A True ACCOUNT of the BEHAVIOUR, CONFESSION AND Last Dying SPEECHES, Of the Criminals that were Executed at TYBURN, On Wednesday the 17th of this Instant April 1695 .

AT the Sessions House in the Old-Bayly, on Fryday the 5th of April 1695 , Six Persons had their Sentence of Death pronounced upon them, viz. five Men and one Woman; on Saturday the Ordinary visited them, and endeavoured to make them sensible of their Crimes, Francis Newland< no role > , Condemned for the Barbarous Murther of Mr. Thomas, the manner of it is described in the Book of Tryals. I went to him in his Chamber, hoping to make him thereby, the more sensible of his Crime, exhorting him to consider how deeply he had defiled his Soul, with shedding the Blood of an innocent Gentleman; I told him that very great Repentance was requisite for such an heinous Crime, added to the sins of his whole life. And that because he did not Reform in time, God was justly provoked to withdraw his preventing Grace, which would have restrained him from this bloody fact. He was willing to receive the good advice which I gave him, and I prayed with him sutably to his sinful distressed Condition. Afterwards I went to the other Condemned persons, and exhorted them to call to remembrance, the sinful course of their whole Lives. I mentioned many Sins usually committed by young persons, which they little consider, so as to repent of them unfeignedly: Therefore publick shame and punishment convinces them of their Atheistical hopes of secrecy and impurity in sinning. I desired them to mourn chiefly for offending a gracious God, who had so long extended his sparing mercy, yet they had perversly abused it to the abounding in Iniquity. Much more I said, instructing them in the Duties of Faith and Repentance.

On the Lords Day in the Afternoon, the Ordinary preacht from the 133d verse of the 119th Psalm, in these words, Order my steps in thy word, so shall not any Iniquity have dominion over me. Hence six general Heads were treated on, with several particulars branching from each Head.

1. What is meant by a mans stps in my Text. Not only the outward conversation, but also the motions and tendencies of the Will, and the affections of the Heart. The object of our desires must be chosen for its intrinsical worth and excellency, and also for its beneficial usefulness unto our selves. Our Actions must be lawful, expedient, and commendable, such, which must Adorn the professions of the Christian Religion. Our affections as the Souls Pulse, must not saulter in too violent a motion after lawful things, nor may they beat slow and faintly in the duties of Gods Worship. The spring of the Heart must be raised to an high pitch of heavenly mindedness, but it must be let down in a moderate pursuit of what the will desires, as to the gratifications of worldly Interest and concernments.

2. Why must we order our conversations according to the institutions of God in his Sacred Word. First, because the highest Rules in moral Philosophy, cannot effect any sanctifying change in the Heart, nor truely subdue any corrupt Affection. These only work a palliating Cure upon the customariness of a sinful course. Secondly, Satan lays many subtle Temptations, to bewilder you in your progressive advancing a state of Holiness. These sares cannot be discerned, much less avoided, unless the word of God be consulted with, and obeyed. Thirdly, Popish guide of mens Consciences, by their casuistical Doctrine of probability, which makes most things lawful, pervert the words of Gods Holiness, thereby ruining mens precious Souls, only the testimonies of the Lord are safe and sure guides, in all doubtful and difficult cases.

3. What are those false Rules, whereby the conversation is more perverted. First, the entering into any order of a superstitious Society, which pretends to greater strictness in Religion, yet cannot produce any advances in sincere Piety. Secondly, the consulting carnal wisdom and worldly Interest in stating mens duties, and not the institutions of Christ. Thirdly, the singling out any one command of God, to be exercised in a conformity to this, yet presuming that a dispensation will be granted, for the neglect of any other command, equally as necessary, yea, more tending to promote the power of Godliness.

4. The signs of sins having Deminion over a person. First, when it is committed, not by the sudden surprisal of Temptation, but by wicked deliberation and contrivance. Secondly, when men justify their Abominations, abusing the promptness of wit, to plead in the defence of sinning, Thirdly, when the Lords tenderest mercies cannot invite men to Repentance nor the severity of punishments cure the malignity of their Hearts. Fourthly, when persons mock at the fear of the Lord, making a sport of sinning, yea, count this to be their Glory to have no Competitor equal with themselves in sinning.

The Character of such who sincerely order their steps in Gods word.

1. They abominate the very thoughts of sinning, even the first stirrings of any vitious Inclination.

2. They strengthen their Faith, when Gods word of promise seems to fail, yea fight against them in the extremities of Adversity. They persevere in following the conduct of the Lord in the known beaten way of their Duty, when they cannot trace him out, in the mysterious Paths of dark and dismal providences.

3. They count this to be the Spirit and Beauty of Religion when they are formed to such a pitch of selfdenyal, as to rejoyce, in the Government of sanctifyed reason over all inordinate passions of Love, Grief, or Anger. They count the indulgence of any sin, to be the severest Condemnation to a self tormenting Licentiousness.

Motives to perswade to the right ordering of the Heart, and Conversation in the paths of Gods Commandments.

First, Hereby you will be prepared for the ready, most solemn entrance of Christ into your Hearts, to rule you by the Scepter of his Righteousness. This will make your progress in Religion, more easy, safe, stedfast, and delightful. Secondly, consider that meer sensitive Creatures, which are only guided by the law of natural Instinct, may instruct men in many weighty duties of Religion, several instances were given hereof. Thirdly, you cannot rationally expect that the Almighty should defend you from Terrors in the night, if he doth not guide your Paths in the Day. Fourthly, thus great Peace will flow into your Hearts, and nothing shall offend you, neither the laws strictest purity, nor any extremest distresses in the World. Fifthly, the following the conduct of God in his word, will prevent giving any credit to wild Enthusiastick dreams, as if these were a divine Revelation, but if any thing manifestly be your duty, embrace and pursue it, tho you meet with difficulties dangers, and Reproaches. These will be dispised and overcome, if you truely trust in God for safety and success.

The conclusion was thus directed to the Condemned

How contrary have you acted to David Parer, and Examples, you have been Zealous agents in promoting Satans Kingdom, propagating sin by your wicked Counsel; you have arriv