N01484:209
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.
THESE Instances are so many strong Proofs of GOD's Pleasure, not in the Death of Sinners, but in their Repentance.
USE I. WE see the Adorable Goodness of the Lord our GOD, the Glory and Riches of His Grace and Mercy. The Exaltation of it lies in this, That tho' Sin be infinitely hateful to Him, and provoking, yet that he seeks and endeavours the Repentance of Sinners with so great Desire. O how glorious, how dear and amiable should this render the Name and Ways of our GOD unto us! Mic. 7. 18, 19. Who is a GOD like unto Thee, that pardoneth Iniquity, and passeth by Transgression—? He retaineth not His Anger for ever, because He delighteth in Mercy. He will turn again, He will have Compassion upon us: He will subdue our Iniquities: and Thou wilt cast all their Sins in the depth of the Sea.
USE I. WE see the Adorable Goodness of the Lord our GOD, the Glory and Riches of His Grace and Mercy. The Exaltation of it lies in this, That tho' Sin be infinitely hateful to Him, and provoking, yet that he seeks and endeavours the Repentance of Sinners with so great Desire. O how glorious, how dear and amiable shou'd this render the Name and Ways of our GOD unto us! Mic. 7. 18, 19. Who is a GOD like unto Thee, that pardoneth Iniquity, and passeth by Transgression—? He retaineth not His Anger for ever, because He delighteth in Mercy. He will turn again, He will have Compassion upon us: He will subdue our Iniquities: and Thou wilt cast all their Sins in the depth of the Sea.
II. WE learn what Compassion we owe unto the Wicked, and how we should endeavour their Repentance and Salvation. It should be a most sorrowful thing to us to see Men Sin against GOD and damn their own Souls. There should be Joy on Earth as there is in Heaven over one Sinner that repenteth. Our hearts desire and prayer for others should be that they may be saved, and we should count our selves happy if we may be any ways Instrumental therein. This is true Love to Men, true Devotion toward GOD.