CHRIST'S PROMISE TO THE PENITENT THIEF. A SERMON PREACHED THE LORD'S-DAY BEFORE THE EXECUTION OF LEVI AMES, WHO SUFFERED DEATH FOR BURGLARY, OCT. 21, 1773. AET. 22. BY... PASTOR OF A CHURCH IN BOSTON. N.B. THIS DISCOURSE WAS PREACHED AT THE DESIRE OF THE PRISONER, WHO WAS PRESENT WHEN IT WAS DELIVERED.
Boston: Printed and Sold by John Boyle, 1773. 31, [1 blank] pp, as issued. Disbound, Good+. Death's-head ornament above the title. With a running title, "Christ's Promise to the penitent Thief." Contemporary ownership inscription at top margin.
Eliot, an influential proponent of the ideas of Natural Rights and self-government, supported the American Revolution, remaining in Boston during the British occupation. During that time, says Appleton's, he "did much to alleviate the sufferings of the people."
His Execution Sermon elaborates on Luke XXIII. 43: "To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." Professing compassion for young Ames, who is about to be hanged because he was convicted of burglary, Eliot addresses him: "Unhappy young Man!... You have been an atrocious sinner... I pity you still more, when I consider you as an offender against the great God, and in danger of his eternal wrath."
Eliot gives him "glad tidings of great joy... Repentance is never too late."
FIRST EDITION. ESTC W37791. Evans 12759. Cohen 13961. Item #37608
Price: $1,000.00