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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.
Min. But I must deal plainly with you: You have made it sadly suspicious that your repentance is not yet as it ought to be: when men truly & throughly repent of sin they use to be in a special manner watchful against that Sir which has bin their chief Sin: one of your principal sins which has indeed brought you to the Death of a Murderer, is Passion, unmortified & outrageous Passionateness: Now I have been this day informed, that no longer since than the last night, upon some Dissatisfaction about the place which the Authority hath ordered you by and by to be buried in, you did express, your self with a most unruly Passionateness.
Min. But I must deal plainly with you: You have made it sadly suspicious that your repentance is not yet as it ought to be: when men truly & throughly repent of sin they use to be in a special manner watchful against that Sir which has bin their chief Sin: one of your principal sins which has indeed brought you to the Death of a Murderer, is Passion, unmortifi'd & outragious Passionateness: Now I have been this day informed, that no longer since than the last night, upon some Dissatisfaction about the place which the Authority hath ordered you by and by to be buried in, you did express, your self with a most unruly Passionateness.
Mor. Sir, I confess it, and I was quickly sorry ⟨p. 121⟩for it, tho' for the present I was too much disturbed: 'Twas my folly to be so careful about the place where my body should be laid when my precious SOUL was in such a Condition.—
Min. Truly you have cause to mourn for it. Secure the welfare of your soul, and this (now) pinioned, hanged vile body of yours will shortly be raised unto glory, glory forevermore. And let me put you in mind of one thing more, I doubt you haven't yet laid aside your unjust Grudges against the Persons concerned in your Conviction & Condemnation: You have no cause to complain of them: and you are not fit to pray, much less are you fit to dye till you heartily wish them as well as your own soul: if you die malicious, you die miserable.