Petition Put Up by Mr. Sewall
on the Fast Day
January 14, 1697
Samuel Sewall, sensible of the reiterated
strokes of God upon himself and family, and being sensible that as to the
guilt contracted upon the opening of the late Commission of Oyer and Terminer
at Salem, he is, upon many accounts, more concerned than any that he knows
of, desires to take the blame and shame of it, asking pardon of men, and
especially desiring prayers that God, who has unlimited authority, would
pardon that sin and all his other sins, personal and relative. And according
to His infinitebenignity and sovereignty, not visit the sin of him or of
any other, upon himself or any of his, nor upon the land. But that he would
prowerfully defend him against all the temptations to sin for the future,
and vouchsafe him the efficacious, saving conduct of His Word and Spirit.