Selected quad for the lemma: england_n
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A87811
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The speech of Mr Arthur Knight of Grays-Inne, gentleman; who was executed in the Covent-Garden the second day of March, 1652.
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Knight, Arthur, d. 1653.
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1653
(1653)
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Wing K685; Thomason E689_7; ESTC R206927
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2,836
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8
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THE SPEECH OF Mr Arthur Knight OF Grays-Inne Gentleman WHO Was Executed in the Covent-Garden the Second day of March 1652. London Printed for Tho Heath at his shop in Russell-Street near the Piazza's of Covent-Garden The Speech of Mr Arthur Knight of Grays-Inn Gentleman who was Executed in Covent-Garden March 2. 1653. Gentlemen I Am come hither to Act or rather suffer my part no strange part though a sad one I heartily wish I could performe it perfectly and to the life as becometh my innocence that the shamefullnesse of the Stage might not cause me to make an unhandsome Exit I stand here before the All-seeing God I speak before Angells unto men I shall not therefore increase my sinnes by dissembling them upon the Files of heaven hang the records of every truth and I will not as a man I dare not as a Christian spend my last breath in falsities let the world forme what Judgment of me it pleaseth I am now to suffer upon a score of murder a foul and heavy score were I guilty thereof but it is my comfort that though I die as criminous both my selfe and very many others are fully convinced of my innocence yea Mistris Furnefall herselfe Relict of the Gentleman for whose death I die hath confessed to more then a few that she esteemed me guiltlesse and that her conscience would not suffer her to prosecute against me and that for her own part she did not and was sorry from her very heart that others had been so violent and that she would redeem me if she could by any means possible But my fall is unavoydable the crime is murder for which I am cast and sentenced and now brought hither to forfeit my life I thank God although I stand not Justified before my earthly Judges I doe fall justified before my heavenly Judg. Gentlemen I am now going to my Triall the Triall I have passed is none death is but the Beadle that brings me to the celestiall Barr To that Tribunall I hasten that though I be condemned as a guilty person in foro Soli I may be acquitted in foro Poli. I carry with me many witnesses and good a good conscience is Mille testes and whilest a thousand witnesses stand for me I am sure I cannot finally miscarry That Judge above proceedeth by an unerrable and most conspicuous light he knoweth things as they are not as they appear and therefore cannot be misinformed or mistaken in his sentence Truly Sirs though I suffer as a murderer besides the acquittance of my own conscience no one here present of greenest years and reason wil think me guilty if at least he knew that at the time when the Gentleman was wounded my sword was in a readiness wherewith if my intents had been murdrous I might easily have clapt him through without venturing my own life or liberty I had then a sword by my side but made no use of it nay I did not so much as draw it nor attempt to draw it had I harboured any bloody revenge or had I intended him ill or death I could yea I should have drawn it What ever provocation was given me and indeed I had enough I had yet no premeditation of evil unto this person nor did I lodge in my brest any malice against him I wisht him no harm for I scarce ever saw the Gentleman before what affection he did bear towards me I know not God knows but I conceive his craziness within the neglect of timely physick or the ignorance of the assistants hath precipitated his and my death I hope good people none of you think me so bad a Christian as now in the last period and article of my life to dissemble my guilt if I were inwardly convinced I beseceh you allow me who am upon the marches of death so far your credit and good opinion that if my innocence cannot rescue me from this punishment it may yet preserve my memory from common prejudice and scandal True indeed I am a man obnoxious to many faults and failings and as a sinner I need a great allowance of pardon for youthful frailties offences But I am taught to believe that in this life there is no perfection or exemption from sin and I hope that in the mercifull ballance of the Almighty I am found passable and currant for heaven I would have none believe I excuse my self from crime I onely professe my selfe innocent from the sin of murder that imputation for which I now suffer The greatest matter that troubles my peace is this that the misfortune of untimely death should defeat me and deceive my parents of the glad expectation they conceived of me I had most dear and tender parents and they of me a dutiful son and they hoped to be once happy in my welfare having bestowed upon me qualities travel and learning expecting at the hand of Providence the harvest of their pains and expences But God the supream and sole arbiter of life and death who hath the conduct of all actions ends hath suffered them to be disappointed of their hopes me of my desires of compensating their large charges and care These things thou permittest O Lord that all of us might learn to submit and fear I submit therefore O thou Father of infinite mercies to thy good pleasure to this my premature death this ignominious death enable me most gracious Father to despise the shame endure the crosse and to wade through this sea of blood unto the shore of everlasting happiness Lo O Lord I come I come unto thee because thou bidst me come because thou drawest me Alas I had almost forgotten somewhat essentiall to my own duty and my brothers security to wit the clearing of my brother Thomas Knight from all guilt in this unfortunate Action I hope my life doth satisfie the law and expiate the offence however I am bound in conscience to declare that not any part of this matter can be justly charged upon him for I protest by the faith of a dieing man he is as free from it as I am reputed guilty he had no hand at all in this fact Concerning my faith I need not speak many words it having been never doubted only thus much I shall professe that I die in the faith wherein I alwaies lived and into which I was baptised to wit the faith of the Church of England that establisht faith I die in whereof I have lately made profession to some persons of honor who were intimate to my last preparations And now oh Jesus witness for me that what measure soever I have received I die peaceably and in charity with all men I forgive all my enemies and am more favourable to my Judges then they have been to me Lord let not the least drop of my blood stand upon their account blood oh Lord lies heavy yet thou knowest that therein I have a conscience full of serenity and Calmness Lord receive my soul my soul I resign unto thee I trust it with thee thou art a faithfull Creator and keeper Lord Jesus receive my soul FINIS AN ELEGY On the Execution of Mr. ARTHVR KNIGHT AS Socrates because he durst defie Plurality of Gods was forc't to die Yet when his friends bewaild his unjust fate Incurr'd for noble Truth and Popular hate He gladly said Who would not be content Rather then guilty to fall innocent So injur'd Arthur since thy blameless mind Hath purg'd thine hands and inward parts refin'd Since thy unshackel'd conscience disdains Guilt woven Fetters or heart-binding Chains For vile intents may stamp good actions ill But no man can be had against his will We must thy death a persecution call And more a Sacrifice than Funeral The Altar of thy breast being free from dress Makes the Line Fillets and the Tree a Cross Whereon thy former crimes did offerings lie That so thy soul unclog'd might climb the Skit None while he lives his own Cause justly Tries Each proves his own best Judge yet when he dies FINIS