The Second and Last COLLECTION OF THE Dying Speeches LETTERS and PRAYERS c. Of those EMINENT Protestants Who Suffered in the WEST of ENGLAND And Elsewhere UNDER THE CRUEL SENTENCE Of the late Lord Chancellour THEN Lord Chief Justice JEFFERYS WITH An Account of their Undaunted Courage at the Barr and afterwards with the most remarkable Circumstances that attended their EXECUTION WITH ALLOWANCE LONDON Printed for John Dunton at the Black Raven in the Poultrey over against the Compter and are to be Sold by R. Janeway in Queens-head-Alley in Pater-noster-row 1689. The Second and Last COLLECTION OF THE Dying Speeches LETTERS and PRAYERS c. OF Those Eminent Protestants who Suffered in the West of England and elsewhere A short Recollection of some Passages of Mr. William Jenkins who Suffered at Taunton Septemb. 30. 1685. A Friend discoursing to him at Dorchester about his Pardon and telling him the doubtfulness of obtaining it he replyed Well Death is the worst they can do and I bless God that will not surprize me for I hope my great work is done At Taunton being advised to govern the Airiness of his Temper telling him it made People apt to Censure him as Inconsiderate of his Condition to which he Answered Truly this is so much my natural temper that I cannot tell how to alter it but I bless God I have and do think seriously of my eternal Concerns I do not allow my self to be vain but I find Cause to be chearful for my Peace is made with God through Jesus Christ my Lord this is my only ground of Comfort and Chearfulness the security of my Interest in Christ for I expect nothing but Death and without this I am sure Death would be most dreadful but having the good hope of this I cannot be melancholly When he heard of the Triumphant Death of those that suffered at Lyme he said This is is a good incouragement to depend upon God Then speaking about the mangling of their Bodies he said Well the Resurrection will restore all with great advantage the 15th Chap. of the first of Corinthians is Comfort enough for all Believers Discoursing much of the certainty and felicity of the Resurrection at another time he said I will as I think I ought use all lawful means for the saving of my Life and then if God please to forgive my sins I hope I shall as chearfully embrace Death Upon the Design of attempting an Escape he said We use this means for the preserving of our Lives but if God is not with us in it it will not effect it it is our business first to seek to him for Direction and Success if he sees good with resigning our Lives to him and then his Will be done After the Disappointments when there was no Prospect of any other Opportunity he spake much of the Admirableness of God's Providence in those things that seem most against us bringing the greatest good out of them for said he We can see but a little way God is only wise in all his Disposals of us if we were left to chuse for our selves we should chuse our own Misery Afterwards Discoursing of the Vanity and Unsatisfyingness of all things in this World he said It is so in the enjoying we never find our Expectations answered by any thing in it and when Death comes it puts an end to all things we have been pursuing here Learning and Knowledge which are the best things in this World will then avail nothing nothing but an Interest in Christ is then of any worth One reading to some of his Fellow-prisoners Jer. 42. 12. I will shew mercy unto you that he may have mercy upon you and cause you to return to your own Land he said Yes we shall but not in this World I am perswaded September the 29th at Night after he heard he must Dye the next Morning he was exceedingly Composed and Chearful expressing his satisfaction in the Will of God The next Morning he was still more spiritual and chearful discovering a very sweet serenity of Mind in all that he said and did Whilst he was waiting for the Sheriff reading the Scriptures Meditating and Conversing with those about him of Divine things amongst other things he said I have heard much of the Glory of Heaven but I am now going to behold it and to understand what it is Being desired to Disguise himself to attempt an Escape he said No I cannot tell how to disturb my self about it and methinks it is not my business now I have other things to take up my thoughts if God saw good to deliver me he would open some other door but seeing he has not it is more for the honour of his Name we should dye and so be it One saying to him that most of the Apostles dyed a violent Death he replyed Nay a greater than the Apostles our Lord himself dyed not only a shameful but a painful Death He further said This manner of Death hath been the most terrible thing in the World to my thoughts but I bless God now I am neither afraid nor ashamed to dye He said The parting with my Friends and their grief for me is my greatest difficulty but it will be but for a very short time and we shall meet again in endless Joys where my dear Father is already enter'd him shall I presently joyfully meet Then musing with himself a while he with an extraordinary seriousness sung these two Verses of one of Herbert's Poems Death is still working like a Mole Digging my Grave at each remove Let Grace work so on my Soul Drop from above Oh come for thou dost know the way Or if to me thou wilt not move Remove me where I need not say Drop from above He then read the 53d of Isaiah and said he had heard many blessed Sermons from that Chapter especially from the 16 th Verse All we like sheep have gone astray we have turned every one to his own way but the Lord hath laid on him the Iniquity of us all seeming to intimate some Impress made on his Soul from them but was interrupted then he said Christ is all When the Sheriff came he had the same chearfulness and serenity of Mind in taking leave of his Friends and in the Sledge which seemed to increase to the last as those present have affirmed joyning in Prayer and in singing a Psalm with great appearance of Comfort and Joy in his Countenance insomuch that some of his Enemies that had before Censured his chearfulness for unthoughtfulness of his Danger and therefore expected to see him much surprized now professed they were greatly Astonish'd to see such a Young Man leave the World and go through Death as he did The last Words of Coll. Richard Rumball with remarks of what past at his Tryal in Edinburgh Jan. 26. 1685. ABout Eleven of the Clock he was brought from the Castle to the Justices Court in a great Chair upon a Man's Back where at first
he was asked some few Questions most of which he answered by silence at last he said He did humbly conceive it was not necessary for him to add to his own Accusation since he was not ignorant they had enough already to do his business therefore did not desire to fret his Conscience at that time with answering Questions after which his Libel being read the Court proceeded in usual manner first asking him if he had any thing to say for himself before the Jury closed His Answer was He owned it all saving that part of having designed the King's Death and he prayed all present to believe on the word of a Dying Man he never directly nor indirectly intended such a Villany that he abhorred the thoughts of it and that he blessed God he had the reputation in the World that he knew none had the impudency as to ask him the Question and that he abhorred the thoughts of such an Action and he hoped all good People would believe this which was the only way he had left to clear himself and he was sure that this Truth would once be made manifest to all Men. He was again asked if he had any Exceptions against the Jury he answered No but wished them to do as God and their Consciences directed them They having withdrawn returned their Verdict in half an hours time and brought him in Guilty the Sentence following for him To be taken from that to the next Room and from thence to be drawn in a Hurdle between Two and Four of the Clock to the Cross of Edinburgh the Place of Execution and there to be Hanged Drawn and Quartered He received the Sentence with a devout Courage and Chearfulness After he was delivered into the Town-Magistrate's hands they brought to him two Divines to offer to him their Assistance upon the Castle which he altogether refused telling them If they had any good Wishes for him they should spend them in their Closets and leave him now to seek God in his own way He had several Offers of the same kind of others which he put off in the same manner He was most serious and servent in Prayer the few hours he lived as was observed by several who were present all the while The hour being come he was brought to the Place of Execution where he saluted the People on all sides of the Castle and after having refreshed himself with a Cordial out of his Pocket caused himself to be supported by two Men and spake to the People in these words Gentlemen and Brethren It is appointed for all Men that come into the World once to die after Death to Judgment and since Death is a debt that all of us must pay it is but matter of small moment what way it be done and seeing the Lord is pleased in this manner to take me to himself I confess something hard to Flesh and Blood but blessed be his Name who hath made me not only Willing but Thankful for honouring me to lay down that Life he gave me for his Cause in the which were every Hair on this Head and Beard of mine a Life I would joyfully Sacrifice them for it as I do this day And Providence having brought me hither I think it most necessary to clear my self of some aspersions laid on my Name that I should have had so horrid an Intention of destroying the King and his Brother Saying over again what he had said before to the Justices It was also said on my Name that I was Anti-monarchical it was ever my Thoughts that Kingly Government was the best of all justly executed I mean such as by our ancient Law viz. a King and Free-Parliament the King having as I conceive Power enough to make him great the People also so much Property as to make them Happy they being as it were Contracted to one another and who will deny me that this is the just constituted Government of our Nation how absur'd is it then for Men of sense to maintain that though the one part 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 the most by ever since the Creation so it continues to this day with us It was Pride that caused our first Parents to fall from that blessed Estate in which they were Created they aiming to be higher and wiser than God allowed which brought the everlasting Curse on them and their Posterity for ever It was Pride that caused God to drown the old World It was Nimrod's Pride in building Babel that caused that heavy Curse the division of Languages to be spread among us at this day one of the greatest Afflictions the People of God groan 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 Sheep-fold It was therefore the defence of this Party in their just Rights and Liberties At this they rattled the Drums to which he said They need not trouble themselves for he should say no more of his Mind on that subject seeing they were so ungenerous as to interrupt a dying Man only to assure the People that he adhered to the true Protestant Religion detesting the erroneous superstition of many that call themselves so But I dye this day in the defence of the ancient Laws and Liberties of our Nation and though God for reasons best known to himself hath not seen fit to honour us to make us the Instruments for the deliverance of his People yet as I have lived so I dye in the Faith that he will spedily arise for the deliverance of his Church and People which I desire all of you to prepare for thô with grief I may say this is a deluded generation vailed with Ignorance and althô Popery and Slavery be riding in upon them yet they do not perceive it thô I am sure there was none marked of God above another for none came into the World with a Sadle on his Back neither booted and spurr'd to ride in Not but that I am well satisfied that God hath wisely ordered different Stations for Men in this World as I have already said Kings having so much Power as to make them great and People as to make them happy And to conclude I shall only add my wishes for all Mens Salvation who were Created for that end After ending these Words he Prayed most fervently about three quarters of an Hour freely Forgiving all Men even his greatest Enemies begging most earnestly the deliverance of Sion particularly Praying for London Edinburgh and Dublin from which the streams run that rule God's People in the three Nations Being asked some hours before his Execution if he thought not his Sentence dreadful he answered He wished he
Religion may flourish under him I also return thanks to God and the Reverend Clergy that assisted me in my Imprisonment ALICIA LISLE A Letter Writ by Mr. John Hicks Oct. 5. the Day before his Death My Dear Nephew I Am yet in the Land of the Living though in the Mouth of Death I having been concern'd for you next to my own Children before I die I thought fit to write two or three Lines to you as a Manifestation of my great Love to you I earnestly desire the Welfare of you here and to Eternity hereafter next to my own Wife and Children you will want me when I am gone but I hope the Lord will take care of you make it your business to walk with him to serve him faithfully flee youthful Lusts and Remember your Creatour in the Days of your Youth be deeply concern'd to have your Heart and Nature chang'd and an interest in Christ secur'd unto you Death comes suddenly you know not when where nor how you shall die Let time therefore be most precious to you fill it up with Work and Duty Live by Faith more than by Sense and this will stand by you when you come to die Seek the things which are above and set your Affections upon them have your Conversation in Heaven whilst you are upon Earth When you see your Parents give my dear Love to them and their Children the Lord grant that we may meet in his Everlasting Kingdom When you see any of your Cousins give my dear Love to them and be not asham'd of my Sufferings I wrote last Saturday was a Seven-Night to my Brother George but whether he is at London or Worcester I know not I wrote to him to desire him to Petition the King that some Favour and Mercy might be shewed me if he thought fit Things that are made to aggravate my Crime I am clear from as that I perswaded the Duke of M. to assume the Title of King at Taunton when I was not there with him nor in 13 days after he came into England and that I rode too and fro in the West to perswade People to go into his Army when I was in the East and came from thence to him in the West but my Nonconformity cuts me and obstructs the Kings Mercy from being Extended to 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 guilty of than your self If your Uncle be in Town go speedily to him and give him my Dear Love I Pray for you who am Your most Affectionate Vncle J. H. Octob. 5. 1684. A Letter to his Wife Sept. 23. 1684. My Dearest Love I Hope you received a few Lines from me by the way of London once more I write to you by our 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 it very adviseable so to do I hope God will stand by you and defend you My Dear see me in God as I must you I must now bid adieu unto all Earthly and Worldly Comforts and all the Pleasant and Delightful Objects of Sence 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 least it be wrested to wrong Sence which may ruine 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 Demonstration you have given thereof in this day of my distress I hope my Daughters will be as dutiful to you and be as much concern'd 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 dye 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 Christ Jesus 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 Grace more than ever and make this great Affliction so humbly Purifying and Spiritualizing to you as well 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 is dangerous 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 Marry'd to him for ever my Heart is as full of Love tâ—…e as it was the first day I Marry'd thee and if God sparâ—…ife it should have been as fully manifested until Death therefore I rest Your most Affectionate and Endeared Husband J. H. Sept. 23. 1684. 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