condemned me are pleased to call such Preachings Rendezvouses of Rebellion yet I must say this of them they were so far from being reputed such in my Eyes that if ever Christ had a People or Party wherein his Soul took pleasure I am bold to say these Meetings were a great part of them the Shining and Glory of God was eminently seen amongst these Meetings the convincing Power and Authority of our Lord went out with his Servants in those blasphemously nick-nam'd Conventicles This I say without Reflection upon any I have a word to say farther that God is calling Persons to Repentance and to do their first Work O that Scotland were a mourning Land and that Reformation were our Practice according as we are sworn in the Covenant Again that Christians of Grace and Experience would study more streightness and stability in this day when so many are turning to the right hand and many to the left he that endureth to the end shall be saved he has appointed the Kingdom for such as continue with him in his Temptations Next if ever you expect to hâ—ve the Form of the House shewed you in all the Laws thereof goings out thereof and comings in thereof then think it no shame to take shame to you for all that has been done sitting down on this side Jordan is like to be our Bane Oh! when shall we get up and run after him till he bring us into the promised Land let us up and after him with all our heart and never rest till he return I recommend my Wife and young one to the care and faithfulness of the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob the God that has fed me to this day and who is the God of my Salvation their God and my God their Father and my Father I am also hopeful that Christians Friends and Relations will not be unmindful of them when I am gone Lastly I do further bear my Testimony to the Cross of Christ and bless him that ever he counted me worthy to appear for him in such a lot as this Glory to him that ever I heard tell of him and that ever he fell upon such a method of dealing with me as this and therefore let none that loves Christ and his Righteous Cause be offended in me And as I have lived in the Faith of thiâ— that the three Kingdoms are married Lands so I die in the Faith of it that there will be a Resurrection of his Name Word Cause and of all his Interest therein tho' I dare not determine the time when nor the manner how but leave all these things to the infinitely wise God who has done and will do all things well Oh that he would return to this Land again to repair our Breaches and take away our Back-sliding and appear for his Work Oh that he were pacified towards us Oh that he would pass by Scotland once again and make our time a time of Love Come Lord Jesus come quickly Himself hasten it in his own time and way The Lord is my light and life my joy my song and my salvation the God of his chosen be my Mercy this day and the inriching comforts of the holy Ghost keep up and carry me fair through to the Glory of his Grace the Edification of his People and my own eternal Advantage Amen Sic Subscrib JOHN KID August 14 th 1679. Tolbooth Ante horam Septimam ☞ Thus Reader having given thee a faithful Account of the Behaviour and Dying Speeches of the most Eminent Persons who suffered in Scotland I shall return again for London where the last Person of Quality that suffered was the Duke of Monmouth whose Expedition and sufferings c. you have in the following Pages JAMES Duke of Monmouth THe last Person with whom we shall conclude this mournful Tragedy and the greatest in it is the late James D. of Monmouth one indeed who if he had been a little less might have been at this time one of the greatest men both in England and the World By reason of some passages in his Life not so defensible 't was thought at first better to draw a veil before that unfortunate Prince and say nothing at all of him But what allowances are made for Custom and Education God only knows I remember a shrewd Answer given to an Objection of this Nature Where said one shou'd he learn any better But however where there has been any time to think soberly of past actions or none of that nature reiterated Charity is oblig'd to judge favourably And besides the good West-Country-men wou'd be very angry if they shou'd not find their Master that they lov'd so well and suffer'd so much for among the rest of these noble Hero's None can deny but he was a great General a Man of Courage and Conduct and great Personal Valour having signaliz'd himself both at Mons and Maestricht so as to gain an high and just reputation He was all along true and firm to the Protestant Interest in and out of Parliament tho abhorring any base way of promoting it as well as his Friend my L. Russel This intended as a Character rather or very short Compendium than any History of his Life He was all along the Peoples Darling whose hearts were entirely his by his Courtesie and Affability as other Persons loâ—â— 'em by their sourness and haughty pride After Russel's death he went into Flanders whence had he prosecuted his Dâ—sign and gone as 't is said he intended into the Emperour's Service how many Lawrels might he have won and how many more would now have been growing for him But his Fate was otherwise he came over into England an exact account of whose Enterprize another place of this Book presents you as 't was compiled by one present in all that action After the defeat of his Army at Sedgemoor he fled with my L Gray who was first taken and he himself a little after brought up to London and on his Attainder in Parliament beheaded on Tower Hill 'T is said a certain brave old Officer who then came over with him and since with the Prince offer'd with a small of party of Horse to have ventur'd thro' all the Guards and took him off the Scaffold But they cou'd not be got together his time was come Providence had design'd other things that our deliverance should be more just anâ— peaceable and wonderful and that the glory thereof shou'd be reserved for their Sacred Majesties King William and Queen Mary Whom God grant long to Reign The thing I shall in the next place do that I may leave out nothing material relating to the Western Affair is to insert the late Duke of Monmouth's Declaration as it was taken from a Copy printed in Holland the Year 1685. The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth and the Noblemen Gentlemen and others now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Religion and the Laws Rights and Priviledges of England AS Government
A Brief Extract of Captain Walcots Prayer O Lord our God Thou art a God of present help in time of Trouble a God that hast promised to be with thy People in the Fire and in the Water O Lord we pray Thee that thou wilt afford thy Presence to thy poor suffering Servants at this time O Lord thy Servant that speaketh doth confess that the Iniquities at his Heels have justly overtaken him O do thou bathe each of our Souls in that Fountain set open for Sin and for Vncleanness O do thou enable every one of us from the inward Evidence of thy Spirit to say with thy Servant Job That we know and are assured that our Redeemer lives O give us some inward Tasts of those Heavenly Joys that we hope through the Mercy of Jesus Christ in a little time to have a more full Fruition of O Lord do thou speak Peace to every one of our Consciences though we lie under a Sentence of Death from Man we beg that we may have a Sentence of Life Eternal from our God and though we meet Thee O Lord in a Field of Blood we beg that Thou wilt come to meet with us in a Field of Mercy O Lord though we have been Prodigals we desire to return unto our Fathers House where there is Bread enough O enable us to come unto Thee as Children to their Parents Lord put to thy helping Hand Lord teach us truly to leave no Sin unrepented of in any one of our Hearts And O Lord we beg that with us thou wilt give us leave to recommend unto thy Care our Poor Wives and Children Thou hast promised to be the Father of the Fatherless and the Husband of the Widow and thou hast commanded us to cast the Care of them upon Thee O do thou make Provision for them and enable them to hear this severe stroke with Patience O Lord we also beseech Thee in the behalf of these Poor Kingdoms wherein we are that Thou wilt be merciful to them prevent Divisions among them heal all their Breaches compose their Differences make all that are thine of one Heart and Mind in the things of thee our God Lord favour us with thy Mercy assure us of thy Love stand by us in the difficult Hour take us into thine own Care cause thy Angels to attend us to convey our Souls as soon as they are divided from our Bodies into Abraham 's Bosom All which we beg for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ in whom O Lord this little time do thou give us Hearts to give thee all Glory Honour and Praise now and for evermore Amen Sweet Jesus Amen Hone was accused and owns himself Guilty of a Design to Kill the King and the Duke of York or one or neither for 't is impossible to make any Sense of him When they came to suffer Walcot read a Paper in which was a good rational Confession of his Faith Then comes to the Occasion of his Death for which he says he neither blames the Judges Jury nor Council but only some men that in reality were deeper concern'd than he who combin'd together to swear him out of his Life to save their own and that they might do it effectually contriv'd an untruth c. He forgives the World and the Witnesses Gives his Friends advice to be more prudent than he had been prays that his may be the last Blood spilt on that account wishes the King wou'd be merciful to others says he knew nothing of Ireland and concludes with praying God to have mercy upon him He had then some Discourse with Cartwright wherein he tells him That he was not for contriving the Death of the King nor to have had a Hand in 't and being urg'd with some Matters of Controversie tells him He did not come thither to dispute about Religion but to die Religiously But tho' dying be a serious Business yet 't is almost impossible to read his Discourse with the Dean without as violent temptations to laughter as Compassion Never was so exact an Imitation of the Scene of the Fisherman and Kings in the Rehearsal when he tells 'em Prince Pretty-man kill'd Prince Pretty-man One wou'd think him very near in the same Case with Bateman who came after him His Replies are so incongruous that there 's hardly either Sense or English to be made out of ' em But the poor Fellow talks of Snares and Circumstances and no body knows what and says in one Line He was to meet the King and Duke of York but he did not know when where nor for what In the next he was for killing the King and saving the Duke and when askt the Reason answers the only sensible thing he said all through That he knew no Reason that he did not know what to say to 't And when the Dean charges him with the Murderous Design That he knew as little of it as any poor silly man in the World Rouse comes next gives an Account of his Faith professing to die of the Church of England tells his former Employment and manner of Life acknowledges he heard of Clubs and Designs but was never at 'em and a perfect Stranger to any thing of that Nature Gives a Relation of what past between him and his Majesty on his Apprehension Talks somewhat of Sir Thomas Player the Earl of Shaftsbury and accommodating the King's Son as he calls it tho' not while the King reign'd Then falls upon Lee and the Discourse they had together who as he says swore against him on the Trial those very words he himself had used in pressing him to undertake the Design Speaks of a Silvers Ball which he proposed to be thrown up on Black-Heath and after some Discourse with the Ordinary gives the Spectators some good Counsel Then they all three singly prayed and then the Sentence was Executed upon ' em Algernon Sidney Esq THe next Victim to Popish Cruelty and Malice was Colonel Algernon Sidney of the ancient and noble Name and Family of the Sidneys deservedly famous to the utmost bounds of Europe who as the ingenious Mr. Hawles observes was meerly talkt to death under the notion of a Common-wealths Man and found Guilty by a Jury who were not much more proper Judges of the Case than they wou'd have been had he writ in Greek or Arabick He was arraign'd for a Branch of this Plot at Westminster the 17 th of Novemb. 1683. where tho' it cannot be said the Grand Jury knew not what they did when they found the Bill against him since no doubt they were well instructed what to do yet it must that they found it almost before they knew what ' t was being so well resolv'd on the Case and agreed on their Verdict that had he been Indicted for breaking up an House or robbing on the High-way 't was doom'd to have been Billa vera as much as 't was now For tho' the Indictment was never presented to 'em before they came
informed is usual in such Cases However I forgive all the World and therein all those that have done me wrong and in particular I forgive Colonel Penruddock although he told me that he could have taken these men before they came to my House And I do likewise forgive him who desired to be taken away from the Grand Jury to the Petty-Jury that he might be the more nearly concerned in my death As to what may be objected in reference to my Conviction that I gave it under my hand that I had discoursed with Nelthrop that could be no Evidence against me being after my Conviction and Sentence I do acknowledg his Majesties Favour in Revoking my Sentence I pray God to preserve him that he may long Reign in Mercy as well as Justice and that he may Reign in Peace and that the Protestant Religion may flourish under him I also return thanks to God and the Reverend Clergy that assisted me in my Imprisonment ALICIA LISLE Mr. Richard Nelthrop HIS Name is often enough met with in Wests and Rumseys Plot and good reason too he being not near to answer for himself As to what he was Accused Outlawed and Executed for his being concern'd in a Design for the Assassination of the King and Duke he solemnly avers as may be seen below in his Speech That he was always highly against it and detested any such thing was never in the least concern'd in it neither in Pursâ— or Person never knew of any Arms bought for that intent nor did believe there was any such Design Than which what Words could be more full and satisfactory He went away in the Heat of Swearing and return'd with the Duke of Monmouth thinking it his Duty as he says to hazard his Life for the preservation of the Protestant Religion and English Liberties but as to the Duke of Monmouth's being declar'd King he was wholly passive in it He was at first committed to Salisbury Prison where he had several Disputes with a learned and good Man whose Opinion then differ'd from his concerning the lawfulness of Defending our selves by Arms against illegal Violence which was his firm Judgment Thence he was brought to London and imprison'd in Newgate He rejected there with scorn some Offers made him of saving his own Life by taking away other Mens and tho' he was under inexpressible Trouble during his close Confinement there which at length arose to Distraction and the impair of his Reason yet 't is remarkable that he as Bateman before him before he came to die after Sentence was very calm and lively again the entire Exercise of his Judgment and Understanding returning with more Joy and Comfort than he had before Pain and Misery He writ one Letter to his Parents another to his Children here inserted together with his last Speech at his Execution the 30 th of Octob. 1685. at 2 in the Morning he wrote the Letter to his Parents c. Wherein he speaks much of his Brother and Fellow-Sufferer Mr Ayloff if I mistake not whom he says He could embrace with more Joy in the Field of Suffering than ever he could have done had he met him in the Field crown'd with Victory and Laurels Mr. Richard Nelthrop's Letter to his Parents Brothers and Sister Dearest Parents and ever loving Brothers and tender hearted and beloved Sister THrough the infinite goodness of God the nearer I approach my End the more Joy and Comfort I find in my suffering Estate that I may so call it I can through mercy say that I have found more true Delight and Content this Night than in all the Days and Nights of my whole Life and I hope the Lord will continue it that his Name may be glorified by me the meanest and poorest of all his Servants but through Free-grace faithful unto the end My Soul is ravished I can hardly write and my Comforts are more unspeakable than my Terrors were I did this Evening see my dearest Brother and Companion his Face was to me as that of an Angel and he gave me that Comfort that I cannot but say my Love to him is beyond what I ever had to my dearest Relations When God comes every thing hath a beauty and lustre upon it here is aâ— Answer of Prayers and such an Answer as dearest Relations must engage you all to be constant in the performance of that Duty which like Jacob's Ladder though it stand upon the Earth yet it reacheâ— up to Heaven Here 's the Love of God made maâ—ifâ—st to a poor Sinner at the last hour like the Thief upon the Cross he that never knew before what the Love of God was to his Soul finds it now filled with it and running over Now â—less the Lord O my Soul yea all that is within me Bless his holy Name for this Dispensation â—ow Light appears out of Darkness in the Face of Jesus now all worldly Joy and Comforts seem to me as they are things not hard to part with Father Mother Brothers Sister Wife Children House and Lands are as my dear Saviour saith to be parted with for him or we are not worthy of him I bless his Name I find no reluctancy to do it he hath brought me to his Foot stool and I can say heartily the Will of the Lord be done in this matter I never before but saw a Beauty in worldly Comforts but now those seem so faded by the greater Lustre and Beauty that I see in God in Christ Jesus that I am astonished where I have been wandring all my days spending my time and my mony for that which is not Bread O strive to get a taste of this Love of God in Christ Jesus and it will perfectly wean you from this deceitful foolish World What is worldly Honour and Riches O set not your hearts upon them but get a Treasure in Heaven that your hearts may be there also O lose no time for if you ever knew the sweetness of it you would never be at rest till you found him whom your Soul loved it will be more yea infinitely more than all worldly Injoyments can afford you tho' in their greatest Perfection it will make your Life sweet and your Death most comfortable It is the Bread which this World knoweth not of and therefore maketh little or no inquiry after it Dearest Relatiâ—ns whilst you and my other dear Friends are like Aaron and Hur holding up the Hands of Moses I am through Grace getting Victory over the Amalekites I can embrace my dear and beloved Brother and Companion with more Joy in the Field of suffering than ever I could have done had I met him crowned with the Laurels of Victory Oh the mercy to die with such a â—riend and such a valiant Souldier of Jesus who hath kept his Garments clean I now begin to pity you that stay behind who have many Temptations to conflict with for a little yea a very little time and my Warfare will be accomplished and if
being Rebels that we might have their Absolution I bless God he has hitherto helped me to be faithful and I hope he will not leave me in â—he most needful time I must conclude being ready to be called away my dear Love to all my Christian Friends and especially those in the Goal The Lord be with you all Amen Your dying Friend in hopes of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ Amen SAMPSON LARKE From the House of my blessed Bondage in Dorchester Sept. 7. 1685. An Account of those Executed at Sherborn AT Sherborn in the same County were Executed Twelve who all died Couragiously especially one Mr. Glisson of Yeovel in the County of Somerset his extraordinary deportment and carriage at the place of Execution was so very considerable as gave great satisfaction to his Friends and amazement to his Enemies He declared to the World that he died a true Protestant and had not ingaged with the Duke of Monmouth but judged it high time to stand up for the Defence of the same though God Almighty had thought fit to frustrate his Designs and to bring him to that place to Seal the same with his Blood Also John Savage and Richard Hall of Culliton in the County of Devon suffered at the same time and place in their particular Conversation they valued those most that they saw most of Piety in and pitied others that they saw not so well prepared saying that the remembrance of our vanity may cause compassion towards such as were in such a Condition exhorting all to be serious and to consider their latter end which deserved the greatest attention of Mind the way to die comfortably being to prepare for it seriously and if God should miraculously preserve us from this Death now before our eyes it should be the duty of us all to spend the remaining part of our time in such a manner as now when we see Death just at the door At the hour of Execution their chearfulness and comfort was much increased saying Now the Will of God will be done and be hath most certainly chosen that for us which is best with many other such like Christian Expressions too tedious here to be inserted because we design to keep to our first Intentions and not to swell this Tâ—eatise too big Upon the whole afâ—er they had with much earnestness recommended their Souls to the All-wise God by Prayer they all with much content and satisfaction submitted themselves to the Executioner not doubting of a happy Translation and accordingly were executed and quartered before the rest of the Executions in this County as at Weymouth Pool Shafton Wimborne c. not being there we shall pass over and only give you particular touches which we saw to our perfect knowledge and so we retuâ—n to Culliton in the County of Devon where John Sprague and William Clegg both of that Town were condemned at Exon and there brought to be Executed Before they were brought into the place a Messenger came from the Prisoners with a Request to the Vicar of the Parish to desire his Company and Assistance in this their Extremity and to Administer those spiritual Helps that were suitable to Men in their Circumstances Accordingly the said Minister came very readily and did demand of them VVhat they had to desire of him The dying Persons answered They desired his Prayers Accordingly he prayed with them a considerable space of time And after that he asked of them several Questions for to give him and the World satisfaction of the prepared Condition they were in in order to their lanching into Eternity especially about the Doctrine of Non-Resistance John Sprague very soberly and moderately replied but whether satisfactory or not we leave to the Reader He believed that no Christian ought to resist a lawful Power but the Case being between Popery and Prostantism altered the matter and the latter being in danger he believed that it was lawful for him to do what he did â—hough God in his Providence had thought fit to bring him to this place of Execution After reading a Chapter out of the Corinthians and singing a Psalm suitable to the occasion he very vehemently and fervently recommended his Soul to the All-wise God by Prayer for near half an hour to the great satisfaction of all that heard him then his Wife and Children coming to him weeping bitterly he imbraced them in his Arms saying VVeep not for me but weep for your selves and for your sins for that he had that quiet satisfaction that he was only going to be translated into a state of Bliss and Happiness where we should sin and sorrow no more but that all Tears should be wiped away wishing them to be diligent in the Service of God Then recommending his Wife and Children to the protection of the Almighty God who had promised to be a Husband to the VVidow and a Father to the Fatherless who was faithful and able to make up their loss in him in that which should be bettâ—â— for them than he could be desiring God to be a Refuge for them to fly to for security and preservation from the Troubles that seemed to threaten this poor Nation the which if they did conscientiously perform though Death here made a separation he doubted not of meeting them in Heaven at last And so the Executioner did his Office During which time his Brother-sufferer VVilliam Clegg was all the time on his Knees praying to himself with a seeming Zeal suddenly after which his turn being come to follow his Brother he only told the People That his Fellow-sufferer has spoken what he thought was necessary and they were also his Sentiments And so submitted to Execution An Account of those Executed at Axminster and Honiton AT Axminster one also was Executed his Name Mr. Rose he was a Gunner that landed with the Duke of Monmouth he had a great Resolution and not at all started with the fear of Death He said That he defy'd death and all them that were the occasion of it He was very couragious and died so He spent some time in private Prayer and was not allowed time because there was to be Execution at Honiton so that his Execution being over we past on to Honiton where four were executed one of which was a Chyrurgeon his Name if I do not mistake was Mr. Pott who behaved himself with that extraordinary Christian Courage that all the Spectators were almost astonished he being but young about Twenty his Prayers being servent his Expressions so pithy â—nd so becoming a Christian of greater Age that drew pity and compassion from all present a rude Fellow just before he was to be executed called for a Bottle of Wine and so began the Kings Health to one of the Guard which he perceiving Poor Soul said he Your Cup seemeth to be sweet to you and you think mine is bitter which indeed is so to Flesh and Blood but yet I have that assurance of the fruition of a future Estate
that seek the ruine of their Parents that begot them and brought them forth or them that lay violent hands upon themselves dashing out their own Brains cutting their own Throats hanging and drawing themselves ripping up their own Bellies tearing out their own Bowels they being in different senses Children and Members of that Body Politick they design and attempt the Destruction of and when I know not how long the Duration and Continuance of these things shall be or a Conclusion or End by God shall be put thereto who by Divine and Unerring Wisdom governs the World why shall my Soul be unwilling to take its flight into the unseen and eternal World Where no sullied sordid or impious thing most incongruous and unbecoming Nature shall be seen and found and where I shall behold no narrow conclusive contracted Soul there habitually preferring their private before a publick good but all most unanimously and equally center in one common universal good and where the sighs and groans and cries of the afflicted and persecuted shall be heard no more for ever I earnestly exhort all most highly to prize and value Time and diligently improve it for Eternity to be wise seriously and seasonably to consider of their latter End for by the irrepealable and irreversible Law of Heaven we must all die yet we know not how where or when Live with your Souls full of solicitude and care with a most deep concernedness and most diligent industriousness whilst you have time and opportunity and the means of Grace Health and Strength make sure of these two great things viz. 1. What merits for you a Right and Title to Eternal Life and Glory and the future unchangeable Blessedness as the Redeemers most precious Blood and Righteousness that thereby a real Application and Imputation may be unto you by sincere Believing 2. That that which makes you qualified Subjects for it is the great work of Regeneration wrought in your Souls being renewed in the Spirit of your Minds the Divine Nature being imprest upon them repairing of the depraved Image of God in you thâ—t being transformed into his own likeness thereby in the World you may mind anâ— savour more the things of the Spirit than the things of the Flesh Celestial and Heavenly more than Terrestrial and Earthly Superiour more than inferiour things And therewith have a holy Life and Conversation conjoyned that results and springs from the same as Fruit from the Root and Acts from the Habits Let all in order thereto seriously consider these few Texts of sacred Scripture let them predominately possess you let them be deeply and indelibly Transcribed upon your Souls let them be assimilated thereunto and made the written Epistles the lively Pictures thereof Matth. 5.8 20. Blessed be the pure in heart for they shall see God Vers. 20. For I say unto you except your Righteousness exceed the Righâ—eousness of the Scribes and Pharisees ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven John 3.3 Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 6.9 10 11. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God c. Gal. 5.19 20 to 23. Now the works of the Flesh are manifest which are these Adultery c. James 1.18 Of his own Will begat he us with the Word of Truth that we should be a kind of fiâ—st fruits of his Creatures 1 Pet. 1.3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again to a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Vers. 13. Wherefore gird up the loyns of your Minds c. Colos. 3.1 2. If ye then be risen with Christ seek those things that are above Set your affections on things above not c. Gal. 5.24 And they that are Christs have crucified the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts c. Eph. 2.1 And you hath he quickned who were dead in trespasses and sins Rev. 20.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second Death hath no power Rom. 8.1 There is therefore now no Condemnation c. 1 Pet. 1.15 But as he that hath called you is holy so be ye c. Vers. 23. Being born again not of corruptible Seed c. Psal. 4.3 But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself c. I shall mention now no more the whole Bible abounds with these Texts with what a Renovation and Change of our Carnal and Corrupt Hearts and Natures there must be with Holiness of Life and Conversation before we can be capable of a future and blessed Immortality and of inheriting the Kingdom of God for ever and ever Amen A Letter written by Mr. John Hicks Octob. 5. the day before his Death My Dear Nephew I Am yet in the Land of the Living though in the Mouth of Death I have been concern'd for you next to my own Children before I die I thought fit 〈◊〉 write two or three Lines to you aâ— a Manifestation of my great Love to you I earnestly desire the welfar of you here and to Eternity hereafter next to my own Wife and Children you will want me when I am gone but I hope the Lord will take care of you make it your business to walk with him to serve him faithfully flee youthful Lusts and Remember your Creator in the days of your Youth be deeply concern'd to have your Heart and Nature chang'd and an interest in Christ secur'd unto you Death comes suddenly you know not when where nor how you shall die Let time therefore be most precious to you fill it up with Work and Duty Live by faith more than by sense and this will stand by you when you come to â—ie Seek the things which are above and set your Affections upon them have your Conversation in Heaven whilst you are upon Eaâ—th When you see your Parents give my dear Love to them and their Children the Lord grant that we may meet in his everlasting Kingdom When you see any of your Cousins give my dear Love to them and be not asham'd of my Sufferings I wrote last Saturday was a Seven-night to my Brother George but whether he is at London or Worcester I know not I wrote to him to desire him to Petition the King that some Favour and Mercy might be shewed me if he thought fit Things that are made to aggravate my Crime I am clear from as that I perswaded the Duke of Monmouth to assume the Title of King at Taunton when I was not there with him or in Thirteen days after he came into England and that I rode to and fro in the West to perswade People to go in to his Army when I was in the East and caâ—â— from thence to hiâ— in the West but my Non-conformity cuts me and obstructs the
King's Mercy from being extended tâ— me as I am told but the Will of the Lord be done the Life to come is infinitely better than this Many more things are laid to my Charge which I am no more guitly of than your self If your Vncle be in Town go speedily to him and give him my dear Love I pray for you who am Your most Affectionate Uncle J. H. Octob. 5. 1685. A Letter to his Wife Sept. 23. 1685. My Dearest Love I Hope you received a few Lines from me by the way of London once more I write to you by your faithful and trusty Friend W. D. who hath been at Exon. If there be need for it he knows many of my dear and faithful Friends there who wish you would come and live among them and if your Estate fail I think iâ— very advisable so to do I hope God will stand by you and defend you My dear seâ— me in God as I must you I must now bid adieu to all Earthly and Worldly Comforts and all the pleasant and delightful Objects of Sense I bless God for all present Mercies and Comforts hitherto I have had what will be after this day I know not but the Will of the Lord be done My Dear Be very cautious not to speak one Word lest it be wrested to a wrong Sense which may ruinâ— you I have not writ what I would of this Nature take the Advice of Friends and of what I send by our Friend O let not the Everlasting Arms of God be with-drawn from you one Moment and let him strengthen you with all Might according to his glorious Power and to all Patience and Long-suffering with Joyfulness Pray hard for Victory over Passion and be much in private Closet Prayer with God and often read the Holy Bible and other good Books the Lord continually guide direct and counsel you My Dear I return you a thousand thanks for all the Love you have shew'd me and my Children and particularly for the high and great Demoâ—stration you have given hereof in this day of my distress I hope my Daughters will be as dutiful to you and be as much concerned for your comfort and welfare as if you had travelled with them and brought them into the world God bless my dear little Ones and them together I shall die their most affectionate and praying Father God I hope will uphold support and comfort me at the last hour and enable me to overcome the Temptations I shall violently be assaulted with before I die God by his infinite and freest Mercies in Jesus Christ pardon all the neglect of Relative Duties which I have bitterly lamented and bewail'd before God with all the Sins I am guilty of for the sake of our dearest Lord and Redeemer The Lord make you grow in all Gracâ— more than ever and make this great Affliction so humbly purifying and spiritualizing to you as wâ—ll as me that it may work for us both a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory Let him take your Soul into his most dearest Embraces and lodge it in the bosom of his Love here and make us to meet in the full and everlasting Fruition and Enjoyment of him hereafter Though it be daâ—gerous for you to vindicate that I die for yet be not too much cast down for it I will say no more as to that My hearty and affectionate Respects to all my dear Friends I need not name them I hope to meet them with your self to inherit Eternal Life through the Merits of Christ's Death Farewel my Dear farewel in the Lord until we meet to be married to him for ever My heart is as full of Love to thee as it was the first day I married thee and if God spar'd my Life it should have been as fully manifested until death Therefore I rest Your most Affectionate and Endeared Husband J. H. Sept. 23. 1685. Another Letter My Dearest Love I Received your Letter by Mr. Skinner I bless God that you and my Babes are well the Lord continue their Lives to be a Blessing and Comfort to you and enable you to see them well Educated in the fear of God and when God takes me away let him be a Husband to guide direct succour comfort and support you and to lodge your Soul in the Bosom of his Love and let him be a Father to them and their Portion for ever Monday last my Brother went to London to try what could be done for me what the success will be I know not I desire the Lord every day to prepare me for Death and carry me above the Fear of it by the discoveries of his everlasting Love unto my Soul and clearing up my Right and Title to everlasting Life and by Sealing up to me the Pardon of all my Sins through the most precious Blood of Jesus Chrâ—st Let uâ— pray hard and much for each othâ—r When I leave this world it shall be with Prayer foâ—â—hee if God give me life how shall I study to be a comfort to thee and to live up to my Marriage as well as Baptismal â—ovenant to all my Friends Tendâ—r my affectionate Respects I hope their Prayers will one way or other be heard for me let the Almighty be your Proâ—â—ctor Supporter and Comforter There be two Books I do recommend to you to read when you are retir'd as well as in your Family Pierce's Preparation for Death and Fox's Redâ—mption of Time Now let our Soulâ— meet together in one most Blessed God in our dearest Jesus and sweetest Saviour let them clasp and cling about him and be sick for the love of hâ—m and that we may meet to enjoy him fully to Etâ—rnity and be satisfied with his Love for ever A thousand Loves if I had them I would send to thee next to my dearest Lord Jesus and the things that are heavenly spiritual and immortal I love thee what I can spare for thee is convey'd to thee and my dear Children from Thy most Affectionate and Faithful Husband and their most loving Father J. H. Another Letter My most dear Love I Hope you have received my last once more as a dead aâ—d living Man through difficulty I write to you though I yet do not know when or where I shall die but expect Death every day when that Message is brought to me I hope through the Grace and Strengâ—h of Christ it will be no surprize to me that neither my Lips Flesh nor Heart will tremble when I hear it I know the cause for which I suffer God hath and has singled me out from many of my Brethren which I never have been without some apprehensions of for above these twenty years to lay down my Life how far it is for his Cause will be judged at the last day I bless God who hath kept me from all Temptations to Conformity though it has brought me to ruine and destruction in this world it will be no fit Season for you to Vindicate
and give evidence of our Loyalty by our peaceable demeanour and conformity to the laws of the Land and to lay the foundation of our future happiness by being dutiful to our Masters and diligent in our business that so in time we might become good Citizens So they returned again in five Coaches to Russells and supped there altogether and so every one went home The twenty Presenters of this Address were Mr. B y Mr. A h Mr. S ns Mr. M d Mr. B th Mr. Evans Mr. Batty Mr. P le Mr. D n Mr. Noise one of the Persons who first set this design afoot Mr. C ll Mr. S s Mr. S y Mr. H ing Mr. B w Mr. P tell Mr. S th Mr. B n Mr. Mal s Mr. R t s A Letter sent August 19. 1681. thus subscribed To the truly Loyal and Protestant Apprentices of London that were the principal Managers of the late address to my Lord Mayor GO on Heroick Souls and faithful be Unto your God your King your Liberty Let your unbyast actions give the lie To such as scandalize your Loyalty To Caesar render what 's to Caesar due Earth merits Heaven expects no more from you Those rights defend which your brave sires sent down Inviolable as the Throne or Crown Tell supple Parasites and treacherous Knaves You 're humble subjects not degenerate slaves Bow low but scorn to creep for that 's as well Nor for a mess of Broth your Birth-rights sell. Pass by th'affronts that Hell and Rome can send Comfort yourselves when 't is at worst 't will mend But when the Church is shook by Potent foes For her defence your bodies interpose Of Popish mercy never run the risque A Crowned Serpent grows a Basilisk Vindicate then the Gospel and the Laws The cause is Heaven's Heaven will espouse the cause Undauntedly prop up your Churches Walls And joy to fall beneath it if it falls To perish thus who would not be content When mouldring Temples are his Monument THE INTRODUCTION TO THE Western Transactions AND GENERAL OBSERVATIONS UPON THEM I Am sensible 't is a very invidious thing to defend any Action which has had the Publick Stream and cry long against it with which even men of Sense and sometimes Religion too tho' Pride or Shame perhaps seldom lets 'em own the very truth on 't are commonly hurried away as well as others But this is 't is hoped for the general an Age of Confession and Ingenuity and since so many of the greatest men upon Earth have gone before in acknowledging some Notions too far strain'd and others mistaken 't will be no real disgrace but an Honour to follow them when so much in the right And if once Principles and Notions are chang'd or limited we shall necessarily have other thoughts of Things and Persons than we had before and that Action we call'd Rebellion and those Men we thought Rebels while we had a wrong slavish Notion of Obedience when once that 's regulated and we believe with all the World and all Ages and Nations That we are to obey only the lawful Commands of Superiours and submit only to such unjust ones as will not much damage the Commonwealth but resist and defend our selves when all we have dear our Religion Liberty and Lives are visibly and undeniably attack'd and invaded either without all form of Law or what 's worse the wrested pretence of it Then we think truly that such men are so far from being Rebels that they are the worthy true Defenders of their Faith and Country and such an Action so far from Rebellion that 't is highly meritorious and praise-worthy Most men being now satisfied in these Points unless those whom insuperable Interest or Prejudice have poison'd and rooted incorrigibly in the contrary Belief And the truth and reasonableness of them having been undeniably prov'd by many worthy Persons from the Law of Nations the Ends of all Government and the Constitution of our Kingdom and the Practice of former Ages both Popish and Protestant All the Question now must be about Matter of Fact Whether Things were then brought to that Extremity that 't would probably be too late to make any Defence for Religion and Property if 't were not then made and whether or no the Fundamental Contract were then actually violated This is plain that the Protestant Religion and all our Liberties were then most eminently in danger publick Leagues being long before made between his Brittannick Majesty and the King of France for their Extirpation That he who had been voted in Parliament the main Head of the Popish Cause was now grown the Head of the Kingdom or indeed the Popish Deputy here as he is since the King of France's in our Neighbouring Island That for being reconciled to Rome he was actually a Traytor and besides of a Religion whose Oaths could not be depended upon as we were then and long before to be and have since sufficiently felt and experienced That on this account he hardly could keep his Contract as 't was plain he actually did not publickly and notoriously violating those Laws he swore to maintain both before and after he had done it by going to Mass himself setting up Mass-houses and encouraging Popery As for many Grievances and Oppressions he was then as really Guilty of 'em as ever after tho' not in such large and frequent and various Instances some of 'em are those very same which the Parliament inserted among the Proofs and Reasons of the Abdication particularly the issuing out Quo Warranto's for Cities and Corporations the great Cause and Counsellor of which no doubt he was even before he actually I mean publickly reigned In a word the securing the Protestant Interest in all Europe that and their own Liberties in England was the main Cause why many and most engaged in this Design If these were in no danger and not violated they were Rebels If the safety of 'em could be expected any other way but by the Sword they were no better Whether things were in that Condition or no at that time God and the World must be Judges If it were so they were not Rebels If the Case was not so bad and the Mystery of Iniquity not so far reveal'd as it has been since yet preventive Physick is necessary especially when Death is unavoidable without it If a prudent Man is to meet Mischief rushing upon him and not stay for 't till it overwhelms him and take the same Course against a certain Consequence as an actual Evil why then I think 't will be very hard to hang People in one World and damn 'em in another for having as little a Foresight and great a Faith as their Neighbours Others there were who embark't in that Action because they really thought how much mistaken soever they might be that the Duke of Monmouth was the King's Legitimate Son which such as had a personal Love for him might more easily believe Now altho' many who engaged on the former
be expected from such young Soldiers being entirely satisfied in the Cause they fought for since 't was â—o less than the Interest of all that was dear to 'em in this World or t'other The Eldest had particularly signaliz'd himself in several Skirmishes and was sent with a Detachment of his own Troop and two more to Myn-head in Somersetshire to bring Cannon to the Army at the very instant the Duke engaged the Kings Forces at fatal Sedgmore and came not up till after the Field was entirely lost to whose absence with so considerable a Party of the Dukes Horse and the most resolved Men of all he had the loss of the day was principally owing Finding all things in Disorder and the Rout beyond recovering he was forc'd to disperse his Troops every one shifting as they could for themselves He and his Brother kept together where what befel 'em after their Friends have given an exact Account which is here following inserted An Account of the Behaviour of Mr. William and Benjamin Heâ—lings before and at their Execution with several Letters to divers of their Relations THe Gracious dealings of God manifested to some in Dying Hours have been of great advantage to those living that heard the same giving them an occasion thereby to reflect on their own State and to look after the things of their Peace before they be hid from their Eyes as also a great encouragement to strengthen the Faith of those that have experienced the Grace of God to them To that end it is thought necessary by Parents especially to preserve to their Children that remain those blessed Experiences that such have had which God hath taken to himself Here therefore is presented a true account of the admirable appearances of God towards two young Men Mr. Benjamin Hewling who dyed when he was about 22 Years of Age and Mr. William Hewling who dyed before he arrived to 20 Years They Engaged with the Duke of Monmouth as their own VVords were for the English Liberties and the Protestant Religion and for which Mr. VVilliam Hewling was Executed at Lyme the 12 th of September 1685. and Mr. Ben. Hewling at Taunton the 30 th of the same Month and however severe Men were to them yet the blessed Dispensation of God towards thâ—m was such as hath made good his Word that out of the Mouths of Babes he hath ordained Strength that he may still the Enemy and the Avenger Then Reader would you see Earthly Angels Men that are a little too low for Heaven and much too high for Earth would you see poor frail Creatures trampling this World under their Feet and with an holy serene Smiling at the Threats of Tyrants who are the Terrors of the Mighty in the Land of the Living Would you see shackled Prisoners behave themselves like Judges and Judges stand like Prisoners before them Would you see some of the rare Exploits of Faith in its highest Elevation immediately before it be swallowed up in the Beatifical Vision To conclude would you see the Heavenly Jerusalem pourtrayed on Earth Would you hear the melodious Voices of ascending Saints in a ravishing Consoâ—t ready to joyn with the Heavenly Chorus in theiâ— deâ—ighâ—ful Hallelujahs Then draw near come and see If thou be a Man of an Heavenly Spirit here is pleasant and suitable entertainment for thee and after thou hast conversed a while these Excellent Spirits it may be thou wilt Judge as I do That dead Saints are sweeter Companions in some respects for thee to converse with than those that are living And when thou shalt see the magnificeâ—â— Acts of their faith their invincible Patience their flaming Love to Christ their strange contempt and undervaluings of the World their plainness and simplicity in the profession of the Gospel their fâ—rvent and brotherly love to each other their ravishing Prâ—spects as it were on the top of Mount Pisgah â—f the Heavenly Canaan their Swan-like Songs and Dying Speeches And Reader You know the first Lisping of little Children and last Farewels of Dying Saints are always most sweet and charming Those Fore-tasts of the Rivers of Pleasure the transporting Glimpses they had of the Crown of Glory I say when you see and read these Exemplary Truths wonder not that the Pious Hewlings long'd so vehemently to be in a better World though they were to pass through a thousand Deaths or the Fiery Tryal to it But to come to our intended matter After the Dispersing of the Dukes Army they fled and put to Sea but were driven back again and with the hazard of their Lives got on shore over dangerous Rocks where they saw the Country fill'd with Soldiers and they being unwilling to fall into the hands of the Rabble and no way of defence or escape remaining to them they surrendred themselves Prisoners to a Gentleman whose House was near the place they landed at and were from thence sent to Exeter Goal the 12 th of July where remaining some time their behaviour was such that being visited by many caus'd great respect towards 'em even of those that were enemies to the Cause they engaged in and being on the 27 th of July put on board the Swan Frigate in order to their bringing up to London their Carriage was such as obtained great kindness frome the Commander and all other Officers in the Ship and being brought into the River Captain Richardson came and took them into his Custody and carryed them to Newgate putting great Irons upon them and put them apart from each other without giving Liberty for the nearest Relation to see them notwithstanding all endeavours and entreaties used to obtain it tho in the presence of a Keeper which though it did greatly increase the Grief of Relations God who wisely orders all things for good to those he intends Grace and Mercy to made this very Restraint and hard usage a blessed advantage to their Souls as may appear by their own Words when after great importunity and charge some of their near Relations had leave to speak a few words to them before the Keeper to which they replied They were câ—ntented with the Will of God whatever it should be Having been in Newgate three Weeks there was Order given to carry them down into the West in order to their Tryal which being told them they answer'd They were glad of it and that Morning they went out of Newgate several that beheld them seeing them so chearful said Surely they had received their Pardon else they could never carry it with that Courage and Chearfulness Altho this must be observed that from first to last whatever hopes they received from Friends they still thought the contrary never being much affected with the hopes of it nor cast down nor the least discouraged at the worst that man could do In their Journey to Dorchester the Keepers that went with them have given this account of them That their Carriage was so grave serious and christian that made them admire to
see and hear what they did from such Young Men. A near Relation that went into the West to see the issue of things and to perform whatever should be necessary for them gives the following account At Salisbury the 30 th of August I had the first opportunity of Converse with them I found them in a very excellent Composure of Mind declaring their experience of the Grace and Goodness of God to them in all their Sufferings in supporting and strengthning and providing for them turning the Hearts of all in whose hands they had been both at Exon and on Ship-board to shew pity and favour to them although since they came to Newgate they were hardly used and now in their Journey loaded with heavy Irons and more inhumanely dealt with They with great chearfulness profess'd That they were better in a more happy Condition than ever in their Lives from the sense they had of the pardoning Love of God in Jesus Christ to their Souls wholly referring themselves to their wise and gracious God to chuse for them Life or Death Expressing themselves thus Any thing what pleases God what he sees best so be it We know he is abâ—e to deliâ—er but if not blessed be his Name Death is not terrible now but desireable Mr. Benjamin Hewling particularly added As for thâ— World there is nothing in it to make it worth while to live except we may be serviceable to God therein And afterwards said Oh! God is a a strong Refuge I have found him so indeed The next Opportunity I had was at Dorchester where they both were carried there remaining together four days By reason of their strait Confinement our Converse was much interrupted but this appear'd that they had still the same Presence and Support from God no way discourag'd at the approach of their Tryal nor of the event of it whatever it should be The 6 th of September Mr. Benjamin Hewling was order'd to Taunton to be tryed there Taking my leave of him he said Oh! Blessed be God for Afflictions I have found such happy Effects that I would not have been with out them for all this World I remained still at Dorchester to wait the Issue of Mr. William Hewling to whom after Tryal I had free Access whose Discourse was much fill'd with Admirings of the Grace of God in Christ that had been manifested towards him in calling him out of his natural State He said God by his Holy Spirit did suddenly seize upon his Heart when he thought not of it in his retired Abode in Holland as it were secretly whispering in his Heart Seek ye my Face enabling him to answer his gracious Call and to reflect upon his own Soul shewing him the Evil of Sin and necessity of Christ from that time carrying him on to a sensible adherence to Christ for Justification and Eternal Life He said Hence he found a Spring of Joy and Sweetness beyond the Comforts of the whole Earth He further said He could not but admire the wonderful goodness of God in so preparing him for what he was bringing him to which then he thought not of giving him hope of Eternal Life before he called him to look Death in the face so that he did chearfully resign his Life to God before he came having sought his Guidance in it and that both then and now the Cause did appear to him very glorious notwithstanding all he had suffer'd in it or what he further might Although for our Sins God hath with-held these good things from us But he said God had carry'd on his blessed Work on his Soul in and by all his Sufferings and whatever the Will of God were Life or Death he knew it would be best for him After he had received his Sentence when he returned to Prison he said Methinks I find my Spiritual Comforts increasing ever since my Sentence There is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus it 's God that justifies who shall condemn When I came to him the next morning when he had received News that he must die the next day and in order to it was to be carried to Lyme that day I found him in a more excellent rais'd spiritual Frame than before He said He was satisfi'd God had chosen best for him he knows what the Temptations of Life might have been I might have lived and forgotten God but now I am going where I shall sin no more Oh! it 's a blessed thing to be free from sin and to be with Christ. Oh! the Riches of the Love of God in Christ to Sinners Oh! how great were the Sufferings of Christ for me beyond all I can undergo How great is that Glory to which I am going It will soon swallow up all our Sorrow here When he was at Dinner just before his going to Lyme he dropt many abrupt Expressions of his inward Joy such as these Oh! the Grace of God the Love of Christ Oh that blessed Supper of the Lamb to be for ever with the Lord He further said when I went to Holland you knew not what Snares Sins and Miseries I might fall into or whether ever we should meet again But now you know whither I am going and that we shall certainly have a most joyful meeting He said Pray give my particular Recommendations to all my Friends with acknowledgements for all their kindness I advise them all to make sure of an Interest in Christ for he is the only Comfort when we come to die One of the Prisoners seemed to be troubled at the manner of the Death they were to die to whom he replied I bless God I am reconciled to it all Just as he was going to Lyme he writ these few Lines to a Friend being hardly suffer'd to stay so long I am going to Launch into Eternity I hope and trust into the Arm of my Blessed Redeemer to whom I commit you and all my dear Relations my Duty to my dear Mother and Love to all my Sisters and the rest of my Friends William Hewling As they passed through the Town of Dorchester to Lyme multitudes of People beheld them with great Lamentations admiring at his Deportment at his parting with his Sister As they pass'd upon the Road between Lyme and Dorchester his Discourse was exceeding Spiritual as those declar'd who were present taking occasion from every thing to speak of the Glory they were going to Looking out on the Country as he pass'd he said This is a glorious Creation but what then is the Paradice of God to which we are going 't is but a few Hours and we shall be there and for ever with the Lord. At Lyme just before they went to die reading John 14.18 He said to one of his fellow-Sufferers Here is a sweet Promise for us I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you Christ will be with us to the last One taking leave of him he said Farewel till we meet in Heaven Presâ—ntly I shall be with
according to my poor Capacity preached Salvation in his Name and as I have preached so do I believe and with all my Soul have commended it and still do commend to all of you the riches of his Grace and Faith in his Name as the alone and only way whereby to come to be saved It may be many may think but I bless the Lord without any solid ground that I suffer as an Evil-Doer and as a busie body in other mens matters but I reckon not much upon that having the Testimony of my own Conscience for me It was the lot of our blessed Saviour himself and also the lot of many of his eminent precious Servants and People to suffer by the World as Evil-doers Yea I think I have so good ground not to be scar'd at such a Lot that I count it my non-such honour and Oh what am I that I should be honoured so when so many Worthies have panted after the like and have not come at it My Soul rejoyceth in being brought into Conformity with my Blessed Lord and Head and so Blessed a Company in this way and lot and I desire to pray that I may be to none of you this day upon this account a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of Offence and blessed is he that shall not be offended in Christ and his poor Followers and Members because of their being Condemned as Evil-doers by the World As for these things for which Sentence of Death hath past against me I bless the Lord my Conscience doth not condemn me I have not been Rebellious nor do I judge it Rebellion for me to have endeavoured in my Capacity what possibly I could for the born-down and ruined interest of my Lord and Master and for the Relief of my poor Brethren afflicted and persecuted not only in their Liberties Priviledges and Persons but also in their Lives therefore it was that I joyned with that poor handful the Lord knows who is the searcher of Hearts that neither my design nor practice was against his Majesty's person and just Government but I always studied to be Loyal to lawful Authority in the Lord and I thank God my heart doth not condemn me of any Disloyalty I have been Loyal and I do recommend it to all to be Obedient to higher Powers in the Lord. I have been looked upon by some and represented by others to be of a divisive and Factious Humour and one that stirred up division in the Church but I am hopeful that they will all now give me their Charity being within a little to stand before my Judge and I pray the Lord forgive them that did so misrepresent me but I thank the Lord whatever Men have said against me concerning this that on the contrary I have often disswaded from such wayâ— and practices as contrary to the Word of God and of our Covenanted and Reformed Religion and as I ever Abhorred division and Faction in the Church as that which tends to its utter Ruin if the Lord prevent it not So I would in the Bowels of my Lord â—â—d Master if such an one as I am may presume to â—erswade and Exhort both Ministers and Professors if there bâ— any Consolation in Christ if any comfort of Love if any Fellowship of the Spirit if any Bowels and Mercies that you be like minded having the same Love being of one accord of one mind in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves Phil. 1.12 Harmoniousness and Honesty in the things of God can never enough be sought after and things that tend to the prejudice and hurt of Christs interest can never enough be fled from and avoided And as I am come hither willingly to lay down my Tabernacle so also I die in the Belief and Faith of the Holy Scriptures and in the Faith of the Apostles and Primitive Christians and Protestant Reformed Churches and particularly the Church of Scotland whereof I am a poor Member I shall but say a few words First All you that are profane I would seriously Exhort you that you return to the Lord by serious Repentance if you do iniquity shall not be your Ruine if you do not know that the day of the Lords Vengeance is near and hastneth on Oh know for your comfort there is a door of mercy yet open if you be not despisers of the day of Salvation And you that have been and yet are Reproachers and persecutors of Godliness and of such as live Godly take heed Oh take heed sad will be your day when God arises to scatter his Enemies if you repent not for your ungodly deeds Secondly All those who are taken up with their own private â—â—terests and if that go well they Care the less â—or the interest of Christ take heed and be zealous and repent lest the Lord pass the Sentence I will spew you out of my mouth Thirdly For the truly Godly and such as are Lamenting after the Lord and are mourning for all the abominations of this City and are taking pleasure in the very Rubbish and Stones of Zion be of good Courage and Cast not away your Confidence I dare not say any thing to future things but surely the Lord has a handful that are precious to him to whom he will be Gracious to these is a dark night at present how long it will last the Lord knows Oh let not the sad disasters that his poor people meet with though very astonishing Terrifie you beware of snares that abound Cleave fast to your Reformed Religion do not Shift the Cross of Christ if you be called to it it is better to suffer than sin accounâ— the reproaches of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of the World In the last place let not my Death be Grievous to any of you I hope it will be more profitable both for you and me and for the Church and interest of God than my life could have been I bless the Lord I can freely and Frankly forgive all men even as I desire to be forgiven of God pray for them that persecute you bless them thaâ— Curse you As to the cause of Christ I bless the Lord I never had cause to this day to repent for any thing I have suffered or can now suffer for his name I thank the Lord who has shewed mercy to such a vile sinner as I am and that ever he should advance me to so High a dignity as to be made a Minister of his blessed and everlasting Gospel and that ever I should have a Seal set to my Ministry upon the hearts of some in several places and Corners of this Land the Lord visit Scotland with more and more faithful Pastors and send a Reviving day unto the people of God in the mean time be patient be stedfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord and live in Love and peace one with another and the Lord be with his poor Afflicted Groaning people that yet remain Now
I bid farewel to all my Friends and dear Relations Farewell my poor Wife and Children whom I leave in the good hand of him who is better than seven Husbands and who will be a Father to the Fatherless Farewell all Creature Comforts Welcome everlasting Life everlasting Glory Welcome everlasting Love everlasting Praise Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me Sic Subscrib JOHN KING August 14 th 1679. Tolbooth Circa horam Septimam A brief Account of the last Speech of Mr. John Kidd at the place of Execution at Edinburgh on the 14th day of August 1679. Right Worthy and well beloved Spectators and Auditors COnsidering what bodily Distempers I have been exercised with since I came out of the Torture viz. Scarce two hours out of my naked bed in one day it cannot be expected that I should be in a Case to say any thing to purpose at this Juncture especially seeing I am not as yet free of it however I cannot but Reverence the good hand of God upon me and desire with all my Soul to bless him for this my present Lot It may be there are a great many here that judge my Lot very sad and deplorable I must confess Death it self is very â—eâ—rible to Flesh and Blood but as it is an out-let to sin and an in-let to Righteousness it is the Christians great and inexpressible Priviledge and give me leave to say this that there is something in a Christian Condition that can never put him without the reach of insufferableness even shame death and the Cross bâ—ing included And then if there be peace betwixt God and the Soul nothing can damp peace with Goâ— through our Lord Jesus Christ this is a most supporting ingredient in the bitterest Cup and under the sharpest and firiest Tryal he can be exposed unto thiâ— is my mercy that I have something of this to lay Claim unto viz. The intimations of Pardon and Peace betwixt God and my Soul And as concerning that for which I am condemned I Magnifie his grace that I never had the least challenge for it but on the contrary I Judge it my Honour that ever I was counted worthy to come upon the Stage upon such a consideration another thing that renders the most despicable Lot of the Christian and mine sufferable is a felt and sensible presence from the Lord strengthening the Soul when most put to it and if I could have this for my Allowance this day I could be bold to say O death where is thy sting and could not but cry out Welcome to it and all that follows upon it I grant the Lord from an act of Soveraignty may come and go as he pleases but yet he will never forsake his people and this is a Cordial to me in the Case I am now exposed unto Thirdly The exercising and putting forth his glorious Power is able to Transport the Soul of the Believer and mine above the reach of all sublunary Difficulties and therefore seeing I have hope to be kept up by this power I would not have you to look upon my Lot or any other that is or may be in my Câ—se in the least deplorable seeing we have ground to believe that in more or less he will perfect his Power and Strength in Weakness Fourthly That I may come a little nearer to the purpose in hand I declare before you all in the sight of God Angels and Men and in the sight of that Son and all that he has Created that I am a most miserable Sinner in regard of my Original and Actual Transgressions I must confess they are more in number than the Hairs of my Head They are gone up above my Head and are past numbring I cannot but say as Jacob said I am less than the least of all God's Mercies yet I must declare to the exalting of his Free Grace That to me who am the least of all Saints is this Grace made known and that by a strong hand and I dare not but say he has loved me and washed me in his own Blood from all Iniquities and well is it for me this day That ever I heard or read that faithful saying that Jesus Christ came into the World to save Sinners of whom I am chief Fifthly I must also declare in his sight I am the most unworthiest that ever opened his mouth to preach the unsearchable Riches of Christ in the Gospel Yea the sense of this made me altogether unwilling to fall about so great a Work until by the importunity of some whose Names are precious and savoury to me and many others I was prevailed with to fall about it and yet I am hopeful not altogether without sâ—me fruit and if I durst say it without Vanity I never found so much of the presence of God upon my Spirit as I have found in Exercises of that Nature though I must still confess attended with inexpressible Weakness and this is the main thing for which I must lay down my Tabernacle this day viz. That I did preach Christ and the Gospel in several places of this Nation for which I bless him as I can That ever such a poor obscure person as I am have been thus priviledged by him for making mention of his Grace as I was able In the next place though to many I die desired yet I know to not a few my Death is not desired and it is the rejoycing of my heart that I die in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ who has loved me and given himself for me and in the Faith of the Prophets and Apostles and in this Faith of there 's not a Name under Heaven by which Men can be saved but the Name of Jesus and in the Faith of the Doctrine and Worship of the Kirk of Scotland as it is now established according to the Word of God Confession of Faith Catechisms larger and shorter and likewise I joyn my Testimony against Popery Perjury Profanity Heresie and everything contrary to found Doctrine In the Close as a dying Person and as one who has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful I would humbly leave it upon godly Ministers to be faithful for their Lord and Master and not to hold their peace in such a day when so many wayâ— are taken for injuring of him his Nâ—me Way Sanctuary Ordinances Crown and Kingdom I hope there will be found a party in this Land that will continue for him and his Matters in all Hazzards and as faithfulnesâ—â—s called for in Ministers so Professors would concern themselves that they Countenance not nor abet any thing inconsistent with former Principles and Practices Let the Land consider how Neutral and Indifferent we are grown in the Matters of God even like Ephraiâ— long ago a Cake not turned As concerning that which is the ground of my Death viz. Preaching here and there in some Corners I bless my God I have not the leasâ— Challenge for it and tho' those that
never was such Cruelty in all this World And now we may see how just the Lord is he that all that time had no mercy for any but those that appeared loose Villains is pitied but by few Capt. Madders last Prayer at the same time and place CApt. Madders at the time of the Duke's landing was a Constable at Crewkern in the County of Somerset and so diligent and active for the King in his Office that when two Gentlemen of Lyme came there and brought the News of the Duke's landing and desired Horses to ride Post to acquaint his Majesty therewith he immediately secured Horses for them the Town being generally otherways bent and assisted them so far as any called Loyal in those times could do which was represented to the Lord Chief Justice in expectation thereby to save his Life But an Enquiry being made about his Religion and retuâ—ned by a very worthy Gentleman of those Parts That he was a good Protestant an honest Man had a very good Character amongst his Neighbours O then says he I 'll hold a wager with you he is a Presbyterian I can smell them forty miles Though moderately I now say they can smell him two hundred miles West then surely he must dye because he was and had the Character of an honest man a good Christian and a brave tradesman But to be short I could say a great deal more of him being intimately acquainted with him and was with him to the very last Being brought to the Place of Execution he was the last Man except one executed and he behaved himself whilst the rest were executing with great Zeal and lifting up his hands and eyes would often say Lord make me so willing and ready to the last And God did hear his Prayers for though he seemed to the Spectators to be somewhat unwilling to dye yet at the last he dyed with as much Assurance and Christian Resolution as any for after his publick Prayer he came once down the Ladder and prayed again privately then mounted the Ladder again the Sheriff saying Mr. Madders if you please you may have more liberty he answered No I thank you Mr. Sheriff now I am ready I am willing and desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Oh! you cannot imagine what Comfort and Refreshment I have received in a few minutes my Comforts are so great that I cannot contain my self So blessing and praising of God he was translated as I hope we have no grounds to imagine the contrary from Earth to Heaven repeating Rev. 20.6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection on such the second Death hath no power His publick Prayer was as followeth O Eternal and ever blessed Lord God look down upon me a miserable Sinner with an eye of pity and compassion in and through my dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord I acknowledge my self a great and grievous Sinner I have sinned against the clearest light and the dearest love I have deserved to have been spurned from thy Presence and from the glory of thy Power and that thou shouldest now say unto me I will have no more to do with such an unworthy wretch such a polluted filthy Creature as thou art and hast been But O Lord there is mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared and thou hast promised that if a Sinner turn from his wickedness thou wilt have mercy on him and tho' his sins were as scarlet thou wouldest make them white as wool Fulfil O Lord thy gracious promise unto me a poor supplicant in this my last hour of my life purge and cleanse me from all sin and filthiness give me true Repentance and if there lyes any sin not yet repented of O Lord bring it to my Conscience Mind and Memory But I hope O Lord thou hast heard â—y prayers my sighs and groans I hope and trust thou hast pardoned all my sins and wilt immediately receive my soul. Look down in Mercy on my dear Wife and Family be thou a Comfort and all in all unto them Now Lord I am coming to thee assist me to last moment Comfort my distressed Soul do morâ— for me than I am able to ask for or think of but what thou knowest to be needful and necessary for me in and through the Merits of my dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit of Grace be ascribed the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever and ever Amen The Dying Words of Captain Kidd Executed at the same time and place THis Gentleman was the last â—xeâ—â—â—ed at that time as soon as Captain Madders was â—urned off he began to prepare to follow and calleâ— to his Guards and those present Do you see this pointing up to Eleven that were dead before him do you think this is not dreadful to me thâ—t eleven of twelve of us that but a few hours since came down together are dead and in Eternity and I am just going to follow them and shall immediately be in the same condition Says one to him It must be dreadful to Flesh and Blood Says he Well Gentlemen I will assure you I am so far concerned that methinks I bethink their Happiness that they should be so long before me in bliss and happiness but I 'll make haste to follow I am satisfied this is the best day that ever I saw The day of a Mans Death is said to be better than the day of his Birth and truly so I find it as to my Flesh for I shall be presently free from sin and sorrow I am satisfied God hath done his best for me I might have lived and have forgotten God but now I am going where I shall sin no more 'T is a blessed thing to be free from sin and to be with Christ O how great were the suffâ—rings of Christ for us beyond all that I can undergo how great is that Glory to which I am going Thâ—n taking his leave of the People then present he prayed some small time very devoutly and with seeming great Joy and Comfort the Executioner did his Office There was Executed also at the same time divers others as Mr. William Hewling Dr. Temple Mr. Matthews with some others The â—asâ— Spâ—ech of Dr. Temple of Nottingham at the place of Execution DOctor Temple was one of them that Landed with the Duke and was his Chief Physician and Chyrurgeon he lived in Nottingham but minding to see other parts of the World as I have heard goeâ— for Holland where he came acquainted with the Duke of Monmouth concerning which he thus spoke just as he was going off the Ladder Christian Friends and dear Countrymen I Have somewhat to say and not very much before I depart from you and shall be seen no more And First As to my Engagment with the Duke of Monmouth Secondly How far I was concerned And Thirdly I shall leave all of you to be Judges in mattâ—r of