Blood for blood, or, Justice executed for innocent blood-shed being a true narrative of that late horrid murder committed by Mary Cook upon her own and only beloved child, with several remarkable passages preceding the fact, as also what was most worthy observation during her imprisonment, and at her execution / faithfully communicated for publique satisfaction by N. Partridge and J. Sharp ; with a sermon on the same occasion ; with other spectaters and visiters whilst in prison and at her execution.

Of her behaviour in the time of her Im∣prisonment, and other Passages very useful for every Christian that desires to be kept from being guilty of the like Fact.

SHe no sooner cometh to Newgate, but the noise of this cruel Murder spreads abroad, and several reports went as to her self, and what should be the causes of that barbarous Act.

1. That the Devil appeared in a personal shape unto her, and told her she must either destroy her self, or her Child.

2. That the day before she went to see one of her other Children at Nurse, and would have sent the Nurse forth, that so she might have killed that Babe.

3. That she was under trouble of mind about Religion, with many other things.

Which for satisfaction to our selves and o∣thers, and clearing the truth of Gospel-profes∣sion, (as being inconsistant for any true work of the Spirit of God in the conviction of a sinner

to leave the soul, having begun in the Spirit to end in the flesh.) Some of those Ministers which went to visit her in the Prison, made more than ordinary diligent search into these things. And as to the first report she said, there was no ap∣pearance unto her but the violent Temptation of the Devil, and her own wretched and sinfull heart giving way to the Temptation.

And as to the second, she confest she went to see her Child at Nurse upon the Saturday before, but it never entered into her heart to conceive a thought of doing that Child any hurt.

And as to the third, her answer was, That there was nothing of any Religious Concern∣ment in it; but it was that great Discontent which she had conceived in her mind, ground∣ed upon her apprehension of exceeding unkind∣nesses of her Relations unto her, although she had never been undutiful unto them; but ve∣ry sparing she was in accusing any but her self: And it is not the design of this Narrative to ac∣cuse them, only to desire they may cal to mind, and lay to heart, and repent of their neglect of duty towards her, wherein they shall any of them be conscious unto themselves of remis∣ness; and that all others who shall reade this sad Relation, may take warning thereby, so to discharge their relative duties, that they may

not expose their Relations unto Temptations, and so when a separation cometh, either violent or natural, they have cause to mourn all their dayes for their own and their other mens sins.

But as to her self, the sense of her great sin and guilt lay with such weight upon her con∣science, that Satan used his utmost endeavour to drive her into despair of ever obtaining mer∣cy; it being his usual method to present God all mercy, to allure men to commit sin, and af∣terwards to present God altogether severity, to drive the sinner into despair of God's mercy in the pardon of their sin.

A great wound lay upon her with respect un∣to her dear Babe whom she had so inhumanly destroyed, Whether her Fact might not hin∣der the Child's Salvation? Much care and pains was taken so to speak as might not in the least extenuate the sence of her guilt, and yet to open a door of hope unto her, that the eter∣nal state of the Child might be safe (notwith∣standing her great wickedness) through the riches of God's grace, which sheweth mercy unto whom he will shew mercy, that 18th of Ezekiel, ver. 24, being read unto her.

But still she sadly bewailed the horridness of her sin, wishing often, Oh that she had had more Grace! for, if it were to do again, she would submit to a thousand deaths, rather than to com∣mit

that sin: And her sore trouble now was, that her heart was so obdurate that she could not mourn as she should, and desired to do; and begged that all good people would pray for her: And being asked, What she desired us to pray unto God for, for her? her answer was, that God would give her a broken and peni∣tent heart.

She also sadly lamented her distraction by reason of her evil company in the Room with her, that hindred both her meditations and ad∣dresses to God. O it is sad dwelling in the Tents of Kedar, and a sore evil to leave our great work to do until the last, not knowing what hindrance we may meet with: It is in∣convenient to cast up our Accounts in a crowd and hurry of business.

Ever and anon she would sadly bewail her want of the light of God's countenance; and it was not to be wondred at that she was so much in the dark, having committed such a gross sin against the light of Nature. Iniquity separates betwixt us and our God, and causeth him to hide his face, that it is rarely if ever they recover it; though he may in mercy par∣don the sin, yet he may justly cause the sinner to go mourning and with broken bones to the grave.

The Sessions now came on, and upon the 21th of February she was arraigned and en∣dicted at the Old-Baily, and cast for her life.

Upon the Petition of her Husband, she had a weeks time granted her, to prepare for her death, and being sentenced on Wednesday the second of March to die in Smithfield, over a∣gainst Clothfair-Gate, where she formerly lived when she committed that horrid Murder.

During this time, much pains was taken with her continually, by skilful and faithful Physi∣cians, for her Souls recovery out of the snare of the Devil, who had carried her captive at his will; and several Books of Mr. Baxters, and other Books suitable to her present condition, were brought her to reade, which she seemed diligently to improve her time in, together with the holy Scriptures.

March 1. being the day before her Execu∣tion, one Mris. R. H. had an earnest desire to see her, and to watch with her that night, and through God's mercy it was of great use unto her, for her comfort who had now but a little time to live.

That day being asked, If a pardon for life, or a pardon for her sin were equally presented to choose one, which would she choose? she an∣swered, If her heart did not deceive her, it would be the pardon of her sin. O her sin, her sin! her

blood-guiltiness, lay with weight upon her! but still she cryed out, she could not find her heart in that broken and believing frame which she desired it should be in.

On the same day great pains were taken with her to help her understanding and apprehen∣sion, both as to the nature of true Repentance, and saving Faith: to which she with more than former freedom answered, That as to Repentance opened unto her, she hoped God had given her a sight of her sin, and a desire to be truly humbled for it; it was her wound she was no more wounded, and that she did desire to forsake sin with abhor∣rence, and to loath her self for her sin, to lay her mouth in the dust, and yet to look up unto the Lord Jesus, if so be she might find mercy.

And as to her Faith, she said, God had con∣vinced her that her own righteousness was but un∣righteousness, even as a filthy menstruous cloth, and therefore desired out of the sence of her own nothing∣ness, and utter emptiness, to go out of her self, and to rely upon Jesus Christ alone for Righteousness and Salvation.

Then several Scriptures were read unto her, and pressed with earnestness upon her, amongst many others, that in Mark 5.25. and forward, concerning that Woman which had a bloody issue, who said in her self, If I may but touch the hem of his garment, I shall be whole. Much

was spoken unto her from this, wherewith she was observed to be very much affected, tears trickling down more than usually, and with earnestness said, O that I could believe!

That evening before she suffered, her Hus∣band's long absence from her, gave her occasi∣on to suppose that endeavours were using for a Reprieve, or a Pardon for her, at which she did rather express dislike, than to be well plea∣sed, saying, she had rather choose to die, than to continue in that place with that wicked company, it being a Hell upon Earth, if any such were; and that she was not at all concerned about a Pardon from Man, could she but obtain a Pardon from Christ, it was that she most desired; nevertheless, for her better preparation for death, she could have wished a little longer time; but she was willing to die, if that could not be obtained.

That night she took a little rest for the sup∣porting of nature, but it was judged she slept not above half an hour; but some time was spent by her self, her Husband, and Mris. R.H. in prayer and reading, she her self taking her Bible, read the fourth chapter of Matthew, and wept much in the reading of it, saying, The Lord Jesus was tempted, but he was God-man, and the Evil-one found nothing in him, and so could not prevail against him: but I, a vile wretch!

Temptation no sooner came and assaulted me, but I was overcome by it; a wicked woman that I am to give way to that roaring Lion!

Then reading Isa. 44.22. [I have blotted out as a cloud thy transgressions, and as a thick cloud thy sins: return unto me, for I have redeemed thee] brake out again with tears, saying, Oh! what grace is this! What, my sins! what, a Re∣deemer to such a great sinner as I have been! Then turning further unto Isa. 54.7, 8. [I will have mercy upon thee, saith thy Redeemer.] See, saith she, here is Redeemer again!

Her Husband, a little before morning, asked her how it was with her? she answered, Not so well as to boast, nor so bad as to be altogether de∣jected.

When morning came, she dressed her self that she might be in readiness when called, but seemed a little impatient to lose so much time in dressing her body, when she had so little to improve for her soul which lay at stake. Seve∣ral both Ministers and other Christian friends waiting to go up unto her when she was ready; one of them desiring to know how it was with her this morning? she answered, that she was now entring upon the borders of Eternity, but Oh, what should she do, she wanted the light of God's countenance! Whereupon both awakening and comforting words were spoken unto her; and

then a little time was spent in prayer to God, that he would please graciously to direct us so to speak unto her, as might advance his Glory, and effectually administer comfort unto her Soul. In prayer she was seen to melt very much. And having ended that duty, as God did direct, the words of God were spoken unto her, and she was desired to speak what was upon her heart, for our comfort who had been labouring for the Lord with her.

But she being silent for a little space, but ob∣served to have some conflict in her soul, by the tears which fell, and sighs which broke forth, It was again propounded unto her, Whether she found not a secret perswasion, that God was able to pardon her great and manifold sins, but also very great fears whether he were willing yea or no?

Whereupon she broke forth into a fuller passion of tears, saying, O Sir, you speak the very thoughts of my heart, God hath convinced me of the Alsufficiency of his Grace, that though my sins be as Scarlet, as Crimson, he can make them white as Snow, as Woel; but O to know whe∣ther he will or no, that lieth as my great fear. — Wherupon endeavours were used to encourage her to hope in God's mercy, who had testified his unwillingness that any sould should perish; and that he took no pleasure in the death of

sinners, but rather desired their return that they might live; Also the Lord Jesus graciously in∣vited sinners, yea the greatest of sinners, under the heaviest load and burden of their guilt and filth, being weary of their load, to come to him that they might be saved and find rest: and had promised, that who ever came unto him, though at last (if in truth) he would not cast them out; and that he had sent his Ministers to beseech sinners to be reconciled unto God; and that we came in his Name and Authority to deliver that his Message unto her:

Therefore the Question was put unto her, Whether she was willing to accept of mercy from Christ, and to take Him upon his own terms? Unto which she answered, with a seemingly altered countenance as to chearful∣ness, Yea, she was willing, and desired with her whole soul, to be sanctified throughout by Jesus Christ, and washed in his Blood, as ever she desired to be justified by his Righteousness, or saved by his Death.

Then it was judged expedient to leave her a little retired, that she might improve a few mi∣nutes in secret betwixt God and her own soul, desiring all the company to withdraw, saving her Husband and Mris R.H. And after a little space of time she desired we would come up a∣gain, and apprehending her in a pretty good

frame, willing to resign up her self now unto the Lord, what time the Officers could spare (for now the time drew near) was spent in fer∣vent prayers and tears unto God with and for her: In the close, being desired to tell us what returns God had graciously given to all our endeavours with her? she said, that the Lord had brought her to that resolution, that although she might not sensibly lie in his bosom, yet she would penitently lie and die at his feet; and if she perish∣ed, she would perish there.

When she came to the place of Execution, she seemed to have a mixture of fear and hope in her, wringing one by the hand, said, O what shall become of me now, if my heart have deceived me hitherto! Some words being spoken unto her, she encouraged her self again in the free∣ness of God's grace, and the fulness of mercy that was in Christ for poor penitent sinners.

After earnest Prayers put up unto God for her, and seasonable Counsels given her by Mr. Ordinary and some others, she went upon the Ladder, having before expressed an earnest de∣sire to have spoken to the people, but wanting strength, she entreated us to declare to the Spectators and to all the World, That she desired to justifie the Lord in all his righteous proceedings against her, and that she died justly for her great sin; and earnestly begged that all that saw or heard

of her untimely end, would take warning by her de∣plorable fall, to take heed how they gave way to Satans Temptations.

Being upon the Ladder, a convenient time was left her to commend her soul unto God; and that she might not be surprized before she was ready, was desired to give a sign when she had done; and she with the same foot where∣with she stampt for her husband to tell him of her horrid fact which she had unnaturally done, stamped upon the round of the Ladder, to give notice she was now willing and ready to dye for the same: whereupon the Executioner did his office.

Many other passages might have been inser∣ted, but because we are not willing to make this Narrative swell too large, we shall omit them.

O that this sad Execution may cause all that hear, to fear, and do no more so presumptuous∣ly. Deut. 17.13.

How apparent is it that the Devil goeth a∣bout like a roaring Lion, seeking continually whom he may devour! And how much the more need have all the children of men to be upon their diligent watch, and to be earnest and fervent in prayer to God, that they may not be overcome with his temptations.

Yea, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.

Let it be your care to check every tempta∣tion at the entrance of it. Consult not with flesh and blood; give no place to slavish fears; admit of no consultations with the Devil, lest he prove too hard for you. Give not way to sinful anger, for therein thou givest place to the Devil: And let all sinners know, that if they do evil, sin lieth at their door; if they resolve to continue in their sin, then their sin will assuredly find them out; but if they break off their sins by works of righteousness, repent, and return to the Lord, iniquity shall not be their ruine.