wail his Sins, and resolve on a new Life: But after the Fights were over, the Devil was so powerful that he tempted him to deviate from his Resolutions, and to lead a careless Life.

It was owing, he thought, to the Devil, that he did advantagiously employ many Apportunities; especially when he went as Convoy to Turkey , and was offer'd by a Gentleman of Aleppo, a beneficial Place and a Sum of Money, if he would forsake his Ship, and reside in Asia; Fate alone, (he believed) could make him so unfortunate, as to prefer the prophane Conversation of some Companions on Board the Ship, before a settled and regular Life, where he might have served God without hearing continually Cursing and Swearing, and Religion made a Jest of by those who ought, as he acknowledged, to be always prepared to die. He had thanked God very often, as he affirm'd, for preserving him from Turkish Slavery, from that of the Africans, and from that of the French, at that Time publick Enemies; but he said he had better have died in Slavery, than now suffer the ignominious Death of a Dog; and for that Offence, which (as he asserted) was the first of such a Nature, that he ever committed.

He added, that he could not but blame himself, for that being discharged from the Sea, he chose rather to enter into the Land Service , than live a more sedate Life, taking Pleasure in the Service of God and in sober Conversation. But at the conclusion of the War in Flanders , he return'd Home, and following his original Trade in St. Giles's Parish , had good Encouragement, and God seem'd to prosper all his Attempts. But going, said he, on an unlucky Day, to the House of my late Brigadier at Hounslow , who was then absent, and had left a Corporal, my Acquaintance, in the House I: continued with the Corporal all Night, having then no ill Suggestions in my Mind; but the next Day walking by the Common, and talking of the old Man who lived much alone, the Devil put the wicked Thought in my Mind (after having drank freely) of assaulting the poor old Man; whom I tied to his Chair, &c. But like a Person new to such vicious Actions, so tied him that he easily got loose, and occasion'd the apprehending me, as I was walking (not like a skilful Thief) over the open Common, visible for many Miles together, when I might have taken into the Town, or thro' a Wood have secured myself many Ways. He was kindly advis'd to turn his Thoughts from this World to a better; but he could not induce himself to let go his strong Expectations of Life: He was told, that as he was an old Man (being aged about 50 Years) if he was to obtain Banishment he could not expect any great Happiness on this side the Grave; and as he had no Children, he need not be sollicitous for what he was to leave behind him; but such Discourse could not abstract his Thoughts from this World, till Death appeared immediately before him: He thought it was a most deplorable Thing, to live so long like a Man, and then at last to die like a Beast. But before he was executed, he said he doubted not but by suffering in this Life, to escape Punishment in another World, having satisfied Justice, and expiated his Crimes with his Blood.

2. WILLIAM WITHERINGTON< no role > was Convicted of assaulting Anne Anns< no role > , in Thames-Street , taking her Pocket wherein were 38 Guineas, &c. about 8 of the Clock at Night, on the 18th of February last .

This Prisoner (who was about 22 Years of Age) was left to his Mother's Care, in the Parish of St. Giles's Cripplegate , when very young, his Father