N00429:9
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.
THE Introduction.
Our Blessed Saviour, ha• […] that Character of his ••• cters, That they be Rulers over. His Household, and that Commandment to them, That they should give every one their meat in due Season. Whether or no our Good Neighbours will acknowledge our Government, which we Esteem to be not at all Despotical, but wholly Ministerial, and would rejo••• if we could therein, with more universal E•• cation enjoy the Assistance of those that might Rule well, though they Labour […] in Word and Doctrine; yet I am sure we, ought with a very solicitous Fidelity to look […] our Stewardship, in that part of it, ⟨image ?⟩which concerns the Feeding of the Household. It is Food and not From which we are to Entertain the Souls of our people with; […] not Windy and Empty Speculations, and Notions which Animum non dant quia non habent, are expected from us; but solemn and useful Admonitions, about Faith and Repentance, and Holiness, which make up, The One Thing Needful, and about those things without which no man shall see the Lord. And if not Froth, much less is Poison, to be […] in our Discourses: not a Snake instead of a Fish; which alas, is now adays no less frequently, than fatally met withal in […] about Justification, more than about any one Article of Religion But in all this there is to be had a special Regard unto the Due Season too; in which Every Thing is Beautiful. For, tho' the Efficacy of Grace consist not in Moral Persuasions applied (as the Arminians Dogmatize) Tempore & Modo Congruis, in a suitable and seasonable manner; yet a Spiritual; Physician, ought to watch his Time, as well as weigh his Dose; and we should prudently take what Advantage may be given by Providence to make this or that particular Truth awakening to the min of them with whom we have to do.