A sermon, delivered at Litchfield, on the 2d day of November, A.D. 1768. On the day of the execution of John Jacobs, an Indian native, pursuant to sentence of death passed upon him by the Hon. Superior Court, for the murder of James Chockrer. : Preached upon the desire of the criminal and published at the request of some of the hearers. / By Timothy Pitkin, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Farmington. ; [One line of Scripture text] Pitkin, Timothy, 1727-1812. Approx. 20 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 11 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI : 2007-10. N08632 N08632 Evans 11045 APV8386 11045 99003936

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 Early American Imprints, 1639-1800 ; no. 11045. (Evans-TCP ; no. N08632) Transcribed from: (Readex Archive of Americana ; Early American Imprints, series I ; image set 11045) Images scanned from Readex microprint and microform: (Early American imprints. First series ; no. 11045) A sermon, delivered at Litchfield, on the 2d day of November, A.D. 1768. On the day of the execution of John Jacobs, an Indian native, pursuant to sentence of death passed upon him by the Hon. Superior Court, for the murder of James Chockrer. : Preached upon the desire of the criminal and published at the request of some of the hearers. / By Timothy Pitkin, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Farmington. ; [One line of Scripture text] Pitkin, Timothy, 1727-1812. 18 p. Printed by Green & Watson, near the great bridge., Hartford: : [1768]

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 eng Jacobs, John, d. 1768. Chockrer, James, d. 1768? Murder. Executions and executioners -- Connecticut -- Litchfield. Criminals -- Connecticut -- Litchfield. Indians of North America -- Crime. Execution sermons -- 1768. 2006-04 Assigned for keying and markup 2006-05 Keyed and coded from Readex/Newsbank page images 2007-01 Sampled and proofread 2007-01 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2007-02 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A SERMON, Delivered at LITCHFIELD, On the 2d Day of November, A. D. 1768. On the Day of the Execution of JOHN JACOBS, An Indian Native, Purſuant to Sentence of Death paſſed upon him by the Hon. Superior Court, For the Murder of JAMES CHOCK • ER. Preached upon the Deſire of the 〈◊◊〉 publiſhed at the requeſt of ſome o • 〈◊〉 Hearers.

By TIMOTHY PITKIN, A. M. Paſtor of the firſt Church in Farmington.

Thou ſh •• t not kill. SIXTH COMMAND.

HARTFORD: Printed by Green & Watſon, near the Great Bridge.
NUMBERS xxxv. 16. AND IF HE SMITE HIM WITH AN INSTRUMENT O • IRON, (SO THAT HE DIE) HE IS A MURDERER: THE MURDERER SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH. MEN AND BRETHREN,

WE are convened upon a ſolemn occaſion, to behold a poor priſoner, under ſentence of death, to unite in ardent ſupplications for his ſoul, and to give our laſt counſel and advice to hi •• , and then to be ſpectators of his execution. 〈◊〉 while there is a fixed approbation in our 〈◊〉 , that juſtice takes place, our hearts may 〈◊〉 affected with tender compaſſion, for the 〈◊〉 us and immortal ſoul of the poor condemned •••• inal—when I behold the dying priſon •• , and 〈◊〉 around upon this numerous and ſolemn aſ •• mbly, and look up with a believing view of the •• eat GOD, the ſupreme Lord, and lawgiver; •• eſe words ſeem a proper ground of the preſent • iſcourſe, And if he ſ • ite him with an inſtrument of • ron, ſo that he die, he is a murderer; the murderer •• all ſu • ely be put to death. This is a ſtatute of • eaven, a law made by the great GOD: it was 〈◊〉 divine pleaſure, to provide cities of refuge, for t • e man-ſlayer, where there was no premeditated nor preſent malice in the caſe, but killed his neighbour at unawares; and thoſe cities were for the ſecurity of ſuch, from the revenger of blood, as well as typical of CHRIST, the only refuge for ſouls; but for wilful murder there was no city of refuge provided, but the murderer muſt die.

The doctrine to be noted is this, viz.

It is the ſtatute of Heaven, it is the law of the great God, tha • a murderer ſhall be put to death.

I. My purpoſe is, to prove the doctrine.

II. Then conſider, that GOD is the rightful Lord, Lawgiver, and ſupreme Governor of all worlds.

III. Then view the reaſonableneſs and rectitude, holineſs and goodneſs of GOD's laws, and moral government.

And then apply the whole, agreable to the day, and ſolemn occaſion.

I. I am to prove, that it is the ſtatute of •• aven, the law of GOD, that a murderer ſhall 〈◊〉 put to death. Gen. ix. 6. Whoſo ſheddeth 〈◊〉 blood, by man ſhall his blood be ſhed; for in the 〈◊〉 of GOD made he man. This is a law which GO • made, and gave to Noah, the father of the 〈◊〉 world, to be publiſhed and binding upon 〈◊〉 mankind. This doctrine is clearly manifeſted 〈◊〉 the law which was revived, and, with ſolem • pomp, publiſhed at Mount Sinai, when GO • ſpake all theſe words, ſaying, and this divine precept, Exod. xx. 13. is one of the ten commandments, which GOD ſpake, Thou ſhalt not kill. By this, all murder is abſolutely forbidden. Afterwards, we find in a variety of places, GO • makes it a law unalterable, that murder ſhall be puniſhed with death—tho' theſe laws were pen •• and judicial, and made and given unto Iſrael, of GOD, as their king, and political head, yet they were founded upon this orig •• al ſtatute, Thou ſhalt not kill: yea, and founded upon the law of nature, for antecedent to all human compact, and forming into ſociety, every man has a natural right to his own life, and no one has any right to take it away; and therefore, whoſoever doth take away the life of another, forfeits his own; there be many laws which declare that murder ſhall be puniſhed with death, Exod. xxi. 12. He that ſmiteth a man ſo that he die, ſhall ſurely be put to death. So in our text and context, he that ſmiteth with an inſtrument of iron, by throwing a ſtone, or with a weapon of wood, or by ſmiting with his hand, any one, ſo that he die, ſuch a man is a murderer; he ſhall ſurely be put to death, This divine command was maintained by the wiſe king Solomon, Prov. xxviii. 17. A man that doth violence to the blood of any perſon, ſhall flee to the pit, let no man ſtay him. Therefore by the divine law, a murderer muſt be put to death.

II. I am to conſider, that GOD is the rightful Lord, Lawgiver, and ſupreme governor of all worlds. For where we find a law, and penalty annexed, it ſuppoſes authority, and right of government. Now, we are to view GOD's abſolute authority to enact laws, and ſ • t ſupreme king forever.

1. JEHOVAH is by nature GOD, an abſolutely perfect being, the creator and proprietor of the • niverſe, and is therefore the abſolute Lord of all, and the government of all things devolves upon 〈◊〉 , for the kingdom is the Lord's, and he governs among the nations; and it is his abſolute right, as GOD, to take his ſeat at the head of the univerſe, and conduct all affairs in his own worlds; and the divine government doth extend univerſally; it reaches to the higheſt heavens; and divine controul to the loweſt hell: thro' all the natural, and all the moral world; and it is a matter of joy, that the LORD GOD reigneth.

2. Conſider GOD is infinitely equal to the province of univerſal government; the divine perfections are infinite, and GOD's character abſolutely perfect; the infinite knowledge and wiſdom of GOD, can form the moſt perfect plan of government; and infinite holineſs, juſtice, and goodneſs, holding the reins: every affair is conducted in the beſt, wiſeſt, and moſt perfect manner: ſo there is an infinite propriety that GOD ſhould reign, and be king for ever; from the conſideration of the divine qualifications, and that all worlds, and created beings, ſhould be his abſolute property.

3. Therefore GOD the rightful lawgiver, hath an infinite authority to enact laws, and govern in his moral kingdom; for if GOD moſt-high, has a right of government, then, he has an infinite authority to enact laws; for to ſuppoſe a right of government, and not authority to make laws, nor demand obedience, nor annex a penalty, is to cut all the ſinews of government; but as all moral created beings, are GOD's workmanſhip,

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〈◊〉 ſuffering? to vindicate the character of GOD▪ 〈◊〉 magnify the divine law, and make it honorable, 〈◊〉 bring in an everlaſting righteouſneſs, and pave 〈◊〉 honorable way, thro' the atonement, for the • ard • n, and ſalvation of poor miſerable and hell-deſerving ſinners. Theſe expreſs the infinite va • ue and excellence of the divine law, that it was • ell •• ade, and its demands perfectly reaſonable, • nd • enalty juſt. I have thought indeed, had I 〈◊〉 a ſpectator of the deſtruction of the old • orld by the deluge—of the overthrow of Sodom 〈◊〉 the ſtorm of fire and brimſtone—had I ſtood • ith trembling Iſrael, at the foot of Mount Sinai, • nd heard the law given by GOD—could I have 〈◊〉 my ear at the door of hell; and heard the 〈◊〉 o • the damned, and then have retired to the 〈◊〉 , and heard the groans of the dying Imma • uel, to magnify the divine law—I ſay, would not • he agonies and ſorrows of the expiring Saviour, have been more expreſſive of the holineſs, the good •••• the purity and juſtice of the law, and th • 〈◊〉 lawgiver, than the cry of ſuffe • ing Sodom, 〈◊〉 thunders of Sinai, or groans of the damned.

4. GOD's moral government, is equitable, ••• utiful and wi • e; for GOD governs agreable to 〈◊〉 own moſt wiſe and juſt law. It is certain GOD 〈◊〉 how to govern, and as certain that the 〈◊〉 of all the earth will do right. And tho' • arkneſs is round about him, yet juſtice and judgment are the habitation of his throne. What GOD doth, 〈◊〉 know not now, but will be known hereafter, 〈◊〉 the glorious plan of moral government ſhall 〈◊〉 • pened to view, and all moral beings know thro' heaven, earth and hell, that all GOD's 〈◊〉 are perfect, and that every thing has been c •• ducted, in the moſt wiſe, equitable, and perf ••• manner.

IMPROVEMENT.

1. Infer that a revolt from GOD's governne •• and a violation of his law, is the moſt unreaſo • ab •• & renders creatures exceeding criminal; GOD 〈◊〉 infinitely worthy of our higheſt eſteem and 〈◊〉 , and every thing there is in GOD's law 〈◊〉 government, not only to demand, but to 〈◊〉 our obedience; and all the guilt of rebellion 〈◊〉 at our door. GOD's perfections are unchangeab •• the ſame, his law the ſame.

2. It is Perfectly juſt in God, to caſt off all ſinn •• as ſuch, and puniſh them in hell, with an ev •• laſting puniſhment; for ſin is exceeding ſinful, 〈◊〉 it is againſt GOD, and a violation of the law which is clothed with infinite authority, and deſerves eternal puniſhment.

3. Therefore the plan of ſalvation is 〈◊〉 upon grace, and if GOD is pleaſed to ſave▪ of the fallen race of man, it is of his free, and 〈◊〉 reign grace.

4. Hence learn, the abſolute neceſſit • 〈◊〉 importance of an atonement. We ſtand •• able with awful guilt as tranſg •• ſſors of 〈◊〉 holy law. To plead not guilty we canno • 〈◊〉 plead abatement of the law, we cannot—to 〈◊〉 atonement for our ſins, we are abſolutely unab •• tho' we ſhould offer thouſands of rams, or ten thouſands of rivers of oil, all would be inſufficient; 〈◊〉 Chriſt Jeſus has made atonement. GOD now be juſt, and juſtify him which believeth in Jeſus, for • e hath •• gnified the law, & made it honorable. There is no way for ſinners, but to repair to Chriſt; to Chriſt we muſt go, or to hell.

My diſcourſe now • urns to the poor priſoner, under ſentence of death.

JOHN JACOBS, It was your requeſt, that this laſt advice, ſhould by me be given to you, and therefore by help of divine grace, I ſhall ſpeak to you, with great plaineſs, and O! that I may addreſs you, with that warmth and faithfulneſs, which your preſent caſe calls for, this being the laſt ſermon you will ever hear.

When I ſee you a poor criminal, under ſentence of death, when I view your aggravated crimes, and you ſtanding upon the edge of time, and juſt launching into an unalterable and eternal ſtate; O! priſoner, what ſhall I ſay to you! O! my hearers, what words ſhall your preacher chooſe!

Priſoner, attend! The great GOD hath made a law, that he that ſheddeth man's blood, by man ſhall his blood be ſhed And in our text, if one ſmite another with an inſtrument of iron, ſo that he die, he is a murderer, the murderer ſhall ſurely be put to death. GOD had an infinite authority to make this law, and annex this penalty; and, JOHN, this is your caſe; you ſmote one of your fellow creatures in malice and rage, with an inſtrument of iron, ſo that he died; therefore you are a murderer, and you ſtand chargeable with guilt of blood; 'tis juſt that you be put to death, for by the ſtatute of heaven, by the law of GOD, you ought to die.

P •• ſoner, attend! You deſerve to ſuffer the eternal pains of hell, it is juſt in God to ſend you to the hopeleſs regions of the damned; you was a ſinner born, have been a prayerleſs, and malicious creature, therefore GOD, againſt whom you have ſinned, and whoſe laws you have violated, may juſtly damn you. As you have ferved Satan and your own luſts, you deſerve to reap the wages of ſin, and to be a ſharer in torments with the devil, that old murderer, with whom you have ſymbolized. GOD is clear when he judgeth, and his throne guiltleſs, and his character glorious, tho' the ſmoke of your torment ſhould aſcend for ever and ever.

Priſoner, attend! Your ſins are greatly aggravated, you have been bro't up in a chriſtian land, capable of reading the word of GOD, and the greater advantages you have been under, your ſins in their aggravation ariſe in proportion: you was able to read the ſtatute of heaven againſt murder, you knew that it was contrary to the law of GOD, for you to kill your fellow creature, and in taking away his life, you aſſumed, daringly aſſumed GOD's prerogative, who is the • ole LORD, and diſpoſer of life; therefore heaven daring, and GOD provoking is your crime, and calls aloud for divine vengeance to deſcend upon your guilty head: keen will be the torments, and dreadful indeed, will be the damnation of them which periſh, who have been favoured with the glorious goſpel!

And, poor criminal! if you are yet impenitent, and a graceleſs, and umbel • eving, Chriſt leſs ſinner, you are under condemnation, and the wrath of GOD, abides on you, and you now hang over a • laming hell! and as with your natural life, nothing remains but execution, dying in ſuch a ſtate of impenitence and unbelief, you will deſcend to woe and hopeleſs miſery! look all around, how doth vengeance purſue, the wrath of GOD hang over your guilty head! the curſes of the law pointing at you, and the ſword of juſtice ready to be bathed in the blood of your ſoul.

But, poor priſoner! There is one door of hope, and only one, and that is Chriſt: for it is a faithful ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Je •• s came into the world to ſave ſinners, even the chief. 1. Tim. i. 15. The blood of Chriſt cleanſeth from all ſin. 1 John, i. 7. Great ſinners have found mercy, the crucifiers of Chriſt, (ſome of them at leaſt) were waſhed in that blood which they ſhed, and the dying thief obtained mercy in ſome of his laſt, yea, in his dying moments: but thoſe repented of their ſins, and by faith repaired to Jeſus, the only Saviour; for without repentance, there is no remiſſion of ſin, and without faith in Chriſt, there is no juſtification, nor ſalvation.

Therefore you muſt be ſenſible of your ſin, feel your▪guilt, and ſee your ruined, periſhing and undone eſtate, and helpleſs condition; and as you by nature are totally corrupt and depraved, ſo you ſtand in abſolute need of a new heart, and a foundation to be laid in you, by the operation of the holy ſpirit, for true views, and holy exerciſes you muſt ſee, and have a ſenſe of GOD, of the excellence of his law, and government, and of your vileneſs and odiouſneſs, by reaſon of your ſin, and ſee the juſtice of GOD, in caſting you off for ever, and feel yourſelf righteouſly condemned. You muſt feel your need of a ſaviour, and under a ſenſe of the gloriouſneſs, and all-ſufficiency of Chriſt, the compleatneſs of his atonement, and with heart approbation of the glorious way of ſalvation, and under a deep ſenſe of your unworthineſs, guilt and vileneſs, with full conſent of heart, come into this way of ſalvation by Chriſt, receive him a Saviour to ſave from ſin, and the puniſhment of ſin, and truſt all the affairs of thy ſoul in his all-ſaving hands, & with a bleeding heart for ſin, and hatred of it, give up yourſelf to GOD in Chriſt, unreſervedly, and for ever. O! now repent, and believe on the LORD Jeſus Chriſt! you ſtand in the greateſt need of an intereſt in Chriſt! for, Mark xvi. 16. He that believeth not ſhall be damned. And our LORD ſaith, John viii. 24. If ye believe not that I am he, ye ſhall die in your ſins.

But the fountain of Chriſt's blood is open, your ſin in it's nature is not unpardonable, unleſs you fix it by final unbelief; but you cannot be ſaved, unleſs you are truly penitent, and believe on the name of the LORD Jeſus Chriſt. The matter is bro't to a point, you muſt accept of Chriſt, or go to hell. I therefore, in the name of the LORD, warn you to repent, and to go to th • threſhold of mercy; own your guilt, and juſt condemnation, plead for the life of your precious ſoul, that GOD would glorify his grace, in your pardon and ſalvation, and that Jeſus would ſave a poor periſhing and hell-deſerving ſinner.

And now, poor condemned criminal! Your

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• tis your buſineſs, and your priviledge, to go to GOD. Therefore, pour out your hearts to GOD, and put up your united ſupplications for this man's ſoul, that GOD would give him repentance, and waſh him in the blood of the Redeemer, that joy may be in heaven, over this poor penitent ſinner.

And all the children of GOD in this aſſembly, in the poor criminal's name, I aſk yo •• , ardent prayers: you have an intereſt in the court of ••• ven: plead GOD's free grace, for this poor dying man.

All in this aſſembly, which are graceleſs, and umbel • eving ſinners, you no doubt feel your compaſſions move, when you behold this priſoner; but pray attend to your own caſe: He that believeth not is condemned already. You are under the condemning ſentence of GOD's law: and thus living, and thus dying, you will be bro't forth to a more awful execution, and divine vengeance ſink your guilty ſouls to the priſon of hopeleſs miſery.

Finally, this day and occaſion, may naturally • ead our views forward to the great day of judgment; when, upon the ſounding of the laſt trump • here ſhall be an aſſe • bled world at GOD's bar: • ark to the ſolemn • ound! ariſe ye dead, and come • o judgment! gloriou • and joyful day to faints, to • ehold the Judge upon his throne, but terrible to •• nners! who will call upon the rocks and mountains to cover them: when final ſentence will be paſſed upon impenitent ſinners, and they be bro't out, the helpleſs priſoners of juſtice; and with more than dying groans, deſcend to an eternal hell, while the righteous ſhall ſhine as the ſun in the kingdom of their father, and praiſes be ſung in heavenly glory forever and ever,

AMEN and AMEN.