World, on Condition, that we bear Sicknesses, Pains, Losses, Vexations, &c. (2) What some alledge, in defence of Suicide, That Man is a free Agent, and has an Authority over Beasts, Birds, and all below, and much more over himself and his own Body; cannot be thought an Argument of any Validity, &c. (3) Nor can their Examples produced from Scripture avail; as of Sampson, who pull'd down the Hall upon himself, as well as on his Foes: Or of Saul, whom the Jewish Expositors suppose to have Repented and dyed a good Man, from his not refusing to fight God's Enemies, tho' he knew he should lose his Life; and from the tender Expressions with which David laments his Death, after the Amalekite had told that he had Slain him, or had put the finishing stroke to his Life, after he had wounded himself and was fallen; for David would not have thought such Sorrow for a wicked King's Death proper; Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their Lives - Ye Daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, &c. 2 Sam. 1. But as to the Instance of Sampson, he had a particular Commission from God to kill himself; he prayed to God to restore once more again his vast Strength, God heard his Prayer and did so; But we live not in Times when the Creator vouchsafes to converse immediately with his Creatures. As for Saul, (if he dyed a good Man) we may say, That both Saul and Sampson did not end their Lives only because of Pain, but lest their Enemies should in their Persons deride their God. For the Philistines carried Sampson into their God Dagon's House to mock him, their saying, Our God hath delivered Sampson our Enemy into our Hands; and they praised their God, &c. And Saul said, thrust me thro', lest these Uncircumcised come and thrust me thro', and abuse me, &c. And we read the Philistines did hang up Saul's Armour in Dagon's Temple, and therein Triumphed over the living God, &c.

But having no Opportunity of mentioning any more than this beginning of what was spoken to them, we are abruptly to proceed to give some short Account of their Behaviour, &c.

The Account of these Prisoners, &c.

THOMAS BURDEN< no role > , was Convicted of Assaulting William Zouch< no role > , on the 3d, of February last , and taking from him thirty one Shillings; it appearing, that the Prisoner having sate with the Prosecutor some time, and ask'd him certain Questions, drew an Iron out of a walking Stick, which he presented to the Prosecutors Breast, (who was very Aged) and compell'd him to produce his Money, which he did in a pint Pot: It appearing also, that he then tyed the old Man in his Chair with a Cord; and that, being apprehended by Whittington and Greenbury, he could not deny the Fact, but offer'd them the Money to Discharge him; the Jury found him Guilty.

He said he was Born in Dorsetshire , but hurryed out of England , when very Young, and forced to go up the Streights; which Voyage he perform'd several Times, and was in various Skirmishes. Before each Fight, he added, That he had so much Virtue in him (for such he accounted it) as Devoutly and fervently to pray to God, and always with Tears did be