The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 2

IV. Hopkins—Agonies of Damned Add to joys of Saved

SAMUEL HOPKINS (1721-1803), likewise a prominent Calvinist Congregationalist, and Yale graduate of 1741, studied theology under Jonathan Edwards, who profoundly influenced his views. He was an indefatigable student. His preaching was severe and dull. Nevertheless, like Edwards, his teacher and friend, he profoundly influenced the New England theology of his generation, carrying Edwards’ principles to their logical ultimate. He even went so far as to say that if the fires of eternal torment were to cease— CFF2 275.2

“it would in a great measure obscure the light of heaven, and put an end to a great part of the happiness and glory of the blessed, and be an irreparable detriment to God’s eternal kingdom.” ¹⁵ CFF2 275.3

Hopkins, it should be added, likewise adopted the Whitbyan postmillennial view ¹⁶ with its spiritualized resurrection and gradual introduction of the millennium, putting Christ’s advent at its close. ¹⁷ In support of this he wrote his Treatise on the Millennium (1793). Postmillennialism, it should also be observed, had by this time become firmly entrenched, even though it was accepted only by a minority. But it was spreading. CFF2 275.4

Continuing the same horrific teaching promulgated by Edwards, Hopkins went even further in his portrayals of agony. CFF2 276.1

1. SUFFERING OF DAMNED SAID TO GIVE JOY TO REDEEMED

As noted, Hopkins even maintained that if the tortures of the lost—forever in Hell—were to cease, the light of Heaven would be obscured, and the happiness of the redeemed diminished. Here is the full statement:
“The smoke of their torment shall ascend up in the sight of the blessed for ever and ever, and serve, as a most clear glass always before their eyes, to give them a constant, bright, and most affecting view .... This display of the divine character and glory will be in favor of the redeemed, and most entertaining, and give the highest pleasure to those who love God, and raise their happiness to ineffable heights.” ¹⁸ CFF2 276.2

Then comes the almost unbelievable statement:
“Should it [this eternal punishment] cease, and this fire could be extinguished, it would, in a great measure, obscure the light of heaven, and put an end to a great part of the happiness and glory of the blessed.” ¹⁹ CFF2 276.3

2. GOD’S GRACE MAGNIFIED BY ETERNALLY BURNING HELL

God’s sovereign grace was declared to be made more manifest by the endless agonies of the damned in Hell. This was predestination in the ultimate:
“This will be made to appear in the strongest light to the redeemed, when they behold those in everlasting misery, as their just and deserved portion, who are no more ill deserving than themselves, and know that mere sovereign grace hath made the distinction, since, had it not been for this grace, they themselves would infallibly have run on to destruction, and been as sinful and miserable as those who are actually lost, notwithstanding the offers of salvation made to them, and the means and advantages they enjoyed. Nothing can be better suited to keep this in the clearest view forever than this actual distinction made by divine grace in saving some, while others are given over to deserved everlasting destruction. And without this, or were all saved, the manifestation of this would have been comparatively dark, and very imperfect.” ²⁰ CFF2 276.4

Such were the public declarations of the most prominent Calvinists of the day. The inevitable reaction will be noted. CFF2 276.5