N00429:54
Speedy repentance urged. A sermon preached at Boston, Decemb. 29. 1689. In the hearing,…
Speedy repentance urged. A sermon preached at Boston, Decemb. 29. 1689. In the hearing, and at the request of one Hugh Stone, a miserable man under a just sentence of death, for a tragical and horrible murder. : Together with some account concerning the character, carriage, and execution of that unhappy malefactor. : To which are added, certain memorable providences relating to some other murders; & some great instances of repentance which have been seen among us. / By Cotton Mather Pastor of the Gospel in Boston.
Boston: printed by Samuel Green, 1690
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.
There has been a vain Distinction used about this matter, between [Reatus Culpoe] Guilt, as Deserving of punishment; and [Reatus Poenoe] Guilt, as Obliging to punishment. But these are so inseparable, that when Guilt is Remitted, the punishment goes along with it. In Justification, our Bonds are taken off, and nothing is demanded of us, as a price to A•o•le ⟨p. 20⟩the Righteous God. It was said in in Isa. 33. 24. The Inhabitant shall not say, I am sick; the people shall be forgiven their Iniquity. Thus, when men are Forgiven their Iniquity, they shall not by vindictive Justice be made to say, I am sick, or I am poor, or, I am pained, and the like. There are no proper Penalties remaining for a justified man. Whatever Troubles he may afterwards meet withal, there shall not be the Wrath and the Curse of God spicing of them; and in regard of the Second Death, it is very peremptorily declared unto him, Thou shalt not Dy. It was the cry of the Psalmist, in Psal. 143. 2. Enter not into Judgment with thy Servant. The God of Heaven, acts not so much like a Judg, as like a Father, to a justified man; and He not only secures him from the vengeance of Eternal Fire, but also, puts a New and a •nd Respect upon all the Temporal Afflictions, which do befall such a Man. The ⟨p. 21⟩Afflictions which happen to him, are not so much Punishments as Chastisements; and a Reconciled God therein proceeds according to that Rule in Rev 3. 19. Whom I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten. Yea, if a Correction be at any time employed upon him, it is at the same time a Benefit, in that very thing which called for it. As the Dumbness of Zechariah was as much an Argument for his Faith, as a Chastisement for his Unbelief.
There has been a vain Distinction used about this matter, between [Reatus Culpoe] Guilt, as Deserving of punishment; and [Reatus Poenoe] Guilt, as Obliging to punishment. But these are so inseparable, that when Guilt is Remitted, the punishment goes along with it. In Justification, our Bonds are taken off, and nothing is demanded of us, as a price to Aole