My neglect of duty to my Mother, caused me to fall into the acquaintance of ill company of other lude fellows in whom I took too much delight, and the more sleighted the care and counsel of my Mother.

By frequenting such bad company I fell with them to drinking, and to spend my time and money vainly at the Alehouse; though my Mother and Friends sought to draw me from it, for the bad acquaintance I had prevailed more with me.

And then we fell breaking the Sabbath day, by our meeting at the Alehouse, and other bad places, when we should have been at Church serving God, to the grief of my tender Mother.

And by these evil doings I got so bad an habit, that I grew careless how to put my self into any way to live in any good course of Life.

And being thus unsetled in my mind I did consent to a young man of my unhappy acquaintance to joyn with him in stealing of an Horse, for us to ride to London and seek for some imployment there.

I had very little money to carry me up, and was too stubborn to seek to my Mother: but helping a Drover whom I overtook with Beasts, I had Diet and Lodging in my journey till I came to London with him.

But I had money and necessaries sent after me, by my Mother to London, of which I was very glad for I knew not what course to take

And then I put my self Apprentice to a Carpenter a very honest good man, who was a loving Master tome; and gave me good education, and was a loving Master to me and to whom I was much obliged for his care, of me, and well pleased with his Service.

And though he had divers pieces of Plate about the house, and other good Goods yet I did never wrong him of any thing by any Theft or Pilfering.

But I robbed both God and my Master of too much time with naughty company that I found out, in drinking, and merry meeting, and lewdness, and sin.

And I did greatly profane the Sabbath day by neglecting the Church, and meeting with my acquaintance, walking about and sitting in an Alehouse, and a very bad life, so that I have some times thus spent the whole Sabbath day, from nine a clock in the morning until midnight, and then have come home drunk.

And in all this I was not sensible of my miserable condition, by thus provoking God by my Sins, in which it was Gods mercy to spare me, and give me time repent had I grace .to have improved it.

But that which is most dreadful upon my Conscience is, this bloody Fact for which I am to die, which eth as a very sore and heavy burden upon my soul; and for which I can give no reason why I did it, but the instigation of the Devil tempting to it when I was drunk, and not having the fear of gold before mine Eyes, and my senses gone with drink, I was thus overcome of Satan, and took up my Hatchet, and (oh my Soul bleeds to think of it) I murdered that man that never did me injury.

I was there at work for my Master, and had opportunity (being from home) to spend my time more ill, and not having God in my thoughts, I lived profane and lewdly.

But this I can say (I thank God) I never did commit Whoredom with any Woman; but ill company, Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, disobedience to Parents, profaness, and other Sins I have been deeply guilty of. The Lord be merciful to me, and pardon and forgive me for the sake of my dear Saviour Jesus Christ.

When I had committed this horrid Murder for which I am to die, there was another young man that was suspected to have done it, and was apprehended upon that suspition.

But when upon further inquiry I was found out (by a Watch I took out of his Pocket) to be the man that did it I was apprehended, and confessed that it was I that murdered him.

Then I was asked if the other young man in custody upon suspition, did not joyn with me, or hire me, or set me on do it, and whether he had not some hand with me in it.

To which I (like a wicked Wretch) affirmed that he hired me, and promised to give me forty shillings, and a better thing; and so he came to be indicted with me, and put in danger or his Life.

But this wrong that I did to him hath much troubled me, and I thank God that the Jury did acquit him: And though he was acquitted, yet I could not be quiet in my mind till I sent for him, and I thank him that he came to me, and when he came to me, I heartily asked him forgiveness, and he hath as freely forgiven me.