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that punishment is not measured by the duration
of a fault, but by its gravity. Even at the tribunals
of justice here on earth, the penalty of death is
imposed upon some crimes which are committed in an instant.

The Angelic Doctor adds that it is but just that the punishment should not cease as long as the
fault does not cease. Now, a fault which remains
eternally can be remitted only by the grace of God, which man cannot acquire after death. As we
have seen above, the will of the damned is obstinate in evil. Hence, he continues to love his sin
at the same time that he submits to its punishment. How, then, can God deliver him from his
chastisement, while he continues to love his fault? How can God pardon his sin, while the damned
is hardened in his hatred for God, if at the same time the Lord offered him pardon and friendship,
the damned refused both the one and the other?
Nor can it be objected, as some heretics do, that it is contrary to the goodness and mercy of God
to behold one of His creatures suffer eternally from such terrible punishments in Hell. For, as St.
Thomas remarks, God has given superabundant witness of His goodness and mercy toward men. Beholding
all men lost by the sin of Adam and their own sins, what great goodness did He not manifest in
descending from Heaven to earth to become man, in the endurance of a poor, humble and afflicted
life, in pouring forth the very last drop of His Blood amid such terrible torments upon an
infamous gibbet? What greater proof of His goodness could He have given to men than to