A True ACCOUNT of the BEHAVIOUR, CONFESSION, AND Last Dying SPEECHES Of the Criminals that were Executed at TYBURN, On Friday the 20th of May, 1692 .

THE Ordinary Visited the Condemned Criminals every Day before their Execution; on the Lord's-Day he Preach'd Twice on this Text, viz. Revel. 16. 15. Behold I come as a Thief, blessed is he who watcheth and keepeth his Garments, least he walk Naked, and they see his Shame. After Christ's coming to Judgment was Treated of, in respect of the certainty and terribleness of it, to all such who shall then be found in a State of Security, Unbelief, and Impenitency; the Duty of Christian Watchfulness was Explained, as a means to escape Divine Wrath. These particulars were Treated of, First, What is it to Watch Spiritually. Secondly, The difference betwixt the unaffected Slumber of Sincear Christians, and the voluntary deep deadly Sleep or Lethargy of Impenitent Sinners. Thirdly, The Reasons why it is the Duty of every Christian to Watch. Fourthly, Means or Directions, in observing which, we may be found in a Watchful Frame. Fifthly, Motives or Encouragements to rouze up all Persons, that they may not persist in the pernicious Sleep of Security, at any time, especially when Death and Judgment-Day shall steal upon and surprize them.

After this was shewed, what is meant by the Garments of a Christian, which, he is by Watching to keep clean and close girt about him. Also the Shame and Danger which attends a State of Security, and of not walking suitably to the Duties and Dignity of the Christian Profession, from these words, Least he walk Naked, and Men see his Shame. Lastly, Means and Motives to maintain such an excellent commendable Conversation, as to avoid the shame and punishment of Remisness in the profession of Christianity.

The Conclusion from the whole Text, was thus directed to the Condemned. Examine how you have fulfilled this grand Duty of the Christian Religion, viz. Watchfulness, which is the Guardian of the Hearts Integrity. Rather you have watched to effect your Wicked Contrivances, by taking the most Advantagious Opportunities for the compleating of them, as if you reckoned your safety to Die in perpetrating the Artifices of Sinning. Will you now, at last, return to your sober Wits, in watching at the Posts of Wisdom's House, to learn Instruction to Eternal Life. For shame! do not put off your Watch to the last Hour of your Agonies in Dying. Then the Unclean Spirits will watch to seize on your Souls, as the Just Prey of their Merciless Cruelty. Consider, that Satan's Vigilancy and Diligence is more bent against you now, in contriving to retain you as his Captives, in these your last Hours. Let your watchfulness over your own Hearts be thereupon so much the more increas'd. If now you let fall your Guard of special Circumspection, and in the least intermit the pursuing Holy Frames and Dispositions, Satan will improve this to the hindrance of your Conversion. Beseech the God of all Grace, that he would by his Spirit quicken your Endeavonrs for the working out of your Salvation with the fear of an Holy Caution, least you should mistake in Judging of your Soul's State. Without fervent Praying, your watching will be less Circumspect and Ineffectual, but join them, that they may strengthen and render perfectly compleat each other. O how Dolorous and Reproachful will it be, if you should appear at Christ's Judgment Seat, without the Garments of his Spotless Righteousness! There cannot be any Covert under which you will be able to shelter your selves from the Just Incens'd Wrath of God, unless by Self-Abasement, you become Vile in your own Eyes, that you may be compleat in Christ, come to him therefore without delay. His Righteousness is Alsuficient to cover th Shame of your Nakedness in the Guilt of Sin, and to Cure the Malignity of your depraved Nature. If Christ be formed in you, as the Hope of Glory, the Graces of his Spirit will set you above the fond Love of Natural Life, and the Slayish Fear of Death.

I proceed to give an Account of the Behaviour and Confessions of the Condemned Persons.

I. William Jones< no role > , Aged about Twenty Years, Condemned for the Notorious Robbery of George Smith< no role > Esq ; of a quantity of Plate to a great Value. He was the Son of a Brasier , who instructed him in that Employment, but being uneasie under his Fathers Government, he left him, and betook himself to an idle course of Life, till he joined himself to very Bad Company. I inquir'd of him how he durst adventure to Commit this Felony and Burglary. He said, That the Devil tempted him to it, and he did not Pray against it. I Ask'd him, Whether any Person informed him, or his other Companions, of the Money or Plate which was in the House, because they went so directly to the Chamber and Closet wherein it was? He Answered me, That no Person whatsoever had made him acquainted therewith, but they thought that snch a fair House might be well stored to furnish them. I inquired of him farther, What Robberies he had Committed besides this? He said, That he knew of the Rifling one Mr. Ansley's House at the other end of the Town, whence was taken a large Sum of Money; but was unwilling to declare who did it. As for the course of his Life, he confess'd, that he had neglected his Duty to God, and been careless of his Souls Eternal Welfare. But now he is sensible how Vile he hath made himself, and Unworthy of any Mercy from God, saying withal, that he hoped he did Repent. Least he should deceive himself, I stated the true Nature and effects of saving Faith and Repentance to him and the other Criminals. Jones was every Day more Relenting, but the rest were too little concerned in appearance, being so near their Death.

II. Joseph Jones< no role > Condemned for the same Felony with William Jones< no role > . I cannot give much account of his course of Life; he confess'd that he was one of the Four Felons who Robbed George Smith< no role > Esq ; in Clerken-Well , and that he had been a great Sin