have committed the Fault of dis-believing the Word of God, pronounced by Isaiah, he prevented his Sin, by causing the Sun (in Effect and Appearance) to go back on the Dial of Ahaz ten Degrees; Isa. 38. 8. Observing, that Lenity and Tenderness, in a generous Mind excited a greater Regard and Desire of Pleasing, and that base and mean Spirits alone, were by Lenity excouraged and puffed up, to disregard and slight.

IN the next place, we considered the particular Complaint of King Hezekiah, when he thought he was to die, and was no more to see the Lord, (or the Works and the Goodness of the Lord) in the Land of the Living. Taking notice from thence, of the secret and unaccountable tyes, that bind Men down to love of this Earth, unhappy and wretched as it is; even binding Hezekiah, tho' he had enjoy'd the Pleasures of a Crown, and was a Person prepared for Heaven, as appears from Verse 3. &c.

FROM this mournful soliloquy of King Hezekiah at the Prospect of Death, we also considered, in what Cases the Fear of Death may be reasonable and becoming Men and Christians. As, 1st, when 'tis not an uneasiness at leaving the Gaieties and Pleasures of Earth, but a Concern at being deprived of doing Good in the World, or compensating for Mischiefs done. 2dly, When that Fear is not occasion'd by our having too much neglected the Thoughts of God and Eternity, but from a becoming suspicion of our own Worthiness from a due Sense of our Failings, and from a Desire of being more the Favourite of God, before we appear in his Presence. 3dly, 'Tis a reasonable Concern, where a Malefactor is grieved at a ignominious Death, as it is a Disgrace to Christianity, and an Injury to his Family and Relations.

LASTLY, we advis'd all Malefactors to imitate the good King Hezekiah, in a decent Fear of Death; and not to affect an entire Carelessness, and a full Contempt of Death, supposing it Bravery and Courage. For the Roman's may commend their Cato's and Curtij, yet Christians are to imitate Martyrs and others, who in all their Calamities waited the Hour of Providence, and had too great an Awe and Reverence for Eternity, rudely to rush into the Presence of God; and too much Greatness of Soul, to fear being Wretched, or to end their Lives to terminate their Misfortunes.

The Account of the Prisoners, while they lay under Sentence of Death.

THESE Malefactors, during the calamitous space of their Confinement, appear'd to be very earnest in compensating for the many Moments they had trifled away. As they could read, except James Shaw< no role > , They assured me, that they made it their business to read and pray with him till late every Night, and very early every Morning; yet complaining sometimes, that he, instead of attending to their Instructions, interrupted both Them and Himself, by vain and leud Discourse; and often endeavouring to convert the Word of God to a Jest or Pun; and at other times by foolish Discourse with the Women there; this Prisoner indeed appeared, to be but little sensible of his sad and distress'd