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death_n	good_a	life_n	time_n	10,018	5	3.6095	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A27409	The bloody assizes, or, A compleat history of the life of George Lord Jefferies, from his birth to this present time ... to which is added Major Holmes's excellent speech, with the dying speeches and prayers of many other eminent Protestants : none of which were ever before publish'd ...	Bent, James.; Holmes, Abraham, d. 1685.; Tutchin, John, 1661?-1707.; Oates, Titus, 1649-1705.; Dunton, John, 1659-1733.; J. S. (John Shirley), fl. 1680-1702.	1689 (1689)	Wing B1905; ESTC R23364	51,348	72

Eleaven more were brought from Dorchester to Lyme six in a Coach and six in a Cart as he was drawn through the Town he chearfully beholding the People advised them not to be discouraged at their severe Deaths for that though it was their hard fortunes to loose the day in so good a Cause yet he questioned not but it would be Revived again and by such means as he nor they could not imagine God I hope and trust will never let this Nation to fall into Popery being brought to the Inn where they stoped near two hours untill the Butchers had prepared every thing ready for the slaughter they were visited by a very worthy Divine and Vicar of that Town who offered them those spiritual helps usually in those Occasions which some of them Embraced and others not their Principles being Different from the Church of England The Jaylor speaking to Coll Holmes to knock off his Irons he said Great Men of State wear Chains and 't is accounted for their honour but though there is a vast difference betwixt those Golden ones and mine yet I take mine to be more Honourable as that good Apostle said he accounted it an honour to suffer shame for his Masters Name the Sledge being in readiness they prepared to enter it but Alas who should draw such Men to Execution though Men were so bloody the very Beasts refused to draw them and instead of going forward they went backwards and could by no means make them do it which so inraged some Persons that they took the Coach Horses out of the Coach and placed them to the Sledge but presently the Sledge broke in peices then spake this worthy good Man Pray Gentlemen you see all your strivings will not do to draw us to Execution I verily believe there is more in it then you are aware of pray read about the Prophet that went out of Gods way his Beast saw that he could not Give us leave and we will walk to the place Being there come the Coll. prepared first to mount that Tragical Stage the heads of his Speech you have before therefore his Prayer take as followeth Coll. Holme's Last Prayer MOst Glorious most great and most merciful God there is none in Heaven nor in Earth that is like unto thee Heaven is thy Throne and the Earth is thy footstool who shall say unto thee what doest thou here we are poor deplorable Creatures come to offer up our last Prayers and Services unto thee we beseech thy favourable Ear to our Prayers and the comfort of thy holy Spirit at this time we praise and magnifie thy name for all the dispensations of thy providence towards us especially for this thy providence in bringing us to this place and at this time to suffer shame for thy Name help and assist all of us to submit to thy will patiently Pardon all our Sins remove them out of thy presence as far as the East is from the West and accept of us in the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ thou who art the searcher of hearts and tryer of Reins let there not at the moment of death be the least spark of Sin indwelling in us nor the strivings of Flesh and Blood that may hinder us from a joyful passage unto thee give us patience also under these sufferings and a deliverance to all others from undergoing them and in thy good time work deliverance for poor England let thy Gospel yet florish amongst them hasten the downfall of Antichrist we trust the time is near come prevent O Lord this effusion of Christian Blood and if it be thy will let this be the last Lord bless this Town let them from the highest to the lowest set the fear of God before their Eyes Bless all sorts and Conditions of Men in all Ranks and Qualities pardon all their Sins give them all true Repentance and the Grace of thy holy Spirit fit and prepare us for the chearful fulfilling of thy holy will let the Comforter be still with us be merciful to all our Friends and Relations and Acquaintance forgive our Enemies accept of our thankfulness for all the Mercies and favours afforded us and hear and graciously answer us in these our Requests and whar else thou knowest needful and expedient for us and all for our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ his sake who Dyed for us that we might Reign with him for ever and ever to whom with thee and thy Blessed Spirit of Grace be ascribed as is most due all honour glory and Praise both now and for ever after which imbracing his Fellow sufferers and kissing them and giving them some ghostly Comforts he desired help of the Sheriff to go up the Ladder having but one Arm and the Gallows higher then ordinary which was granted And in a short time after the Executioner did his Office thus fell the valiant and good Christian C●ll Holmes his dying Words we have now found come to pass he was much lamented by all that saw him except by some that 't is feared are delivered up to a feared Conscience Mr. Christopher Batiscombe his last Speech and Prayer imediately before he suffered at Lyme 12th of September 168● HE was well known to be a Gentleman and of a good Estate in Dorchester shire and a true Protestant well beloved among the Gentry of that Country It was his fortune to be concerned with the D. M. and was very faithful to him to the last during the time of the Bloody Assizes at Dorchester where he received his Sentence of death was divers times sent for to the Chamber of the then L. C. J. and promoted with offers of Life to betray some Gentlemen which he refused saying he scorned to purchase his Life by such indirect means and he accordingly chose death rather then Life seeing it could not be purchased but by such unworthy means The day being come he prepared himself and received the Holy Sacrament walking down to the Place of Execution with much chearfulness and Christian Courage when he was mounting the Ladder smiled and said I am not afraid of this I am going to a better Place from a poor and miserable World to a Celestial Paradise a Heavenly Jerusalem I might have chosen whether I would have undergone this Death if I had hearkened to the L. C. J. but it was upon such unworthy terms that should I have accepted of my Pardon it would have been troublesome to me I dye a true Protestant I am in Charity with all Men God preserve this Nation from Popery the Lord bless you all so taking his leave of them he knew after Prayer he lanched into Eternity Some Passages Relating to Mr. Sampson Larke with his Prayer at the same time and place when Executed IMmediately after Col. Holmes was Executed this good Man was ordered to prepare to follow accordingly going to deliver some few Words to the People some whereof were formerly of his Congregation but being told he could not expect much

croud and it might be wished in so dangerous a height he had looked better to his footsteps for now being Created Baron of Wem we find him in a High Commission or Ecclesiastical Court Suspending the Honourable Lord Bishop of London from performing the Episcopal Office and Function of that See and for no other default than not readily complying with the King's Letter in Suspending Dr. Sharp Dean of Norwich for Preaching a Sermon in the Parish Church of St. Giles in the Fields at the request of the Parishioners shewing the Errors and Fallacies of the Romish Religion the better to confirm them in the Faith and Doctrine of the Church of England Nor was it this good Bishop alone that was aimed at for scarce had the Magdalen Colledge passed the Seal and in that very Mother of Learning and Chief Seminary of our Church such alterations made as startled the Kingdom by whose Counsel I undertake not to determine but in the midst of Liberty of Conscience as twice declared The Church of England had a Test put upon her Sons which seem'd such a Paradox that has been rarely heard of viz. To Read the King's Declaration for Liberty of Conscience in the Churches during the time of Divine Service and a Mark and Penalties threatned to the refusers which was evidently demonstrated by the Imprisonment of those Pious Patriots of their Country and Pillars of the Church His Grace the Lord Arch bishop of Canterbury the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells Ely Peterborough Chichester St. Asaph and Bristol who for shewing their Reasons why they could not comply with this Command by way of Humble Petition were sent to the Tower and afterwards Tryed upon Information of High Misdemeanour at the Court of Kings-Bench where their Innocency appearing in a large manner they were Acquitted to the scandal of their Accusers yet Orders were sent into all parts of England to return an Account to the Lord Chancellour of those that refused to Read the Declaration that they might be proceeded against for a contempt of what their Consciences would not permit them to do and for a time they were extreamly hot upon it But the News of the great Preparations in Holland and that the Prince of Orange was certainly designed for England the determined Councils cooled and then quite ceased so that the Church of England men whose Cause the Prince had espoused were restored again to the Commissions and Trusts they had by what Justice I know not been lately deprived and amongst other Charters that were on this occasion restored was that of the City of London and that which makes it more memorable was that it was brought to the Guild-Hall by this Person tho' he was not attended with the Shouts and Acclamations he expected nor seemed so florid or frolicksome as heretofore which some looked upon as a presaging Omen and it 's reported soon after he being asked by a Courtier What the Heads of the Princes Declaration was he should Answer He was sure his was one whatever the rest was The Court by this time beginning to scatter and the Prince of Orange approaching the King thought fit to withdraw himself upon notice of which the Lord Chancellour betook himself to Wapping disguised like a Seaman in order to his Escape to Hamborough in a Collier but being discovered he was brought before Sir John Chapman Lord Mayor of the City of London in a strange disguise from what he formerly appeared And by reason of the Lord Mayor's Indisposition he not being able to Commit him he offered to go to the Tower to be out of the Hands of the Rabble who there in great numbers with clubs and slaves threatned him with present destruction But having a Guard of the Train bands to conduct him he got thither safe and soon after was charged in Custody by a Warrant of Commitment from the Lords at White-Hall where he continued under much affliction and indisposition having since moved for his Habeas-Corpus to be Bailed but has hitherto not been able to attain it He had not been in the Tower many days but as 't is said whither true or no I cannot affirm he had a Barrel of Oysters sent him upon sight of which he said to the bearer Well then I see I have some Friends left still but upon opening the Barrel he found them to be only Friends that were impatient till he gave them a prospect of his future destiny for verily the mighty Present was nothing but a good able Halter Now as I said before whether this passage be true or no I cannot say but this I am sure if we consider his Lordships Life and Cruelties the Moral of it is very good And thus Reader you have briefly seen the Rise and Fall of this now unfortunate Person and so at present we take our Farewel FINIS ADVERTISEMENT 1 THE Saints Readiness for their Lords coming A Funeral Sermon preach'd upon the Death of that faithful and laborious Servant of Christ Mr. John Oakes by Samuel Slater Minister of the Gospel Price bound 1 s. 2 His Sermon Preached to Young Men the Twenty fifth of December last at that which was Mr. Oakes's Meeting-place 3 Early Piety Exemplified in the Life and Death of Mr. Nathanael Mather who having become at the Age of Nineteen an Instance of more than common Learning and Virtue changed Earth for Heaven Octob. 17. 1688. Whereto are added some Discourses on the true Nature the great Reward and the best Season of such a Walk with God as he left a Pattern of Price bound 1 s. 4 The Joy of Faith Or a Treatise opening the true Nature of Faith its lowest stature and Distinction from Assurance with a Preliminary Tract evidencing the Divinity of the Sacred Scriptures By Samuel Lee M. A. All sold by John Dunton at the Black Raven in the Poultrey

the day being great they should want time So then he stopt and replyed he could make application where he should not meet with interuption and so apply'd himself to Prayer which he performed with great Devotion and Zeal for a quarter of an hour to the great satisfaction of the Auditors and so taking leave of his suffering Brethren he mounted the Stage which was to be the last Act he made in this World being on the Ladder he saw some of his Friends and Neighbours weeping and mourning for him to whom he spake pray weep not for me I am going to a place of Bliss and Happiness wherefore pray repair to your Houses and ' ere you get thither I doubt not but I shall be happy with my God and Saviour where all tears shall be wiped away and nothing shall remain but Hallelujahs to all Eternity There was also Mr. William Hewling of London a young Gentleman under twenty who came over with the D. of M. he seemed to be in a calm and composed frame of Spirit and with a great deal of Courage and Seriousness he behaved himself there is already something said of his converse and discourse which amongst others is Printed therefore we shall say nothing more of him but that in all manner of Appearance he dyed a good Christian true Protestant and doubtless now enjoys the benefit of it there were several worthy Men more there Executed viz. Mr Christopher Battiscombe Dr. Temple Captain Madders Captain Mathews Captain Kid c. in all twelve who all of them dyed with that Courage and Resolution as became Christians and such who eminently had adventured their Lives and Fortunes in defence of what was most dear to them and namely our Religion which though God did not think those fit to defend and secure it yet in his infinite wisdom we hope it will be in some measure secured by other Instruments the Glory of the same being only due to him So that now leaving this Place we proceed to other parts of the Country where with the like Butchery were only five Executed amongst which was one M. Tyler of Bristol who had had Command in the Dukes Army where he behaved himself very stoutly to the last after the Army was dispersed he amongst others were taken received Sentence of Death at Dorchester and here brought for the Completion of the same and from hence we hope was Translated to Heaven he spent his time between the Sentence and Execution very devoutly in confirming and strengthening those that were to be his fellow Sufferers And made it his business to bring them to a willingness to submit to and a preparedness for Death The day being come and he brought to the Place of Execution he thus spoke my Friends you see I am now on the brink of Eternity and in a few minutes shall be but Clay you expect I should say something as is usual in such cases as to the matter of fact I dye for it doth not much trouble me knowing to my self the ends for which I ingaged with the D. of M. were both good and honourable here being stop'd and not suffered to proceed farther he then comforted his fellow sufferers desiring them to joyn with him in Singing a Hymn which he himself composed for the occasion as followeth 1. O Lord how Glorious is thy Grace And wondrous large thy Love At such a dreadful time and place To such as Faithful prove 2. If thou wilt have thy Glory hence Though a shameful death we dye We Bless thee for this Providence To all Eternity 3. Let these Spectators see thy Grace In thy Poor Servants shine While we by Faith behold thy Face In that blest Son of thine 4. Though Men our Bodies may abuse Christ take our Souls to rest Till he brings forth the joyful news Ye are my Fathers blest 5. Appear for those that plead thy Cause Preserve them in the way Who own King Jesus and his Laws And dare not but obey 6. O God confound our cruel Foes Let Babylon come down Let England's King be one of them Shall raze her to the Ground 7. Through Christ we yield our Souls to thee Accept us on his Score That where he is there we may be To Praise thee ever more After the Hymn Sung he Prayed devoutly for half an hour after Prayer he gave great satisfaction to all present of his Assurance of Heaven had many weeping Eyes for him and was much lamented in the Town tho a stranger to the place so unbuttoning himself said to the Executioner I fear not what Man can do unto me I pray thee do thy work in mercy for I forgive thee with all my Heart and I also pray to God for to forgive thee dont mangle my Body too much and so lifting up his hands to Heaven the Executioner did his Office there was also one William Cox that dyed with him who also dyed very couragiously despising the shame in hopes and expectation of a future better Estate he and his two Sons were some of the first that came to the D. of M. and all taken and all condemned together the Father only suffered the Sons by providence were preserved when he was going to Execution he desired leave to see his Sons then in another Prison in the Town to whom he gave his Blessing and though he was going to be Executed yet had that satisfaction to hope that God would preserve them which was so An Account of those Executed at Sherborn AT Sherbon in the same County were Executed twelve who all dyed Couragiously especially one Mr. Glisson of Yeovel in the County of Somerset his extraordinary deportment and carriage at the Place of Execution was so very considerable as gave great satisfaction to his Friends and Amazement to his Enemies he declared to the World that he dyed a true Protestant and had not ingaged with the D. of M. but Judged it high time to stand up for the Defence of the same though God Almighty had thought fit to frustrate his designs and to bring him to that Place to Seal the same with his Blood also John Savage and Richard Hall of Culliton in the County of Devon suffered at the same time and Place in their particular Conversation they valued most those that they saw most of Piety in and pittyed others that they saw not so well prepared saying that the remembrance of our vanity may cause compassion towards such as were in such a Condition exhorting all to be serious and to consider their latter end which deserved the greatest attention of mind the way to dye comfortably being to prepare for it seriously and if God should miraculously preserve us from this Death now before our Eyes It should be the duty of us all to spend the remaining part of our time in such a manner as now when we see death just at the Door At the hour of Execution their chearfulness and comfort was much increased saying now the will of

God will be done and he hath most certainly chosen that for us which is best with many other such like Christian expressions too tedious here to be inserted because we design to keep to our first intentions and not to swell this Treatise too big Upon the whole after they had with much earnestness recommended their Souls to the all wise God by Prayer they all with much content and satisfaction submitted themselves to the Executioner not doubting of a happy Translation and accordingly were Executed and quartered before the rest of the Executions in this County as at Weymouth Pool Shafton Wimborne c. Not being there we shall pass over and only give you particular touches which we saw to our perfect knowledge and so we return to Culliton in the County of Devon where John Sprague and William Clegg both of that Town were condemded at Exon and there brought to be Executed before thy were brought into the place a Messenger came from the Prisoners with a Request to the Vicar of the Parish to desire his company and Assistance in this their extremity and to Administer those Spiritual helps that were suitable to Men in their Circumstances accordingly the said Minister came very readily and did demand of them what they had to desire of him the dying Persons answered they desired his Prayers accordingly he prayed with them a considerable space of time And after which he asked of them several questions for to give him and the World satisfaction of the prepared condition they were in in order to their lanching into Eternity especially about the Doctrine of non-resistance John Sprague very soberly and moderately replyed but whether satisfactory or not we leave to the Reader he believed that no Christian ought to resist a lawful Power but the case being between Popery and Protestantism altered the matter and the latter being in danger he believed that it was lawful for him to do what he did though God in his Providence had thought fit to bring him to this place of Execution After Reading a Chapter out of the Corinthians and Singing a Psalm suitable to the occasion he very vehemently and fervently recommended his Soul to the all-wise God by Prayer for near half an hour to the great satisfaction of all that heard him then his Wife and Children coming to him weeping bitterly he imbraced them in his Arms saying weep not for me but weep for your selves and for your Sins for that he had that quiet satisfaction that he was only going to be Translated into a state of Bliss and Happiness where he should sin and sorrow no more but that all Tears should be wiped away wishing them to be diligent in the Service of God then recommended his Wife and Children to the protection of the Almighty God who had promised to be a Husband to the Widdow and a Father to the Fatherless who was faithful and able to make up their loss in him in that which should be better for them then he could be desiring God to be a Refuge for them to fly to for security and preservation from the troubles that seemed to threaten this poor Nation the which if they did conscientiously perform though death here made a separation he doubted not of meeting them in Heaven at last and so the Executioner did his Office during which time his Brother-sufferer William Cleg was all the time on his Knees Praying to himself with a seeming Zeal suddainly after which his turn being come to follow his Brother he only told the People that his fellow-suffer had spoken vvhat he thought vvas necessary and they were also his sentiments and so submitted to Execution An Account of those Executed at Axminster and Honiton AT Axminster one also was Executed his Name Mr. Rose he was a Gunner that Landed with the D. of M. he had a great Resolution and not at all started with the fear of Death he said that he defy'd death and all them that were the occasion of it He was very couragious and dyed so he spent some time in private Prayer and was not allowed time because there was to be Execution at Honiton so that his Execution being over we past on to Honiton where were four Executed one of which was a Chyrurgeon his Name if I do not mistake was Mr. Pott who behaved himself with that extraordinary Christian Courage that all the Spectators were almost astonished he being but young about twenty his Prayers being fervent his Expressions so pithy and so becoming a Christian of greater Age that drew pity and compassion from all present a rude Fellow just before he was to be Executed called for a Bottle of Wine and so began the Kings health to one of the Guard which he perceiving poor Soul said he Your Cup seemeth to be sweet to you and you think mine is bitter which indeed is so to Flesh and Blood but yet I have that assurance of the fruition of a future Estate that I doubt not but this bitter Potion will be sweetn'd with the Sugar of the loving kindness of my dearest Saviour that I shall be translated into such a State where is fulness of Joy and Pleasure for evermore Before I conclude one Mr. Evans a Minister ought not to be omitted who did all along in the time of his confinement in Prison behave himself with that Devotion and Strictness that became a Christian of great eminency as indeed he was he spent much of his time in Preaching and Praying to his fellow Prisoners exhorting them to hold out to the end he at last by appointment being Condemn'd was Executed by himself at vvhich time and place he behaved himself vvith great Courage and Devotion and vvith a great willingness and chearfulness he submitted to Execution there might have been much more said of this worthy Man but because we will keep to our design shall be omitted many others which were also very eminent that suffered in this County for asserting and endeavouring to secure the Protestant Religion might deservedly have a share in this small Treatise but having resolved this for brevity according as it meeteth with reception so it may give encouragement for Addition else must stand as now it is The Case of Mr. Simon Hamling THus having finished what we have to say at present shall only add the Case of one Mr. Simon Hamling at Taunton to shew that sometimes Innocency will not protect Mr. Hamling was formerly an Inhabitant of the place but of late years had lived 2 or 3 miles from thence he was a very honest worthy good Christian but was a Dissenter and indeed in the Judgment of some fiery Men that might be Crime enough as did too sadly appear in divers Cases but to our purpose Mr. Hamling living in the Country hearing of the D. of M. being in Town he there came to speak with his Son who lived in that place where being come he gave him advice which was that as he expected his Blessing

no other Design whatsoever but to Possess himself of some of those Islands until I had been at Sea two days wherein one privately told me we were absolutely bound for England and I should take it from him it was true it much surprized me but knowing no way to avoid it or to get on shore though it was at that time contrary to my Inclinations if I could have avoided it I would not let others see that I had that dissatisfaction within me After our Landing at Lyme I knew it was never the near to attempt my Escape the Countrey being so beset on the other hand if the Duke of Monmouth did win the day I might have raised my Fortunes as high as I could expect these were the Arguments that Flesh and Blood did create in my Breast for self-preservation While I was with the said Duke I did him as much Service as I could and faithfully After it pleased God to disperse that Army under his Command I endeavoured to secure my self but by Providence was taken at Honyton from thence Committed to Exon and after removed to Dorchester where I received my Sentence and am now as you see just going to Execution the Lord prevent all of you from such ignominious Deaths and I advise you all that you never take any great thing in hand but what you have a warrant for from the Lord I assure you I had not satisfaction in this but this I am sure that if I have done any thing amiss in it it is Pardoned I Bless God I have that satisfaction I dye a Professor of the Church of England I desire Pardon of all those I have any ways wronged or abused as I freely forgive all those that have wronged or abused me I am in Charity with all men Lord have mercy upon me give me strength to go through these pains and give me full Assurance now at this last moment Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Also one Samuel Robbins of Charmouth in the County of Dorset that was Executed or rather Murthered at Warham in the said County I cannot pass him by in silence his Case being so extraordinary hard that to speak moderately betwixt the King and his Case I do say this that I verily believe never Man suffered innocenter as I hope you will be satisfied in after you have heard his Crime and on what small grounds he was Guilty or so supposed by my Lord Chief Justice He used generally in the Summer to use the Craft of Fishing to get a competent maintenance for his Family and happened to be out at Sea a Fishing before Lyme that day the Duke came in to land and was commanded on board of one of the Duke's Ships he not knowing who they were and they bought his Fish of him after which they told him that was the Duke of Monmouth poynting at him and that he was just going to Land he desired to go on shore which was refused and told that as soon as the Duke was landed he should have his liberty so accordingly he came on shore and never after was with him or ever took up Arms under him I leave the Reader to judge whether this was High Treason or no. This was all he was Guilty of except that he was a good honest Man a zealous Christian a Man of a very good Life and Conversation as I think his Neighbours will attest it in most Towns and Parishes near where he lived but alas he had a good Book in his House when taken called The solemn League and Covenant this was the High Treason he must be Guilty of which was aggravated to the Lord Chief Justice by one or two hot Spirits his Neighbours But to be short he received his Sentence of Death with grea Courage and not at all dismay'd saying very often in Prison before If it pleased God to call him now to glorifie his Name by this Providence of his to Death he should be ready but said he I am as Innocent of any thing I have done against any Man that may deserve this Punishment as the Child now unborn When he came to the Place of Execution he very chearfully declared his Innocency to the Spectators as before and so Praying very devoutly for some time he was Executed His Prayer I have no exact Copy of Also one Mr. Charles Speake of London a Gentleman of good Extraction being Son to the Worshipful George Speake Esq near Ilmister in the County of Sommerset where he was Executed his Case also was extraordinary hard but there may be Two great Reasons given why he was Executed the First was Because he came from that good Pious Family which always have been opposers to Popery and suffered deeply for their courage that way Secondly The said Mr. Charles Speak had purchsed some great place in the Kings-Bench or Common-pleas which was very profitable to him so that by his fall there being a forfeiture much Money may be made of it all intercession would not avail with the L. C. J. for his life he hapened to be at Ilminster at the time of the Dukes being there which was the greatest Crime he was guilty of the validity of his Evidence I leave to those in the West which know how far it was carried that way He was a fine courteous loving Gentleman and notwithstanding his Youth he acted the part of an old Christian Souldier at his Death preparing himself before to undergo those pains saying very often They were nothing to his deserts from God Almighty but as for what I am Accused of and Sentenced for I hope you will believe I am not so Guilty as my Judge and Accusers have endeavoured to make me if it had pleased God I should have been willing to have lived some time longer but Gods time being come I am willing I will be contented to drink this bitter Cup off Being at the place of Execution the croud was so great that I suppose he was shorter than otherwise he would have been but alas how could it be for on every side of him as well as up and down the Town the Inhabitants weeping and bewailing him O 't is the worst day that ever we saw in this Town Must this good Gentleman dye here Oh! yet save his life I am ready to dye for him and the like He Prayed very heartily for near an hour and Sung a Psalm and so we hope was translated to Heaven there to Sing everlasting Praises and Hallelujahs His Father and Mother you may easily judge were not a little concerned about him but their Adversaries malice ended not here but Father and Mother must be brought in and how many Thousands of Pounds it cost them I think is too well known in London and most parts of the Kingdom have heard in the publick Letters their Names mentioned Some may think they were concerned with the Duke but I never heard there was so much made appear against them as could have made them been brought in

guilty of High Misdemeanours had not the good Gentleman and his Lady been virtuous People abhorring the Debaucheries of the times and of such a competent Estate able to spare ten or twelve thousand Pounds the hard usage this honest brave Gentleman and his vertuous Lady had and their sufferings to relate them would be too large and besides it is so well known in most places in the West that I shall without saying any more proceed And next for Mr. Parret who was Executed at Taunton if I mistake not he said he was a Londoner and a Brewer when he came to the place of Execution he seemed a Man almost unconcerned at Death after some time he began to deliver himself somewhat low in Voice to the People and after rising by degrees he seemed more like a Minister in a Pulpit preaching devoutly than a Prisoner just going to Execution but I being then not well could not tarry to see his end but the Character I had was That he desired all not to be faint hearted because of their fall and to think that there was no hopes remaining He said He verily believed God would yet work out deliverance for them and at the time they were in the greatest Extremity that would be God's opportunity put your whole trust and confidence and dependance on the Lord and he will never leave you nor forsake you and much more but having no more exact Coyy I shall not enlarge but come to some other A Poem on a Lady that came to my Lord Chief Justice to beg Mr. Bescombs Life Sister to one of the Sheriffs in the West which he deny'd HArder than thine own Native Rocks To let the Charming Silvia kneel And not one spark of Pity feel Harder than senseless Stones and Stocks Ye Gods what showers of Pearls she gave What precious Tears enough to save A bleeding Monarch from the Grave By every hapless Virgin Curst Winter blasts not more unkind Deaf as the rugged Northern Wind By some Welch Wolf in Murders nurst Hast thou Eyes or hast thou none Or are they worse than Marble grown Since Marbles weep at Silvia's moan Rebbels stiff and supple Slaves All the frantick World divide One must stoop and t'other ride Cringing fools and Factious Knaves Tho' falling on the losers part Gentler Death arrests my Heart And has in Honey dipt his Dart. Life farewell thou gaudy Dream Painted or'e with griefs and joys Which the next kind hour destroys And drown them all in Lethes Stream What blest Mortal could not die Might he with me Embalmed lie In precious Tears from Silvias Eye The Last Speech OF HENRY BODDY Executed at BATH WHile he was in Prison especially after Sentence he behaved himself mighty Humble Meek and was much in Meditation which was observed by several Divines especially one who attended him to his Last his name Mr. Simpson his poor Wife coming to see him at Wells and to make her Interest with some Friends if possible to save his Life but finding it lost Labour and that she could by no means prevail she died there for grief before her Husband was Executed to his great grief When he came to the place of Execution he delivered himself to the People in these Words Good People I am come here to pay a Debt due to Nature which every one one time or another must pay though not in this manner or nature I am Condemned as a Traytor and Rebel against my King which were things I always hated and abhorred and therefore give me so much time as to Deliver my self to you and what I say I hope you will believe me at this time being just going to give an account not only for every Idle word but for all things I have done since I have had a being I was Born in Lyme-Regis in the County of Dorset and bred up a Seaman from my Infancy I have had the Honour to serve His Majesty King Charles the Second in his Wars with the Dutch and French divers times I always thought it to be the Duty of every true English-man to stand up in his Countries quarrel with Forreigners to maintain our Ancient Priviledges and Honour of our Nation I served him faithfully and as for any undertaking now with the late Duke of Monmouth for which I am now come to suffer Death as for my designs I am sure they were good for I did believe him to be my Soverign's Son and Heir but if otherwise I have done amiss and am sorry and hope the Lord hath pardoned it While I was in Arms I am sure there 's none can say I have personally wronged them I desire all your Prayers for me to the last I am no Orator therefore if you please speaking to the Minister do those last spiritual Services for me as for to Pray with me and for me The Minister being much taken with him desired leave of the Sheriff to ask him some questions which being granted the Minister said unto him I must make bold with you but not to hold you too long before I pray but to satisfie my self and the People on what ground you stand I mean as concerning your Everlasting state Now pray resolve me a few things First Whether you do own that Doctrine of Non-Resistance own'd by the Church That it is not lawful on any account whatsoever to take up Arms against the King O Sir as to that I Answer Could I have been satisfied he had been my Lawful Prince I should not have done it But said the Minister He is and you are not to be judge except you own those things some People will hardly have Charity for you after you are Dead What matters that said he would you have me now you put me so close to it to lye No I will not I say If he was my Lawful King I was missed in my judgment and have committed a great Error but Lord I hope thou hast washed away all my sins in and through the Blood of my dear Redeemer in whose alone Merits I hope for Mercy I desire to be asked no more Questions Then the Minister Prayed very devoutly near half an hour after which lifting up his Hands and Eyes to Heaven quietly submitted to Death This Bloody Tragedy in the West being over our Protestant Judge returns for London soon after which Alderman Cornish felt the anger of some body behind the Curtain for it is to be Noted that he was Sheriff when Best prayed an Indictment might be preferred and was as well as Sheriff Bethel earnest in promoting it in alledging that it was no ways reasonable that the Juries of London should lie under such a reproach c. But passing this over we now find this Person arrived at the Pinacle of Honour the Purse and Mace were reserved for him vacant by the Death of the Lord Keeper North and he advanced to the Lord Chancellourship of England rais'd by this means as one might think above the envy of the