To the Reader,
The sermons emitted [illegible] that of mine, and that also delivered by my son are published to gratify some who have been perhaps too importunately desirous to have it so. The person that occasioned the preaching of them is now incapable of receiving benefit by them. Whether they were blessed for a saving good to his soul, the Lord knows; and it becomes us to leave secret things with God. Late repentance is seldom true. There are who think that many who perished in the Flood were by means of that judgment brought to true repentance. To this sense some interpret that Scripture (1 Peter 4:5); otherwise we read not of more than one man in all the Book of God, that was brought home to Christ but a few hours before his death. Nevertheless, the Lord knows how to make the woeful death (as to his body) of a great sinner, to occasion the conversion and salvation of many souls.
If any be awakened by this sad example, to turn from those sins which proved [illegible] a miserable man: and if these sermons (such as they are) may be a means to further the work of repentance towards God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, in any that shall read them; the design of this publication will be attained.
As for the Exhortation annexed to these discourses, it was delivered on the same day with that sermon preached by my son (whom the Lord Jesus has fitted in the same church to which I am related) but in the after part of the day, and in another congregation, the reverend and worthy author has not had time to transcribe his whole sermon, only that part of it which concerned the [illegible] condemned malefactor. Many have earnestly desired that it might in this way be made public. And because it is most suitable that the best [illegible] come at last, it is in this publication [illegible] to the other sermons. The Lord prosper his truth by whoever spoken or written, for the good of souls.
Increase Mather. March 26 1686.
