N01484:146
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.
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 ⟨p. 88⟩Hardness of Heart, which this Foolish Persuasion betrayed her to. But I cannot perceive any of all her Follies, to be now more Cruciating to her, than what were the Fruit of this Persuasion. Particularly, That now she minded nothing of Repentance, until her Condemnation; And God knows, what poor Work she has made of it since, tho' the Honourable Judges have Mercifully allowed so much Time unto her.—O Procrastinating Sinners, If by secure Delays of Repentance, you so Vex the Holy Spirit of God, as to procure His Departure from you, what Hardness of Heart may you be given up unto! Woe to them, when I depart from them, saith the Lord.
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 perswaded 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 ⟨p. 88⟩Hardness of Heart, which this Foolish Perswasion betray'd her to. But I cannot perceive any of all her Follies, to be now more Cruciating to her, than what were the Fruit of this Perswasion. Particularly, That now she minded nothing of Repentance, until her Condemnation; And God knows, what poor Work she has made of it since, tho' the Honourable Judges have Mercifully allow'd so much Time unto her.—O Procrastinating Sinners, If by secure Delays of Repentance, you so Vex the Holy Spirit of God, as to procure His Departure from you, what Hardness of Heart may you be given up unto! Wo to them, when I depart from them, saith the Lord.