Sword was sharpest, cut him and gasht him in several places; and so ended his life miserably, but was not suffered to be buried. Oh, that my condition were as _Andronicus_, to suffer all that man can lay upon me, that I might not perish for ever! I should be content to be miserable for so short a time, that I may not be miserable to all Eternity. Questionless he could never have suffered such things so constantly and couragiously, but that he had Eternity in his thoughts; and were our minds imployed about the same subject, any adversity or affliction we should more easily bear. From the time of my condemnation till Monday morning I slept not, neither did I eat or drink: then did I hear my passing-bell (having heard the day before my Funeral-Sermon) every stroke methought carried my soul one degree higher, being confident I had made my peace above. Whilst I was in the depth of Meditation, and my soul breathing out this short ejaculation. _Is there no hope now of Relief, In this Extremity? Mercy e’re now hath sav’d a Thief, And may do as much for me._ Behold, a friend came to me (that never visited me during my imprisonment) but now in the time of need brought me a Reprieve; when I lookt thereon at first, I could not believe my own eyes; I thought I dreamt, or that grief had so distracted me, as that I imagined things that are not. My friend at length cleer’d up my doubts; but I shall tell you this for a truth, I knew not whether I were best accept of this self-preserving courtesie: For, methought I had so well settled my eternal concerns, as that I had nothing else to do but die. About a fortnight after, I was sent aboard, in order to my transportation; my sentence of Death being converted into a seven years banishment. CHAP. LXVI. _Being on Board he descants on his ensuing misery; yet draws comfort to himself from the sufferings of others. He relateth how he was freed from his intended banishment by a double Shipwrack; the manner thereof he amply declareth._ The Ship that was to transport me lay at _Wollidge_: about the latter end of _Aug. 1650_. I was conveyed aboard a lusty Ship, a _Virginia_-Merchantman, and was instantly clapt under hatches; but I knew they would quickly call me aloft, if there was any fighting work; as such a thing might easily be, since the Sea was no where free from such as would make a prize of what Vessels were too weak to contend with them. Having pen, ink, and paper about me, I busied my thoughts and pen in contriving consolation for my disquieted and disconsolate mind, thus: