Selected quad for the lemma: england_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
england_n	great_a	land_n	lord_n	2,551	5	3.2299	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A39047	The execution of the Popish lord: or, The traytor's downfall Being an account of the beheading of VVilliam Viscount Stafford for high treason: on the 29th. of this instant December, 1680. On a scaffold erected for that purpose, on Tower-hill: with many particulars most remarkable, that happened therein. And of the disposal of his body after execution. Which may be a large warning to all the yet remaining Popish conspirators; how they seek to take away the life of the King, and by seeking to destroy the Protestant religion, have hopes to plant Popery once more in England.		1688 (1688)	Wing E3855A; ESTC R218240	2,515	8

The Execution of the Popish LORD OR THE TRAYTOR' 's DOWNFALL Being an Account of the BEHEADING OF William Viscount Stafford For High Treason On the 29th of this Instant December 1680. On a Scaffold Erected for that Purpose on Tower-hill with many particulars most Remarkable that happened therein And of the Disposal of his Body after Execution Which may be a large warning to all the yet remaining Popish Conspirators how they seek to take away the Life of the King and by seeking to destroy the Protestant Religion have hopes to plant Popery once more in England Printed for P. Brooksby at the Golden-Ball in West-Smithfield The Execution of THE Popish Lord c. IN most Cases it is observrd that Traytors seldom depart in Silence or quiet to their Graves some untimely Death or other still awaits their Impieties and those that dig Pits for others most commonly fall into the same themselves for 't is certain that those whom the effects of such Treason most may profit will in no wise after trust the Traytor least he upon some distast should Propagate or at least endeavour the like against him when opportunity lies fair For in Ancient Times it has been noted that Traytors have been looked upon as Infernal Pests even by those they have Perpetrated their Villanies and Ignominious Treasons to advance Nay could not the short sight of Humane Reason dive into their Pernicious ways the God that views the Secrets of all hearts would by one means or other lay them open to the World so that each discerning Soul might fatham the depth of their dire policies so often is their Wisdom turned into Foolishness and when they think their Plots most secure they are nearest discovery as has been in the most of their late Conspiracies and intended Evasions But to come nearer to the particulars of this late Lord Viscount Stafford of whose deserved downfall we are to inform the world HE being formerly but a-mean Gentleman but Marrying to the Countess of Stafford his Majesty was graciously pleased to Confer the Titles and Honours of that Family upon him for which Viper-like he endeavoured to destroy what was the onely fountain of his Greatness and Prosperity by engaging a Damnable and Hellish Plot against the Life of the King and Protestant Government which just as it was going to break in upon us was by the will of Divine Providence made manifest to the whole Nation broached even by those that themselves had given the greatest Confidence to for all the Evidence that have as yet been Instrumental in the Discovery were those whom they had imployed for the promoting the Design so weak is the piercing Intelect of Humane reason compared with that Divine Full Sixteen Years according to Evidence has this Device been mannaged not only by the whole Conclave of Popish Cardinals the Pope and the greatest part of his Clergy but by a great part if not all the Popish Nobility of England Scotland and Ireland whose Estates have been consumed and much impaired in the Management of the same as hoping to be doubly repayed in possessing the Lands and Wealths of Hereticks as was also proved against this Lord. True it is they looked for a plentiful Harvest because their Design was to fatten the Earth with Protestant Blood nor did the Massacre they designed portend any less All above Ten years Old had Perished by prescription had not the Mercy of an Infinite God interposed to have stopped the Torrent of their Rage which like a Flood was swel'd even with the Banks and just prepared to overflow Church and State but in what they thought themselves most secure they were found most Weak for by Murthering Sir Edmundbury Godfrey to prevent a farther Discovery they laid their Wicked Projects open to the view of all whereupon many of the Plotting Traytors were Detected and amongst the rest this Viscount continuing by a Commitment of Parliament a long space Prisoner in the Tower where no ways were left unpracticed to gain his Freedom but his nor any the rest could prevail for on the Thirtieth of November he was brought in a Barge from his Imprisonment to Westminster-Hall where the Great Court of Justice was Erected for his Tryal the Tower Ax being born before him His Looks at the beginning of his Tryal were Blith and Chearful as not fearing any ill Consequence but when he heard the Witnesses swear in number Three That he would have Hired some or all of them to Murther the King and that the Protestants should be Massacred and that he was in the Conspiracy to bring in a Foraign Power and to Establish Popery he began to Tremble and look pale It 's true he produced many Witnesses but they could not speak any thing to the purpose in his behalf their Affirmation consisted only in Circumstances and rather perjudiced his Cause then farther'd it In fine he was found Guilty by his ●eers the Lords Temporal assembled in Parliament and according to his just Deserts received Sentence of death being conveyed back to the Tower where he continued till this day preparing for his Latter end yet by no means forsaking those preposterous Superstitions that had brought such Ruine on his Head. In the morning he was brought out of the Tower attended by a Guard of Partisans and Souldiers the Tower Hamlets making a Lane for him to pass to the Scaffold prepared for his Execution great part of the City Train'd-bands being in Arms. When he came to the Scaffold he was helped up by two or three Attendants and being mounted looked very wishfully as loath no doubt to dye for sure it is how ever men can slight death at a distance yet when it comes near them and is certain it strikes a Consternation especially where the Breast is charged with Guilt and diabolick Treasons After he had spoke to some of his Friends and made several prayers to himself for the most part holding in his hand as it is said his Beads and Crucifix he kneeled down to try how the Block fitted then having a Cap on he after some consideration gave the Executioner a sign to strike which he did and with one inforced stroke divided the Head from the body both of them containing motion of Life for a while but the body longest After Execution his Head and body were wraped up in a convenient Garment or put in a Coffin and carried back to be disposed of as his Majesty shall think fit Thus was he Rewarded for his Treasonable practices and received the Merits due to such Hellish intents so that although Justice doth oftentimes delay yet at last it will strike home to the destroying from off the face of the earth all such as wilfully Sin against their own Consciences to gratifie Ambition or Revenge against such who never offered them the least Indignity For as notonly this Lord but many others did confess that the King could no ways be found fault withal but was a good and just Prince but being a Heretick and not for their turns he must be made away So the Devil out of envy to their Happiness plotted the Downfal of our first Parents in Paradice and ever since wicked men have envy to those that are Upright FINIS