N01484:175
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.
3. LET it be also further observed, as another great Maxim of Truth; That GOD has ineffable Pleasure in fulfilling and performing His Word. Whether it be the Promises or the Threatenings thereof; the Words of Grace or those of Terror. They are both the unchangeable Truths of GOD, and according to His most Blessed and Perfect Nature; and the Pleasure of GOD is equal in the fulfilment of either. As for GOD His Work is Perfect; He is a GOD of Truth and without Iniquity, Just and Right is He. He has not more Pleasure in holding the Universe in its Order, than He has in fulfilling of His Words; the Word which threatens the Wicked with Death. Yea the Heavens and the Earth shall pass away, sooner than one Jot or Tittle of God's revealed written Truth. More settled is this ⟨p. 12⟩than the Ordinances of Heaven, and the Beauty and Glory of the Universe more depends on this than on their Order and Motion. Hence 'tis that He will Laugh at the Calamity of the Wicked, and Mock when their Fear cometh. Prov. 1. 25. There can be no room for Pity when Holiness Justice and Truth stand forth and demand Execution. GOD is Plenteous and Abundant in Truth as well as Mercy and Goodness. Just and True are His Ways, true and right His Judgments, and therefore He necessarily takes Pleasure in them. The strength of Israel cannot lye nor repent, for He is not a Man that He should repent. Psal. 89. 34. Neither will I alter the thing that is gone out of my Mouth.
3. LET it be also further observed, as another great Maxim of Truth; That GOD has ineffable Pleasure in fulfilling and performing His Word. Whether it be the Promises or the Threatnings thereof; the Words of Grace or those of Terror. They are both the unchangeable Truths of GOD, and according to His most Blessed and Perfect Nature; and the Pleasure of GOD is equal in the fulfilment of either. As for GOD His Work is Perfect; He is a GOD of Truth and without Iniquity, Just and Right is He. He has not more Pleasure in holding the Universe in its Order, than He has in fulfilling of His Words; the Word which threatens the Wicked with Death. Yea the Heavens and the Earth shall pass away, sooner than one Jot or Tittle of God's revealed written Truth. More settled is this ⟨p. 12⟩