That the Christian Life is properly compar'd to a Race, wherein we are not to stand still, nor turn aside, neither walk only, but run, and strive, be quick and active in our Motion, while we are on our Journey here below, till we arrive at the Place of our Everlasting Rest above, and there receive the Prize, viz. an Immortal Crown of Bliss and Glory, propounded to us, as a gracious Reward for our sincere Endeavours, and constant Labours in running the Race that is set before us, and making full Speed in the Way of GOD, and in the Path of his holy Commandments, as the Scripture teaches us.

To illustrate this Proposition, and set the Text still in a clearer Light, I shew'd distinctly,

I. Who they are that are here commanded to Run; viz. All Men; for all are Viatores, or Travellers in this Vale of Tears.

II. The Duty; which is, That we must Run our Race. And this implies both the Labour and Shortness of our Life here.

1st, The Labour; in that we are not to rest, nor go softly, but Run; yea, run apace.

2dly, The Shortness; in that it is but a Race: A Place not very long, but of a measur'd Extent, the Beginning and End whereof may both be seen at once.

III. The Manner to be observ'd, and Means to be us'd, in this our Christian Race, thro' the whole Course of our Life; which consist chiefly in these two; viz.

IV. and lastly, The Mark set in our View for our Encouragement and Support, which is, an immarcescible and incorruptible Crown, that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for us; as the Apostle speaks, 1 Pet. 5. 4.

Having largely and particularly spoken to those Points, I concluded both this and other my Sermons (preach'd before these Condemn'd Persons) with suitable Exhortations to them; whom I then constantly visited, and to that purpose had them brought up twice every Day to the Chapel of Newgate, where I pray'd with them, and read and expounded the Word of GOD to them, which they seem'd to be very attentive to: And in my private Examinations of them severally, they gave me the respective Accounts of their former Lives and present Dispositions, which follow.

1. Francis Gosling< no role > , condemn'd for the Murder of John Hutton< no role > , a Seaman . He said, he was 21 years of age, born at Greenwich in Kent : That he had serv'd his Apprentiship with his own Father, a Waterman of that Place; and after that went to Sea , and serv'd sometimes in Her Majesty's Royal Navy, and at other times on board Merchant-men, for these 8 years past. He confess'd, That he had liv'd a vicious Life, and committed some small Robberies heretofore, as stealing Oars, Sails, &c. out of Watermen's Boats, Barges, Lighters, &c. but could give no account of them. And as to this barbarous and bloody Fact, for which he stood condemn'd, I perceiv'd he endeavour'd to extenuate and lessen his Guilt of it, saying, He did not commit it himself, nor laid violent hands upon the Deceased; yet acknowledg'd, that he so far assisted in it, that while John Shaw< no role > was knocking him down, and Peter Furlow< no role > cutting his Throat, himself was in the Boat with them, rowing along and seeing what they did; but knew not whether it was a premeditated thing in them; or, that finding an Opportunity to do that wicked Deed, it came on the sudden into their Mind to do it. As for himself, he said, he knew nothing before of the Man, nor of any Design they had either to murder or rob him, till he saw them kill him and search him, and take what they found about him. But he own'd, That himself took the Coat of that poor Man, as being better than that he had on, which he left in the room of it; and then they all went away, and left the Boat, and the dead Man in it; Shaw and Furlow giving him 40 or 50 Shillings of the Money; he was not positive how much, for he did not exactly tell it. This is the Substance of what he confess'd to me, who found him a stupify'd, harden'd, and obstinate Sinner. While he lay under Condem