This unhappy Man, tho' Young, was so loaded with sad Distempers, that he was thereby much obstructed in his compleating that Work, which he otherwise seem'd enclin'd and disposed to set about, and his Pains and Cries not only molesting himself, but disturbing likewise all those who were near him.

As they went to Execution, they were exceeding Earnest and Penitent, refusing to drink when ask'd to do it; the three eldest in one Cart, reading and praying all the Way, and the three youngest singing Psalms. As Roberts stept out of the Cart he was carry'd in, into that from which he was to dye, some People saying, They pity'd the youngest of those Malefactors; he said, That they had all resign'd this World, and were none of them too young to go to Heaven. William Burridge< no role > having been ask'd about a particular Robbery, deny'd it; but said he robb'd a Clergyman beyond Barnet in Hartfordshire , of a Watch, &c. which he sold to a Goldsmith in Leicester . He also said, that he forgot to mention, in the Paper which he gave me at the Sacrament, his earnest Request that no one would be so wicked as to reflect on his Parents for his ignominious Death, notwithstanding what he express'd in that Paper, which he thought then he had writ too severe. The Paper was as follows:

I William Burridge< no role > was born in West Haden in Northamptonshire , put Apprentice to my Father a Carpenter ; but my Parents being too tender of me, when 10 or 12 Years old, and giving way to my youthful Follies, I was then Guilty of such Things as might seem to exceed my Years: My Parents then going to curb me, when it was too late, at 14 or 15 Years of Age, I took to running away, and often lay about the Country, in Hay-Lofts, &c. taking Hens and what came in my way for Sustenance. After a time, I came to Finchley and worked at my Trade for a Year and a Half; I went to Sea , and wholly forsook my Parents, whom I have not a long time seen; I heartily thank them for their Indulgence; but I leg all Parents not to indulge their Children, for it will bring a good Mind to Wickedness and a shameful Death. I hope my Misfortunes will be a Warning to all Youth, especially some whom I wish well; I will not name them, but hope, if they see this, they will take it to themselves, I die in Charity, and, as I forgive others, I hope others will forgive Me. William Burridge.

Before he died, he show'd me several Stanza's which he had Written, and seem'd to take a particular Delight in; the following I took of him the Morning of his Death.

O Heavenly Father, God most dear,

vouchsafe a tender Eye,

On Me a wretch, who prostrate here

Beneath thy Footstool lye.

Distill thy tender Oil of Grace,

into a grieved Breast,

And let the Drops of Love efface

My Wickedness confest.

My vexed Soul depressed low,

With careful clogs of Pain,

In humble sort most humbly sues

Thy pity to obtain.

The blessed God I've much displeas'd

By pleasuring my Mind;

Too long I have my God forgot,

Too much to Earth enclin'd.

But now I sigh, alas I sob,

And sadly do lament,

That ever my licencious Life,

So wickedly was spent.

Restore to Life my sinful Soul,

Lest with my Body it die,

So to thy Mercy shall my Tongue

Sing Praise eternally.

This is the Account to be given of the MALEFACTORS, By

T. PURNEY, Ordinary, and Chaplain.

ADVERTISEMENTS.

A Water that perfectly cures the Itch, or any Itching Humour, in a few Days, without necessity of Purging, or the dangerous Use of Mercury. Price 1 s. 6 d. is only prepared and sold by A. Downing, Chymist, at the Crown and Ball in George-Court in St. John's-Lane by Hichs's-Hall, near West-Smithfield. Where also may be had, the best Spirits of Scurvy-Grass, by Wholesale or Retale at 8 d. a Bottle. A most effectual Remedy for the violent Pain in the Teeth. Price 1 s. Also a most excellent Remedy for preserving the Teeth and clea them from the Scurvy.