A50164:82
Speedy repentance urged a sermon preached at Boston, December 29, 1689
Speedy repentance urged a sermon preached at Boston, December 29, 1689 : in the hearing and at the request of one Hugh Stone, [a mis]erable man [under a just sen]tense of [death] for a [tragical and] hor[rible murder : together with some account concerning the character, carriage, and execution of that unhappy malefactor : to which are added certain memorable providences relating to some other murders, & some great instances of repentance which have been seen amongst us / by Cotton Mather.]Speedy repentance urged a sermon preached at Boston, December 29, 1689 : in the hearing and at the request of one Hugh Stone, [a mis]erable man [under a just sen]tence of [death] for a [tragical and] hor[rible murder : together with some account concerning the character, carriage, and execution of that unhappy malefactor : to which are added certain memorable providences relating to some other murders, & some great instances of repentance which have been seen amonst us / by Cotton Mather.]
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1690
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Counsel. 3.
Counsil. 3.
Seek a pardon, and seek it HOPEFULLY. Despair not of it, but that your sins which have been like Scarlet, may yet become as Wool, and that your sins, which have been as Crimson may become like Snow. To quicken this Hope in your Souls.
Consider the Boundless Mercy of the infinite God. It may be that your sins have had most bloody Aggravations; as being against much Light, and much Love, and against very solemn Vows unto the contrary. Yet a Pardon is attainable, if you slight it not. What is Gods Design, in our Pardon? it is to ⟨p. 43⟩magnify His Grace, and (as the Apostle speaks) that he may Commend His Love. Well then, then greater our Pardon is, the greater will Gods Glory be. Hence it was the plea of the Psalmist, in Psal. 25. 11. O Lord, Pardon my Iniquity, for it is great. What a FOR is that? How strange an Argument is this? The Despairing Soul thinks, God will not Pardon my Iniquity FOR it is Great. But if we really Turn to God, the greatness of our sins will become no less than a plea for the Pardon of them. For Great Sinners will give Great praises, if they may taste of his pardoning mercy. Be not then Discouraged from industrious endeavours hereabout; but remember, that when our Lord Jesus hath said, in Joh. 6 37. Him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out; None of our Names are excepted there.
Consider the Boundless Mercy of the infinite God. It may be that your sins have had most bloody Aggravations; as being against much Light, and much Love, and against very solemn Vows unto the contrary. Yet a Pardon is attainable, if you slight it not. What is Gods Design, in our Pardon? it is to