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.

2 TIM. 2. 22.

Flee also Youthful Lusts.

I Am come this day to speak to you in the name of a dying man; and dying mens words should leave living affections, and lasting affections upon hearts of the Hearers. Nay, that which is in∣finitely more, I am come to speak to you in the Name of the Living God: and therefore, I beseech you, be serious; remember that we are not now about a laughing-business; it is no less then for Lives and Souls: and for ought that I know, as you demean your selves now, it may fare with you to all Eternity: And if that will make you mind what I say the more, know this, That what I shall now speak, is but a Comment upon what was yesterday delivered in brief, from one that was in perfect health, and in the Grave the same day. And who knows whether there be not some here alive, and in health, that before to morrow morning shall be lumps of clay, and this the last Sermon that ever they shall hear! Wherefore I beseech you Sirs, if you love the life of your souls, hearken as if you expected to die as soon as my Sermon were ended.

The shortness of my time, will give me leave to spend no time at all, by way of reflexion, upon the Context; but I shall immediately fall upon the words, as they lie before us: Flee youthful Lusts. In which you may observe,

1. An Act, Flee.

2. The Object, Lusts.

3. The quality of the Object, Youthful lusts.

The Doctrine that I shall take notice of from these words, is this.

Doct. That it is the great duty of young people, to be exceeding careful to avoid the sins which usually attend their age. Or, if you please, That it highly concerns Young men, to flee youthful lusts. It's no cowardise to flee from sin.

In the prosecution of this Doctrine, I shall shew,

1. What are the common sins of young people.

2. What it is to flee from youthful Lusts.

3. Why they should flee from youthful Lusts.

4. I shall apply it.

I shall name some of those sins which young ones are subject to.

First, Young people are very apt to be disobe∣dient to their Parents, or Masters. O how great a rarity is it, to see young people as ready to obey, as their Parents are to command! Most children are children of Belial; that is, without a yoak. Let Parents command, advise, nay intreat, all's to little purpose: How ready are they to break the

bond which God and Nature lay upon them to duti∣fulness! Though the Command of God be plain enough, though his Threatnings are terrible, and though this sin seldom goes unpunished in this life; yet children take little or no notice of them: one would think that one Scripture should scare them, Prov. 30. 17. The eye that mocketh at his Father, and de∣sp••seth to obey his Mother, the Ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young Eagles shall eat it. What is the Eng∣lish of that? Why, they shall come to an untimely end. Have not the sad Complaints of many, at Tyburn, sufficiently demonstrated this to be true? Have not many cried out, with a halter about their neck, Chil∣dren, if you value your lives and souls, take heed of disobey∣ing your Parents. That was the sin which brought me to this untimely and shameful end.

2. Another youthful sin is, Lying: Poor children quickly learn this Lesson of their Father the Devil. It is not without good reason, that the Psalmist, Psal. 58. 3. gives such a character of wicked children which went astray from the womb, telling Lies and the older they grow, the more skilled they be in this devilish Art: it's like they are not ignorant, that it is a sin that cuts the bonds of all Society: it may be they are told how dear Ananias and Saphira paid for one Lie, Act. 5. 3. nay, though the Word of Truth tell them more than once, That Liars must dwell with their Father the Devil, in that black Prison, Hell; though they hear of a Lake of Fire and Brim∣gone that burns for ever, [Rev. 21. 8.] and that such as they are, must be cast into it: yet for all this they'll venture still.

3. Sabbath-breaking is another youthful sin. O how little do most of the young people of this City, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the sanctifying of the Sabbath? Doth not the multi∣tude

of Apprentices and Children that wander up and down Monefields on the Lord's-day, speak this to be too true? they dare not make bold with their Masters time on the Week-daies; but as for God's Day, that they spend as if God had set apart one day in the Week for young people to sleep, drink, and play in. They dare as well eat a piece of their fingers, almost, as to do that of another day, which they do then: and the truth of it is, they look upon the displeasure of a dying man as terrible; but the An∣ger of a Holy GOD▪ they make light of. O! little do they think what precious time that is! their souls are naked, and they may then have cloathing; they are starving, and they may then have food, the Mar∣ket is then open; Provisions for Eternity may then be had. But, O prodigious madness! the hearts of most young ones speak in this language, As for Christi Heaven, and Soul, let them go; we have better things to think on; more weighty matters to mind. And is it true indeed, O young man? What, is the com∣pany of vain Wretches, like thy self, the wanton embraces of a whorish Woman, the turning off thy cups, and damnation, more needful than the hearing of Sermons, than Praying, and Reading, and Salva∣tion? Sure you shall not alwaies be of that mind! O! little do you imagine how dear you shall pay for all the pleasures you have on the Sabbath, out of God's House. This, this was THE SIN which lay like a load upon the soul of this poor Young man, The profaning of the Sabbath; that was the bane of him. This carried him out of God's Way, into the De∣vils Quarters. O how bitterly did he bemoan him∣self for this sin, as the cause of all the rest! O! (said he) when I should have been begging the life of my soul, I was plotting the death of my soul and body too. Did none

of you stand by the Cart, when he wept so bitterly, and cried to the Lord to forgive this great and dread∣ful sin? Did none of you hear how earnestly he beg∣ged of you to have a care of that sin, as you loved your Lives and Souls. O wretch (said he) that I was! I studied how I might spend the Lords Day in the Devils work. I thought I could never dishonour God enough: and that time that I should have served God most in, I did most for Satan: in them, then, I plaid my mad pranks; I went into the Church indeed, sometimes, but (I may speak it with shame and deep sorrow now) I never heard one whole Sermon all the time I was with my Master, and indeed, I laughed at those that spent the Sabbath in hear∣ing of Sermons, and Praying; and looked upon them as the veriest fools in the world. I was glad when the Sab∣bath came, that I might have time to run to my vile Com∣rades: I rejoyced that I could then go to satisfie my cur∣sed Lusts with whorish women. O! tell young m••n from me, that the breaking of the Sabbath is a costly and dan∣gerous sin. Sirs, the substance of this Sermon I recei∣ved from his mouth: And will you not believe a dying man? Do you think he did but jest? 'Twas on the Sabbath day he went to a whore; 'twas on the Sabbath he robbed his Master, and 'twas on the Sabbath that he killed the Maid. But because this sin is Epidemical, I leave a short story with you, and desire you to think of it; and the if you like what follows, break the Sabbath still. The story is this; A dear Friend of mine was preaching about the san∣ctifying of the Sabbath, and had occasion to make mention of that man that by the special command of God was stoned to death for gathering sticks up∣on the Sabbath-day. Whereupon one of the Con∣gregation stood up, and laughed, and made all the hast he could out of the Church, and went to ga∣thering

of sticks, though he had no need of them; but when the people came from the Sermon, they found this man stark dead, with the bundle of sticks in his arms, lying in the Church-porch. And yet for all this, there stands a young man in that corner that makes nothing of idling away the Sabbath; and there sits another that minds not the Lord's Day, except it be to get into wicked company, and take his pleasure in it. And how canst thou endure to hear of this, without trembling? But I fear thy heart is so hard, that thou art ready to rage against this reproof. Well, if the case be so, I have done with thee: but, believe it, God hath not yet do••e with thee, and the Devil hath not done with thee; and though thy Conscience say nothing now, yet I tell thee, that hath not done with thee neither. Let none think I am tedious upon this Head: if young men will but reform this sin, I promise I will never tell them of it more. Christians (I hope that there be some such here) would it not be a blessed sight to see the Fields, the Tavern, the Whore-houses empty, and the Churches full? would it not be a blessed Reformation? O when shall it once be! Which is the sweeter Musick, to hear the air eccho with the confused hollowing and roaring of lewd young men playing upon the Lord's Day, or to hear the sound of singing of Psalms, repeating of Sermons, Praying, Reading of Scriptures? Which is like to end best? Isa. 56. 2. Amos 8. Isa. 58. 14, 15. Ezek. 20. 12.

4. Another youthful sin is, Mispending of time. Young ones think they have time enough before them; and therefore make nothing of trifling it away. How far are most from following the Apostles counsel, in redeeming of the time? What, do you think

many hours discourse of filthy Bawdy stories, is that redeeming of time? is sitting up whole nights to play at Cards and Dice, redeeming of time? Is rob∣bing your selves of sleep, to lie in the bosom of Daliah, redeeming time? If this be redeeming of time, then some of our young ones, and many of our Gallants, redeem time bravely. 'Twas a nota∣ble one, that of Seneca; if (saith he) one ask me for my Purse, I am not ve••y willing to give it him; if he beg all my Estate, I think it a mad request: but if he ask me to pass away time with him, two or three daies of time, I pass not much upon it, but it's easily granted; and thus one of the most precious things in the World is vilified. O little do people think how glad they shall be one day of one of those hours that they spent in foolery! Oh call Time again, will be the language of more than one, upon a death-bed. Could you talk with some of the mad young ones that are in Hell, that lived five or six years ago in as much pleasure as you do now, and spent their time like you; but it may be, little dreamed of being in Hell so soon, but might reckon of forty or fifty years to live; could you, I say, talk with them, and ask them what they think of time now? They would quickly say, Oh! a World for one praying hour. Oh! where are the people to be found, that seriously consider, that there is not a moment of time but we must be accountable for. 'Twas excellently spoke of that poor young man, when he was in Newgate amongst the ••••mmon Pri∣soners; one Sabbath-day they asked 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to play at Cards with them: Oh (saith he) you and I have some∣thing else to do with our time, than to play at Cards! Is it now a time for us to be sporting away the Sabbath, when we have but one poor Sand left to work for Eternity?

5. Another youthful sin is, Keeping bad Company. Are there not many of the Devils Emissaries, that make it their business to decoy poor young ones? O what a happiness do they promise them! a goodly happiness indeed to carry them to the Devil! 'Twas not without cause that David (in Psal. 1. 1.) did pronounce them blessed that had least to do in wick∣ed company. Whatever deluded Creatures think of their mad jovial company; one that is well in his wits, looks upon their society as an emblem of Hell, Psal. 120. The young man, upon whose account we are here met this day, told me, That two or three wicked fellows first, got him out to spend a penny; but little did he think whither they were leading of him; and after they had been at one place, they carried him to another, till at last they brought him to that house, out of which few go without their Deaths-wound. This was the general com∣plaint of them that went this last Assizes to Tyburn. And yet how are silly souls pleased with such com∣pany; whose greatest kindness is to make them go merrily to Hell? And are they still such sweet na∣tur'd Creatures, that you can't love too much, who do what they can possibly to deprive you of your truest happiness, and make you miserable for ever? O how will your boon Companions greet one ano∣ther in Hell, nay, it may be, upon Earth too? I re∣member I was once with a drunkard that lay a dy∣ing, and after I had prayed with him, in comes one of his old Companions in sin, and asked him how he did: at which he was ready to gnash his teeth, and made this dreadful reflection concerning him, to me. O that, that was the wicked wretch that drew me away: if it had not been for him, I had not been in so lamentable a case upon a death-bed, Prov. 1. 10, 11.

6. The sixth youthful sin is, Cursing and Swearing. How ready are young ones to learn the language of their Father? it was not long since that I heard a little Boy swear at every sentence he spoke. O what will such be when they come to be old, if they begin so soon? scarce creep on their feet, and yet running post to Hell! O how many are there of this Daring Generation, that bend their tongues like bows, and shoot those Arrows against Heaven, which will fall down dipt in the poison of Divine Fury. It would make ones heart ake, to hear how some belch out their hellish Oaths! to hear how cruelly they take in the Wounds of Christ, and crucifie him afresh; not considering that at the same time they are butcher∣ing of their own souls: and if one tell them of their Swearing, how ready are they to swear, That they did not swear; and turn and laugh, as if it were a creditable thing to be like the Devil, and an honour to make hast to Hell? O how many are there of his Black Crew, that brave it out with their Damn-me and Sink-me, and Oaths, as if they would dare the Almighty to his very face, and as if there were little of truth in God's Threatnings, and his Anger a very light matter! O sinner! What if God should take thee at thy word, when the next Damn-me is in thy mouth, and stop thy breath, with an Oath in thy mouth? What if God should go to cursing too? Do you know what a dreadful Word that is, Go thou cursed? O! What if God should swear too, That thou shalt never enter into his rest? Couldst thou but see the flaming tongues of those horrid sinners that know what the meaning of that word, Damn-me is couldst thou but see how they bite those tongues for mad∣ness, it may be it would make thee think, that an Oath is no such light matter. You say, words are

but wind: but believe it, this wind will rise to such a Storm, as will not be allaid, without deep repen∣tance, till it hath blown thee into hell. Did you ne∣ver read the third of Mal. v. 5. I will come near to judg∣ment, and will be a swift witness against the false Swear∣ers, and such as fear not me, saith the Lord of Hosts. But you'l say, your tongues are your own, who is Lord over us, Psal. 12. 4. You shall hear one shortly, that will an∣swer that question, and let you know, that he is Lord over that, and that your own Tongues shall be made to condem you. But what is it that I see? How does that swearing Wretch storm and rage there at me, for telling him of his sins? Come, come, sinner, if you spare not God, I promise you I will not spare you: and I tell thee, What thou hearest, is nothing to what thou shalt feel.

7. The next youthful lust that I shall mention, is Drunkenness. Do not many (I wish old ones were not here too guilty) act as if their business in this World, was to eat, and drink, and take their pleasures? The Devil bids them read the Text, Eccles. 11. 9. Rejoyce, O young men; and they are easily perswa∣ded to take his counsel: and so they drink, and roar, and consider not what a reckoning will be brought in at last; neither do they stand till they have read the latter part of that verse; but know that for all these things God will bring thee to judgment. Not considering the meaning of that whole Scrip∣ture, which is but this; Go, young man, lie at the Ta∣verns and Alehouses, do; drink, and be drunk; but re∣member this, you shall be damn'd for it; and God will make you take off t'other Cup, whether you will or no, and that is a Cup spiced with Wrath and Fury. But you see not, neither do you yet feel it; and there∣fore you do but laugh at all this; you say with those

in Matt. 24. 49. My Master delaies his coming, and therefore you eat and drink with the Drunkards: you say, let him talk till his heart akes, I will never leave my Pleasure for you: why Man! Wilt thou then be desperate? Dare you say, I'll drink, though there be Death in the Pot, though Hell be at the bot∣tom of the Cup? or do you think that God will be worse than his word? and, that though he threaten high, yet he means no such matter. O sinner, de∣ceive not thy self, and if you forget the rest, carry home but that one Text, Deut. 29. 9, 10. If any one hear the words of this curse, and yet bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine own heart, and add drunkenness to thirst, the Lord will not spare him, &c. Do you read on, and read it again, and think of that Scripture the next time that you sit down to your Cups. Little do poor creatures think how dreadful a sin Drunkenness is, and how many it bringeth with it: I'll tell you of one story of my own knowledg, and then I shall leave this: A certain Drunkard that I knew very well, when he was in drink, quarrelled with his Fellow-servant, and after a few words, knocked him down with his Flail, and killed him at one blow. After∣wards, by Friends, he made a shift to escape the Hal∣ter, and comes home again, and swears, and curses, and drinks at as high a rate as ever: but at last, when he was in the same yard where he did this Murder, he dropt down dead in a moment; and I was one of the first that saw him.

8. Another youthful sin is, Ʋncleanness. Is not England too near a kin to France? Do not many of our young ones act as if they took pattern by Sodom, and had learned of Gomorrah? Jeremiah made sad complaint, Jer. 5. 7. And are we less guilty? Doth

not the Scripture speak plain enough against this sin? Though the Pope count it a Vemal fault, yet those that are guilty of it, will find, that his Pardon will give them little ease, when they are cast into a Bed of Flames. Sure our hot young men seldom read the book of Proverbs, but act as if that simple young man (Prov. 7. 13.) did run no great hazzard. What was it that brought Thomas Savage to Theft and Murder? what brought him to that shameful death? O how bitterly did he take on, that he should ever see the face of that Vile Woman! O! had he but considered whither he was going, and that most of her Guests go to Hell? had be but thought seriously, how bit∣ter that sin would prove, I believe he would have lain in Flames, as soon as with that abominable woman. Did none of you hear what he said when he was upon the Cart? Did none of you see with what earnestness he spoke? Why, this was one great thing that he begg'd of you young ones, as his dying request, That you would have a care of this sin.

9. The next youthful sin that I should mention, is Theft. Drunkenness and Ʋncleanness are two costly sins, especially the latter; and poor creatures are usually so bewitched with that, that Credit, Purse, Body, Soul, and all, must go, rather than that beastly sin should not be gratified. How many Servants are there that wrong their Masters, imbezel their Goods, and secretly wast them by the fore-mentioned sin: and I believe I need not tell you what a tragical end Theft hath.

That Prodigy of her Sex, and disgrace of Wo∣men, could not be satisfied with Wine and good Chear; her Purse must be fed as well as her stinking Carcase: What do you come hither (said she) for with∣out Mony? Why, where should I have it, said he? What

hath your Master none? replied that Monster. Yes, said he, but I never wronged him, neither can I. Nay, said she, if you be thereabout, come no more here. But alas! the poor Creature is insnared, so that he cannot but go to ask counsel of this Daughter of the Devil, how he should manage his matters, so as to get that mo∣ney which his Master had. She makes a ready reply, and adviseth, To murder the Maid, to bury the theft. O that unfaithful servants would think of these things, and now and then read that Scripture, Tit. 2. 10. and Luk. 16. 6.

I should here speak something of the bloody sin of Murder; but the Word of God, the Laws of Men, the Power of Conscience, and the signal Judgments of God against such, puts me in some hope, that I need not much insist upon that. I shall add but one sin more.

10. Another youthful sin is, Incorrigibleness. How resolutely do most young ones go on in their sins? How hardly brought so much as to debate the busi∣ness soberly with themselves or others? How do they fly in the face of them which reprove them, as if it were ten times a greater fault for to reprove sin, than to commit it. Nay, some are come to that heighth, that they make but a mock of Hell and Judgment, as well as Sin, Isa. 5. 19. But these are so vile a Generation, that I have little hopes of pre∣vailing with them, Psal. 28. 4, 5. Jer. 22. 21. Gen. 19. 14.

11. The next thing I proposed to speak to, was, To sh••w you what it is to flee sin. In this I shall be very brief.

1. Not to commit it. Take not up this Serpent, for it hath a deadly sting in the tail of it. Embrace not this Dalilah, for she will betray thee. Hast away,

avoid it; if you do not, it is as much as your life, the life of your soul is worth, Isa. 1. 16.

2. Flee; That is, avoid the very occasions of sin. It's ill jesting with edge-tools. They are safest, that are farthest from it. A hundred to one but thou art caught, if thou play with the Bait. Who, but a mad∣man, would take strong poison into his mouth, and say that he will then spit it out? Who would chuse to sleep upon the top of a Mast? Believe it, Sin is one of the most dangerous things in the World, and he that tampers with it, plays with Hell, and is sport∣ing with the Devil, 1 Thes. 5. 22.

3. Flee; that is, hate it with a perfect hatred. Say, What have I to do with Idols any more? How shall I do this, and sin against God? Labour for a spiritual anti∣pathy against sin, and to loath it, as David and Paul, yea, as God himself, Psal. 139. 23.

4. Flee, and perswade others to flee: for the dan∣ger is not inconsiderable. Tell others what sin will prove at last, and perswade them to consider what the wages of such work will be, Psal. 119. 157.

III. Why should we flee youthful lusts?

1. Because our Captain bids us flee: we have his Commission, nay, his absolute Command; may I not say, his Entreaty too? What is the meaning of all those pathetical Expostulations, Turn you, turn you, Why will you die? Why doth he bid us to be∣seech you to look about you? What is the design of all the Scripture? Wherefore do we Preach, and Pray? Methinks the Ministers of Christ should be like those Angels that warned Lot to flee out of So∣dom; and when he lingred, they pulled him, and bid him haste, and flee for his life. I might be in∣finite in Scriptures for the proof of this, Psal. 34. 11, 14.

2. Because of the danger of not fleeing. If the Wrath of God, if Hell and Damnation, if everlasting Misery be to be avoided, then Sin is: for as sure as God is true, Sinners must be damned if they flee not sin.

3. Because of the benefit we shall have by fleeing sin. We shall be everlastingly secured, if Heaven and Glory be worth the getting, if Happiness and Sal∣vation considerable, if a Kingdom and Crown be worth the having, this may be obtained by fleeing f••om sin.

APPLICATION.

IV. Ʋse 1. Is it so, That it is our duty to flee youth∣ful Lusts: Then let all this Congregation of young men and women, consider how well they have obeyed the Command. Sirs, be faithful to your souls, and ask your selves speedily, What you have done? young men, Are you guilty, or not guil∣ty? It's better you should be ask'd this question at the Bar of Conscience, than at the Bar of God's Judgment. Children, how say you, Are you as ready to obey, as your Parents are to command? Doth not your Conscience tell you, that you can tell a lie to cover a fault, and yet not be much troubled? Some of you are come here this day to hear news, more than to hear your sin reproved: but where are you on the Sabbath-day? May not I see you idling in the streets, and sitting at your doors▪ nay, may I not see you in the company of wicked crea∣tures, in an Alehouse? Well, sinner, well, the reckon∣ing will come up by and by. I pray tell me, How do you spend your time? Is it in your Chamber up∣on your knees, and at your honest Callings, and in Civil and Christian Society? Who are the persons

that you take most delight in? Are they those that discourse of God and their souls, and warn one ano∣ther with words of Grace? What think you of Cursing and Swearing? Do you fear an Oath? Or do you think the deepest Oaths the best Rhetorick, and most graceful, if I may so speak, to your dis∣course? What language do you speak, the language of Canaan, or the language of Ashdod? Can you stretch your selves upon beds of Ivory, and drink Wine from morning to night, and look upon this as the only life? Is is not a pleasing thing to lie in the embraces of a wanton woman? and cannot you use unseemly dalliance, and say, Am I not in sport? Did you never wrong your Master in your life? and dare you do so still? And how would you take it, if I should come to you, and tell you roundly of all your sins? Could you bear it if I should come close to you, and set hell and damnation before you? Young men, I beseech you answer me. I tell you again, it's better for you that I should ask you this question here than God hereafter. Well, have you put it to your Con∣science? And are you guilty? I must tell you plain∣ly, I cannot but thing that abundance of this Con∣gregation are in many of these sins deeply guilty; and yet there stands▪ a sly sinner, no more affected than the ground he treads on: thou thinkst I do not know thee; but that, if possible, I may stop thee be∣fore thou comest to the Gallows and Hell▪ I shall do what I can for my soul to reach thee. Wherefore give me leave, in the next place, to speak one word by way of Conviction.

Young people, I am not come this day to tell you News; my business is not to tickle your ears, but to do what I can possibly to keep you from that place of shame, the Gibbet; and that place of torment-Hell.

I believe that here are many here, that I shall never see nor speak to while the World stands; and that our next meeting will be before the judgment-Seat of Christ: and therefore I must tell you, I must not iest with you. I speak to those that are guilty; you know well enough who I mean. Let me ask you soberly, Do you believe that there is a God? and that he is privy to all you do? And dare you out∣face God with your wickedness? Or do you make account his eye is nothing, so man doth not know; Say you so? Believe it, sinner, you will shortly know, that God and your Conscience are witnesses enough to cast you: and is this nothing? are not the threat∣nings of a God to be regarded? Shall the Lion roar, and will not such a Beast as you tremble? Know this, as stoutly as you brave it out now, you will shortly quake. But you are resolved, come on it what will, venture you will: But hold sinner, I prethee let's reason the case a little; do not act like a Fool and a Mad-man: Were you ever in Newgate? Do you know what a Prison is? Are Fetters such desirable things? Hath the Devil done you so much kindness, as that you must venture your liberty for his sake? Come tell me, sinner, what good did the devil ever do for thee willingly? Is it worth the while to do and suffer so much for one that never intended any good to any in the World. Consider a little, young man, is it nothing to come gingling in your chains before an Earthly Judge? Is the sight of the Bench nothing? Is it nothing to have your villany laid open before the World? How do you think you shall look, when Evidence comes in clear, and the Jury shall cast you? What, brave it out still! But what will you say, when the Judg shall pass sentence upon you, to be carried from thence to the Prison; and from

that, to the place of Execution? It is nothing to have ten thousand Spectators of your shameful end? But methinks I hear some of that hellish rout laughing, and saying, It is but a swing or two, and then all's over, their misery's at an end. But hold there sinner, then thy misery will begin, for thou shalt appear immedi∣ately before the Bar of God, and there receive ano∣ther sentence ten thousand times more dreadful than the former. What, do you make nothing of that dreadful word, Depart thou cursed? and then imme∣diately the devil takes your soul. They wait for their prey; and thou must be reserved in chains of dark∣ness, in unspeakable and unavoidable torments, to the Judgment of the great day, and then thy cursed body and soul shall meet; O what a dreadful greet∣ing will that be! when body and soul shall be cast into everlasting flames. Well, young man, now what do you say? Is it best venturing still? But it may be, thou beginnest to think what a strange censori∣ous man is this? Such Preaching is enough to make one out of their wits: What, is there no such thing as repentance, a Grace a God one may be saved for all your railing. What do you think of Tho. Savage? did not he repent? I hope you will not say that he is in Hell. No indeed, for I verily believe that he is a Saint in Glory; but how do you know whether God will give you repentance? I must tell you, he is a singular instance, such a one as we shall scarce hear of in an age: and I remember, that he that is oft reproved, and hardens his heart, shall suddenly be de∣stroyed, and that without remedy.

But though I speak thus, Brethren, I hope better things of many here, and things that do accompany Salvation. I am perswaded here are some young ones that had as live venture their lives, as indulge them∣selves

in the forementioned youthful Lusts. I think I have some ground to say what I do. Brethren, I be∣seech you make not my boasting void; neither let me be ashamed of my confidence. I am perswaded, I say again, that some of you now hate what sometimes you did delight in; and though it may be in the days of your darkness, you lived in your sins, yet now fear to fall into them, as much as you fear Hell. Courage my Brethren, go on bravely, and the Lord be with you; you are the hopes and joy of old Christians, they bless God from their hearts to see such Flowers in Gods Garden; hold but out, be strong, and quit you like men, and heaven shall be yours, as sure as if you were already there.

Ʋse. 4. I shall here speak something by way of ad∣vice to Masters of Families, and Parents. It lies much in your power to set a stop to that mighty tor∣rent of wickedness, that doth almost overflow this City. Remember Sirs, what a dreadful sin the sin of Murder is. What then do you think of those that murder souls, that starve souls? How do you think God will take it at your hands that you should be so careful that your work be done, and never mind his at all? Is it nothing to you, that one that dwells un∣der your roof, must dwell in everlasting burnings? Are you so barbarous as to be indifferent whether your servants and children are damned or saved? What can you answer, when those of your own house shall stand before the great God, and say, Lord, if it had not been for my Master, I had never sinned against thee at the rate that I did. He never told me any thing of the danger of sin, he would be sure to call me up betimes to look after his business; and if I neglected that, I should quickly hear of it: but as for the Lords Day, praying or reading, or any thing that concerned God or my soul, I ne∣ver

was so much as reproved for the neglecting of them. O! if I had been but told of such a dreadful place as this is, and what sin would end in, sure I should never have ventured as I did. Sirs, I beseech you think how you shall answer such an accusation at the day of Judg∣ment; as sure as you live, you will then be speechless. Parents, methinks you have something within you, to put you upon your duty. What, have you no love at all to the fruit of your Bodies? Is it no great matter whether your children sink or swim? would you be contented to see them in a house that is in a Flame, & do nothing to get them out? Would you have your children fire-brands of Hell for ever? will you do no∣thing to rescue them from that devouring Lion, who would tear them in pieces? can you bear to hear them cry out against you, and ready to fly in your faces? Doth it never trouble you to think what a greeting you shall have in another World, when they shall curse the day that ever they saw you, when they shall say, I may thank you for this dreadful misery; you never catechised me; you never told me one word of this place of torment; you never corrected me for my sin; if you had, it may be I should not have lain under this intollerable an∣guish. What do you say, Sirs, to these things? Me∣thinks they call for your serious consideration. Real∣ly, if these be not weighty matters, I know not what be. Let me ask you in meekness, whether it be not a piece of the most barbarous cruelty in the world, to let your children and servants run to hell, without doing what in you lies to stop them? But I hope, by this time, some of you are a little convinced of the dreadfulness of the loss of a soul, & are loth to have the guilt of the blood of souls to lie upon you for ever; and therefore begin to ask, what shall you do, that you and yours may be saved, and your servants

and Children might escape the snares of Satan, and flee youthful lusts? And you in good earnest Friends? And will you promise, as in the presence of God, that you will do what you can possibly, to discharge your duty, and to follow those directions that I shall give you? In hopes that some are resolved, by the help of God, to do what in them lies, for the keeping all under their charge from everlasting burnings, I shall advise you:

1. Be good your selves, and labour to be patterns of Holiness, and to shew your children and servants by your conversation, that you your selves believe that there is a God, an immortal Soul, Heaven, Hell, and Eternity: let your language be savoury, and speak you to be one that hath been with Jesus. Let your actions be regulated by the Word, and endeavour to let them know, that you are not in jest when you speak of God and their souls, Psal. 10. 1. 2.

2. I charge you, as in the presence of God, as you will answer the neglect of it at the Bar of that great Judg, take an exact account of your servants how they spend their time, what company they keep, what they do upon the Sabbath; & if you would make any thing of Religion, be as careful that the Sabbath be spent in God's service, as the Week-daies in yours. I could tell you of a servant that was wont, many a time and oft, to complain of his Master, and say, If my Master had ever examined me the Text on the Lords-day, or called one to any account where I had been, or what I had heard, I am perswaded I should never have come to so sad an end as I am like to do.

3. Instruct them oft in the matters that concern their eternal welfare. Sirs, tell them I beseech you, with all the earnestness that you can for your lives, of the danger of sin; give them wholsome advice; tell

them of the necessity of Conversion; allow them a little time to pray and read, and let them know that you take notice of any thing that is good in them.

4. Pray for them; cry to the Lord mightily, and say, O that Ishmael may live in thy sight: Lord, hast thou not a blessing, O my Father, for me and mine? O pity dear Lord, my children and my servants; and let all under my roof be of the houshold of faith, and of the Family of the Lord Jesus. And now once more I beg you to be in good earnest; 'twill be the truest evidence of the truth of your grace, to be faithful in this work. 'Twill be your joy upon a death-bed; 'twill be your Crown in another world.

Ʋse 5. One word by way of advice to you young people. Brethren, you saw yesterday what it was to fall into youthful lusts; and to day you have heard something of the danger of these sins. Methinks by this time you should be in a rage against sin: me∣thinks you should all say, Well, now I will never spend the Sabbath day as I have done: I'le never come near the company of vile women: This, I hope shall be a warning to me as long as I live. Are you (in so∣ber sadness) of this mind? O that the Lord would keep this always upon your hearts. O that you may not now get out into the cold world, and shake off the sense of these things. But do I not see some weeping eyes, aking hearts? And what dost thou say, poor soul? O Sir, I am the man you mean! But is it possible for me to escape Hell? I have lived in almost all those sins for many a year; what shall I do?

I shall answer this honest request, and the God of love and power send it home.

1. Labour to be acquainted with the Principles of Religion. Be much in reading of the Scriptures, search, & you will find never a word there to encou∣rage

sin, but all against it; they will make you wise to salvation; consult the word, and you will escape the wrath to come, which shall surely fall upon those that live and die in youthful sins, Psal. 119. 9.

2. Labour to understand wherein your happiness lies. It lies not in Riches, Pleasures, and Honours, but in the favour of God, Psal. 4. 6. Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven, and the righteousness thereof; set your affections on things that are above, and not on things below.

3. To be sure, keep the Sabbath strictly, and at∣tend upon a powerful Ministry. Then is the time to buy Provisions to live upon for ever.

4. Keep good company. Get out of wicked mens society. Mark those that walk soberly, and that mind their souls, and make much of them; and beg an in∣terest in their Prayers, and take their advice. If you once grow weary of good company, I shall have little hopes of you; and it's a sign God means good to poor souls, when they are very desirous to be in with them that are dear to God; A warm Christian-com∣panion, O Sirs, you cannot value him too highly, 1 Cor. 15. 33. 1 Pet. 4. 4. Heb. 6. 12.

5. Take heed of sinning against conscience. Let David's Prayer be yours, Ps. 19. 13. Keep back thy ser∣vant from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me.

6. Take heed of putting off Repentance; remem∣ber now thy Creator; now is the acceptable time: O, if you value your lives, make hast, and delay not an hour, but go home, & fall upon your knees, & beg of God to give you repentance unto life; give God no rest day nor night till he have charged your heart, and made you see your need of a Christ, and made you to give your self to Christ. O cry out this

night, a Christ, dear Lord, a Christ for my poor soul, or I am lost for ever. Eccles. 12. 1. Psal. 119. 62.

7. Be much in consideration; commune now and then with your heart, & think seriously whither you are going, and ask your soul what a condition it is in, & what it hath to bear it up against the fear of death, & what provisions are made for eternity; look into your purse, what mony hast thou that will go currant in another world. Spend much time in thinking. I askt this poor boy how he spent his time in prison: he answered, in prayer, reading, and consideration.

8. Neglect not Prayer; ask and you shall have, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you; be frequent and serious in this duty, forget not secret Prayer, and look after your Prayers, and be not content except you hear of them again.

9. Be diligent in your calling; be not slothful in your worldly business, idleness is the devils shop, Rom. 11. 12.

10. Hold out to the end: remember what they shall have that conquer, resolve for Christ and Heaven up∣on any terms Well Sirs, now my work is done; have I been beating the air? what will become of these two Sermons? yesterday you heard one out of the Cart, and from the Gibbet, and to day from the Pul∣pit; and what are you resolved to do? what, shall the tears, prayers, and intreaties of that dying young man be so soon forgotten? if they are, can the com∣mands of the living God be so easily contemned? is there nothing in all that I have been speaking? what, are you still of the same mind that you were, or are you not? I say again, I must leave you, and a thou∣sand to one whether I shall ever see you or speak to you more; once more I charge you, as you love your own soul, as you fear the wrath of God, and the flames of hell; Flee youthful lusts.

FINIS.