Ordinary of Newgate Prison:
Ordinary's Accounts: Biographies of Executed Convicts

10th July 1684

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Currently Held: Harvard University Library

LL ref: OA168407108407100002

25th May 1684


On the Lords Day, following being the 6th. of July Instant those for whole Execution the Warrant was directed, were at the Chappel; where the Ordinary Preached on this Text viz. the 33. Chapter of the Prophet Ezek. and the 11th. Verse. Say unto them, as I Live, faieth the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the Death of the Wicked, but that the Wicked turn from his way and Live: Turn ye turn ye from your Evil Ways, for why will ye Dye, O House of Israel.

The Ordinary observed, that Edward Kirk< no role > This name instance is in set 1243. who was Convicted for the Murder of Joan Kirk< no role > his Wife , in cutting her Throat on Sunday, the 25th. Day of May last, in the Fields near Paddington , whom he often Visited before his Tryal; seemed then to be more affected with his Horrid Crime, then was observed before, and since continues so.

The Paper of Advice which Edward Kirk< no role > This name instance is in set 1243. , left with the Ordinary in Prison.

WHereas, the All-searching Eye of God with whom Darkness is Light, and by whom the most Hidden and Secret Things are made Manifest, has made a just Discovery of my Transcendent Wickedness; I think it equally my Duty to God and Man, to second it with a Penitent Confession, that so the dear Interest which the Meritorious Death and Passion of Christ hath purchased for Sins of frail Man-kind may be applicable to my self: For such is the Misery and weight of Sin I lie under, that unless the Miraculous Grace and Mercy of my Creator interpose, is sufficient to press me down to the neathermost Hell. Upon this Consideration, I esteem it my Duty to Publish to the World the occasion which had the influence on my Punishment, or what is the Meritorious cause of my Fatal and untimely End. The occasion was so slender, that it rather aggravates my cruel Crime, than mittigates it. My Wife for whose Murder I duly suffer was of that Temper, that she was indefatigably officious to hunt me from Place to Place; but whether out of Love or Necessity she did it, is a difficulty to Discern, and therefore I proclaim her Innocent; and dare impute nothing to my Excuse, my Passion being above my Principle; and that Grace of God which should lead Men to a true and sincere Repentance, for want of a true management of it, was taken away from me, and I left;, like the Jews, in my own Willfulness and Stubbornness, to act whatever my Spiritual Enemy the Devil could impose upon my Inclination: and indeed the influence, of may Wickedness is such, that if I had the Greatest affluence of Sublunary Enjoyments, it inbitters the most hopeful passages of my Life; and nothing can be Sweet and Cordial to me but the precious Blood of Christ, which was shed for the Sins of the Penitent; such likewise is the present Punishment of the Murder; that through the sense of it, I am Involved into a Deluge of Melancholy, sometimes preventing my address to God for assurance of Pardon: yet according to that Gracious Light which it pleaseth God to intrust me with, I continually lie under the contest of Sin and Satan, and heartily beg for that Supernal Regeneration, which is a turning from Darkness to Light, and from the power of Satan, to the Kingdom of God, Now, because the world is more Govern'd by Example than Precept, I am highly and zealously concerned, to propose the reflection of my Condition to all those who are miserably biased to. a Dissolute and un-Christian Life; that from my doleful End, they may be cautioned to discard all such Ways as may be Effectual to draw them on to Perdition, and living: without God in the World.

Nor can I forbear to express my Inclination which was always equal to the Natural, State of all Men: yet such was my Misfortune, that I added the Whip and Spur to make it Strong and Vigorous, and was as inquisitive to know Lewd Company as ready to Imbrace whatsoever was adapted to Irregularity, the Sin of breaking the Sabbath I cannot pass by, and was continually Guilty of: upon which Holy Day I committed the Heinous Sin of Murder; while Pride, Lust and Luxury, had the sole Dominion over me, and was frequently more acceptable than any thing of Piety and Godliness: Thus my Soul being surfeited with all manner of Sin, I am brought to condign Punishment: Take timely care therefore




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