william fly

Pariah- outcast, outside of social system

 

Fly operates outside of the rules of society, but the preacher writing this sermon wishes to make him a pariah (with all its negative connotations.)  He demonizes him throughout the narrative.  His refusal to repent and participate in rituals angers the preacher greatly.  He says “as for Fly, he had been all along, a most uncommon and amazing instance of impenitency and stupidity..”

 

Charity

The preacher claims that it is a “charity” to compel Fly to forgive his accusers.   It seems he wants immunity for those supposedly doing God’s work and convicting Fly.  His refusal to repent and apologize gets under their skin much more than it would if they were forcing his repentance for merely charitable reasons.

 

Pathetic

“Pathetic” seems to be a positive things in these narratives.   “A minister present having made a Pertinent and Pathetic Prayer, the Officer, willing that all that was possible might be done for their good..”  The prisoners who were more pathetic, and thus weaker than the administrators and church men involved, were favored and viewed as more godly.

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