THE SPEECHES AND PRAYERS OF Major General Harison Octob. 13. Mr. John Carew Octob. 15. Mr. Justice Cooke Mr. Hugh Peters Octob. 16. Mr. Tho. Scott Mr. Gregory Clement Octob. 17. Col. Adrian Scroop Col. John Jones Octob. 17. Col. Daniel Axtell Col. Fran. Hacker Oct. 19 The times of their Death Together with Severall occasionall Speeches and Passages in their Imprisonment till they came to the place of Execution Faithfully and impartially collected for further satisfaction Heb. 11.4 And by it he being dead yet speaketh Printed Anno Dom. 1660. To the Reader REader the intent of this Epistle is not to set forth in a commendatory way any thing concerning the persons or their sufferings though much might be spoken deservedly in that matter but only to present unto thee the words of dying men some part whereof was occasionall Discourses betwixt them and some friends that visited them in the Prison yea in the Dungeon unto every particular there are sufficient Witnesses in this City unto whom we can appeale that there is nothing patronized upon these sufferers but what was spoken by them though it is not all that was spoked by them for that would have swelled into too large a volume What thou hast here therefore are but some small mites carefully taken out of their great treasury Here are also extracts of severall Letters coppied from their own hand writings the rest is their Speeches and Prayers at the time and places of Execution taken by exact short-writers and divers of the best coppies have been compared and the worke with much care and industry hath been brought to this perfection There hath some speciall reasons moved us to undertake this matter as first to prevent that wrong which might be done to the deceased and more especially to the name of God by false and imperfect coppies Secondly to satisfie those many in City and Countrey who have much desired it Thirdly to let all see the riches of grace magnified in those servants of Christ Fourthly that men may see what it is to have an interest in Christ in a dying houre and to be faithfull to his cause And lastly that all men may consider and know that every mans judgement shall be from the Lord. Prov. 29.26 Some occasionall Speeches and Memorable passages of Major Generall Harrison's after his coming to Newgate With his Speech upon the Ladder THe day of his coming to Newgate from the Tower at night he sent his Wife word that that day was to him as his Wedding day When the sentence was pronounced he said whom men have Judged God doth not condemne blessed be the name of the Lord. And as he was carried away from the Court through the croud the people shouted And he cryed good is the Lord for all this I have no cause to be ashamed of the cause that I have been ingaged in Some Friends askt him how he did he Answered very well and cannot be in a better condition if I had the desires of my Heart we must be willing to receive hard things from the hands of our Father as well as easie things when he came to Newgate there was Chaines put upon his Feet And he said Wellcome Wellcome Oh this is nothing to what Christ hath undergone for me this is out of his great loving kindnesse and faithfulnesse and my God is All sufficient in all Conditions And also soon after his coming into the Dungion in order to his Execution a Woman belonging to the Goal who was sent to make clean the Room and to make a Fire for him was askt when she came out by divers people whereof some were scoffers how the Major General behaved himself and what he said To which she answered she knew not what he had done to deserve to be there but sure she was that he was a good man and that never such a man was there before for he was full of God there was nothing but God in his mouth so that it would have done any one good to have been neer him or with him And his discourse and frame of heart would melt the hardest of their hearts Some time after he was put into the Hold Three Ministers of the City were sent by the Sheriffe to discourse with him And their discourses was to endeavour to convince him First Of being Guilty of the Kings Blood Secondly Of Mr. Love's Death Thirdly Of breaking the Old Parliament Fourthly Of being loose in Family duties and the Observation of the Lords day Fifthly Of the justnesse of this thing that was upon him by reason of his iniquity To which he answered As to the Blood of the King I have not in the least any Guilt lying upon me for I have many a time sought the Lord with Tears to know if I have done amisse in it but was rather confirmed that the thing was more of God then of men And besides what I did I did by Authority of Parliament which was then the onely lawful Authority for God owned it by pleading their Cause and Fighting their Battels for them the Lords people owned it by rejoycing in it and praying for it the Generality of people both in England Scotland and Ireland owned it by yeilding Obedience to it Forreign Princes owned it by sending their Embassadours therefore it was rather the act of the Parliament then ours that were there servants He declared that he was very tender of the King insomuch that the King himself did confesse that he found him not such a person as he was represented to him when he was brought out of the Isle of Weight and that he had some skill in Faces so that if he had but seen his Face before he should not have harbored such hard thoughts of him Secondly As to Mr. Love's Death I was in Scotland when he was Condemned and had no hand in it in the least They desired to know if he did not say then That if a Godly man so transgress as to being himself under the Condemnation of the law it were not a just thing for him to suffer for his sin he told them he did not remember that he did say so But then said if a godly man did so transgresse a righteous law he ought to suffer as another man Thirdly The breaking of the Parliament was the Act and Designe of General Cromwell for I did know nothing of it that morning before it was done he called me to go along with him to the house and after he had brought all into disorder I went to the Speaker and told him Sir seeing things are brought to this passe it is not requisite for you to stay there he answered he would not come down unlesse he was pulled out Sir said I I will lend you my hand and he putting his hand into mine came down without any pulling so that I did not pull him Indeed afterwards I was glad the thing was done for I did see they did intend to perpetuate themselves without doing those
rid of it have condemned my selfe for it cried out aginst it as the ravished damsel Deut. 22.26 The like for sins done in my inclination which by preventing grace are secret and onely known to God and I haue mourned over my secret sinnes onely known to God and my selfe over the sinnes of my youth which were committed faster then can be named for those which I did not know to be sin and those that I have forgotten and especially for my actually known sins committed against love and light promises and covenants I have confest them all with a heavy bleeding broken and contrite spirit and O that I had all sin as sin in a greater execration my griefe is for having offended so gracious a father that wil not damn me for it if there were no hell nor judge I would rather dye then willingly offend him any more and I cannot satisfie divine justice for one vain thought therefore I flie to Christ and close with him upon a free promise as a poor penitent sinner no merits but the merits of my Saviour I take in whole Christ and not one drop of my pudled water shall be mingled with the ocean of his pure and perfect righteousness I give up my self wholly to him as by a deed of gift to be at his dispose and I know he hath received me I am my beloveds and my beloved is mine and all is mine 1 Cor. 3.22 death it selfe I have a sweet certificate from Heaven of the pardon of sin justification reconciliation and adoption I know Gods heart and his eyes are upon me perpetually 2 Chro. 2.15 that no tender father or mother can have so special a care of any sick imprisoned child as he hath of me I believe that God who hath given a property to the needle to keep fixt though the ship overturn wil keep me faithful to the death and that I shal receive the crown of life and stand with as much confidence at the great day as if had never sinned and herein I am confirmed by the testimony of the spirt and Scripture evidences Blessed be God I doe love the Saints every one that suffers in this cause is at deare to me as my own soule my sighs have been many and my heart faint since I came hither not for my own condition for it is happy but for the afflictions of Joseph scarce a poor Saint permitted to breathe in Irish ayre those that wil not sweare and be drunke or have prayer in their families are counted Fanaticks Esay 50.15 I have a dear respect to all Gods commandements spiritual joy is no stranger to me I love the Word and Ordinances more then my appointed food I desire that all my thoughts words and actions may please God and that all that he does may please me and I doe freely forgive my adversaries the Lord herein encrease my faith Luke 17.5 and I bless God I have a quiet conscience as to the world and which is good also for being justified by Christ apprehended by faith I have peace with God Rom. 5.1 and so I descend to the cause for which I am in bonds which is as good as ever it was and I believe there is not a Saint that hath engaged with us but wil wish at the last day that he had sealed to the truth of it with his blood if thereunto called for I am satisfied that it is the most noble and glorious cause that has been agitated for God and Christ since the Apostolical times being for truth holiness and righteousness for our liberties as men and as Christians for removing of all yokes and oppressions for a gospel Magistracy and Ministery and not onely for the Priestly and Prophetical offices of Christ Jesus but for his Kingly also the peculiar light and worke of this generation being to discover and oppose the Civil and Ecclesiastical tyrannies intended upon the Nations by the Popes Leger demain to exalt Christ as Lord and King over mens consciences to magnifie and make the law of God honourable and authentique every where and to give justice and mercy the upper hand As I hear nothing what they intend to doe with me so I am not much sollicitous about it I doe freely trust God to make what bargain for me he pleases I believe they are as angry with me as any man in the nations because litera scripta manet but their cause requires rather silence then eloquence as for that against Monarchy unaccountable they will be ashamed to oppose it that which nettles them is the stating the Case for which I had Vouchers and Warrants for every word but now they plow with our Heffer yet great is the truth and that will prevail as for Petitioning there is not any I cannot confesse any guilt it is such a Cause that the Martyrs would gladly come again from Heaven to suffer for if they might though too many object against me 1 Pet. 4.15 Let none of you suffer as a Murtherer I look upon it as the most noble and high Act of justice that our Story can parallel and so far as I had a hand in it never any one action in all my life comes to my mind with lesse regret or trouble of conscience then that does for the bloud must lie upon Him or the Parliament and I am sure I had no more malice in my heart then when I was in my Cradle all that I can be sorry for is that I had not such pure and unbyast Aims at the glory of God exaltation of Christ therin as I should have had I neither said nor did any thing dubitante or reluctante conscientiae I was so far from a rainsaying conscience in any thing I acted that I never scrupled in the least and the generality of the people have since owned it I was in mercy a poor Advocate for Christ and the people of England and if by my bloud their cause may be watered I say as Phil. 2.17 18. to you and the rest of the Church of Christ if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith let us rejoyce together it has been counted shamefull for Souldiers to run from their Colours or desert their Masters and Principles but it is more odidus for a Councellor to prevaricate and betray his Clients Cause I am perswaded that all those that have had a chief hand and are now giving Judgement against themselves and all good people in all those points which they formerly contended for against the King as the lawfulnesse of the War which was granted both here and at Edenburgh The Militia Negative Voyce power to dissolve Parliaments conferring great Offices as King James said so long as I make Bishops and Judges I will have what Religion and Laws I please As they are most abominable prevaricators of the honest interest for they will wish at the last day that they had been Jewes Turks or Indians for the greater light the greater is their
have some trouble upon me concerning the losse of my temporal estate especially for my poor tender loving wife and child I was a purchaser and had a stock of cattel being wrongfully made prisoner two moneths before any speech of a King I was surprized and could save nothing nor get 20 l of my estate since Michaelmas last They promised to beare my charges to London but at Chester I was forced to borrow money or must have come a foot therefore pray be earnest with the Lord that we may take the spoyling of our goods more joyfully knowing that we have in heaven better and an enduring substance Heb. 10 34. and that we may not faint at these momentany afflictions which work so wel for us wherein riches and honours are not so according to that passage 2 Cor. 4 3 last verses and be affected with eternal joyes It is said that I shall be put down into the hole for non-payment of great Fees my comfort is that God will be with me there they cannot shut out Gods spirit from me which is an everlasting spring and Jubile nor will that be so bad as Jeremiah's Dungeon nor as Joseph's Irons which entered into his soule though indeed we are sold by our brethren as Joseph was that the scripture may be fulfilled The brother shall deliver up the brother to Death Matthew 10.21 I know not how to conclude not knowing when I may have another opportunity to converse with you I am overjoyed to think they cannot reach my soule and that our cause is invincible and it will be a happinesse if God see it good that none might suffer death but such whose souls are out of danger but being upon the account of civil liberties as well as spiritual our onely wise Father will order all for his own Glory and this onely silences all murmurings and master save thy selfe that what he pleases must needs be least for us he being Infinite Wisdome Love Power and Goodnesse Had the King made his way by the Sword we might expect his sorest strokes but for the men of Keilah to deliver us up for the Parliament to sacrifice us these men that sit by a Commonwealth Writ for whose priviledges we adventured our all and who cannot condemne us but must give up the Cause and give Judgement against themselves and all the good people in the Nation let the Indians judge of it if any of the Elect think hardly of us that we do not cry peccavi make our recantations it will not last long and it is no matter what others say for they must receive their Judgement at the Bar of Christ and we shall Judge our Judges therefore let us not entertaine damps of dispondencies My rejoycing is in a good God a good Cause a good Conscience I have the Justice of Heaven on my side and Gods loving kindnesse which is better then life if we find injustice and cruelty here mens Law at Westminster will be adjudged Treason in Heaven it will not be long before all tears shall be wiped from our Eyes and if our innocencies be not vindicated and cleared up in this life as Jobs Mordecas Josephs and Daniels and Susannas were yet at the revelation of the righteous judgement of God it will appeare before men and Angels that we are not Traytors nor Murtherers nor Phanatiques but true Christians and good Commonwealths men fixt and constant to the principles of sanctity truth justice and mercy which the Parliament and Army declared and engaged for and to that Noble principle of preferring the Universality before Particularity that we sought the publique good and would have infranchised the people and secured the welfare of the whole groaning Creation if the Nation had not more delighted in servitude then in freedom And if we now suffer a martyrdom of body we shal be some of the souls under the Altar crying How long O Lord holy true and though we can patiently digest their Tortures and leave all vengance to whom it belongs yet who knows but that our blood may be their poyson but then after all unjust sentences of men how sweet and honourable will the Judgement of Christ be Matth. 25. Euge bone serve of entring into our master joy when the Kings of the Earth and the chief Captaines and Dukes of Edom shall wish the Mountaines and Rocks to fall upon them Rev. 5.16 I blesse God my poor Wife 〈◊〉 much encourage me to be faithful to the Death and she is a 〈…〉 who helps her Husband so to Heaven as in a Fiery Charoit she is one who bears an unfeigned love to Christ and all the Saints I intreat your tender care of her and my Child providebit Deus Ier. 49.11 I shal leave her that Scripture and Esa 54.5 to 8. while they cannot take away by confiscation when we were in the storm we took our leaves each of the other * See the relation of his passage by sea from Wexsoâ—d to Kingsale and though we have not paid our Vowes at Pethell yet I trust as was then promised we shal be willing to go to Christ if he call through a Sea of bloud But O the infinite wisdome and love of God and the unsearchable riches of his Grace that if I had been drowned the Malignants would have said though he escaped by Land yet Divine Vengance over took him at 〈…〉 ow he should vouchsafe me poor me as Gideon said 〈…〉 15. one of the meanest Lawyers in Wesminster-Hall 〈…〉 of bonds and an affectual if not effectual Martyrdome for being an Advocate for my blessed Advocate and the good people of England I have been the larger not knowing what use this may be of if my mouth should be stop't if you hear any report of me contrary hereunto believe it not so you have my heart and I had rather be buried alive then my Tongue or Hand should differ from it O pray much for me and pray again and mend your prayer as I have great need to doe if you know what pittiful poor short and confused prayers I make in a day yet Father into thy hands I commend my spirit is a prayer no period better then prayer therefore now unto him that is able to keep you and me from falling and to present you and me faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy To the only wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and for Ever Amen Your for ever in our Dear Redeemer John Cooke A Letter written by Mr. Justice Cooke from the Tower to his Wife MY deare lamb blessed be God for Jesus Christ and for a prison where I finde much of his comforting presence tell sister Jones that she keeps but two or three Sabbaths in a weeke but in prison every day is a Christian Sabbath not onely to cease from sinne but to praise God singing Hosannaes and Hallalujahs I can but smile to think that they cannot hinder me
it first and desired him to goe to the place where his daughter lodged and to carry that to her as a token from him and to let her know that his heart was as full of comfort as it could he and that before that piece should come to her hands he should be with God in glory Being upon the Ladder he spake to the Shieriffe saying Sir you have here slain one of the servants of God before mine eyes and have made me to behold it on purpose to terrifie and discourage me But God hath made it an Ordinance to me for my strengthning and encouragement When he was going to die he said What flesh art thou unwilling to go to God through the fire and jawes of death Oh said he this is a good day he is come that I have long looked for and I shall be with him in glory and so smiled when he went away What Mr. Peters said further at his Execution either in his Speech or Prayer it could not be taken in regard his voyce was low at that time and the people uncivill Some Passages and occasional Speeches of Mr. Scot's before he came to Execution VVHen he was in the Tower a Relation sent to know how he did To which he returned this answer That he had been very ill all night and had some Apprehensions that it might be unto death But said he I was not at all displeased for if it be the Will of God that I may not live his Servant I would dye his Sacrifice The first day that he came to New-gate some friends came to see him and asked him how it was with him he told them he was well but he waited and much longed for a word of Peace from God But said he I Bless God though it is somewhat dark with me at present and I know I have a very naughty heart yet I have not one Temptation to desert that good Cause which God hath so signally many a time owned The next day which was the day Maj. Gen. Harrison was Condemned some of his Relations came to him and told him They supposed he had heard what dismal Sentence was passed on him And O Sir said one of them my heart fails me to think how you will bear it Why said he flesh and blood will recoil But blessed be God I am not troubled at that A fit of an Ague would cost a man more I believe The day after he was Condemned himself his Wife and other Relations and Friends came to him O Sir said some how is it now Why said he Blessed O blessed Chains I would not be without these Chains Indeed it was a very dark dismal cloudy morning I was brought to be content to perish Truly I thought I could not plead at all my soul was so sad because God hid his face But I was resolved said he if I could have said no more to tell the Court That the Cause was the Lords and the fault was not in the Lord but my great personal unworthiness that I could not assert it And that though I did sink into the Bottomless Pit immediatly yet I durst not no not for a World but own that Cause which God had often honoured But said he the Lord for your sakes did help me to say somewhat but truly it was but pitiful I thought if I might have been suffered although I have not slept to speak of these two nights I could have spoken three or four hours longer And now said he as dark as it was in the morning 't is so bright so quiet and calm that truly I think if I were to be executed to morrow I could sleep all night as well as ever But lifting up his eyes Lord said he I would not be too confident O pardon thy servant But being in a very chearful frame his Friends and Relations left him at that time and because of ilness could not visit him next day But on the next first-day of the week being with him he told them he found an increased strength That day about noon the Warrant for Execution was signed at which time he was desirous to have a Repreeve gained if possible not said he that I expect Life but methinks my Wedding Garment is not quite ready a little more time that I may as a Bride be ready trimmed That evening it was told him that Sir O. B. would speak with him the next morning and some told him it may be that would prove an hour of Temptation Truly said he I blesse God I am at a point I cannot no I cannot desert the CAUSE The next morning they two were together the matter of their discourse I know not but I remember when his Wife desired to go to O. B. that evening to see if he would be her dear Husbands or rather her Mediator to his Majesty for his Life It may be said he Sir O. B. may say That I should confess guilt and do the King some service Prethee tell him I would engage to live quietly but for owning Guilt that I cannot do For to this day I am not convinced of any as to the Death of the King and that I went but too far in asking the benefit of the Proclamation and I cannot go any further no not to save a Thousand Lives That evening came in two Ministers one or both of them after they had talked with him a good while I heard them ask Whether he did acknowledge his Guilt for they believed his owning of that would be the most likely if not a most certain means to prolong his Life To which he answered That although he had often and that with many tears and he thought with some brokenness of heart sought the Lord to convince him of it if he had any Guilt in him as to that particular Action for which he was then in Chains and under Condemnation for said he I would not for a World die with one Sin unrepented of But said he Really to this day I have no such Conviction But said the Doctor Sir If any such do come in will you tell us Yes said he I profess I will if it come in at the last moment even at the Gibbet I will tell the World of it And it is observable that some of his last words were That God had engaged him in a CAVSE not to be Repented of I say Not to be Repented of The night before Execution when he was in the Dungeon he was as he had been that day some sadder than at other times And one asked him if any particular thing lay on him He said No But the Lord was pleased to suspend his Comforting presence but said he with an humble boldness I would speak it The Lord shall not put me off with any thing besides Himself After having spent some hours in Prayer as at other times about midnight we left him and his Fellows that they might get a little rest for the support of their natural spirits and
in three or four hours his Wife Children and many other friends returned When we came we found them praying Assoon as Col. Scroop had ended Mr. Scot turned about and opening his arms he imbraced his Wife and one of his Daughters Ah said he my dear ones God is good he is come he is come I am full I am full O blesse the Lord for me and with me O my soul and all that is within me magnifie the Lord. By and by he went to prayer himself and one would have thought he had been as it were in Heaven his soul was so enlarged in blessing praising and magnifying the God of his Salvation O! said he to his Wife I would not change this dark Room for the best Star-Chamber under Heaven He desired his Friends and Relations would not be solicitous for his Body but let them do what they pleased and exercise what Cruelty they would saying it was meet it should be so And that the dead Bodies of the Witnesses must be unburied that the Scriptures might be fulfilled Some part of his prayer was to blesse the Lord That as the Psalmist said though he came in there weeping and fearing that he had not yet been bearing precious feed yet now they were returning rejoycing and triumphing and carrying their sheaves with them Call us not said he Marahs as she once said but call us Naomies for we came in hither some of us empty but we are going out full The Lord hath not writ bitter things but good of us for this is glorious Grace That We are counted worthy to suffer for GOD and His CAVSE Oh! what shall we render to the Lord Wee will take the Cup of Salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord. Oh our souls blesse the Lord And we do with our souls blesse Thee that we have an Eternity to blesse Thee in for no lesse will satisfie our souls And now O blessed and glorious God shall we be among thy Worthies Meaning N. G. H. Mr. Carew and Mr. Cook if Possible let us attain to the first Three but if we attain not to so glorious a Testimony as that yet O Lord let us be among thy Worthies We desire to glorifie thy great and blessed Name that Thou hast in any measure enabled us to encourage our hearts in the Lord our God at such a time as this when Eighty is as it were in the flames and the people speak of worse than stoning us When some spake of the Reproaches of the people he said he accounted that his honour Mr. Scot's Speech upon the Ladder GENTLEMEN I stand here a Spectacle to GOD to Angels and Men To GOD and Angels to whom I hope I am shortly a going And now to you I owe it to God and the Nation and my self to say something concerning each For my self I think it may become me to tell you how and why I came hither and something in the general concerning my capacity In the beginning of these Troubles I was as many others were unsatisfied I saw Liberties and Religion in the Nation in great danger to my best apprehension I saw the approaches of Popery in a great measure coming in upon us I saw Upon which the Sheriff interrupted him in these words If you will betake your self to prayers you may Mr. Scot replied I shall not speak to reproach any The Sheriff interrupted him again saying You have but a little time Mr. Scot Therefore betake that little time to prayer Mr. Scot replied I shall speak The Sheriff interrupted him again saying I beseech you Sir betake your self to prayer Mr. Scot said It may become me to give account of my self because The Sheriff interrupted him again saying It doth not become you to speak any such thing here Therefore I beseech you betake your self to prayer it is but a little time you have to live you know Mr. Scot that is the most needful thing Mr. Scot replied 'T is so The Sheriff interrupts again saying Sir But when you came upon the Stage you deprived your self very much Then said Mr. Scot I thought to tell you how I came hither Here the Sheriff interrupted again or else some one besides the Sheriff and spake to this effect Every body knows that Mr. Scot said Sir 't is hard that an English man hath not liberty to speak The Sheriff interrupted again saying I cannot suffer you to speak any such thing Mr. Scot said I shall say no more but this That it is a very mean and bad Cause that will nor bear the words of a dying-man it is not ordinarily denied to people in this condition The Sheriff interrupted again saying Sir you had a fair Tryal and you were found guilty Mr. Scot replied 'T is according to my mind to speak what may be said Hear the Under-Sheriff interrupted saying It hath been denyed unto your Predecessors and will be denyed unto you Then he Prayed as followeth HOly Lord God the great and glorious God of Heaven and Earth King of Nations and King of Saints in both which capacities thy poor and unworthy Creature comes now to bear his Witness in this great spectacle before Thee Angels and Men. O Lord were it not for Sin none of these things had befallen this Nation nor my unworthy self We have all transgressed and gone astray from thee by a perpetual back-sliding even all of a sorts conditions ranks and orders of men And among them none none more than thy poor unworthy Creature who acknowledgeth the same here before Thee in the face of Heaven and in Thy Presence to which he is very shortly a going That glorious Grace which thou hast been pleased to afford unto his soul in it Thou art gone to the highest extent of mercy that ever was shewed to any of the sons of men Thy poor servant doth acknowledge himself to be the greatest of transgressors And thy glorious Grace is magnified above all thy Name in what Thou hast done for thy poor Creature But Lord so it is because such is thy good pleasure such was thy design from Eternity through or in the great Transactions that was between Thee and Christ thy blessed Son and our blessed Saviour that Thou shouldest in thy dispensation in the governing of thy Church in the World That thou shouldest glorifie thy Free-grace in pardoning of the Sins and in the Salvation of some of lost Man-kind which was the great Master-piece of thy Love that thou shouldest chuse out of poor lost Man-kind one or other it is of admirable and incomprehensible mercy And that thou shouldest chuse thy poor Creature as one in the number is matter of Adoration Admiration is matter of Eternal Extasie and is matter of Thanksgiving for ever And this is the comfort of his poor soul that he shall have an Eternity with thy self Thou hast so assured him that he shall be blessing honouring and magnifying of Thee among a company of Saints and Angels and the souls of just
men made perfect O blessed Lord thou hast called him forth as a publick Spectacle to some in a condition of Shame and Reproach to others of Comfort and to thy Blessed Self as one that is a Witness for Thee that hath served Thee with all faithfulness in his trust and publick capacity and imployment O Lord thy Dispensation to thy poor Creature hath been wonderful gracious and merciful and he must say to the praise of thy Free-grace Here the Hangman stooping down to take Drink which was reached up to him upon the Ladder interrupted him Upon which Mr. Scot said prethee let me alone I have not done and then proceeded in Prayer as followeth That this very Condition to which he is now brought he acknowledgeth is the answer of his Prayer before his going out of England Thou knowest Lord he did many times in prayers and tears seek thy blessed Majesty for Counsel and for Advice whether it were his duty to stay and suffer or to shelter himself abroad And if it were thy will to take more honour to thy self by his Suffering than his Living thou wouldest be pleased to Remand him back again and bring him hither And he hath observed thy Providence checking of his way and in preserving him all along until he came to this O blessed Lord thy poor Creature doth acknowledge that thy ways to his poor Soul have been of wonderful grace and mercy It was a great mercy to him that having had by reason of many sinful temptations and many incumbrances and many incessant Businesses in the World whereof he hath been a perpetual drudge many years past and he hath not had the conveniency though his duty The Lord knowes he had not the conveniency nor the heart so to improve and keep his own vineyard while he had been looking after or keeping others vineyard Thou didst therefore all along while he was abroad give sweet opportunities and precious seasons while he was abroad of seeking thy face and studying his Souls good concerning Eternity and the Eternnal pleasure of thy holy will And he blesseth thy name that thou hast been pleased to open to him both the Scripture and his understanding and so to answer the one by the other as that he is through the grace of God comfortably perswaded that his eternal estate is out of hazard But O Lord thou hast been pleased all the while that his condition hath been doubtful to make his Comforts to his poor soul doubtful also sometimes fear and sometimes hope have been mixed Again and again wanting those Consolations that might support his soul to such an issue But blessed be thy glorious Name the great God of Heaven and Earth he hath been pleased to bear him witness to himself to Angels and to all that hear me this day this very day thy poor Servant that now stands to suffer had joy and much Consolation from God and from his Cause more than ever he had before I say again to the praise of the Free-Grace of God I bless his Name he hath engaged me in a Cause not to be repented of I say in a Cause not to be repented of Here the Sheriff interrupted him saying Is this your Prayers Mr. Scot desiring him to forbear those kind of Expressions Others also told him that he contradicted himself and spoke Blasphemy Then Mr. Scot said I shall say no more but this The Lord I do acknowledge that this very morning in the Dark Chamber I had very much of the presence of God and from thence I take Consolation to my self that his Spirit is with me and that he hath sealed unto my soul the Decrees of Heaven at least perswaded my soul that it will be well with me and that I am out of all danger as to my Eternal Condition and that I shall live and reign with him there where all sin shall be done away which is the growing glory of my soul and all tears wipt away also In the mean time I pray thee O Lord that thou wouldest remember England and remember thy Cause in England and remember me with the joyes of thy Salvation in the instant of my departure O Lord it is an narrow entrance it is a strait passage it is an entrance into Eternity O Lord thou hast once to day shewed me something beyond it something of the glory of God I pray thee forsake me not while I am here and sensible or afterwards in the passage of my soul to thee I leave it and to thy Providence and do acknowledge thy goodness to my soul in fitting me to receive that good which thou in thy infinite pleasure dost think fit for me And therefore O Lord into thy hands I commend my Spirit Lord I desire to have some more testimony of thy Love if it be thy blessed will It is enough that I live upon what I had to day but if it be agreeable to thy holy will I would honour and eternally bless thee if thou wouldst be pleased to shine upon me with some more particular immediate discoveries of thy presence but not my will but thy will be done The Lord be pleased to settle the Nation in peace and in the power and purity of Religion and thy Ordinances in purity And Lord for thy Son that is the darling of thy Soul Be thou pleased to give him a glorious entertainment in the world and let the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of Jesus Christ Lord thou hast a Cause in the world dear unto thee I pray thee own it though it may not be owned in all places and by all persons yet Religion is the Interest of them all O Lord Remember the price of Blood that hath been shed for the purchasing of the Civil and Christian Liberties And remember thy Enemies that are not incorrigible Enemies to thy Truth and Holiness and give them understanding to see their Error and to turn to thee a heart broken and with humiliation that they may seek God with their whole heart that they may be a Holy or Immanuel Nation A Chosen Generation A peculiar People zealous of good Works careful to shew forth the virtue of him that hath Called them from Death to Life The Lord call in all that belong to the Election of Grace speedily into that Number Let no Weapon formed against thy Church prosper But Lord Remember Zion if it be thy good pleasure and repair the Walls of thy Jerusalem O Lord thy CAUSE lies near the hearts of thy People And I bear thee Witness that I have this Income from thee as the Return of their Prayers And that we are Supported to bear Witness for thee very chearfully and with satisfaction I desire to be found of thee in Jesus Christ I do now abhor all my sins and renounce my Services and do account them all as dung Lord thou knowest I have desired to live that I might serve thee better and love thee more but that I may be with thy self
boudy Enemy and when I considered their bloudy cruelty in murthering so many thousands of protestants and innocent souls that word was much upon my heart give her bloud to drink for she is worthy and sometimes we neither gave nor took Quarter though self preservation would have said give that which you may expect to have One coming in told him that his fellow prisoners dyed Nobly and Chearfully well said he but how doe they stand Answer was made upon a Ladder Blessed be God said he it is a Jacobs Ladder The Sun shining into the room he said if it be so glorious to behold the Sun what will it be to behold the Son of Glory Laying his hand upon his fellow prisoner Col. Hacker he said come brother be not so sad by this time to morrow we shall be with our Father in Glory and what hurt will they do us to bring us through the Crosse to the Crown Well our God is the God of Newgate Then the Officer coming to carry them down into the Dungeon he took his leave of many of his Friends then present saying love the Lord Jesus love the Lord and weep not for me for God hath wiped away all tears And coming to the dore of the Dungeon said I am now going to my bed of Roses my last bed Many Friends being with him there was an Eminent Godly Minister of the Presbyterian way and Col. Axtell taking him by the hand said I have one word to speak to you it is much upon my heart that one great cause why the Lord contends thus with his people is for want of their love towards them that were not of their minds to which the Minister replyed truly Sir I think so too the Lord help us that wherein we see we have done amisse we may do so no more Then said Col. Axtell I blesse God I have not much to charge my selfe with in this matter Col. Hacker then said but I have much to complaine of in that matter Col. Axtell Afterwards sitting on his bed side clapping his hands said if I had a thousand lives I could lay them all down for the Cause Whereupon another godly Minister then present asked him what he meant by the cause Col. Axtell replyed Sir I tell you I mean that cause which we were encouraged to and ingaged in under the Parliament which was for common Right and Freedome and against the Surplis and Common prayer book and I tell you that Surplis and Common prayer book shall not stand long in England for it is not of God And afterwards thinking that he should not dye that day desired some retirement but news coming that he must dye within an hour though it was not so he quickly made himself ready to go and looking upon his Gloves said these are my wedding Gloves my mortal must marry immortality Some Friends going to see him the night before he was Executed found him at supper very chearful and many being present he said take heed of temporizing c. for that hath been the occasion of great Evil. Then speaking to an Officer there present that had continued tell of late in the Army said Brother thou hast been greatly Guilty herein the Lord forgive thee thou hast a great hand in this To which the person replyed I confesse I have been so too much Col. Axtell answered there is yet mercy for thee if the Lord give thee repentance Moreover said the Lord forgive that poor wretch Lieut. C. N. for he hath sworn falsely in his Evidence and now is that word made good that brother shall betray brother to death And speaking of Col. T. said Ah he hath appeared Five pound lighter in Twenty then I thought him to be And for Col. H. he was the uncivillest of all about the late King and yet he comes in a witnesse against Hacker and me That Evening many Friends being with him he prayed with them and in that duty the Lord by his spirit filled him with Excellent Expressions to the great refreshing of those about him And bewailing the great Divisions amongst Gods people he said Lord if they will not live together in love thou wilt make them lye together in sufferings Then minding their present condition said Lord Death is the King of Terrors to Nature but it is a believers choice Friend it is thy high way to lead us into Glory After prayer taking notice of his Daughter he said to her get an interest in Christ and keep close to him he will be a better Father to thee then I and so took his leave of her The day of their Execution being come several godly Ministers spent some time with them in prayer Viz. with Col. Axtell and Col. Hacker and many friends coming in to pay their last respects Col. Axtell seeing one of his Familiar Friends and companions said my Dear brother thou art better then I am and yet I must go to heaven before thee for all that He very chearfully said to divers then with him dear Friends Rejoyce I am going where ye shall be also yea where we shall be for ever with the Lord and never part and be without any more change I beseech you follow the Lamb wherever he goeth though he may lead you in a harsh dismal and difficult way yet at last he will bring you into a pleasant path and cause you to lye down in green pastures in the land of rest Oh be faithful unto the death and he will give you a Crown of life as he hath given to your suffering Brethren Oh! all that we have or doe suffer is but to make Christ and heaven more sweet deare and Glorious to us all the sad steps we shall tread on this Ladder is but to mount us to heaven for at the top are Angels ready to receive us as was on Jacobs ladder All the things I meet with move me not I blesse my God for I am sure to Fight a good Fight and finish my course with joy Afterwards taking his leave of his Son imbracing him in his Arms he said my dear son fare thee well I must leave thee get an interest in Christ and love him nothing else will stand thee in stead but an interest in him Then calling for his Bible he hugged it saying this hath the whole Cause in it and I may carry this without offence And calling to a Friend he desired him to remember his love to the Congregation where he was a Member and after took his leave of all his Friends exhorting them with much chearfulnesse to love the Lord Jesus Christ and keep close to him and so with great joy addressed himself to go to his next work It will be convenient in this place to give you a brief account of Col. Francis Hacker in regard that Col. Axtell and he were fellow prisoners and sufferers together He was a man of few words and had not the gift of oratory to deliver himselfe as others could yet was very
sweetly born up under his suffering and had a very comfortable assurance that God had pardoned and accepted him in the blood of Christ he had been a professor of Religion many years in the Presbyterian way and a great lover of godly Ministers a man of just and honest conversation amongst men and one that desired to walke blameless in the sight of God his fellow prisoner did say he did believe that Col. Hacker had an interest in Jesus Christ Col. Hacker declared to severall of his own friends a little before he suffered that the greatest trouble he had upon his spirit was that he had formerly born too great a prejudice in his heart towards the good people of God that differed from him in judgement And then broke forth into this admiration O what am I poore vile worme that God should count me worthy to suffer with such precious soules as these are against whom I have been formerly so much prejudiced And thus these two gracious persons having finished their course and the time of their departure being at hand were both brought forth of prison the sledge being ready for them they took their leave of some friends that stood at the door and Col. Axtell desired them to be at the place of execution and both entring the sledge they cast up their eyes toward that God to whom they were comming then with a chearfull countenance setting themselves down they were drawn to Tyburne the place of execution where a cart was set ready into which they both ascended their countenance not at all changed though now the King of terror stared them in the face the Ropes being then put about their necks and a burning fire kindled before their faces and being there ready to receive that sentence which nature would have sunk under if grace had not supported first Col. Axtel applies himself to the Sheriffe in these following words Col. Axtels speech at Tyburne Octob. 19. 1660. Mr. Shieriffe I am now as you see come to the place of execution according to my sentence I desire your leave that I may speak freely and without interruption first to this people and then to God for it is the last that I shall speak in this world and I hope it will redowne to your account Mr. Shieriffs reply Sir you know what the Court prohibited you to speak and what was spoken at the barre of the Court was there desided therefore t is needless to repeat it here I hope you will keep to the present businesse that concerns you and not goe out into impertinences and because you have but a little time spend it to your best advantage and the good of the people and then you shall not be interrupted Or to the same effect Col Axtel begins I say the very cause for which I have engaged is contained in this book of God having the Bible in his hand both in the civil and religious rights of it which I leave to you giving the book to Mr. Knowles You see a dead man living and yet I hope I shall live to all eternity through the mediation of Jesus Christ the Mediator of the covenant of free grace I must truly tell you that before 〈◊〉 late wars it pleased the Lord to call me by his grace through the work of the Ministery and afterwards keeping a day of humiliation in fasting and prayer with Mr. Simeon Ash Mr. Love Mr. Woodcocke and other Ministers in Laurence-lane they did so clearly state the cause of the Parliament that I was fully convinced in my own conscience of the justness of the warre and thereupon engaged in the Parliament service which as I did and doe believe was the cause of the Lord I ventured my life freely for it and now die for it Then Mr. Shieriffe said to this purpose Sir remember your selfe Col. Axtell proceeds And after the work of the Lord was done in England my lot cast me in the service of Ireland and I thank the Lord I was serviceable to the English Nation in that Country and have discharged my duty fully according to the trust committed to me there As for the Fact for which I now suffer it is for words onely for words and but for words and the sentence is already reversed in my own conscience and it will be reversed by Jesus Christ by and by I pray God from the very bottome of my soul to forgive all that have had any hand in my death both Witnesses and Jury and the Court that passed sentence for considering the Doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ as he hath laid it down Matth. 5.44 It hath been said of old time love your Neighbours and hate your Enemies But I say unto you love your Enemies and pray for them that hate and despitefully use you that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven I desire according to this Doctrine from the bottome of my heart that God would give them true repentance and not lay their sin to their charge nor my blood which by Gods law and mans I think could not justly have been brought here to suffer But I blesse God I have some comfortable assurance that I shall be embraced in the Arms of Christ and have cause to hope that his spirit shall carry my soul into the Fathers hands And if the Glory of this Sunshine be so great the Sun then shining bright how much more is the glory of the Son of God who is the Son of righteousnessse I thinke it convenient to give you some Account of my Faith I believe all things written in the Old and New Testament as the principles and doctrine of a believers Faith I believe the blessed Ordinances of Christ that it is our duty to hear the word preached to seek unto God in prayer and to performe Family duties and to walk in the Communion of Saints and for my own part I am a Member of a Congregation which I judge to be the way of Christ and were it for that only I were to dye I could witnesse to it which is a company of men born again by his grace that walk in the ways of Christ blamelesse and harmlesse I believe Jesus Christ dyed for poor sinners of whom I am chief as the Apostle Paul saith this is a faithfully saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe And if the Apostle might say so much more may I. My friends and Countreymen I have reason to bewail my own unprofitable life having been very unfruitful unto the people of the Lord the Lord knows I have much fault upon my heart were it not for the blood of Christ that cleanseth and washeth me according to his promise saying I loved you and washed away your sins in own blood For there is no remission of sins without the blood of Christ I desire you all to loath and cast off sinne it were better to suffer then
notice that God gives me power to receive this with thanksgiving and he helped the Sarjeant to put on the rope Then a friend came weeping to him to take her leave of him he said hinder me not for I am going about a work for my master Then looking about him said Sirs It s easie to follow God when he makes a hedge about us and makes liberall provision for us but its hard for most to follow him in such a dispensation as this and yet my Lord and Master is as sweet and glorious to me now as he was in the time of my greatest prosperity He also said this I can say for my self That according to the light that God hath given me I have served him and my Countrey with integrity and uprightnesse of heart not willingly nor wittingly wronging any But this have I done with much infirmity and weaknesse One telling him that he did not know how to understand the mind of God in such a dispensation as this He said wait upon the Lord for you know not what the Lord is leading to and what the end of the Lord will be After this addressing himself to a Gentleman he said I dare not nor cannot be a pleaser of men a friend answered it appeared so by your declining Cromwell's Interest which words he assented to and further said the manner of my speaking before the Court may seem strange to some but my Design was not to approve my self before Men but God and what I said was according to my conscience And as the Rope was tying on he repeated Isaac's words to Abraham Father here is the wood but where is the Sacrifice and also said if the Lord see good he can provide another sacrifice he can deliver those that are appointed to die but his will be done Death is not terrible to me yea it is no more to me then a Rush I have learnt to die long ago And was often heard to say concerning the Lord's dispensation to him and his people Shall not the Lord do with his own what it pleaseth him And so parting with his Friend went down stairs to the Sledge and askt which my must I sit for I am not acquainted with this Good is the Lord in all his waies Then he was carried away in the Sledge having a sweet smiling Countenance with his eyes and hands lifted up to Heaven his countenance never changing in all the way as he went to he place of Execution but was mighty cheerful to the astonishment of many He called several times in the way and spoke aloud I go to suffer upon the account of the most glorious Cause that ever was in the world As he was going to suffer one in a Derision called to him and said Where is your Good Old Cause He with a cheerful smile clapt his hand on his Brest and said Here it is and I am going to seal it with my bloud And when he came to the sight of the Gallows he was transported with joy and his servant askt him how he did he answered never better in my life his servant told him Sir there is a Crown of glory ready prepared for you Oh yes said he I see it when he was taken off the Sledge the Hangman desired him to forgive him I doe forgive thee said he with all my Heart as it is a sin against me and told him he wish't him all happinesse And further said alas poor man thou dost it ignorantly the Lord grant that this sin may not be laid to thy charge and putting his hand into his pocket gave him all the money he had and so parting with his Servant hugging of him in his arms and went up the Ladder with an undaunted countenance M. Gen. Harrison's Speech upon the Ladder Gentlemen I did not expect to have spoken a word to you at this time but seeing there is silence commanded I will speak something of the work God had in hand in our dayes Many of you have bean Witnesses of the Finger of God that hath been seen amongst us of late years in the deliverance of his people from their Oppressors and in bringing to Judgement those that were guilty of the precious bloud of the dear servants of the Lord And how God did witness thereto by many wonderful and evident testimonies as it were immediatly from Heaven insomuch that many of our Enemies who were persons of no mean quality were forc'd to confess That God was with us And if God did but stand newter they should not value us And therefore seeing the Finger of God hath been pleading this Cause I shall not need to speak much to it In which work I with others were engaged for the which I do from my soul blesse the name of God who out of the exceeding riches of his grace accounted me worthy to be instrumentall in so glorious a work and though I am wrongfully charged with murder and bloudshed yet I must tell you I have kept a good conscience both towards God and towards man I never had malice against any man neither did I act malitiously towards any person but as I Judged them to be Enemies to God and his people And the Lord is my witnesse that I have done what I did out of the sincerity of my heart to the Lord I blesse God I have no Guilt upon my conscience but the spirit of God beareth witnesse that my Actions are acceptable to the Lord through Jesus Christ though I have been compassed about with manifold Infirmities Failings and Imperfections in my Holiest duties but in this I have comfort and consolation that I have pace with God and do see all my sins wash't away in the blood of my dear Saviour And I doe declare as before the Lord that I would not be guilty wittingly nor willingly of the blood of the meanest son no not for ten thousand Worlds much lesse of the blood of such as I am charged with I have again and again besought the Lord with Tears to make known his will and mind unto we concerning it and to this day he hath rather confirmed me in the justice of it and therefore I leave it to him and to him I commit my wayes but some that were eminent in the work did wickedly turn aside themselves and to set up their Nests on High which caused great dishonour to the name of God and the profession they had made And the Lord knows I could have suffered more then this rather then have fallen in with them in that iniquity though I was offered what I would if I would have joyned with them my Aime in all my proceedings was the glory of God and the good of his people and the wellfare of the whole Commonwealth The people observing him to tremble in his hands and leggs he taking notice of it said Gentlemen By reason of some scoffing that I do hear I Judge that some do think I am afraid to dye by the shaking I have in
spirit In most Towns where he came the Generality of the people Reviling him with such words as these hang him Rogue pistol him said others hang him up said some at Salisbury at the next sign-post without any further trouble Look said others how he doth not alter his Countenance but we believe he wil tremble when he comes to the Ladder This is the Rogue will have no King but Jesus Indeed the rage of the people all the way was such that had he not been indued with strength from on High he could not have under-gone the wicked and Barbarous Deportment and Carriage of the Giddy multitude which he was subjected to After he came to London and had many opportunities of Escape if he had thought it meet before he was sent to the Tower yet he would not knowing how much the Name and Glory of God was concerned in his faithful witnesse to the cause of Christ for which he was in Bonds And the truth is his joy in the Lord was such that when many came drooping in spirit to him by reason of the Gloominesse of this present dispensation they went away refreshed and comforted by those many Gracious words that came out of his mouth When word was brought him that Maj. General Harrison was dead he said well my turn will be next and as we have gone a long in our Lives so must we be one in our Death The Lord God grant that I may have strength from himself to follow couragiously to the last breath and that I may much honour and glorifie God whom I have made profession of I can do nothing of my self but my strength is in the Lord of Hosts who hath helped me from my beginning to this day and will help me to the end The night before he suffered some of his Natural Relation came to take their leave of him and when they were parting they shed some tears but when he perceived it said O my friends if you did know and feel what joy I have and what a Glorious Crown I shall receive from the hand of Christ for this work you would not Mourn but Rejoice that I am counted worthy to be a witnesse to this Cause and said further The Lord preserve you all from the portion of this Generation for assuredly There is great wrath from the Lord that will reach them to their destruction When Mr. L. came to take his leave of him he asked this Question viz. how it was with him he Answered very well I bless my God as to my interest in him I have not the least doubt but do know assuredly that when my soul shall be separated from this body I shall be taken into his presence where is fullness of joy c. And by Jesus Christ be presented to my Father without spot and blame in his own compleat and perfect righteousnesse which is free and not for any of mine own works for I am a poor sinful and wretched creature and compassed about with many infirmities And when it was asked him if he had any thing of conviction upon him as to what he was to suffer for he answered no not in the least for said he Though man have Condemned yet the Lord hath and doth justifie he added the Lord had justifyed it in the Field once already in this Nation but that is now accounted as a thing of Nought but he will again do it with a Witnesse and prayed that the Lord would deliver him viz. Mr. L. from that Judgement that was at hand by which he would do it To this effect spake he also to many that did quere with him about this matter being told that his Nephew and some others were doing their utmost for his Reprieve he replyed that there is nothing to be done For the Sheriffe hath brought me word just now that I must Dye to morrow and that there was some that desired I might not be Quartered but it would not be granted But Death is nothing to me let them Quarter my body never so much God will bring all those pieces together again It was asked him if he had assurance of the love of God he said yea yea he had Fought a good Fight and had overcome and he was ready to suffer the will of God One asked him if he thought there would be a Resurrection of the Cause he Answered he Dyed in the Faith of that as much as he did that his body should rise again if he did not believe that he should not be so cheerfull at the Sentence of death he said also he had not the least regret or disturbance on his spirit about that for which he was to die for what he did was of the Lord if it were to be done again he wold do it And the way they took to suppresse and destroy those that did not think the Kings person Sacred their blood will make many hundreds more perswaded of the truth of it it was grievous to him to hear how at his Tryal they blasphemed God and his people but he was resolved he would own the Lord among them which they could not bear Therefore they were so violent against him he said the Gospell was going from London Popery and Superstition c. was coming in and it would be a rare thing to find a professor of religion in London shortly he incouraged those about him to keep close to the Lord in this evil day Oh! said he who would have thought some yeers since that Poper and Formality should have been let in again to these Nations he said they were so Barbacus they would not allow him some small time to take a little Rest before he was to suffer which was all he needed or desired of them For he was much tired with speaking to company which came continually in He desired to be remembred to some Friends and tell them That this was the last Beast and his Rage was great because his time was short Some more Expressions he uttered to this effect But in all his words and manner of speaking he manifested the highest Christian Magnanimity and holy Greatnesse of mind and such a spirit of joy and glory rested upon him even to astonishment It was asked if he apprehended his confidence would contniue to the death he said he was not strong in his own strength but in the Lord's strength which he still relied upon And he said to one by him will you not see how God will carry me through next day and desired prayers for him One asked him what he thought of this severe hand of God He said that which was hid secret in the bosome of the Father should be manifested in due time Oh! said he it grieves me to think how Popery is coming upon us like a flood in this poor Nation and the great judgement that will follow But the Lord will be a hiding place for his poor people untill the indignation be overpast let not our enemies think
Apostacy and ingratitude 2 Pet. 2.21 and sure they will have a peculiar Judgement by themselves for they do openly proclame the cause of Barrabas before the cause of Jesus Peter denyed Christ and Judas betrayed him but it was before his passion and Assention they never saw the wonderful works which our Eyes have beheld but what shall we say if the treachery of Judas help forward the work of our salvation why may we not hope that God is whetting his Tooles and gone back to fetch a greater blow against his oppressors Isaac must not dye though the Knife be at his Throat Gen. 12.14 our case seems to be like theirs under proud Homan the Gallows was erected but the Royal seed preserved Hest 6.13 Numb 23. the story of Baalam is much upon my heart the shout of King Jesus to Reign in Holinesse and Righteousnesse is among his people I hope as much as ever and there is no inchantment against Jacob therefore he must not be afraid I am perswaded we shall fare the better for the thousand curses we had between Chester and London 2 Sam. 16.12 Now having endeavored to satisfie you that the great work is over as to my eternal salvation and my opinion of the goodness of our Cause I shall further entreat your patience to tell you that I am fully convinced that next to that unspeakable gift of Christ the greatest grace and mercy that God can bestow upon any of us is to call for and enable us to lay down our lives upon this account suffering for Christ being a strong Argument of his Electing love Acts 9.15 16. and a greater matter of rejoycing Acts 23.11 be of good cheer Paul therefore he forbids tears for him upon that score Acts. 21.13 and I have charged my poor lamb not to wear any black for me if she have where with to buy it for I shall be in white Revel 6.11 the Apostle rejoyced to be counted worthy to suffer shame for Christ and would not but speak what they saw with the eyes of Faith and heard with the ears of the Spirit Acts 4.20 and the 5.41 and Paul gloried in the tribulation rejoycing in hope of the glory of God Rom. 5 23. and took pleasure in reproaches necessity and persecutions for Christ 2 Cor. 12.10 so Moses Heb. 11.26 for the recompence of reward which is God himself Gen. 15.1 and the times cannot be so full of terrour and discouragement as the Scriptures are full of comfort and incitations in this particular to us the Lords prisoners Mat 5.10.12 why are we sorrowful when Christ bids us to be joyful Mat. 10.25.27 there is no safety but to be on Christs side for the Son of man shall come in his glory and the Saints also Mark 8.33 38. they are not the words of a Child but of Christ not spoken to affright us but for our animadversion Oh this perfidious Generation how will that word be made good to the Amazemeat of our Timerous professors John 16.21 The Axe or a Halter will be lesse pain then the pangs of Child-birth John 15.18 21. we are in nothing to be terrifyed 1 Phil. 28.29 constancy in suffering for good principles is matter of glory in the Churches and Tribulation will be the portion of our troublers 2 Thes 1.4 to the end is very pretious 1 Thes 3.8 we live if yee stand fast in the Lord I know you and my dear Brethren and Sisters are of Pauls mind if I dye in my bed being a Church member you will by the rule of Charity judge me happy I cannot doe you more service then to bear my witnesse in this Cause of Christ wherein you are so much concerned I finde our Text appropriate to our Condition Joh. 12.23 to 27. Christs death was like sowing of Corne which seemed lost but was our life so he that counts not his life dear for Christ though the world count him miserable yet he hath two special promises to be where Christ is and that the Father will honour him it is a following of Christ in Dying for him Actively or in Affection as appears John 13.36 21 19. by a conformity to his death Phil. 3.10 Rev. 14.3 some read which dyed for the Lord as Rev. 20.4 and 19.10 which now is counted as bad as Treason Heb. 12. has an ineffable sweetnesse in it Ch. 11. is the little book of Martyrs 12.1 the spirit sayes follow your leaders he is a Coward that will not follow such free Examples Christ and the Saints behold you and yee are witnesses for Christ as they were but must forsake all sin especially your Dallilaes Herodias and Rimmons and strive against it and ye have need of patience but ye will faint and be weary unlesse yea look unto Jesus and fear not for he is as well the finisher of your Faith as the Father of it he despised the shame what need you care if they say behold the Head or the heart of a traytor when your better part is in heaven and reproves us for being too parsimonious of our blood we must be prepared for suffering eruore sanctorum rigatur Ecclesiae Luther was troubled that he carried his blood to his grave he loved the Christs crosse more then the 24 Letters and loved not half Christians that were onely for doing not for suffering and though our sinne deserve death as from the Lord yet our enemies mind them not they punish us for being judges advocates and souldiers for our Lord Jesus Psal 38.20 And as the spiritual man overcomes the Animal so I am reasoning my self against sence into a willingness to dye for either the times will be better or worse is there not in probability a great floud of Oppression and Persecution coming upon the Godly will not the righteous soule of a just Lot be vexed with the horrible prophanenesse malignity and contempt of Christs pure Ordinances that abounds every where we have heard Justice and Tyranny Truth and Falsehood the forme and the power of Godlinesse pleading together and Judgement was given for God and his people but all seems to be reversed and what was but an injurie or nesciente before is now a formal and material contempt and despight to God and Christ and the spirit of grace in whom soever breathing and what comfort is there in a son if the Ark be taken 1 Sam. 4.20 21. she regarded it not the blessing is to see our children with peace upon Israel Psal 128.5 6. it is a mercy to be taken away from the evil to come Esay 57.1 bestowed upon Josiah as a favour being tender hearted 2 Kings 23.19 t is a rich mercy to get into our heavenly house and harbour before the storm come 2 Cor 5. how much more blessed to give our polluted blood for his sake who shed his most precious blood for us and if the times prove good for civil or sacred liberties Moses envied not those that were to goe into Canaan because he was
invested with a better possession a heavenly Countrey Heb. 11.16 if there be such glorious times to be expected upon earth as you and I have discoursed of I am sure there is no less joy in heaven and we that are there shal have no cause to envy our millitant brethren besides as for my self I can expect to doe little for God I am three parts dead 70 being divided into four the shadows of the evening are upon me and aches and paines are inseparable companions if now Christ should graciously accept of my poore crazy body bring me to an honourable and an easie death for him blessed be his name forever 1 Chro. 29.10 to 16. The heathen could say Dulce est pro patria mori pro Christo mori dulcimum How did the Romans glory to die for their liberties and after for the glory of their Cesars and how glad are the poor Spaniards and Muscovites that they have a life a wise or a sonne for their King and how glad are the City that their feastings will be received A Popish Friar told me lately that if he were of my opinion for assurance of salvation he would not willingly live an houre longer for all Ireland yet Saints too much feare this grim porter death though when executed we goe from the crosse to the Crown Jam. 1.12 indeed it is below the profession that we have made to be now troubled in prosperity I would be a worm but now the Lord makes us bold as Lyons that being called to suffer after so blessed an example we may think it an honour to pledge our master in his own cup and commit the keeping of our soules to him in wel doing as unto a faithful creator 1 Pet 2.21 and 4.19 for he wil never leave nor forsake us but wil give us shoulders to bear what he laies upon us 1 Cor. 10.13 let us therefore who are the children of Zion be joyful in our King as others who one day wil appeare to be fanatiques indeed rejoyce in them for these present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with our future glory Rom. 8.18 Sir I bless God I have an invincible peace and a secret joy surpassing my expression and I press towards the marke Phil. 3.14 yet divine cordials are not constant but often some fainting fits and dispondencies the spirit bloweth where it listeth where it is not comforting it is supporting Esay 40.29 41.10 if I were not very feeble how could Gods power appear in my weakness I bless his name that his arrows are not within me nor doe the terrors of death take hold upon me as Job 6.4 for I never was better as to the frame and temper of mind and body then since my restraint and blessed be the comforter I am not long without him My cousin Harrison is very full of spiritual comfort as the Gentleman Jaylor tels me and bids me cheere up and indeed it wil be a mercy if those who are called forth to testifie for Christ prove couragious as Jos 1.9 but truly as for my part in does not lie on that side I fear least I may be too much exalted with the honour of it though I know the Lord can soon withdraw we live by faith and not by sight our happiness is in our union rather then in communion and sensible gusts and I rather fear a lingring death with severity some for banishment Ezek 7.16 c. but let the Lord doe with me as he pleaseth as Joab siad 1 Chro. 19.13 Omnia cooperatur in bonam Rom. 8.28 So having unbosomed my heart unto you that you and such whom you judge faithful and secret may the better spread my condition before the Lord I would intreat you to beg for me more particularly 1. That God would set home upon my heart and fulfil in me with power your sweet Scripture for which I heartily thank you 2 Tim. 1.7 8 9 12. that I may not be afraid of their terrors nor troubled but may sanctifie the Lord at that time and be able to answer all opposers that they may be ashamed when we suffer for wel doing 1 Pet. 3.14 to 18. 2. That I and the rest of our brethren and companions in tribulation and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ for the word of God and his testimony may be strengthned with all might according to Christs glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness as Paul prayed for the Collossians Col. 1.9 to 14. being filled with knowledge wisdome and spiritual understanding and feeling those grounds of joy as an inheritance of light and deliverance from the power of darkness that we may be testes and contestes to agree in our testimonies and not disparage so good a cause 3. That we may be ready not onely to be bound but to die for Christ and the vindication and justification of his Evangelical doctrine we have made high profession and confession of the everlasting Gospel and it is a blessed thing to believe with the heart and confess with our mouths and in our lives and by active martyrdom as Brooke Ireton Hampden Pickering and others have worthily done who are safely arrived expecting us and we are yet upon the waves but the most excellent honourable rich and fruitful confession of Christ whereby we can make the most efficacious demonstration of our election and faith in Christ and love in his glorious person with most supream illustration of Gods glory is to lay down our lives as the martyrs did to seal and confirm the truth of our professions with our blood for the cause of Christ and safety of our brethren Rom. 16.4 1 John 3.16 as our blessed master after he had confessed and preached the glory of God and our salvation confirmed and approved all by miracles and his most holy life made a good confession under Pontius pilat 1 Tim. 6.13 without which all had been ineffectual So I have often thought for the discovery of hypocrites cementing of the Saints in more concording affections trial of faith exercising of patience and love to Christ and for many other glorious ends God would call for some of his childrens blood which wil be the greater favour to them whom he shal count worthy of it because I think this wil rather be a Julian then a Heronian persecution alwaies provided that we be found in the doctrine of the covenant of grace that God does not love us because we live soberly righteously and godly in this present world and are willing to forsake all and loose our lives for him But because he loves us and has singled us out from the world therefore he enables us so to live and to doe singular things for his honour and glory and willingly to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth Revel 14.4 for the love of Christ constraineth us 2 Cor. 5.14 O that we had more enlarged hearts for our King Jesus 4. That you may fully hit my condition I
3.20 What a comfort is it to thee as me that have such crazy bodies ulcerous Lazarus shall be as sound as a Fish and we shall have an everlasting spring of health and strength which shall never decay Use Let this teach us more to mind eternity to study the joyes of Heaven that we may receive a full reward 2 Ephes to 8. as Mr. Whitfield once exhorted Oliver in every thing to mind and eye eternity for they are the brave men and women that will be so at that day the pleasures of this world are so far from satisfying the understanding and will which are capable of God that they cannot satisfie any one sence never any Musick so sweet but a man will desire to hear better no object so beautiful no meat so pleasant but a man will covet to see that which is more lovely and tasts sweeter Eccles 1.8 study that Book and Canticles well that the spirit may convince us of the vanity and vexation of all creature-delights and of the fullnesse and excellency that is in Jesus Christ the best condition in this life is but a bitter-sweeting all our comforts are impure mixt with Wormwood no Rose without thorn and the bitter is more then the sweet but in Heaven all our delights are pure and unmixed there is perfect joy without any grief sollid comforts and no afflictive misery no Envy no Emulation which abounds here for every Saint has what his heart can desire it is a Sinlesse Sorrowlesse Temptationlesse Oppressionlesse Sicklesse Timelesse and Endlesse estate where being once Arrived we shall never fear parting any more therefore my dear sweeting let us wait patiently and chearfully for that blessed translation from Earth to Heaven we must begin our Heaven here the more prepared to dye the fitter we are to live so let us live so let us dye that we way live Eternally If thee likest such poor breathings broken Meditations thee may'st command more of them I leave thee and me and my dear child and our Christian relations with thee in his Armes who is in Heaven at the right hand of the Father therefore we need not fear what man can do unto us Esa 51.12 To him I am thine for ever Thy loving Husband during this Life John Cooke Another Letter from Mr. Cooke to a Friend after Condemnation DEar Brother beloved in the Lord condemnatus sum ad vitam and this is my Cordial Farewel to you and all Saints from my Jeremiahs prison to morrow I shall be in eternal glory in the bosom of Christ where our father Abraham is and a guard of Angels wil convey my soul thither Never let Gods people fear a prison any more for the Lords supporting or comforting spirit hath not been absent from me since my indictment I writ a letter to you formerly acquainting you with my spiritual condition to which I refer you and fearing lest wrong may be done to the cause when I am in heaven I think fit to leave a few words with my dearest love to all Christian friends 1. Upon my triall it came to this that the Judges said that all have been treason since 1642 so that the Lords and Commons are not to meddle with the King I said that I acted obedientially by order from the house of Commons and the Commons being the representatives of the people cannot commit treason for there can be no trial of all the people And as for any force upon the House in 1648. they were the onely judges of it and no inferiour Court can judge of the lawfulness or unlawfulness of their acts or orders But they said all our Acts and Orders are treason So that now it is brought to that it was in 1642. 2. I intend by Gods assistance upon the Ladder to beare my testimony for Jesus Christ to all his Offices and for a Gospel Magistracy and Ministry and to speak something so farre as God shall enable and wil be permitted for the good Old cause or righteousness and holiness I can at present onely leave my dear love and respects for you and my dear sister beseeching God and not doubting but that we shall shortly meet in eternal glory Company so spends me that I can write no more I shall suddenly enter into the joy of the Lord O blessed be his name blessed be the Comforter my soul is full of consolation Farewel farewel Renede in Paradiso Yours forever John Cooke For my dear brother F. Some Notes taken of a Sermon Preached by Mr. Hugh Peters the 14 th of October 1660. after his Condemnation in the prison of Newgate wherein he was much interrupted by the coming in and going forth of strangers that came to see him and the other prisoners in the Room with him and so was constrained to break off the sooner And though they are but briefe Heads yet it 's thought convenient here to insert them for the better satisfaction of any touching the frame of Mr. Hugh Peters at that time The discourse was from PSAL. 42. ver 11. Why art thou cast down O my soule and why art thou disquieted within me Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him who is the health of my Countenance and my God AFter Analysing the Psalme he Observed this Doctrine Doctrine That the best of Gods people are apt to be disponding This was the Mans case in the whole 88 Psal Also Davids case when he complained of the breaking of his Bones c. This was Christs case himselfe when he cryed out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me The Reasons why the best of Gods people are apt to dispondencies are First When something falls out from God more then ordinary when God put 's weight in Sorrow and Affliction that makes it sinking Although that Afflictions are heavy of themselves many times yet it 's the weight that God puts in Sorrow that makes it sink us 2ly Over-valuing our comforts puting too much upon Wife Children Estate or Life it self a man is apt to be cast down when he thinks of parting with them Thirdly Our unpreparednesse for sufferings and afflictions that makes us dispond Alas I thought not of it say some it 's come unexpectedly upon me Fourthly We are apt to dispond when our Afflictions are many when they are multitudes when all is struck at together Name Estate Relations and Life it self Fifthly VVhen Afflictions are of long continuance a man can bear that Burthen a while that he cannot stand under long Sixthly VVhen afflictions fall upon the noblest part of man which is his soule then are dispondencies apt to come in Seventhly VVhen we have more Sense then Faith Now it should not be so Gods people ought not to dispond 1. Because it discovers impatiency 2. Because it discovers want of Faith they leane not upon the Rock that will not faile them 3. It discovers want of Wisdome c. 4. VVe should not be thus because it gratifies the Enemy who in such a
Law and Gospel with his Blood which will be a great Honour to thee in the judgment of all that truly love and fear God I leave thee to the Lord who I know will take care of thee and be thy Portion so thou shalt never want Learn with all speed to reade the Scriptures and to understand them and have a great care to serve God and study to love Jesus Christ and be obedient to thy dear Mother and good Grandmother and thy loving Uncle and Aunt Massey I pray thee never learn any Pride but be humble and meek and courteous and wait upon Gods Ordinances love the Word more than thy appointed food When the Lord shall please to alter thy Condition be sure to marry one that is gracious and a man that feareth God be sure to prefer Grace before Wealth and Parts for a little with the fear of God is better than great Riches with an Ungodly man The Lord make thee Religious for Beauty is Vanity and Favour is deceitful but a Woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised If the Lord give thee Children be sure to bring them up vertuously and religiously in the Nurture Admonition and Fear of the Lord. I charge thee never to marry without the Consent of thy dear Mother if she be then living In all thy Actions have an eye to Eternity and never do any thing against the Light of thy own Conscience Know that thy dear Father is gone to Heaven to thy dear Brother and be sure so to live that by Gods Grace thou mayest follow after If God give the ability I charge thee to do good to thy Friends and to all Gods People And if my last Will may be of force do not violate it in the least So I leave Gods Blessing with thee praying for thy Temporal and Eternal Happiness and rest Thy dear loving Father JOHN COOK Octob. 15 1660. Some occasionall Speeches and Memorable passages of Col. Axtell and Col. Hacker during their Imprisonment and at their Execution BEing asked by some Friends how he found himself sitted to Encounter with Death He Answered I can say nothing until I come to dye I dare not boast till I put of my Armour but desire your prayers until there be no more need of them Returning from his Tryal at the Court to his Prison with a chearful countenance and his Wife coming to him full of Trouble he said not a Tear Wife what hurt have they done me to send me sooner to Heaven And I blesse the Lord I could have freely gone from the Bar to the Gibbet They had nothing against me neither by Gods law nor their own low to condemne me was it ever known that a man should dye for such Words and further said though men had Judged yet God had not Condemned Some taking notice of his course lodging he said what matter is it to have a little durty way when we have a fair House to come into Then looking upon Friends about him said if the sight of so few of Gods people be so comfortable what will it be to enjoy all the Saints in Heaven together Towards the close of that Evening he went to prayer divers being present who admired the blessed frame of spirit that he was in admiring God in all his appearances for his poor people he laid all his comfort in the blood of a crucifyed Christ and upon the Covenant of Free Grace he did heartily desire pardon for all his Judges Jury and those witnesses that had sworn falsely against him Returning again from the Court when he had received his sentence he came into the prison very chearfully with a Bible in his hand saying I shall have the use of this book two dayes more and then injoy the fulnesse of the Gospel to all Etetnity His Daughter coming in to him he said where hast thou been all this while I thought thou hadst been ashamed of my Chains but they that will not bear the Crosse shall not weare the Crown A Gentleman coming to visit him said shall I petition for your life Col. Axtel replyed Sir you offer me to my losse The Gentleman told him he was going for Ireland Col. Axtell said Sir pray remember my love to all Christian friends there tell them said he shaking of his Chains rejoycingly that you saw me in my chains I recon all these links as so many Pearls to Adorn me and am sure they are so in Christs account and tell them that for that Good Old Cause which we were ingaged in under the Parliament I am now going to be their Martyr And as for the King I wish him as well as my own soule But they have meerly murthered me and they might as well have done it at the Tower as have brought me hither to make this bussle I wish my bloud do not cry to the third and fourth Generation But I shall do them more hurt in my death then I could do in my life They had nothing in Gods law nor their own to condemne me the Court condoled me but it was enough my name was Axtell I wish that I may see them all in Heaven A Friend going into Gloucestershire said to him Sir what message will you now send to the good people in the Country Col. Axtell Answered Remember my dear love to them all and tell them that their prayers are Answered Bid them keep close to Christ and let them not touch with Surplis or Common prayer book and bid them what ever they doe love the image of Christ where ever they see it in Presbyterian Independent Baptised or other And take heed of striking in with any thing that will strike out any of the Offices of Jesus Christ Four of his fellow prisoners passed by his Chamber dore as they were going forth to Execution and being denyed sight of them he called them by their Names and with a mighty fervent spirit said the Lord go with you the Angell of his presence stand by you and then turning about to his Friends said Oh they are gone to Heaven before me but we will give them up to the Lord and so went to prayer and presently after he went to prayer againe saying God hath said that he will make us joyfull in the house of Prayer and many observed that he did perform the duty of prayer Five times that day himselfe wherein he laid himself very low before the Lord acknowledging himself the worst of all the prisoners and that he should have the least to say for God and would say to his Friends say nothing of me tell you see me on the upermost round of the Ladder His Daughter coming in he told her that he had left Jesus Christ an Executor in trust for her Having given an Account to some persons for their satisfaction about his proceedings against the Rebels in Ireland said I can say in Humility that God did use me as an instrument in my place for the suppressing of that