N02155:33
A call to the tempted. A sermon on the horrid crime of self-murder, preached…
A call to the tempted. A sermon on the horrid crime of self-murder, preached on a remarkable occasion, / by the memorable Dr. Increase Mather. ; And now published from his notes, for a charitable stop to suicides. ; [Five lines of quotation in Latin]
Boston: printed by B. Green, 1723
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.
BUT, except it be in case of Distraction; it is a rare thing for Satan thus to prevail over any that belong unto GOD. If he do, yet the Execution cannot be so dispatched, as to leave no space of Repentance. Therefore, it is very observable, that though we read of some of the Elect of GOD in the Scripture, that have been Tempted unto this Crime, yet none were left actually to Commit it, but such as we have cause to look upon as Reprobates, Were a Saul, an Ahithophel, a Zimri, & a Judas, any other?
BUT, except it be in case of Distraction; it is a rare thing for Satan thus to prevail over any that belong unto GOD. If he do, yet the Execution cannot be so dispatched, as to leave no space of Repentance. Therefore, it is very observable, that though we read of some of the Elect of GOD in the Scripture, that have been Tempted unto this Crime, yet none were left actually to Commit it, but such as we have cause to look upon as Reprobates, Were a Saul, an Achitophel, a Zimri, & a Iudas, any other?
AS for Secret Things, and Extraordinary Cases, we must leave them with GOD. Nevertheless, It is a clear Scriptural Principle, That an Impenitent Murderer cannot be Saved. There are some sins, that an Elect Person shall be preserved from: Such particularly is, The Unpardonable Blasphemy against the Holy SPIRIT. And such is, Final Impenitency. Therefore it concerns them that have the use of Reason, and know what they do, to beware of this Sin, as they bear any Respect unto the Salvation of their Precious and Immortal Souls.
IV. LIFE is a great Mercy. Men should be cautioned against Despising, and wilfully casting away the Mercies of GOD. Life in this World, is an Invaluable Mercy: Because, whilst there is Life, there is Hope: Eccl. IX.4