Pillars of salt. An history of some criminals executed in this land, for capital…

I. Let us not be of such a Reprobate Mind, as to Esteem it a Small Thing, for the Great God once to give us over, unto the Punishment of Sin, with Sin Consider, with a Trembling S•ul, Consider the Deplorable condition, of them ⟨p. 30⟩who are under the sore Punishment of Sin with Sin; There never was a Sorer Punishment! Never did any Rapid Peals of Thunder, carry such Alarums of Death with them, as those, in Rev. 22.14. He that is unjust, Let him be unjust still; and he that is Filthy, Let him be Filthy still. Never does the Curse of God more Irefully Thunder-strike a Sinner; than when it Punishes him for one Injustice by leaving him to another, and when it Punishes him for one Filthiness by leaving him to another. Other Afflictive Dispensations of God, may be Fatherly Castigations; But when Sin is Punished with Sin, this looks horribly Vindictive. When the wise man speaks of mens being left unto the Sinful Folly of Uncleanness, he says, in Prov. 22.14. He that is Abhorred of the Lord shall fall therein. And when the Heavenly Psalmist, speaks of mens being left unto the Sin of Covetousness and Earthly-mindedness, he says, in Psal. 10.3. That man, the Lord Abhors him. Truly, when a man is given over to Sin, it carries, this fearful Aspect with it; it looks as if such a man were under the Abhorrence of the Lord! I tell you, Sirs, and it is a dreadful Thing that I am going to tell you: This, of being Left unto Sin for Sin, 'tis a Punishment for a Devil. The very Devils are punished by being left unto the Sin, that augments the Chains of Black Darkness for ever upon them. Those forlorn men, that are left unto ⟨p. 31⟩Sin for Sin, have the Black Chains of Darkness, in some sort, like those of the very Devils laid upon their Souls. Oh! Tremble, when you Think on't! Mark what I say; There is not one Regenerate Soul among you all, but what will readily own the Truth of This: A man had better have his Eyes put out, than be given over to a Penal Blindness of Heart. A man had better lie groaning under the dolours of the Stone, than be given over to an Heart of Stone. A man had better be a Captive to Africans or Indians, than be given over, to the Dominion of Sin, and be a Bond slave of Lust, a Vassal of Mammon, and Led Captive by Satan at his will. What shall I say? To be given up unto Vile Affections, is worse than to be given up unto the most Vile Reproaches.