A True Account of the Behaviour, Confessions, and last Dying Speeches of the Condemn'd Criminals, that were Executed at Tyburn on Wednesday the 2d. of August, 1699 .

On the Lord's-day, after the Condemnation of the Condemn'd Criminals, a Sermon was Preach'd on this Text,

Mat. 1. 21. For he shall save his People from their sins.

Part of the Discourse, was thus directed to the Condemn'd Criminals.

HATH Christ done and suffered so great things in order to become the Saviour of the World? How then shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation? You see that the great end and Business for which he came into the World, was to turn Men from their Sins to the practice of Holiness; for the effecting whereof, he took the most effectual Methods for to engage Men to renounce their Sins; he acquaints them with the absolute necessity of Repentance, (as without which they must unavoidably perish) and for the Encouragement of the greatest Offenders, he shews how ready God is to be reconcil'd to them, provided they betake themselves to a better course of Life. This is the design of the Parable of the prodigal Son, whom upon his Sorrow for his lewd and riotous Life, and Promise of better Obedience for the future, the offended Father embraces with great kindness, and forgives him all his past Extravagancies. And to the same purpose, is another Parable concerning the lost Sheep, for the Recovery whereof the Owner greatly rejoyces: By the former, our blessed Saviour gives us to understand, that God is willing to Pardon the greatest of Sinners, upon their Return to him by true Repentance: And by the latter, that the Conversion of a Sinner is matter of great joy to the Inhabitants of Heaven; I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Than which, Sinners cannot possibly have greater Encouragement to Repentance and Amendment of Life.

Most passionately then I beseech you, for Christ Jesus his sake, for your own immortal Souls sake, be reconcil'd to God by a sincere Repentance. Your Glass is almost run, your Sun is set, and the Night approaches, wherein you cannot Work. Lay hold then by Faith on this Jesus, who offered up himself a Sacrifice to save Sinners: Make him your Jesus, your Saviour, else you will quickly find him a severe and terrible Judge.

The Confession of the Criminals were as follows.

I. George Norton< no role > , Esq ; 17 Years old, Condemn'd for the Murder of Mr. Harris; being examin'd gave this Account, which he confirmed with repeated and solemn Asseverations, when he receiv'd the blessed Sacrament, viz. That as he was going to his Lodgings, he accidentally met with the Deceased, whom he never saw before; who held a Woman in his Hand; he taking the Wall of her, she asked Mr. Harris, if he wou'd permit such a Puppy to affront her so: Upon which the Deceased pushed him, which made him demand who he was? Mr. Harris replied, he was a Man; this occasion'd several Words, which at length made them both draw, and as he protested, the Deceased drew first, and made several Passes, ten or twelve, before he receiv'd his fatal Wound. Being demanded how the Deceased's Sword came to be bloody and broke, and his bright and entire? He added farther; That as they were Pushing at one another, the Woman took away his Sword, which made him defend himself for some time with his Cane, but perceiving the Deceased to press hard upon him, he closed with him, and endeavoured with all his Force, to wrest the Sword out of his Hand, which breaking short, with the Point of his own Sword, the Hilt still remaining in his Hand, the Deceased receiv'd his mortal Wound; for which he seem'd very Penitent, earnestly beseeching God, to Wash him throughly from his Iniquity, and cleanse him from his Sin, in that Fountain opened for Sin and for Uncleanness, the precious Bloud of the Immaculate Lamb of God, Slain to take away the Sins of the World. I believe he is a true Penitent.

II. John Bird< no role > , 21 Years old, Condemn'd for Robbery on the High-way; being examin'd said, that he was a Waterman by Calling, but being addicted to evil Practices, and giving Reins to his Passions, and no bounds to his Lusts, he followed such a wicked Course of living, as brought him to the same unhappy Circumstances once before, being Condemn'd to Die; the terrors of Death extorted from him several Vows and Resolutions of living better; if his Life were spared; but having experienced his Majesties Clemency, and delivered from the Miseries of a Prison, all his good Purposes proved abortive, and never passed into Act; they were like the Vows of a Marriner in a great Tempest, which vanish away and are forgotten upon the clearing of the Skie, and altering of the Weather: For he presently associated himself to his lewd Acquaintance, and committed this, and six other Robberies in a short space. His Crime as well as Ingratitude was aggravated, and he was put in mind of the reasons he had to suspect the Sincerity of his present seeming Repentance; but indeed he was not so sensible of his State as could be wished.

III. William Fassel< no role > , Aged 32 Years convicted for Robbery on the High-way; a Sadler by Trade, but served as a Soldier during the War. Confessed that he was guilty of this Crime, the only one of that nature he ever committed, and Protested that he received but one Shilling for his Share, which his Comrades who are now Convicted for this and several other Robberies, did also affirm. He behaved himself very well, being attentive to good Advice, and seem'd Penitent.

IV. Erasmus Townsend< no role > , Born in Nottingham , 36 Years old; Convicted for the High-way: By Calling an Husbandman , but being reduc'd to a very low ebb of Adversity, he was the easier prevail'd upon to listen to bad Advice, and associate himself to evil Companions, with whom he committed five Robberies; he added, that his Wife dissuaded him very much from such evil Practices, and entreated him with Tears to forsake such unlawful ways; which as he said, had this good effect, that he bid adieu to his evil Company, and resolved upon a better course of Life, to be more Pious and Devout towards God, more Sober and Chast with regard to himself, more Just and Charitable towards others. He lamented his unhappy Condition with a flood of Tears, often reflecting on his ill-spent Life, calling his bad Actions to remembrance, and expressing a deep Sorrow for them.

V. William Cousins< no role > , Born in Southwark , 16 Years old; Condemned for Robbery on the High-way; He was a Waterman , and lived honestly, but meering with the Evidence, who made him drink excessively, he went along with him to commit this on a Robbery, and had four Shillings as his Share,

VI. John Maginny< no role > , 22 Years old, Convicted for Robbery on the High-way; he would not own that he was guilty of this, or any other Fellony or Robbery. He served his Majesty's Army in Flanders , and as he said, always behaved himself very Honestly: He added, that he was a Roman Catholick; and so gave no great Account of his Actions.