THE Apprentices Warning-piece. Being A Confession of Peter Moor, formerly Servant to Mr. Bidgood, Apothecary in Exeter, executed there the last Assizesâ–Ş for poisoning his said MASTER. Wherein is observed such lamentable expressions proceeding from him, as may produce a trembling to all who read or-heare thereof, and be a warning to such lewd servants who walk the same steps, lest they receive the same punishment. LONDON, Printed, and are to be sold by Henry Walker. 1641. The Apprentices warning-piece. TO hear good counsel is not sufficient, but to make use of it is the thing which is required of all men. Here is example prescribed for all youngmen, that they may learn to rule themselves according to God's holy Statutes; let them mark well the relation of this penitential confession, and by him which made it be sure to take warning. But first of his parents, which are a very sufficient couple; their chief delight was in him their son Peter Moor. Whilst he was young they sent him to School, where he proved an indifferent good proficient. At length he grew to such ripeness of years, that they bond him as an Apprentice to Master Humphrey Bidgood, an Apothecary in Exeter; with whom for a certain space he lived very well, and was willing to obey their commands in every thing. But the devil (which doth envy the happiness of all mankind) was vexed to see him tread the paths to goodness, wherefore he by his alluring bait, called pride, provoked him to forsake piety, and embrace iniquity; as you shall now perceive by his confession writ with his own hand. The confession of Peter Moor at the place of Execution. BEing brought to the common place of execution upon a sledge, bowing his body to the people round about him so well as he could, he spoke after this manner. All you good Christian people which are come hither to see me die, let me desire you to give attention to what I shall now declare, who hath now scarce one quarter of an hour to live: my parents are scarce unknown to any here present: but as for my unhappy master, (the more wretch I for making him so) he was better known to you. I was an Apprentice to Master Humphrey Bidgood, Apothecary, too good a master for so ungracious a servant; notwithstanding, for a time my service was not disliked of, neither had it still, had I not wanted grace. Being in the prime of my youth, the devil by his allurements and wicked enticing, made me partaker of each damned vice, so that my heart being puffed up with ambition, I began to scoff at God's holy Ministers, profaning Sabbaths, and taking Gods holy name in vain. But yet still was I provoked further to evil courses, so much alas, that you could scarce name a sin wherein I had not been an actor. Pride waxed daily more and more strong in me, in so much that I began to kick at service, my time seeming too long and tedious to me, wherefore in all haste I did run to my parents, that they out of hand might buy out my time, which they rebuking me denied, saying, I made more haste then good speed, in so much as I had not skill enough as yet to manage a shop of any consequence. Then went I again to my master, seeming to be contented to serve out my Apprenticeship, and so had done, had not my mistress been too cruel toward me; never permitting me to remain quiet; for daily she was cause of such strife, that I grew desperate, and as one weary of life which makes me now to pray that never any young man may have so bad a mistress as she was to me. Daily was my heart more and more filled with discontent, still meditating of nothing but mischief, which at length thus did work my fatal overthrow, for being still greedy to be freed from my Apprenticeship, I acted a deed which now doth make each Artery to quake, and total body to tremble: for I seeing a mess of pottage about dinner time provided for my Master, I most unnatural servant put powdered white Mercury into it, so privately that no man could perceive me, which so soon as he good man had tasted, presently began to swell, and a while after died. Thus judas like traterously did I betray my master unto death, but yet was not found out, but yet the Lord whose judgements are always just and true, caused many towards me to have a great mistrust, and laid the fault to my charge, which I most impudently denied, which so soon as my father and mother did hear, upon their knees weeping with brinish tears came and desired me to confess the truth, which I denied, notwithstanding my conscience told me that I lied; in the same mind I went to my fathes' house and received the Sacrament, still denying the heinous murder committed upon my Master, but God at last revealed it, and I was sent to prison, to answer for the Death of my Master, where I thought myself to be secure from being found out, because I did the act unseen. All the while I lay in prison, I had the keys thereof in my own custody, with which I might have both freed myself and others; the devil daily tempted me to run away, but God he would not have it so, for to go thence I had not the least of power, until such time as the Assizes did begin, that I should answer the death of my Master, where I was most justly judged to die, my conscience still telling me no man did the deed but I. One there is in this City whom I pray that the Lord may forgive, God he knows that I speak nothing concerning him at this present for any malice I bear to him, but to clear my own conscience. His name is White a Papist, who did oftentimes seduce me to abuse God's Ministers, and to spend my time in that Diabolical study of reading Magic, in which I took too much delight, which now doth very much oppress my soul: All young men which are here present, and did behold me drawn hither upon a sledge, take warning by me, and let your study be, first, to please your heavenly Master, and then your Masters upon earth. Contemn the devil, despise the world, and abhor lust; Hence, hence, with pride which is the devil's darling, away with lust which is the devil's chief attendant, away with magic spells which lead unto the devil. When I am dead let the cause of my dying be engraved upon a stone that all may know wherefore I did die, and thereby take example. Pray, pray for my soul good christian people, that notwithstanding my horrid offence, the gate of heaven may not be barred against me: Again, again, and again I earnestly entreat your prayers. Now farewell dear father, a thousand times farewell O mother, also farewell to all my dear friends and kinsfolks. Wipe, wipe your eyes, and each one cease his mourning, for I am now exchanging a lump of mortal clay, for immortal bliss; which that I may receive, grant, grant most merciful father. O receive me, receive me into thy bosom, for behold, I come, I come, I come; so soon as which words were spoken he was turned off the ladder and so died. FINIS.