N00355:28
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.
2. They that are in Civil Authority, may and ought to take away the Lives of men, that shall commit Crimes, by the Law of God worthy of Death. The Apostle therefore saith concerning the Magistrate, He is the minister of God to thee for good, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he •ear•th not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God; a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that does Evil. Rom. 13 4. Private Revenge is evil, but public Revenge on those that violate the Laws of God, is good. The Magistrate is God's Vice-g•rent. As none can give life but God; so none may take it away. but God, or such as He has appointed. It is their work to see that the Lives of men be taken from them, when God has said, that they shall surely be put to death. Hence ⟨p. 7⟩David speaks, as in Psal. 101. 8. I will early destroy all the wicked of the land, tha• I may cut off all the wicked Doers from the City of the Lord. God had put the Sword into his hand for that end, that so he might clear the Land of Malefactors, who were worthy of Death, and he was resolved to see Justice done. But private Persons are not to arrogate to themselves that which is the Magistrate's proper work. Men must have lawful Authority for what they do; else in taking away Life, they become guilty of Murder. Suppose a person to have committed never such Capital Crimes, if a private person, or one that has no Legal Authority shall take away his Life, he is guilty of Murder. Except
2. They that are in Civil Authority, may and ought to take away the Lives of men, that shall commit Crimes, by the Law of God worthy of Death. The Apostle therefore saith concerning the Magistrate, He is the minister of God to thee for good, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he •ear•th not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God; a Revenger to execute wrath upon him that does Evil.