N01484:208
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.
WHEN the Publican stood Abased in the Temple, Imploring Mercy in deep Confusion of Soul, and smiting on his own Breast from the Conscience of Guilt and Fear of Wrath; how graciously was he dismissed with a Pardon? And when the Prodigal returned unto his Father from his Rebellion and his Riot, saying, Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son; how tenderly was he received? Luk. 15. 20.And when he was yet a great way off his Father saw him, and had Compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his Neck and kissed him. What Joy and Pleasure, Mirth and Feasting, Music and Dancing also followed that blessed Evening? v. 23. ⟨p. 31⟩Bring hither the fatted Calf and kill it, and let us eat and be Merry; for this my Son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.
WHEN the Publican stood Abased in the Temple, Imploring Mercy in deep Confusion of Soul, and smiting on his own Breast from the Conscience of Guilt and Fear of Wrath; how graciously was he dismissed with a Pardon? And when the Prodigal return'd unto his Father from his Rebellion and his Riot, saying, Father I have sinned against Heaven and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son; how tenderly was he received? Luk. 15. 20.And when he was yet a great way off his Father saw him, and had Compassion on him, and ran, and fell on his Neck and kissed him. What Joy and Pleasure, Mirth and Feasting, Music and Dancing also follow'd that blessed Evening? v. 23. ⟨p. 31⟩Bring hither the fatted Calf and kill it, and let us eat and be Merry; for this my Son was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.
THESE Instances are so many strong Proofs of GOD's Pleasure, not in the Death of Sinners, but in their Repentance.