THE Ordinary of NEWGATE HIS ACCOUNT OF

The Behaviours, Confessions, and Last Dying Words of the Malefactors that were Executed at Tyburn on Friday the 29th of January. 1719-1720 .

THE Sunday preceeding their Execution a Sermon was preach'd by Me from the following Words,

But let none of you suffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as an Evil-Doer, or as a Busy-Body in other Mens Matters (Pet. 4. 15.)

The first thing I considered from the Words, was, The Dishonour. that this sort of suffering brings to our holy Religion, to our own Souls, and even to Christ. Should those who have the Title of Christians, be caught performing the Part of Heathens? 'Tis a Guilt in such, that they were once baptized; 'tis a shame for them to own they have ever frequented the Church of God. The Enemies of our Religion object, that it cannot amend the Lives of its Professors; but let it no longer be said that the Foes of our Church are better than its Friends: Some of ye cannot by disputing perhaps do honour to your Religion, but by your Lives and Conversations all of Ye may.

Secondly, This sort of suffering, as a Murderer or Thief, brings a Dishonour to our own Souls. The Creator has made Us Superiour to Satan, shall we then by Sin make our selves his Slaves? God form'd Us a little lower than the Angels, and crown'd Us with Glory and Honour. Psal. 8. 5. How may we suppose the Devil to triumph, when the Soul of a Christian becomes his Prey: He more glories in it, than in many Heathens: Will he not boast that a Soul is his, for whom he will say Christ spilt his dearest Blood. Therefore, if ye have no Regard for the Honour of the Religion ye were bred up in, yet if ye have any Regard for your selves, Do not give Place to the Devil. Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labour, working with his Hands the thing that is Good. Eph. 4. 27, 28.

Thirdly, The sufferer as a Murderer or a Thief, &c. brings a Disgrace even to Christ. Must Christ see those for whom He suffer'd Death, suffer also an eternal Death? This is crucifying Christ afresh; it is peircing again his Hands and Feet, and in vain do we blame the Jews for his Murder if we Murder him so often our selves by Sin. Therefore I may say to you as St. Paul to the Galatians. O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the Truth, before whose Eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucifyed among you. Gal. 3. 1.