try in escaping Divine Wrath. Then he Argued with the Condemned, how little they had Watched and Prayed, to prevent such sins as are most dangerous, inasmuch, as they waste the tenderness, and watchful Circumspective of the Conscience, violating its Integrity, and exposing it to Presumption, and obduration of Heart in a sinful State, to expect Blessedness without Watching, to avoid the Snares of Sin and Satan, is equally as foolish an Act, as to Reckon any Mans Safety to lye in his Security, or to avoid a deadly Snare by Wincking, when his Capital Hope of Heaven is ready to be Cut off and perish. Here many convictive Arguments were offered to lead them to Repentance, and Advice given, how they might with Safety and Comfort, hold up their Heads at Judgment Day.

In the Afternoon of the Lords Day, a Sermon was Preached from the 6th. Chapter of St. Lukes Gospel, Verse the 46th. viz. Why call ye me, Lord! Lord ! and do not the things which I say? These are the words of our Saviour, wherein he Expostulates with the formal Hypocritical Professors of his Sacred Religion. This was unfolded in the Nature and several parts of it. Also, in the great Obligations and persuasive Arguments of it, to Excite all Christians to the strict Discipline of an Holy Conversation.

The Minister who Preached, concluded with a very suitable Application of the precedent Discourse, to the Condemned Criminals, with which, they seemed much affected.

On Monday, the Ordinary inquired what Divine Impressions were made on their Hearts, by the Prayers and Counsel given them the day before. They said, They hoped they were convinced of their sinful course of Life, and that the Lord would grant them Pardon and Peace in Conscience after this.

I replyed that it is not an easie thing to have a dear sight of any sinful Action, and sincere deep sorrow of Heart for it. The Reason is, because few persons look upon the Malignity and Defilement of the least sin, in the Agonies of a Crucified Redeemer; or so presumptuously rely upon the Richer of Christs Merits, that they neglect and flight, sanctifying and renewing Grace, in all the Methods of Curing the Rooted Viciosity of their Nature: Besides, instead of Watching unto, in, and after Prayer, most stand ready for Opportunities to sin afresh, and so, gravel, confute, and prophane their very Supplications, for Pardon and Power against Lusts.

The Ordinary, therefore warned them of this destructive Hypocrisie, that it is really a Spiritual Phrensie to expert to be saved by Christ?s Priestly Merits, and yet to Rebel against the Scepter of his Kingly Righteousness, that the Divine Original of the Soul is debased, by stooping in a ready Compliance with Satans Temptations, and yet it complains not of its Vassalage.

To this some of the Criminals said, That they now felt their sins against the checks of Conscience to be very grievous: That they desired to be Holy as well as Happy, and were as willing to forgive their Enemies, as to seek Mercy at the hand of God.

To this, the ordinary replyed, that he is very ill-natured to himself, who is filled with bitterness of Spirit, in an implacable Study of Revenge, such, pursue an Enemy to the loss of their own Souls, in forfeiting all Hopes of Mercy at Christs Judgment Seat: We ought therefore, so to think, Speak, and Act toward one another, as they who expect the Gospel Relaxation of the Rigor of the Moral Law.

How can any wait for the coming of Christ in the Clouds, to Judgment, to be Acquitted by him, who are Cloudy in their Countenance, and Censorious of their fellow Brethren. Christ?s appearing, will terrifie such, who subdue not their Ruffling Passions, which disturb Humane Society, and Shame the Profession of Christianity. Here, some of the Criminals said, That they had been Guilty of breaking the Laws of the Nation.

After this, the Ordinary continued visiting of them daily, till the time of their Execution; in which time, after Praying, and Exhortations, he took this following Account of their past course of Life; with their present Preparation and Fitness for their approaching End.

The first person who offered himself, to give an Account was Jonathan Bridgeman< no role > .

Jonathan Bridgeman< no role > was Condemned, for Killing Elizabeth Bridgeman< no role > his Wife , on [the 2d. of April last with a Gouge: He was Born in the Forrest of Deane , a Brick-layer by Trade. He Married his said Wife a Year and an half since, by whom he had one Child. Her Maiden Name was Elizabeth Brace< no role > ; she was Born in Hereford , and was 25. Years of Age; her Father was a Poor Man; she was a Servant in the Strand with a Goldsmith Two Years: He Married her from thence. He owns that she pay?d, in a short time, after they were married 27 s. to redeem him from an Arrest he says that afterward, she would upbraid him with it, whether it were upon illhusbandry, he did not own.

He says, he had hired an house, and was fiting it up, wherein to keep a Cooks Shop, and he was within Four Days of Employing it to that purpose, if this sad Accident had not prevented. When he threw the Gouge at her, he faith he did not intend to Kill her, but to fright her from that Passion, which he pretends she was in at that time. And he advises all persons by his wosul Example, to beware of throwing any thing furiously, least it prove such a Fatal Stroke, as this hath done. And that they keep the fear of God before their Eyes, who knows the Secrets of the Heart. He Confesses he hath been in great torture of mind since, for his neglect of his Duty, in Omitting Prayer, and Prophaning Gods Name in Swearing; not living up to that Knowledge he had; desiring all persons to take warning of these forementioned sins; because it is hard to be a true Penitent at last: Yet desiring to keep from despair, he relys on the Mercy of God through Christ, begging his pardon for all his sins.

2ly Mary Cale< no role > , for stealing of Goods to a considerable value: She was Born in Glocestershire ; she is Aged 21 Years. She faith that she hath been Married Five Months since to a Baker in Glocestershire; he was a bad Husband, and they