The only Person who could much profit by Prayers or Instructions, was Margaret Stansbury< no role > , (by their Excellencies the Lords Regents reprieved for five Months, to the Beginning of April next, by Reason of her being found quick with Child) who chose rather to remain in the Cells during her Misfortune, than to be turn'd over to the Common Side among the Women, who in Truth are most improper Company for any Person under her unhappy Circumstances. She constantly attended in Chapel, and was very attentive and devout at Prayers and Exhortations, and (as may be hop'd) is a sincere penitent, she appearing very much concerned. Once when I was reading the 51st Penetential Psalm (which was always read in the Evening Service) as she heard these Words, Create in me a clean Heart, O God, and renew a right Spirit within me, she cried and wept most bitterly, and to me appeared truly affected with the Wickedness of her own Heart, and greatly desirous of the renewing Influences of the Spirit of God.

While under Sentence, they were instructed in the necessary Articles of our most holy Christian Faith, to believe in God the Creator of all Things, in whom alone it is that we live, move, and from whom we have all our Being, and in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, who, in the Fulness of Time, came into the World to save Sinners by the Sacrifice of Himself, For God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal Life.

They were instructed in the great Evil of Theft and Robbery, of the Injustice, Maliciousness, Cruelty, and wicked Designs of that horrid Crime; how contrary it is to all Policy and good Manners, which if allowed, or any ways encouraged, would necessarily destroy all Friendship and Conversation among Men, over-turn Empires and States, and reduce the World into a confus'd Chaos of Irregularity and Disorder.

They were also seriously exhorted to prepare for Death, from these Words, Behold thou has made my Days as an Hands-breadth, and mine Age is as nothing before thee; verily every Man at his best Estate is altogether Vanity, Psalm xxxix. 5. From this they were desired to observe the Brevity, Uncertainty, and Fragility of Human Life, and of Men in general, and that great Men of Power and Distinction are not exempted, but all are equally alike exposed to the common Sentence of Mortality and Death, for verily every Man is Vanity, but Man at his best Estate is as it were more than Vanity, he is altogether Vanity.

From this they were exhorted to think upon their Frame and Frailty, their Misery and Wretchedness, and therefore to prepare for Death in a serious and solemn Manner, as that which is the King