Every influx from heaven causes the inhabitants of hell agony. Therefore hell is distant from heaven, and is shut up all round, so that no influx may be felt. The reason is that they are in the opposite love, and just as infernal love causes the inhabitants of heaven agony, so heavenly love does the inhabitants of hell. But the heavenly influence is the stronger; hence hell is kept as far away as possible. This is meant by Abraham's statement in the Gospel that there is a gulf which cannot be crossed.