This seems to have been intended as an admonition to him against the desperate crime of suicide, which the bench had an intimation, he had declared with horrid imprecations to perpetrate, if convicted.

When visited after conviction, they were put in mind that they had many good oportunities of prayer and instruction before this, but never in the same sad crisis, under the sure sentence of a speedy execution; it was hoped therefore that our present labours would make a deeper impression, and to better effect than ever. A proper and solemn exhortation was added, shewing them their true state, their real and alarming danger, and the only way to escape it. Proper portions of scripture were daily chosen, read, and applied to them. Lewis, in common with the rest, seemed for the present heartily affected; but he began at the wrong end first; with all his evil habits and prejudices about him, he talked of receiving the sacrament, at a near day of his own naming, without notice or preparation; and that two clergymen, of his acquaintance, would visit him in order to administer to him. I let him know I approved of his good intention, when ripe for it, and that I should be glad of any assistance he could find most agreeable to him, but at the same time gently cautioned him against presuming too suddenly on that great attainment, the effect of a true and hearty repentance; wished him to consider his repeated provocations, after many warnings and chastisements sent to him in vain; that he had now pulled down sudden and early ruin on his own head. He then turned his first proposal into a desire, that I myself would adminster the sacrament to him on Thursday next. He was answered, that I should be glad to have no objection, and to find by his behaviour, that he was duly prepared. He took this opportunity to apologize for his rude language to me, when visited at New-Prison , saying, He was then in liquor; otherwise it could not be supposed that he being a clergyman's son, would abuse a clergyman. Then, replied I, you shall hear no more of it: nor he never should, if he had not renewed his ill-treatment and threats with greater violence than ever, at several times after this. The truth of it is, he often hung out false colours, and talked in quite contrary characters; of which I had a glaring proof next morning, Sunday, April 17 , when I was told by the turnkey, that the captain (as he stiled him) had been very unruly and outrageous the night before; about nine, when he went to lock him up and put out his candle, he cursed and swore most desperately that he would put an end to his own life, unless they allowed him some light for the whole night; or, if he could not by any means destroy himself, he would roar aloud all night, and alarm the neighbourhood with the cry of fire and murder. The keeper being acquainted with this, ordered, that if he persisted, he should be hand-cuffed and chained down. By this threat he learned submission, and kept silence. This he never could be brought to, had any neighbouring officious keepers of other prisons permission and power allowed them to come into the prison, and call the keeper to an account for his conduct, and encourage his prisoner in his disorderly behaviour against him.

However, this behaviour of Lewis in the cells, was of a piece with what was said of him in New-Prison , that he swore to destroy himself if convicted; and we shall find the purpose, or threat at least, fully confirmed, the last morning of his life.

When the prisoners were visited next day, April 18 , a worthy rector of the city came up to us to prayers, who now and then, in particular cases, favours the prisoners with a visit; and with calm, judicious, valuable, and by me ever valued, advice and assistance. Such benevolent, and truly beneficent visits to prisons he has long delighted to practise; not to aggravate, but to alleviate, or supply the labours of the minister, and the sufferings and horrors of guilt; not to embarrass, and increase our difficulties, but with the tenderest sentiments of humane and christian charity to extricate us. May God, in his goodness, send more such visitors and benefactors to our prisons!

Prayers being ended, and the usual instructions given; this gentleman spent some time with Mr. Rice, Lewis, and each of the other prisoners. The first, with some other prisoners, he judged to be in a penitent, hopeful way. At the same time intimation was given us by a sensible and serious man, who had visited Lewis at New-Prison , that he was a profane scoffer at the scriptures, and in particular of several parts and characters contained in them: viz. the writings and character of Moses, of David, and others: which charges being now mentioned to him, he confirmed with his own mouth, repeating and retailing many stale, exploded, and often refuted objections against those well-established writings and characters, which were all answered to him upon his own principles, for he still pretended to acknowledge the divine authority of Jesus Christ. The most important, useful, and practical truths, are ever firmly connected with a tie not to be dissolved. So it is in every science; mathematics, physics, and above all, in morality and theology. We know that Jesus Christ himself hath established the writings of Moses, the Psalms, and the prophets; all of whom wrote concerning him. These are the scriptures he commanded men to search; because in them we think we have eternal life, so far as they testify of him. And if we believe not Moses and the prophets; neither should we be persuaded though one rose from the