First, it is the Christian's duty now to love even the wicked, not knowing but that they may be loved of God. So in hell this infinite love for his own will be eternally visible in the punishment of their wicked enemies whom they may have loved in this world. To this supreme theme Edwards gives intense reflection. The beatifical vision of God is not a sight with the eyes of the body, but with the eyes of the soul. Not only is the beatific vision not to be physical, Edwards cannot grant that it can even come about through the senses.
Any earthly empiricism seems to be transcended.
John H . Quotations in this chapter are taken from this book, except as otherwise noted. Edwards does not anticipate the verdict of the court, but he assumes that either pastor or people would be vindicated. Quarterly lecture, November 1747.