The Last Expressions and Solemn Warning of James Morgan
The Last Expressions and solemn Warning of JAMES MORGAN, As they were in Short-hand taken from his Mouth, at the place of Execution: March 11. 1685/6.
I pray God that I may be a warning to you all, and that I may be the last that ever shall suffer after this manner: in the fear of God I warn you to have a care of taking the Lord's Name in vain. Mind and have a care of that sin of drunkenness, for that is a sin that leads to all manner of sins and wickedness: (mind, and have a care of breaking the sixth Commandment, where it is said, You shall do no Murder) for when a man is in drink he is ready to commit all manner of sin till he fill up the cup of the wrath of God, as I have done by committing that sin of murder. I beg of God, as I am a dying man, and to appear before the Lord within a few minutes, that you may take notice of what I say to you. Have a care of drunkenness, and ill company, and mind all good instruction, and don't turn your back upon the Word of God as I have done. When I have been at meeting, I have gone out of the meetinghouse to commit sin, and to please the lust of my flesh; and don't make a mock at any poor object of pity, but bless God that he has not left you as he has justly done me to commit that horrid sin of murder. Another thing that I have to say to you, is to have a care of that house where that wickedness was committed, and where I have been partly ruined by. But here I am, and know not what will become of my poor soul which is within a few moments of eternity; I that have murdered a poor man, who had but a little time to repent, and I know not what's become of his poor soul. O that I may make use of this opportunity that I have; oh that I may make improvement of this little little time before I go hence and be no more. O let all mind what I am a saying now, I am a going out of this world. O take warning by me, and beg of God to keep you from this sin which has been my ruin. His last words were, O Lord receive my Spirit, I come to you O Lord, I come to you O Lord; I Come, I Come, I Come.
