about two o'clock, it came into my mind to go and fteal the branches out of the Foundery. I climbed over the wall, and brought two of them away, though I trembled, and shook, and made fo great a noife, that I thought all the family must be dead, or elfe they could not but hear me. Within a few days after I ftole the velvet, for which I was taken up, tried and condemned."

Some being of opinion it would not be difficult to procure a pardon for him, S. Peters, though fhe never mentioned this to him, refolved to leave no means unattempted. She procured feveral petitions to be drawn, and went herself to Westminster, to Kenfington, and to every part of the town where any one lived, who might poffibly affift therein. In the mean time, fhe went conftantly to Newgate, fometimes alone, fometimes with one or two others, vifited all in their cells that were condemned, exhorted them, prayed with them, and had the comfort of finding them every time more athirst for God than before, and of being followed, whenever he went away, with abundance of prayers and bleffings.

After a time, the and her companions believed it would be of use to examine each closely as to the ftate of his foul. They fpoke to John Lancaster firft. He lifted up his eyes and hands, and after paufing awhile, faid, "I thank God, I do feel, that he has forgiven me my fins. I do know it." They afked, "How, and when he knew it firft ?" He replied, I was in great fear and heavinefs, till the very morning you came hither first that morning I was in earnest prayer; and just as St. Paul's clock ftruck five, the Lord poured into my foul fuch. peace as I had never felt, so that I was scarce able to bear it. From that hour I have never been afraid to die. For I know, and am fure, as foon as my foul departs from the body, the Lord Jefus will ftand ready to carry it into glory." The next who was fpoken to was Thomas Atkins, nineteen years of age. When he was afked (after many other questions, in answering which he expreft the cleareft and

deepest

deepest conviction of all his fins, as well as that for which he was condemned) if he was not afraid to die? He fixed his eyes upward and faid, in the moft earnest and folemnt manner, I blefs God, I am not afraid to die; for I have laid my foul at the feet of Jefus." And to the laft moment of his life, he gave all reafon to believe, that these were not vain words.

Thomas Thompson, the next, was quite an ignorant man, fcarce able to exprefs himself on common occafions: yet' fome of his expreffions were intelligible enough. I do not know, faid he, how it is; I used to have nothing but bad and wicked thoughts in me, and now they are all gone, and I know God loves me, and has forgiven my fins." He perfifted' in this teftimony, and in a behaviour fuitable thereto tilf death:

When John Roberts came firft into John L's cell, he was utterly careless and fullen. But it was not long before his countenance changed; the tears ran down his cheeks, and he continued from that hour earnestly and steadily feeking repentance and remiffion of fins: There did not pafs many days before he likewife declared, that the burthen of fin was gone; that the fear of death was utterly taken away, and it returned

no more.

William Gardiner, from the time that he was condemne!, was very ill of the goal-diftemper. S. Peters vifited him in his own cell, till he was able to come abroad. He was a man of exceeding few words, but of a broken and contrite fpirit. Some time after, he expreft great readinefs to die, yet with the utmoft diffidence of himfelf. One of his expreffions, to a perfon accompanying him to the place of execution was, “Ọ Sir, I have nothing to truft to but the blood of Chrift. If that will not do, I am undone for ever."

As foon as Sarah Cunningham was told, that the warrant was come down for her execution, fhe fell raving mad. She had but few intervals of reafon, till the morning of her exe

cution. She was then fenfible, but spoke little; till being told, "Chrift will have pity upon you, if you ask him:" fhe broke out, " Pity upon me! Will Christ have pity upon me? Then I will ask him. Indeed I will:" which she did in the best manner she could, till her foul was required of her

Samuel Chapman appeared to be quite hardened. He feemed to fear neither God nor devil. But when after some time Sarah Peters talked with him, God ftruck him down at one ftroke. He felt himself a finner and cried aloud for mercy. The goal-diftemper then feized upon him, and confined him to his bed, till he was carried out to die. She vifited him frequently in his cell. He wept much and prayed much; but never appeared to have any clear affurance of his acceptance with God.

It was the earnest defire of them all, that they whom God had made so helpful to them, might spend the last night with them. Accordingly fhe came to Newgate at ten o'clock, but could not be admitted on any terms. However, fo far they were indulged, that fix of them were fuffered to be in one cell. They spent the night, wrestling with God in prayer. When the bell-man came at twelve o'clock, to tell them (as ufual) Remember you are to die to-day, they cried out, Welcome news! welcome news!" When the cell was opened at the ufual time, they fprang out; feveral of them crying, with a tranfport not to be expreft, "O what a happy night have we had? What a bleffed morning is this? O when will the hour come that we long for, that our fouls fhall be fet at liberty? The turnkey faid, "I never faw fuch people before."

John Lancaster was the first who was called out, to have his irons knocked off. When he came to the block (at which this is done) he faid, "Bleffed be the day I came into this place! O what a glorious work hath the Lord carried on in my foul fince I came hither?" Then he faid to those near him, "O my dear friends, join in praise with me a finner. O for

a tongue

a tongue to praise him as I ought. My heart is like fire in a close veffel. I am ready to burft for want of vent. O that I could tell the thoufandth part of the joys I feel!" One faying, "I am forry to see you in that condition;" he answered, " I would not change it for ten thoufand worlds." From the press-yard, he was removed into a large room, where he ex horted all the Officers to repentance. When T. Atkins was; brought in, he immediately afked him, "How is it between God and your foul ?" He answered, "Bleffed be God, I am ready." An Officer afking about this time, What is it o'clock, was answered, near nine. On which Lancaster said,

By one I fhall be in paradise, safely refting in Abraham's bofom." To another prifoner coming in, he faid, "Cannot you fee Jefus? I see him by faith, standing at the right-hand of God, with open arms to receive our fouls." One asking which is Lancaster? He anfwered, "Here I am. Come, fee a Christian triumphing over death." A by-ftander faid, "Be ftedfaft to the end" He replied, "I am by the grace of God, as ftedfaft as the Rock I am built upon; and that Rock is Chrift." He then faid to the people, "Cry to the Lord for mercy, and you will furely find it. Therefore none should defpair.

I have found it. When I came first to this

place, my heart was as hard as my cell-walls, and as black as hell. But now I am washed, now I am made clean by the blood of Chrift."

When William Gardiner came in, he faid, "Well, my dear man, how are you?" He answered, "I am happy, and think the moments long; for I want to die, that I may be with him whom my foul loves." Lancaster afked, "Had we not a fweet night?" He faid, "I was as it were in heaven. O, if a foretafte be so fweet, what muft the full enjoyment be!" Then came in Thomas Thompson, who with great power witnest the same confeffion. The people round, in the mean time were in tears, and the Officers flood like men affrighted.

Then

Then Lancaster exhorted one in doubt, never to rest tilf he had found reft in Chrift. After this he brake out into strong prayer, (mingled with praife and thankfgiving) that the true gospel of Chrift might spread to every corner of the habirable earth: that the congregation at the Foundery might abound more and more in the knowledge and love of God: that he would in a particular manner bless all those, who had taken care of his dying foul; and that God would blefs and keep Mr. Ws, that neither men nor devils might ever hurt them, but that they might, as a ripe fhock of corn, be gathered into the garner of God."

་ ་”

When the laft prifoner came into the room, he faid, "Here is another of our little flock." An Officer faid tenderly, think it is too large." He faid, "Not too Jarge for heaven: thither we are going."

.

He faid to Mr. M. "Ó Sir, be not faint in your mind. Be not weary of well-doing. You ferve a glorious Mafter. And if you go on, you will have a glorious reward.

When the Officers told them " It was time to go," they rofe with inexpreflible joy, and embraced each other, commending each others foul to the care of him who had fo cared for them. Lancaster then earneftly prayed, that all there prefent, might, like him be found of God, though they fought

him not.

Coming into the prefs-yard, he faw Sarah Peters." He ftepped to her, kiffed her, and earneftly' faid, "I am going to paradife to-day. And you will follow me foon."

The crowd being great, they could not readily get through. So he had another opportunity of declaring the goodness of God. And to one in heavinefs he said, “Cry unto the Lord and he will be found. My foul for thine, he will have mercy upon thee." Then he faid to all, "Remember Mary Magdalene, out of whom the Lord caft feven devils. So rely je en him for mercy; and you will furely find it.".

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