ON Munday the 23 day of August last, 1675. Elizabeth, the Wife of Mr. William Weeks of Plymouth Dyer, after many and frequent Vomitings and violent Purgations, departed this life towards the Evening. Her Husband and Daughter were seized with the same extraordinary motions, accompanied with griev­ous Pains and Swellings in their Stomacks, with cold Sweats and Faintings, as also with a great and unquench­able Drought.

A Physitian being called, and consulted with upon the case, giveth in his Judgment that they were Poysoned. That which induced him the more readily to determine of the nature and manner of their Sickness, and her death, was a quantity of Crude Arsenick, presented him by a Neighbor of these Afflicted and Murthered Persons, which she had found in a Pot of Oatmeal in the Kitchin.

At the same time the Child of Mistris Pengelley (Daughter unto the said Mr. Weeks) was also affected with the same Symptoms, and Philip Cary her Nurse, together with her Husband, were found Counterfeiting Sickness and Vomitings. Wine and Oyl had been given them, which procured a more easie relaxation and discharge of their Stomacks, and through the Blessing of God, upon the use of that and other means contributed, to the recove­ry of the Child and his Grand-Father. Only his Daugh­ter Mistris Pengelley, having labored Eight or Ten days under exquisite torments without any remission, (Physick, and Physitians being disabled by Gods Holy wise Provi­dence, from affording her any relief or succor,) she also yielded up the Ghost.

The noise of this horrid Accident was soon spread abroad, and immediately the Nurse and her Husband, and a Prentice Girle in the House were suspected, and apprehended for it.

The first which was brought before the Major of the Town, was Anne Evans Apprentice to the said Mistris Weeks, a Poor Child, whose Mother being dead, had been bound out in the Majoralty of Mr. Peter Schaggel, Anno 1672. by the Church-Wardens and Over-Seers of Charles Parish, being then about Twelve or Thirteen years old.

And now making her appearance, she was examined by him, and another Justice of his Majesties Peace; which for the satisfaction of my Readers curiosity, and for a fur­ther discovery of this Crying and Hellish sin, I shall crave his pardon, if he be troubled with an Authentick Relation thereof, and of the other persons depositions concerning it, as they were transcribed from the day Book of the Town.

ANd now they are in safe Custody, in the Prison joyning to the Town-Hall in Plymouth, where they have time and leisure to ruminate upon their foul and odious Crime, to consider of the horrible danger to which these pretious Souls are exposed, and to make their Peace with God, if it be well husbanded and im­proved. But I fear me, that though the Lord wait graciously Six Months together for their Repentance, and cry aloud by this terrible dispensation to convert, reform and give Glory to him before they come to Judgment, we shall even after their Condemnation at the Assizes, meet with other and worse news from them. Before we talk with these Malefactors any further, it will not be unnecessary to make a little di­gression, and see what evidence the Righteous Provi­dence of God doth Administer towards a fuller dete­ction of their Sin and Guilt.

Mistris Weeks being deceased, and Doctor Holland a Physitian of the Town having averred it to be by Poyson; the Coronor was sent for, to inquire into the causes of her death; who having impannel'd his [Page 15]Jury, and examined Witnesses, do all Unanimously concurre in their Verdict, that she was murdered, and that by Poyson.

The same Verdict also was given in by another Jury, that sate upon the death of Mistris Pengelley. The obstinacy of the Nurse to the very instant of her going off the Ladder, in denying her self either princi­pal or accessary to this bloody fact, will excuse the rela­tor, if he subjoyn the respective depositions of several Witnesses upon their Oath concerning it, that so the Justice of God may be glorified, and no Sinister thoughts of the Judge, Grand or Petty Juries that condemned her be entertained.

THe Witnesses having been Examined, their Depo­sitions taken, they are all bound over to Prose­cute our Malefactors at the next Assizes for the Coun­ty of Devon, whose Mittimus is now Signed and Seal­ed, and they sent to the High Goal near the Castle of Exon.

Here they spend full Six Months, but what! In a serious and sad reflection upon their hainous and Cry­ing sin: In the exercises of Repentance, Contrition, and Godliness: No, in nothing less than in the pra­ctice of such indispensible Duties.

In truth they came thither the Slaves and Vassals of the Devil, full of Ignorance, and unacquainted with God, and the things of God, they were got into a Prison, the very Suburbs of Hell, a place (to the Re­lators [Page 23]knowledge) a Seminary of all Villanies, Pro­phaneness, and Impieties; destitute of good Com­pany, good Books, and the good means of Grace, and of all helps, saving their Affliction, that might lead them Heaven-ward. And it was very improbable, that under so great a want of Spiritual advantages, they should bethink themselves of Heaven and Eternity. Indeed they might and ought to have done it. But they were captivated by the Prince of Darkness, who had blinded the eyes of their understandings, and Sear­ed their hearts as with an hot Iron, that they should not see, nor know, nor consider the things that belong­ed unto their Peace. Besides they were held in stron­ger Chains than those of Iron; their own iniquities had taken hold of them, and they were bound with the Cords of their sins.

Here they fed themselves, and are flattered also by their Companions in Ungodliness, with the fond and false hopes of escaping the Justice of man; and as for that of God, they never Dream of it, it enters not into their thoughts. Let them but escape the Gallows and get out of Goal, they imagine Hell may be avoid­ed with less difficulty, and Heaven obtained with far more facility.

Thus Camelion-like they live upon the Air, or with Ephraim upon the East wind; or as Esay's Idolator they feed upon Ashes; a deceived heart hath turned them aside, that they cannot deliver their Souls, nor say, is there not a lie in our right hands? But in the depth of their Sencelesness and Security, they are surprized with a cold damp.

The Assizes are come, the Judges arrived, the Trumpets sound, and our wretched Prisoners are Sum­moned unto Judgment. Up they go unto the Bar with heavy hearts, though with undejected Countenances. They had some Figleave excuses to cover their shame, [Page 24]and rather than want a Shift and Plea for themselves, they will add sin to sin, lyings and impudent denials. Alas! Poor Souls, this is not to lessen, but to aggra­vate your guilt, this doth not hide but discover it. You Cloath your selves with a Net, your Nakedness and filth is the more Apparent. Witnesses are exa­mined, evidence is produced, the Malefactors are heard and permitted to speak for themselves, the Bill was found, and an Impartial Jury declares them Guil­ty, they are cast, Sentence is pronounced, and now being dead in Law, they Petition for a Transportation.

Here is the last Refuge of miserable Murderers; But Justice dispenseth no favors, they may be Trans­ported to another world, not to another Land. Blood cries for Blood. Innocent Blood demandeth Ven­geance. God hath said it, and the Righteous Law of England hath confirmed it; that he, who sheddeth mans Blood, by man shall his Blood be shed, a man that offers Violence to the blood of any person, shall flie to the Pit, let no man stay him.

Accordingly their Petition is rejected, their Request is denied, they are bidden to prepare for death, all hopes of life here have left and forsaken them.

The Girl, as Guilty of Petty Treason and Murder, is Sentenced to be drawn on an Hurdle to the place where she shall be Executed, and there Burnt to death. An horrible death! An Emblem and lively Picture of Hell torments! D [...]awn as if dragged by Devils, Burnt alive, as if in that Lake of Fire and Brimstone already! Lord! what Rocks are these that do not rend and break to pieces at the hearing and thinking of it? Methinks the very Sentence should have struck her dead. There is so much of horror in it, that with Nabal her Heart should have died in her. Yet she lives under it. Lord! Let it be in mercy to her! Space is given her to escape the wrath of God, though [Page 25]she cannot the vengeance of Man. The Nurse must Hang till she be dead, a too gentle death for such a Prodigy of Ungodliness! She Pleads stifly her Inno­cency, disowns all Guilt, takes no Shame, her Brow is Brass, she is Impudent, and hath an Whores Fore­head. If ever there were a Daughter of Hell, this was one in her proper colors. No evidence shall con­vince her. Confess faith she! Then I shall Hang in­deed, I deny the fact, none saw it, none knew it but the Girl, it may be that vile Person her Husband, had a Finger in it, but he is gone. Some will pitty me, though none will believe me, none can help me. Yet though she must die, as sure as she was born, the Devil helps her to one Expedient, as she conceives that may save her Life. My Lord, I am Innocent, I am with Child, do not kill two Innocents. If I must die, let my Child live!

The Reverend Judge is too Righteous to punish the Innocent with the Guilty; or to destroy the Child for the Mothers fault. Hence a Midwife is com­manded to attend the Court, a Jury of Matrons impannell'd, the Murderess is searched, and after their strictest Scrutiny and Inquest, they find her a Lyar, to have troubled the Court needlesly, she is not quick, as she would bear them in hand, if she have at all conceived.

Upon this they are returned to their Prisons, and now in sight of Hell. Others pitty them, and trem­ble at their dismal State; but poor wretches, they have no Bowels for themselves, yea, without any gra­cious Sentiments, without any feeling apprehensions of their approaching misery.

Plymouth hath been the first Scene of this Tragedy, there had they committed their Murders, and upon the humble Petition of Master Weeks, Husband, and Father to the Murdered Persons, and concurrent Re­quest [Page 26]of the Grand Jury, His Lordship grants it to be the place of their Execution. This was a rare Specta­cle, such a sight was never seen since the foundations of that Town. Oh! that it might be the last.

In the Interval of their Sentence and Execution, several Divines visit them.

The Right Reverend Diocesan, out of his Religi­ous care of their happiness, ordered two, who fre­quently attended on them, but with no success on the Nurses part. Other Ministers moved by Charity, and yearning at their misery, did concur to use their utmost endeavors to save them from Hell. Instructi­ons, Exhortations, Prayers, Tears, dreadful de­nunciations of unsusterable torments with the damned, sweet and gratious promises in case of Confession, Repentance towards God, and Faith in our Lord Je­sus are used and urged with the greatest Vehemency, and industry upon the Nurse; but they beat the Air, they Plow the Rock, they do her no good, their labor of love is lost, their Prayers return into their own bosoms.

The Relator having visited them several times while they were in the High Goal at Exon, thought it convenient to subjoyn the substance and effect of his conferences with them. Possibly it may not be dis­pleasing unto his Reader. Coming into the Prison early in the Morning, he had the Four condemned Persons brought unto him; and bespeaks them in these words, Miscrable Souls! I am heartily sorty to see you in this place, and to find you in this Conditi­on. You are here Judged of man, and you must die; but what also if you are Condemned of God, and must to Hell for ever? You are Sinners, are you not? You are Guilty of those Crimes for which Sentence is past upon you? Three had so much Ingenuity as with Weeping and Trembling to acknowledge it. [Page 27]Alas! Poor wretches, you are weeping because you have offended man, and brought your selves to de­struction. Ah! what a mercy would it be, if you could weep unfeignedly for your offences against God, and because you have lost his Image and favor, which is the greatest Blessing, and deserved his wrath and Curse, which is the greatest misery.

What think you of Sin? Is it as sweet and pleasing to you now you must die for it, as when at first you did commit it? Here they were silent and Confounded. Ah! Now you see what it is, not to believe God speaking to you from his Word, and by his Ministers, you were told that sin would bring sorrow and shame, wrath and death, sooner or later. The Devil and your own corrupted heart, rose up against this Disco­very of his will, and you made light and slight of it, and what have you got by it ? All the Fruit of your sin is, that you are ashamed of it, and grieved for it; its wages is the loss of Earth, Life, and Heaven, and these you are expecting every moment. Man hath cast you off for your sins; you cannot stand before your earthly Judge: And if God shall cast you out of his blessed presence for ever among the Devils and the Damned Spirits, how would you be able to bear it? They being somewhat moved, he askt them, How think you to escape the dreadful wrath of God? What means have you to save your pretious Souls from Hell? What, First do you believe you have Souls to save, a being in your Body, that doth not, that cannote die with your Bodies? Do you believe there is a God, and Devil, a Heaven and Hell, and that all the wicked shall be turned into Hell, and that you, all of you shall be flung into it for your sins against God? At this they shrugd up their shoulders, and had nothing to answer, but their Repentance. Your Repentance, said I, what is that? Why, our [Page 28]sorrow for our sins, we would not commit them again, if they were now undone. Yea indeed, so you say, and possibly think you would not; but you do not know the wicked­ness and deceitfulness of your own hearts, if you were now as heretofore, and under the same temptations. I know nothing to the contrary but that you would be Guilty of the same transgressions, of as bad, or worse.

Besides, suppose your Repentance were true and real, what amends is that unto God for the ma­nifold dishonors you have done him? You have broken every command of God, you are Guilty of innumerable sins, your very birth and nature is horribly corrupted, and all your life long you have been Rebels against God, and you think to put off Gods wrath with your pittiful Repentance, a late Repentance, and it may be no other than the very Reprobates have that are now in Hell.

Is this all the satisfaction you can make to God? They knew no other; Then it was told them, that God was a great and terrible God, that would not put up the affronts and wrongs had been done him, without satis­faction, that he would by no means acquit the Guilty. That they had sinned, and must die eternally, and if ever they were redeemed from Eternal wrath, they must make God full a mends, and bring him a Ransome; and if they had none, nor knew where it was to be had, they must expect as soon as they died, to be damned for ever.

I asked of them in particular, who or what Jesus Christ was, and what it was he had done for them. To which there was this answer made, they could not tell. None that knows a Goal will conceive this a Fa­ble. Hardly any but Atheists, and the most ignorant wretches in the whole County are clapt up there; and for one sin they brought with them into it, they carry away Cart-loads out of it. Our County Prisons being the Common Sinks of the Country, and a Shop [Page 29]wherein all impiety is soonest learned and attained.

Their ignorance of Christ, his Person, Natures, Offi­ces and Undertakings for poor Souls, made me to ag­gravate their wickedness, and to tell them they had wretchedly mispent their time, and that now they were going out of the World, they must learn the Principles of Christian Religion, and I questioned whether they had any Repentance that was pleasing unto God, for they had no Faith, nor knowledge, even of the most necessary Truths, without which they could not be saved. And for my part I must not flatter you, you are nearer Hell than Heaven. Upon this there was a discourse made of Christ, adapted to their capacities, as also of his wonder­ful love and condescension in becoming man, and dying for sinners, and satisfying the Justice of God, and hold­ing forth his death as the price of Redemption unto all Penitent believers; and that this was now offered unto them upon these terms of confessing and abhorring their sins, and themselves for their sins: and that if they came to God with a sence and feeling of the insupportable burden, of the horrid nature, and infinite number of their sins, and threw themselves at his feet prostrate be­fore him, imploring his mercy for the passion of his dear Son, the Lord would be merciful to them, and he would not cast them off, but would pardon and forgive their hainous and grievous offences.

In the close of this conference, Master Holmes Chap­lain to the High Sheriff came into the Chamber, and af­ter some words with the Malefactors, we joyntly parted the Prisoners, I withdrawing into another Room with the Nurse and Maid, and having pressed them to a free & ingenious confession of their Guilt, the Girl with tears in her eyes gave me for substance the same confession, and not varying in a circumstance from that which at her first apprehension she had made unto the Major, and Justice of Plymouth. I adjured her in the name of the [Page 30]All-seeing and heart-searching God, who hated a Lye, and would cast all Lyars into the Lake of Fire and Brim­stone for ever, to declare nothing but the Truth: That she had sinned enough already, and had been Guilty of two Murders, and if the Nurse were Innocent, she should not for a World accuse her, for if she did, the Lord might Damn her immediately.

To which she replied with Tears, Sir, I am a lost Creature, I have no hopes in this World, I would not willingly Damn my Soul, by drawing upon me the Guilt of more Blood, I speak it as in the presence of God, I had not put in the Poyson into the Pottage, had not the Nurse bid me do it. And added, My Body is lost, but if the Lord would have pitty upon my Soul, it is all that I desire.

And the Nurse hath said, she should never confess, though she did Hang for it. That I might confess what I would, she would not confess any thing. Upon this I confronted her with Philip Cary, she obstinately denies all, stands stifly to her Innocency, throws all upon the Girl; saith. Judge, Jury, and Witnesses, are all Guilty of her Innocent Blood, and she will lay it at their Doors. Whereupon, I desired the Maid to go in to Master Holmes, and dealt privately with this Vile woman, yet to give Glory unto God by confess­ing of her sin, and renouncing all commerce with Hell, that if she did hide her sin, and keep the Devils Counsel, she could never prosper. That it was in vain for her to think of concealing it, for God knew it, the World knew it, her Country condemned her for it, her own conscience, if she had any left in her, must needs accuse and condemn her. Possibly said I, you think of life, and feed your self with vain imagi­nations of escaping death, I told her they were foolish and groundless, that Justice would have its Course, that the whole World could not save her. That she [Page 31]was already dead in Law, and must be as certainly Executed, as she was already Condemned. That she stood upon the brink of the Pit, and was ready to drop down into the bottomless Gulph of Hell: That she might, if she would, escape it. God offered pardon, Life, Heaven and Salvation to her, provided she would but give glory to him by confessing her sin, and taking the shame thereof unto her self. That it was better to do it now than upon the Gallows. She had served the Devil long enough, too too long, and it was a miracle of mercy, if ever the Lord shewed mercy to her at last; but yet I would, and did assure her in his name, (as being his Ambassador, and sent with his Commission to reconcile her unto God, whom she had so hainously dishonored,) that if she would disclose all this cursed crime, who first contrived it, who man­aged it, and put her upon it, there was hopes. For the Lord was a merciful God unto unfeignd Penitents, and compassionated her deplorable condition, and would bring her out of it. That she take care not to Rebel against his grace, nor to tear a pardon, that was offered her upon such easie terms, in pieces, nor to refuse Heaven, and all its joys and happiness.

Alas! Sir, saith she, What will you have me say? I will tell you all I know of it. I am as free from this Crime, as the Child that is now Born. But the Maid did it. For she told me she was weary of her life by rea­son of her Mistris, who was such a Curst Old Woman, that there was no living with her, and that she was re­solved to leave her Service, and go away with the Moun­tebanks, and that she told me she would fit her, and had bought the Rats-bane of the Mountebanks Boy or Man, with whom she was in Love.

This was all I could get from her then, and not one Syllable of it true. I told her, she should beware of Lying, and false Witness bearing, and not let the [Page 32]Devil sit upon her heart and Tongue; and added, when you knew this Girl had an intent to make away her Mistris, why had not you discovered it? She said, That indeed it was her fault, if it were a fault. I told her, consent unto, and concealing of Murder, was Intentional Murder before God and Man, and that she had a real hand in it. She told me she had none at all, and could give me no other answer.

Our secret conference being ended, I brought the Maid again unto her, who avowed her former Con­fession, disavowed all acquaintance with the Mounte­banks Servant, never to have talked with him but once at the Conduit when she fetcht water; and main­tained to her face, that this wicked woman the Nurse, did oftentimes perswade her to run away from her Mi­stress, and if she would have gone away the Saturday before the fact was committed, she would help her to a Riding Suit.

Unto this she made no reply.

Returning with them unto Master Holmes, he press­ed upon them the evil of their sin, advised them to Repentance: and bespeaking the Nurse, Philip Cary, said he, there is a report and Suspition of your having been unclean with your Master. At which she fell down upon her Knees in the midst of us, and impri­cated most direfully upon her self, is he ever knew her to be a man or woman, more than by giving suck unto his Grand Child.

Having cleared her Master, but not confessing any other thing or sin, Master Holmes being desired by me, concluded this conference with Prayer, and we de­parted.

In the evening I returned again unto these Prisoners, And dealt with the Nurse to acknowledge her Crime, freely to unbosome her self unto me, that I might spread it before the Lord in Prayer, and intreat [Page 33]him for a broken heart, and a new Spirit for her.

And withdrawing from the Company that crowd­ed on us into a private Chamber, I desired her for Gods sake, her poor Souls sake, (with cears in my eyes,) that she would yet leave sin before sin left her, that she would flee from that wrath to come, that she would bid defiance unto the Devil, who she saw had ruined her, and would Damn her everlastingly; that she would yet accept of grace and peace, and recon­ciliation with God; it was late indeed to return unto him, but not too late, how ever she must not thus dally with the Divine Majesty, to put him off with delays and lies. That she should not be afraid of shame, that it was the greatest shame and reproach unto her to have committed, and concealed this sin; but it would be a step to Honor and Eternal Glory to confess it, good men would then pitty her, pray for her, and God would save her.

And added, that if she would not confess it pu­blickly to the World, (which yet was her duty, and if ever the Lord gave her Repentance she would do it more feely, and in a more ample manner than I could desire,) she should at least confess it unto me, and I promised her upon the word of a Minister, that with­out her consent I would never divulge it: Or if she would not trust me with such an important secret, I advised her to single out some Godly Learned Mini­ster, or some Judicious private Christian, to whom she might Communicate it, and have the benefit of their Assistance, Counsels, and Directions in order to her Salvation. That it was impossible for her to get to Heaven without it. Confession being a main and principal ingredient into Repentance.

To this she answered positively she would not, and as peremptorily, that it was enough to con­fess [Page 34]to God, and why should she confess unto men?

I told her God required in publick, scandalous and crying Crimes, such as those whereof she was Guilty, and especially now the lot of God had attached her, and his holy righteous providence had condemned her, that she should confess, accuse, shame and condemn her self publickly. That otherwise she slandered most unworthily the Right Honorable Judge, and the whole Court; and endeavored to raise up a base and scan­dalous suspition of them, as if they had maliciously took away her life.

To which she in plain terms said, They had, she was Innocent, and they must answer for it unto God.

I told her, I heard the Devil speaking with her tongue, and was afraid to stay with her any longer, least the should tear her in a Thousand pieces before me. I had known many hard-hearted Murderers this Thirteen years last past in this Goal, but never before met with the like; That I saw, she was re­solved to be Damned, and go to Hell: And I was seriously perswaded, that since so many Ministers had been with her, and treated with her about everlasting life to no purpose, and that all my poor endeavors were unsuccesful, that God would never grant her Grace to repent, but that she was a Vessel of wrath, and preparing her self a pace for endless de­struction.

At these words she began to weep, and wept bitter­ly, wringing her hands, crying, Oh! Sir, What shall I do? Will you have me speak that which I do not know? I am Innocent.

Well woman said I, if you be Innocent as to this Crime, tell me, are you not Guilty of some other Capital Crime deserving death? For though the Lord [Page 35]may suffer an Innocent person to undergo an unjust Sentence from men, yet if he have any Grace, he will own the Justice of God in mans injustice. It is rare, very rare indeed, that God the Wise and Righ­teous Governor of the World suffers the Innocent to be Condemned, and the Guilty absolved; but if he do, is there not a Cause for it? Were I in your Case, I would say unto the Lord, do not Condemn me, shew me wherefore thou contendest with me? Come, un­rip your heart, and tell me what sins thou hast been Guilty of, that though you need no Repentance for this Murder for which as you say, you are unjustly Con­demned, yet you may be holpen unto Repentance for them.

Sir, I know no sin at all that I am Guilty of, is her reply. No Sir, none at all.

Ah! poor wretch, Guilty of no sin? Is not thy na­ture depraved? Hath not thy life been debauched? How hast thou improved thy time here in Prison? In Prayers, Repentance, and preparation for death.

Still she answers, No sin deserving death: It may be she had committed some little sins as all others do, but for sins deserving death, she never had committed any.

I told her she was a perfect stranger to her own heart, that she was full of sin all over, but blind and could not see them; that her little sins were all dam­nable, and as she knew one drop of Poyson would kill as bad as a Spoonful, so one little sin without Repen­tance would as infallibly Damn her as the greatest; that for my part I did utterly despair of her Salvation, seeing the Devil to be so strong in her, that she was in the Gall of bitterness and bond of Iniquity, and seared that she would go to Hell with a lye in her mouth; she was now pleasing the Devil, and thought [Page 36]she had found his Service so profitable and beneficial to her, that she was resolved to serve him to the last, and to hear the Lord Thunder in her Ears, Go! Thou Cursed Murderess into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil and his Angels for ever.

At this she wept again, and told me she was a poorIgnorant. Ingrant Soul. But she hop­ed it would not be so bad with her as I spake.

I told her it was my hearts desire it might not be so. I pittied her from my Soul. I labored for her everlast­ing welfare. I had no other design upon her than to pluck her out of the Jaws of Hell. That I had no­thing but labor for my pains, and was afraid I should be a Witness at the last day against her for her refusal, her stubborn, wilful rejection of everlasting life.

That so her Brother had done before her, and would never repent, nor confess, till he was upon the Gallows ready to be turned over, and then out all came, when he could live no longer to the Devil, then he would go to God; and God must be put off with the Devils leavings.

To which she rejoyned, that her Brother had made a Godly end, and she was sure he was now in Heaven, and did wish she might make as good an End. And said I, I pray God you may make a better!

Now that the Curiosity of my Reader, who will inquire concerning her Brother, may be satisfied: I shall give an account of him briefly, craving pardon for amuseing him with this Digression. Take then his and subscribed with his own hand at Lanceston in Corn­wall, April the Third, 1675. Just as he was a turn­ing over, for till then he would make none.

REader this is a fair Catalogue! A goodly Bed­roll! And a very sweet Penitent! And that I do not wrong his memory, give me leave to tell thee, that of all this money which he last stole from Mr. Northam (and it is credibly reported the Sum was double to what he confessed,) he never took [Page 40]any care to restore one Farthing; nay, ordered a considerable Summ of it, I think Thirty Pound, to be put out for his Child; and gave order unto his wretch­ed Brother in Law to go to Loo, and in that Chamber where he lay last, hanging to the Vallance of his Bed next to the Wall, he sh [...]uld find a Purse of Money, which accordingly he fetcht, but what is become of it is unknown.

However at the Execution of his wicked Sister, we may chance to hear some farther tale and tidings thereof. But for this fellow, he hath a Twelve month since received his Doom, and is gone unto his place, and there we leave him.

And now let us return Reader from our Digression, though I think we have not been much, nor long out of our way.

Finding no good success in my labors with the Nurse, I sent for the Maid to come unto me. Who being shut into the Chamber with me, I asked her what she did think would become of her pretious Soul; that it was better worth than a World, and it was a Thousand pitties that a Jewel of such ine­stimable worth and value should be lost for ever. That now it was in a very dangerous [...] state, and ready to perish irrecoverably. That as she had by her envy, malice, Instigation, and Correspondence with the Devil Murdered her two Mistresses, so she also had Murdered her own Soul and Body: And that as they were dead and Buried, so would she also shortly die a very horrible death, and without won­derful mercy be swallowed up of everlasting wrath. That the Fire which was to consume her in Plymouth would be very painful, but the Fire of Hell in which she must live and lye for ever would be insupportable. That her many and mighty sins had brought her to this woful condition. And I added, How will you get out of it?

Poor wretch! She fell a trembling and weeping, and desired my help and direction, and she would la­bor to follow it.

Whereupon, my Bowels yearning on her, and mingling my tears with hers, I told her I was heartily glad to hear such words drop from her mouth, and through Gods blessing she would never want it.

Then I told her. Anne, do you sit down in some secret place, and review your life, and look over all your ways, and call your self to an account for all the sins that you can remember your self Guilty of; and consider chiefly that your heart and nature are despe­rately wicked, that there dwelleth in you nothing that is good, and that you cannot do any thing that is good, no not so much of your self as think a good thought, much less to Convert and turn your self to God. Then remember every one of the Ten Com­mandments, and how that you have transgrest against them, especially against the Sixth. Thou shalt not kill; and that for every one of these sins of yours, even for the least you have deserved to burn in Hell: Oh! Then how many Hells have you merited.

Besides, consider all the mercies of God bestowed upon you, as your Life, Health, Liberty, Friends, Food; and to live in a Land where the Gospel is preached, and the way to Heaven revealed and dis­covered, and yet how unworthily have you abused them to the dishonor of the Lord that gave them. But principally consider that all your sins have been committed against God the Father, that Created you, that gave you life and being, against God the Son Christ Jesus, who became man, and died for you.

Anne, said I, this makes your sin exceeding sinful, a very horrible sin, that Christ Jesus to save you from sin and Hell, died for you, was crucified and accursed [Page 42]for you, lost his heart blood for you, and underwent the torments of Hell for you, to keep and save you from them: And yet by every sin that you have been Guilty of, you have Crucified Christ afresh, you have stabbed him to the heart, drawn fresh blood from him. For not one of your sins can be pardoned without his blood, and you have been very prodigal of it, to spill, and despise, and trample it under Foot, which is Hellish ingratitude.

Will you set home this meditation upon your Heart?

Finally, consider, that you have sinned against the Holy Spirit of God, who sanctified you in Baptism unto his Service; and that quite contrary to the end and intent of God in Baptizing you, that you might repent, and renounce sin, you have wallowed in it all your daies, and grieved the good Spirit of God, and only gratified and served the Devil.

And having done this, do you throw your self not upon your knees, but flat upon your face, upon the earth before God, and think as if you were at the very mouth of Hell, and ready to be cast headlong into the torments of it; that are endless, easeless, and remediless; and then with showrs of tears, and with as much Shame and Grief as you can possibly confess all these sins unto God, and beg of God to give you Repentance unto life, to Weep, Mourn, and be con­founded for them; and never seave Praying, Sighing, and Groaning unto God in Prayer, till he do make your hard heart wax soft within you, and that you be chiefly abased and humbled, that you have sinned against God, who is your best Friend, Saviour, and alone Comforter.

Besides, do this at night upon your Bed, and be up early at this work, and desire the Lord that your late Repentance, may be a true Repen­tance.

Having promised me, that she would take this course, we came out unto the other Prisoners. And speaking unto the Man condemned for coyning, I told him, and his Companion who stole a Mare, (but is since mercifully reprieved,) That God had said, Thou shalt not Steal, and as he that Murdered by Gods Law deserved everlasting death in Hell, so by that same Law, did he that stole; that burning in Hell was a worse punishment than hanging upon a Gallows.

That it was a wickedness against the light of nature that they were guilty of: That the very Heathen who knew not God, punished it with as much severity as our Laws.

That they would not willingly have others so use them, to take away their goods from them:

That every Man had a Right, Title and Preroga­tive to the fruit of his own and honest Labors.

That it was a sin against the whole Land, and Na­tion to invade the Prerogatives of the King, such as coyning was, being inseparable from the Crown, and a most glorious Flower of it.

That he who would strike at the Royalties of the King, would never stick nor boggle to make away the Life of the King, which was such a piece of damnable impiety in it self and consequences, that none but an incarnate Devil would be guilty of.

That they should do well to seek the pace of God in time, and to wrestle mightily with him for Grace, Repentance, and Forgiveness, that so they might not perish everlastingly. Their time was short, their work great, it was no easie matter to get to Hea­ven.

That I had known many very holy, mortified, and godly Persons that had spent Threescore years in a Religious Life, and close walking with God, yet to [Page 44]be full of fears and doubts they should never get to Heaven. And that they had much more cause to work out their Salvation with fear and trembling.

And in the upshot told them, that if they would se­riously and heartily embrace and follow these Coun­sels, if they would to day, whilst it is called to day, hearken to the Voice of God, and nor harden their Hearts, there was hope for them in their latter end, For their was forgiveness with God that he might he feared, yea with the Lord there was mercy, and plen­teous Redemption. Other Ministers coming in, I bad them farewel for the present.

THe next morning about Eight of the Clock, I visited them again, and sound with them Mr. G. T. a worthy Minister of Exon, who gave me an account of the unsuccesfulness of his Labors, as to that wicked Woman the Nurse; and then in a very pathetical and devout prayer, most pertinent to their conditions, with great meltings of his own heart and affections, commended them unto the Lord.

When he was gone, I dealt again with the Nurse, but no more privately as heretofore; I urged her to repent of her horrid Murders, to acknowledg them, and take the shame of them to her self: That she must do it. God and Man, Heaven and Earth required it from her mouth.

She still asks me, Sir, what will you have me con­fess an untruth unto you, a matter of which I am not Guilty? I told her that none believed her, that it was a most improbable thing that those Persons who wit­nessed against her, some of them being to my know­ledg Persons fearing God, hating a lie, should ever accuse her falsly. They had no temptations to it, she never having wronged nor offended them, that as far as I knew, the were as much her Friends, as her [Page 45]Mistresses, that there was neither profit, nor advan­tage, nor pleasure, nor honor accrewing to them in taking away her life, and they were too tender, and made more Conscience than so, to draw upon them­selves the guilt of innocent Blood.

And finally, I told her, that she hadmade swopt a Bargain with the Devil for secre­cy to her own destruction, that all would out at last, as cunningly and closely as she did carry it, before Men and Angels; and said I, you are one of the most bloody Women, that ever came into this Goal, you are guilty of Two Murthers upon your Mistresses, guilty of a Third before God, having drawn in this poor Girl like a Devil, as you are, to joyn with you to ruin them and her self also, and though she suffered justly from Man, yet her Blood would be re­quired from your hands by God, and then you must answer for the shortning of her days, and that de­struction she and you have brought upon her self; so that she was drowned over and over in Blood-guiltiness: And I did as verily believe she would be in Hell, un­less there were a very wonderful change wrought upon her, as that old Murderer her Father the De­vil was.

These words extorted tears from her, but no con­fession, and she prayed me to have better thoughts and hopes of her. I told her, I wish I had some grounds for them, but I could have none, till I saw her stony Heart rent and shivered to pieces, and her Bones broken under the sence of her Hellish wicked­ness, and she did not continue to reject the Counsels of God to her own destruction.

Upon this her Accusers, that unthought of, or un­known to me, were at the Door, being admitted, con­ferred with her; and I betook my self to the poor Peni­tent, the Maid.

This is a sad, too sad a Truth. After condemna­tion crowds of vulgar Persons throng in upon these Malefactors: The covetous Keepers for love of a piece of money letting them in, who by their loose; idle, and impertinent discourses, obstruct the success of Ministerial Labors. However this poor Maid assu­red me, that her thoughts had been upon my Coun­sels in the night, and she wou'd make it her business to do it more effectually, and withal, added that she saw her self undone for ever.

To which I replied, No, she was nearer Heaven than she was aware of. That her sins were not too great for God to pardon. That she should remember Three Texts of Scripture that I would tell her.

First, This is a true and faithful saying, worthy of her acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. Yea Sir, (saith she,) I am the greatest sinner in Plymouth.

Secondly, That whosoever comes unto Christ, that is, believes in Christ, he would in no wise cast out. That for her to believe in and come to Christ, was no other than this; That seeing her self by reason of sin to be a damned Wretch, she cast her self upon the everlast­ing mercies of God because of Christs death, with hope and expectation of them, and waiting for them.

And then Thirdly, That the Blood of Christ clean­seth from all sins.

And she should meditate and think upon these pre­tious words of God, and resolve that she would live and die with them in her Heart. And if she did, and grieved unfeignedly for her sins, loathed them, and her self for them, my Soul for hers, she should never perish. For Jesus Christ was a most absolute and compleat Saviour, able and willing to save the worst of Mankind, that would be saved by him upon these [Page 47]his Terms, and therefore would save her. Upon this she wept again.

Having comforted her, and done somewhat to bind up her wounds; I added, Anne, there are yet some other works for you; you must die in Charity with the world, and crave pardon as from God, so from Man, especially from your Master whom you have so grievously wronged. You must also in particular for­give this bloody Woman the Nurse, that hath sedu­ced you to this great sin, and to your perdition. Will you? Can you do it? If you do it not from your heart, God will never forgive you. Sir, saith she, I wit, I do it. And it should not grieve me if she lived, though l died only for this Fact. I forgive her, a I expect forgiveness from God.

Then I added, She must beware of mispending her time, or loosing a moment of it; she should take heed of vain thoughts, she must be much in private Prayer, and not be long, but short, short in Prayer, but often. She must hearken to all the good counsels of Gods Ministers that would come and visit her, and do them to the utmost. She should be as Spiritual, Holy, Re­ligious, Humble, Serious, and Heavenly minded as possible. She should not take any great care of her Body, the less the better, as to eating, drinking, or sleep: Her whole thoughts and care should be spent about her Soul, and its salvation.

And to conclude, Anne, said I, it is a hard work to die at any time, but for one in thy condition very hard indeed. But however, once thy peace is made with God, and thou hast repented of thy sin, and thrown thy poor Soul upon Sovereign mercy in the Blood of Jesus, never fear death. Take it humbly, patiently, and submissively. Bear the indignation of the Lord because thou hast sinned, accept of the punishment of thine iniquity, yea be thankful unto God, that thou [Page 48]mayest be Burnt here and not hereafter. I hope the Lord will make thy death easie, short, and comfort­able. Thou art yet a stranger to the joys of Gods Salvation, and to the comforts of his Holy Spirit: But it may be the Lord will give them to thee in thy bitter torments, and then thou wilt scarce feel them; or if he shall detain them from thee, yet his Grace is sufficient for thee; believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.

And finishing my discourse with her, she asked whe­ther she should not see me again, especially when she was to suffer, for she earnestly requested my help, my assistance to her in that hour.

I promised, if it could be obtained, she should have it.

Being now returned to the rest of the Malefactors, I spake something of the Glories of that other World, where truly Penitent and believing sinners were a go­ing, what an unspeakable happiness God had prepared for them, and what wonderful rich grace this was on Gods part, that he should promise and tender it unto them. Two of whom I hope were broken hearted, though they wanted much knowledge, and much of that Compunction that they ought to have; that if they would endeavor after more Grace, God, who was the God of all Grace, would give liberally unto them, and never upbraid them with their past ungod­liness.

That the promises were not made so much unto the measure and degree of Grace, as to the nature and Truth of Grace: That a Grain of Gold was as truly Gold, as an heap or Mountain; That the Lord was no respecter of Persons, but an Universal, a Common Saviour: That he despised not the day of small things, He would not quench the smoaking Flax, nor break the bruised Reed, nor cast off any self-confounded, and [Page 49]self-condemned wrerches. That whatever their sins had been, they should beware of doubting or despair­ing of Gods mercies. Their despair of Salvation be­ing a greater sin than Murder or High Treason. That I was not ignorant of Satans devices, no stranger to his Wiles and Stratagems, who when he could keep them no longer in Chains of darkness and Impeniten­cy, would put Souls upon Over-doing in Repentance, and over whelm them with horrors.

They should look to this and believe it, live and die upon it, that Christ Jesus was more willing to save them, than they were to be saved by him, that though they were to die shameful and painful deaths, you to be Hanged; and you to be Burnt. Yet here was a comfortable meditation, it was as easie going to Hea­ven from the Stake and Gallows, as from their Beds; and when their Souls were departing out of their Bodies, Gods Holy Angels would convey them into Paradise.

At this good news my Two Penitents wept; and I hope Tears of Joy.

And turning my self unto the Nurse, Woman, said I, it is the very grief of my Soul, and makes my heart bleed within me, that not one Syllable or tittle of these good words of Gods gracious promises belongs to thee. This is the Children Bread, it must not be gi­ven unto Dogs and Devils.

Having finished my discourse, I gathered up the particulars, and spread them before the Lord in Pray­er, begging grace and glory for them: And that his Divine Majesty would yet mollifie that Adamant be­fore him, and take away the heart of stone, and give an heart of flesh, and open the Brazen Doors that this Captive of Hell might go forth, and give glory to him by a full and ingenious Confession, and find mer­cy ere she went hence, and should be seen no more.

Taking my leave of them, hoping another day to see them in Heaven, I departed the Chamber. As I was going out the Nurse pulls me by the Coat, desiring private conference with me.

This very much surprized me, conceiving that she began to relent, and that Satan was a fall­ing.

But I was miserably mistaken, when with Tears in her eyes she intreated me to deal effectually with the Maid, to declare who set her upon it to accuse her, that she might know them that contrived her death.

I told her, I had already; and in Three conferen­ces could never find her to vary one tittle. That I saw the Maid ingenious and Penitent, but had not the least token of true Repentance from her; That she was a Brazen Impudent Hypocrite, thus to dis­semble with God and Man, to pretend Innocency, when her own Conscience convinces her of the Guilt of so much blood. That she should not deceive her self, God would not be mocked, as she had Sown so she should Reap. She kept the Devils Counsel, and to the Devil she would go. I had spent my time and Spirits for the good of her Soul, but I saw no good issue thereof; and therefore look to it Woman, Look to it, that this do not make thy Hell hotter than Ordinary.

And then added one word, Prethee tell me, whe­ther thou hast no sin at all upon thy Spirit, that trou­bles thee?

No, Sir, none it all I thank God. I never wronged any one in my life. I never hurt my Mistris, nor took a Needle of Threed from her.

I asked her father. Whether she had not the Gold which her Brother stole from Master Northam.

She said No.

I told her my Intelligence came from her own Fa­ther, who avowed that her Brother gave it her in a Paper to take to his Child, and that she took it in­deed to the Child, but then immediately took it from him again.

All which she stiffly denies, maintaining she never saw nor knew of One Farthing of that Money, either Gold or Silver: That her Brother was too wise to in­trust it to her a poor Woman for his Child, who had a Child of her own. But this is downright Lying and aequivocation, as you will hear at the day of her Execution.

SOme Thirteen years ago in my first Imprison­ment, I was confined unto this place, but bless­ed be God for no evil that I had done, unless to work in my place and calling be an evil. However, I learnt, from that day to this, to compassionate all Prisoners. And the mercies (being a stranger and Prisoner, I found by the good Providence of my God, in this House,) have made me pay yearly some Vows and Thank-offerings to him within these Walls. That I would leave something with them, which should be better than Money, if they would aceept it.

Some of you are now Reprieved, others Burnt in the Hand and to be discharged: Take heed, Sin no more, lest a worse thing befall you. If you do not go out of a Prison new Men, and new Creatures, your old sins will return again upon you, and the Devil that brought you hither, will enter once more into [Page 52]you with Seven worse Devils, and your latter end will be worse than your beginning. If you do not mend your Lives, avoid and abhor your former sins, obey, serve, and fear God, labor diligently in your callings, keep your Church, and wait upon Gods Holy Ordinances: If you do not leave all your wicked Company, and wicked Courses, 'ile assure you, God will never bless you, you do but get loose from a Pri­son in Earth, to be clapt up at last everlasting Pri­soners with the Devil in his Gaol of Hell.

Whilst my affairs called me Home-wards, it pleas­ed God to stir up the Hearts of many Ministers in the City of Exon to visit these Prisoners, and to Prosecute that good work which was begun in them.

I am sorry that no Memorials of their Pious Labors, and Divine Discourses are fallen into my Hands, that might have enricht the Soul of my Reader, and been an embellishment to this course Paper.

Something occurred in Two Letters, which (crav­ing pardon of my worthy Friends for inserting it with­out their Privity,) I here offer to the World.

From another I had this.

What ever the effect and Fruit of their labors was, she gave them this ensuing Confession, which one of those Reverend Ministers, that panted after her Souls Salvation, took from her mouth, and hath Cloathed it in these words.

ON Wednesday the 29. of March, they left Exon, and were brought on Horseback to Ply­mouth in order to their execution.

At the Bridg end, as they were coming out of the City, that vile Woman was heard to lay unto the Hangman boastingly, That she had known many Men in her life, and used several other obscene expressions, that I will not soil my Paper, nor make my Reader blush at the Relation of them.

In their journey, the Girl was very pensive, cared for little or no refreshment, and at the last place where they baited, being desired to take some suste­nance; she replied, There was other work for her than to eat or drink, she had a Soul to save, would look wholly after that, and no more care for her Body; which should neither eat, nor drink more in this world.

The Nurse was of a far different temper and de­portment, far from seriousness, or thoughts of Death and Eternity; The Executioner was her Hus­band, and if he had not defiled her, they are both abo­minably wronged.

Now they return again to Plymouth. At their en­trance they are attended by Thousands of People. Persons of all Age and Quality ran to meet them. [Page 58]They are gazed at as so many Monsters. Every one passeth his censure on them; some with bowels of pitty on the poor Girl, scarce any one hath Charity for the Nurse. They went from this Town with their sin, and under guilt: They return unto it with shame, and sorrow, and under wrath.

Being conducted unto their Chamber, the Reverend and Learned Ministers of Plymouth, Dr. Ashton, Mr. Collings, and Mr. Read visits them, and discourse with them, but the Throng of Spectators was so great, that for the present much good could not be done by them. Yet so strong a flame of divine love toward the Souls of these condemned wretches was kindled in the hearts of those grave Divines, that they return again unto them after Ten, and though late at night, yet spent a considerable space of time in Reli­gious conferences with them, and muster up all their arguments to induce that obstinate sinner the Nurse to confess, and forsake the Devil, and to accept of Gods tender mercies. But the flinty Rock will sooner gush out with Waters, and the Adamant be broken to pieces by the Hammer, than her unmoveable Soul utter forth one Syllable of guilt. Heart-work, is hard work. None but the Divine and Omnipotent Arm can unlock it's Doors, or break its Bars in pieces.

With the Maid they had no difficulty, she owneth, and confesseth all. Her desires are for mercy at the hands of God, acknowledging she deserved and expected none from Men.

They conclude their charitable Visit with seeking God, the Reverend Doctor praying most fervently for them.

I also visited them again, and renued my assaults and batteries against this strong hold of the Devil; but she resists, stands out against God, and all his [Page 59]Counsels; she resolves from first to last, whatever parleys she hath with Heaven, let the Lord humble himself never so much unto so base a Murderer, she may treat with him, but unless she can obtain her own Terms, her own Articles and Conditions, she will not surrender. Sill she hideth her sin, as Adam; still concealeth she the secret of Hell, as if she had been sworn Privy Counseller unto the Devil. She will sooner bite out her Tongue, and spit it out of her Mouth, or seal up the door of her Lips, than let the deposi [...]um Satan have vent, and see the Sun. So that I could sigh unto my self as that German Philip, The old Satan is too hard for young Melancthon.

It was high time to leave her, upon whom no good impressions could be wrought.

I then betook my self to the poor Penitent, and ask­ing her how she did, How it went with her Soul? She answers me, Never was a poor Creature so cheated out of her life: But I forgive the Nurse front my Heart. And Sir, Though my sins are many, yet Gods mercies are more, and if Christ bath not merits enough to save me, I will be contented to be damned eternally.

And afterward inquiring of her into the grounds and reasons of this her confidence, she told me, she saw her sin, she was unfeignedly sorry for it, and not only that it was committed against her Mistresses, and had rui­ned them, and her self here; but chiefly this grieved her, that she had thereby dishonored God her Heavenly Father, who had made her, and Jesus Christ who had died for her, and God the Holy Ghost, who had sancti­fied her to become his Servant. That however, she would not despare of mercy. For the Thief upon the Cross found mercy from our Saviour at the last hour, and I Question not, that he my Saviour hath mercy for me.

Reader, I give thee her very words, neither adding to them, nor substracting from them; and if they do [Page 60]do not melt thee in reading, I must assure thee they did me in heating them.

Her Sisters being come to her weeping and crying, she was desired to speak to them, and urged because her time was short, she answered, My time is short in­deed, and I am drawing near unto Eternity, but I hope in God to an Eternity of Happiness.

My great work now was to settle her Spirit, and to corroborate her Soul against the horrors of her death; and told her after many other discourses, Anne, thou art happier than many here, for I hope be­fore Twenty four hours be past, thou wilt be in Hea­ven. Hold fast thy hope and confidence in Gods mer­cy, which shal have a good recompence of Reward. No matter for thy punishment, since thou hast a pardon.

Yea Sir, saith she, I believe, and receive this true and faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.

Having got a little silence, (and very little indeed it was, the noise and tumult of the people ever and anon drowning my voice,) I prayed with these Male­factors, and wished them a good Night.

But sleep they did not. Every hour increaseth their fears.

The day of their Execution is now come, and early in the morning I gave them another visit, comforted and confirmed the poor Maid, who desired me not to leave her at her sufferings, and dealt again with the Nurse, though to as little purpose as formerly, and then sought God by Prayer in their behalf.

That duty finished, Turning my discourse to the Maid, Anne, said I, Thy time flies away, thy end is very near, take off thy heart wholly from the world. Be dead unto thy Relations, tell them, the best ser­vice and kindness they can do thee is not to see thee, but pray for thee, and let all thy thoughts and desires [Page 61]be unto God, to be at home with him: long now to be in Heaven and Glory, turn thy Face to the Wall, since thou hast no private Room, and power out thy Soul before the Lord, and wait, yea wait earnestly for, his Salvation.

Do not fear the Fire, God will carry thee thorough it, it can only hurt thy Body, it shall not singe thy Soul. Though thy Flesh and thy Bones be consumed, thou wilt have many Mourners, and God, I hope will gather thine Ashes, and grant thee a Glorious Resur­rection. I want words to tell thee what the Joys of Heaven are, but thou wilt see, and feel, and tast, and injoy them very shortly. I hope this day thou wilt be with the Lord, and all his blessed Saints, and glorious Angels in Paradise. She said, Amen.

Notwithstanding my ill success and many repulses hitherto, yet I would not leave the Nurse. I reason­ed still with my self, who knoweth but that Grace may be given, and Satan may loose his hold fast, and the Prey may be taken out of the Paws of the spoiler, out of the jaws of the Devourer?

Satan hath fallen as a flash of lightning before the Ministry of Gods Holy word, God hath him in a Chain, and though she hath not listened to the voice of former admonitions, it may be she shall now unto the last.

Addressing my self, therefore once again unto her, I told her, Nurse, this is the last conference that ever I will have with thee on Earth about thy Soul, and nothing but my real sence of its worth, and lothness that it should be lost for ever, would ever have in­gaged me to it. That I got nothing but trouble, grief, and loss of time thus to wait upon her, and not to be able to do good. I knew indeed my reward was with the Lord, and my work with my God, but yet I demanded this poor satisfaction of her now at parting, [Page 62]that she should not send me away with the sad thoughts of her damnation.

To which she very civilly replyed, Sir, I thank you for all your love to my Soul. I believe that what you have done and spoken, hath been in order to my Eternal good.

Well then, I added, shall you and I have a little private discourse together? She agreed. Desiring therefore the people to withdraw at a distance, I askt her in her Ear whether she were Guilty or not.

Sir, (saith she,) I will tell you all I know — Then stopt, at length the repeats again. I will tell you all I know—And then stops.

Whereupon I told her, Nurse, the Devil is leaving thee, God is coming in with mercy, do not now at the last hour refuse it, tell me what you know of this business, and I assure thee upon the word of a Minister, that without thy consent I will not disclose it. Do not fear shame, shame the Devil, and give Glory to God.

Sir, I confess, I did put the Spider into the Cup, and bad the Girl to squat it abroad; but it was a Foolish and vain word, I never intended any more hurt to my Mistris, than I do to my own Soul.

I believe she spake the truth, for she never intend­ed good to her Soul. Just like Doctor Lopez the Jew, who being convented before the Privy Councel, for attempting to Poyson Queen Elizabeth, told their Honors, That be loved the Queen better than be loved Christ. Yea, (said a Noble Lord, thou tellest the truth, for thou art a Jew, and lovest both a like.)

And Sir, I knew that this wicked Maid had an in­tent to make away her Mistris, and that she did it; but I was loth to discover, and now I must suffer for her fault. I told her no, it was for her own; and [Page 63]she did not yet confess any thing to the purpose, all this I knew before, you must tell me as to your own hand and Guilt in this Murder. None! None at all Sir, that is her answer.

But Nurse, did you not tell such a Minister that vi­sited you in Goal, that you would consider what he spoke unto you? at this she changed countenance, paled and redded once and again, minced, aequivocat­ed, and faltered in her expressions; but taking her in all her Evasions, she could not deny she had promised him; and had considered of it, yet knew no guilt by her self worthy of death.

Getting no ground here, I askt her concerning the Gold, her Brother took her for his Child, she told me she never had any from him. Why then did you speak to Master W. to look after your Money, if you never had any, and be such a Poor Woman?

Sir, I will without any dissimulation tell yon all the Truth. My Brother acquainted me that there was Ten Pound in a Purse hanging between the Vallance and the Wall of his Bed Chamber in Loo: Whereupon my Hus­band got an Horse in Plymouth, Rode thither and brought it to me. So that I never had any of my Brother, but my Husband had.

Well, Nurse, this may be as you say, though un­doubtedly there was more; but how have you dis­posed of it? She replied, It is put out for my Child. I told her this is a very horrid Theft, the healer was as bad in the sight of God as the stealer; that without Restitution there was no Remission: That unless she took some course for its being restored, she could ne­ver be saved: That God would never bless it unto her Child: Yea, the very contrary, for it would be a snare and a curse unto her, and an occasion of destru­ction unto her, otherwise, innocent Child.

And recollecting all my former discourses and ar­guments [Page 64]to her, I pressed with all possible earnestness and importunity, not willfully to precipitate her self in­to Hell. That there were now but a few Sands in her Glass, a few breaths in her body, a few minutes in her time, that she should not play the Fool any longer; love the Devil, and hate God. The Devil had al­ready undone her, yet the Lord was willing to save her. He sent me once again upon that errand, but if she were resolved to adhere unto her grand Enemy, and utterly forsake the Lord her best Friend, I was heartily sorry for her, I foresaw she must Burn in Hell Everlastingly. That in the day of Judgment, I should be a witness against her, and it would be a fearful thing, that God Almighty should tell her; did not I send Minister upon Minister to Convert, re­concile and save thee? Did not this and that come unto thee, Woe and intreat thee with tears in their eyes, with fair and gentle, with terrible and amazing words to confess and give Glory to me, but thou would­est not?

Ah! Nurse! Nurse! What will you say unto the Lord then? She wept; and I wept for Com­pany.

But recovering my self, Woman said I, do not flatter thy self with false hopes of Life. For I fear thou keepest the Devils Counsel upon that account. Thou must die. All the world cannot save thee. Ere three hours be spent and gone, thou must be led unto the Gallows, and thence into Eternity. Oh! Hell! Hell! Hell! Woman is a place and state of unspeakable, of unsufferable horror and torment: Yet, Flee! Flee! Flee from it! Or thou art undone for ever.

I now Love, Pitty, Intreat, and Pray for thee▪ But if thou wilt be a Reprobate, a cast away, I take God to witness, I have done my duty, my utmost to [Page 65]save thee, Lord, said I, lifting up my Eyes and Hands to Heaven, I am free of the ruin of this Wo­man. Let her Blood, and Damnation lie upon her own Head!

And Nurse, It is a very fearful thing to fall into the bands of the living God. The God to whom thou art going, is a consuming Fire. Ah! Who can abide his anger? Who can stand before his indignation? None will compassionate thee at thy death. And in the day of Judgment, thou wilt be an abhorrency to all.

All this wrought nothing upon her besides tears: Still she avows her innocency; and had I not had un­questionable evidence of her guilt, possibly I might have been perswaded she was accused and condemned unjustly.

After this I sat down, and Mr. Collings, the Reve­rend Minister of Charles Church coming in, he rea­soned with her for a long time, as also my worthy Friend Mr. Sh. But a Marble Quarry affords no Water, nor her stony Heart one penitential Tear. At length all their pains being useless, ineffectual; and unsuccesful, we resolved to try the Lord once more by Prayer, and see whether any mercy might be got out of Heaven for her.

Mr. Collings was our Mouth to God. The con­demned Persons were upon their knees. Duty ended, I departed, and never spake more with her, till she was upon the Ladder.

ANd now she is waited on to the Gallows.

The Streets are crowded. The Major, Ma­gistrates, and under Sheriff can hardly pass for the throngs.

The poor Maid is drawn on the Hurdle. The po­sture she lay in was on her left side, her Face in her [Page 66]Bosom, her Bible under her Arm, seeming like one dead, rather than alive.

At length we are come, though slowly to the place of Execution. Plimouth was then naked of Inhabi­tants, the Town was easie to be taken, and the Hou­ses to be plundered, if an Enemy had been at hand to have done it. Cat downe, the Lambhey, Cittadel, Turn-Chappel, and Cat-Water are prest with multitudes. Some computed their number I'wenty thousand. But Com­manders, who at lived in Wars, and seen great Ar­mies, and therefore the most competent Judges in this case, estimated them at one half. I write within compass.

The Maid being nailed to her Stake, and the Iron Hoop about her, and the Nurse mounted upon the Ladder, she desires. that this Relator might now Pray with her.

But it being thought requisite that the established Order of the Church should be observed, the Com­mon Prayers were first Commanded. Which having been read Audably, and with great Devotion from the By-standers. The 51. Psalm according to the Girls request was sung: Who (it was very observa­ble,) joyned with the People, singing also her­self.

Now she being questioned about her offence owns every particular thereof, it having been propounded to her in particulars. Owneth that the Nurse bad her put it in; Only denieth the Deposition of Scannels Wife, professing that she cannot remember it: Pro­fesseth her hearty and unfeigned sorrow for her sin, not only because it had ruined her Mistresses and her self; but principally, and especially because it was an high dishonor to God, Father, Son, and Spirit, that it made her unworthy of his Favor and Blessing; yet she professed her Faith and Hope of Salvation, through [Page 67]the alone Merits of the Lord Jesus, Into whose hands she now commended her self; and desired to forgive all the World, and that Bloody Woman the Nurse, who had drawn her into destruction; and added, that she submitted patiently to her death, because she had deserved it. And said, it was her wish, that all others would take warning by her Example; and taking this Relator by the hand, Sir, saith she, will you not pray with me? Did you not promise me yon would? And cra­ving it with Tears, it was readily accorded.

Silence being commanded, and every Person com­posed, there was this following Prayer conceived, and poured before the Lord in her behalf.

Prayer being ended, I lifted up my hands over her, and said, Anne, the Lord bless thee, and keep thee! The Lord make his Face to shine upon thee, and be gracious to thee! The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee Peace! And if thy Repentance be true, and thy peace made with God, and our Prayers heard, as I hope they all are, death wont be terrible unto thee. Now Farewel Life, welcome Death. God will send his Holy An­gels in a Fiery Chariot to Convey thy Soul into Heaven.

THis poor wretch weeping, and wringing me by the hand, Sir, saith she, I am never able to re­quite you for all your labor of love, care and pains about the Salvation of my pretious Soul; but the Lord. will, I hope. The Lord reward you! The Lord recom­pense you for all these kindnesses! I thank you with all my Heart.

And as I was departing from her, she helpake me, Sir, pray intreat for me, that I may not be put to too much torture. I answered her in broken words and tears (for few there refrained.) That I would do my utmost endeavor to prevent it: And turning my self to the Gentlemen in Authority. Gentlemen, the English temper abhors Cruelty, show same Bow­els to this poor Creature. I need not intreat it, there was such a Clowd of grief sitting upon all their [Page 74]Faces, and so much tenderness and companion, that they would have done their utmost to have hindred it.

Two—went to the Maid, and asked her what Faith and what Repentance were. And one of them proceeded to instruct her in the nature of Faith, that it was to take Christ as Lord and King, and to submit unto all his Laws, to be Governed by them, and in particular to this of suffering the punishment inflicted on her for her sin.

At which putting them off with my Hand, I re­plied.

Gentlemen; do not trouble her, 'tis unseasonable now to Catechize her in Doctrinals; she stands in need of some Soveraign Cordials to revive and support her drooping Spirit in these her last Agonies with death, and conflicts with the Devil.

And Addressing my self once again unto her, Anne said I, fear not, but cast thy self upon the everlasting mercies of God in the blood of Christ Jesus, and thou shalt be saved. Since thou must die, die upon this, that Jesus Christ came into the World to save sinners, of whom thou art chief. And 'twill be but a quarter of an hour, and thou shalt be freed from all sins and torments. Say. Into thy hands I commit my Spirit. Lord save it! For thou hast died for it. Lord Jesu, thou Son of David have mercy upon me! Oh, Thou Lamb of God receive my Soul!

I left her, expecting no answer. The Rope is now drawn close unto her Neck, and the Hangman would have set Fire unto the Fu [...]ze before she was strangled but some more charitable and tender-hearted, cryed to him to take away the Block from under her Feet; which having done, she soon fell down, and expired in a Trice.

And it was observable, that all the skill and diligence [Page 75]of the Executioner and his Assistants, could not make either Powder, Wood, or Fewel to take fire; till she had been dead a Quarter of an hour; as also, that as soon as the fire was kindled, the Wind which blew be­fore in the back of the Nurse, immediately shifted, and drove the smoke full in her Face; as if God had spoken to her, The Smoke of my Fury, and Flames of my Fiery Vengeance are now Riding upon the Wings of the Wind towards thee.

And now for Two hours, the Nurse feeds her eyes, and feasts her thoughts with the sad spectacle of this poor Maids burning.

The flames being well allayed, several Ministers, and worthy Gentlemen indeavor yet the Repentance, Conversion, and Saving of her Soul. But All suc­ceeds as formerly. She denies her guilt; pleads her Innocency, accuseth Judg, Jury, Witnesses, Coun­try, and all of her Murther; that she is Murthered, that they take away her Life unjustly: Nay, that they kill too; she is with Child, expects to be delivered about Midsummer. What will you Murther one that is unborn? And a great deal more of the like stuff.

That she was not with Child we heard evidenced upon Oath at her condemnation. And a skilful Hand-Woman, searching her but a night before her Execu­tion, could never discover any such thing.

Most probable the true ground of all her denials, was a foolish hope of Life; the Hangman as it is com­monly noised, having promised never to execute her. Whatever familiarities had past between them Two in Jail, I know not. This is certain, the Hangman brought the under Sheriff to terms just as they were leaving Plymouth, and going to the place of Execu­tion. And the Girl being dispatched, he ran away with the Halter under the Clifts; and when he was brought back, lay asleep at the Foot of the Gallows, [Page 76]or at least pretended sleep, and so deserted Exe­cution.

Besides another Accident intervened, which put a stop for a time, and had it not been prudently and presently composed upon the place, would have to­tally suspended, for that day at least, her Execu­tion.

All these Circumstances jumping in one upon the other, contributed to the strengthening of her Heart in the false hopes of Life. For what she would have, it was an easie matter to perswade her to believe and hope.

But at length she hath worn out all patience both of God, and Man. And the Halter is fastened to the Gibber, and put about her Neck. Now Ministers ply their work with her, because she is upon the brink of Destruction, and in view of Hell.

No sin she acknowledged, no guilt as to the Fact for which she is condemned. Indeed she confesseth, She had been a Swearer, Lier, and Sabbath breaker, but none others trouble her. As to Money that her Brother stole, and was in hers, or her Husbands hands, she now chargeth upon a dead Person, having wronged her in her life, the must mischief her at her death too. No Bond, nor Bill can she produce, no­thing under the Deceased's hand can she show for her having received it; yet doth she charge Mr. W. to look that it be restored unto the right Owner.

Ministers however lament her deplorable condition, especially since just as she is going out of the World, she cryes, Judg and Revenge my cause, O Lord! Which made this Relator tell her, He now saw, what he formerly feared, viz. That God was departed from her, that the Devil was already in her heart, for he sat upon her tongue, that troops of Devils were upon the Ladder by her, all gaping for her; and that with­in [Page 77]in a few moments, they would have her wretched Soul into Hell with them; and then, and there she would be soon sensible of her madness in dying with a Lye in her Mouth, and confess, and mourn for her folly and madness in rejecting Heaven and Salvation, but it would be too late, and to no purpose: For her condition, whatever it might be here, would infalli­bly be there unalterable, and irreversible.

That she was going into a Lake of Fire and Brim­stone there to be tormented for ever and ever; and when she was in the midst of those Eternal torments, she would remember that I had told her of it.

A Psalm was called, and part of the Twenty fifth sung. Never did I see but one in that heavy condi­tion. Whilst the people sing, she cries and weeps bitterly, the very terrors of death are upon her, she cries as if her Heart would break. Indeed her Soul was overwhelmed with unmeasurable horrors and fears; she had no mind to die, nor could she be vouchsafed Life. What hopes could she have in her departure, who never laid any sollid basis for good hopes during life?

The Psalm is now sung out, and yet is she sum­moned to confess, but it is as good speak to the stones, or to the Deaf Adder, that stops his ear, she will ne­ver be charmed, let the Charmers Charm never so wisely.

At last being demanded whether she would have any Prayers, or any Person Pray for her, she said yes, and pointed to this Relator, desiring him to perform that Office for her: Who replied, that he was most willing to serve and save her Soul: But in as much as she made no Confession of her Crying sins of Murther, and of her Theft and Uncleanness, and other Villa­nies whereof me knew her selt Guilty, he durst not take the name of God in vain tor her sake; Besides [Page 78]he should but tempt God to ask a pardon for her, Who resolved never to take it upon Gods Terms.

In short, if she would be yet ingenious, and give Glory to God by adoring his Justice, and shameing her self, and renouncing her sin and the Devil, there Was no person more willing to pray with her, and pray for her than himself.

To which she making no reply, Mr. R. the Minister conceived a pithy and pertinent Prayer, lamenting the depravedness of our Nature, the horribleness of Gods wrath, the possibility of Salvation refused by desperate sinners, and as we feared in particular by this Malefactor his dear Sister now ready to be turned over. He petitioned that if it were not yet too late, that God would give her Repentance, and break her stony heart, and cause her to glorifie him at the last by an ingenious and full Confession.

Prayer being ended, she is once again asked, whe­ther she would confess. But being obstinate in her refusals, she prayed for her self in the words of the lords Prayer, said the Creed; and being yet ex­horted to Remember the merciful nature of God, who would save her, as we yet hoped, provided she would come unto his Terms of Confession and Repen­tance.

She tells us. She cannot confess that whereof is not Guilty.

Being asked whether she could die in Charity with her Witnesses and Accusers. She said, I forgive all the World.

And a while after, without any visible tokens of Re­ligion, Grace, or Devotion, without any observable preparedness or willingness for death, by any of those many Divines that had painfully dealt with her, or Christians that beheld her, she was turned [Page 79]off the Ladder, and went into that other World. She went out like the Snuff of a Candle, leaving a stench behind her.

And if it be asked, what is become of her Soul?

I answer, the Question is idle, needless, over­curious, and unprofitable, 'tis not for saucy Crea­tures, poor crawling Earth-worms, (such at our selves are) to pry into the deep secrets of Gods E­ternal Counsels, nor to peep into the sacred Ark of his bottomless decrees. These inscrutable purposes of God by reason of their inexplicable difficulties will amaze and puzle us; nor can we ever possibly attain unto any infallible certainty or satisfaction concerning her. I know the absolute and uncontroulable Sove­raignty of Divine Grace and mercies, and that God can come in, if he please, between the Bridge and Water, the Cup and the Lip. But who can inform, or assure me that God did so to her? She is gone unto her Judge, hath undergone her Doom; and if she be saved, it is a Thousand mercies unto the World, that the World neither doth, nor can know it.

But did she not protest her Innocency to the very last.

I know she did, and is she Innocent because she said so? Dying persons are indeed to be credited: But then they must be persons of credit and serious; and if Condemned Malefactors, such as are most Eminent and exemplary for their Repentance. Can any one Man or Woman living, that Converst with her from first to last, from her Imprisonment to her Execution, avow upon her knowledge, that she saw so much as one poor token of a broken heart, of a sincere Penitent in her? Produce it, and it shall be Thankfully accepted.

Had she been Innocent, she could not have been so much concerned for life as she was? I told her in [Page 80] 'Plymouth and Exon, and she was told the same by a Reverend Divine, that Innocency was a Wall of Brass, it would carry a Person above the fear of Death, make her to outbrave Death; she could go trium­phantly into the presence of the Eternal Judg, and bless him that she was condemned unjustly.

Besides, her Innocence as to this Fact, would have ingaged her to a more curious and exact scrutiny in­to her life past, to have found out the true cause of Gods anger in shortning her days, and to a most holy life, and religious preparation of her Soul for death, during the whole time of her imprisonment. None of which she had done; unless looseness, prophaneness, and uncleanness must be expounded, and taken for it.

Finally, I lookt upon her as a desperate and Fore­lorne wretch, and told her it was no new thing to find her such. 'Tis no new thing tor the worst of sinners to be desperate. Were not Cain, Saul, Abimelech, A­chitophel and Judas desperate? This Relator heard a man Condemned to be Hanged, utter upon the Lad­der these words.

Gentlemen, I value not my life of a Rush, I fear not death; and without any more Ceremonies or ado, (and Soldiers are none of the most Religious.) He willfully leapt off of the Ladder at Crimble-passage: Where had not others shown his body more mercy than he did hi own Soul, he might have perisht ever­lastingly.

I know not whether she had as much Courage. Sure I am, Death never struck unto her Spirits; till the Psalm was a Singing, and it was a doleful Tune unto her. Her heart was then up in her mouth. If it were not broke with the sence of sin, and near ap­proaches of Divine wrath, it was with the very hor­rors of death. Others Sang, she did but howl and yell. Methought the expressions of her grief, and [Page 81]vehemency of her passions, raised strange resentments and compassions in the Spectators.

One, and but one have I known in her condition, a big and tall Fellow, that upon the score of his strength, could have affrighted the King of Terrors: Yet after Sentence (and for Burglary was he Sen­tenced unto death,) his heart failed him, his Spirits sunk, his Soul died within him: All his Language, and that too in groans and Floods of Tears, with blubbered Cheeks and wringed hands, was: I shall die! I shall die! I shall die! I shall die! Woe is me! I shall die! I shall die!

Though I came to him into the Jail, took him by the hand, intreated him upon my knees, not to be so much concerned for the loss of his Natural Life: But to look after another, a better Life, after the life of his miserable Soul; Yet no Arguments, no motives could prevail upon him. He was Deaf in that ear. A stone might have heard and answered, but this wretch would give none other answer, than, I shall die! I shall die! Woe is me! I shall die! I shall die! The terrors of death, like an opiate Medicine, had quite stupified him, that he could not listen unto the best Counsels for his Souls welfare.

But what and if this vile woman had been Guilty of some other Capital Crimes? I know of the dead rue best must be spoken; but then those dead persons should not be Impenitent Criminals.

It is no pleasure to me, no pleasing task to Rake in Dunghils. Would to God all Vices were Buried together with hers, though under the Gibbet! It were no difficult matter, nay a man might with a wet Fin­ger, prove her Guilty of soul and frequent Adulteries, of Debauching Young persons, of prostituting her self in Prison, are these no Capital offences? Let them not be! What meant she by those words unto [Page 82]the Girl, that to her knowledg a little Poyson in Cream had made one away in less time than you could go from her Matters House to the Gate.

I am apt to think that she would not confess this Murder lest some other might out also. There was a shrewed Item in her Exon acknowledgment, That she knew she should be damned, though not for this Crime.

It brings to my remembrance a Story which I had from Mr. B. Cl. a very holy Man of God, a Reverend Minister of the Gospel, (who if yet in the Land of the living, is one of the most Ancient Laborers in the Lords Vineyard in this Western Diocess,) that in his younger days when he was Minister of Petrocks by the Castle of Dartmouth, he was sent to Visit and Pray with a dying Man, under very much trouble of Con­science.

His case was this, Sir, said he unto the Minister, about Seven months since, as I was walking to Bus­cow, I met a Camerade of mine, who had gone to Sea about a fortnight since, and taking him by the hand, wondring at his arrival, I said, VVhat cheat Mate? What makes thee return so soon, and look so Pale? I am dead quoth this Spectrum. Dead Man, and yet walk, and talk? Yes, saith he, I am dead. I was took sick shortly upon my going to Sea; and died this day, and about an hour since, so many Leagues off, was I thrown overboard.

Now I desire thee to go home, and tell my Wise of it, and to open my Coffer, and show her my Will, and see my Legacies paid; which having promised to do for him, at parting he added, And at for that busi­ness between thee and me, that thou well wotest off, I charge thee, that thou never speak of it to any Man living, for if thou dost, I will in that very moment tear thee in a thousand pieces.

Now Sir, this lies heavy, heavy upon my Consci­ence. Fain would I declare it, It is upon my Tongue, but I cannot. And why can you not? Oh Sir, do not you see him? Do not you see him? Look how terrible he is! There he is just against me. Oh! how doth he threaten me? I would tell you, but I dare not, And whatever arguments this Reverend Personage could use unto the sick Man, he could ne­ver bring him to a Confession; but he pines away un­der his terrors, and horrors; till at last not being able to subsist any longer by reason of them, he died.

Whether there be any parallel between the condi­tions of this Man, and Woman, I leave it unto my Readers judgment.

The poor Girl, at her Death, at the very point of Death charged her with it. This Philip Cary her self confessed before the Major of Plymouth at her Exami­nation, and the very day before her Execution to this Relator, that she knew of it. And is she Innocent? We have reason to believe the confession of a Peni­tent, before the denial of a stubborn, and impeni­tent VVoman.

Besides, she had a very fair trial before the Judg. There were no less than Nineteen VVitnesses that gave in their Evidence to his Lordship, and the Grand Jury upon Oath against her. Yet she saith, Not guilty: Yea, and takes it to her death, that she is Innocent, knew nothing of Poyson.

But what if all this be nothing but Lyes, and Im­posture? VVhat if evidence appears against her after death, and that she did both know of it, and buy the Poyson also?

Reader I will not amuse thee, call thine Eyes up­on what follows, and thou wilt be in so me mea­sure satisfied.