A Brief account of the behaviour, &c.

A Brief Account OF THE BEHAVIOUR, &c.

BY a Commiſſion of Oyer and Terminer for the Trial of the King's Pretended Judges, began at the Old Bailey, Octob. 10th, 1660, the aforeſaid Perſons with many others were Sentenc'd to Death, of which Tho. Harriſon, or Major-General Harriſon, was the Firſt that was Executed, which was on Saturday the 13th of October following. According to his Sentence, he was drawn on a Hurdle from Newgate to Charing-croſs, where within certain Rales made on Purpoſe a Gibbet was erected. When he came to the ſight of the Gallows he was tranſported with Joy, and his Servant asked him how he did? He anſwered, Never better in my Life: His Servant told him, Sir, there is a Crown of Glory ready for you; O yes! Said he, I ſee it. When he was taken off the Sledge the Hangman deſired him to forgive him; I do forgive thee (ſaid he) with all my Heart, as it is a Sin againſt me; and told him, he wiſht him all Happineſs; and further ſaid, Alas poor Man! Thou doſt it ignorantly; the Lord grant that this Sin may not be laid to thy Charge; and putting his Hand into his Pocket gave him all the Money he had; and ſo parting with his Servant, hugging of him in his Arms, went up the Ladder with an undaunted Countenance.

Major-Gen. Harriſon's Speech upon the Ladder. Gentlemen!

I Did not expect to have ſpoken a Word to you at this Time, but ſeeing there is Silence commanded I will ſpeak ſomething of the Work God hath in Hand in our Days.;

Many of you have been Witneſſes of the Finger of God that hath been ſeen among us of late Years, in the Deliverance of his People from their Oppreſſors, and in bringing to Judgment thoſe that were guilty of the Precious Blood of the Dear Servants of the Lord: And how God did witneſs thereto by many wonderful and evident Teſtimonies, as it were immediately from Heaven; inſomuch that many of our Enemies, who were Perſons of no mean Quality, were forced to confeſs, That God was with us; and if God did but ſtand Neuter they ſhould not value us; and therefore ſeeing the Finger of God hath been pleading this Cauſe I ſhall not need to ſpeak much to it: In which Work I with others were engaged, for the which I do from my Soul bleſs the Name of God, who out of the exceeding Riches of his Grace accounted me worthy to be inſtrumental in ſo Glorious a Work; and though I am wrongfully charged with Murder and Bloodſhed, yet I muſt tell you I have kept a good Conſcience both towards God, and towards Man; I never had Malice againſt any Man, neither did I act maliciouſly towards any Perſon, but as I judged them to be Enemies to God and his People: And the Lord is my Witneſs, that I have done what I did out of the Sincerity of my Heart to the Lord. I bleſs God I have no Guilt upon my Conſcience, but the Spirit of God beareth Witneſs that my Actions are acceptable to the Lord through Jeſus Chriſt; though I have been compaſſed about with manifold Infirmities, Failings and Inperfections in my Holieſt Duties, but in this I have Comfort and Conſolation, that I have Peace with God, and do ſee all my Sins waſht away in the Blood of my Dear Saviour. And I do declare as before the Lord, that I would not be guilty Wittingly nor Willingly of the Blood of the meaneſt Son, no, not for Ten Thouſand Worlds, much leſs of the Blood of ſuch as I am charged with.

I have again and again beſought the Lord with Tears to make known his Will and Mind unto me concerning it, and to this Day he hath rather confirmed me in the Juſtice of it; and therefore I leave it to him, and to him I commit my Ways; but ſome that were Eminent in the Work did wickedly turn aſide themſelves, and to ſet up their Neſts on high, which cauſed great Diſhonour to the Name of God, and the Profeſſion they had made: And the Lord knows I could have ſuffered more than this, rather than have fallen in with them in that Iniquity, though I was offered what I would if I would have joined with them; my Aim in all my Proceedings was the Glory of God, and the Good of his People, and the Welfare of the whole Commonwealth.

The People obſerving him to tremble in his Hands and Legs, he taking notice of it ſaid.

Gentlemen, By Reaſon of ſome Scoffing that I do hear, I judge that ſome do think I am afraid to Die, by the ſhaking I have in my Hands and Knees; I tell you no, but it is by Reaſon of much Blood I have loſt in the Wars, and many Wounds I have received in my Body, which cauſed this Shaking and Weakneſs in my Nerves; I have had it this Twelve Years; I ſpeak this to the Praiſe and Glory of God, he hath carried me above the Fear of Death; and I value not my Life becauſe I go to my Father, and am aſſured I ſhall take it up again.

Gentlemen, Take notice, that for being inſtrumental in that Cauſe and Intereſt of the Son of God which hath been pleaded amongſt us, and which God hath witneſſed too by Appeals and wonderful Victories, I am brought to this Place to ſuffer Death this Day, and if I had Ten Thouſand Lives I could freely and cheerfully lay them down all to Witneſs to this Matter.

Oh what am I poor Worm, that I ſhould be accounted Worthy to ſuffer any Thing for the Sake of my Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt! I have gone joyfully and willingly many a Time to lay down my Life upon the Account of Chriſt, but never with ſo much Joy and Freedom as at this Time: I do not lay down my Life by conſtraint, but willingly; for if I had been minded to have run away I might have had many Opportunities; but being ſo clear in the Thing I durſt not turn my Back, nor ſtep a Foot out of the Way, by Reaſon I had been engaged in the Service of ſo Glorious and Great a God; however Men preſume to call it by hard Names, yet I believe e'er it be long the Lord will make it known from Heaven that there was more of God in it than Men are now aware of. All the Gods of the Nations are but Idols; they have Eyes, but ſee not; and Mouths, but ſpeak not; and cannot ſave thoſe that truſt in them. But my God is the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, before whom all you here, and all Nations, are but as the Drop of a Bucket. And he will never leave thoſe that truly truſt in him, unto whoſe Glory I ſhall ſurely go, and ſhall ſit on the Right Hand of Chriſt in Heaven, it may be to judge thoſe that have Ʋnjuſtly judged me, Matth. 25. 33, 34. 1 Cor. 6. 2.

The Sheriff minding him of the ſhortneſs of Time, if he had any Thing to ſay to the People he might.

He ſaid, I do deſire as from my own Soul that they and every one may fear the Lord; that they may conſider their latter End, and ſo it may be well with them: And even for the worſt of thoſe that have been moſt malicious againſt me, from my Soul I would forgive them all, ſo far as any Thing concerns me; and ſo far as it concerns the Cauſe and Glory of God, I leave it for him to plead; and as for the Cauſe of God, I am willing to juſtifie it by my Sufferings, according to the good Pleaſure of his Will.

I have been this Morning before I came hither ſo hurried up and down Stairs, (the meaning whereof I knew not,) that my Spirits are almoſt ſpent, therefore you may not expect much from me.

Oh the greatneſs of the Love of God to ſuch a Poor, Vile, and Nothing-creature as I am! What am I that Jeſus Chriſt ſhould ſhed his Heart's-Blood for me, that I might be Happy to all Eternity, that I might be made a Son of God, and an Heir of Heaven! O that Chriſt ſhould undergo ſo great Sufferings and Reproaches for me, and ſhould not I be willing to lay down my Life and ſuffer Reproaches for him that hath ſo loved me! Bleſſed be the Name of God that I have a Life to loſe upon ſo Glorious and ſo Honourable an Account.

Then praying to himſelf with Tears, and having ended, the Hangman pull'd down his Cap; but he thruſt it up again, ſaying.

I have one Word more to the Lord's People, that deſire to ſerve him with an upright Heart: Let them not think hardly of any of the good Ways of God for all this; for I have been near this Seven Years a Suffering Perſon, and have found the Way of God to be a perfect Way, his Word a tried Word, a Buckler to them that truſt in him, and will make known his Glorious Arm in the ſight of all Nations. And though we may ſuffer hard Things, yet he hath a Gracious End, and will make for his own Glory, and the good End of his People. Therefore be cheerful in the Lord your God, hold faſt that which you have, and be not afraid of Suffering, for God will make hard and bitter Things ſweet and eaſie to all thoſe that truſt in him: Keep cloſe to the good Confeſſion you have made of Jeſus Chriſt, and look to the Recompence of Reward; be not diſcouraged by Reaſon of the Cloud that now is upon you, for the Sun will ſhine, and God will give a Teſtimony unto what he hath been doing in a ſhort Time.

And now I deſire to commit my Concernment into the Hands of my Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, he that hath delivered himſelf for the Chief of Sinners, he that came into the World, was made Fleſh, and was Crucified, that hath Loved me, and Waſhed me from my Sins in his own Blood, and is Riſen again, ſitting at the Right Hand of God, making Interceſſion for me.

And as for me, Oh, who am I! Poor, Baſe, Vile Worm, that God ſhould deal thus by me; for this will make me come the ſooner into his Glory, and to inherit the Kingdom, and that Crown prepared for me! Oh, I have ſerved a good Lord and Maſter, which hath helped me from my Beginning to this Day, and hath carried me through many Difficulties, Trials, Straits, and Temptations, and hath always been a very preſent Help in Time of Trouble; he hath covered my Head many Times in the Day of Battle. By God I have leaped over a Wall, by God I have run through a Troop, and by my God I will go through this Death, and he will make it eaſie to me; Now into thy Hands, O Lord Jeſus, I commit my Spirit. After which Sentence was fully Executed on him, and his Head ſet on the South-Eaſt End of Weſtminſter-Hall, and his Quarters upon the City Gates.

OBSERVATIONS.

TO commit Villany unparallell'd, and bravely to outface Death, is the Badge of a deſperate Traytor, and an unhappy Chriſtian. In this Man's Life I find nothing of Repentance; as if the Murther of a King, and the Ruin of Church and State, were of ſo ſlight a Conſequence, that among Birds of his own Feather Treaſon becomes Meritorious, and his Deteſtable Death a Glorious Martyrdom.

He calls it God's Cauſe, nay, the very Intereſt of the Son of God, his Uſurpation he terms the Fear of the Lord; unheard-of Impudence! Can God be the Author of Treaſon? Or can Man expect Mercy from God's Hands that voluntarily tranſgreſſeth? Proſperum & felix ſcelus virtus, vocatur, was Heatheniſh Philoſophy, though without Queſtion a Maxim in the Commonwealth of his Conſcience, whilſt Religion was made the Stalking-horſe to his Rebellion.

Monday following, being the 15th of October, about the ſame Hour Mr. John Carew was carried to the ſame Place of Execution.

WHen he was brought to the Gibbet, before he went up the Ladder, (his Hands being bound,) he exhorted ſeveral Friends ſtanding by to be faithful unto Death, and not to be aſhamed of the Cauſe for which they ſuffered, and they ſhould receive a Crown of Life. And further ſaid to a Friend that ſtood by, that he hoped the Truths of the Kingdom which he had Preached up and down would not be the leſs eſteemed for that he now came to Seal it with his Blood.

Mr. Carew's Speech upon the Ladder.

TRuly it is not Words, nor that which I have to ſpeak in mine own Spirit, will Glorifie God, or give any Advantage to your Souls, or unto me; but it is, if I may ſpeak a few Words in the Spirit of the Lord, and in the Power of his Might, and from an Unfeigned Love unto Jeſus Chriſt, that would indeed give me an open Entrance, and make my Paſſage very Sweet, and a Bleſſing may be left behind, even upon you. The firſt thing (indeed) that hath been very Weighty, (and I deſire to leave it upon all, upon Saints as well upon thoſe that are not acquainted with Jeſus Chriſt,) that Eternity, Immortality and Eternal Life, it is a wonderful Thing; the Thoughts and Apprehenſions of it are able to ſwallow up a poor Soul: We little think what it is; he that knows moſt of God, and moſt of Chriſt, and hath the greateſt Meaſure of the Anointing, he little, little knows what it is to Appear before the Holy, the moſt Glorious, the moſt Righteous God of Heaven and Earth; to ſtand before his Judgment-Seat, before Jeſus Chriſt that is at his Right-hand; and where all the Holy Angels are ſo aſhamed (becauſe of the Glory of God) that they fall down and cover their Faces, and cry, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which art, and waſt, and art to come. And therefore if ſuch Glorious Creatures, if ſuch Excellent Spirits, as theſe Seraphims and Cherubims be, if they do fall down before the Glory and Majeſty of this moſt Excellent and Wonderful God, how ſhould Duſt and Aſhes do? And how ſhould they Fear and Tremble to appear before him? And there I ſay, think of this, and of the Righteouſneſs of God, as well as of his Glory and Majeſty, and of his Juſtice; that when for one Sin he threw down the Angels (thoſe Glorious Spirits) into Hell, and he would take no Ranſom or Redemption for them; and though he hath Mercy on the Sons of Men, (according to his own Election or Purpoſe, and according to that that he hath Purchaſed for himſelf in Chriſt Jeſus before the Foundation of the World was laid,) yet in Time he made his Son a Sacrifice before Men and Angels, to bring his Choſen Ones to Glory. That he ſhould take Pleaſure to ſend his own Son out of his Boſom, who was the Delight of his Soul, and Bruiſe him for our Sins; yet it pleaſed the Father to Bruiſe him. The moſt Holy and Righteous God that had but One Son, One only Begotten Son, (that was the Delight of his Soul,) and ſhould take Pleaſure to Bruiſe him that we might be Healed, and laid Stripes upon him that we might be Healed, Oh the Heighth and Depth, Oh the Length and Breadth of the Love of God in Chriſt Jeſus unto poor Souls! Oh this is that the Angels do deſire to ſtoop down and look into, and to know more of this great Myſtery of the Love of God in Chriſt, and that God ſhould take upon him the Nature of Man! And put him into that Glorious Union with his own Son; and that he ſhould leave the Angels, though Chriſt was made a a little lower than they, for Suffering Death for us: Yet now, becauſe the Nature of Man is united to the Godhead by Vertue of that Marriage and Union, we become the Sons of God, and Heirs of Glory. Thoſe that are Adopted by Jeſus Chriſt, are brought near to the Throne of Glory, are in a High and Glorious Communion and Fellowſhip with the Father and Spirit, owned of all the Holy Angels; and therefore they do ſtand without the Throne, (as in ſeveral Places of the Revelations,) and round about the Elders, and round thoſe that were given to the Lamb, (as in the Fifth of the Revelations, and many other Scriptures,) they ſtand without; but there is another Company within, which is the Twenty-four Elders, and Four Living Creatures, they fall down and worſhip God, they are nearer than the Angels. Oh! Who hath Credited, who hath Believed, this Report? And to whom is the Arm of the Lord Revealed? Oh! How many Profeſſors are there in this Day, in this Nation, that call upon the Name of Chriſt, and that ſay they ſhall be Saved by Chriſt, and do Live and Truſt moſt in their own Works and Righteouſneſs, and never come to the Knowledge and Underſtanding of this great Myſtery of the Love of God in Chriſt? Who never received thoſe Teachings from the Anointing, and according to the New Covenant, where it is promiſed that they ſhall be all Taught of God; all the Children of God ſhall be Taught of him; and there is no one can Teach theſe but the Father; none can draw them to the Son but the Father; and no Man can come to the Father but through the Son: And this great Myſtery is both by the Light and Operation of the Holy Spirit, who makes the New Creature in the Soul: O that God would pour out of his Holy Spirit, that God would pour out the Spirit of the New Covenant, and the Spirit of the Goſpel, and the Spirit that can declare the Myſtery of God's Word in the Spirit; and that he hath made Manifeſt through Jeſus Chriſt: O there is much talking and ſpeaking in the Name of Chriſt! And how many Men ſpend little Time in getting Evidences in the Power and Demonſtration of the Spirit, and come to apprehend God in Chriſt, that ſpeak of him? Oh! There are few of theſe the Lord knows. O that the Anointing may be poured out more now, according to this Faith, in the Way of this Grace, and in this Love of God, even in the Electing Love of the Father, and in the Redeeming Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, according to the purchaſed Poſſeſſion that he hath obtained through his own Righteouſneſs, wherein God hath been Juſt alſo, in juſtifying the Ungodly; and among them ſuch a poor ſimple Piece of Duſt and Aſhes as I have been, and have to this Day little glorified my Father; and yet I can call him Father, through ſome Meaſure of his Spirit, and Father, according to the Spirit of Adoption too; and can ſay, the Lord Jeſus hath given himſelf for me; and I take the Lord Jeſus Chriſt as the great Gift of the Father, deſiring to bear Witneſs of that Love, and of that wonderful Grace and Glory, that he hath made me Partaker of in and through him. Oh! Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath called me to this Hope, and who hath made me Partaker of this Glory, that the Saints are Enlightened in. And now I long to ſee the Face of this Father, and of his Son, though I have ſuch a Number of Sins in me, and though I have an Intereſt in him, and can call him Father at any Time without doubt, and in full Aſſurance of Faith in the Holy Spirit; yet if Jeſus Chriſt were not there to preſent me Faultleſs before the Preſence of God I ſhould be afraid to appear before him; but he is able to do it; and therefore ſaith the Apoſtle, Now unto him that is able to Save you, and to preſent you Faultleſs before the Preſence of his Glory with exceeding Joy, &c. I am a poor Sinful Piece, full of Iniquity, laden with many Burdens, that have a Body of Death that I carry about me, and I am now about to lay it down, and my Soul ſhall enter into Eternal Life, and be made Perfect in a Moment, through the Mighty Power of God that hath wrought that Glorious Work of raiſing Chriſt from the Dead. Oh! All my Strength, and all my Joy, and all my Life, is in Chriſt, and in him alone: And I have a Righteouſneſs already of his Working, according to his own Grace, and according to his own Mighty Power, and according to his own Mercy, that he hath been pleaſed to Work in me, and ſo hath been pleaſed to keep me in a very Wicked, and in a very Evil Day, by the Power of his Grace. And I deſire to glorifie my Father, and many Years have I been in that Work that hath been of late in this Nation; few and evil hath been the Days of my Pilgrimage, but I have deſired to ſerve the Lord with Faithfulneſs, and in the Integrity of my Soul, without Prejudice againſt any Creature; and it hath been the Deſire of my Soul to approve my ſelf Faithful towards God, and towards Man: And what I have done I have done it in Obedience to the Lord, that I had in my Eye, and in my Heart. There are many Things laid upon many of thoſe that profeſs the Kingdom and Glorious Appearance of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as if they were Enemies to Magiſtracy and Miniſtry; and as if ſo be we were for the Deſtruction of the Laws and Properties of Mankind, therefore I ſhall ſpeak a few Words unto that: And if indeed we were ſuch, we were fit to be turned out of the World, as ſome Men think they ſhould do God good Service in ſending ſuch poor Creatures quickly from hence. There is no ſuch thing, I deſire to bear Witneſſes to the true MAGISTRACY, that MAGISTRACY that is in the Word of the Lord. And that true Miniſtry, which Miniſtry is a Miniſtry from the Anointing, that doth bear Witneſs to the Lord Jeſus, and hath his Holy Spirit. That Teſtimony I deſire to bear, and that Teſtimony I deſire to ſtand faithful in, with Integrity to the Lord Jeſus, as King of Saints, and King of Nations. And therefore it is, I ſay, to have a Magiſtracy as at the firſt, and Counſellors as at the beginning; Men fearing God, and hating Covetouſneſs; and that Miniſtry as doth Preach the Everlaſting Goſpel.

Here Mr. Sheriff interrupted him, ſaying, 'Tis deſired that you ſpend the reſt of your Time in preparing your ſelf. Another ſaid, You ſpend your ſelf, Sir, in this Diſcourſe Another ſaid, It Rains. Then Mr. Carew ſaid, I will pray.

Mr. Carew his Prayer.

O Moſt Holy, and moſt Glorious and Bleſſed God, the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of all Glory, the God of the Spirits of all Fleſh; unto thee, unto thee doth my Soul deſire to come through the New and Living Way, even through Chriſt my Righteouſneſs; and in him and through him to he offered up by the Eternal Spirit a Living and Acceptable Sacrifice, in which thy Soul delighteth. O Lord, thou knoweſt my Frame, and thou knoweſt my Life, and what a Paſſage this is, and what a wonderful Thing it is to enter into Glory, and what a wonderful Thing it is to ſtand before thee, and to ſtand in thy Preſence. O Father, Father, let my Soul be filled with thy Joy, and with Peace in Believing: O let my Heart be in Heaven, while my Body is here; and, O let me be joined unto the Lord through thine own Spirit before this Separation be—O Lord, thou only art able to take hold of my Heart and Spirit; poor Creatures may ſpeak Words to thee, but Oh! It is thine own Power, and it is thine own Spirit, that muſt take hold of the Heart; it is thine own Spirit that muſt carry through all; and it hath been thy Spirit (Bleſſed be thy Name) that hath carried me through many Trials, and many Temptations, and many Difficulties, that thy poor Worm hath met with in this Pilgrimage for many Years. O Bleſſed be thy Name for all the Goodneſs, and for all thy Grace, and for all thy Preſence that hath been with thy poor Creature far and near. Oh! Bleſſed be thy Name that thou haſt kept me in any Meaſure Faithful unto thee, and made me willing to lay down my Life for thy Righteous Work and Cauſe. O Lord Bleſs, Bleſs thy poor People; O Comfort them in this Day. Pour out Sevenfold of thy Spirit for what thou doſt take away in any of thy Servants for thy Holy Name's ſake. O let the Cauſe and Kingdom of Chriſt be Dear and Precious in thy Sight, and Live always! Lord, little do theſe (poor Creatures) know, or theſe Nations know what a Controverſie thou haſt with them. O that thou wouldeſt be pleaſed Graciouſly to ſpare this People; ſpare thy People however! And let them that love Zion, and favour thy Righteous Cauſe, be glad for Ever and Ever. O now Father be Dear to me; do thou receive my Spirits; take me into thine own Glory; take me into thine own Glory; let me know it is my Portion, let me know there is a Crown in the Hand of Chriſt prepared for my Soul. O Bleſſed Lord, thou haſt honoured thy poor Creature, and brought him hitherto, O reward all the Labours of Love in any to him, in Bonds or Death; and give them a double Reward into their own Boſoms. Reward it ſo to them and theirs; Bleſſed be thy Name that thou haſt brought thy poor one hither to ſuffer in thy Cauſe. And, O Lord, let thy Spirit be poured forth upon the Nations until the whole Earth be filled with the Knowledge of thy Glory. And that Chriſt Jeſus may have all the Honour, and Praiſe, and Glory, and Dominion, for Ever and Ever. Amen.

I am ſo exceeding Dry that my Tongue is ready to ſtick to my Mouth; but I would fain ſpeak a little more. Oh Bleſſed be God! Oh! How many are the Refreſhments I have had from the Preſence of my God and Father, ſweet and ſecret Communion betwixt him and my Soul to Day. And for that my Soul hath ſeen of his Riches and Kindneſs; O that I might be more like Chriſt! For I have been very unlike to Jeſus Chriſt, very unlike to my Father. But I ſhall leave all that is unlike Chriſt behind; and all his own Workmanſhip he will purifie and perfect through this Paſſage into Glory. O my Dear Father, receive my Soul; O make this Paſſage ſweet, for now I am coming to thee; Lord, help, Lord, ſpirit me; fill me with thy Spirit; let me be ever with thee, let me know what it is to have thee at my Right Hand, that I may not be moved; that in my Soul going out of the Fleſh, I may be let into the Preſence of God, and into the Arm of Jeſus Chriſt. Oh! That my Soul may be breathed forth into the Arms of God, into the Boſom of Jeſus Chriſt, through the Anointing of the Spirit!

A Friend that ſtood by ſaid, It is expected you ſhould ſpeak ſomething to the Matter of your Suffering; the Under-Sheriff ſaid, 'Tis not to be ſuffered. What are you, that you put on Men to ſpeak? What are you Sir?

Mr. Carew ſaid, Farewel my Dear Friends, Farewel; the Lord keep you Faithful. The Friend ſaid, We part with you with much Joy in our Souls.

Mr. Carew ſaid to the Executioner, Stay a while, I will ſpeak one Word; and then ſaid very ſolemnly, and with a Loud Voice,

Lord Jeſus receive my Soul, Lord Jeſus, into thy Arms I commend my Spirit; and ſo fell aſleep.

His Majeſty was pleas'd upon Interceſſion of his Friends to give his Body to be Buried.

OBSERVATIONS.

THE Scene is no ſooner prepared, and Hariſon's Part acted, but Carew enters, a Man that ſuck'd in Treaſon with his Firſt Milk, one of the Main Props on which Fanatick Fury Built herſelf a Fantaſtick Fabrick; one whoſe Name, like that of Felton and Ravillack, ſhall ſtand ſtigmatiz'd to Eternity for Treaſon, Inhumane Treaſon, againſt a Gracious Prince.

Magiſtracy and Miniſtry, the Two Eyes of this Land, which like Two Diamonds in the Crown give a Luſtre to Majeſty, by a pretended Zeal were almoſt dazled, and hourly threatned to be quite put out, whilſt Gain was his greateſt Godlineſs.

1. He impudently affirms that it was in the Fear of the Lord he Condemned the Lord's Vicegerent; pretends at the Firſt to be excuſed from being a Member of that Deteſtable Synod, to palliate his Premeditated Treaſon; but being once Seated in the Chariot of Authority, he, Jehu-like, drove on furiouſly till he had waſh'd his Hands in that Innocent and Sacred Blood. And ſo far was he from repenting for his Villany, that he was ſorry it was beyond his reach to ſtrike one Blow more at Majeſty.

The nex Day, viz. Tueſday, the 16th of October, Mr. John Cooke, and Mr. Hugh Peters, were carried to their Execution; but Firſt of Mr. Cooke, the Appointed Time being at Hand.

HE asked ſeveral times if the Sheriff was not come; ſaying, Why ſtayeth the Wheels of his Chariot? Why do they drive ſo heavily? I am ready, Bleſſed be God; I have nothing to do but to die.

Word being brought that the Sheriff was come, he made haſte to be gone, and his Wife ſtepping after him, took him by the Arm, whereupon he ſaid, O do not hinder me from going to Jeſus Chriſt!

And then with a Cheerful Countenance taking leave of his Friends, he went to the Sledge that carried him, whereon alſo was carried the Head of Major-General Thomas Harriſon, with the Face bare towards him; and notwithſtanding that Diſmal Sight, he paſſed rejoicingly through the Streets as one borne up by that Spirit which Man could not caſt down. Being come to the Place of Execution, when he was taken out of the Sledge he ſaid This is the eaſieſt Chariot that ever I rid in in all my Life.

Being come upon the Ladder, and the Rope put about, his Neck, he rejoic'd, ſaying, Bleſſed be the Name of God that I am bound for the Sake of Chriſt.

Then his Work was to addreſs himſelf to God, and to that End ſaid, If you pleaſe I ſhall ſpeak a few Words to God in Prayer.

Mr. Cook's Prayer before his Speech.

MOST Glorious Majeſty, this Day is a Repreſentation of that Great Day when all thy Poor People ſhall meet together, Multitudes, Multitudes in the Valley of Deriſion. Thy Poor, Poor Servant is now come to pay the Debt which he oweth to Nature; Bleſſed be thy Name that thou haſt prepared him for it; Bleſſed be thy name, Sweet Jeſus, Bleſſed be thy Name. O that all thy Poor People that are here, if poſſible, may feel ſomething of that Divine Power and Aſſiſtance of God that thy Poor Servant now feels at this Time; Bleſſed be thy Name. I am a Poor Creature, a Poor Sinner, and the Lord might juſtly withdraw from me, and leave me to Horror and Searedneſs if he ſhould deal with me in Juſtice; but this hath not been his Method (Bleſſed be his Name) to leave and forſake his Poor Servant. Lord, let thy Bleſſing be upon us at this Time, and let thy Bleſſing be upon England, and let thy Bleſſing be upon all theſe Nations, and let thy Bleſſing be upon all that are here. Aſſiſt, O Lord, by thy Divine Power; give us to ſee much of thy Power; and let not this Meeting be in vain, but let every one here receive Benefit thereby, to the Praiſe and Glory of thy Great Name, and the Everlaſting Salvation of all our Souls, (if it be thy Bleſſed Will,) through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord.

Having ended his Firſt Prayer, he applies himſelf to the Sheriff and Spectators in this following Speech.

Mr. Sheriff and Gentlemen,

THE moſt Glorious Sight that ever was ſeen in the World was our Lord Jeſus Chriſt upon the Croſs; and the moſt Glorious Sight next to that is to ſee any poor Creature for him in his Cauſe.

I deſire to ſpeak a few Words, briefly to let you underſtand what a Glorious Work the Lord hath been pleaſed to accompliſh upon my Spirit. I bleſs the Lord I have ranſacked into every Corner of my Heart, and I have ſearched into all my Sins, Actual and Original, Secret and Open, Known and Ʋnknown, ſo far as the Lord hath diſcovered them to me and I have confeſſed them all with a Penitential Bleeding Heart, and Contrite Spirit; Bleſſed be his Name, he hath been pleaſed to come in abundant Manner, and hath been pleaſed to ſhew me that the only Remedy is the Blood of Chriſt; and I have, Bleſſed be the Lord, applied that Precious Blood to my Poor Soul, and have laid hold upon a Chriſt by a True and Lively Faith; and there is a Sweet Calm and Serenity in my Soul and Conſcience, Bleſſed, Bleſſed be thy Name. I deſire to glorifie God, and to give him the Glory of all, and to take Shame unto my ſelf for any Sins that I have ever committed, that I know to be Sin, and therefore I deſire to rejoice in the God of my Salvation, as Iſa. 61. 10. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my Soul ſhall be joyful in my God, for he hath cloathed me with the Garment of Salvation, he hath covered me with the Robe of Righteouſneſs; as a Bridegroom decketh himſelf with Ornaments, and as a Bride adorneth herſelf with Jewels, even ſo the Lord delighteth in me. And as the Earth bringeth forth her Buds, and as the Garden cauſeth the Things that are ſown in it to ſpring forth, ſo the Lord will cauſe Righteouſneſs and Praiſe to ſpring forth before all Nations.

And Iſa. 43. 9, 10. Ye are my Witneſſes, ſaith the Lord; I do deſire to bear a Teſtimony unto God, and to Jeſus Chriſt, for Juſtice, and Truth, and Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs.

The Lord knows I have no Malice upon my Heart againſt any Man or Woman living upon the Face of the Earth; neither againſt Jury that found me guilty, nor Court that paſſed Sentence; I deſire freely to forgive every one from the Bottom of my Heart. And as concerning this great Diſpenſation you may (it may be) deſire to hear ſomething of it; truly I ſay, as to the King's Majeſty I have not any Hard Thoughts concerning him, my Prayer ſhall be for him that his Throne may be upheld by Truth, and by Mercy, for by Mercy, Prov. 23. the Throne is upheld; but I muſt needs ſay, that Poor we have been Bought and Sold by our Brethren as Joſeph was.

Brother hath betray'd Brother to Death, and that Scripture is in a great Meaſure fulfill'd, Mat. 10. 21. The Father againſt the Son, and the Son againſt the Father, and Brother ſhall deliver up Brother to Death. I deſire for my own Part to kiſs the Rod; and I do deſire (if it may pleaſe the King's Majeſty) that no more Blood may be ſhed after mine; it may be the Lord will put it into his own Breaſt.

Here is a Poor Brother coming, I am afraid that he is not fit to die at this Time; I could wiſh that his Majeſty might ſhew ſome Mercy.

The Sheriff interrupted in Words to this Effect, Let that alone, for the King's Majeſty hath Clemency enough for all but his Father's Murtherers.

Mr. Cook reply'd, Then I ſhall proceed to ſpeak ſomething concerning my Profeſſion and Faith, which, I Bleſs the Lord, is founded upon the Rock Chriſt Jeſus. I do not expect Salvation for any Thing I have ever done, but only lay hold upon Chriſt as a Naked Chriſt, and there to bottom my Soul.

I can ſay, to the Praiſe and Glory of God, that I have endeavoured in my Place, and to my Power, to do that which might be to God's Glory, according to the beſt of my Ʋnderſtanding. I have ſtood for a Goſpel Magiſtracy and Miniſtry, and that many Delays in the Law might be removed, (and that Thing I have much ſuffer'd for;) I ſay it's good for King and People that many Delays in Matter of Juſtice ſhould be removed, and that Publick Juſtice might be ſpeedily and cheaply adminiſtred.

And as for my Profeſſion, I am of the Congregational Way, I deſire to own it, and am for Liberty of Conſcience, and all that walk humbly and holily before the Lord, and deſire to walk in the Fear of the Lord; and believe it is a Truth, and there can be nothing ſaid againſt it. I do confeſs I am not convinced of any Thing I have done amiſs; as to that I have been charged with I am not indeed, neither did I underſtand the Plea of the Court, That if the Lords and Commons had brought the King to the Bar, and ſet him over them again, their bringing him to the Bar had been Treaſon.

I deſire never to repent of any Thing therein I have done, but I deſire to own the Cauſe of God, and of Chriſt, and am here to bear witneſs to it; and ſo far as I know any Thing of my ſelf I can freely confeſs it.

Here the Sheriff interrupted him again, deſiring him to forbear any ſuch Expreſſions.

Mr. Cook reply'd, It hath not been the Manner of Engliſh Men to inſult over a Dying Man, nor in other Countries among Turks and Galliaſſes.

The Lord Bleſs every one of us, and help us that we may look more to the Honour and Glory of God than the Concernments of our own Lives: For alas! What is a Poor Miſerable Life to us, but that therein we might give Honour and Glory to the God of all our Mercies?

And if there be any here of that Congregation to which I was related in the time that I lived here, I would commend to them that Scripture, Phil. 2. 7, 18. Yea, and if I be offered up upon the Sacrifice and Service of the Faith, I Joy and Rejoice with them all, for the ſame Cauſe alſo do ye Joy and Rejoice with me. And, Deut. 18. Verſe 11. The Lord God of your Fathers make you a Thouſand Times more than you are, and Bleſs as he hath Promiſed. The Lord be pleaſed to ſpeak Comfort to them, and to all them that Fear the Lord.

The Lord keep England from Popery, and from Superſtition, and keep it from Prophaneneſs, and that there may not be an Inundation of Antichriſt in the Land. And that is all the Harm I wiſh unto it.

The Lord hath Forgiven me many Thouſand Talents, and therefore I may well Forgive thoſe few Pence that are owing unto me. I Bleſs the Lord I have nothing lying upon my Conſcience, but I can unboſom my ſelf to every one, and to the Throne of Free Grace, in the ſimplicity of my Spirit; I have endeavoured to do nothing but with a good Conſcience, and through the Integrity of my Heart, though accompanied with many Frailties.

I deſire to Bleſs the Lord; my Lot was rather in Ireland than here; here I have been more known where I have given the Offence.

The Sheriff again interrupted him.

Mr. Cook replies, Sir, I pray take notice of it, I think I am the firſt Man that ever was Hanged for demanding of Juſtice, therefore I hope you will not interrupt me.

I ſuppoſe you were there, and do bear me Witneſs in your Conſcience, that there was not any thing then that I did not Communicate to the Court that I now ſpeak upon the Ladder.

If you will believe the Words of a dying Man, I ſay as I muſt give an Account, I have nothing lyeth upon my Conſcience. We muſt all meet together at the Great Day of the Lord, to give an Account of all our Actions, (and then it will appear,) the Lord grant we may meet with Joy and Comfort.

I have a Poor Wife and Child, and ſome Friends left, I deſire you that came along with me to commend to them Iſaiah 54. 4, 5, and 10, Verſes.

I hope the King and Parliament will conſider our Poor Friends as to their Eſtates; you know that thoſe Lords that formerly ſuffered under the Parliament did not loſe all their Eſtates; I hope there will be ſome Conſideration as to Juſtice, (leſt that our ſmall Eſtates prove a Poyſon amongſt their great deal,) and my Poor Wife and Relations ſuffer.

The Lord grant that Mercy may be ſhewed, that Mercy and Righteouſneſs may Magnifie and Exalt itſelf above Juſtice: I ſhall not hold you long, I ſhall deſire in the Fear of the Lord to give my ſelf, (as in Rom. 12. 1.) A Living Sacrifice, Holy and Acceptable unto God, which is but a Reaſonable Service.

And ſo do intreat that I may have a little time to call upon the Lord, unleſs there be any thing more deſired, or any one that would ask me a Queſtion.

Truly I forgive all from my Heart; I have nothing upon my Heart to accuſe any of them withal. I Bleſs the Lord I have a clear Conſcience; I ſay it is in the Integrity and Simplicity of my Heart, (I do now appeal to the Great God, to whom I muſt give an Account of what I have done,) knowing that all my Guilt is waſhed away in the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, (and before him I hope to appear,) and have nothing elſe to plead any thing at all for me.

And ſo I hope that I have declared my ſelf with Simplicity and Integrity in a few Words, that you may underſtand my Mind.

I ſhall ſpeak a few Words to the Lord in Prayer, and ſhall not trouble you further.

When having pray'd a ſhort ſpace he was Executed, and his Head afterwards fix'd on the North-Eaſt End ofWeſtminiſter-Hall.

Obſervations on Mr. Cook.

IF Treaſon ever wore a Cloak you may ſee it here now palliated to the Life; a quaint Orator ſtruggling for Life under the ſad Preſſures of a heavy Charge. A Man Bred up where Law was more in force, at leaſt more ſtudied, than the Goſpel. I am ſorry Pearls of Eloquence, and the very Marrow of the Law, ſhould prove deſtructive to the Owners.

Sum up all his Virtues in a Schedule, and at the End write Traitor: Can then his Virtues make me bluſh to write, Solus in conclavi & teſte Lucerna? What he himſelf at a Publick Meeting, & Coelo ſpectante, was not aſhamed to act, the King muſt die, and Monarchy with him; could the dull Genius of this Nation ſuffer it ſo tamely? Marius, that Excellent Roman, daunted his Butcher with a Word, Et tu homo audes necare, C. Marium. And could not Majeſty with all its Charms daunt a Soliciting Cook?

He alledges, he was put on it, nay, fee'd to do what he did; ſo was Judas when he Sold his Maſter: Money is the Root of all Evil, and brought that Famous Orator Demoſthenes, a Brother of the ſame Fraternity, to a Sore Throat, when 'twas Avaritia non excuſat militiam.

Some Memorable Paſſages of Mr. Hugh Peters in his Impriſonment at Newgate, and at the Time of his Execution at Charing Croſs, October 16, 1660.

MR. Peters, as is well known, was exerciſed under great Conflict in his own Spirit during the time of his Impriſonment, fearing (as he would often ſay) that he ſhould not go through his Sufferings with Courage and Comfort; and ſaid to his Friends that he was ſomewhat unprepared for D • ath, and therefore unwilling to die; ſomething he ſaid he had committed, and other Things omitted, which troubled him; but though it was a Cloudy and Dark Day with him for a Seaſon, yet the Light of God's Grace and Favour would break forth at laſt.

A Night or Two before he ſuffered Two of the Epiſcopal Clergy, who as ſome Report were the King's Chaplains, came to give him a Viſit; they endeavoured to make Advantage of the preſent Temptations wherewith he was then aſſaulted, and to perſwade him to a Repentance and Recantation of his former Activity in the Parliament Cauſe, which they endeavoured to enforce upon him by a Promiſe of Pardon from the King in caſe he would therein hearken to them. But told them, He had no Cauſe in the leaſt to repent of his adhering to that Intereſt; but rather that he had in the Proſecution thereof done no more for God and his People in theſe Nations; and with Civility diſmiſſing thoſe Viſitants, he applied himſelf to ſome other Miniſters then preſent, whom he judged more able to ſpeak a Word in Seaſon to him under theſe great Trials, wherewith the Lord was then pleaſed to exerciſe him.

Being carried upon the Sledge to Execution, and made to ſit therein within the Rails at Charing-Croſs, to behold the Execution of Mr. Cook, one comes to him, and upbraided him with the Death of the King, bidding him (with opprobrious Language) to repent: He replied, Friend, you do not well to trample upon a dying Man, you are greatly miſtaken, I had nothing to do in the Death of the King.

When Mr. Cook was cut down, and brought to be Quartered, one they called Colonel Turner called to the Sheriffs Men to bring Mr. Peters near, that he might ſee it; and by and by the Hangman came to him, all beſmear'd in Blood, and rubbing his Bloody Hands together he (tauntingly) asked, Come, how do you like this, M. Peters? How do you like this Work? To whom he replied, I am not (I thank God) terrified at it, you may do your worſt.

When he was going to his Execution he look'd about, and eſpied a Man, to whom he gave a Piece of Gold, (having bowed it firſt,) and deſired him to go to the Place where his Daughter lodged, and to carry that to her as a Token from him, and to let her know, That his Heart was as full of Comfort as it could be, and that before that Piece ſhould come to her Hands he ſhould be with God in Glory.

Being upon the Ladder he ſpake to the Sheriff, ſaying, Sir, You have here ſlain one of the Servants of God before mine Eyes, and have made me to behold it, on purpoſe to terrifie and diſcourage me; but God made it an Ordinance to me for my Strengthening and Encouragement.

When he was going to Die he ſaid, What, Fleſh, art thou unwilling to go to God through the Fire and Jaws of Death? Oh! (Said he,) this is a good Day, he is come that I long look'd for, and I ſhall be with him in Glory; and ſo ſmil'd when he went away.

What Mr. Peters ſaid further at his Execution, either in his Speech or Prayer, it could not be taken, in regard his Voice was low at that time, and the People uncivil. His Head was afterwards ſet upon London-Bridge.

Obſervations on Mr. Peters.

A State Juggler dreſt in Divinity; a meer Protous, and yet a Regicide; a Firebrand kindled by the Devil; by whoſe inſinuating Practices, blowing the Bellows of Rebellion, and belching from an Impure Throat the loathſome Vapours of Sedition, he not only poiſoned the Kingdom, but ruined the Stately Fabrick of an incomparable Monarchy; pretending in his Pulpit that to be the Finger of the Lord which viſibly appears to all Ages to be the Hand of the Devil.

Wedneſday, October 17th, Mr. Thomas Scot, and Mr. Gregory Clement, were brought on ſeveral Hurdles to the ſame Place, where being come, Mr. Scot firſt began.

Mr. Scot's Speech upon the Ladder.

GEntlemen, I ſtand here a Spectacle to God, to Angels, and Men: To God and Angels, to whom I hope I am ſhortly a going. And now to you I owe it; to God, and the Nation, and my ſelf, to ſay ſomething concerning each. For my ſelf, I think it may become me to tell you how and why I came hither; and ſomething in the general, concerning my Capacity. In the Beginning of theſe Troubles I was (as many others were) unſatisfied; I ſaw Liberties and Religion in the Nation in great Danger, to my beſt Apprehenſion; I ſaw the Approaches of Popery in great meaſure coming in upon us: I ſaw—Upon which the Sheriff interrupted him in theſe Words; If you will betake your ſelf to Prayer you may.

Mr. Scot replied, I ſhall not ſpeak to reproach any—

The Sheriff interrupted him again, ſaying, You have but a little time, Mr. Scot, therefore betake that little time to Prayer.

Mr. Scot replied, 'Tis according to my Mind to ſpeak what may be ſaid—

Here the Under-Sheriff interrupted, ſaying, It hath been denied unto your Predeceſſors, and will be denied unto you.

Then he prayed as followeth.

HOly Lord God, the Great and Glorious God of Heaven and Earth, King of Nations, and King of Saints; in both which Capacities thy Poor and Ʋnworthy Creature comes now to bear his Witneſs in this great Spectacle, before Thee, Angels and Men: O Lord, were it not for Sin none of theſe Things had befallen this Nation, nor my unworthy ſelf; we have all tranſgreſſed, and gone aſtray from thee by a perpetual Back-ſliding, even all of all Sorts, Conditions, Ranks, and Orders of Men: And among them none, none more than thy Poor Ʋnworthy Creature, who acknowledgeth the ſame here before thee, in the Face of Heaven, and in thy Preſence, to which he is very ſhortly a going; that Glorious Grace which thou haſt been pleaſed to afford unto his Soul in it. O Bleſſed Lord, thou haſt called him forth as a publick Spectacle to ſome in a Condition of Shame and Reproach, to others of Comfort, and to thy Bleſſed Self, as one that is a Witneſs for thee, that hath ſerved thee with all Faithfulneſs in his Truſt and Publick Capacity and Employment. O Lord, they Diſpenſation to thy Poor Creature hath been Wonderful, Gracious, and Merciful; and he muſt ſay to the Praiſe of thy Free Grace—

Here the Hangman ſtooping down to take Drink, which was reached up to him upon the Ladder, interrupted him; upon which Mr. Scot ſaid, Prithee let me alone, I have not done; and then proceeded in Prayer, as followeth.

—That this very Condition to which he is now brought he acknowledgeth is the very Anſwer of his Prayer before his going out of England. Thou knoweſt, Lord, he did many times in Prayers and Tears ſeek thy Beſſed Majeſty for Counſel, and for Advice, whether it was his Duty to ſtay and ſuffer, or to ſhelter himſelf abroad; and if it were thy Will to take more Honour to thy ſelf by his Suffering than Living, thou wouldſt be pleaſed to remand him back again, and bring him hither. And he hath obſerved thy Providence checking of his Way, and in preſerving him all along until he came to this. O Bleſſed Lord, thy Poor Creature doth acknowledge that thy Ways to his Poor Soul have been of wonderful Grace and Mercy. But Bleſſed be thy Glorious Name, the Great God of Heaven and Earth, he hath been pleaſed to bear him Witneſs to himſelf, to Angels, and to all that hear me this very Day, thy Poor Servant that now ſtands to ſuffer had Joy and much Conſolation from God, and from his Cauſe, more than ever he had before; I ſay again, to the Praiſe of the Free Grace of God, I Bleſs his Name he hath engaged me in a Cauſe not to be repented of; I ſay in a Cauſe not to be repented of—

Here the Sheriff interrupted him, ſaying, Is this your Prayer, Mr. Scot? Deſiring him to forbear thoſe kind of Expreſſions. Others alſo told him that he contradicted himſelf, and ſpoke Blaſphemy.

Then Mr. Scot ſaid, I ſhall ſay no more but this, the Lord I do acknowledge, that this very Morning in the Dark Chamber I had very much of the Preſence of God, and from thence I take Conſolation to my ſelf that his Spirit is with me, and that he hath Sealed unto my Soul the Decrees of Heaven, at leaſt perſwaded my Soul that it will be well with me, and that I am out of all Danger, as to my Eternal Condition; and that I ſhall Live and Reign with him there, where all my Sin ſhall be done away, which is the Growing Glory of my Soul; and all Tears wip'd away alſo. O Lord, remember the Price of Blood that hath been ſhed for the purchaſing of the Civil and Chriſtian Liberties. And remember thy Enemies, that are not Incorrigible Enemies to thy Truth and Holineſs; and give them Ʋnderſtanding to ſee their Error, and to turn to thee; a Heart Broken, and with Humiliation, that they may ſeek God with their whole Heart, that they may be a Holy or Immanual Nation, a Choſen Generation, a Peculiar People, Zealous of Good Works, Careful to ſhew forth the Virtue of him that hath called them from Death to Life. The Lord call in all that belong to the Election of Grace ſpeedily into that Number: Let no Weapon formed againſt thy Church proſper; but, Lord, remember Zion, if it be thy Good Pleaſure, and repair the Walls of thy Jeruſalem: O Lord, thy Cauſe lyes near the Hearts of thy People; and I bear thee Witneſs that I have this Income from thee as the Return of their Prayers: And that we are ſupported to bear Witneſs for thee very Cheerfully, and with Satisfaction. I deſire to be found of thee in Jeſus Chriſt: I do now abhor all my Sins, and renounce my Services, and do account them all as Dung. Lord, thou knoweſt I have deſired to live, that I might ſerve thee better, and love thee more: But that I may be with thy ſelf, Oh it is infinitely better, and to confirm that Teſtimony which is concerning thy Glorious Will: And thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven, by me and all thine, from henceforth and for evermore. Amen.

Obſervations on Mr. Scot.

MEN, whoſe Damnable Actions whilſt living, never merited from Good Men the ſmalleſt Credit, being now to be made Sacrifices to Publick Vengeance, ſee how Saint-like they preſent themſelves on the Stage This Man enter'd for a Black Saint in the Calender of Cruelty.

Something as to Mr. Gregory Clements take as followeth.

PErhaps ſome may think it ſtrange that there is ſo little ſaid as to Mr. Gregory Clement, who ſuffered with the reſt; therefore this only is to be ſaid more, (which is known to many,) that Mr. Clement was very ſilent both in the Time of his Impriſonment at Newgate, and at the Time and Place of his Execution at Charing-Croſs; only thus it is ſaid, that he expreſt his Trouble (to ſome Friends in the Priſon) for yielding ſo far to the Importunity of his Relations as to plead guilty to the Indictment: And though he ſpoke little at the Place of Execution, yet (ſo far as could be judged by ſome diſcerning Perſons that was near him) he departed this Life in Peace.

The ſame Day Mr. Ad. Scroop and Mr. John Jones ſuffered together at the ſame Place.

Collonel Scroop's Speech at Execution, October 17, 1660.

YOU ſee an Object here that hath been in a better Place; but howſoever the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath ſent me to this Place I ſhould Die, I have no Animoſity nor Malice againſt any Man, nor ever had I; neither have I any Evil Will to thoſe that brought me hither, nor to the Jury that found me Guilty, nor Judges that paſſed Sentence, nor to him through whoſe Means I was brought here to ſuffer. I ſay once more the Lord forgive him; I ſhall not Name him, for I come not hither to reflect upon any Man's Perſon.

I will not tell you what my Breeding hath been, becauſe it is not good for any Man (eſpecially at ſuch a time as this) to boaſt of his Lineage or Breeding; but this I ſhall ſay, that I was Born and Bred a Gentleman.

As for my Carriage it may be ſome that look upon me here knows what it hath been: Howſoever the Lord knows all, and the Lord God is Judge of all, and he will judge; I ſhall ſubmit my ſelf to his Judgment, which is a Righteous Judgment. The Judgment of Men may go Wrong, but God's Judgment is Right; I ſhall ſubmit to his Way. The Lord he is the Rock of Ages, and my Support under this great Weight that is now upon me: I look up to him alone; the Lord Jeſus Chriſt is my Saviour and my Redeemer; I am going into his Arms, Bleſſed be his Name: I follow him; he is gone before me the ſame Way; therefore it is no Reproach or Shame to follow the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, to Die in his Cauſe; for that is it which I judge I am now going to do.

That which I do deſire of you (here are a great many Spectators both on the Right Hand and on the Left) is, that this Day may repreſent to you the General Day of the Judgment of Chriſt, where you muſt appear, and there every Man muſt receive according to their Works: And at that time it will be known, I ſay, at that time it will be known and ſeen, whoſe Works are Righteous, and whoſe are not; therefore I would wiſh you, and deſire you to judge Charitably of me.

Obſervations on Colonel Scroop.

IF Birth or Education can render a Man Accompliſht without doubt Col. Scroop deſerves a favourable Cenſure; but as the ſmalleſt Spot is ſooneſt diſcerned in a white Garment, ſo Treaſon diſhonours the higheſt Extraction, and leaves a Blot in the Scutcheon of Nobility. A Candid Nature obligeth me to love the Man, yet my own Conſcience, and that ſolemn Commandment, Fear God and Honour the King, makes me Pity what I cannot • uſtifie, and Condemn the Treaſon as a Perſon that once • ov'd the Traitor.

Coll. John Jones his Speech upon the Ladder, October 17, 1660.

THere is Two Things that are neceſſary now I am going through this narrow Gate or Paſſage to the Eternal Ma • eſty; I ſay Two Things are neceſſary as to the Occaſion of my coming hither, to receive my Father's good Pleaſure.

Firſt, Peace with God. Secondly, Peace with Man.

I ſhall ſpeak ſomething to each of theſe; and in the firſt Place ſpeak ſomething of the Court wherein I received the Sen • ence. It hath been reported, as I was told, that I confeſſed • his Fact, and confeſſed that I were guilty of Murther, as under thoſe ſeveral-Expreſſions that are in the Indictment, viz.—

I deſire to clear my ſelf before the Lord, and before the World, in that Particular; for ſhould I grant that I was guil • y in Reality and Truth of Murther and Malice, viz.— 〈◊〉 ſhould belye my own Conſcience, and draw upon me a greater Weight than I could bear; but thus far I do confeſs, 〈◊〉 was willing to make the Work as ſhort as I could; and be • auſe I would not ſtand ſo long I told them I would take the firſt Jury that came; and when a Jury was called, then I did Confeſs ſo much as I was convinced of as to the Matter • f Fact; I deſire you will judge charitably of this that I ſpeak 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉 at this Time, as in the Preſence of the Lord, that it is not really, (viz. that I acknowledged my ſelf guilty of Murder, I had no ſuch Thing in my Heart.

I muſt Confeſs I very freely quit his Majeſty, conſiderin • what he doth in this Caſe is the Part of a Loving Son to a Father, eſpecially the Judges telling him that it is the Law and I conceive that the Court did nothing but what they 〈◊〉 their beſt Ʋnderſtandings judged Right as to Law; therefo •• I freely acquit the Court, though there was not enough ſaid 〈◊〉 ſatisfie ſuch a Poor Creature as I am in ſo great and deep Point as that was. As for all others, I do not know an • Man on the Earth to whom I do bear any Malice, but I a •… in perfect Charity with all Men, and I hope the Lord is 〈◊〉 Charity with me; and therefore as I deſire to have Forgivenes • my ſelf from all thoſe that I have offended, even ſo I do freely Forgive all thoſe that have in any Meaſure offended me.

The next Thing is towards God, and it is that which ſhoul • be laſt upon my Heart: It is not expected that I ſhould give an Account here of my State and Condition, for that is betwixt God and my own Soul; and I do, through the Grac • and Goodneſs of God, firmly believe, that my Redemption i • wrought, and my Pardon is ſealed, and that I ſhall be immediately in my Father's Arms, and that I ſhall be tranſlated and brought to behold the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in Glory with Comfort, and Fulneſs of Joy.

Col. Jones his Prayer.

BLeſſed Lord God, thou art the great Opener, open unto my Soul the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who will lead me into the Ways of Truth and Life; O God Save me, make Good all the Pledges of thy Love unto my Soul! Oh make all the Promiſes which I have believed all the Days of my Life, make them now Good unto my Soul, giving me the full Enjoyment of thy ſelf: I deſire to Bleſs and Praiſe thy Name for this Hour that thou haſt brought me to. Oh, what am I poor Worm that thou ſhouldſt give me this Opportunity to ſuffer for thy Name, and to acknowledge thy Mercies before ſo great a Congregation at this Place. Holy Father, Holy Father, Oh that thou wouldſt now rain down Bleſſings from Heaven upon thy Poor Creatures that do hear and behold this Action this Day! Oh that thou wouldſt ſanctifie this Thing to them, and let Poor England be a Land of Truth and Happineſs! O Lord, let England flouriſh! And Oh that thou wouldſt make thy Angel of L • ght to go before thy People: Good God, we pray thee keep off thoſe great Judgments that hang over the Heads of theſe Nations, becauſe they have ſinned againſt thee: Through thy Name ſanctifie us; let not thy Name be reproached; Dear Father, receive my Soul, I am ready to come unto thee: Bleſſed Father, into thy Hand I commend my Spirit, thou haſt Redeemed me, Bleſſed be thy Name, in that thou haſt opened the Treaſures of thy Love unto my poor Soul. Thou haſt given me this Hope, whereof I need not be aſhamed! Bleſſed be thy Name my Spirit is full of Joy. Oh Holy Father, Holy Father, I pray thee let thy Bleſſing come down upon thy Poor People. Look upon me, Holy Father, ſtretch out thine Arms to carry me over this Brook; I pray thee ſtand by me, Dear Father; I caſt my ſelf into thy Hand, I commit my Soul unto thee.

Then ſpeaking to the Sheriff, ſaid, Mr. Sheriff, I muſt needs return you many Thanks for your Civility.

Sheriff replied, I am glad to hear ſuch an Ingenious Confeſſion, and that you make ſuch an End, and that you have not gone into any reviling Language, as ſome others have done before.

After this he committed his Soul to God, and ſo departed.

Obſervations on Colonel Jones.

IF Old Age could free a Man from Puniſhment, then had Col. Jones a good Plea in the Court of Antiquity; his Grey Hairs pleaded much Gravity, but Reverence is not due to Traitors; to be Zealous in a Bad Cauſe argues a Conſcience fit for Villany.

The Laſt of theſe Ten Perſons order'd for Execution were Col. Dan. Axtel, and Col. Fran. Hacker, who on the 19th of October, Two Days after the Death of Scroop and Jones, were drawn upon One Sledge to Tyburn.

THey were brought forth of Priſon; the Sledge being ready for them, they took their leave of ſome Friends that ſtood at the Door, and Col. Axtel deſired them to be at the Place of Execution; and both entring the Sledge, they caſt up their Eyes toward that God to whom they were coming; then with a cheerful Countenance ſetting themſelves down, they were drawn to Tyburn, the Place of Execution, where a Cart was ſet ready, into which they both aſcended, their Countenance not at all Changed, though now the King of Terror ſtared them in the Face; the Ropes being then put about their Necks, and a burning Fire kindled before their Faces; firſt, Col. Axtel applies himſelf to the Sheriff in theſe following Words.

Col. Axtel's Speech at Tyburn, October 12, 1660.

MR. Sheriff, I am now, as you ſee, come to the Place of Execution, according to my Sentence: I deſire your Leave that I may ſpeak Freely, and without Interruption, firſt to this People, and then to God, for it is the laſt I ſhall ſpeak in this World, and I hope it will redound to your Account.

Mr. Sheriff's Reply. Sir, you know what the Court prohibited you to ſpeak, and what was ſpoken at the Bar of the Court was there deſired, therefore 'tis needleſs to repeat it here. I hope you will keep to the preſent Buſineſs that concerns you, and not go out into Impertinencies; and becauſe you have but a little Time, ſpend it to your beſt Advantage, and the Good of the People, and then you ſhall not be interrupted. Or to the ſame Effect.

Col. Axtel begins, I ſay the very Cauſe for which I have engaged, is contained in this Book of God, (having the Bible in his Hand,) both in the Civil and Religious Rights of it, which I leave to you, giving the Book to Mr. Knowles.

You ſee a Dead Man Living, and yet I hope I ſhall Live to all Eternity, through the Mediation of Jeſus Chriſt, the Mediator of the Covenant of Free-Grace.

I muſt truly tell you, that before theſe late Wars it pleaſed the Lord to call me by his Grace, through the Work of the Miniſtry; and afterwards keeping a Day of Humiliation in Faſting and Prayer with Mr. Symon Aſh, Mr. Love, Mr. Woodcock, and other Miniſters in Laurence-Lane, they did ſo clearly State the Cauſe of the Parliament, that I was fully convinced in my own Conſcience of the Juſtneſs of the War, and thereupon engaged in the Parliament Service, (which as I did and do believe) was the Cauſe of the Lord, I ventred my Life freely for it, and now Die for it.

Then Mr. Sheriff ſaid to this Purpoſe, Sir, remember your ſelf.

Col. Axtel proceeds; and after the Work of the Lord was done in England, my Lot caſt me in the Service of Ireland, and I thank the Lord I was ſerviceable to the Engliſh Nation in that Countrey, and have diſcharged my Duty fully according to the Truſt committed to me there.

As for the Fact for which I now ſuffer, it is for Words, only for Words, and but for Words; and the Sentence is already reverſed in my own Conſcience, and it will be reverſed by Jeſus Chriſt by and by. I pray God from the very Bottom of my Soul to forgive all that have had any Hand in my Death, both Witneſſes and Jury, and the Court that paſſed Sentence; for conſidering the Doctrine of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, as he hath laid it down, Matth. 5. 44. It hath been ſaid of Old Time, Love your Neighbours and Hate your Enemies; but I ſay unto you, Love your Enemies, and pray for them that hate and deſpitefully uſe you, that you may be the Children of your Father which is in Heaven.

I deſire according to this Doctrine from the Bottom of my Heart that God would give them true Repentance, and not lay their Sin to their Charge, nor my Blood, which by God's Law and Man's (I think) could not juſtly have been brought here to ſuffer. But I bleſs God I have ſome comfortable Aſſurance that I ſhall be imbraced in the Arms of Chriſt, and have Cauſe to hope that his Spirit ſhall carry my Soul into the Father's Hands.

And if the Glory of this Sunſhine be ſo great, the Sun then ſhining Bright,) how much more is the Glory of the Son of God, who is the Sun of Righteouſneſs.

I think it convenient to give you ſome Account of my Faith.

I believe all Things written in the Old and New Teſtament, in the Principles and Doctrine of a Believers Faith; I believe the Bleſſed Ordinances of Chriſt, that it is our Duty to hear the Word preached, to ſeek unto God in Prayer, and to perform Family Duties, and to walk in the Communion of Saints; and for my own Part I am a Member of a Congregation which I judge to be the Way of Chriſt, (and were it for that only I were to Die I could Witneſs to it,) which is a Company of Men Born again by his Grace, that walk in the Ways of Chriſt Blameleſs and Harmeleſs. I Believe Jeſus Chriſt died for Poor Sinners, of whom I am Chief, as the Apoſtle Paul ſaith, This is a faithful Saying, and worthy of all Acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the World to ſave Sinners, of whom I am Chief. And if the Apoſtle might ſay ſo, much more may I.

My Friends and Countreymen, I have Reaſon to bewail my own unprofitable Life, having been very unfruitful unto the People of the Lord; the Lord knows I have much fault upon my Heart, were it not for the Blood of Chriſt that cleanſeth and waſheth me, according to his Promiſe, ſaying, I loved you, and waſhed away your Sins in my own Blood; for there is no Remiſſion of Sins without the Blood of Chriſt. I deſire you all to loath and caſt off Sin; it were better to Suffer than to Sin; it is better to Die than to Sin; nothing could grieve our Saviour our but Sin, and therefore have a Care of that: You and I muſt meet one Day at the Bar of Chriſt, and the Son of God ſhall be our Judge, for God hath committed all Judgment to the Son, That all Men ſhould Honour the Son as they Honour the Father. This Day is a reſemblance of that Day, therefore be ſerious: Beg as much Good to your Immortal Souls as I expect to enjoy by and by. I beſeech you beg of God that he would ſave your Souls, and omit no Opportunity through the Strength of the Lord to Believe, and put your Truſt in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt; be ſure to Labour after Aſſurance of your Intereſt in him, or elſe you will be of all Men moſt miſerable; for I of Men were moſt miſerable if I had not believed, To ſee the Goodneſs of the Lord in the Land of the Living.

Bleſſed be the Lord that brings me into this State, let the Way or Means be what it will; it is God's Sovereignty who made theſe Creatures, to diſpoſe of them how he pleaſeth, and God hath ordained this Death for me from all Eternity. The Lord Chriſt often prayed, Thy Will be done; this is the Lord's Will. He hath numbred my Days, and my Times are in his Hand. Many ſeek the Ruler's Favour, but every ones Judgment is from the Lord. When Pilate ſaid unto Chriſt, Knoweſt thou not that I have Power to Crucifie thee? Chriſt anſwered him, Thou couldſt have no Power againſt me, except it were given thee from above. Therefore I acknowedge the Righteous Hand of God he is Righteous, but I am Sinful, Therefore will I bear God's Indignation; becauſe I have ſinned againſt him.

It is ſaid of Jeſus Chriſt, That for the Joy ſet before him, he endured the Croſs, and deſpiſed the Shame, and is ſet down at the Right Hand of God, where I hope to ſee him by and by in Glory and Majeſty, and to ſee his Angels and Believers worſhipping of him, and therefore I deſpiſe the Shame. Our Saviour died upon the Croſs without Sin; I am a ſinful Creature, a wretched Sinner, and ſhall I expect better than he that was my Maſter? He who was Holy, and never had a ſinful Thought in all his Life; and died not for himſelf, but for us, that we might Live through his Death; that through his Poverty we might be made Rich. And Chriſt having done this for his People, it ſhould not be in their Eyes thought a deſpicable Thing that we ſhould ſuffer for him, having been engaged in the Work of God. But Chriſt muſt prevail in Righteouſneſs, and he will prevail.

Now Mr. Sheriff I thank you for your Civility, and for this leave.

After this Col. Hacker ſpoke ſomething privately to him, whereupon Col. Axtel ſaid, Mr. Sheriff, Muſt we both Die together?

Mr. Sheriff anſwered, Yes.

Then Col. Hacker read a Paper which he had in his Hand, a Copy whereof followeth.

FRiends and Countreymen, All that have known me in my beſt Eſtate, have not known me to be a Man of Oratory; and that God hath not given me the Gift of Ʋtterance, as to others, therefore I have only this briefly to ſay unto you that are Spectators: As the Parliament ſtated the War, I did out of Judgment and Conſcience, join with them in the Common Cauſe, and have through Grace have been faithful to it according to my Meaſure. And as for that which now I am condemned for, I do freely forgive both Judges, Jury and Witneſſes, and all others; and I thank the Lord, to whom I am now going, at whoſe Tribunal I muſt render an Account, I have nothing lyes upon my Conſcience as Guilt whereof I am now Condemned, and do not doubt but to have the Sentence reverſt. I do now apply my ſelf unto God by Prayer, and do deſire the Hearty Prayers of all that fear God, that I may have a ſweet Paſſage from this Mortal Life, to that Immortal Life which God hath prepared for all that are in Chriſt Jeſus.

Francis Hacker.

After the reading of this he deſired that Col. Axtel would be both their Mouth to God in Prayer.

And then Col. Axtel ſaid, I deſire all that fear the Lord to hear me with Patience, and to lift up their Hearts to ſeek the Lord with me, that we may have his Strength, and the Preſence of his Spirit, from this World to Everlaſting Life.

After he had ended his Prayer he gave the Sheriff Thanks again for his Civility, and turning to Colonel Hacker, they ſaluted and embraced each other in their Arms, and ſaid, The Lord ſweeten our Paſſage, and give us a happy Meeting with himſelf in Glory.

Then pulling his Cap over his Eyes, expected, as is ſuppoſed, that the Cart ſhould be drawn away, with his Hands lifted up he utter'd theſe Words with a Loud and Audible Voice, Lord Jeſus receive my Spirit; but the Cart ſtaying a little longer, he lift up his Hands the Second Time, and with the like Audible and Loud Voice ſaid, Into thy Hands, O Father, I commend my Spirit: And yet in regard there was no Man found to put forward the Horſe to draw away the Cart until the Common Hangman came down out of the Cart himſelf to do it, the Carman, as many Witneſſes affirm, ſaying, He would loſe his Cart and Horſe before he would have a Hand in hanging ſuch a Man, by this he had Opportunity to lift up his Hands, and utter the like the Third Time alſo.

Obſervations on Mr. Axtel and Mr. Hacker.

THE laſt Actors in this Bloody Tragedy are now entred upon the Stage, and ſeeing they were join'd in their Lives, I thought it fit to leave them as I found them.

Theſe were guilty of that Horrid Murther, in daring to protect what is a Sin to think. Axtel guarded thoſe Bloody Shambles where Virtue and Majeſty ſtood like Lambs before the Butcher; and now having brought the Ship of our King's Life, toſt upon the Tumultuous Surges of ſo many uncertain Fortunes, almoſt into the Harbour of their Malice, he bids Rebellion caſt an Anchor on the dangerous Sands of the Good Old Cauſe. Thus when all good Chriſtians Hearts were melted in the Furnace of Affliction, to ſee Majeſty lye a Bleeding, and Pleading for Life in every Honeſt Heart, before ſo ſad a Tribunal. This Gentleman ſpent his Time in raiſing his Soldiers Spirits to a Pitch of Mirth, laughing at their Squibs, extreamly pleaſed that Majeſty riſe offended with ſuch ſad Perfumes from the Seat where he ſate, which was ſuddenly to ſtumble at a Block, and paſs unregarded to a cold Grave.

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