A50229:81
A sermon, occasioned
A sermon, occasioned by the execution of a man found guilty of murder, preached at Boston in N.E., March 11th, 1685/6 (together with the confession, last expressions, & solemn warning of the murderer to all persons, especially to young men, to beware of those sins which brought him to his miserable end) / by Increase Mather ...
Boston: printed by R.P., 1687
Title page typeset from the transcription.
The CALL of the GOSPEL, unto All the Ends of the Earth; Apply'd esp… › Part
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.
Doct. The Lord Jesus Christ in His Gospel, graciously & earnestly inviteth all the Children of men to Look unto Him, by Faith upon Him for SALVATION.
When the no less unexpected than undeniable Request of the dying man who now stands in in this Assembly, that I would allow him this Morning a Discourse proper for his uncomfortable Circumstances, was yesterday brought unto me; I cold not suddenly think on any thing more accommodated unto all the Persons & Services which are before me, than that which I have now pitched upon. The Body of this Congregation can't hear of a more important thing than this, of Looking unto Jesus Christ for Salvation. Men and Brethren, This is the One thing needful. The little flock of Communicants, unto whom I am by & by to administer the Holy Supper, cannot be excited unto a fitter work than this, of Looking unto Jesus Christ for Salvation. Christians, this is our Errand hither. The poor condemned Malefactor, who is here listening to one of the three last Sermons that ever he is like to fit under before his Encounter with the King of Terrors, cannot be put in mind ⟨p. 43⟩of any thing that will more tend to prepare him for his near approaching death, than this of Looking unto the Lord of Life, for Salvation & Life. Poor man, do you hearken, I'll study to make this whole hour very particularly suitable & serviceable to you; and methinks a man that knows himself about to take an eternal Farewell, of all Sermons, should endeavour to hear with most earnest heed. The God of Heaven grant, that Faith may come unto you by your Hearing.
When the no less unexpected than un deniable Request of the dying man who now stands in in this Assembly, that I would allow him this Morning a Discourse proper for his uncomfortable Circumstances, was yesterday brought unto me; I cold not suddenly think on any thing more accommodated unto all the Persons & Services which are before me, than that which I have now pitch'd upon. The Body of this Congregation can't hear of a more important thing than this, of Looking unto Jesus Christ for Salvation. Men and Brethren, This is the One thing needful. The little flock of Communicants, unto whom I am by & by to administer the Holy Supper, cannot be excited unto a fitter work than this, of Looking unto Jesus Christ for Salvation. Christians, this is our Errand hither. The poor condemned Malefactor, who is here listening to one of the three last Sermons that ever he is like to fit under before his Encounter with the King of Terrors, cannot be put in mind