N00355:178
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.
Now if any thing will break a hard heart, sure it is the affectionate warming yea melting Offers of the Grace of Christ in the Gospel unto a Person so vile that might be ready enough to fear he had sinned himself into an estate beneath, & out of the reach of Mercy. And Oh be speedy about this work: almost all thy days are rolled away in Gods anger, thou mayst count the few hours that are left thee, don't lose an hour, a Minute; spend every one of them seriously in Reading, Meditation, Prayer, good Discourse, Asking Questions of and Hearing Counsel ⟨p. 106⟩from any that are concerned for thy soul.
Now if any thing will break a hard heart, sure it is the affectionate warming yea melting Offers of the Grace of Christ in the Gospel unto a Person so vile that might be ready enough to fear he had sinn'd himself into an estate beneath, & out of the reach of Mercy. And Oh be speedy about this work: almost all thy dayes are rolled away in Gods anger, thou mayst count the few hours that are left thee, don't lose an hour, a Minute; spend every one of them seriously in Reading, Meditation, Prayer, good Discourse, Asking Questions of and Hearing Counsel ⟨p. 106⟩from any that are concern'd for thy soul.
Let it appear to all that look on thee that after so much mispence & loss of precious time, the scarcity of it has raised the price with thee. Unto thee may it be most truly said Now or Never.
And because he desires it, bear with me while I offer a Word of Warning & Council to others. And it is commendable to see such a person desirous to have his Companions in sin warned.