N01484:148
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.
Abominable Sins! The Sins where of our Holy JESUS, hath from Heaven sent this Notice to us, I hate there! The Sins, which the Holy Scripture ⟨p. 89⟩points out, as a fatal Ditch, a filthy Pit, set open for the Abhorred of the Lord. How Mischievous the Abominations! What Wounds, what Wounds, do they leave upon the Souls of Men! What Wounds upon all their Interests! What Infatuations do accompany them! Oh! the Hideous Havoc, which the Sins of Unchastity make among the polluted Children of Men! The Ruins which they undergo from the Fleshly Lusts, that War against our Souls!
Abominable Sins! The Sins where of our Holy JESUS, hath from Heaven sent this Notice to us, I hate there! The Sins, which the Holy Scripture ⟨p. 89⟩points out, as a fatal Ditch, a filthy Pit, set open for the Abhorred of the Lord. How Mischievous the Abominations! What Wounds, what Wounds, do they leave upon the Souls of Men! What Wounds upon all their Interests! What Infatuations do accompany them! Oh! the Hideous Havock, which the Sins of Unchastity make among the polluted Children of Men! The Ruines which they undergo from the Fleshly Lusts, that War against our Souls!
Ah, Tempted Souls; I don't propose that you should make any Rash Vows, under the Anguish which the ••lthy Fires may give unto you. I know, you'll break them if you do. But the best Proposal is, To Humble yourselves in the Dust before the Lord. What else can you do, when the Serpents of the Dust are Coiling about you? From thence, lift up your, Cries unto your Saviour, O my dear Saviour, I shall Sin against thee, if thou forsake me. Oh! Forsake me not utterly▪ Oh! Pity me; Oh! Rescue me. The Blood of thy Cross has purchased for me ⟨p. 90⟩the Death of my Inordinate Lusts. Oh! Give me the Grace, which thy Death has purchased for me. Let my Lusts all Dye before it! O Succour my Tempted Soul; And, O Holy Spirit of Grace, do thou take Possession of me, and Purify me, Purify me Wonderfully! Thus keep Crying to your Holy Lord. Who can tell, how He will Send from above, how He will Take you, how He will Draw you out of many Waters!