THIRDLY, I considered the Thing to be avoided by these Commands; that is, Death;---For why will Ye die, O House of Israel?

I reminded the Malefactors, that Death is but the Consequence which naturally follows upon Sin; as the Apostle says, The Wages of Sin is Death, Rom. 6. 23. Nor had Death entred into the World without Adam's Transgression, Gen. 2. 17. But that Death which is chiefly to be avoided, is the Death of the Soul; since one Death is but a short Pain, the other is endless Torment: I requested them therefore, if Death is to be fear'd, to fear rather that sort of Death which is Worst; and if Life is desirable, rather to desire that Life which is Longest and even Eternal.

FOURTHLY, I considered the tender Love of God to Man; - For I have no Pleasure in the Death of him that dyeth, saith the Lord. I observed to them the Happiness of Christians in so mild and delightful a Religion: Moloch was a God who must be satiated every Day with Blood, and required his Votaries to make their Sons and their Daughters pass thro' the Fire unto him. This was a fatal Worship, a cruel Virtue; But our God points out to Us Heaven in an easier Path; we are required to act nothing but what is agreeable to our Natures, and Beneficial to the Society we live in. I advised them to avoid Despair, and entertain a lively Hope.

FIFTHLY, I endeavour'd to perswade All to the Issue of the Whole, viz. to turn themselves and live; to turn from Vice and the Paths that lead to Destruction, and to live in the Kingdom of Glory; Where the Simple Man will shine as bright as the Man of Learning; where the Beggar will sit on the same Seat with Emperors and Kings; and where the Malefactor, in regard to his Repentance, will enjoy the same eternal Satisfactions, as the Man of Honour and Reputation.

SIXTHLY and LASTLY, I apply'd my self more particularly to the Prisoners under Sentence of Death; Advised them to Patience and Resignation, nor to attempt an Escape from Confinement (as some had lately done) at the Expence of Innocent Blood. I entreated them to spend all that Night, which was to be their last in this World, in earnest Tears and Supplications, and not to come Unprepared in the Morning to the Blessed Sacrament: and to be careful to keep awake the Sacred Ardour the Sacrament would inspire, all the Way they went to the Place of Execution. I reminded them, that the Devil would be particularly busy at that Hour, but if they withstood him but a little longer, they might hope to be eternally out of his Power.

1. James Wilson< no role > ) was condemn'd for robbing a Sailor, in the Night time of a large Quantity of Gold. He said he was 29 Years of Age, Born at Eley , 10 Miles from Cambridge , in which Town he was put Apprentice to a Glazier ; But taking it into his Head one Day, that his Master was a very severe and wicked Man, he left him and went to Sea , where, he said, he might have found good Encouragement.