N01369:121
The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David…
The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David Wallis, on his companion Benjamin Stolwood: on Saturday night, the first of August, 1713. With his carriage oftener condemnation; his confession and dying speech at the place of execution, &c. : To which are added, the sermons preached at the lecture in Boston, in his hearing, after condemnation; and on the day of his execution, being Sept. 24. 1713.The sad effects of sin. A true relation of the murder committed by David Wallis, on his companion Benjamin Stolwood: on Saturday night, the first of August, 1713. With his carriage ofter condemnation; his confession and dying speech at the place of execution, &c. : To which are added, the sermons preached at the lecture in Boston, in his hearing, after condemnation; and on the day of his execution, being Sept. 24. 1713.
printed by John Allen for Nicholas Boone, 1713
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.
II. I pass unto the Second Thing to be observed from the Text, which is, That Deliverance from this crying Guilt of Blood is to be earnestly sought of God. This is the very Petition in the Text, Deliver me from Blood-guiltiness. So then there is Deliverance from it; and we should be very earnest in Prayer for it unto God.
1. There is Deliverance from Blood-guiltiness to be obtained from God. And that of two sorts. 1. To be kept from the Bloody Guilt. 2. The Pardon and Forgiveness of it when contracted.
1. We may by the Divine Restraining Grace be kept from the Commission of the Sin of Murder; and this is a blessed Deliverance from Blood-guiltiness. We are through' Grace all of us (I trust) one only excepted, free of this Guilt; and ever shall be so. But then it is God that has kept, prevented and delivered us from it; and He must hereafter keep us, or we shall fall into it. For we are Incident to it through' the horrid Corruption that is in our Nature; and the very best of us are by no means our own Keepers. There is no Sin, but what the vile and cursed nature of man is prone to, and capable of; and the same vile Nature is common to us all. Esau had Murder in his heart, when he came out against his Brother Jacob; and so had Josephs Brethren, when they cast him into the Pit; but God kept them however from it. GOD left David to fall into it, to show him the wickedness that was in his heart. GOD left Simeon and Levi, ⟨p. 17⟩Joab and Absalom, and others to fall into it, on one temptation or another. Are we Better by Nature than they? No, but God has kept us from their Temptations, or Restrained us when tempted. When the Prophet of the Lord told Hazael the Syrian of the Murders, Cruelties and Barbarities which he would in time commit against Israel; He answered with detestation, But what? is thy Servant a Dog, that he should do this great thing? such abhorred & enormous wickedness: Yet he did it afterward; like a dog he rent and tore and devoured; He proved as much a brute and beast of prey, how impossible soever he before-hand thought it of himself. And indeed the Angers, Passions, & Wraths of men are so violent; that it is a wonder of the Divine Restraining Grace, & a marvellous Instance of the Power and Providence of God that there are not many Murders to one committed in the World. How does Madness and Rage and mortal Hatred glare out in mens looks, and words, and gestures? How easily do they grow Outrageous, and strike or draw? From whence come blows Fightings, & Duels, and Stabbing (more base and cruel than all the rest) but from mens lusts which