N00152:52
The wicked mans portion. Or A sermon (preached at the lecture in Boston in…
The wicked mans portion. Or A sermon (preached at the lecture in Boston in New-England the 18th day of the 1 month 1674. when two men were executed, who had murdered their master.) Wherein is showed that excess in wickedness doth bring untimely death. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a Church of Christ. ; [Six lines of quotations]The wicked mans portion. Or A sermon (preached at the lecture in Boston in New-England the 18th day of the 1 moneth 1674. when two men were executed, who had murthered their master.) Wherein is shewed that excesse in wickedness doth bring untimely death. / By Increase Mather, teacher of a Church of Christ. ; [Six lines of quotations]
Boston: printed by John Foster, 1675
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.
We come now to Apply this Doctrine. There are two Uses to be insisted on, 1. By way of Instruction or Information 2. By way of Exhortation.
Wee come now to Apply this Doctrine. There are two Uses to be insisted on, 1. By way of Instruction or Information 2. By way of Exhortation.
1. By way of Information, Inf. 1. We may see by this, that sin is the greatest folly in the world. Well might Solomon say as in the Text, neither her be thou foolish, For to sin and do ⟨p. 13⟩wickedly is the greatest foolishness that ever was or can be. Sin is a departure from the Rule of Wisdom. For a man to part with his life for nothing, is not that monstrous folly? And thus doth a wretched sinner do. Mens sins are unfruitful works of darkness. What Profit had you of those things whereof ye are now ashamed? Sin is the most unprofitable thing in the world. It is good for nothing, neither for body, nor soul, nor name, nor estate, but brings death and ruin upon all. A man by sin (especially some sins) looseth his Name. A wound and dishonour doth he get, and a reproach that that shall not be wiped away. And he lo•eth his life, and that before the Time as the Text showeth; yea and without repentance will loose his soul for ever. Prov. 8. 36. He that sinneth against me wrongs his own soul. The Impenitent sinner brings ruin upon his own soul. Therefore sin is folly, and and the more sinful the more foolish. The greatest Sinners are the greatest Fools in all the world. Wherefore it is said Eccl 9. 3. The Heart of the sons of men is full of evil, & madness is in their Heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead. Yea to the Damned! O what horrible madness is it, for any man, that so he may enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, to venture eternal damnation of his precious and immortal soul?
1. By way of Information, Inf. 1. We may see by this, that sin is the greatest folly in the world. Well might Solomon say as in the Text, neither her be thou foolish, For to sin and doe