A Murderer punished and pardoned, or, A true relation of the wicked life and shameful-happy death of Thomas Savage imprisoned, justly condemned, and twice executed at Ratcliff for his bloody fact in killing his fellow-servant on Wednesday, Octob. 28, 1668 / by us who were often with him in the time of his imprisonment in Newgate and at his execution, Robert Franklin ... [et al.]. To which is annexed a sermon preached at his funeral.

THomas Savage born in the Parish of Giles's in the Fields, was put out Apprentice to Mr. Collins Vintner, at the Ship-Tavern in Ratcliff, where he lived about the space of one year and three quarters, in which time he manifested him∣self to all that knew him, to be a meer Monster in Sin; in all that time he never once knew what it was to hear one whole Sermon, but used to go in at one door, and out at the other, and accounted them fools that could spare so much time from sin, as two or three hours on a Lords-day, to spend in the Lords Service: He spent the Sabbath com∣monly at the Ale-house, or rather at a Base-house with that vile Strumpet Hannah Blay, which was the cause of his ruine; he was by a young man (now gone to Sea) first enticed to go drink there, and after that he went alone, and now and then used to bring her a Bottle or two of Wine, which sa∣tisfied not her wicked desires, but she told him, if he would frequent her house, he must bring mony with him; he told her often he could bring none but his Masters, and he never wronged his Master of two pence in his life; still she enticed him to take it privately; he replied, he could not do it, because the Maid was alwaies at home with him; Hang her Jade, saith this impudent Slut, knock her brains out, and I will receive the Money. This she many times said; and that day that he com∣mitted the Murder, he was with her in the morning,

and she made him drunk with burnt Brandy, and he wanted one Groat to pay of his reckoning: she then again perswaded him to knock the Maid on the head, and she would receive the mony; he going home between twelve and one of the clock, his Master standing at the Street-door, did not dare to go in that way, but climeth over a back-door, and commeth into a Room where his Fellow-servants were at dinner: O, saith the Maid to him, Sirrah, you have been now at this Bawdy house, you will never leave till you are undone by them: He was much vexed at her, and while he was at dinner, the Devil entred so strong into him, that nothing would satisfie but he must kill her; and no other way, but with the Hammer: to which end, when his Master was gone with all the rest of the Family to Church, leaving only the Maid and this Boy at home; he goeth into the Bar, fetcheth the Hammer, and taketh the Bellows in his hand, and sitteth down by the fire, and there knocketh the Bellows with the Hammer: the Maid saith to him, Sure the Boy is Mad; Sirrah, what do you make this noise for? He said nothing, but went from the Chair, and lay along in the Kitchen win∣dow, and knocked with the Hammer there; and on a sudden threw the Hammer with such force at the Maid, that hitting her on the head, she fell down presently, screeching out; then taking up the Hammer three times, and did not dare to strike her any more: at last the Devil was so great with him, that he taketh the Hammer, and striketh her many blows with all the force he could, and even rejoyced that he had got the victory over her: which done, he immediately taketh the Hammer, and with it strikes at the Cupboard-door in his Master Chamber, which being but slit Deal, pre∣sently

flew upon, and thence he taketh out a Bag of Money, and putting it under his Arm under his Cloak, he went out at a back-dore strait-way to this base house again, when he came thither, the Slut would fain have seen what he had under his Cloak, and knowing what he had done, would ve∣ry fain have had the Money; he gave her half a Crown, and away he went without any remorse for what he had done; going over a stile, he sat down to rest himself, and then began to think with himself, Lord, what have I done! and he would have given ten thousand Worlds he could have recalled the blow; after this he was in so much horror, that he went not one step but he thought every one he met came to take him; he got that night to Greenwich, and lay there, telling the peo∣ple of the house that he was to go down to Graves∣end; that night he rose and walked about, and knew not what to do, Conscience so flew in his face. The Mistress of the house perceiving the Lad to have Money, and not sealed up, said, I wish this Lad came by this Money honestly; the next morning▪ he going away towards Woollidge, the Mistress of the house could not be satisfied, but sent for him back, and told him, Sweet heart, I fear you came not by this Money honestly; yes indeed Mistress (saith he) I did, for I am carrying of it down to Gravesend to my Master a Wine-Cooper, we live upon London-Bridge, and if you please to send any one to my Mistress, I will leave the Money with you; so there were some people going to London, and he writ a Note to send to his Mistress, and he left the Money with the Woman of the house, and went his way, wandering towards Woollidge, and there was in the Ship-yard; about which time news came to Greenwich of the Mur∣ther

that was committed at Ratcliff by a youth up∣on his fellow Servant, and that a bag of Money was taken away; the Mistress of the house forth∣with concluded that sure it was the same youth that was at her house, and that that was the mony; whereupon she sent men out presently to seek him, who found him in an Alehouse, where he had called for one pot of Beer, and was laid down with his head on the Table, and faln asleep: one of the men calling him by his name, Tom, saith he, did not you live at Ratcliff? he said yes; and did not you Murther your fellow-servant? he confes∣sed it; and you took so much mony from your Master? he acknowledged all; then said they, you must go along with us, he said, yes, with all my heart. So they went forthwith to Greenwich to the house where he lay that night, where when he came, he met his Master with some friends, and when his Master spake to him of it, he was not much affected at first, but after a little while burst out into many tears; thence he was conveyed to the Justice at Ratcliff, where he fully confessed the Fact again; and by him was committed close Pri∣soner in the Goal of Newgate, where Mr. H. B. (who after some acquaintance with him, and this preceding Narrative from his own mouth) came to see and speak with him, and he seemed but little sensible of what he had done: Are you (said he) the person that committed the Murther upon the Maid at Ratcliff? he said yes, O what think you of your condition? what think you will be∣come of your precious Soul? you have by this sin not only brought your body to the Grave, but your Soul to Hell, without infinite mercy: were you not troubled for the Fact when you did it? not for the present Sir, said he, but soon after I was,

when I began to think with my self what I had done. The next time he asked him, whether he were sorry for the Fact? He said, wringing his hands, and striking his brest, with tears in his eyes, Yes, Sir, for it cuts me to the heart to think that I should take away the life of a poor innocent Crea∣ture; and that is not all, but for any thing I know, I have sent her Soul to Hell. O how can I think to appear before Gods Bar, when she shall stand before me, and say, Lord this wretch took away my life, and gave me not the least space that I might return to thee: he gave me now no warning at all, Lord. O then what will become of me?

Soon after the imprisonment of this Thomas Sa∣vage, in Newgate, upon the desire of one of his Friends, Mr. R. F. and T. V. went to him in the Prison, and had liberty, with much readiness, from the Keepers to discourse with him: They asked him, if he were the person that had murthered the Maid? He answered, that he was: they did then open to him the hainous nature of that sin, endea∣vouring to set it home upon his Conscience; tel∣ling him of the express Law of God, Thou shalt not kill, and the express threatning, That whosoever shed∣deth mans blood, by man shall his blood be shed. They spake to him of the Law of the Land, and the pu∣nishment of Death which would certainly be in∣flicted upon him; that he had but a few Weeks more to live, and then he would be Tryed, and Condemned, and Executed: but they told him, that the punishment of Temporal Death was but small in comparison with the punishment of eter∣nal Death in Hell, which he had deserved, and was exposed unto. They told him, that so soon as Death should make a separation between his Soul and Body, that his Soul must immediately appear

before the dreadful Tribunal of the Sin-revenging God, and there receive its final doom, and be irre∣versibly sentenced to depart from the presence of the Lord, in everlasting fire, if he were found under the guilt of this or any other sin. They asked him if he knew what Hell was? telling him what a fearful thing it would be for him to fall into the hands of the living God, how intollerable the immediate impressions of Gods wrath would be upon his Soul! what horrour and anguish he would there be filled withal! and how he would be bound up in Chains of darkness until the judge∣ment of the great day! and then told him of the Glorious Appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to Judgment, that Soul and Body should be then joyned together, and condemned together, and punished together, with such exquisite torments as never entered into the heart of man to conceive! declaring the extremity and the eternity of the Torments of Hell, which were the just demerit of his sins. Then they asked him, whether he had any hopes of escaping this dreadful punishment of hell? He answered that he had. They enquired into the grounds of his hopes; he told them that he repen∣ted of his fault, and hoped God would have mer∣cy on his Soul. They asked him, whether he thought his Repentance would procure for him a Pardon? He knew no other way. They told him that God was just, and his justice must be satisfied, and there was no way for him to do it, but by undergoing the eternal torments of Hell, and did he know no way of satisfying Gods Ju∣stice besides, and pacifying his anger that was kindled against him? No, he knew not any; and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did he hope to be saved? He answered, yes. They ••••quired whether ever he had experience of

a gracious change wrought in him. Herein he could give no account, and yet hoped to be saved. Yes. They told him his hopes were unsound, ha∣ving no good foundation, and he would find him∣self disappointed; that it was not his repentance, his tears, and prayers (though he ought to use them as means) that would save him, if he fixed the Anchor of his hope upon them. That if he ho∣ped to be saved in the condition which for the pre∣sent he was in, he would certainly be damned. That he must cast away all those groundless hopes he had conceived, and endeavour to despair in him∣self, that being pricked and pained at heart, through the apprehensions of the wrath of God ready to fall upon him, and seeing no possibility of flying and and escaping, if he looked only to himself, he might cry out, What shall I do to be saved? and enquire after a Saviour: and then they spake to him of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the way of Salvation by him, which before he was sottishly ignorant of, as if he been brought up in a Countrey of Infidels, and not of Christians. The words spoken to him by these two Ministers, seemed to take little impression up∣on him, whilst they were present; yet after they were gone, the Lord did begin to work, and he did acknowledg to Mr. B. that two had been with him (he knew not their names) whose words were like arrows shot into his heart, and he did wish that he had those words in writing, especially one ex∣pression of T. V. That he would not be in his con∣dition for ten thousand Worlds, did affect and so affright him, that he said, it made his hair stand an end.

An account of a Discourse betwixt T. D. and T. S. about fourteen daies after he was Prisoner in New∣gate.

VVHen I came in and saw him in Irons, I said, were these Fetters for the sake of the Gospel, they would be far more precious than chains of Gold; but see here the cursed fruits of Sin, that thou shouldst all thy life-time have been a faithful servant of God, hast neglected no time to serve the Devil.

I asked him how old he was? he said, 16 years old; I told him he was a young man, but an old sinner; then I began to set my self to bring him to a sense of his sin, and of his miserable and lost estate; and asked him whether he believed there was a God? he answered, yes; and dost thou be∣lieve that this God is true? he said, yes, and taking up the Bible, I asked him, dost thou believe that this is the Word of God? he answered, yes; Then I told him, according to this Word, he was a damned wretch, and God had past a sentence of death upon him; and told him plainly that he should not enter into the Kingdom of God, but be a companion of Devils in a lake of Brimstone to all Eternity, (meaning without Repentance, Conversion, and Faith in Christ.) Then I turned him to several Scriptures, and told him this was the Word by which he must be judged at the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God, and be damned or saved, according 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then he should be found to be, converted, o•• ••…••…∣converted; The Scriptures were these, 1 Cor. 6. 9. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? be not deceived: neither Forni∣caters, nor Idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor Essemi∣nate,

nor abusers of themselves with mankind, ver. 10. Nor Thieves, nor Covetous, nor Drunkards, nor Revilers, nor Extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God.

Another Scripture I read to him, was Gal. 5. 19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness, La∣sciviousness, ver. 20. Idolatry, Witchcraft, Hatred, Variance, Emulations, Wrath, Strife, Seditions, Heresies, ver. 21. Envyings, Murders, Drunken∣ness, Revellings, and such like, of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things, shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

The next Scripture to the same purpose was Rev. 21. 8. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the a∣bominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all lyars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

I told him these were the words of the holy, true, and infallible God; this was the sentence which God had passed upon him, as the desert of those a∣bominable sins which he was guilty of: for these Scriptures pointed at several of the sins which he confessed he had lived in, and had committed, as Drunkenness, Lying, Uncleanness, and Murder. I cryed, you confess your self guilty of these sins, and that God threatneth you with eternal death, with everlasting torments, and exclusion from his Presence and Kingdom; not only God's Justice, but God's Truth also, stood betwixt him and eter∣nal happiness; and told him, that I spake it with reverence, that the Holy God must be a lyar, or else he dying in the guilt of these sins, must be cer∣tainly and eternally damned.

I asked him, what do you think? how will you escape the damnation of Hell, and the great wrath that is to come? you have heard what God saith, what do you say? what course will you take, and what means will you use, that you may not ac∣cording to Gods threatning be cast among Devils into eternal devouring flames? to this, at present, he made no reply, but did often shake his head, and lifted up his eyes towards Heaven.

Next I endeavoured to bring him to a sight and sense of the corruption of his nature, and of the sin∣fulness of his heart; and told him all those sins were in his heart before they were actually com∣mitted; and turned him to the saying of Christ, Matt. 15. 19. for out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, Murders, Adulteries, Fornications, Thefts, False-witnesses, Blasphemies; and told him that in his repentance for those sins, he must not only lay to heart, and be grieved for the out∣ward acts, but lament and bewail the inward principle of corruption, whereby he was so strong∣ly inclined to such horrid abominations, accor∣ding to the example of David after his sins of A∣dultery and Murder, in his confession did follow them up to the rise and original from whence they did spring, Psal. 51. 5. Behold I was shapen in iniqui∣ty, and in sin did my Mother conceive me. By this time I perceived some workings of heart within him, and that he was in some measure sensible of his lost estate, and by his deportment and carriage, to be cast down, not knowing what to do; I was unwilling to leave him without some grounds of hope that it may be he might be saved; that there was a possibility that he might obtain pardoning mercy, and be delivered from that great damna∣tion that was due to him for his great transgres∣sions.

I began to open to him the readiness of Christ, the fulness and sufficiency of Christ to save the greatest sinners, and that God (I hoped in mercy to his Soul) had sent me one of his Embas∣sadors to offer him a pardon, and eternal life, if he were but willing to accept of Christ upon the terms of the Gospel, for his Lord and Saviour, and did encourage and assure him, upon Repentance and Faith in Christ, there was mercy yet for him, though a Murderer, from these Scriptures, Isa. 1. 18. Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as Scarlet, they shall be as white as Snow; and though they be red as Crimson, they shall be as Wooll. As I opened to him the great mercy of God in Christ towards Sinners, died in Grain, that were sinners of a Scarlet colour, that had com∣mitted hainous transgressions, he brake forth into tears, and wept plentifully at the tidings of mercy and possibility that such a one as he might be saved. Besides, I turned him to some Scripture promi∣ses, that God would certainly forgive his sins, and save his soul, if he could repent, and get Faith in Christ, such as, Prov. 28. 13. He that confesseth and forsaketh his sin, shall find mercy; and Isa. 55. 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abun∣dantly pardon. This Scripture he diligently heed∣ed, and turned it down in his Bible; and these two Scriptures, (the night before he suffered) amongst others, he alledged as the grounds of his hope of mercy.

I also gave him some Scripture instances of great Sinners that had obtained mercy, turned him to the example of Manasseh, 2 Chron. 33. to that of Mary Magdalen, Luke 7. 37, 38. to that of

the Jews, Acts 2. 37, 38. that were guilty of the blood of Christ, that had murdered the Son of God; a greater Murther than which could not be com∣mitted; and yet upon Repentance and Faith, ma∣ny of them were pardoned and saved. To that of Paul, 1 Tim. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16. shewed him how God had set up Paul as a pattern of Free-Grace, towards great sinners, for the encouragement of such, that (though guilty of great sins) afterwards should believe. To all these he hearkened very carefully, and took notice of the places of Scrip∣ture for his Meditation after I left him.

And last of all, I endeavoured to set before him Jesus Christ, as the only remedy and Saviour for his Soul, and shewed him the insufficiency of all his Duties, Prayers, and Tears, to get off the guilt of the least sin; that if he could shed a thousand tears of blood for any one vain thought, it would be no better than puddle water to justify, or to save him. Much discourse I had with him at this time, besides what is here inserted, and several other times when I went to visit him in Newgate, which I willingly omit, because this book should not swell to too great a bulk.

After all, I went to Prayer with him; in which Duty he was much dissolved into tears; he seemed to me, and his faithful Friend that was most with him above all others, to be very earnest in Prayer, and with weeping eyes to beg for Pardon and con∣verting grace, and Christ to be his Saviour, which was much insisted on in the Prayer that was made for him.

After which, advising him to consider of what I said, for that time I took my leave of him.

The next time, after this Discourse, that Mr. Baker came to him, he enquired how it was with

him: he said, what T. D. had said, did very much startle him, that he knew not what to reply, and cryed out very much of the hainousness of his sins, that he should commit that horrid sin of Murder; and knew not what to do, for that left a deep im∣pression upon his heart, That God must be a Lyar, or else he (in that condition of impenitency) must be damned: yet he laid hold upon that Promise that was unfolded to him, That if a sinner turned from his wicked ways, God would abundantly pardon; and afterwards read on the verse that followed, Isa. 55. 8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Upon which consi∣dering, said, Men cry out for death and vengeance, no mercy to be had from Men; but Gods thoughts to a repenting sinner were life, for he delighteth not in the death of a sinner.

About four or five days after this, he was puz∣led about his performing of Duties, and resting only upon Christ for Salvation; for he was tempt∣ed, if he perform Duties, to rest upon them; or to let them alone, and leave them off, if he must rest only upon Christ. At which time H. B. coming to him, enquired how it was with him now? and how he hoped to be saved? He answered, By Re∣pentance and Faith; and I could easily tell you, to satisfie you, that I do repent, and do believe; but truly so to do as I ought, I find it the hardest thing in the World: I do believe, and I do not; I can∣not tell how to believe that Christ died for sinners, so as to throw my self wholly and fully upon him, and to think my Tears and Prayers will do me no good.

But here, Reader, we must take notice of the unwearied diligence of the Devil, in using all means, from time to time, to undo, ruine, and

wound the soul of this poor Malefactor, who would not forbear to sollicit him to sin, after he was cast into Prison for former Iniquities he had committed; for we cannot but judg that the De∣vil was loath to lose such a prey, as his Immor∣tal soul, when he had brought him to the very mouth and gates of Hell, to have him snatched out of his hands by the free Grace of God; the Devil did work the more (because he knew his time to tempt him was but short) to blemish and eclipse the gracious work of God upon his heart, and cloud the glory of God's mercy in saving such a sinner. He was by some former acquaintance visi∣ting of him, (who shewed their love to a death-deserving sinner, no other way than by calling for drink, and desiring him to drink with them,) overcome therewith, and after some former con∣victions of sin, and his lost estate, did twice re∣lapse into the sin of drunkenness, whereby he cau∣sed many to fear that all this while he had no more than some common workings of the spirit; and put us to a stand, that we knew not what would be the issue of these things; but yet not daring to omit endeavors (if possible) as instru∣ments, under God, to save his soul: we did after this, visit him again, and again, and set forth unto him the greatness of his sin, that he should sin yet more against the Lord; and in his affliction and chains to provoke the Lord to greater wrath a∣gainst his soul; with many words to that pur∣pose.

After which, his soul was wounded, his heart was pierced, he knew not what to do; he asked, may mercy be had for a backsliding sinner? to which were given him some Scriptures, where God called to backsliding sinners to return, and

invited them to repent, and promised mercy to them if they did, even after they had done as wickedly as they could: and this was much enlarged upon before him from Jer. 3. 1, to 15. verse. But God that had begun to awaken and to rouse his conscience, that he might set him up as a pattern of Free-Grace, would not let the Devil go thus away with his soul, but brought him to a deep sense of his falling into sin, that he much la∣mented, with many tears, the sadness of his state, the misery of his Soul, saying, what will become of my soul! my Immortal soul! I cannot think what will become of my soul! I deserve Hell ten thousand times over, and have I now but one grain of sand left in the glass to work for eternity! shall I neglect God any longer? O I have neglected God too long already! striking his hand upon his brest, and wringing his hands, and shaking his head, and weeping abundantly, said, Lord, what shall I do? O God, what shall I do? Lord, what will become of me? If God had dealt justly with me, I had now been in Hell, I had been dashed in∣to Hell when I murthered that poor innocent crea∣ture; I wonder that I am not now in Hell; that such a wretch as I, am not in Hell; God hath been pleased to manifest more mercy to me in sparing of me, and affording me so long time for repen∣tante, but I have neglected time, and relapsed in∣to drunkenness and vain talking, time after time. I thought this place (meaning the hole in New∣gate) a hell upon earth, and did account it a heaven to be among the other Prisoners; but now God hath tried me, whether sin will be bitter and dis∣pleasing to me or not, I have this day (being Lords day) been among the Prisoners, and they asked me to play at Cards, but instead of complying

with them, I reproved them, and told them for my part, I had profaned Sabbaths enough already, I have but a little time to work for my soul, and I ought not to neglect time now; that they likewise (he told them) if they rightly considered, had something else to do, and striking his hand upon his breast, with much earnestness he cried out with tears. Now, now, I find that God hath been at work, that God hath been at work upon my soul; he hath, I am sure, been at work, for now I see so much evil, and tast such bitterness in sin, that I am not so much troubled that I am to die, nor so much troubled that I am in danger of hell, as to think I should so dishonour God, that I should so offend so gracious and merciful a God, and spurn against all his mercies. Oh my soul, my Immor∣tal soul, I know not what will become of it to all eternity, it is the grief of my very soul that I have neglected time as I have done, now I see so much need of Christ, and so much preciousness and ex∣cellency in Christ, that if the greatest King in the World should come and throw his Crown at my foot, and tell me I should enjoy it, and all the glory of it for millions of years, and should have my liberty presently, and should say, but it must be without Christ, I would sooner choose to die this moment, nay, to be racked to pieces by ten thousand deaths, or burn ten years together, so I may have a Christ, I speak freely from my heart, so far as I know my heart; and now I find it is not only the Devils tempting me, hath brought me to this, but this cursed, wretched, de∣villish heart of mine within. It is within me, so that it was in me before it was committed by me. I deserved hell ten thousand times over before I committed this horrid sin; well, now I am resol∣ved

I will pray as much as I can, and weep, and wrestle with God, as if I were to have Heaven for it; but when I have done all, I will deny all, for my Prayers and Tears cannot save me, and I will fully and wholly throw my self at the feet of Christ, and if I am damned, I will be damned there; and more he spake to this purpose in Mr. Bakers hearing.

About three dayes after, Mr. B. coming to him, asked him how it was with him? He told him that the Devil was very busie with him, and did sollicite him grievously with his temptations, per∣swading him to have thoughts of escaping; these things (said he) hindred my minding of God one part of the day, the other part of the day the Devil fills me with drowsiness, that I can neither pray nor read, nor perform any duty, nor mind any one that prays with me; sometimes he tempts me to delay, telling me that it is time enough for me to think of Repentance when I am Condemned, and that God is a merciful God; and sometimes he tempted▪ me to despair, telling me that it was impossible that so monstrous a sinner as I had been should be saved; but blessed be God, that he made me to think that these were but the Devils temptations, al∣though I have been sadly hurried with them for some days; but that which did most fill me with terror, was the frequent fears of the Devils ap∣pearing personally to me, which did so exceedingly trouble me in Prayer, so that I could say nothing when I kneeled down, but was fain to set the Can∣dle down before me, and durst not look one way or other, for fear I should see him; and my thoughts have been so vain many times when you have been reading to me, that I have scarce heard a word of what you said.

A Discourse betwixt H. B. and T. S. Prisoner in New∣gate, after some Friends went away dissatisfied, fear∣ing he had not a sense of his sin, &c.

H. B. asking him how it was with him? he re∣plied, It was the grief of my soul that I should be no more affected, I think I have the most rocky, stony heart in the World, if ever there was an heart of Iron, I have one, it is not fit to be called an heart. To have others come and pray with me, and instruct me, and see how they are affected with my condition, and yet I not at all affected with my own condition; Oh it is the grief of my soul to see it so! and yet as soon as Ministers and good People are gone, and I walk about and con∣sider, Oh it melts me, and breaketh my heart in pieces, to think I can mourn for sin, and grieve for sin no more, when God's people are with me! be∣cause it causeth them to think that I am not sensi∣ble of my sin, though, blessed be God, I am in some measure sensible of the evil of my sins, and it is the grief of my soul to think how I have dis∣honoured God, and abused his Mercy, and spurned against his Mercy and Patience.

After this they both spent some time in Prayer, and H. B. asked him, how it was with him now? he said, I find so much sweetness in Prayer, al∣though I cannot find God loveth me, that to think I am not Cursing and Swearing as others are, but be confessing my sin, my very tears tric∣kle down my cheeks for joy; sometimes I find my heart so dead and dull in Duty, that I know not what to say in Prayer; at other times I find my heart so full, and so much affected in Duty, that I could wish I might never rise from off my knees.

The night before the Sessions, H. B. coming to him, asked him if it was not terrible to him to think of appearing before the Bar of Men? he an∣swered, Methinks when I consider seriously of it, what a light poor thing Mans Bar is in comparison of Gods Bar, yet Mans Bar is enough to daunt one, to hear them say; Take him Jaylor, tie him up: but to appear before Gods Bar, who knoweth all the sins that ever I committed; he saw all my secret sins, and for God to say, Take him Jaylor, Take him Devil, shut him up in the Dungeon of Hell: Oh! that is enough, I believe, to make the stoutest heart in the World to tremble, for there is no recalling that sentence, and I believe there are many go out of this Prison, as I saw formerly three that went to be hanged, and they were almost drunk, and did sing all the way they went, but Oh their note was soon changed; when they came to stand before Gods Bar.

The morning before he went to the Sessions, H. B. and the Prisoner spent some time in Prayer, the Prisoner in his Prayer did earnestly beg of God that he would keep him from those temptations he might be exposed unto by bad company; After this he was taken down to the Sessions-house, but was not called, because the Jury of Middlesex did not sit that day.

At night H. B. came to him again, and asking how it was with him, he answered, he found it no easie thing to be a true Christian; I thought before I came to Prison, that reading a Chapter now and then, and saying the Lords Prayer and the Creed at night when I went to bed, would have saved me, though many times I was a sleep before I had half done; but now I find it no such easie thing to get to Heaven, nay, I find it the hardest thing in the

world, for my Prayers, and Tears, and Duties, if I could fall upon my knees, and never rise off from them while I live, they would not save me, for all this is but Duty, but now I know there is merit enough in the Blood of Christ to save me; and he did earnestly beg of God in Prayer, that God would wash his soul in the Blood of Christ and blot out all his sins out of the book of his remembrance, and turn them behind his back; though I as earn∣estly beg they might be all spread before my face, that I might have a more humble and throughly broken heart for them; Lord, one drop of that blood is enough to wash away all my sins; and so after some conference H. B. left him for that night, who heard from one that was with him that night, that he spent that time most in Prayer and Read∣ing.

The second morning in the time of the Sessions, Mr. Baker, that was a careful Friend for the good of his Soul, went to the Sessions-house, where he found him well, and in good frame, and continu∣ed with him for the space of two or three hours that morning, after which time Mr. Baker was from him to hear the Trial of the person that was arraigned, and afterward executed for the fire up∣on the house burnt down in Mincing-Lane, for the space of half an hour, or thereabout; in which time, in company of other Prisoners, he was much di∣stempered with something that he had drank a∣mongst them, which did take from him his under∣standing, that he was not his own man, we judge (that though this did cast a blemish upon the pro∣fession that he had made after he came to Newgate) it was not a voluntary act, but some surprizal or design of the other upon him; partly because the quantity was far less than what at other times he

could drink without any disturbance to his head. A Friend also heard Hannah, the Strumpet, that en∣ticed him to his former wickedness: say, others have made you drunk to day, but I will make you drunk to morrow: But afterwards he was afraid to drink in their company, but rather denied to take what was necessary for his refreshment.

The Prisoners were much against his accusing of that Harlot, and did much perswade him to take something to cheer his spirits; and when T. D. was with him on Saturday before he died, he charged him with this sin, which had caused such a blot up∣on all the profession he had made, and what great cause he had to be humbled before God, and desi∣red him to tell him as a dying man, whether it was his voluntary act and delight in excessive drinking, or no? and he did profess that he knew it was not the quantity that he had drunk, which was not neer so much as at other times he did use, without di∣stempering himself.

However, God was pleased to make him tast the bitterness of that cup, in that he had given such occasion to sinners to speak evil of the ways of himself) upon the stones cried out; Oh that I should offend God! And though he did much lament the scandal, yet he always said, that he looked not up∣on it as a sin of Drunkenness, but a circumventi∣on; or to use his own words, that something was put into the drink to distemper his head.

On Saturday during the Sessions, he was Ar∣raigned, and pleaded Guilty, confessing, with many tears, and wringing his hands, that he did, through the instigation of the Devil, and enticement of that wretched Creature (meaning his Harlot) th•••• he had committed that bloody Fact, which was suc••

an horror to his Conscience, that he would not do it again for ten thousand Worlds; his carriage and confession was such, that he much moved the Honourable Bench and Jury, and most of the Be∣holders.

On Munday next, he received his Sentence of death, after which time he was with the other condemned Prisoners, and did pray with them four times a day, and read to them, and sung Psalms with them. After the execution of the rest, he had time given, or procured him by the Honourable Sheriff of London, for some daies; which he improved to the great advantage of his Soul.

On Friday night he uttered these expressions in Company with H. B. being the day that the other Prisoners were Executed.

I find, saith he, so much sweetness, and delight, and pleasure in Gods ways, and so much folly in the ways of sin, that if there were no Heaven to re∣ward, nor any Hell to punish, I could not but love the waies of God, and the people of God; O it is so sweet to be in company with them, praying and conversing with them, over what is in hearing others Swear and Curse, that I account it as great a mercy as any almost, that I may be in their company; O methinks it is a Heaven to me to be with Gods Ministers and People; and Prayer now is so sweet, that I grudge the time alwaies when I am off from my knees, or go down to the Grate: Now there is nothing in the World I prize like Christ, one Christ above ten thousand Worlds; now I do repent, and I do believe through mercy, it is the Lord's work, but I earnestly beg

and pray for a more humble, and a more broken heart, and a more through sense of sin, and a grea∣ter sorrow for it, and beg that God would enable me to come to him, to believe in him; Lord, saith he, Faith is thy work, Repentance is thy work, do thou enable me to repent, nay, thou hast enabled me to repent, and I do from the very bottom of my heart, Lord, as far as I know my own heart: I repent that I should offend so gracious, and so merciful a God as thou art; Lord, and Faith is thy work; Lord, saith he, hast not thou said, no man can come to thee except the Father draw him; draw me O Lord, and I shall run to thee, enable me to believe, Lord, and I shall believe; nay, I do be∣lieve, Lord, that Jesus Christ his Blood was not shed in vain; did Christ die for nothing, Lord, did he not die to save all repenting and believing sin∣ners, of whom I am chief?

On Saturday at night, in Company with Mr. Baker, he discoursed thus,

O my dear Friend, taking me by the hand, come hither, saith he, and opening the Coffin, look, here is the ship, saith he, in which I must lanch out into the Ocean of Eternity: and is it not a terri∣ble thing (saith he) to see ones own Coffin and Burying cloaths, when at the same time I am as well as you; do you think it would not daunt you, and to go to the Gallows to have the Halter, and to die there? were this for the sake of the Gospel, I should not care, were it ten hundred times a worse death, but to suffer this cursed death for such hor∣rid sins, O this is sad! why, said I, you have a greater mercy, in some respect, than those that die in their beds, for they are full of sickness and pain, and cannot so well mind repentance as you who are well, and have nothing else to mind. (Ah Sir,

saith he, their sins are of a far less nature than mine, and so they do not need so much repen∣tance as mine do; my dying for such horrid sins makes my repentance to be so much the more hard. Oh, saith he, I believe it, it is a hard work to die, I could carry it out as bravely as a∣ny, (do you think I could not?) But to consider that as I die, and am sentenced from Gods Bar, so I must be for ever, immediately either be ever∣lastingly happy, or everlastingly miserable: To consider this, would make a stout heart to tremble; those poor Creatures that were here the other night, (meaning the other condemned Prisoners) they know not what it is to be in an Eternal state, and if they are gone to Hell, O Lord, how miserably are they disappointed, who hoped for to have gone to Heaven, and are sent from thy Bar to endless burning: Lord, what a mercy is it that I have a little time longer left, let it be improved to thy glory, and let my soul live, and I shall praise thee.

The Last Lords-day he lived, he desired to be alone, and spent it in wrestling with God by prayer, and in other duties in order to his prepa∣ration for his great change by death, that then he expected the next day, in which duties he found so much of God, that he had some fore-tasts of the joys of Heaven, and when we asked him what of God he had found that day, he replyed, that he had such pleasure and delight in mourning for sin, and praying unto God, that he was loath to come off from his knees; at night there were some Ministers that sate up with him, and spent that night in Prayer with him, and for him, and in conference; on Munday morning came T. D. to him before day (thinking it was his last day, for

an order was sent on Friday for his Execution on Munday) and said to him, Thomas, how is it with you now, your last day begins to dawn? he said, blessed be God I am not affraid to die, because I hope I shall go to Jesus Christ; after some time in Prayer for him, we desired him to spend some time in that Duty, which he performed with so much affection, and earnest pleading with God, that all the company were exceedingly melted, and their hearts beyond ordinary measure warm∣ed, and raised, that the room did ring with sighs and groans; and there was such a mighty pre∣sence of the Spirit poured out upon him, and on those that joyned with him, that we do not re∣member the time when ever we had experience of the like; in which Prayer, after the confession of his sins, he begged earnestly for pardon, and for an interest in Christ, saying, O Lord, wilt thou let me die without a Christ? shall I leave this World before thou smilest upon my soul? thou hast promised pardon, and mercy, and salva∣tion to those that do repent, and to those that do believe; Lord, I do repent, I do believe, if I know my own heart, I do repent, I do believe; Lord, I roll my self upon thy Son, I cast my self at his Foot for mercy; thou wouldst be just if thou dost damn me, but thou hast pardoned others, and it will be to the Praise of thy Free-Grace to pardon me; Lord, shall those Prayers that have been made, and all those tears that haue been shed for me, and all those instructions which have been gi∣ven me, be all in vain? with many other ex∣pressions in that Prayer, which wonderfully af∣fected the hearts of those that were with him; that afterwards we looked upon one another, wondering at the Grace of God towards him, that

one so wicked all his days; so young (being 16. years old) so lately acquainted with the wayes of God, should have such a spirit of prayer pour∣ed out upon him: after this he prayed with more life and fervency then before, and the nearer he came to his end, the more we perceived God was ripening him for his glory.

After this, we took our leave of him, not know∣ing but that was the last day; for the Cart stood below, and the Coffin fetched down, and some of the honourable Sheriffs of London's men, came into the Prison; but the Sheriff of Middlesex having not notice to be ready, his Execution was deferred till Wednesday following.

Reader, here take notice, that the report that the reason why he was not Executed on Munday, was because he was drunk, is an abominable falshood, for to our knowledge, that were with him, he did not eat nor drink that morning. When we went up to him again, we told him that we perceived he was not to dye that day, giving him caution, not to think there was any pardon intended for him: and one came from the Sheriff to acquaint him with the reason of the delay of his Execution.

When his Coffin was carried up to him again, one asked what he thought, and what were the workings of his heart, when he saw his Coffin brought back, he said, he was much troubled, and it daunted him to see it; for he could willingly have dyed that day to go to Christ. On Munday in the Afternoon he had an excessive pain in his Teeth (as we judged occasioned by his leaving off his cloaths, and putting on some thin apparel to die in;) and that evening he expressed great wil∣lingness to dye and leave this world, he said, I see and find so much excellency in Christ, that he is so

pure, pure in grace, pure in holiness, pure in all things; Lord, I count it an hell to be upon earth, I so long to be where I might enjoy thee: and he spent some time in Prayer (notwithstanding his pain) with much affection, wherein he said, the pain of thee Teeth was great, but the pain of Hell was greater!

On Tuesday, the day before he died, after some time spent in prayer both by him and H. B. being full of joy, he expressed himself thus; O my dear friend, what a welcome shall I give you when you come to Heaven; and say to you, come, see, come, see, this is the glory that you told me of, but all that you ever told me, was nothing to what I have found, O what a place is this! O how shall we love one another then! sure it cannot be, but Heaven must be a glorious place, where God, and Christ, and Angels be.

The night before he died, a Minister came to Thomas Savage, and after other serious discourse, for satisfaction of a Christian friend that had seen him before, he demanded of him what were now the grounds of his hopes of salvation? He made this reply; God both in infinite mercy made me deeply sensible of great sins, and not only of them, but of the vileness of my heart and nature, and God hath made me to abhor my self for my sins, and I hope truly to repent of them, for that which hath been the delight of my soul, is now as bad as hell; and God hath given me to see, that all my own prayers and tears, and all the prayers of all the good people that come to me, are not a∣ble to save: A Christ alone; I throw my self at the feet of Christ for mercy, and if I perish, I will perish there. I feel longings and breathings after Christ, and love him more than my life; I long to

be with him, and I would not be to live any lon∣ger; this world is a little Hell because of sin; I fear not death, for I hope the sting of it is taken out for me.

This last night before his death, he desired us to sit up with him, in order to his better preparation for the great work he had to do the next day, that we might wrestle with God on his behalf, that when death approached so near unto him, he might have some nearer accesses of God into his soul, that when pale death stared him in the face, he might see God's smiling countenance; which opportunity we readily embraced, and spent the former part of the night in Prayer, till two of the clock in the morning; about which time he de∣sired us to go down into the Lodge, that he might have some part of the night for Prayer and Medi∣tation alone, and to discourse a while with his friend Mr. Baker, to whom he most of all did open his very heart, and spake more freely to, than to any others; (whom for that reason we left with him) and when we were gone down, his friend being with him, who told us afterwards, he fell into ad∣miration, and said, What a prodigy am I? What a wonder of mercy, that God should incline the hearts of his Ministers to come and pray with me, and pour out their souls in prayer thus for me? For me a Murtherer; for me a Drunkard; for me so vile and sinful? Well, I cannot but love God, and though I go to Hell, yet I will love God for his goodness and graciousness to me already ma∣nifested in this world; yea, though I should be damned for my sin, yet I could, and would love God. What, would they venture to come and pray with me a Murtherer? How did they know but I might have murthered some of them? Pray

for me! wrestle for me! well, I know God loves me; I am sure God loves me.

When he was in prayer, some of us heard him say; Now Lord I am coming to thee, thou art mine, and Christ is mine, and what need I be afraid of Death? Lord give me some sense, and some signe of thy Love, that when my Soul shall be se∣parated from my body, it might be received into glory.

Afterwards when he looked upon his cloaths he had put on to dye in, said, What! have I got on my dying cloaths? dying cloaths did I say? they are my living cloaths, the cloaths out of which I shall go into eternal glory, they are the best cloaths that ever I put on.

About four of the clock in the morning we went up to him again, full of expectations what he would say to us, and what we should hear from him, and T. D. stood behind him and took his ex∣pressions as he spoke them, from his own mouth; and first he told us, I account it a great mercy that God hath shewed me the evil of sin, before he cast me into Hell, sin hath not only brought my body to the grave, but my soul in danger of everlasting burnings.

The Lord will have mercy on me I hope; I am filled with joy, I am no more afraid to dye, than to stand in this place, the Lord make me thankful. The Lord hath been working on my soul; for it was not I that could pray, nor refrain from com∣pany, nor delight in any thing that is good; I have cause to bless God that ever I was taken (and this we have heard him often say) for if I had esca∣ped I had gone on in my sin, and might have lost my soul for ever.

One asked him which he thought was worse,

hell or sin? using some gesture of body, said, hell is very dreadful, but sin is worse than hell, because sin brings mens souls to hell, and sin is that which offendeth God.

One asked him what he thought of heaven? with a smiling countenance said, heaven! it cannot be, but heaven must be an excellent place, for it is an holy place. We spake to him concerning his Coffin, that was by him, whether it did not trouble, and amaze him to have it in his sight; he replyed, with all my soul I could go into my Coffin; oh it is a comfor∣table place. (He spake it with joy) I can comfortably die. I have found such a deal of joy and comfort, that I would not for a world have been without it.

We enquired, whether death did not affright him, morning Light will presently appear, he answered, death indeed did trouble me, but now not at all, I long for day, I am not daunted at death. Die! it is nothing: this life is nothing: but to die eternally, and to loose God, and Christ, and Heaven, that is death. Hell torments is not so much, as to be shut from the presence of God. Alas! who would not die this death to go to Jesus Christ? when my body is upon the Gibbet, my soul shall be carried by Angels into Heaven. My heart is so drawn out after God, that I could leave this world to be with him. This world is nothing, those that have the pleasure of it, they have nothing. I desire to die, because I long to be with Christ, there I shall never sin more; there is no sin, but joy, where I shall sing Hallelujahs & praise to God. We asked what he thought of the company of Gods people, for he now had had experience of com∣pany, good and bad. He said, I had rather be here (meaning the hole in Newgate) with bread and wa∣ter with such company, than to have the company of wicked persons, with the greatest dainties. It was

wicked company that drew me away. I account it the greatest mercy, to have the Prayers of Gods people for me, had I had my deserts, I had been now in hell, where I should have had no prayers, no in∣structions; God doth love me, for he hath inclined the hearts of his People and Ministers to pray for me, and their Prayers have prevailed.

Being asked what promises he found to be his support against the guilt of sin, now he was to die, he alledged these, repeating the words himself, Whosoever will, let him come and drink of the wa∣ters of Life freely; and he that confesseth and for∣saketh his sin, shall find mercy; & let the wicked for∣sake his way, & the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abun∣dantly pardon. This word (abundantly pardon) did often refresh his soul; I have sinned abundantly, but God will pardon abundantly. After these, he mentioned another, viz. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am chief: & said, I do rely and throw my self upon Jesus Christ, I do believe there is me∣rit enough in him, and all-sufficiency in him to save me; It is nothing that I can do, will save me.

He complained, that it was the grief of his soul, that he could love God no more, and love Christ no more for his mercy towards him, in giving him so much time, & so many helps, in sending so many Mi∣nisters to instruct him, but added, when several Mi∣nisters had been with me, I threw off all, & returned to sin, & did as vainly as any. I could not have repen∣ted, and believed of my self, it is the work of God. He often said, I fear not death, it was nothing with him to die, & to go to Christ. He often said, that he had rather die imediatly, having an interest in Christ

than to live a thousand years in this world, in the enjoyment of all the pleasures of it, without Christ.

And, that he had found more pleasures and de∣light in the ways of God, since he came into Prison, than ever he found in all the ways of sin.

He confessed his sins, saying, he first neglected and profaned the Sabbath, and said this was the be∣ginnig of all his wickedness, that on the Sabbath morning, he studied what company to go into, in what place of sin he might spend the Sabbath, then to wicked Society, then to Ale-houses, then to Bro∣thel-houses, then to murder, then to theft, then to Newgate, and yet at last he hoped to Heaven.

He lamented, saying, I have striven to dishonour God, and to run into sin: Oh that I should spend so much time in serving of the Devil, and now have but a little moment of time to spend in the service of God, and to the glory of God.

This discourse being ended, we desired him now on his last morning before he went into eternity, to pray with us, and he willingly consented, and his prayer was as followeth, being taken from his mouth by Thomas Doolittel, that also took in writing his preceding discourse; Verbatim.

The Prayer of Thomas Savage in Newgate, with those that sate up with him the night before his Execution.

O Most merciful and ever blessed Lord God, I beseech thee, O Lord, look down upon me with an eye of pity if it be thy blessed will, it is thy infinite mercy that I am on this side the grave, and out of Hell: O Lord I have deserved to be cast into Torments to all Eternity. How have I offended thee, and run on in sin, and thought I could never do enough to abuse thy mercy! Pardon the sins that I have committed, wash that bloud from off my soul, let not my soul perish to Eternity. It was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 horrid crime to shed innocent bloud; Pardon that

sin, O Lord, let the blood of Christ cry more for mercy, than the blood of that Creature cry for Vengeance. O Lord, thou hast been merciful to me in giving me time to repent, for ought I know, her Soul is undone for ever, Lord forgive me, Lord forgive me, I knew not what I did. Forgive my Sabbath-breaking, lying, cursing, forgive my drunkenness, blot them out of the book of re∣membrance, turn them away behind thee. Lord I have repented of them from my Soul, that ever I should offend God, so good, and so merciful and gracious, I do believe on thee, and do wholly throw my self upon thee. I ac∣knowledge it would be just in thee to damn my Soul, but it will be infinite mercy in thee to save me, and what free grace will it be in the to pardon me. It is dreadful to lose the body, but how dreadful will it be to lose the Soul to all eternity! Lord let it not be in vain that I have had so many instructions, O let me not go down to Hell, let my Soul bless and praise thy Name for ever, for what thou hast done for me, thou hast been at work upon my heart, and thou hast helped me to repent, the Lord be praised. Lord I desire to be more and more humbled under the sense of my sins, for they are dread∣full; there are many Souls that have not committed those sins that are now in Hell. O what mercy is it that I am not in those flames, in those devouring flames! Lord as thou hast spared me here, spare me to Eternity. Let not my Soul perish, Lord reveal thy self unto me, make known thy love unto me, tell me my sins are pardo∣ned, tell me, that I have an interest in Christ before I go hence, and be seen no more, that I might leave some testimony behind me, that I might tell thy Ministers, what thou hast done for me, and tell thy people what thou hast done for my soul; Lord this will not be only for my satisfaction, but for thy glory. Blessed Lord, pardon the sins that I am guilty of, and take away this cursed base heart of mine, break this rocky stony heart

in pieces, these sins of Murder and Drunkenness, &c. were in my heart before, I thought no eye did see me com∣mit those sins, but thou didst see me, Lord turn my heart to thee, and take away this heart of stone, and take away this cursed nature; for it was this cursed nature that brought me to these sins, and to this end, and I was in dan∣ger of losing my soul to all eternity; but, Lord, though I am a great sinner, Christ is a great Saviour, He is able to save me from my sins, though they be never so great; I do believe, Lord, I speak freely from my heart, so far as I know my heart, I do believe, it is my grief I can sorrow no more for my sins, which have been the cause of my of∣fending thee so long, and so much. One drop of thy Blood sprinkled upon my soul, will pardon all my sins; Lord, cross the black line of my sins with the red line of thy Blood: I am not able to answer for one vain thought, much less for all my horrid crimes. Lord, save my im∣mortal soul, that I might sing praise to Thee to all Eter∣nity. Thou hast pardoned Manasseh that was a great sinner, and Mary Magdalen, and Paul, that were great Sinners, and the Thief upon the Cross; and thy Mercies are as great, thy Mercy and thy Love to Repent∣ing Sinners is not shortned; though my sins be great, yet thy Mercies are greater than my Sins; Lord, be with me in my death, then let me have some comfortable as∣surance of thy love unto my soul, of the pardon of my sin; do thou be my God and my Guide now, and to all Eter∣nity. Amen.

This Prayer he put up with much earnestness, with great brokenness of heart for sin, that all that joyned with him, were exceedingly affected▪ and blessed God for the spirit of Prayer they discerned God had so plentifully poured out upon him.

After we had some other discourse with him, we took our leave of him, telling him we purpo•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉

see him again at the place of Execution. After two or three hours, when the time of his going from Newgate drew near, we were willing to return to see him once more there, and the rather, because one Minister that had not yet been with him, was de∣sirous to visit him: and then again after some few words with him, we asked him to go to Prayer a∣gain, once more, saying now, this will be the last time that we shall pray with you in this place. And he did perform this duty with great liveliness, that now he excelled himself, and the nearer he came to his end, the more fervently we perceived he prayed; but we took notice, that in this last duty in Newgate he was much in praising God, and blessing God for his mercy to him, to our great astonishment.

After a few words, when this duty was over, we took some of us our final farewel of him; & he ex∣pressing his thanks to Gods people for their Pray∣ers for him, and to the Ministers for their love and pains with him, was commended by us to the grace of God, saying, Thomas, the Lord be with you, the Lord of Heaven be with you, O the Lord of mercy help you, and have compassion on you.

This morning he expressed himself to his friend H. B. thus, Oh my friend, we cannot tell how glo∣rious a place Heaven is, but if once I get thither, & could drop down a Letter to you, and tell you of the glorious things I there shall find, how would it rejoyce your heart? and to this friend parting with him, said, I know God loveth me, and that I am going to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The last Speech of Thomas Savage at the place of his Execution at Ratcliff.

Gentlemen,

HEre I am come to die a cursed & ignominious Death, and I most justly deserve it, for I have

Murthered a poor innocent Creature, and for ought I know, have not only murthered her body, but if God had no more mercy on her soul, than I had of her body, she is undone to all Eternity; so that I deserve not only death from men, but damnation from God. I would have you all that look upon me, take warning by me; the first sin I began with, was Sabbath-breaking, thereby I got acquainted with bad company, and so went to the Ale-house, from the Ale-house to the Bawdy-house, there I was per∣swaded to rob my Master, as also to murder this poor innocent creature, for which I am come to this shameful end. I was drawn aside, I say, by ill company, pray take heed of that, for it will not on∣ly bring your bodies to the grave, but your souls to hell; have a care of neglecting the Sabbaths, it is that which hath not only brought my body to the grave, but my soul in danger of eternal torments. And try the waies of God, for, the Lord be praised, I have found so much of excellency and sweetness in Gods waies, that I bless God that ever I came in∣to a Prison. And now, though I am leaving this world, I know I shall go to a better place; for I have repented from my soul for all my sins, not because I am to die for them, but to see that▪ I should do that whereby I should deserve hell ten thousand times over, and so dishonour God.

Now the Lord have mercy on my Soul.

The Prayer of Thomas Savage at the place of Exe∣cution.

O Most merciful and for ever blessed Lord God, I beseech thee look down upon my poor immortal soul, which now is taking its flight into another World, which now is ready to appear before thy Bar, Lord, I

beseech thee prepare me for it, and receive my soul into the arms of thy mercy, and though my body die, and I come to die this shameful death, yet let my soul live with thee for ever; Lord, pardon all the horrid sins that I have committed, the Sabbath-breaking, Lying, Swearing, Cursing, Ʋncleanness, and all the rest of my sins that ever I have committed; Lord, give me a n••w heart, and give me Faith, that I may lay hold and throw my self fully and wholly upon thee; enable me, O Lord, give me saving repentance, that I may come to thy Bar, and thence be received into glory, let me not be a prey to Devils to all Eternity: let not my soul perish▪ though my Body die, let my soul live; Lord, let me not be shut out from thy presence, and let not all the Pray∣ers, and Tears, and Counsels, and Instructions that have been made and shed on my behalf, be in vain; pitty my poor soul, Lord, my immortal soul. Lord, it would be just with thee to cast me into everlasting burning. I have been a great sinner, but Christ is a great Saviour. O Lord, thou hast pardoned great sinners, and thou canst do it, Lord, and Lord, wilt thou not do it? Lord, let me not be a fire-brand of Hell, and a prey to Devils to all Eternity, let me not then be shut up with Devils and damned souls, when my soul takes its flight into another world; Lord, I haue repented for what I have done, from the bottom of my heart, I have repented; and Lord, if thou wouldst damn me, thou wouldst be just, but how infinite∣ly more would it be for the glory of thy Free Grace to save such a sinner as I am; good Lord pour down thy spirit upon my soul, O tell me that I have interest in Christ's Blood, good Father, good Lord, before I go hence; Lord, I am willing, I am willing to leave this world, I ••an prize thee above all, there is nothing I can prize like to thee, wilt thou not receive my soul? receive it into thy arms, and say, come thou blessed of my Father, dear Father, for Jesus Christ sake pitty my poor soul,

for pitties sake. Lord, it is not my Prayers, or tears, will save my soul, but if ever I am saved, it must be through Free Grace, and the Blood of Christ, and if there be not enough in that Blood, Lord, I am willing to be damned. Lord, look down upon my poor soul, and though I have been such a sinner, thou art able to pardon me, and wash me, apply one drop of thy Blood to my soul, Lord, my immor∣tal soul, that is more worth than ten thousand worlds; it is true, Lord, I confess I have taken a great deal of plea∣sure in sin, I have run on in sin, and could not invent where to go on Thy day, and was wont to study into what place, and into what company I might go upon the Sab∣bath-day: forgive me, Lord, wash me, receive me into Thy arms, O Lord; Oh for one glimps of mercy; Lord, if thou wilt please to reveal thy self to me, I shall tell it to all that behold me; it is a mercy, Lord, that I am not in Hell, and that thou shewest me the bitterness of sin before I come into Hell; it is a mercy, Lord, that I have had the Prayers, converse and instructions of so many of thy Mi∣nisters and people; Lord, receive my soul, one smile, Lord, one word of comfort for Jesus sake; O let me not go out of this world, let not my soul perish, though I kil∣led a poor innocent creature, Lord deal not with me as I dealt with her, but pitty me, pitty me for Jesus Christ's sake, Amen.

One asked him in the Cart, well, now Thomas, how is it with your soul, what sense have you of God's love? Sir, I thank God, though infinite mercy, I find God loves me, and that now I can chearfully go.

After his Cap was over his eyes, he used these Expres∣sions,

Lord Jesus receive my spirit.

Lord, one smile.

Good Lord, one word of comfort for Christ's sake, tho death make separation between my soul

and body, let nothing separate between thee and my soul to all eternity.

Good Lord hear me.

Good Father hear me.

O Lord Jesus receive my soul.

Whilst he did thus pathetically express himself to the people, especially to God in Prayer, there was a great moving upon the affections of those who stood by, and many tears were drawn from their eyes by his melting speeches. All this was the more remarkable in this young man, being under sixteen years of age when he was first apprehended.

After he was turned off the Cart, he strugled for a while, heaving up his body, which a young man (his friend) seeing, to put him quickly out of his pain, struck him with all his might on the breast several times together, then no motion was per∣ceived in him, and hanging some considerable time after that, and as to all outward appearance dead, insomuch as one said to another friend of his, namely Mr. B. now he is in Eternity, and the peo∣ple beginning to move away, the Sheriff comman∣ded him to be cut down, and being received in the arms of some of his Friends, he was conveyed by them into a house not far distant from the place of Execution, where being laid upon a Table, unto the astonishment of the Beholders, he began to stir and breath, and rattle in his throat, and it was evi∣dent his life was whole in him; from the Table he was carried to a bed in the same house, where he breathed more strongly, and opened his eyes, and his mouth (though his teeth were set before) and offered to speak, but could not recover the use of his tongue; but his reviving being known, with∣in 4 hours the Officers came to the house where he was, and conveyed him to the place of Execution

again, and hung him up again, until he was quite dead, whence he was carried by his mourning friends to Islington, where he now sleepeth in the bed of his Grave, until the morning of the Resur∣rection; from whence, though buried in disho∣nour, he will then be raised in glory.

Thus you have had the Relation of one that was but young in years, but old in wickedness: you have read of his Sabbath-breaking, Profaneness, Swear∣ing, Lying, Stealing, Drunkenness, Fornication, and the like sins, which he confessed himself fre∣quently and deeply guilty of; and to compleat and fill up the measure of his sins, he added to the rest the horrid sin of Murder. I believe you have scarce∣ly heard of sin grown up to such maturity in so short a time, as it did in him, who when he was im∣prisoned, was under sixteen years of age.

And what could any expect should be the issue & product of sin arrived to such perfection, but death, and wrath, and the vengeance of Eternal Fire?

But behold here an instance of Free Grace! his sins did abound, but Gods grace did super-abound. Sometimes God doth sow the seed of Grace in the heart that is most unlikely to receive it, & reapeth Great Glory to his name by pardoning Great Sins.

We read that when Ephraim was bent upon wick∣edness, so that a man could hardly expect the re∣straining of Gods anger any longer, but that it should kindle in his breast, & break forth in a flame to devour a people so rebellious, yet the Lord ex∣presseth himself in a way of wonderful mercy, and astonishing free Grace, Hos. 11. 8, 9. How shall I give thee up O Ephraim? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? my heart is turned within me (not against Ephraim, but towards him) my repentings (not mine anger) are kindled together,

I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger. And the reason is not drawn from any thing in Ephraim to move him, but only from himself, for I am God, & not man. If one man had been so provoked by ano∣ther, & it had lain in the power of his hand to have avenged himself upon his enemy, surely he would not have spared, or shewn any favour; but because he is God & not man, whose thoughts are not like our thoughts, and whose mercies are not like our mercies, but further removed above them, than the Heavens are removed above the Earth; in compari∣son with whose mercies, our most tender mercies are no less than cruelty: therefore, because he is God & not man, and herein would Act like himself, he hath pity, & sheweth favour unto Ephraim. Take another instance in Israel, who had made God to serve with his sins, and wearied him with his iniqui∣ties, having pressed God herewith as a cart is pressed with sheaves, and nothing but vengeance could ra∣tionally be expected, & that God should say as at a∣nother time (for God doth not shew such favor to all, & at all times, that the freeness of it might be the more evident;) Ah, I will ease me of my Adversa∣ries, and avenge me on my Enemies; and I, even I am he that will make such audacious sinners see and feel what an evil and fearful thing it is to affront and provoke me; yet read how graciously God pardoneth Israel, de∣claring the ground of it to be only for the glory of his own Name, Isa. 43. 25. I, even I am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Surely no motive from this young mans person, or any good previus disposition (he being so exceeding vitiated by such defiling sins) could in the least in∣cline God to have mercy upon him; but the motive was taken from himself, & his own bowels. He had

mercy on him only, because he would have mercy, & compassion on him, because he would have com∣passion. If some, yea many are passed by, who have escaped the more gross pollutions which are in the world through lust, & never committed such God-provoking sins, as you read in the Narrative that he committed; but for lesser faults are punished ever∣lastingly, when God hath had mercy upon him, and thrown the skirt of his love over him, and wrought a gracious change in him; we must say with our Saviour, Matth. 11. 26. Even so Father, because it so seemed good in thy sight! It is through free grace that any are saved; but in the salvation of such a one, God hath demonstrated the exceeding riches of his grace towards him through Jesus Christ, Eph. 2. 7.

Let not any from this example of Gods free grace presume to continue & indulge themselves in a sin∣ful course, hoping to obtain mercy at the last as he hath done, and to turn Gods glory into shame, & his grace into wantonness: for it is a rare example, hardly again to be parallel'd: will a man run him∣self through the body, because some have been healed of such wounds? will a man drink down poyson, because some by an Antidote have expel∣led the poyson and escaped with life? Is not presumption the bane and ruin of millions of souls? may not God cut you off in the act of some of your sins, and not give you time for repentance? and if life doth continue, may not he deny you the grace of Repentance? doth not custome and continuance in sin harden your heart, and fasten you in Satans Chains? hath not God threatened that such who cry peace, peace to themselves, though they walk after the imagination of their hearts, to add drunkenness to thirst, That he will not spare them, but his anger and his jealousie shall smoke against

them, and that he will blot out their name from under Heaven, Deut. 29. 19, 20.

The great Improvement which should be made of Gods gracious dealings with this young man, is for all to admire Gods free grace; and especially for poor distressed Souls, that are upon the brink of Hell in their own apprehensions, and are ready to despair of Gods mercy, because of the great∣ness of their sins; to take encouragement from hence, and hopes, that there may be mercy in store for them; they have not been Murderers, whatever their sins have been, and if a Murderer hath been received into favour, why may not they hope? Let such think with themselves that it is free grace hath saved him, and let them sue out at the throne of Grace, for the same grace which is freely tendred unto them.

A recollection out of this Narrative of those pas∣sages, from which in charity we do conclude, that the work of grace was really wrought in his soul; or the evidences of T. S. of his Title to Eternal Happiness.

1. HE bitterly lamented his sins, and loathed him∣self for them, especially as they were against a good and gracious God, according to Ps. 51. 4. and Luc. 15. 18. (2) He was deeply sensible of, and grieved for, the corruption of his heart, from whence his actual sins did proceed, according to Psal. 51. 5. (3) He mourned over his back-slidings, because God was thereby disho∣noured. (4) He found it hard to believe, yet professed he would roll himself, and rely upon the merits of Christ a∣lone for Salvation, and if he perished, he would perish there. (5) He was much in a little time in duty, yet did protest he saw the insufficiency of them to justifie or save him, according to Phil. 3. 9. (6) He made choice of Christ before all, before life it self, according to Phil. 3. 8.

(7.) he longed for morning when he was to die, because he desired to be with Christ, according to Phil. 1. 23. (8) he greatly loved God, because much was forgiven him, ac∣cording to Luke 7. 47. and said, though God should damn him, yet he could and would love God. (9) he loved the company of Gods people, and professed, he had rather be with Gods people in prison, with bread and water, than with the ungodly with liberty and greatest dainties, accor∣ding to 1 Joh. 3. 14. (10.) he blessed God that ever he was taken and imprisoned; thinking it better to be in chains, and brought to die, than to go on in sin. (11) he was most broken and melted for his sins, when those that came to visit him were gone from him, and not in their pre∣sence; when hypocrites mourn before others, and are less affected when alone; yet this was sometimes his trouble, lest God should lose the glory of the work he had wrought in him. This was observed by one that was usually with him, when others went from him. (12) he wept for joy at that time, when he could not find that God loved him; that he was not cursing, and swearing, and sinning against God, as others did, and he himself formerly. (13) he found and tasted more sweetness in the waies of God, in praying, and mourning for sin, than he ever found in the commission of sin. (14) he accounted sin to be worse than hell. (15) he had a spirit of Prayer given to him so plen∣tifully, that it was an astonishment to many that joyned sometimes with him, considering how ignorant he was a little before, according to Acts 9. 11. for behold, he prayeth. (16) he looked upon the loss of God, more than than the torments of hell, and feared it more. (17) he prized Heaven, because there he should sin no more. These were his own expressions, and what we observed that were frequently with him: and Reader, do thou pray, and watch, that thou maist not be guilty of this young man's sins, but pray, and labour that thou mightest obtain the like evidences for Heaven.