N00355:156
A sermon occasioned by the execution of a man found guilty of murder preached…
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 that murderer to all persons; especially to young men, to beware of those sins which brought him to his miserable end.) / By Increase Mather, teacher of church of Christ.
Boston: printed by R.P. i.e, 1687
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.
7. Finally, Consider you have no time to get sin pardoned & wrath turned away (if it be not done already) but between this and Death, into the very Borders, and under the Sentence of which you now are. In the grave there is no repentance, no Remission, Eccl. 9. 10. Before 4 days more pass over your head (and Oh how swiftly do they fly away!) you will be entered into an Eternal & unchangeable state of weal or woe, and of Woe it will be if speedy and thorough Repentance prevent it not.
7. Finally, Consider you have no time to get sin pardoned & wrath turned away (if it be not done already) but between this and Death, into the very Borders, and under the Sentence of which you now are. In the grave there is no repentance, no Remission, Eccl. 9. 10. Before 4 dayes more pass over your head (and Oh how swiftly do they fly away!) you will be entred into an Eternal & unchangeable state of weal or woe, and of Woe it will be if speedy and thorough Repentance prevent it not.
Thus far by way of Conviction & Awakening. My 2nd Word is principally by way of Counsel. Unto which I shall promise a Word of Encouragement, lost what has bin said may seem to harsh ⟨p. 95⟩and severe to a man in his Condition. But the Wound must be opened & searched before the Plaster be laid on; and there is a Plaster as large as the sore, the Lord in mercy make it stick. Know then, That notwithstanding all that has bin spoken, there is Hope in Israel concerning this thing. There is a way found out & revealed by God for the Turning of His Anger even from such sinners. The blood of Jesus can wash away the guilt of the sin of shedding man's blood, for which no Ransom may be taken by man, yet God has sound out a Ransom, and does now graciously offer thee the benefit of it.—[…] Paul was a Murderer and yet pardoned. Manasseh made the streets of Jerusalem to swim with innocent blood, and yet was forgiven. Nay the greatest Murderers that ever were in the world, even those that imbrued their wicked hands in the blood of the Son of GOD were, many of them, converted & reconciled to God; and are now in heaven beholding the Glory of that Christ whom they Crucified,