N01484:145
A sorrowful spectacle. In two sermons, occasioned by a just sentence of death, on…
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]
Boston: printed by T. Fleet & T. Crump for Samuel Gerrish, 1715
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.
But, I hope, Undutiful Children especially will tremble at the Spectacle which God this Day hangs up for them all with a Trembling Soul to look upon. Undutiful Children, How often, how often have you now heard from the Gallows, those doleful Eiulations, Disobedience to Parents is what brings to this! Yea, 'tis a wonderful Thing I am now to tell you. This poor Creature here, cannot now forget it. In a mad Rage once, [Horrible to be spoken!] she Cursed her own Mother. And her enraged Mother then uttered that Imprecation ⟨p. 87⟩upon her, I wish thou mayest Dye upon the Gallows! And now, see what it is come to! Oh! do not you go on in your Disobedience. If you have given your Parents cause to Complain, that you have made Heavy Hearts for them, Repent of what you have done; and Obey them, Oblige them, Comfort them. What will the Holy GOD else leave you to? Child, If thou wilt not hearken to my Counsel, I know that God has determined, He will destroy thee!
But, I hope, Undutiful Children especially will tremble at the Spectacle which God this Day hangs up for them all with a Trembling Soul to look upon. Undutiful Children, How often, how often have you now heard from the Gallows, those doleful Eiulations, Disobedience to Parents is what brings to this! Yea, 'tis a wonderful Thing I am now to tell you. This poor Creature here, cannot now forget it. In a mad Rage once, [Horrible to be spoken!] she Cursed her own Mother. And her enraged Mother then uttered that Imprecation ⟨p. 87⟩upon her, I wish thou mayest Dye upon the Gallows! And now, see what it is come to! Oh! do not you go on in your Disobedience. If you have given your Parents cause to Complain, that you have made Heavy Hearts for them, Repent of what you have done; and Obey them, Oblige them, Comfort them. What will the Holy GOD else leave you to? Child, If thou wilt not hearken to my Counsil, I know that God has determined, He will destroy thee!
And, Oh! that all Profane Delays of Repentance, might after this appear more Frightful, from a fresh and a black and a stupendous Experiment, that has been made of the Danger in them. This poor Creature, upon her very first Imprisonment, had the best Advice that could be given unto her, to spend her Time unto the best Advantage. But a vile Person in the Prison persuaded her, that he should make his Escape, and would carry her off; and all should be well. I know not how to relate the Hideous