ADVICE for the Prevention of Theft. Being a short Account of the Confession and Discovery Which was made by a Condemned Prisoner, Who was Executed the 25th. of May, 1687. TO William Smythies, Curate of St. Giles Cripplegate.  
I Have been often desired to visit the Condemned Prisoners; and have heard some passages, which I could have wished had been published for the prevention of Mischief to many Persons and Families, but was unwilling to be the Penman of them; well knowing what Censures many Men lie under, for doing those things which were designed for the Good of others. I have therefore visited some Persons, both in the City and some adjacent places, who have been accused by Condemned Malefactors, as most destructive Abetters and Entertainers of them and other Robbers: And I have some reason to hope it was with good Success.  
I was under a Special Obligation, to attend upon a young Man who was Executed yesterday, in the Prime and Strength of his years: And being satisfied, that what he said was True, and that it proceeded from a great Sense which he had of his deplorable Condition; I am willing to adventure the publication of some Discoveries he made to me, which tend to the reforming of some men's Lives, and the securing of other men's Goods and Properties.  
It was his earnest Desire, at the time of his Execution, That all, Young Men especially, should take Warning by him, that they avoid the Company of those who lay wait to ensnare them: That in order to it, they should take care they misspend not the Lord's day, and (especially) that they entertain not wicked Company, by which they become the Servants of the Devil, when they should be serving GOD in His public Worship; which is the common inlet of all wickedness, and one of the first Steps towards that dismal End which he brought to himself. I do not know that ever I observed any Repentance in a Condemned Malefactor, who did not bitterly lament his Neglect of his Duty to God on that Day. Those young Persons who make the Lord's day a day of Idleness, little think what Advantage they give the Tempter, by degrees, to make that, and all other, to be days of Wickedness. He acknowledged, that there is no Pleasure, but in a Sober and Religious Life; and that the ways of Wickedness do not only tend to the Destruction of Soul and Body, but are the occasions of such Fears and Perplexities, as outweigh all the Profit of Ungodliness. And that is not all, but they bring most intolerably-wounding Grief and Sorrow to tender Parents; which was a great aggravation of his Trouble, and occasioned his earnest Request, that all good Christians would pray to God to comfort his Religious Father and Mother, who had it all respects discharged their Duties of Love towards him: And I am sure there is great need of such Prayers. These Considerations had prevailed with him to avoid all ill Company, for the space of a Month (or more) before he was taken; and if he had escaped this Sentence, it is very probable, that he would have changed the Course of his Actions. Early Piety is the best Security against all Evils. Young Men may choose the Fear of God, and his easy and pleasant Yoke, but if they break lose, and begin an Ungodly Life, they can not tell to what Degree of Wickedness they shall increase, when they shall come off from it, or at what time the Judgement of God will overtake them.  
But my design is not now to enlarge upon those Arguments which hardened Minds can resist, though they come from Dying Men, when in the Bitterness of their Souls; And therefore shall proceed to that which may alarm Housekeepers, to beware of Thiefs whose numbers are so great, that another Condemned Malefactor told me it is impossible they can ever be suppressed: And that there is an incredible number of Boys and Girls that are trained up by those that are skilful in that Mystery of wickedness. I think he said there were some Hundreds.  
This young Man told me of some Houses which have been lately robbed by Day-Thieves, who have all sorts and sizes of Picklocks, by which they can unlock any Door, Trunk, or Cabiner, and lock them again with such expedition, that the Person injured shall conclude that it must be done by Servants, or other Inhabitants with them, and not by those that come only as Guests to their Houses. I was likewise informed by another, that they do not value any Lock that is made in England; and therefore advised me to fasten my Doors with Barrs or Bolts.  
This Person called to mind some Houses which were robbed by his wicked Acquaintance, of which I make particular mention, for fear that Innocent Persons have been accused, of which I knew, and was concerned in one very remarkable instance. There was one Imprisoned for One Hundred Pounds, which a Condemned Malefactor told me he had stolen. One of them is a Victualling-House in Aldersgate-street, at the going into Falcon-yard. Another is a Victualling-House within Aldgate, into which there is a Passage through a long Entry, near Northumberland-Alley. A Third is a Cook's House near the Arch, at the passage out of Lincolns-Inn-Fields towards Drury-Lane.  
He likewise informed me of three Houses, which a Man and Woman intent to rob, and have made some attempt, but were prevented, by going at a time when there was Company in other Rooms. One is the Red Bull in Shoe-Lane: Another is the Chequer without Aldgate, on the Butchers-side of the Street: The third is a Cook without Bishopsgate, near the Katherine-Wheel, directly opposite to a yard, where there was a Robbery not long since committed: I hope that this publication may prevent it.  
He likewise told me, that there was a Thief brought into Newgate on Saturday last, who was taken at the Sign of King James in or near Spittle-Fields; and that if the Mistress of the House hath lost so much Money as she pretended, she may find it by emptying her Vault.  
I may likewise give a Caution to the Gentry who live in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, to which the Thiefs have a great resort. It hath been usual with them to go in at Seven or Eight of the Clock in the Evening, and to go up the Stairs, where they take what they find, and carry it away without being discovered. If they happen to meet any person, they ask for a Lodger or Servant by Name; and when they are told that there is none such, they beg pardon, and say, that they mistook the House. It is almost unimaginable, that there should be so many bold Attempts pass undiscoveted as he mentioned, that he knew of, though he could not exactly remember the Houses.  
I hope it will be granted, that I have published this for a General as well as a Particular Good. And that those who keep Houses of Entertainment will either be cautious of their Guests, or commit their Money, and most valuable Goods, to the Custody of a private Housekeeper. It is, it seems, usual for Thiefs to desire privacy, for the dispatch of a Writing, or some other urgent business; and whilst one looks to the Stairs, the other make haste into other parts of the House, especially into those Rooms that are on the same Floor.  
That this publication may answer the End for which it was made, is the desire of  
Eripplegate, May the 26th. 1687. W. Smythies.  
Licenced, May the 26. 1687. Ro. L' Estrange.   

London, Printed by T. M●lbourn in Jese●-street, 1687.