THE BEHAVIOUR OF John Hutchins< no role > , in NEWGATE , Together with his Dying Words As he was going to be EXECUTED in FLEET STREET , On Wednesday the 17th. of December, 1684 . for Murdering of John Sparks< no role > a Waterman , near Serjeants-Inn , London , on Wednesday the 3d, December ,

At the late Sessions of Gaol-Delivery, Held in the Old-Bayly, the 10th , 11th , 12th and 13th. Days of December . Amongst 18 others that received sentence of Death: One of the Persons of whom we now give a more particular Account is John Hutchins< no role > , who was Indicted for the Murder of John Sparks< no role > , a Waterman in Fleet Street , on the 3d. of December . It appeared on his Tryal that Sparks with two of his Companions coming from a place where they had been about Business, met with the said Hutchins, who was in Company with two Women, one of whom Sparks in a way of jest stroaked on the Belly, at which Hutchins was so far Enraged, that he run the Deceased party through the Thigh, of which Wound he instantly Died: Upon the same being proved against him, he was found Guilty.

After his Condemnation the said John Hutchins< no role > , On Monday the 15th. of this Instant December, 1684 . Counselled freely of himself, he had been a great Sinner in many Respects, But that he was not Guilty of the Murder for which he stands Condemned. The Ordinary replied, that he did not believe his Denyal of the Crime to be True, because it was proved upon him by several Witnesses, who being upon their Oath, Credit is to be given to them; in as much as Perjury is so Heinous and Soul hardning a Sin, that Repentance for it is very Difficult, and therefore it Hazards the Eternal Happiness of the Soul.

Hutchins replied, that tho he could not be Credited in his purging of himself as to the Murder, yet he had many ways greatly provoked Gods Anger against him. Upon this free inclination to a Confession in the General, the Ordinary assured him that he added a deeper Malignity to all his other Sins, if he stood out in the denial of the Murder, and yet was conscious in the least of it, Yet he still denied it, tho he was urged to deal Ignenuously and sincerely, as a Dying Man, whose Repentance would be much hindred and questioned as to the Truth of it, if he proceeded to Extenuate, much more to deny the Fact. So when the Ordinary for that present could not prevail to bring him to an Acknowledgement in that Respect, he proceeded to enquire into his Education, Trade, and manner of his former Conversation. He said that he was Born in a place called Abbot-Sally , six Miles from Taunton in Somerset-shire , Descended of Parents who lived in Reputation, and of a plentiful Estate; that he was the Eldest Son, but being Extravagant in his Conversation, he much Diminished that Estate which was left him; that he was so Profuse, that having wasted most or all of it, he was forced to betake himself to the condition of a Souldier ; That he Listed himself under Sir George Booth< no role > , when he appeared in Publick Service, for the Asserting of his Loyalty to the King; That afterward he betook himself to some other Imployment, but soon quitted it; And then fall