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
cruel Foes Let Babylon come down Let England's King be one of them Shall raze her to the ground 7. Through Christ we yield our Souls to thee Accept us on his Score That where he is there we may be To praise thee ever more After the Hymn sung he prayed devoutly for half an hour after Prayer he gave great satisfaction to all present of his Assurance of Heaven had many weeping Eyes for him and was much lamented in the Town tho' a stranger to the place so unbuttoning himself said to the Executioner I fear not what Man can do unto me I pray thee do thy work in mercy for I forgive thee with all my heart and I also pray to God to forgive thee don 't mangle my Body too much and so lifting up his hands to Heaven the Executioner did his Office There was also one William Cox that died with him who also died very couragiously despising the shame in hopes and expectation of a future better Estate He and his two Sons were some of the first that came to the Duke of Monmouth anâ— all taken and all condemned together The Father only suffered the Sons by Providence were preserved When he was going to Execution he desired leave to see his Sons then in another Prison in the Town to whom he gave his Blessing and though he was going to be Executed yet had that satisfaction to hope that God would preserve them which was so Some further Passages relating to Mr. Sampson Larke with his Prayer at the same time and Place when Executed IMmeâ—iately after Colonel Holmes was Executed this gâ—od Man was ordered to prepare to follow accordingly going to dâ—liver some few words to the People some whereof were formerly of his Congregation but being told he could not expecâ— much time because it was so late and so many to be Executed afteâ— him so he suddenly concluded and said I will now speak a few Words to him whicâ— I am sure will hear me And so began his Prayeâ— as followeth Blessed Lord God we thine unworthy Creaturâ— now here before thee cannot but acknowledge from thâ— bottom of our hearts our own unworthiness we muâ—â— confess we have been grievous sinners and have brougâ—â— forth the evil Fruit of it in our Lives to the greâ—â— dishonour of thy Name for which we have deserved thy heavy wrath and indignation to be poured forth upon us not only in this life but in that which is to come O let us bless God for our Sufferings and Afflictions as for our Mercies we bless thee in particular for this O sanctifie it to us let us be effectually convinced of the vanity of the World and of our own sinfulness by Nature and Practice and to see that to be sin which we never saw before O Lord make us sensible of the absolute necessity of the Righteousness of Christ to justifie us and let him be now made much more dear and precious to our Souls than ever that so we may be wrought into a more heavenly Frame and raised to a higher degree of Spirituality and so made more meek and humble and let us judge charitably of others that differ from us in Opinion and Judgment And now O Lord though by thy most righteous Judgment we most justly deserve these Sufferings and such an ignominious Death for our Sins against thee not for Treasons against the Kingdom let us be in a preparedness for it Pardon all our Sins help us quietly to submit to thy holy Will speak peace to all our Souls Look in mercy O Lord on this poor Nation especially on this Town and every particular Person in it let them all mind those things which concern their peace before they are hid from their eyes Comfort my dear and distressed Wife be a Husband unto her deliver her out of the Paw of the Lyon and the Paws of the Bear Look upon all thy poor afflicted ones all Prisoners and Captives work deliverance for them if thou seest it good but thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven And now Lord with humble meekness and submission I submit to thy Will depending upon on the Merits of my Saviour to whom with thy blessed Self and Spirit be ascribed all Honour and Praise both now and for ever Amen Then mounting the Ladder he called to some of the Town who weeped for him but were at some distance Go home to your own Houses pray do not weep for me and before you get up yonder Hill I shall be with my heavenly Father in fulness of joy and pleasure for evermore And so advising those before him to leave off those cruel Sentiments they had taken of him besides some heavenly Discourses with some of his Friends he was turned off to the great grief of the good People of the Town especially those of his own Congregation To give him nothing but his due he was a man mighty charitable relieving and visiting the poor and needy Preached in season and out of season and made it his business to go about doing good and to put poor Souls in a way for Eternal Life he was an old Christian as well as aged in years he was a general loss especially to his dear and tender Wife But all our losses are nothing to be compared to that Glory that he now enjoys Mr. Sampson Larke's Letter to a Friend just before his Execution MY dear Friend I am ready to be offered and the time of my Departure is at hand I have through Grace fought a good fight have finished my course have kept the Faith and am in hopes of the Crown of Righteousness prepared for me and all God's faithful Ones The experiences I have had of the Promises hath given me comfortable hopes that he will carry me to the full end of my Journey with his Name and that Truth of his which I have made Profession of My great Crime is for my being a Preachâ—r of the Gospel and here I am to be made a Sacrifice where I have mostly preached Christ 's Gospel I think my Judges have devised this punishment for my hurt but I trust God will turn it to my good the great trouble I have is for those good Hearts that I must leave behind me But this is my comfort knowing that all such as fear God he will be a Father to them My dear Wife is greatly troubled but through Mercy much supported and something quieted if any of you have opportunity to give her help I hope you will do it As for our confessing our selves Guilty it was expresly as to matter of Fact and not of Form and this I did with some freedom and the rather because all my worthy Brethren that went before me took that way and the many ways having been used to have a further Discovery yet nothing of that kind by any but only by Captain Jones Since our Sentence some wretched men have been with us to draw from us a Confession of our
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
Assassination it must have been by the Rumbalds if not by them as has been proved then not at all If no assassination in this Plot then nothing is left of malignity in it but a lawful and laudable opposition to the breach and ruine of our good Laws and Government and even that as will be proved not proved against most of those that by the iniquity of the times suffer'd for the same We have been forced to give this fair and impartial Scheme or Idea of that design which was at that time represented so formidable and dreadful before we could handsomly proceed to the Death of this Noble Lord or those others that followed him and that as well from the order of the History as for his Vindication And as has been remark'd 'T was necessary for that Party who manag'd our ruine that the forementioned business of the Assassination should be believed and nothing like a real one actually performed to gain Credit to a feigned one onely pretended For what could be a greater Argument that there was some black wickedness at the bottom some sin of an extraordinary stain like the Murder of Princes bearing too hard on his Conscience could possibly induce so great a Man to so unchristian an attempt on his own Person Hence they might and no doubt did argue Hence the very rabble may easily reason Certainly there was more in it than onely just consultations and necessary measures taken for the Publick Safety by the Peers of the Realm by the King and Kingdoms best Friends to deliver his Majesty from those Familiars that haunted him There was more than this and this Lord was conscious of it or else certainly he had never acted what he has Now this would effectually excite that aversion which must necessarily follow from all honest Men to a Party who could be guilty of such horrid designs This must of necessity as in effect it did sway much with those Juries who were to sit upon the Lives of any accused or concerned in the same business had there not been more weighty reasons to be produced below towards the finding 'em guilty Altho 't is certain by their own confession the best excuse they could make for Innocent Blood particularly in Russel's Case was that Confirmation they had to the Evidence sworn against ' em ' by Essex's Murder Besides There might be a barbarous kind of a pleasure in opening this Plot with a Scene so like that which began the Popish one and that in all probability by the same Actors whose hands were deep in the others There was a Gentleman kill'd which contributed very much towards the credit of that Plot tho in another way Here must be one to undergo the same Fate for the same reason And both of 'em too pretendedly to kill themselves Just one as much as another These Preliminaries being cleared 't will be now time to come to the Person of this Noble Lord his Family and former manner of Life Every one knows he was of the Illustrious Family of the Capels whose Father dy'd for a Family whence he deserved better Treatment for his sake and had received it had he not fallen into the Hands of Popish Gratitude and Mercy which his Enemies knowing too well and doubting the Sweetness of temper which all the world ever acknowledged in King Charles the Second would not give him over to their publick Revenge in all probability resolved to take a shorter course with him He had been some years before in the highest place under the King in Ireland and there behaved himself with that Wisdom and Candor inseparable from all the actions of his Life and lived above Blame though not above Envy Being recalled thence unexpectedly and dealt with not very handsomly which yet he bore with a Spirit like a brave man and a Christian. My Lord of Essex was a Person whom 't was no doubt the highest Interest of the Popish Faction to have gotten out of the way even tho' there had been no such extraordinary Reason as has been mentioned He had large Interest a plentiful Estate a great deal of Courage understood the World and the Principles and Practices of the Papists as well as any man having been of several Secret Committees in the Examination of the Plot on which very reason there was as much necessity for his dying as Sir E. B. Godfrey's He was besides all this they very well knew of Inflexible Honesty and so true a greatness of mind they could no more expect to gain him than Heaven it self to be on their side As for the immediate Subject of his Death the manner and cirâ—uâ—stances thereof It must first be granted and a very reasonable demand it is that for the present only supposing he was murder'd by the Papists they would we may be sure make it their business to render the manner of it as dark as the Hell in which 't was contriv'd Murders especially of that magnitude don't use to be committed in the face of all the world and at Noon-day When Power is engaged in any Villany when the same Power is still continu'd or encreas'd and can be easily exercis'd in taking out of the way the Traytors tho' it loves the Treason and when so many years have interven'd since the Fact 't is no wonder at all if things are more in the dark than they would have been had at that very instant Liberty been given to have enquired into it which was so loudly and passionately demanded But this we are yet certain of tho' no more be yet publickly known in this matter than what has formerly been Printed and tho' there may be several reasons both of State and Decency which may perhaps make it convenient that things should always be as they are yet there are already such violent probabilities both that he was murthered and murthered by Papists And of the other side such at least next to impossibilities in his acting it himself that as long as the World stands no modest man will be able either to get by 'em or over 'em nor the most impudent or cunning to out-face or give them an answer For the probability that he was murther'd by Popish Contrivement besides those already named Why they should do it here are these following Arguments That they did it Their Principles too openly known to be deny'd Their Practices in all Ages and this present Sir E.B.G. the very Prototype of Essex Arnold all the pretended Legal Murders all that has since happened But if 't is said some Papists are better and braver than others Let 's come nearer Would those that formerly burnt London those who have since broke all the Obligations of Gratitude and Good Nature nay Publick Faith and the most solemn Oaths which 't is possible for a man to take Who if the Testimonies of such as have confirmed it with their dying Breaths and last drop oâ— Blood may be credited who have encouraged hired paid men for
that intent nor did I believe there was any such design or ever heard of any disappointment in such an Affair or Arms or Time or Place save what after the Discovery of the General Design Mr. West spoke of as to Arms bought by him And as to my self I was in the North when the late King was at New-market and the first News I had of the Fire was at Beverly in Yorkshire As to my coming over with the late D. of Monmouth it was in prosecution of the same ends but the Lord in his Holy and Wise Providence hath been pleased to blast all our undertakings tho there seemed to be a very unanimous and zealous Spirit in all those that came from beyond the Seas And as to the D. of Monmouth's being declared King I was wholly passive in it I never having been present at any publick Debate of that Affair and should never have advised it but complained of it to Col. Holmes and Captain Patchet I believe the Lord Gray and Mr. F the chief Promoters of it As to the temptation of being an Evidence and bringing either into trouble or danger the meanest Person of his Life upon the Account for which I suffer I always abhorred and detested the thoughts of it both when in and out of danger and advised some very strongly against it except when under my Distraction in Prison that amongst other temptations did violently assault me but through the goodness of my dearest God and Father I was preserved from it and indeed was wholly incapable and could never receive the least shadow of comfort from it but thought Death more eligible and was some time asore out of my distracted and disquieted condition wholly free from it though not without other Temptations far more Criminal in the sight of men I bless the Father of all Mercies and God of all Consolations that I find a great Resignedness of my Will to his finding infinitely more comfort in Death than ever I could place in Life tho in a condition that might seem honourable every hour seeing the Will of God in ordering this Affair more and more cleared up to me God hath given God hath taken blessed be his holy Name that hath enabled me to be willing to suffer rather than to put forth my hand to Iniquity or to say a Confederacy with those that do so I am heartily and sincerly troubled for what hath happened many mens Lives being lost and many poor distressed Families ruin'd the Lord pardon what of sin he hath seen in it He in his wonderful Providence hath made me and others concerned Instruments not only for what is already fallen out but I believe for hastening some other great work he hath to do in these Kingdoms whereby he will try and purge his People and winnow the chaff from the Wheat the Lord keep those that are his faithful unto the end I die in Charity with all the World and can readily and heartily forgive my greatest Enemies even those that have been Evidences against me and I most humbly beg the pardon of all that I have in the least any way injur'd and in a special manner humbly ask pardon of the Lady Lisle's Family and Relations for that my being succoured there one Night with Mr. Hicks brought that worthy Lady to suffer Death I was wholly a Stranger to her Ladiship and came with Mr. Hicks neither did she as I verily believe know who I was or my Name till I was taken And if any other have come toany loss or trouble I humbly beg their pardon and were I in a condition I would as far as I was able make them a requital As to my Faith I neither look nor hope for merey but only in the Free-grace of God by the Application of the Blood of Jesus my dearest and only Saviour to my poor sinful Soul My distresses have been exceeding great as to my Eternal State but through the infinite goodness of God tho I have many sins to answer for yet I hope and trust as to my particular that Christ came for this very end and purpose to relieve the Oppressed and to be a Physician to the Sick I come unto thee O blessed Jesus refuse me not but wash me in thine own Blood and then present me to thy Father as righteous What tho' my Sins be as Crimson and of a Scarlet Dye yet thou canst make them as white as Snow I see nothing in my self but what must utterly ruine and condemn me I cannot answer for one action of my whole Life but I cast my self wholly upon thee who art the Fountain of Mercy in whom God is reconciling himself to the World the greatest of Sins and Sinners may find an All sufficiency in thy Blood to cleanse 'em from all sin O dearest Father of Mercy look upon me as righteous in and through the imputed Righteousness of thy Son he hath payed the Debt by his own own Offering up himself for sin and in that thy Justice is satisfied and thy Mercy is magnified Grant me thy Love O dearest Father assist me and stand by me in the needful hour of Death give thy Angels charge over my poor Soul that the Evil One may not touch nor hurt it Defend me from his power deliver me from his rage and receive me into thine Eternal Kingdom in and through the alone Merits of my dearest Redeemer for whom I praise thee To whom with thy self and holy Spirit be ascribed all Glory Honour Power Might and Dominion for ever and for ever Amen Dear Lord Jesus receive my Spirit Amen R. NELTHROPE Newgate Octob. 29. 1685. Mrs. Gaunt ONe of the great Reasons why Mrs. Gaunt was burnt was 't is very possible because she lived at Wapping the honest Seamen and hearty Protestants thereabouts being such known Enemies to Popery and Arbitrary Government that the Friends of both gave all who oppose it the Name of Wappingers as an odious Brand and Title She was a good honest charitable Woman who made it her business to relieve and help whoever suffer'd for the forementional Cause sparing no pains refusing no office to get them assistance in which she was the most industrious and indefatigable woman living Among others whom she had thus relieved who were obnoxious persons was one Burton whom with his Wife and Family she had kept from starving for which may the very name of 'em be register'd with Eternal Infamy they swore against her and took away her Life Tho she says in her Speech there was but one Witness against her as to any mony she was charg'd to give him and that he himself an Outlawed person his Outlawry not yet revers'd he not being outlawed when she was with him and hid him away That which she writ in the Nature of a Speech has a great deal of Sense and Spirit and some strange Expressions which were mention'd in the Introduction to all these matters which she concludes with these words addrest to her
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
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
be married to my Husband and to be given to the Embraces of my Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever Learn not to repine at the Holy Determination of an infinite wise God but rest satisfied in his Will knowing that he doth all things for the best to them that fear him Weep not for me who am only changing this World of Temptation of Troubles and Affliction It hath pleased God to call me a little before you but you must soon follow after keep therefore the Fear of God before your Eyes and then you will have cause to rejoyce and not to mourn when at the time of departure you may have cause to say with me I have run my Race I have finished my Course I have kept the Faith henceforth is laid up for me a Crown of Glory which fadeth not away which that you may be able to say is the Hearty Prayer of Your Friend and Servant Josias Askew The Account his Friend gives of him TO prevent your further trouble in suing for a pardon I think it convenient â—o lâ—t you know I do not question but my dear Cousin hath had his Pardon Sealed by the King of Kings and is in everlasting Blessedness singing Hallelujahs Salvation Glory and Honour to him that sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb for ever and ever For God did so carry him through to drink that bitter Cup with so much Courage and Chearfulness to the last as was to the Admiration of all Spectators notwithstanding the terrible Sight he sâ—w at the Place of Suffering and so vehemently as he was tryed by the Adversary yet it did not in the least discompose him or alter his Countenance for he continued with a smiling Countenance to the last and was transported above measure I want words to express it he was like one wrapt up in Heaven with his Heart there and his Eyes fixed thereon I could wish you had been there it would have driven away all cause of Sorrow from your Heart to see his Deportment and hear the Gracious Words that proceeded out of his mouth He remembreth his Duty to you both and left Pâ—ul's Blessing with you Grace Mercy and Peace his Love to his dear Sister he desires her not to be troubled for him for he hath made his Peace with God and was assured he should go to eternal Happiness he would have written more to you and to his Sister but that he had so short a time after Sentence that he wanted Opportunity when he went out of Prison he said Gentlemen Now I am going and it is the time I much longed for I would not change with him that passeth Sentence upon me for a World I was with him to the last and seeing his Courage did very much encourage me though I never saw such a sight with my Eyes The behaviour of John Holway before and at the place of his Execution at Warham in the County of Dorset HE lived in Lime where the Duke Landed and Appeared in Arms at that time until his Captain left him then took up Arms under the Duke of Monmouth and went with him until the Kings Proclamation came forth That all that would lay down their Arms before some Justice of the Peace in four days after and take a Certificate for their so doing they should be acquitted and have his Majesties pardon which this Person did though one day too late which Blot my Lord Chief Justice hit being very good at it and passed the Sentence of Death on him Before his Tryal he was not much concerned at his Case and thought himself almost out of danger But to be short he received his Sentence with much Courage and Resolution and by the means of one Mr. Tiller who was to suffer with him was brought to that setled frame of Spirit as is fit for one in that Condition As he was riding in the Cart toward the place of Execution the Troopers being just behind the Cart he told them They shewed like brave Fellows but said he If I were to have my Life for fighting the best five of you I would not question it At the place of Execution he said not much But that he thought his and other mens Blood would be revenged on time or another and said Forgive me have Mercy on my poor Soul pardon all my Sins and the like and so the Executioner did his Office The Last Speech and Prayer of Mr. Matthews at the place of Execution HE was much concerned the Morning before he died to see his Wife weep and to be in such a passion for him which drew Tears from his Eyes and taking her in his Arms said My Dear Prithee do not disturb me at this time but endeavour to submit to the Will of God and although thy Husband is going from thee yet I trust God will be all in all unto thee sure my Dear you will make my passage into Eternity more troublesome than otherwise if you thus lament and take on for me I am very sensible of thy tender love towards me but would have you consider that this Separation will be so much for my Advantage as your Loss cannot parallel I thank God I am willing to die and to be with my Jesus be satisfied the Will of God must be done thy Will be done O God in Earth as it is in Heaven So embracing her took his last farewell of her and prepared to go to the place of Execution where being come he with a very modest sober composed Frame of Spirit stood while he saw several Executed before him his turn being come he thus spake Dear Countrimen I suppose We are all of one Kingdom and Nation and I hope Protestants O I wonder we should be so cruel and Blood-thirsty one towards another I have heard it said heretofore that England could never be ruin'd but by her self which now I fear if a doing Lord have Mercy on poor England turn the Hearts of the Iâ—habiâ—â—nts thereof cause them to love one another and to forâ—et one anothers Infirmities Have meâ—cy O Lord on me Give me strength and patience to fulfil thy Will Comfort my dear and sorrowful Wife be a Huâ—bâ—nd unto her stand by her in the greatâ—st trouble and affliction Let her depend upon thy Pâ—ovidenceâ— be merciful to all men preserve this Nation from Popery find out yet a way for its deliverance if it be thy good Will and give all Men Hearts to be truly thanâ—ful Comfort my fellow sufferers that are immediately to follow Give them strength and comfort unto the end I forgive all the World even all those that have been the immediate Hastners of my Death I am in charity with all Men. And now blessed Lord Jesus into thy Hands I commend my Spirit Our Father which art in Heaven hallowed be thy name Thy Kingdom come Thy Will be done in Eâ—rth as it is in Heaven Give us this day our daily Bread Forgive us our Trespasses as we forgive them that
the Cruelty of Men when in their Power and how the Devil stirreth up his Instruments to pursue those that adventure for the Cause of God and Religion Here were in this County Executed 239. the rest that were Condemned were Transported except such as were able to furnish Coin and that not a little for an account was taken of Mens abilities according to which the purchase for Life must be managed by two of his Favourites who had a small share the rest went into his Lordships Pocket according to the Actions of Rome where Sins of any kind may be pardoned for mony This indeed was a glorious Design in the Eye of Mother Church to root out Heresie by Executions and Transportations to make room for a pack here Expedition must be made to conclude at Wells for that a great Man being fallen our great Judge designing his Chair which in short he had as the Reward of so eminent and extraordinary a piece of Service as he did for the Advancement of the Roman Catholicks Interest which is cruel always where it prevails Thus we leave the Town of Taunton after awarding Execution to many there and their Quarters to be scatter'd up and down the County and so we proceed to Wells where divers Prisoners that had been carried from Goal to Goal in expectation of Evidence against them were in Carts removed to Wells in which place to finish this Expedition the same Method as was at the former Assizes was also taken here by a severe Charge affronting the Gentlemen of this County as he had done in all the Counties before terrifying the Juries when any pleaded to make them to bring in the persons Guilty some of which being over-awed and it is doubted contrary to their Judgments which if so the Lord forgive them Here were many eminent and worthy persons that received the Sentence of Death but the Executions of the County being put together as you have before seen we make no particular Division of the Number here and the Number at Taunton the whole being recited before We shall therefore endeavour to be as brief as we can to give you what we think material and truly matter of Fact my Lord now being come to conclude this extraordinary Commission and in haste to be elevated maketh all manner of dispatch to repair to the King then at Windsor to give an Account of his Transactions and to receive the Reward of his meritorious service in this Butchering of Protestants which is so acceptable to his Holiness and his bigotted Disciples as nothing can be more and indeed if you will believe them a Work that merits Heaven at last besides what Temporal Preferments are thought fit in this World If this cruel Judge were a true Protestant his Case is much the worse being made use of as a Tool to destroy and carry on Popish Designs Thus the Affairs being ended the Country filled with Heads and Quarters of those that were Executed the rest that had not wherewith to purchase their Lives left in Custody in order to Transportation I shall next add the Charge given by the Lord Chief Justice Jeffreys at the City of Bristol Monday September 21. 1685. In his Return from his Western Campaigne Gentlemen I Am by the Mercy of God come to this great and populous City a City that boasts both of its Riches and Trade and may justly indeed claim the next place to the great and populous Metropolis of this Kingdom Gentlemen I find here are a great many Auditors who are very intent as if they expected some formal or prepared Speech but assure your selves we come not to make neither set Speeches nor formal Declamations nor to follow a couple of puffing Trumpeters for Lord we have seen those things Twenty times before No we come to do the King's business a King who is so Gracious as to use all the means possible to discover the Disorders of the Nation and to search out those who indeed are the very Pest of the Kingdom To this end and for this purpose are we come to this City But I find a special Commission is an unusual thing here and relishes very ill nay the very Women storm at it for fear we should take the upper hand of them too for by the by Gentlemen I hear it is much in fashion in this City for the Woman to govern and bear sway But Gentlemen I will not stay you with such needless Stories I will only mention some few things that fall within my knowledg for Points or Matters of Law I shall not trouble you but only mind you of some things that lately hath happened and particularly in this City for I have the Kalender of this City in my Pocket and if I do not express my self in so formal or set a Declamation for as I told you I came not to make Declamations or in so smooth Language as you may expect you must attribute it partly to the pain of the Stone under which I labour and partly to the unevenness of this days journey Gentlemen I may say that even some of the youngest amongst us may remember the late horrid Rebellion how men under colour of Law and pretext of Justice after they had divested a most Gracious and most Merciful Prince of all his Royal Power by the Power of the Sword they I say under colour of Law and pretext of Justice which added the more to the Crime that it was done under colour of such pretended Justice brought the most Mild and Meekest Prince next to our ever Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ if we may but compare him to a Man to die a Martyr the first blessed Martyr pardon the expression besides our most blessed Jesu who suffered for us on the Cross I say besides that Blessed Son of God this I say was the first Royal Martyr not suffering him to speak for himself or make his defence a Liberty which is given to the vilest Traitor and this was done not to descant on the number by Forty one The Rebels not resting here for Rebellion is like the sin of Witchcraft Divested the Lineal Legal and Rightful Heir of the Crown of all his Power and Prerogative till the Mighty God of Heaven and Earth God Almighty restored him to his Just Right And he as if begot in Mercy not only forgave all Offences and pardoned voluntarily even all that had been in actual Arms against him excepting those accursed Regicides but also made it a Crime for any one that should but remember or upbraid any of their past Crimes and Rebellions Good God! O Jesu that we should live in such an Age in which such a Prince cannot be safe from the seditious contrivances of Pardoned Rebels Had we not the Rye Conspiracy wherein they not only designed to have Murthered that Most Blessed for so now we may conclude him to be with God Almighty and Gracious King but also his Most ever Dear and Victorious Brother Had we not the Bill
the Mayor and Sheriff hall'd them forwards themselves Balaam-like driving the Horses When they came to the place of Execution which was surrounded with Spectators many that waited their Coming with great sorrow said That when they saw him and them come with such chearfulness and joy and evidence of the Presence of God with them it made Death appear with another Aspect They first embraced each other with the greatest Affection then two of the elder Persons praying audibly they joyn'd with great seriousness Then he desired leave of the Sheriff to pray particularly but he would not grant it only ask'd him if he would pray for the King He answered I pray for all men He then requested they might sing a Psalm the Sheriff told him It must be with the Ropes about their Necks which they cheerfully accepted and sung with such heavenly joy and sweetness that many present said It both broke and rejoyc'd their hearts Thus in the experience of the delightfulness of praising God on Earth he willingly closed his Eyes on a vain World to pasâ— to that Eternal Employment Sept. 30. 1685. All present of all sorts were exceedingly affected and amazed Some Officers that had before insultingly said Surely these Persons have no thoughts of death but will find themselves surprized by it after said That they now saw he and they had something extraodinary within that carried them through with such joy Others of them said That they were so convinc'd of their Happinâ—ss that they would be glad to change Conditions with them All the Souldiers in general and all others lamenting exceedingly saying That it was so sad a thing to see them so cut off they scarce knew how to bear it Some of the most malicious in the place from whom nothing but railing was expected said as they were carried to their â—rave in Taunton Church voluntarily accompanied by most of the Town That these Persons had left a sufficient Evidence that they were now glorified Saints in Heaven A great Officer in the King'â— Army has been often heard to say That if you would learn to die go to the young Men of Taunton Much more was utter'd by them which shew'd the blessed and glorious frames of their hearts to the Glory of Divine Grace but this is what occurs to memory Mr. Benjamin Hewling about two hours before his death writ this following Letter which shew'd the great composure of his Mind Mr. Hewlings last Letter a little before his Execution Taunton Sept. 30. 1685. Honoured Mother THat News which I know you have a great while feared and we expected I must now acquaint you with That notwithstanding the Hopes you gave in your two last Letters Warrants are come down fâ—r my Execution and within these few hours I expect it to be peâ—formed Blessed be the Almighty God that gives comfort and support in such a day how ought we to magnifie his holy Name for all his Mercies that when we were running on in a course of sin he should stop us in our full career and shew us that Câ—rist whom we had pierced anâ— out of hiâ—â—ree Grace enable us to look upon him with an Eâ—e of Faith believing him able to save to the utmost all such as come to him Oh admirable loâ—g suffering and patience of God that when we were dishonoâ—ring hiâ— Name he did not take that time to bring honour to himself by our destruction But he delighteth not in the death of a sinner buâ— had rather he should turn to him and live And he has many ways of bringing his own to himsâ—lf Blessed be his Holy Name that through Affliction he has taught my heart in some measure to be comformable to his Will which worketh patience and patience worketh experience and experience hope which maketh not ashamed I bless God I am not ashamed of the Cause for which I lay down my life and as I have engaged in it and fought for it so now I am going to sâ—al it with my Blood The Lord still carry on the same Cause which hath been long on foot and tho' we die in it and for it I question not but in his own good time he will raise up other Instruments morâ— worthy to carry it on to the glory of his Name and the advancement of his Church and People Honoured Mother I know there has been nothing left undone by you or my Friends for the saving of my Life for which I return many hearty acknowledgments to your self and them all and it 's my dying request to you and them to pardon all undutifulness and unkindness in every Relation Pray give my Duty to my Grandfather and Grandmother Service to my Vnkles and Aunts and my dear Love to all my Sisters to every Relation and Friend a particular Recommendation Pray tell 'em all how precious an Interest in Christ is when we come to die and advise them never to rest in a Christless Estate For if we are his it 's no matter what the World do to us they can but kill the Body and blessed be God the Soul is out of their reach for I question not but their malice wishes the damnation of that as well as the destruction of the Body which has too evidently appeared by their deceitful flattering promises I commit you all to the care and protection of God who has promised to be a Father tâ— the Fatherless and a Husband to the Widdow and to supply the want of every Relation The Lord God of Heaven be your Comfort under thesâ— Sorrows and your Refuge from these Miseries we may easily foresee coming upon poor England and the poor distressed People of God in it The Lord carry you through this vale of Tears with a resigning submissive Spirit and at last bring you to himself in Glory where I question not but you will meet your dying Son Ben Hewling Their Characters THey were both of very sweet and obliging Tempers as hâ—s appeared in their History it being a very hard matter for their worst Enemies when they once knew 'em well not to honour and love ' em Mr. Benjamin the elder reconciled the Lamb and the Lion exactly In the Field he seem'd made only for War and any where else for nothing but Love He without flatterry deserv'd to be call'd a very fine man of a lovely proportion extreamly well made as handsom a Meen good an Air as perhaps few in England exceeded him His Picture is pretty like him The younger Mr. William somewhat taller and more slender His Face fresh and lively as his Spirit being Master of an extraordinary vivacity and briskness of Temper Both of 'em vertuous pious and couragious far above their years and indeed seem'd to be Men too soon one of 'em not being Twenty the eldest but Two and twenty when they dy'd verifying that common Observation That whatever is perfect sooner than ordinary has generally a shorter Period prefix'd it than what 's more base and ignoble Mr. Christopher
God continue his Love and Influence upon my Soul it will be both short and sweet I have little of this World about me I leave you all the Legacy of what was ever dearest to me the best of Wives and five poor Children who must pass through an evil and sinful World but I have committed them to God who hath commanded to cast our Fatherless Children and Widows upon him Dear Parents Brothers Sister all adieu my time draws on my Paper is finished and your dying Child and Brother recommends you all to him who is All-sufficient to the God of Peace that brought again from the Dead our Lord Jesus the great Shepherd of the Sheep through the Blood of the everlasting Covenant who will make you perfect in every good work to do his VVill working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ to whom be Glory for ever and ever Amen RICHARD NELTHROPE From the Palace of Newgate Octob. the 30 th 1685. Two of the Clock in the Morning Mr. Richard Nelthrope's Letter to his Children My Dear Children THE Providence of God hath so ordered it that your poor and ever-loving Father is taken from you in such a manner as may cast both worldly Loss and Reproach upon you but I charge you let not this be a Stumbling-block to you in the way of God but that you remember your Creator in the days of your Youth That you never neglect a day without reading the Holy Scripture wherein you 'll find your Duty both to God and Man there you 'll find the way to everlasting Life there you 'll find Christ Jesus instructing you and dying for you Seek first the Kingdom of Heaven and all other things will be added to you After your Duty to God Almighty mighty your Dying Father charges and conjures you as you 'll answer it at the great day of Appearance of our dearest Saviour that you be dutiful and loving to the best of Mothers as long as God shall continue that great Mercy to you Hearken to her Voice and be obedient to the Words of her Mouth for she 'll be faithful to your Souls and Bodies â—nd remember that Obedience to Parents hath the promise of this Life as well as of Eternal Life Pay a great Duty and Obedience to your Grandfather Grandmother Uncles and Aunt who all of them have not only testified the greatest Love to your Dying Father but from whom if you carry your selves as becomes you you may expect both the good things of this World and Advice and Counsel for what is beyond all temporal Blessings Diligence in your lawful Callings to which God shall in his Providence appoint you is both commendable and a Duty but let not the eager pursuit of the things of this World justle out the time allotted for better things Prayer will bless what you get in your Employments and so at once you obtain Gods Blessing upon worldly Mercies and find God manifesting himself to you in his dear Son Christ Jesus in pardon of your sins and receiving worldly things in the Covenant Your tender Years in which I leave you in this wicked and deceitful world may render you subject to many Temptations but I commit you to the Father of the Fatherless who is able to preserve you both in Soul Body Your poor Father hath no Legacy to leave you but the blessing of the great Jehovah which he begs for you upon the bended Knees of his Soul The Lord God bless you with the Dew of Heaven and if he sees good give you Jacob's Portion Food and Raiment and if the Lord bless you with any temporal Goods remember they are Talents employ them well to the Masters use No Duty so acceptable to God as Charity that 's it which your Saviour exalts so far that he saith Come ye Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom for I was an hungry and ye fed me naked and ye clothed me sick and in Prison and ye visited me I die and leave you but if you keep close to God and his ways he will never leave you nor forsake you The Sum of the whole is Fear God and keep his commandments Do that to all others that you would they should do to you is the golden Rule of the Gospel and will be a great Preservative to you from offending either God or Man Eternity calls me away and I have neither time nor opportunity to add more Your Duties may be various in the world as Servants as Masters as Husbands as Wives as Parents There is no condition of Life but hath its Comforts and its Troubles the Lord fit you for whatsoever condition he calls you to whether Honour or Dishonour Riches or Poverty But remember whatsoever it be it is Gods Providence orders and governs the World Dear James as thou art the eldest strive to be the best and a good Example to the rest a dutiful and a loving Son Whatever thou or the rest have lost by me God can make up in this Life My dear Babes who have been all Pledges of my Love by the best and most affectionate Wife I do once more beg it of you as my last Request that you obey love and honour her who hath been the greatest worldly Blessing to your Father and will never think any thing too much to do for you My dear Children Farewel I must now take my leave both of you and all worldly Comforts I trust and hope I am going to the Eternal Inheritance where sin and sorrow cease and that I may meet you at the right Hand of my blessed Saviour is the dying Prayer of Dear Children Your Affectionaâ—e and loving Father RICHARD NELTHROPE Newgate 29. Octob. 1685. Mr. Nelthrope's Last Speech THE great and inexpressible trouble and distraction I have been under since I came into trouble especially since my close Confinement in Newgate hath so broken my Reason that for many VVeeks last past till the day my Sentence was passed I have not had any composure of Mind and have been under the greatest trouble imaginable Since my dearest VVife hath had the favour granted her of coming to me I am at present under great composedness of Mind thro' the infinite goodness of the Lord. As to what I stand Outlawed for and am now sentenced to die I can with comfort appeal to the great God before whose Tribunal I am to appear that what I did was in the sâ—â—plicity of my heart without seeking any private Advantage to my self but thinking it my Duty to hazard my Life for the preservation of the Protestant Religion and English Liberties which I thought invaded and both in great danger of being lost As to the design of assassinating the late King or his present Majesty it always was a thing highly against my Judgment and which I always detested and I was never in the least concerned in it neither in Purse nor Person nor never knew of any Arms brought for
Enemies From her that findâ— no Mercy from you Were my Pen qualified to represent the due Character of this Excellent Woman it would be readily granted That she stood most deservedly entituled to an Eternal Monument of Honour in the hearts of all sincere Lovers of the Reformed Religion All true Christians tho' in some things differing in persuasion with her found in her a Universal Charity and sincere Friendship as is well known to many here and also to a multitude of the Scotch Nation Ministers and others who for Conscience sake were formerly thrust into exile These found her a most refreshing Refuge She dedicated her self with unwearied Industry to provide for their Supply and Support and therein I do inâ—ine to think she out-stripped every individual person if not the whole Body of Protestants in this great City Hereby she became exposed to the implacable Fury of Bloody Papists and those blind Tools who co-operated to promote their accursed Designs And so there appeared little difficulty to procure a Jury as there were well-prepared Judges to make her a Sacrifice as a Traytor to the State Her Judges the King's Councel the Solicitor General the Common Serjeant c. rackt their Inventionâ— to draw Burton and his Wife to charge Mrs. Gaunt with the knowledge of his being in a Plot or in the Proclamation but nothing of that could be made out nor is here any sort of proof that Mrs. Gaunt harbour'd this ungrateful wretch or that she gave him either Meat or Drink as the Indictment charges her but notwithstanding that her Jury brought her in Guilty The Sentence was executed upon this excellent Woman upoâ— Friday then following being the 23 d. October 1685. when she left her Murderers the following Memorial Newgate 22d of October 1685. Mrs. Gaunt's Speech written the day before her Sufferings NOt knowing whether I should be suffer'd or able because of weaknesses that are upon me through my hard and close Imprisonment to speak at the place of Execution I writ these few Lines to signifie That I am well reconciled to the way of my God towards me though it be in ways I looked not for and by terrible things yet in righteousness having given me Life he ought to have the disposing of it when and how he pleases to call for it and I desire to offer up my All to him it being but my reasonable Service and also the first Terms that Jesus Christ offers that he that will be his Disciple must forsake all and follow him and therefore let none think hard or be discouraged at what hath happened unto me for he doth nothing without cause in all he hath done to us he being holy in all his ways and righteous in all his works and 't is but my lot in common with poor desolate Sion at this day Neither do I find in my heart the least regret for what I have done in the service of my Lord â—nd Master Jesus Christ in succouring and securing any of his poor Sufferers that have shewed favour to his righteous Cause which Cause though now it be fall'n and trampled upon as if it had not been anointed yet it shall revive and God will plead it at another rate than ever he hath done yet and reckon with all its opposerâ— and malicious haters and therefore let all that love and fear him not omit the least Duty that comes to hand or lies before them knowing that now it hath need of them and expects they shall serve him And I desire to bless his holy Name that he hath made me useful in my generation to the comfort and relief of many desolate ones and the blessing of those that are ready to perish has come upon me and being helpt to make the Heart of the Widdow to sing And I bless his holy Name that in all this together with what I was charged with I can approve my heart to him that I have done his will tho' it does cross Man's will and the Scriptures that satisfie me are Isaiah 16.4 Hide the Outcasts bewray not him that wandereth And Obad. 13.14 Thou shouldst not have given up those of his that did escape in the day of his Distress But Man says You shall give them up or you shall die for it Now who to obey Judge ye So that I have cause to rejoyce and be exceeding glad in that I suffer for righteousness sake and that I am accounted worthy to suffer for well-doing and that God has accepted any Service from me which has been done in sincerity tho' mixed with manifold Infirmities which he hath been pleased for Christ's sake to cover and forgive And now as concerning my Fact as it is called alas it was but a little one and might well become a Prince to forgive but he that shews no Mercy shall find none And I may say of it in the Language of Jonathan I did but taste a little hony and lo I must die for it I did but relieve an unworthy poor distressed Family and so I must die for it Well I desire in the Lamb like Gospel-Spirit to forgive all that are concerned and to say Lord lay it not to their Charge but I fear he will not Nay I believe when he comes to make inquisition for Blood it will be found at the door of the furious Judge who because I could not remember things through my dauntedness at Burton's Wife and Daughters Vileness and my ignorance took advantage thereat and would not hear me when I had called to mind that which I am sure would have invalidated their Evidence though he granted something of the same Nature to another yet denyed it to me My Blood will also be found at the door of the unrighteous Jury who found me Guilty upon the single Oath of an Out-law'd Man for there was none but his Oath about the Mony who is no legal Witness though he be pardoned his Outlawry not being recall'd and also the Law requires two Witnesses in point of Life And then about my going with him to the place mentioned 't was by his own Words before he was Outlaw'd for 't was two Month 's after his absconding and though in a Proclamation yet not High Treason as I have heard so that I am clearly murder'd by you And also Bloody Mr. A. who has so insatiably hunted after my Life and though it is no profit to him through the ill will he bore me left no stone unturn'd as I have ground to believe till he brought it to this and shewed favour to Burton who ought to have died for his own fault and not bought his Life with mine and Capt. R. who is cruel and severe to all under my Circumstances and did at that time without all mercy or pity hasten my Sentence and held up mâ— hand that it might be given all which together with the Great One of all by whose Power all these and a multitude more of Cruelties are done I do heartily and freely
necessary to clear my self of some Aspersions laid on my Name and first That I should have had so horrid an Inâ—ention of Destroying the King and his Brother Here he repeated what he had said before to the Justices on this Subject It was also laid to my Charge That I was Antimonarchical It was ever my Thoughts That Kingly Government was the best of all Justly Executed I mean such as by our ancient Laws that is a King and a Legal Free Chosen Parliament The King having aâ— I conceive Power enough to make him Great the People also as much Property as to makâ— them Happy they being as it were contracted to one another And who will deny me that this was not the Just constituted Government of our Nation How absurd is it then for Men of Sense to maintain That though the one Party of this Contract breaketh all Conditions the other should be obliged to perform their Part No this error is contrary to the Law of God the Law of Nations and the Law of Reason But as pride hath been the Bait the Devil hath catched most by ever since the Creation so it continues to this day with us Pride caused our first Parents to fall from the blessed Estate wherein they were created they aiming to be Higher and Wiser than God allowed which brought an everlasting Curse on them and their Posterity It was Pride caused God to Drown the Old World And it was Nimrod 's Pride in building Babel that caused that heavy Curse of Division of Tongues to be spread among us as it is at this day One of the greatest Afflictions the Church of God groaneth under That there should be so many Divisions during their Pilgrimage here but this is their Comfort that the Day draweth near whereas there is but One Shepherd there shall be but One Sheepfold It was therefore in the Defence of this Party in their Just Rights and Liberties against Popery and Slavery At which words they Beat the Drums To which he said They need not trouble themselves for he should say no more of his Mind on that subject since they were so disingenuous as to interrupt a Dying Man only to assure the People he adhered to the True Protestant Religion detesting the erroneous Opinions of many that called themselves so and I Die this day in the Defence of the ancient Laws and Liberties of these Nations And though God for Reasons best known to himself hath not seen it fit to honour Vs as to make Vs the Instruments for the Deliverance of his People yet as I have Lived so I Die in the Faith that he will speedily arise for the deliverance of his Church and People And I desire all of you to preparâ— for this with speed I may say This is a deluded Generation vail'd with Ignorance that though Popery and Slavery be riding in upon them do not perceive it though I am sure thâ—re was no Man born marked of God above another for none comes into the world with a Saddle on his Back neiâ—her any Booted and Spurr'd to Ride him not but that I am well satisfied that God hath wisely ordered different Stations for Men in the World as I have already said Kings having as much Power as to make â—hem Great and the People as much Property as to make them Happy And to conclude I shall only add â—y Wishes for the Salvation of all Men who were created for that end After ending these words he prayed most fervently near three quarters of an hour freely forgiving all Men even his greatest Enemies begging most earnestly for the Deliverance of Sion from â—ll her Persecutors particularly praying for London Edinburgh and Dublin from which the Streams run that Rule God's People â—n these three Nations Being asked some hours before his Execution â—f he thought not his Sentence Dreadful He answered He wished he had a Limb for every Town in Christendom A Brief Account of the Last Speech of Mr. John King at the place of Execution at Edenburgh on the 14th day of August 1679. Men and Brethren I Do not doubt but that many that are Spectators here have some other end than to be edified by what they may see and hear in the last words of one going to Eternity but if any one of you have Ears to hear which I nothing doubt but some of this great gathering have I desirâ— your Ears and Attention if the Lord shall help and permit me to speak to a few things I bless the Lord since infinite Wisdom and holy Providence has so carved out my Lot to dye after the manner that I do not unwillingly neither by force It 's true I could not do this of my self Nature always having an Inclination to put the Evil day far off but through Gracâ— I have been helped and by this Grace yet hope I shall 'T is true through Policy I might have shunned such â— hard Sâ—ntence if I had done some things but though I could I durst not God knows redeem my life with the losâ— of my Integrity and Honesty I bless the Lord that since I have been apprehended and made a Prisoner God hath very wonderfully upholden me and made out that comfortable word Fear not be not dismayed I am with thee I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee by the righâ— hand of my Righteousness Isaiah 42.10 I thanâ— the Lord he never yet gave me leave so much aâ— to have a thought much less to seek after anâ— shift that might be in the least sinful I did always and yet do judge it better to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season therefore I am come hither to lay down my life I bless the Lord I dye not as a Fool dyeth though I acknowledge I have nothing to boast of in my self Yea I acknowledge I am a sinner and one of the chiefest that hath gone under the name of a Professor of Religion yea amongst the unworthiest of those that have preached the Gospel my Sins and Corruptions have been many and have defiled me in all things and even in following and doing of my Duty I have not wanted my own sinful Infirmities and Weaknesses so that I may truly say I have no Righteousness of my own all is evil and like filthy Rags but blessed be God that there is a Saviour and an Advocate Jesus Christ the Righteous and I do believe that Jesus Christ is come into the World to save Sinners of whom I am the chief and that through Faith and his Righteousness I have obtained Mercy and that through him and him alone I desire and hope to have a happy and glorious Victory over sin Satan Hell and Death and that I shall attain unto the Resurrection of the just and be made Partaker of Eternal Life I know in whom I have believed and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day I have