into the Hall yet they immediately found it The Substance whereof was For a Conspiracy to Depose the King and stirring up Rebellion and writing a Libel for that purpose The most part of the Evidence brought against him was only Hearsay as against my Lord Russel nay West whose Evidence was then refused now was admitted to tell a long Story of what he had from one and t'other Rumsey's was much of the same Nature In the Reer came that never failing Evidence the Lord Howard who witnesses he was one of the Council of Six and engaged one of the deepest in their Consults And more than that exercises his own Faculty very handsomly in an account of two Speeches Mr. Hamden made on the Occasion which indeed were such fine things that some might think it worth the while to swear against a man only to have the Reputation of reciting 'em and whom they are most like Mr. Hamden or my Lord 's own witty self let any man Judge The next Evidence was a Paper said to be of the Prisoners writing which was found in his Study The Substance of which was an Enquiry into the Forms of Government and Reasons of their Decays The Rights of the People and Bounds of Soveraignty and Original of Power In which were those heinous treasonable Expressions The King is subject to the Law of God as ae Man to the People who made him such as a King c. And Examples of evil Kings and Tyrants whom sometimes a Popular Fury had destroy'd at others the Ordines Regni either reduc'd or set them aside when their Government was a Curse instead of a Blessing to their People VVell what Treason to be found in all this and a great deal more Nothing but a Jesuits enchanted Telescope cou'd have found any in it If there were any Mistakes as he says in his Speech they ought to have been confuted by Law Reason and Scripture not Scaffolds and Axes First 'T was not proved to be his Writing nor did he confess it Treason and Life are critical things one ought to be as fairly prov'd as t'other to be cautiously proceeded against Tho' he might write it he had the Liberty of an English man not to accuse himself the very same thing which was afterwards put in practice by those Reverend Persons who later than he and cheaper too defended their Countries Liberty with only the loss of their own But owning he Writ it How very few if any things therein are not now generally and almost universally believ'd and are the foundation of the practice and satisfaction of the Conscience of every Man tho' then confuted with the single Brand of Commonwealth Principles being indeed such as all the World must whether they will or no be forc'd into the belief of as soon as Oppression and Tyranny bears hard upon 'em and becomes really unsupportable But supposing they were now as wicked Principles as they were call'd then yet what was that to the then present Governours He answer'd Filmer for his own satisfaction or rather began to do it many years before the Makers of this Plot dreamt of that or bringing him into it Kept it private in his own Study where it might have lain till Dooms-day had not they fetch'd it out to make somewhat on 't 'T was suggested and Innuendo'd that this Book was written to scatter among the people in order to dispose 'em to rebel as 't is in the Indictment But how ridiculous that is any one will see who considers the Bulk of it which was such that as he says in his Speech The fiftieâ—h part of the Book was not produced nor the Tenth of that read tho' he desired it and 't was usual and yet after all as it had never been shewn to any man so 't was not finish'd nor cou'd be in many years Now is this a business likely to be calculated for a Rebellion when it cou'd neither be finish'd till several years after 't was over and besides if it had the Bulk made if so improper to be disperst for that purpose for which 't was pretendedly design'd No those who are to poison a Nation in that manner know better things and more likely ways 'T is to be done in little Pamphlets and Papers easily read over understood and remembred as the Declaration-Gentlemen t'other day very well knew But still here being not a Syllable in these Papers of King Charles any more than of the King of Bantam or the Great Mogul against whom they might as well have made it Treason 't was all supply'd by a fine knack call'd an Innuendo that is in English such Interpretation as they 'd please to affix on his words Thus when he writes Tarquin or Pepin or Nero they say he meant King Charles and so scandalously of him as well as wickedly of the Gentleman make a Monster and a Ravisher of their King and then take away anothers Life for doing it There was a Minister I have somewhere read of who was accused for writing a Libel against Queen Elizabeth and her Government and the Fact there 't is true lay as this does upon Innuendo's though much more plain and pregnant But all the Punishment inflicted on him tho' that thought severe enough reached not his Head the loss of his Hand being thought sufficient while with that which was left he pulled off his Hat and Prayed God to bless the Queen But this was under a mild Reign and truly Protestant Government As for my Lord Howard's Evidence had the Jury been any but such as they were and Sidney describes them they would not have hang'd a Jesuit upon the credit on 't he having one would think that read the Tryals taken a pride in damning himself deeper and deeper against every new appearance in publick on purpose to try the skill and face of the Council in bringing him off again To the Evidence brought against him in my Lord Russel's Case he had taken care that these following should be added The E of Clare witnesses that he said after Sidney's Imprisonment if question'd again He would never plead Had it not been a pleasant thing for my Lord Howard to have been Press'd to death for not speaking and that he thought Colonel Sidney as innocent as any Man breathing Mr. Ducas says the same so does my Lord Paget and Mr. Edward and Philip Howards and Tracy and Penwick and Mr. Blake that he said he had not his Pardon and could not ascribe it to any Reason but that he must not have it till the Drudgery of Swearing was over But though there was no reasonable Answer could be given to all this tho Sidney pleaded the Obligations my Lord Howard had to him and the great Conveniency he might think there might be in his being hang'd since he was some Hundreds of Pounds in his Debt which would be the readiest way of paying him and had besides as it appeared a great mind to have the Collonel's Plate secured at his
could be in some years tho' the writer of them had intended it which did not appear But they being only the present crude and private thoughts of a man for the exercise of his own understanding in his studies and never shewed to any or applied to any particular case could not fall under the Statute of 25 Ed. 3. which takes cognizance of no such matter and could not by construction be brought under it such matters being thereby reserved to the Parliament as is declared in the Proviso which he desired might be read but was refused Several important points of Law did hereupon emerge upon which your Petitioner knowing his own weakness did desire that Council might be heard or they might be referr'd to be found specially But all was over rul'd by the violence of the Lord Chief Justice and your Petitioner so frequently interrupted that the whole method of his Defence was broken and he not suffer'd to say the tenth part of what he could have alledged in his defence So the Jury was hurried into a Verdict they did not understand Now for as much as no man that is oppressed in England can have relief unless it be from your Majesty your Petitioner humbly prays that the Premises considered your Majesty would be pleased to admit him into your presence and if he doth not shew that 't is for your Majesties Interest and Honour to preserve him from the said oppression he will not complain tho' he be left to be destroy'd An Abstract of the Paper delivered to the Sheriffs on the Scaffold on Tower-Hill December 7. 1683. by Algernoon Sidney Esquire before his Execution FIRST having excused his not speaking as well because it was an Age that made Truth pass for Treason for the proof of which he instances his Trial and Condemnation and that the Ears of some present were too tender to hear it as because of the Rigour of the Season and his infirmities c. then after a short reflection upon the little said against him by other Witnesses and the little value that was to be put on the Lord Howard's testimony whom he charges with an infamous life and many palpable perjuries and to have been byassed only by the promise of pardon c. and makes even tho' he had been liable to no exceptions to have been but a single Witness He proceeds to answer the charge against him from the writings found in his Closet by the Kings Officers which were pretended but not Lawfully evidenced to be his and pretends to prove that had they been his they contained no condemnable matter but principles more safe both to Princes and People too than the pretended high-flown plea for Absolute Monarchy composed by Filmer against which they seemed to be levelled and which he says all intelligent men thought were founded on wicked Principles and such as were destructive both to Magistrates and People too Which he attempts to make out after this manner First says he if Filmer might publish to the World That Men were born under a necessary indispensable subjection to an Absolute King who could be restrained by no Oath c. whether he came to it by Creation Inheritance c. nay oâ— even by Usurpation why might he not publish his opinion to the contrary without the breach of any known Law which opinion he professes consisted in the following particulars 1. That God had left Nations at the liberty of Modelling their own Governments 2. That Magistrates were instituted for Nations and not Econtra 3. That the Right and Power of Magistrates was fixed by the standing Laws of each Country 4. That those Laws sworn to on both sides were the matter of a contract between the Magistrate and People and could not be broken without the danger of dissolving the whole Government 5. The Vsurpation could give no Right and that Kings had no greater Enemies than those who asserted that or were for stretching their Power beyond its Limits 6. That such Vsurpations commonly effecting the slaughter of the Reigning Person c. the worst of crimes was thereby most gloriously rewarded 7. That such Doctrines are more proper to stir up men to destroy Princes than all the passions that ever yet swayed the worst of them and that no Prince could be safe if his Murderers may hope such rewards and that few men would be so gentle as to spare the best Kings if by their destruction a wild Vsurper could become Gods Anointed whiâ—â— he says was the scope of that whole Treatise and asserts to be the Doctrine of the best Authors of all Nations Times and Religions and of the Scripture and so owned by the best and wisest Princes and particularly by Lewis 14 th of France in his Declaration against Spain Anno 1667. and by King James of England in his Speech to the Parliament 1603. and adds that if the writer had been mistaken he should have been fairly refuted but that no man was ever otherwise punished for such matters or any such things referred to a Jury c. That the Book was never finished c. nor ever seen by them whom he was charged to have endeavoured by it to draw into a Conspiracy That nothing in it was particularly or maliciously appplied to Time Place or Person but distorted to such a sense by Innuendo's as the Discourses of the expulsion of Tarquin c. and particularly of the Translation made of the Crown of France from one Race to another had been applied by the then Lawyer 's Innuendo's to the then King of England never considering adds he that if such Acts of State be not allowed good no Prince in the World has any title to his Crown and having by a short reflection shewn the ridiculousness of deriving absolute Monarchy from Patriarchal Power he appeals to all the World whether it would not be more advantagious to all Kings to own the derivation of their Power to the consent of willing Nations than to have no better title than force c. which may be over-powered But notwithstanding the Innocence and Loyalty of that Doctrine he says He was told he must die or the Plot must die and complains that in order to the destroying the best Protestants of England the Bench was fill'd with such as had been blemishes to the Bar and instances how against Laâ— they had advised with the King's Council about bringing him to Death suffer'd a Jury to be pack'd by the King's Sollicitors and the Vnder-Sheriff admitted Jury-men no Free-holders received Evidence not valid refus'd him a Copy of his Indictment or to suffer the Act of the 46 th of Ed. 3. to be read that allows it had over-ruled the most important Points of Law without hearing and assumed to themselves a Power to make Constructions of Treason tho' against Law Sense and Reason which the Stat. of the 25 th of Ed. 3. by which they pretended to Try Him was reserved only to the â—arliament and so praying God to forgive
he came by it He was a man of very good sound sense considerably more than those of his Rank generally have which he had much improved in his latter time by conversation with Persons of Honour and Quality In fine he liv'd sufficiently belov'd by those who knew and did not fear him and dy'd lamented by his Friends and admired and esteemed by his very Enemies Some time after his Death his Picture was sold about Town which as I remember very much displeased the Observator Under it were these Lines engraven By Irish Oaths and wrested Laws I fell A Prey to Rome a Sacrifice to Hell My guilty Blood for speedy Vengeance cries Hear hear and help for Earth my Suit denies Part of a Poem written by Mr. Stephen Colledge a while before he was sent to Oxford where he suffered Death Aug. 31. 1681. WHat if I am into a Prison cast By Hellish Combinations am betray'd My Soul is free although my Body's fast Let them repent that have this evil laid And of Eternal Vengeance be afraid Though Racks and Gibbers can my Body kill My God is with me and I fear no ill What boots the clamours of the giddy Throng What Antidote 's against a poysonous Breath What Fence is there against a Lying Tongue Sharpen'd by Hell to wound a man to Death Snakes Vipers Adders do lurk underneath Say what you will or never speak at all Our very Prayers such Wretches Treason call But Walls and Bars cannot a Prison make The Free-born Soul enjoys its Liberty These clods of Earth it may incaptivate Whilst heavenly Minds are conversant on high Ranging the Fields of Blest Eternity So let this Bird sing sweetly in my Breast My Conscience clear a Rush for all the rest And sure of this the World 's so well aware That here 't is needless more for me to say I must conclude no time have I to spare My winged hours do flie too fast away Mâ— work Repentance must I not delay I 'll add my Prayers to God for England's good And if he please will Seal them with my Blood ARTHUR Earl of Essex THat Party and those Persons who were engag'd to manage the Designs before-mention'd were now entred on the most compendious way of introducing what they desir'd as well as avoiding what their own Consciences and all the World knew they deserv'd Having those in their own hands who had the Executive part of the Government in theirs and finding no doubt a sort of malicious pleasure as well as advantage in destroying People by those Laws which were made to preserve 'em a Villany to be compared with nothing but the Treason of that Monster of a Priest who gave the Emperour Poison in the Blessed Sacrament Having wrought up the Nation and all Parties therein to a high ferment making one side mad for Slavery as if they had all been at Constantinople as well as their Sheriff and learnt the Doctrine of the Bow-string some of 'em treated others cajoled others frightned and some few reason'd into the Belief of Absolute Authority in Kings and Obedience Active as well as what is call'd Passive to be paid to all their Commands Some honest several learned more witty men joyning in with all their power to advance the Transactions at that time on the wheel And on the other side exasperating that Party who were more tenacious of their Liberties as much as possible against the Constitution which they saw so horridly abused both in Church and State perswading 'em all the Clergy were for making 'em Slaves and themselves and the Court great to ride upon 'em whereas really it was only a Party tho' too large who made more noise tho' they had neither more sense nor number than those who differ'd from 'em and by this means rendring many of the trading part of the Nation especially so dissatisfied with 'em and eager against 'em that they began to think they had reason to fear as bad Effects thereof as they had experienced in the last Age and so sided more closely with that Party whence they expected Protection When things were in this posture and a great many Persons either taken off from their natural Love to a lawful Liberty which is so much of the very nature of an English-man the Managers of the great Intrigue which was to accomplish our ruine resolv'd after they had begun with Colledge to rise higher and flie at nobler Game and take off all those whom they cou'd not win over or against whom Interest or Revenge had more keenly engag'd 'em and who were most likely to make the most vigorous opposition against their Attempts But finding the London Juries unmoveably honest and no way to accomplish their Designs on these Persons while their Witnesses wou'd not be believ'd and no way to get Juries fit for their turn but by having Sheriffs of the same stamp and finding the Party they had gotten after all their tricks which many of those who then knew are now ashamed of visibly and fairly out-numbred by those who were not yet ripe for Slavery they bethought themselves of one way to rid themselves of that Inconveniency which was by a Quo Warranto against the City of London that they might more effectually and with less noise have what Sheriffs they pleas'd or in effect hang whomever they thought their Enemies and not be forc'd almost to blush at those visible and sensible Illegalities with which they had forc'd those Officers upon the City This they had accomplish'd in the Year 1683. when Judgment was given against the Charter of London whose Liberties had been confirm'd to 'em by William the Conquerâ—r and deliver'd down before from immemorial Ages and this by two Judges only in Westminster-Hall tho' the greatest Cause one may venture to say that ever was legally try'd therein Now by this time they had after so many former fruitless endeavours brought something of a Plot to bear and with this Advantage above all their former that there was really something in 't altho' as Bays says in another Case That Truth which was notoriously blended with Lies and Perjuries The occasion of it we may best meet with in Holloway's most ingenuous Acknowledgment By Arbitrary and â—llegal ways and force of Arms they had got Sheriffs to their mind Witnesses they had before but wanted Jurors to believe them Nâ—w they have got Sheriffs who will find Jurors to believe any Evidence against a Protestant and so hang up all the King's Friends by degrees None being suffered to come near the King but those who have been declared Enemies to the King and Kingdom who to save themselves do endeavour to keep all things from the King's knowledge and perswade him against Parliaments c. Thus much for the Occasion The Design seems to be the same with what was intended at first by many of those great and eminent Persons both Clergy and Laity in their late appearance in Arms tho' by the Providence of God for
from Popery and all those fatal consequences which have since happened and described them as plainly as if he had more than the ordinary inspection of a prudent man into Futurities Thus in his first Speech on the Discovery of the Popish Plot in 78. He has these words I am of Opinion that the Life of our King the Safety of our Country and the Protestant Religion are in great danger from Popery and that either this Parliament must suppress the power and growth of Popery or else that Popery will soon destroy not only Parliaments but all that is near and dear to us And lower I humbly move that we may resolve to take into our consideration in the first place how to suppress Popery and prevent a Popish Successor without which all our endeavours about this matter will not signifie any thing And how much he was in the right as to all these Guesses which then no doubt were nick-named Groundless and Factious Fears and Jealousies all the World is now satisfied Nothing can be more handsom than what he says on this Subject in his last Speech which gives the reasons of his acting at that time and being so earnest for the Bill in which indeed is as fair a State of that great Question as we shall any where find in so little a compass I cannot says he but give some touch about the Bill of Exclusion and shew the reasons of my appearing in that business which in short is this That I thought the Nation was in such danger of Popery and that the expectation of a Popish Successor as I have said in Parliament put the Kings Life also in such danger that I saw no way so effectual to secure both as such a Bill As to the Limitations which were proposed if they were sincerely offer'd and had pass'd into a Law the Duke then would have been excluded from the Power of a King and the Government quite alter'd and little more than the name of a King left So I could not see either sin or fault in the one when all People were willing to admit of the other But thought it better to have a King with his Prerogative and the Nation easie and safe under him than a King without it which must have bred perpetual Jealousies and continual struggle Thus far that Noble Lord with whom concurred at that time very many great and good Men as true Lovers of the Regulated Monarchy of England as of the Protestant Religion and indeed all were at that time unanimous in the House of Commons and other places except some honest Men who despaired of obtaining his Exclusion Others who strained their Charity almost as far as Origen who hoped well even of the Devil and they came not far short believing a Papist would be honest or grateful Some who were indifferent Their private Obligations to the Duke byassing their Judgments too much on his side Others fearful that the contrary Tide ran so strong they could have no safety but under his Protection and perhaps more than all these others who fairly bought and sold their Religion and Liberties the Blood and Souls of themselves and honester men whom 't is not doubted but our Chronicles will mark as long as our Nation has any in 't that can but write themselves or read what others have written The Reader will pardon this little Digression and go on with me to remark some strange Expressions in another Speech of his 'T was on a Debate in the House for Mony to be given for the Relief of Tangier Doth not says he the Dukes Interest indanger the Kings Life and are not our Lives and Fortunes in danger to be snatch'd up by his Power and shall we yet make him stronger by putting Mony into his hands And a little lower When his Majesty shall be pleased to free us from the danger of a Popish Successor and remove from his Council and Places of Trust all those who are for his Interest because there can be no distinction made between the Dukes Interest and the Popish Then I shall conclude that what Mony we shall give will be disposed of according to his Majesties own Royal Pleasure and for the true Protestant Interest and I shall be ready to give even all that I have in the World if his Majesty shall have occasion for it I have been the larger in this to undeceive the World as to that clamouring against those Parliaments for not giving the King Mony the true reason of which we may here plainly perceive But there is one passage so very remarkable and I know not how to call it less than Prophetical in the beginning of this same Speech that it must by no means be omitted 't is as follows If ever there should happen in this Nation any such Change that I should not have Liberty to live a Protestant I am resolv'd to die one And I think he was as good as his Word For being mark't out and among others appointed for the Slaughter he was taken up and imprisoned for that end and purpose in the Tower and brought to his Tryal above all days in the year on Essex's day the 13th of July 1683. He was brought to the Old Baily arraigned and the same morning tryed for High Treason He earnestly desired he might have respite and might not be tryed that day since he had some Witnesses that could not be in Town till the Night nay they were in such post-hast and so hot a scent for his Blood that on his earnest desire they would not stay so much as till the Afternoon pretending 't was against President and they could not do it without the Attorney General 's Consent tho 't is notorious that both Plunket the titular Irish Primate and Fitz-Harris before spoken of were both of them try'd a whole Term after they were arraign'd tho in both Cases the Attorney opposâ—d it and even here in the case of Treason at the Old-Baily too Whitebread's Tryal was put off to another Sessions If 't is pleaded The Case is different and that there was reason for the one but not for the other 'T will be readily granted Tho my Lords Evidence were not ready theirs was They had concerted business better and just at that time News was brought hot into the House That my Lord of Essex had this Morning prevented Justice as has been before remarked in the Story of Essex as also That several of the Jury had said They had never found Russel Guilty had it not been for that Accident And indeed were that all in the Case there would be still room for a great deal of Charity For though that was no proper Evidence against the Prisoner yet very few Persons in the World perhaps could have been found whose Minds would have been so firm and Reason so clear as not to be whether they wou'd or no hing'd and byass'd by such a sudden report as this brought in among 'em when they had no time
to consider calmly of the matter and this no doubt was very well known by those who order'd things in the manner before-noted But I say 't were to be wished for the Honour of the English Nation that this had been all the foul play in the case and that there had not been so many Thousand Guinea's imployed in this and other Tryals as the great Agitators thereof have lately confess'd to have been The Names of his Jury as I find them in Print are as follow John Martayn William Rouse Jervas Seaton William Fashion Thomas Short George Toriano William Butler James Pickering Thomas Jeve Hugh Noden Robert Brough Thomas Omeby When he found he must expect neither Favour nor Justice as to the delaying of his Tryal he excepted against the Fore-man of the Jury because not a Freeholder which for divers and sundry Reasons almost if not all the Judges having the happiness to light on different ones and scarce any two on the sâ—me was over-ruled and given against him though that same practice since declared and acknowledged one of the great Grievances of the Nation His Indictment ran in these words He did conspire and compass our Lord the King his Supreme Lord not onely of his Kingly State Title Power and Government of this his Kingdom of England to deprive and throw down but also our said Soveraign Lord the King to kill and to Death to bring and put and the ancient Government of this Kingdom of England to change alter and wholly subvert and a miserable Slaughter among the Subjects of our said Lord the King through his whole Kingdom of England to cause and procure and Insurrection and Rebellion against our said Lord the King to move procure and stir up within this Kingdom of England And lower He and divers others did consult agree and conclude Insurrection and Rebellion against our Sovereign Lord the King to move and stir up and the Guards for the preservation of the Person of our said Soveraign Lord the King to seize and destroy Now that all this was not intended as matter of Form only we may see by the Kings Councils opening the Evidence The first says He was indicted for no less than conspiring the Death of the Kings Majesty and that in order to the same he and others did meet and conspire together to bring our Sovereign Lord the King to Death to raise War and Rebellion against him and to Massacre his Subjects And in order to compass these wicked Designs being assembled did conspire to seize the Kings Guards and his Majesties Person And this he tells the Jury is the charge against him The Attorney General melts it a little lower and tells 'em the meaning of all these Tragical Words were A Consult about a Rising about seizing the Guards and receiving Messages from E. of Shaftsbury concerning an Insurrection Nor yet does the proof against him come up so high even as this though all care was used for that purpose and kind Questions put very frequently to lead and drive the Evidence but one of them Witnessing to any one Point The first of whom was Col. Rumsey who swears That he was sent with a Message from Shaftsbury who lay concealed at Wapping to meet Lord Russel Ferguson c. at Shepherds 's to know of them what Resolution they were come to about the Rising design'd at Taunton That when he came thither the Answer was made Mr. Trenchard had fail'd 'em and no more would be done in that business at that time That Mr. Ferguson spoke the most part of that Answer but my Lord Russel was present and that he did speak about the Rising of Taunton and consented to it That the Company was discoursing also of viewing the Guards in order to surprize 'em if the Rising had gone on and that some undertook to view 'em and that the Lord Russel was by when this was undertaken But this being the main Hinge of the business and this Witness not yet coming up to the purpose they thought it convenient to give him a Jog to Refresh his Memory Asking him Whether he found my Lord Russel averse or agreeing to it Who no doubt answer'd Agreeing But being afterwards in the Tryal ask'd Whether he could Swear positively that my Lord Russel heard the Message and gave any Answer to it All that he says is this That when he came in they were at the Fire side but they all came from the Fire-side to hear what he said All that Shepherd witnesses is That my Lord Russel c. being at his house there was a Discourse of surprizing the Kings Guards and Sir Thomas Armstrong having viewed them when he came thither another time said They were remiss and the thing was feizible if there were Strength to do it and that upon his being question'd too as Rumsey before him Whether my Lord Russel was there He says He was at that time they discours'd of seizing the Guards The next Witness was the florid Lord Howard who very artificially begins low being forsooth so terribly surprized with my Lord of Essex's Death that his Voice fail'd him till the Lord Chief Justice told him the Jury could not hear him in which very moment his Voice returned again and he told the reason why he spoke no louder After a long Harangue of Tropes and fine Words and dismal General Stories by which as my Lord complains the Jury were prepossessed against him he at last makes his Evidence bear directly upon the point for which he came thither And swears That after my Lord Shaftsbury went away their Party resolved still to carry on the design of the Insurrection without him for the better management whereof they erected a little Cabal among themselves which did consist of Six Persons whereof my Lord Russel and himself were two That they met for this purpose at Mr. Hambden's house and there adjusted the place and manner of the intended Insurrection That about ten days after they had another meeting on the same business at my Lord Russel's where they resolved to send some Persons to engage Argyle and the Scots in the design and being ask'd too that he was sure my Lord Russel was there Being ask'd whether he said any thing he answer'd That every one knew him to be a Person of great Judgment and not very lavish of Discourse Being again goaded on by Jeffreys with a But did he consent We did says he put it to the Vote it went without contradiction and I took it that all there gave their consent West swears That Ferguson and Col. Rumsey told him That my Lord Russel intended to go down and take his Post in the West when Mr. Trenchard had fail'd ' em Whose hear-say-Evidence being not encouraged Jeffreys ends very prettily telling the Court they would not use any thing of Garniture but leave it as it was As for Rumsey the first Witness As to his Person My Lord Candish prov'd on the Trial that my Lord Russel had a
find Acceptance with him There is no other Name given under Heaven whereby we can be saved but the Name of Jesus Then speaking to the Officers he said Labour everyone of you to be fit to die for I â—ell you you are not fit to dye I was not fit to dye my sâ—lâ— 'till I came in hither but O blessed be God he hath made me fit to dye and hath made me willing to dye In a few moments I shall have the fruition of the blessed Jesus and that not for a day but for ever I am going to the Kingdom of God to the Kingdom of God where I shall enjoy the Presence of God the Father and of God the Son and of God the Holy Spiâ—it and of all the holy Angels I am going to the genâ—ral Assâ—mbly of the first-born and of the Spirit of Just men made perfect O that God should ever do so much for me O that God should concern himself so much for poor Creatures for their Salvation blessed be his name for this was the Design of God from all Eternity to give his only Son to dye for poor miserable Sinners Then the Offiâ—ers going to tye his hands he said What must I be tied then well a brown Thred might have served the turn you need not tye me at all I shall not stir from you for I thank God I am not afraid to dye As he was going out he said Farewel Newgate Farewel all my Fellow prisoners here the Lord comfort you the Lord be with you all Thus much for his Behaviour in the way to his Martyrdom The Place of it was mâ—â—t spitefully and ignominiously ordered almost before his own door and near Guildhall to scare any Good Citizen from appearing vigorously in the Discâ—arge of his Duty for his Countreys Service by his Example If any thing was wanting in his Trial from the haste of it for the clearing his Innocency he sufficiently made it up in solemn Asseverations thereof on the Scaffold God is my Witness says he the Crimes laid to my Charge were falsly and maliciously sworn against me by the Witnesses for I never was at any Consult nor any Meeting where Matters against the Government were discoursed of He adds I never heard or read any Declaration tending that way Again As to the Crimes for which I suffer Vpon the words of a dying man I 'm altogether Innocent Lower he adds He died as he had liv'd in the Communion of the Church of England in whose Ordinances he had been often a partaker and now felt the blessed effects thereof in these his Agonies He was observ'd by those who stood near the Sledge to have solemnly several times averr'd his absolute Innocence of any Design against the Government and particularly that which he died for There were some Persons who are sufficiently known who were present at and exprest a great deal of barbarous Joy at his Death the open publication of their Names is here spar'd in hopes they have or will repent of so unmanly and unchristian a Behaviour tho' some of them then were so confounded with his Constancy and Chearful Bravery as wickedly to report That he was Drunk or Mad when he died His Quarters were set up on Guildhall in Terrorem and for the same Reason no doubt before mentioned for which he was Executed so near it There was such a terrible Storm the day of his Death as has scarce been known in the memory of man and will never be forgot by those who were in it ten or a dozen Ships being founder'd or stranded in one Road and a vast many more in other places And as Heaven then did him Justice and vindicated his Innocence so Earth also has done it the Judgment against him being Reverst by that honourable ever memorable Parliament which under God and our King has setled the Happiness both of this Age and Posterity There wanted not a sort of men at this time who would have perswaded the World that Murder was a Royal Sport for at this time was Printed a Ballad call'd Advice to the â—ity sung to the King at Windsor wherein are these entertaining Lines Then London be wise and baffle their Power And let 'em play the old Game no more Hang hang up the Sheriffs Those Baboons in Power Those Popular Thieves Those Rats of the Tower The Instruments of shedding this Blood may do well to reflect upon the Fate of Clowdesly one of the Iury-men and upon some others since that were concern'd in that Bloody Tragedy His Character HE was a Person of as known Prudence as Integrity a good Christian a compleâ—t Citizen a worthy Magistrate and a zealous Church of England man He was so cautious and wise that he was noted for it all thro' those worst of times and often propos'd as an Example to others of hotter and more imprudent Tempers nor could the least imputation be fix'd on him of hearing or concealing any unlawful or dangerous Discourses any other ways than by plain force of Perjury being known to have shunn'd some Persons whom he as well as some other prudent men suspected to have no good Designs and to be indu'd with no more honesty than discretion as it afterwards prov'd But he was design'd to glorifie God by such an End as all his care could not avoid which he submitted to with bravery rarely to be met with unless among those who suffered for the same Cause in the same Age or their Predecessors Queen Marys Martyrs There was seen the same tenour of Prudence and Piety thro' all the Actions of his Life tho' most conspicuous in the last glorious Scene of it There was such a firmness in his Soul such vigour and almost extatick Joy and yet so well regulated that it shin'd thro' his Face almost with as visible Rays as those in which we use to dress Saints and Martyrs with which both at his Sentence and Execution he refresht all his Friends and at once dazled and confounded his most bitter Enemies Mr. Charles Bateman THE next and last was Mr. Bateman the Chyâ—uâ—geon a Man of good Sense good Courage and good Company and a very large and generous Temper of considerable Repute and Practice in his Calling A great Lover and Vindicator of the Liberties of the City and Kingdom and of more interest than most of his Station He was swore against by Rouse's Lee and Richard Goodenough upon the old Stories of seizing the Tower City and Savoy We had had a better Defence had he himself been able to have made it But being kepâ— close Prisoner in Newgate the Windows and Rooms all dark and little or no Company he being a free jolly Man and us'd formerly to Conversation and Diversion soon grew deeply melancholy and when he came on his Tryal appeared little less than perfectly distracted on which the Court very kindly gave his Son liberty to make his Defence The first Instance to be sure of that Nature since he himself might
forgive as against me but as it is done in an implacable mind against the Lord Christ and his righteous Cause and Followers I leave it to him who is the Avenger of all such Wrongs who will tread upon Princes as upon Mortar and be terrible to the Kings of the Earth And know this also that though ye are seemingly fixt and because of the Power in your hand are writing out your Violence and dealing with a despiteful hand because of the old and new hatred by impoverishing and every way distressing of those you have got under you yet unless you can secure Jesus Christ and all his holy Angels you shall never do your business nor your hands accomplish your Enterprizes for he will be upon you ere you are aware and therefore O that you would be wise instructed and learn is the desire of her that finds no mercy from you ELISABETH GAVNT Postscript SVch as it is you have it from her who hath done as she could and is sorry she can do no better hopes you will pity and cover weakness shortness and any thing that is wanting and begs that none may be weakned or humbled at the lowness of my Spirit for God's Design is to humble and abase us that he alone may be exalted in this day and I hope he will appear in the needful time and it may be reserves the best Wine till last as he hath done for some before me none goeth to Warfare at his own charge and the Spirit bloweth not only where but when it listeth and it becomes me who have so often grieved quenched and resisted it to wait for and upon the motions of the Spirit and not to murmur but I may mourn because through want of it I honour not my God nor his blessed Cause which I have so long loved and delighted to love and repent of nothing about it but that I served him and it no better A brief Account of Mr. Roswell's Tryal and Acquittal ABout the same time Mr. Roswell a very worthy Divine was tryed â—or Treasonable Words in his Pulpit upon the Accusation of very vile and lewd Informers and a Surry Jury found him guilty of High Treason upon the most villanous an improbable Evidence that had been ever given notwithstanding Sir John Talbot no countenancer of Dissenters had appeared with great generosity and honour and testified That the most material Witness was as scandalous and infamous a Wretch a lived It was at that time given out by those who thirsted for Blood that Mr. Roswell and Mr. Hays should die together and it was upon good ground believed that the happy deliverance of Mr. Hays did much contribute to the preservation of Mr. Roswell tho' it is very probable that he had not escaped had not Sir John Talbot's worthy and most honourable detestation of that accursed Villany prompted him to repair from the Court of King's Bench to King Charles II. and to make a faithful representation of the Case to him whereby when inhuman bloody Jeffryes came a littlâ— after in a transport of Joy to make his Report of the Eminent Service he and the Surry Jury had done in finding Mr. Roswell guilty the King to his disappointment appeared under some reluctancy and declared that Mr. Roswell should not die And so he was most happily delivered The Earl of Argyle WE must now take a step over into Scotland that poor Country which has been harass'd and tired for these many years to render them perfect Slaves that they might help to enslave England to prevent which and secure the Protestant Religion which 't was grown impossible to do but by Arms this good Lord embark'd from Holland about the same time with the Duke and arrived in Scotland with what Forces he could make to which were added some others who joyn'd him which after several Marches and Counter-Marches were at length led into a Boggy sort of a place on pretence or with intention to bring him off from the other Army then upon the heels of 'em where they all lost one another dispers'd and shifted for themselves the E. being taken by a Country-man and brought to Edinburgh where he suffer'd for his former unpardonable Crime requiring Care shou'd be taken of the Protestant Religion and explaining his taking the Test conformable thereto for the Legality of which he had the hands of most of the eminent Lawyers about the City He suffer'd at Edinburgh the 30 th of June 1685. His Speech has a great deal of Piety and Religion nor will it be any disgrace to say 't was more like a Sermon 'T is as follows The Earl of Argyle's last Speech June 30. 1685. JOB tells us Man that is born of a Woman is of few days and full of trouble and I am a clear Instance of it I shall not now say any thing of my Sentence or escape about three years and a half ago nor of my return lest I may thereby give Offence or be tedious Only being to end my days in your Presence I shall as some of my last Words assert the truth of the matter of Fact and the Sincerity of my Intentions and Professions that are published That which I intend mainly now to say is To express my humble and I thank God chearful Submission to his Divine Will and my willingness to forgive all Men even my Enemies and I am heartily well satisfied there is no more Blood spilt and I shall wish the stream thereof may stop at me And that if it please God to say as to Zerubbabel Zech. 4.6 Not by might nor by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts I know Afflictions spring not out of the dust God did wonderfully deliver and provide for me and has now by his special Providence brought me to this place and I hope none will either insult or stumble at it seeing they ought not for God Almighty does all things well for good and holy Ends tho we do not always understand it Love and hatred is not known by what is before us Eccles. 9.1 and 8.11 12 13. Afflictions are not only foretold but promised to Christians and are not only tolerable but desirable We ought to have a deep Reverence and Fear of God's displeasure but withall a firm hope and dependance on him for a blessed Issue in compliance with his Will for God chastens his own to reâ—ine them and not to ruine them whatever the World may think Heb. 12.3 to 12. Prov. 3.11 12. 2 Tim. 1.8 2 Tim. 2.11 12. Math. 10.18 to 40. Matth. 16.24 to 28. We are to imitate our Saviour in his Sufferings as 1 Pet. 2.23 and 1 Pet. 4.16 to 20. We are neither to despise our Afflictions nor to faint under them both are extreams We are not to suffer our Spirits to be exasperated against the Instruments of our trouble for the same Affliction may be an effect of their Passion and yet sent by God to punish us for sin Tho 't is a
comfort when we may say to them with David Psal. 59.3 Not for my transgession nor for my sin O Lord. Nor are we by fraudulent pusillanimous Compliances in wicked Courses to bring sin upon our selves Faint Hearts are ordinary false Hearts choosing Sin rather than Sufferings and a short Life with eternal Death before Temporal Death and a Crown of Glory Such seeking to save a litle loses all and God readily hardens them to proceed to their own destruction How many like Hazaâ—l 2 King 8.13 run to excesses they never thought they were capable of Let Rulers and others read seriously and weigh Prov. 1.10 to 20. 2 Chr. 28.6 to 17. Prov. 24.11 12. and Prov. 2â— 10. and avoid what is bad and follow what is good For me I hope by Gods strength to joyn with Job chap. 13.15 and the Psalmist Psal. 22.4 and 167. and shall pray as Psal. 74.19 to 24. And Psal. 122.6 to 9. And Luke 1.74 75. and shall hope as Psal. 94.14 15. I do freely forgive all that directly or indirectly have bâ—â—n â—he cause of my being brought to this place first or last and I pray God forgive them I pray God send Truth and Peace in these Three Kingdoms and continue and increase the glorious Light of the Gospel and restrain the Spirit of Prophanity Atheism Superstition Popery and Persecution and restore all that have back-slidden from the Purity of their Life or Principles and bless his whole People with all Blessings spiritual and temporal and put an end to their present Trials And I intreat all People to forgive me wherein I have offended and concur with me to pray That the great good and merciful God would sanctifie my present Lot and for Jesus Christ his sake Pardon all my Sins and receive me to his Eternal Glory It is suggested to me That I have said nothing of the Royal Family and it remembers me that before the Justices at my Trial about the Test I said That at my Death I would pray That there should never want one of the Royal Family to be a Defender of the True Ancient Apostolick Catholick Protestant Faith which I do now And that GOD would enlighten and forgive all of them that are either luke-warm or have shrunk from the Profession of it And in all Events I pray God may provide for the Security of his Church that Antichrist nor the Gates of Hell may never prevail against it Colonel Rumbold AT the same place died Colonel Richard Rumbold Jun. 26. 1685. most of what occurr'd considerable in his Defence and Speech you have had already in the business of the Assassination Two or three Passages more there are worth Remarks in the same as Arguments of his Sense and Courage For this Cause he says were every hair of his Head and Beard a Life he 'd joyfully sacrifice 'em all That he was never Antimonarchical in his Principles but for a King and Free Parliament the King having power enough to make him great and the People to make 'em happy That he died in the Defence of the just Laws and Liberties of the Nations That none was markt by God above another for no Man came into the World with a saddle on their backs nor others booted and spurr'd to ride upon 't And being askt if he thought not his Sentence dreadful answer'd He wisht he had a Limb for every Town in Christendom The Last Speech of Col. Richard Rumbold at the Market-Cross of Edinburgh with several things that passed at his Tryal 26 Jun. 1685. AT the same place died Colonel Richard Rumbold about Eleven of the Clock he was brought from the Castle of Edinburgh to the Justices Court in a great Chair on Mens Shoulders where at first he was asked some Questions most of which he answer'd with silence at last said He humbly conceived 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 and therefore he did not design 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 parâ— of having Designed the King's Death and desired all present to believe the words of â— Dying Man he never directly nor indirectly intended such a Villany that he abhorred the very thoughts of it and that he blessed God he had that Reputation in the World that he knew none that had the Impudence to ask him the Question and he detested the thoughts of such an Action and he hoped all good People would believe him which was the only way he had to clear himself and he was sure that this Truth should be one day made manifest to all Men. He was again asked If he had any exception against the Jury He answered No but wished them to do as God and their Consciences directed them Then they withdrew and returned their Verdict in half an hour and brought him in Guilty The Sentence followed For him to be taken from that Place â—o the next Room and from thence to be Drawn on a Hurdle betwixt Two and Four of the Clock to the Cross of Edinburgh the Place of Execution and there to be Hang'd Drawn and Quartered He received his Sentence with an undaunted Courage and Chearfulness Afterwards he was delivered into the Town-Magistrates Hands they brought to him two of their Divines and offered him their Assistance upon the Scaffold which he altogether refused telling them That if they had any good Wishes for him he desired they would spend them in their own Closets and leave him now to seek God in his own Way He had several Offers of the same kind by others which he put off in like manner He was most serious and fervent in Prayers the few-hours he lived as the Sentinels observed 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 Scaffold and after having refreâ—hed himself with a Cordial out of his Pocket he was supported by two Men while he spoke to the People in these words Gentlemen and Brethren Iâ— is for all Men that come into the World once to Die and after Death to Judgment and since death is a Debt that all of us must pay it is but a matter of small moment what way it be done and seeing the Lord is pleased in thiâ— manner to take me to himself I confess something hard to Flesh and Blood yet blessed be his Name who hath made me not only Willing but Thankful for his honouring me to lay down the Life he gave for his Name in which were every Hair in this Head and Beard of minâ— a Life I should joyfully sacrifice them for it as I do this And Providence having brought me hither I think it most
necessary to clear my self of some Aspersions laid on my Name and first That I should have had so horrid an Inâ—ention of Destroying the King and his Brother Here he repeated what he had said before to the Justices on this Subject It was also laid to my Charge That I was Antimonarchical It was ever my Thoughts That Kingly Government was the best of all Justly Executed I mean such as by our ancient Laws that is a King and a Legal Free Chosen Parliament The King having aâ— I conceive Power enough to make him Great the People also as much Property as to makâ— them Happy they being as it were contracted to one another And who will deny me that this was not the Just constituted Government of our Nation How absurd is it then for Men of Sense to maintain That though the one Party of this Contract breaketh all Conditions the other should be obliged to perform their Part No this error is contrary to the Law of God the Law of Nations and the Law of Reason But as pride hath been the Bait the Devil hath catched most by ever since the Creation so it continues to this day with us Pride caused our first Parents to fall from the blessed Estate wherein they were created they aiming to be Higher and Wiser than God allowed which brought an everlasting Curse on them and their Posterity It was Pride caused God to Drown the Old World And it was Nimrod 's Pride in building Babel that caused that heavy Curse of Division of Tongues to be spread among us as it is at this day One of the greatest Afflictions the Church of God groaneth under That there should be so many Divisions during their Pilgrimage here but this is their Comfort that the Day draweth near whereas there is but One Shepherd there shall be but One Sheepfold It was therefore in the Defence of this Party in their Just Rights and Liberties against Popery and Slavery At which words they Beat the Drums To which he said They need not trouble themselves for he should say no more of his Mind on that subject since they were so disingenuous as to interrupt a Dying Man only to assure the People he adhered to the True Protestant Religion detesting the erroneous Opinions of many that called themselves so and I Die this day in the Defence of the ancient Laws and Liberties of these Nations And though God for Reasons best known to himself hath not seen it fit to honour Vs as to make Vs the Instruments for the Deliverance of his People yet as I have Lived so I Die in the Faith that he will speedily arise for the deliverance of his Church and People And I desire all of you to preparâ— for this with speed I may say This is a deluded Generation vail'd with Ignorance that though Popery and Slavery be riding in upon them do not perceive it though I am sure thâ—re was no Man born marked of God above another for none comes into the world with a Saddle on his Back neiâ—her any Booted and Spurr'd to Ride him not but that I am well satisfied that God hath wisely ordered different Stations for Men in the World as I have already said Kings having as much Power as to make â—hem Great and the People as much Property as to make them Happy And to conclude I shall only add â—y Wishes for the Salvation of all Men who were created for that end After ending these words he prayed most fervently near three quarters of an hour freely forgiving all Men even his greatest Enemies begging most earnestly for the Deliverance of Sion from â—ll her Persecutors particularly praying for London Edinburgh and Dublin from which the Streams run that Rule God's People â—n these three Nations Being asked some hours before his Execution â—f he thought not his Sentence Dreadful He answered He wished he had a Limb for every Town in Christendom A Brief Account of the Last Speech of Mr. John King at the place of Execution at Edenburgh on the 14th day of August 1679. Men and Brethren I Do not doubt but that many that are Spectators here have some other end than to be edified by what they may see and hear in the last words of one going to Eternity but if any one of you have Ears to hear which I nothing doubt but some of this great gathering have I desirâ— your Ears and Attention if the Lord shall help and permit me to speak to a few things I bless the Lord since infinite Wisdom and holy Providence has so carved out my Lot to dye after the manner that I do not unwillingly neither by force It 's true I could not do this of my self Nature always having an Inclination to put the Evil day far off but through Gracâ— I have been helped and by this Grace yet hope I shall 'T is true through Policy I might have shunned such â— hard Sâ—ntence if I had done some things but though I could I durst not God knows redeem my life with the losâ— of my Integrity and Honesty I bless the Lord that since I have been apprehended and made a Prisoner God hath very wonderfully upholden me and made out that comfortable word Fear not be not dismayed I am with thee I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee by the righâ— hand of my Righteousness Isaiah 42.10 I thanâ— the Lord he never yet gave me leave so much aâ— to have a thought much less to seek after anâ— shift that might be in the least sinful I did always and yet do judge it better to suffer Affliction with the People of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season therefore I am come hither to lay down my life I bless the Lord I dye not as a Fool dyeth though I acknowledge I have nothing to boast of in my self Yea I acknowledge I am a sinner and one of the chiefest that hath gone under the name of a Professor of Religion yea amongst the unworthiest of those that have preached the Gospel my Sins and Corruptions have been many and have defiled me in all things and even in following and doing of my Duty I have not wanted my own sinful Infirmities and Weaknesses so that I may truly say I have no Righteousness of my own all is evil and like filthy Rags but blessed be God that there is a Saviour and an Advocate Jesus Christ the Righteous and I do believe that Jesus Christ is come into the World to save Sinners of whom I am the chief and that through Faith and his Righteousness I have obtained Mercy and that through him and him alone I desire and hope to have a happy and glorious Victory over sin Satan Hell and Death and that I shall attain unto the Resurrection of the just and be made Partaker of Eternal Life I know in whom I have believed and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day I have
lived two or three Miles from the place they met him they required him to go with them and shew them the way he knowing the Country better than they did he desired to be excused telling them It was none of his business and besides had no Arms. But hiâ— Excuses signified nothing they forced him amongst them where they went when being come a Party enter'd the House and searcht it Mr. Bragg never dismounted they being then satisfied took him along with them to Chard where then the Duke of Monmouth was Being there after having set up his Horse where he used to do often having occasion there he was much tampered with to engage in the Design but he refused it but the next morning made haste out of Town not seeing the Duke at all calling for his Horse it was told him That it was seized for the Duke's Service So then he took his Cane and Gloves and walked to his own House which was about five or six Miles and was no more concern'd in the Affair than that after the Duke's Defeat at Kings-Sedge-Moore some busie person informeth and requireth a Warrant from a Justice of Peace for the said Mr. Bragg who obliged himself to enter into a Recognizance to appear at the next Assizes the said Justice accounting the matter in it self but trivial and indeed all Men did judge him out of danger At Dorchester he appeared in Court to discharge his Bail on which he was presently Committed and the next day being Arraigned pleading Not guilty put himself on the Trial of God and his Country which found him and 28 more of 30 Guilty the Lord Chief Justice often saying If any Lawyer or Pâ—rson came under his Inspection they should not escape the Evidence against him was the Roman Catholick whose House was search'd and a woman of ill Fame to whom the Lord Chief Justice was wonderfully kind but his Evidence which were more than Twenty to prove his Innocence signifyed nothing the Jury being well instructed by my Lord Chief Justice Being thus found Guilty Sentence was presently pronounced and Execution awarded notwithstanding all the Interest that was made for him as before recited Thus being Condemned on Saturday and ordered to be Executed on Monday he spent the Residue of his little time very devoutly and much becoming a good Christian and a true Protestant of the Church of England all which availed nothing with this Protestant Judge he was frequently visited by a worthy Divine of the Church of England who spent much time with him and received great satisfaction from him The said Divine told me That his Deportment Behaviour and Converse was so much like an extraordinary Christian that he could not in the least doubt but this violent passage would put him into the fruition of happiness He wisht and desired a little longer time out of no other design but throughly to repent him of his Sins and make himself more sensible of and fit for to receive the Inheritance that is prepared for those that continue in well-doing to the end When he came to the place of Execution with great Courage and Resolution being as he said prepared for Death He behaved himself very gravely and devoutly Being asked when he was on the Ladder Whether he was not sorry for his being concerned in the Rebellion He replyed That he knew of none that he was Guilty of and prayed them not to trouble him adding He was not the first that was martyr'd he was so much a Christian as to forgive his Enemies And after some private Devotions he suddenly was Translated as we have all hopes to believe from Earth to Heaven The only Favour of this Protestant Judge was to give his Body to his Friends in order to its Interment amongst his Ancestors The Behaviour of Mr. Smith Constable of Chardstock ANother eminent Person that suffered with him at the same time and place was one Mr. Smith who was Constable of Chardstock who having some Monies in his hands that belonged to the Militia which came to the knowledge of some of the Dukes Friends they obliged him to deliver it to them which he was forced to deliver and for this was Indicted for High Tâ—eason in assisting the Duke of Monmouth To which he pleaded Not Guilty The Evidence against him were the same with those that had been against Mr. Bragg The said Mr. Smith informed the Court and the Jury what little Credit ought to be given to the Evidence The Lord Chief Justice thundred at him saying Thou Villain methinks I see thee already with a Halter about thy Neck thou impudent Rebel to challenge these Evidences that are for the King To which the Prisoner reply'd very boldly My Lord I now see which way I am going and right or wrong I must die but this I comfort my self with That your Lordship can only destroy my Body it is out of your Power to touch my Soul God forgive your rashness pray my Lord know it is not a small matter you are about the Blood of man is more precious than the whole World And then was stopped from saying any more The Evidences being heard a strict Charge was given the Jury about him To be short the Jury brought him in Guilty so that he with the rest received the Sentence of Death all together and were Executed on Monday but by particular order from my Lord he was ordered to be first Executed The day being come for Execution being Monday he with a Courage undaunted was brought to the Place where with Christian Exhortations to his Brethren that suffered with him he was ordered to prepare being the first to be executed where he spake as followeth Christian Friends I am now as you see lanching into Eternity so that it may be expected I should speak something before I leave this miserable World and pass through those Sufferings which are dreadful to Flesh and Blood which indeed shall be but little because I long to be before a just judge where I must give an account not only for the occasion of my Sufferings now but for Sins long unrepented of which indeed hath brought me to this dismal place and shameful Death And truly dear Country-men having ransacked my Soul I cannot find my small concern with the Duke of Monmouth doth deserve this heavy Judgment on me but I know as I said before it is for Sins long unrepented of I die in Charity with all men I desire all of you to bear me witness I die a true Professor of the Church of England beseeching the Lord still to stand up in the defence of it God forgive my passionate Judges and cruel and hasty Jury God forgive them they know not what they have done God bless the King and though his Judges had no mercy on me I wish he may find Mercy when he standeth most in need of it Make him O Lord a nursing Father to the Church let Mercy flow abundantly from him if it be thy will
immediately well Armed as many as we were entered the Town Friday the whole day was spent in Listing of Men which flock'd to us so fast that we could scarce tend them with Arms. The like on Saturday also and then about ten of the Clock at night 300 of our Men were sent to Bridport about six English Miles off to Storm that Town betimes in the Morning which we did accordingly taking many Prisoners out of their Lodgings and had not our Soldiers been a little too eager of Plunder we had made a good dayâ— work on 't but there lying about a Wood some of the Kings Forces we were forced to retreat losing three or four Men and killing several of theirs and taking Eight Prisoners this was the first Action which he had Sunday also was spent in Listing and Monday Morning but in the Afternoon we marched out of Lime for Axminster a little Town four Miles off our Party was near 2000 Foot and 300 Horse though we Landed not full an hundred Men and all these in the space of four days About two Miles from Lime we espied the Duke of Albermarle with about 4000 Men designing that Night to quartâ—r in the same Town which we had news of in the way yet we marched on in good order and came into the Town lined all Hedges Planted our Field-Pieces and expected nothing more than that we should give 'em battel they being not an English Mile from the Town they made towards us as soon as they heard that we were there but the Duke of Albermarle finding his Men to be all Militia-Men of the County of Devonshire and that they had no stomach to fight against Monmouth Retreated when he came within a quarter of an English Mile of the Town He came from Exon with these Forces intending to lay a siege against Lime presuming we could not be ready in so short a time but finding us so well prepared to receive him he wisely retired his Men being in great disordeâ— and confusion supposing we had pursued them which was Debated but the Duâ—e said it was not his business to fight yet till his Men had been a little Disciplin'd but rather to make up into the Country as fast as possible to meet his Friends not questioning but there would have been in several parts of the Kingdom some Action on the News of his Success But this in the end prov'd fatal to us for had we but follow'd them we had had all their Arms several more men and might have march'd in two days with little or no opposition to the very Gates of Exon the County-Troops resolving not to fight us and several came to us that Night with their Arms. But missing this opportunity we march'd on for Taunton Lodging at several small Towns by the way which still-received us as kindly as possible and all the way met with the loud Acclamations of the Country praying God to succeed our Arms. Thursday we came to Taunton about twenty Mile from Lime To give a particular Account of our Reception here would be too tedious the Streets throng'd with People we could scarce enter all endeavouring to manifest their Joy at his coming and their Houses Doors and Streets garnished with green Boughs Herbs and Flowers all the Emblems of Prosperity The next day Twenty six young Gentlewoman Virgins with Colours ready made at the charge of the Townsmen presented them to his Grace the Captain of them went before with a Naked Sword in one hand and a small curious Bible in the other which she presented also making a short Speech at which the Duke was exâ—remely satisfied and assured her He came now in the Field with a design to defend the Truths contained therein and to Seal it with his Blood if there shou'd be any occasion for it Nothing now could content the Country but he must be proclaimed King which he seemed exceeding averse to and really I am of Opinion from his very heart They said The Reason why the Gentry of England â—oved not was because he came on a Common-wealth-Principle This being the Cry of all the Army he was forced to yield to it and accordingly Saturday Morning he was Proclaimed In the Afternoon came out three PROCLAMATIONS one setting a Sum of Mony on the Kings Head as he had done before by the other The Second Declaring the Parliament of England A Seditious Assembly and if they did not separate before the end of June to give Power and Authority to any that would attempt to lay hold of them as Rebels and Traytors The Third To declare the Duke of Albermarle a Traytor who now lay within six Miles of us having had time to Rally his Men if he laid not down his Arms forthwith a Message also was sent to command him but he sent word That he was a Subject to JAMES the Second the late Kings Brother and that he knew no other Lord. We tarried here till Sunday Morning and then march'd fot Bridgewater seven Miles from thence We were now between four and five thousand Men and had we not wanted Arms could have made above ten thousand We were received here as in other places but did little more than Read our Declaration which we did also in all other Towns the Magistrates standing by in their Gowns and likewise our Proclamation and so march'd forward for Glassenbury from Glassenbury design'd for Bristol three days March from that Place designing to Attaque it Accordingly we arrived at Canshum Bridge a little Town three Miles English from Bristol intending to enter next morning the Duke of Beauford being there with a Garrison of about Four Thousand Men being heâ—e lodg'd in the Town we were on a sudden Alarm'd with the noise of the Approach of the Enemy being in no small Confusion on this unsuspected News The Duke sent one up the Tower to see whether he could discover them marching as soon as he came up he saw them at the very entrance into the Town fighting with our Men. Here we had a small Skirmish our Men being in the Fields adjoyning to the Town refreshing themselves but it lasted not long for before he could bring word they were fled being not above sixty Horse-Men They did us mischief killed and wounded above Twenty Men whereas we killed none of theirs only took four Prisoners and their Horses and wounded my Lord Newburg that it was thought mortal they came thither thinking it had been their own Forces and had not our undisciplin'd Fellows been a little too eager and suffer'd 'em to come a little farther on they would have enter'd the Town and we must have had every man of them their Infantry was following but on their Return came not forward These Forces being so near and Bristol being so well mann'd also the Duke was loth to pass the Bridge for Bristol though some Gentlemen that came over with us and were prescribed upon the account of the former Plot being Bristol men and knew the