breed, which consume the flesh; so out of the corruption of our souls this never dying worm. This worm (say divines) is only a continual remorse and furious reflection of the soul upon its own wilful folly, and now woeful misery. Oh, consider this before thy friends be scrambling for thy goods, worms for thy body, devils for thy soul. Go not dancing to hell in thy bolts, rejoice not in thy bondage, as many do; to whom the preaching of hell is but as the painting of a toad, which men can look on and handle without fear.
Never dieth, and the fire is not quenched] O quam diuturua et immensa est eternitas! Oh how long and enormous is eternity, said the devil once. a A child with a spoon may sooner empty the sea than the damned accomplish their misery. A river of brimstone is not consumed by burning.
a Manlii loc. com.