GOD'S REVENGE AGAINST MURTHER, Demonstrated in the Apprehension, Prosecution & Execution OF HENRY SYMBAL AND WILLIAM JONES, For the Inhumane MURTHER of Sir Richard Sandford Baronet, Murthered by them the 8th of Septemb. 1675.
LONDON. Printed for William Cademan, at the Popes-Head in the New Exchange in the Strand. 1680.
To the Honorable and truly Vertuous Lady, Dame Mary Sandford, Relict of Sir RICHARD SANDFORD of Howgil-Castle in the County of Westmorland Bar.
The Author most humbly Dedicates the following LINES.
I Cannot think the ensuing Relation will be acceptable to your Ladyship; for it is an Accompt of the Barbarous Murther of your late dear Husband. Your sense of the loss you have not only demonstrated in your large and bountifull acknowledgments of your thankfullness to such as you found were instrumentall in bringing his Murderes to condign Punishment, but much more by your thus long sequestring your self from the Pleasures and Enjoyments of the [Page]World, continuing in the disconsolate condition of a Widow, like the chast Turtle, still mourning for the loss of him whom it is impossible to recal; whilst your virtue, Humility, sweet Aspect, and resplendent Beauty, render your Ladyship, not only desired, but admired by all that know you.
Thus throwing my self at your Ladyships Feet, humbly begging pardon for this my presumption, I beseech God to bless you, and to give you Comfort in your two sweet Babes, the choice pledges of that Conjugal Affection that was betwixt your dear Husband and your self; and that you may after all the Enjoyments and satisfactions of this World, have the eternal Bliss of that to come; which shall be the constant desire of,
To the Reader.
IT is probable thou wilt Admire why this Narrative, after it had lain so long quiet, should throng to the Press, at this time so full, and croud it self into the World. I can assure thee that it is not the Authors ambition to be seen in Print that caused this publication, but some late discourses whereby the ashes of the Murdered Sir Richard Sandford, seemed Irreverently to be raked and drawn out of his Tomb, and therewith the Reputation of the Prosecutor trampled upon; as if he had with too much severity prosecuted the Offenders, and by an overcuning management of the Evidence brought against them, drawn them rather to speake his sense, than their own words, whereby the Court was brought to Judge worse of the Prisoners than the fact did truly and in its self merit; for which persuasion there was no other inducement then Symball's false pretence at his [Page]Tryall, that he kill'd Sir Richard fairely, and at the Gibbet, that he fonght him in his own defence.
In these Particulars, that Friends may be satisfied who desire it, the Ignorant undeceived, the Prosecutor justified, and the Court vindicated, to whom it was fully demonstrated that both those suggestions were utterly false, and that they did basely and secretly fall upon Sir Richard in the dark, and without speaking any word of warning till he had received his death. Tho' man may be deceived, God will not be mocked, who saith, Vengance is mine, and I will repay it; I am sure nothing is more plain then that Gods Justice hath showed it self eminently in this Case, by prompting and directing the Prosecutor, as it were by Divine impulse or inspiration more then once in this affair: when false tricks and cheats were strongly endeavoured to be imposed upon his belief, to let him in the prosecution, he was made see them to he such beyond any natural sagacity; so also in defeating them, and over taking them in their craft, notwithstanding their often crossing the Roads, and making false pretences of going one way, when indeed they went another, inquiring for places which when out of sight, they purposely shunned, and went the quite contrary way, hopeing thereby to amuse the Persuer.
As for the Tryall, the matter of fact appeared so clear, that both the Judges and all the Jury were fully satisfied that it was a Barbarous Murder; and I doubt not but that all unintersted persons, who shall peruse the following discourse, will plainly see the vanity of the contrary pretenses.
To those who are pleased to say, tho' all were true, they would not have had their hands in their blood:
The Prosecuter for answer to such nice scrupulosity saith, that he is very well satisfied in his Conscience that he is innocent of their blood, who were so notoriously guilty of Sir Richard's; and he doubts not at the great Assize to be cleared of theirs by the Judge of all, who for his warrant hath enacted, that he that sheds mans blood, by man his blood shall be shed; and taught us, that innocent blood cries to Heaven for vengeance.
God's Revenge against Murther:
ON Wednesday the 8th of September. 1675. Sir Rich: Sandford and Captain George Hilton went into Southwarke about Business, and Returning to take water at the Beare at the Bridgefoot, being at the water side, they went into a Little Room, and called for a bottle of Wine, and before it was out, there came two or three boats full of Gentlemen, who landed at the Beare stares, several of whom were of Capt. Hiltons acquaintance, who (seeing him,) called him, and asked him how he did, upon which Sir Richard [...] to one of them, the Gentlemen all going into a room close by that, which Sir Richard and Capt. Hilton were in &c. Making a Boul of Punch, several of them came to Sir Richard and Capt. Hilton, and desired them to come into their Room, and to tast their Liquor; but it being a Drink, that neither Sir Richard, nor Capt. Hilton did like, Sir Richard called for a Bottle of Wine, and staying a Little while with them, one of the Company hearing Sir Richard's name, took acquaintance with him upon the account of Sir Edward Stradling, but Sir Richard's occasions calling him away, (having appointed Business in Fleet-street) he desired to know where he might meet with that Gentleman and one friend more in the Evening, that then they might in a Glass of Wine Remember Sir Edward Stradling, and they agreed to meet at the signe of the George in White-Fryars. [Page 2]Then Sir Richard, and Capt. Hilton took leave of the Company and went a bout their concerns, and at the time appointed they came to the George, and presently after them, came one Henry Symbal (who had been of the former Company) but a man altogether unknown either to Sir Richard, or Capt. Hilton, nor ever seen by either of them before that day) and with him one William Jones, another of the former Company, altogether a stranger to Sir Richard, but had some accquaintance with Capt. Hilton, these two enquired for the Gentlemen, which Sir Richard had appointed to meet him there, and were showed up into the Room where Sir Richard, and Capt. Hilton were; Immeadiately after whom came the Gentleman, and his friend whom Sir Richard had appointed to meet, and stayed two hours, then Sir Richard called for a reckoning (which being paid) the Gentleman and his friend went away. The rest stayed to drink a bottle of Wine, then upon the table, and paid for in the reckning, they being gone, Jones asked Hilton for Box and Dice, who answered that he never played, and so had no occasion to carry any, whereupon Jones replyed, your Brother John oweth me Forty eight Shillings, Do you pay it me? and upon Hiltons refusal Jones threatned him, and came from Threats to Blows, and struck him with a Caine, and so they fel a scufling, Sir Richard going to part them, Symbal layd hold on him, and would not suffer him to do it; then Sir Richard went to the stairs head to call some of the House to part them; but Symbal Drew his Sword and stood in the door of the Chamber and would suffer none to go in, the Candles being out, Sir Richard called for more, a servant-maid coming up with them saw Hilton down upon the flower, and Jones upon him Beating him, and Sir Richard and Symbal standing with their Swords drawn, and Sir Richa [...]d fast hold of Symbals Sword hand, and Symbal fast hold of his, [Page 3]Sir Richard striving to go to part Hilton and Jones, and the other endeavouring to keep him from doing it, but a Constable being called, Jones let Hilton rise, and so when they were parted, Sir Richard and Hilton went down stairs, and Sir Richard went quite out of the doors, but Jones laid hold of Hilton, as he was going out, and said he would make him pay for Glasses that were Broke in the scuffel, and so stopping of him, Sir Richard came back to see why he stayed, and taking Hilton by the hand, they went a way together, leaving Symbal and Jones in the Tavern, and when Sir Richard and Hilton were gone, Jones swore Dam him, he would do both their Business that night. And having got two more of their Comrades to them, they immediatly persued Sir Richard and Hilton, that were going down towards the water side, to take Boat, who hearing some follow them very fast, apprehending that it might be Symbal and Jones, with their Comrades whom Hilton saw in the Tavern before he came forth of it; they stept into a little alley to avoide them, but Symbal persuing them closer then the rest, Discovering them, called to Jones, and said, They are here: so sending their Comrades a little before them down the Street, they came to the Alley-end; which Sir Richard and Hilton seeing, least they should be set upon in the streight-Alley, made hast to come forth into the street, Symbal standing at the Corner in the dark, as Sir Richard came forth, ran his Sword into his Left side, under the short Ribs, up into the stomach and thorough the midriffe into the Back-bone, from which he could scarce pull it back again, saying wil't pay the Eight and forty shillings or not? at the same time Jones, with his Sword drawn, made at Hilton, and said this is my man, giving him several Cuts over the head, Sir Richard's Sword being in his scabbard, he stepping back to draw, staggered, and said, I am slain, at which Jones looking about, gave Hilton [Page 4]time to draw his Sword, Sir Richard at the same time drawing, endeavoured to defend himself, but having Received one wound more in his right side, and another in his right shoulder, and his Caul comeing forth at his wound he had Received on his left side, he not being able to stand any longer, staggered bewixt Symbal and Jones; and then Symbal Joyned with Jones against Hilton, and their two Comrades (that were going from them) hearing the noise, one of them came, and laid hold of Hiltons Sword-hand, at which time Symbal run Hilton through his Left side, into his Lungs, then both Symbal and Jones with their Comrades fled; this was done betwixt nine and ten of the Clock in the evening. And Sir Richard Lived in Great Torment, untill almost ten of the Clock the next morning. And finding it Impossible for him to survive, he declared to the Prosecutor, and to several others, that he Received that wound in his left side, (which was his mortal wound) from Symbal, and that he gave him it unawars, when his Sword was in his scabbard at his side, and without any manner of Provocation. Sir Richard being dead, and the Coroner being sent for, Bound a Gentleman a friend of Sir Richards, who was with him when he Died, to make Prosecution, and summoning a Jury, the inquest found it Murther in Symbal, and Jones Aiding, Assisting, Abetting, Concurring and Comforting in the said Murther. Whilst the Coroners Inquest was sitting, the Prosecutor came into one of the rooms of the House, where they were to speak with some of the witnesses, he met there with one that he never had seen before, and fancied that it might be one of Sir Richards Murtherers, and going to take a strict view of him, the party seemd to be shie of him, it Confirmed him in his opinion that it must be one of the four that persued Sir Richard and Hilton, after their going out of the Tavern, and the Prosecutor going to speak with a Gentleman in the room, could not forbear observing [Page 5]the stranger, who took the opportunity of the slipping down stairs, when he saw the Prosecutor busie, which he seeing, followed, and comeing to him, desired to know his name, but he denying to tell it the Prosecutor, seised him, and secured him, and knowing that some in the house did know if he were one of the four Persuers, had two Examined upon oath, who both confessed they did know him, and that he was one of them, after which he confest it himself, and that he was the man that held Hilton by the Sword-hand, when Symbal gave him the wound in his left side. Then the Prosecutor made it his Business to find out the rest of the Murtherers, and being in St. James's Parke, considering with himself, what course was best to be taken for the Apprehending them, immediately he espyed comeing into the Park, several persons which he knew to be Jone's Companions, upon sight of whom, it came into his mind, that several of these being necessitous, it was probable that for a sum of money some of them would discover to him where the Murtherers were, or at least tell them his Proposals, and hoped it might chance to fright them out of the Town, and then he did believe, that he should have them taken. Being much moved with this Perswasion, he stepd in amongst them, and openly declared that he was the Prosecutor of Symbal and Jones, and that he would give Ten pounds Reward to any that would secure Symbal or Jones, and Twenty pounds for the securing of them both, or to any that would inform him where they were, and assist him in the securing of them, that he did intend to publish this reward in the next Gazette. The next day several came, and promised the Prosecutor, that if he would get the Lord Chiefe Justice his Warrant, he should have the Murtherers secured, for the Reward promised; upon which, the Chief Justie not being in Town, he procured a Warrant from one of the Judges of the Kings-Bench; and so meeting the persons at the place appointed, upon Discourse with them found that their Pretentions were [Page 6]nothing but Air, and he leaning upon his Arm to consider of the matter, immediately thought with himself the Murtherers were certainly fled, and that these people were set on work with design to Amuze him, and cause him to spend his time and money whilest the Murtherers might the more easily make their escape, he leaving a Friend or two with them to keep them Company, fancying that if the Murtherers were gone, a Gentleman of his acquaintance must know of their going, and be instrumental in assisting them to make their escape; both which Suggestions proved true, though it was done without any other ground but his own Imagination. So going to enquire after that Gentleman, he chanced into a House where the Murtherers Lodged that very night they had committed the Fact, where he was told, That Symbal had received a wound in his Breast. (by knowledg of which, they were at Wallingford discovered to the Persuer) He meeting with the Gentleman whom he went to look after, charged him positively with his assisting the Murtherers in making their Escape, which though the Gentleman denied at first, yet after some time he said they were gone, and that he had helped them away: The Prosecutor asked him which way they were gone, saying he resolved to follow them; the other Answered him that he had hired them an Oyster Vessel at Billingsgate (for ten Guineas) to carry them to Callis, and that they set Sail on Monday Morning betwixt four and five a Clock, and that he see them down the River, and said he hoped they were in France by that time, which he said to deceive the Prosecutor, that he might look no more after them. But the Prosecutor, as it were by Inspiration, suspecting the Truth of this plausible Story, which most men would have been satisfied withal, told him peremptorily that he knew they were not gone that way, but over Land, and that if he would not Discover the Truth to him, [Page 7]he would take him before a Magistrate and Charge him with the Fact: and when he saw there was nothing but a Prison for him, if he did not confess the Truth, rather than go to Newgate, he did acknowledg what he had said was false, and that he did it on purpose to cause the Prosecutor to forbear further Search, and that he did believe they were fled into the Country, but whither he knew not, for he left them at a Tavern on Sunday night in a great fear lest they should be discovered to the Prosecutor, who had promised such a Reward for the Apprehending of them. And so the Prosecutor, satisfied with this, took the Gentleman along with him, and went to the Tavern where they were on Sunday night, and that he might the better inform himself, he pretended to be Symbals Uncle, a Brewer, which he did, least they knowing him to be the Prosecutor, should not discover the Truth to him, and enquiring for the Master of the House, he not being within, asked for his Wife, and told her that his name was Symbal, and that he was Uncle to that unfortunate young man, who it was said had killed the Person of Quality in White Friars on Wednesday last at night, and that he had an account that Mr. Francis, the Master of that house, had been very civil to his Nephew and his Comrade, and had assisted them to make their Escape, the particulars whereof he was come to be satisfied in from his own mouth, that he might better be able to acknowledg and gratifie the kindness done; for said he if they be taken they are dead men. Upon which the Gentlewoman Replied, We hear indeed that the Prosecutor is a very severe man, and will follow them very close, but I hope they are now out of his way, for my Husband hired them a Coach and went with them to Barnet, and there sold them a Mare, and hired them two Horses and a Guide: But the Prosecutor asking which way they went from Barnet, she Answered she did not know, but her Husband would be within presently, who would [Page 8]give a better account: The Prosecutor sitting down, expecting the Master of the Houses return; and staying there till ten of the Clock at Night, and the other not coming home, he was directed to go to the Sign of the Ship in the Old-Baily, and there the Prosecutor being known, was necessitated to take his own name again, for finding Francis there, and being informed that he had been that day with Symbal the Brewer receiving money for the Mare that he had sold the Murtherers, the Prosecutor going in, told Francis who he was, and charged him with assisting the Murtherers to make their escape from him, and desired Francis to let him know which way they were gone, that if possible he might find some means to Retrive them; but Francis denying that he knew any thing of them, and giving the Prosecutor scurrillous Language, he having neither Warrant nor Constable ready, he procured a Coach to be brought to the dore, and forcing Francis into it, took him before a Justice of the Peace, who making his Mittimus to send him to Newgate, he confest his conveying them to Barnet, as is before described, and that they went away from London about four a Clock on Monday Morning the tenth day of September, and that at Barnet, besides that they bought of him, they hired two Horses more, and a Guide, for two days Journey outward, without naming any place they would go to, but gave Security for the return of the Guide and Horses, upon the Thursday night following, and upon the Wednesday Morning the Prosecutor went to Barnet, and there he was informed that upon Monday in the Morning the Murtherers called at Gibbon, near Bel-bar, and enquired for one Cooke, who was lately come out of Ireland, and was upon the returning thither again, but not meeting with him there, after some stay at the Sign of the Bell at Bel-bar, they proceeded on their Journey, and went to Hatfield, and so to Welling, and then crossed the Countrey to Dunstable, and kept that Road until [Page 9]they came to the Gibbit, two miles beyond Fenny-Stratford, and then left that Road, crossing the Country went through Whadden-chace to a little Town called Horrod, and from thence to Thame, and so to Wallingford, where they were Apprehended, and at first denied their names; but the Persuer telling Symbal, that if he was not wounded in such a place, viz. in the Breast, then he was not the man he did look after, and going to search for the Wound, Symbal did acknowledg he was the man, and confessed the Fact; from thence they were sent to Reading-Goal, and by Habeas Corpus removed to Newgate, London.
It is worth Observation how they did cross the Roads, one while as if they designed for the North, going that Road two Miles North of Welling, having pretended, as the Prosecutor was informed before he came out of London, to go to Stamford, and so to Boston, and there take Shipping for Holland; but they crossing the Country from Welling to Dunstable, as if they designed for Westchester (which seemed to the Prosecutor very likely, they having told the Vintner that they would stay some time for Cooke at Bell-bar, and theire not only calling at Gibbon to enquire for Cook, who having married a Wife who had been formerly Servant there, she being then in Ireland, her Husband had been with her Mistris and told her that about that time he intended to go into Jreland, to his wife, but they not finding him there, as they expected, they went to the sign of the Bell at Bell-bar, and from thence, sent several times to Gibben, to Enquire for Cooke,) followed that Road two miles West of Fenneystratford, then crossing the Country again into the Oxford-road, passed from thence to Wallingford, into the great Western-road, and at several places they made motions of leaving the roads they took long before they left them; yet for all this Gods Vengeance did not let them slip, but still Discovered their windings, and turnings, to the prosecutor, [Page 10]for providence tho' by a misinformation lead him a far nearer way to them, then they went themselves, and so they were Apprehended upon thursday the 16 of September, before noon, and had their Tryal, upon Thursday the fourteenth of October following at Justice-Hal in the Old-Baily London. And there it was proved in Court, that they did begin the Quarrel without any manner of Provocation, and when the Judge asked them, what they could pretend was the cause of their Quarrel, they were not able to make any appear. And it was further sworn in Court that after Sir Richard and Capt. Hilton had left the Tavern, Symbal and Jones staying behind, having got some more of their Comrades to them, did threaten, (by swearing Dam em) they would do both their business that night, and then persued them, and overtook them, and in the dark set upon them unawars, Jones falling upon Hilton, and it was likewise proved by a Gentleman of the Temple, and by the Prosecutor from Sir Richards own mouth, a little before he died, that Symbal came upon him at unawars, when his Sword was in it's scabbard at his side, and gave him his great wound in his left side; the same was sworn by Hilton, who was an Eye witness to it; Jones being asked by a Friend if he did see Sir Richards Sword drawn before Symbal did pass at him, answerd that Symbal had said some things very ill at the Bar, but excused himself from making any positive Answer, saying that he fought Hilton with his back towards Sir Richard; yet Symbal had the impudence (both upon his Tryal and Execution) to say that he fought Sir Richard fairly. I leave it to the Judgment of any man of sense, whether it is not more reasonable to believe Sir Richard Sandford dying (who was a Person of Honour of known worth and integrity) or his Murtherer, who hoped to mitigate his Fact in some peoples opinions, by endeavouring to impose a lye on the belief of those that saw him a dying man?
And that it may not seem strange that I do thus endeavour to Justifie Sir Richard from his lying Tongue, I shall only take leave to give you an account what a fair fighter he was, and shall go no further then the Evidence sworn in Court upon the Tryal. First, Hilton swore that Sir Richard had his Sword in his Scabbard when Symbal gave him his mortal Wound, and that when Sir Richard was gone that Symbal joyned with Jones, who was then fighting with Hilton (which neither of them did deny) and that when a third man came in (who was one of their Comrades) and laid hold on Hilton's Sword-hand, and held him fast by it, that he could make no manner of defence, That then Symbal came and run him into the left side: the person that held Hilton's Sword-hand confessed it to the Prosecutor and several others, and that he called out to Symbal to forbear pushing at Hilton, being he had secured his Sword. And it was further sworn by another, That upon Friday the third day of September 1675 (which was five days before this Murther was committed) Symbal and Jones going up the Street in White-Fryers, they met a Gentleman, upon whom Jones drew, and the Gentleman drawing in his defence, Symbal drew too, and joining with Jones, they both set upon him together; an House-keeper standing at his door, and seeing them, did at first believe they were in jest; but finding that they had villanously set upon the Gentleman, he took a Half-pike, and joined with the Gentleman, and so rescued him from them; and upon his Oath in Court, said, That he did believe, that they would have slain the Gentleman, if he had not come to his assistance. Several other of the like nature I could instance in; but having resolved to go no further than the Evidence at Bar, I shall forbear, and only tell you how penitent Symbal was for the Murder, when he was apprehended at Wallingford After some demur, and falsifying his name, he did confess the Fact (as he pretended) with regret, [Page 12]saying, That he was heartily sorry for having slain that brave, worthy, and valiant Gentleman, Sir Richard Sandford; but wished it had been Hilton; For then, said he, I had not cared: as if it had not been as well Murder to have stab'd Captain Hilton basely, as Sir Richard Sandford. Now that Symbal was a man who persisted in his Murtherous designs, is evident, partly by what hath been said before, and likewise by a Letter of his, writ (when in Reading Goal) to a Friend in London; which Letter was produced in Court, and there proved to be his hand, wherein he laments his own and his Friend Jones's Misfortunes in being imprisoned; and imputes the cause of it to a Gentleman of his acquaintance, whom he chargeth (though falsly) to have betrayed them to the Prosecutors; and saith, that he hopes that he hath some friend that will pistol him pissing against the Wall. For, saith he, he deserves no better. All these things being proved, and the Murderers having nothing to alledge for themselves, they being indicted both upon the Statute of Stabbing, and at Common Law for Murder. The Jury withdrawing (in half a quarter of an hour) returned their Verdict, which was, that they found them both Guilty of both the Indictments, and accordingly they received Sentence of Condemnation; and upon Friday the 22 of October they were hanged upon two Gibbets in Fleet-street, Symbal at the little Gate of VVhite-Fryers, and Jones at the great Gate, where they hung, by the Kings special Command, three hours, and were then taken down, and by the Kings Warrant, hung in Chains. Symbal at Stampford-Hill in the road near Totnam-Highcross. Jones upon Finchly-Common, betwixt Highgate and Barnet. And here I shall leave them to be an example to all Spectators of Gods just Judgment and Revenge against Murder; and give you an account of what is not unworthy your observation, how miraculously the Prosecutor, even by a false Information, hapned to find them. They having left Bel-bar, as is said before, called at a little [Page 13]house in Hatfield Road, at a Lane end, where a way lead to St. Albans, and asked the way thither, and took that way, as if they did intend to go to St. Albans, when out of the sight of those people, whom they inquired of, being well acquainted with the ways, they took a little By-lane that leads to Hatfield, and the Prosecutor believing that they were gone to St. Albans (that being the ready way to VVestchester, apprehending they were flying for Ireland) took that way, and often asking at the houses in the Lane-side, if the people did see such men (describing the persons) ride that way; every one that he met with (by what dilusion I know not) affirmed that they see them pass that way upon Monday in the afternoon; and so all along until he came to St. Albans Townend, where he lost all manner of account of them, as well he might; for they never came that way at all; so he (spending some time to inquire in St. Albans, whether they had been there or no; and getting no account of them) having lost all manner of hopes to meet with them, unless at VVestchester, he took Post, designing for that place, but had scarce got out of the Towns-end, till hearing a Posthorn wind, as he apprehended one riding fast after him, he staid and found that it was one that followed him, on purpose to give him an account, that the Murderers Guide was secured at St. Albans, who was returning with the Horses that they had hired at Barnet; and this was occasioned through the Prosecutors strict enquiry and search, which he made in that Town upon this lucky accident; the Prosecutor turning back to St. Albons, took their Guide away with him, who brought him to the place where they lay on Tuesday night; And here you may see how Gods providence did direct him in the quest of these Murderers; for had he not been deceived by their pretentions of going to St. Albans (when they had called at the little house at the Lanes end in Hatfield Road, where the people did inform that they were the same men that called [Page 14]there, and went that way, that had stayed at the Sign of the Bell at Bel-bar, two or three hours upon Monday morning; and from thence sent to Gibbon, by which he knew them to be the same that he followed) he had never gone to St. Albans, and so had missed their Guide, and in all probability the Murderers had escaped.
I shall close the whole with a short Character of Symbal, that was given the Prosecutor by a near Relation of his, (when he was in Newgate) who was extremely concerned for him, and would have been glad to have found the Fact such as might have given hopes of saving his Kinsmans life, and to have had him transported; for the doing of which he would neither have spared pains, nor any thing else, (if the thing had been feazeable) but when he saw the ugliness of the Murder made appear, he could not forbear admiring Gods Justice and Providence in following home so wicked a wretch as this his Kinsman was, lifting up his eyes and hands towards Heaven, he broke out into this grave and serious Meditation. Good God (saith he) thou art wonderful in thy Providence, and in the Dispensations of thy Justice, towards this wicked young man; for I fear he ruin'd his Master; I'm sure he broke the heart of his Mother, and sold the Blood of his Father; and in thirteen years (since his Fathers death) I am a Thousand pounds the worse for him, and he is now cut off in the four and twentieth year of his age. I once more recommend it to the serious consideration of all sober and unbiassed persons, whether it is more reasonable to believe the dying words of Sir Richard Sandford, a Gentleman of Worth, and unstained Reputation, or the words of his Murtherer (being a person of this Character) though upon the Gibbet.