and therefore I must speak plainly. It is my intention and
desire to awaken and alarm your consciences: but alas! after all I can
say or do, I am too little understood or regarded. But I must deliver
my own soul, whether you will regard me or not. The day is
coming when the Lord himself will judge between you and me. Oh, repent,
repent, before it be too late.


III. The conduct of too many of you induces me to exhort and caution
you farther against theft, and all kinds of dishonesty and villainy.

I have often told you, both publicly and privately, that honesty is the
best policy. None have more reason to be convinced of this, than you
who come hither as convicts. You have known by bitter experience, the
unhappy consequences of dishonesty. Have not many of you, for the sake,
perhaps, of a few shillings, unjustly obtained, plunged yourselves
into misery for the remainder of your lives? Several have made this
acknowledgment to me, in their dying moments. Learn therefore,
strive, and pray to be honest. Honesty has its present advantages. An
honest man, however poor, can face this world with confidence.
But a dishonest behaviour, with its constant attendant a guilty
conscience, will always fill the mind with fear and dismay.
[Job. xxiv. 16,17.]

I do not mean, my friends, to reflect harshly upon you for what is
past, and cannot be recalled. I pity your past misconduct; I
sympathize with you under your present sufferings. And therefore I
admonish and caution you to abstain from this course for the time to
come. Let then the troubles and afflictions you have brought upon
yourselves be a warning, to regulate your future behaviour. Learn to be