which he desired to understand, and that he thought suitable to his case. I spent near three hours; and though in a dismal cold cell, I number them among the most happy moments I ever enjoyed. I firmly believe the Lord heard and answered our fervent and importunate prayers, according to his promise, which we often pleaded, namely, "That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." It matters not whether it be in a prison or in a palace, for "where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them," St. Matt. xviii. 19, 20. The spiritual presence of Christ being with us, converted the solitary dungeon into the house of God, and the very gate of heaven!!! I was favoured with enlargement of heart at the throne of grace, and liberty of speech in pleading for mercy and he enjoyed much comfort of mind and peace of conscience, so that we wept and rejoiced together; and I hope, through the grace of God and the blood of Christ, I shall unite in heaven with him, the penitent thief upon the cross, and myriads of saved sinners, in gathering fruit unto life eternal, and in singing ceaseless praises to God and the Lamb.

He once observed to me, "I feel now uncommonly low in my mind." I replied, "My friend, I do not wonder at that, the solemn hour of your departure is drawing nigh. Death is at all times a serious event, and always an awful and destructive enemy to flesh and blood. And when you reflect upon the manner in which you are to leave the world-not to feel, you would be destitute of all susceptibility of impression, which I should be sorry to witness; or above the sensations of mortality, which is impossible, so long as you are in the body." We kneeled down together, and prayed to the Lord Christ, that he would be graciously pleased, of his infinite mercy, not to forsake his helpless afflicted servant, and divinely support him preparatory and during the bitter pains of natural death, assuring his heart, by the Spirit the Comforter, that he was redeemed from the torments of the second deatheternal damnation: then he would sing, "though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

After we rose from prayer he was much comforted, and greatly delivered from the cruel fears of the last enemy.

He wished me to see the letter he had written to his poor wife, who might then be considered a widow, and his children fatherless. He appeared to feel more for their forlorn condition than he did for himself, and wept bitterly, piteously exclaiming, it is my great sins and wicked course of life which have reduced them to this wretchedness. O that by my sufferings I could preserve them from it.' These piercing lamentations were almost too much for me to bear; but I was the means of tranquillizing his mind, by reminding him, that as the Lord had enabled him to trust his immortal soul into his hand, it was his duty and privilege to commit his dear wife and helpless children unto his never-failing protection, who has promised to be 66 a husband to the widow, and a father to the fatherless." He attempted to read the letter, but was too much affected to proceed; and therefore gave it to me and desired me to finish it. There was one part of the letter which distressed him more than the rest, where he exhorted her never to leave her bed-room in the morning without praying to God, on her knees, to keep her and the children from all evil; and in the evening again, to pray with and for them, imploring God to keep them through the night under his merciful protection. When he had read these words, he burst into a flood of tears, and as soon as he could speak, exclaimed, "O this we have never done,—we have never prayed together in all our lives, but have lived as though there was no God!!" It is my sincere prayer, that these cutting reflections of a dying husband, may make an effectual impression upon the heart of the widow-upon my own mind, and upon the hearts of all that read these lines. For the word of God declares, "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God."

He was also deeply affected with the situation of his afflicted mother, who is a widow; but I am happy to add, that I have been informed, from good authority, that she is a sincere christian-" A widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God." He said, 'O that I had not slighted and rejected the faithful warning of my dear mother, but had taken her good advice. All these calamities would have been prevented.' He was anxious, also, for an opportunity of warning his wicked companions to forsake their evil ways, and to flee from the wrath to come. hoped the Lord would strengthen him, that he might be able to say a few words to them before he quitted this

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world, as he expected to see them at the place of execution. Particularly, he desired to see one man, who first persuaded him to go out with him at night and steal sheep. He would have told me his name, had I wished it; but as I did not go to Maidstone as a police officer, but as a minister of the gospel, I had no desire of information. I understand he was on Penenden heath, to see the poor young man fall into the ditch he had prepared for him. It is my sincere desire, that the person to whom I have. alluded, and his associates, who are yet permitted to go at large, will never forget the solemn and affecting scene, and bear in sorrowful remembrance the dying admonition of their former companion in crime, lest they repent when it is too late.

Mr. Winter joined us in the cell at seven o'clock, the time appointed. I then informed him that Paine had expressed a great desire to receive the sacrament; and if he would administer it, I should be happy to unite with them in commemorating the dying sufferings of our Lord; -to this he readily assented. Previous to receiving the sacrament, the prisoner said something respecting trusting in God, when Mr. Winter very properly cautioned him against confiding in the mercy of God in his absolute character. For he never would show the least mercy to any of the guilty race of Adam only in and by Christ, the God-man Mediator; and quoted many suitable passages of scripture to prove what he said, and observed, 'I assure you that Mr. Heap and myself have no other hope of being saved.' I with pleasure confirmed these solemn truths; and declared, that there was not a minister of the gospel upon earth that had the most distant hope of being saved on the ground of any goodness in himself. In a word, we were not saved as ministers, but as poor ill and hell-deserving sinners, who had fled to Christ as our, only refuge; that all mankind had sinned, and become condemned criminals in the sight of God; and that ́if they did not put their whole trust and confidence in the glorious person and precious blood which cleanseth from all sin, they could not be saved. "If ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." He confessed his firm faith in these truths, and said that he had no other hope of being saved.

At half-past eight Mr. Agar, the governor, came in, and kindly asked me to take breakfast with him, and promised to send poor Paine some from his table. The invita

tion I thankfully accepted, being much exhausted through the exercises of the morning. When we visited him after breakfast, he was removed from his cell into the condemned room, and two of his brothers were with him, to whom he was explaining the parable of the prodigal son, in a most earnest, affectionate, and surprising manner. He dwelt particularly upon the 20th verse, which sets forth the willingness of the father to receive the prodigal. Among other things, he said, the rebellious son only walked, but his merciful father saw him a great way off, and ran to meet him, and fell upon his neck and kissed him;' telling them that he was thus received to mercy, and exhorted them to return, and God would receive them likewise, &c. The countenances of his brothers were suffused with tears, but he begged them not to be distressed on his account, for he declared that he felt so happy in his mind, and had such consolation in his soul, that he could not weep; neither do I remember seeing a tear in his eyes afterwards; and I can say with truth, it was the same with me; for I was too much overjoyed to see him so wonderfully supported. He then requested us to sing the following hymn, which he selected himself,Hymn 550, 3rd part, Dr. Rippon's.

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"Lord! must I die? Oh! let me die
Trusting in thee alone!"

My living testimony giv'n,

Then leave my dying one!

If I must die-oh! let me die
In peace with all mankind;
And change these fleeting joys below,
For pleasures all refin'd.

If I must die-as die I must,

Let some kind seraph come,

And bear me on his friendly wing

To my celestial home!

Of Canaan's land, from Pisgah's top,

May I but have a view!

Though Jordan should o'erflow its banks,

I'll boldly venture through !"

sung the whole of the hymn with a loud and distinct voice, and with much devotional fervour, and apparent comfort to himself.

We then ascended two flights of stairs, which led to the chapel; and I could not help remarking, that he walked with a much firmer step than I did, with his Bible under his left arm. I asked if he would let me take it for him? He replied, 'I thank you, Sir, all the same; but

I would rather carry it myself.' Mr. Winter read the sacramental service, and in a very solemn and impressive manner. We believe the Lord was in our midst, and made it a feast to our souls.

The time was now hastily drawing on, when the executioner was to enter the room; but we did not permit him to come till within the last five minutes of our remaining there. The signal was privately given when the man of death was to enter; and I must say, the sight of him, and the careless unconcerned manner he approached poor PAINE to tie his wrists, and pinion his arms, terrified me more than any thing I had witnessed.

The poor criminal shuddered involuntarily, but soon recovered his firmness, and said, ' Do not tie my hands too fast-I will not run away:' and, if I mistake not, he added, in a pensive tone, I am not afraid to die.' He then requested the executioner not to take his clothes, for he wished one of his brothers to have them. The officer promised not to take any thing, and the truth of this promise I saw fulfilled, for his youngest brother had them.

A quarter past eleven o'clock the prison bell began to sound its doleful knell, which was the signal for leaving the condemned room. We then proceeded through different avenues till we reached the waggon which was to convey us to the heath. I rode with poor Paine, and Mr. Winter went in a post-chaise, agreeably to the plan we had previously arranged between ourselves; for he desired me not to leave him till he died, as I might, under the blessing of God, be a means of comfort to him, in staying his mind upon Christ, his Almighty Saviour, in the awful prospect before him. When I had taken my position on his left hand, and the executioner on his right, the melancholy procession issued from the portals of the prison, when a vast concourse of people were presented to our view. He gave a vacant stare upon the assembled multitudes, but I entreated him not to take the least notice of them, and endeavour to keep his mind fixed upon Christ, in humble confidence and prayer. To my advice he strictly attended, only occasionally speaking to his two brothers, who were walking close to the waggon, overwhelmed with grief. Having appeared deeply engaged in prayer (a few minutes) he said, 'Let us sing, "God moves in a mysterious way," &c.

This we did. A few near the vehicle joined us in faint