N00355:35
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.
But thus for the Doctrinal handling of the Truth before us. I proceed to make some Application. (1.) By way of Information. (2.) For Exhortation.
Infor. 1. This Doctrine justifieth the Authority hore, in respect of the Sentence of Death which has been passed on the Murderer, who is this day to be Executed. There is a man standing before the Lord, and among His people this day, who has done just as my Text expresseth, he hath smitten his Neighbour, and that with an Instrument of lorn too, with a cruel Spit made of Iron; the thing proved by several Witnesses, and the man that was hurt dyed of that wound, therefore he that has smitten him […] a Murderer, and must surely be put to death. Tho' for a long time •e denied it, nevertheless since his Condemnation he has acknowledged it; and yesterday he confessed to me, that he had in his Rage murdered the man, whose death and blood has •in ⟨p. 15⟩said to his Charge; he told me that the other gave him some ill language whereby he was provoked, and that he said to him, if he […] within the door, he would run the Spit into his Bowels; and he was as wicked as he said he would be, so that he is guilty of Murder. Therefore none ought to blame Those in Authority for causing the Murderer to be put to death; Conscience to God, & to the People under their Charge, and to their own Souls also, has necessitated them to do what they have done in this matter. Let every one remember that Scripture, Prov. 28. 17. A man that doth violence to the blood of any person, shall flee to the Pit, let no man stay him; if he has shed blood, to the Pit let him go, and flee thither; let all convenient Speed be used in the Execution of Justice, that so the Land may be cleared from blood, and let no man in Authority stay him, let no private person solicit for him. But let us be thankful to God, that we are under such Magistrates as will do Justice, and Execute Judgment, & punish Sin according as the Word of God requires that it should be done.