A Real Acquittal

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John 3:18

He that believes on him is not condemned: but he that believes not is condemned already…

— In the reign of George III. the son of a member of this Church lay under sentence of death for forgery. Dr. Rippon, after incredible exertions, obtained a promise that this sentence should be remitted. By a singular occurrence the present senior deacon learned that the reprieve had not been received, and the unhappy prisoner would have been executed had not Dr. Rippon gone posthaste to Windsor, obtained an interview with the king in his bed-chamber, and received from that monarch's own hand a copy of that reprieve, which had been negligently put aside by a thoughtless officer. "I charge you, doctor," said His Highness, "to make good speed." "Trust me, sire, for that," said he; and he returned to London only just in time, for the prisoner was being marched, with many others, to the scaffold. That pardon might have been given, and yet the man might have been executed. But, blessed be God, our non-condemnation is an effectual thing.

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