A sorrowful spectacle. In two sermons, occasioned by a just sentence of death, on…

Name: A sorrowful spectacle. In two sermons, occasioned by a just sentence of death, on…
Author: Cotton Mather

A sorrowful spectacle. In two sermons, occasioned by a just sentence of death, on a miserable woman, for the murder of a spurious offspring. : The one declaring, the evil of an heart hardened, under and against all means of good. : The other describing, the fearful case of such as in a suffering time, and much more such as in a dying hour, are found without the fear of God. : With some remarkable things, relating to the criminal; proper for all to be informed of. / By Cotton Mather, D.D. and F.R.S. ; [One line from Acts]

Cotton Mather 1663–1728Boston: printed by T. Fleet & T. Crump for Samuel Gerrish, 1715

[2], vii, [1], 3-92, [2], 47, [1] p. ; 14 cm. (12mo) · 24k words · Evans 1764

Title page typeset from the transcription.

The Grand Concern, of Suffering and of Dying People. BOSTON, 9 d. I…: The Grand Concern, of Suffering and of Dying People. BOSTON, 9 d. IV m. 1715.

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.

[ Earlier:98–113 of 239

:98p. 53–54

Again; The Judgment of GOD is Awful to such a Man. The Fear of God assures a Man of a Judgment to come; and it makes him Tremble at the Apprehension of being Pronounced, Guilty, in that Judgment, The time of the Dead, when they shall be Judged, is the Time, when a Reward ⟨p. 54⟩shall be given to them that Fear God. They that Fear God, have their Eye much on the Time, when the Dead shall be Raised and Judged, and on the Reward which is then to be given to the Children of Men. One that Fears God, is very Thoughtful of the Day, when we must every one stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ; the Day when God will bring every Work into Judgment. The Dread of this Day, is to such a Man, The Terror of the Lord. His great Study is, Oh! That in the Day of God, I may give up my Account with Joy, and not with Grief! Oh! That I may do nothing that may prove to my Disadvantage in the Day when I give up my Account unto God! The Fear of God is not in the Man, who is not so disposed, so affected. I am sure, in the Convert on the Cross, these things were very Visible.

:99p. 54–56

Thirdly. True Religion, which Fears God, will Religiously and Conscientiously endeavour to Serve God. The Worshippers of GOD, are called, ⟨p. 55⟩Those that fear Him. The Worship and Service of GOD, is called, His Fear. We read of one, Act. X. 2. He was a Devout Man, and one that feared God, and prayed unto God always. The Fear of God will put a Man upon all the Devotions of a Godly Life. The Fear of God will bring forth Prayer to God: Secret Prayer, Private Prayer, Public Prayer; All Prayer with Perseverance in it. When Men cast off this Fear, then they restrain Prayer. The Fear of God, will fill the Life of a Man with Work for God. It will make a Man Abound in the Work of the Lord. It will make a Man Diligent in the Work of both His Callings, the Spiritual and the Temporal. Continual Acknowledgements of God, are in the Endeavour of the Man that Fears Him. We are so called upon▪

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