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Pott, who behaved himself with that extraordinary Christian Courage, that all the Spectators were almost astonished, he being but Young, about Twenty, his Prayers being fervent, his Expressions so pithy, and so becom ing a Christian of greater Age, that drew Pity and Compassion
from all present ; a rude Fellow, just before he was to be exe cuted, called for a Bottle of Wine, and so began the King's Health to One of the Guard, which he perceiving, Poor Soul, said he, your Cup seemeth to be sweet to you, and you think
Imine is bitter; which indeed is so to Flesh and Blood; but yet
Assurance
Estate, that
the Fruition a
of of future
I have that
doubt not but this bitter Potion will be sweetned with theI
Sugar of the loving Kindness of my dearest Saviour, that shall be translated into such a State, where is Fulness of Joy andPleasure forevermore.
Before I conclude, one Mr. Evans a Minister ought not to be omitted, who did all along, in the Time of his Confinement in Prison, behave himself with that Devotion and Strictness, that became a Christian of great Eminency, as indeed he was ; he spent much of his Time in Preaching and Praying to his Fellow-Prisoners, exhorting them to hold out to the End ; he at last by Appointment being condemn'd, was executed by him self ; at which Time and Place he behaved himself with great Courage and Devotion, and with a great Willingness and Chear-
fulness he submitted to Execution. There might have been much more said of this worthy Man, but because we will keep to our Design, shall be omitted. Many others, who were also very Eminent, suffered in this County, for asserting and en deavouring to secure the Protestant Religion.
220 %ty flfllegtern trans(acttong.
The Case of Mr. Simon
Thus having finished what we have to say at present, shall only add the Case of one Mr. Simon Hamling at Taunton, to show that sometimes Innocency will not protect. Mr. Hamling was formely an Inhabitant of the Place, but of late Years had lived two or three Miles from thence ; he was a very honest, worthy, good Christian, but was a Dissenter, and indeed in the Judgment of some fiery Men, that might be Crime enough, as did too sadly appear in divers Cases. But to our Purpose :
Mr. Hamling living in the Country, hearing of the Duke of Monmouth's being in Town, he there came to speak with his Son, who lived in that Place ; where being come he gave him Advice, which was, That as he expected his Blessing and Countenance, he should not at all concern himself in the Matter, but submit to the Will of God in all Things. And having thus advised his Son, he returns home ; and two Days after came again to Town on a Market-day with his Wife, to buy Provisions for his Family, and returned to his House again. And this was all the Times he was in Town whiles the Duke was there. But after the Business was over, he was brought in on Suspicion, being a Dissenter, that was Crime enough, except Coin appear^ to a Justice of that Town, who usually did commit, or dismiss as that appeared. This Man was arraign'd at Taunton, pleaded Not guilty. The Matter above is the Truth of this Case ; the Evidences were two profligate Rascals, that had Incouragement from the Justice, they usually doing what he put them on. The Prisoner had many to prove this Fact, and his Honesty ; but this did not avail, the Jury found him guilty, with two more, who
were presently sentenc'd, and next morning executed, to be Examples to others. It is said, that the Justice made applica tion to our famous Protestant Judge, and hinted some Mistake concerning him. To which, as I have been informed, he should reply, You have brought him on; if he be innocent, his Blood be upon you. Which was a very fine Reply from a merciful
Judge ; but nothing else could be expected, as the whole Treatise evinceth : The tender Mercies of the Wicked being, crueL This Man behaved himself very worthily at the Place of
Hamling.
$®v. ^omas Eatorence. 221
Execution, and did at the last declare his Crime to be the same as is above mentioned, and not otherwise. Thus fell this pious Christian, a Man by all sober People that knew him beloved, and disrespected by none but loose Villains, which at last took away his Life.
There was one Mr. Catchett executed with him, his Crime, being a Constable of the Hundred, he was surprised by a Party of the Duke's, and shewed a warrant to bring in Provisions and other Necessaries for the Use of the Army, which if he had not obeyM was threatned to have his House burnt, cS-'f. , so that he was obliged to do what he did for his own preservation ; but this was not sufficient, for being found guilty, he was also exe cuted at the same Time and Place.
The Case of Mr. Thomas Lawrence.
Mr. Thomas Lawrence at Dorchester, had also very hard Measure. He had the Managing of an Estate belonging to a Person of Quality, who had a Barn in the Parish of Lyme, where the Duke landed. The Day after his landing a Party came and took away three Horses from offthis Estate, which he having the Trust and Care of, makes Application to the Duke for them,
adding, That he ought not to suffer any of his Master's Goods to be wanting, but must endeavour to recover them again. So mov'd hard to the Duke for the Horses, but all would not prevail , but at last had one, and was forced to leave two. This was look'd on as an abetting, being judgM to be by Consent. Afier the Defeat was given, he was had before a Justice of the Peace, who bound him over to the Assises, where appearing, he was committed ; pleaded Not guilty on his Trial, which he pleaded to very honestly, yet was found guilty, and sentenced to die. My Lord was excellent at Improvement, t'was thought he
would, if possible, have brought in the Gentleman that owned the Estate, who was very rich. This honest Mr. Lawrence was to be sacrificed, and his execution ordered to be at Warham, but my Lord's Favourite got a Reprieve for him by the Help of
222 flfllesftern transfactfonsf.
Four hundred Pounds, Two hundred being actually paid, the other secured by Bond.
I promised, before I conclude, to give some Account of the barbarous and cruel Whippings which were executed on many good, honest, and sufficient Persons, both Men and Women, in the Counties of Dorset, Devon, and Somerset, by the severe and cruel Sentence of the Lord Chief Justice ; some for such small
Crimes, as an impartial Man may judge they deserved none at all : More especially one Mr. Stayle of Thorncomb in Devon shire, his Sufferings were so hard, that it caused many to pity
him ; he was a good Liver, well beloved among his Neighbours, and a true Protestant. Also one Mrs. Brown of Lyme suffered very dear in that Nature; she only jokingly said unto the
Iwillpay my Excise to King Monmouth;
Officer of the Excise,
which being sworn before this severe Judge, she was found guilty of a Misdemeanor, was sentenc'd to be whipt in several Market Towns, which accordingly was done. But this Cruelty was not only extended to those of Riper Years, and able better to endure those painful Sufferings, but even to Children. A poor Boy ol
Weymouth, in the County of Dorset, having got some Pamphlet relating somewhat to satisfie the People that the Duke of Mon mouth came to secure the Protestant Religion, had the hard Fortune to take his Trial before this harsh Judge ; I think he was about ten or twelve Years of Age ; he had the Flesh of his Back so cut with the Whipping, that I heard he died with the same ;
but whether he is dead or not, never was such Cruelty in all this World. And now we may see how just the Lord he that all that Time had no Mercy for any but those that appeared loose Villains, pitied but by few.
Madders's Last Prayer at the same Time and Place.
Capt. Madders at the Time of the Duke's Landing was Constable at Crewkern, in the County of Somerset, and so dili gent and active for the King in his Office, that when two Gen
Capt.
a
is
is,
Capt. Slabbersf. 223
tlemen of Lyme came there,- and brought the News of the Duke's Landing, and desired Horses to ride Post to acquaint his Majesty therewith, he immediately secured Horses for them, the Town being generally otherways bent, and assisted them so far as any called Loyal in those Times could do, which was re presented to the Lord Chief Justice, in expectation thereby to save his Life. But an Enquiry being made about his Religion, and returned by a very worthy Gentleman of those Parts, That
he was a good Protestant, an honest Man, had a very good Character amongst his Neighbours : O then, says he, I'll hold a Wager with you he is a Presbyterian, / can smell them forty Miles. Though moderately I now say, they can smell him two
hundred Miles West ; then surely he must die, because he was, and had the Character of a honest Man, a good Christian, and a brave Tradesman. But to be short, I could say a great deal more of him, being immediately acquainted with him, and was with him to the very last. Being brought to the Place of Exe cution, he was the last Man except one executed, and he behaved himself, whilst the rest were executing, with great Zeal ; and lifting up his Hands and Eyes, would often say, Lord, make me so willing and ready to the last. And God did hear his Prayers;
for though he seemed to the Spectators to be somewhat unwilling to die, yet at the last he died with as much Assurance and Chris tian Resolution as any ; for after his publick Prayer he came once down the Ladder, and prayed again privately, then mounted the
you may have more Liberty; he answered, No,
Ladder again ; the Sheriff saying, Mr. Madders, Ifyou please
I
dissolved, and to be with Christ. Oh ! you cannot imagine
Minutes;
So
publick Prayer was as followeth :
O Eternal and ever blessed Lord God, look down upon me a
miserable Sinner with an Eye of Pity and Compassion, in and through my dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord,
Mr. Sheriff, now
I
am ready,
I
have received in a
what Comfort and Refreshment
my Comforts are so great that
blessing and praising of God, he was translated, as I hope (we have no Grounds to imagine the contrary) from Earth to Heaven, repeating Rev. 20. 6, Blessed and holy is he that hath Part in the first Resurrection, on such the Second Death hath no Power. His
I
few cannot contain my
self.
I
am willing, and desire to be
thank you,
224
%ty flfiiegtern 'Erangacttong.
I acknowledge my self a great and grievous Sinner ; I have sinned against the clearest Light and the dearest Love ; I have deserved to have have been spurned from thy Presence, and from the Glory of thy Power, and that thou shouldest now say unto me, I will have no more to do with such an unworthy Wretch, such a polluted, filthy Creature as thou art, and hast been : But, O Lord, there is Mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared ; and thou hast promised, that if a Sinner turn from his Wick
edness, thou wilt have Mercy on him ; and tho' his Sins were as Scarlet, thou wouldest make them white as Wool : Fulfil, O Lord, thy gracious Promise unto me, a poor Supplicant, in this my last Hour of my Life ; purge and cleanse me from all
Sin and Filthiness, give me true Repentance ; and if there lyeth any Sin not yet repented of, O Lord, thou hast heard my Prayers, my Sighs and Groans ; I hope and trust thou hast pardoned all my Sins, and wilt immediately receive my Soul. Look down in Mercy on my dear Wife and Family, be thou a. / Comfort, and all in all unto them. Now, Lord, I am coming to thee, assist me to the last Moment ; comfort my distressed Soul ;
do more for me than I am able to ask for, or think of; but what thou knowest to be needful and necessary for me, in and through the Merits of my dear Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit of Grace be ascribed the King dom, the Power, and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Dying-words of Capt. Kidd, Executed at the same Time and Place.
This Gentleman was the last executed at that Time ; as soon as Captain Madders was turned off, he began to prepare to follow, and called to his Guards and those present, Do you see this? (pointing up to Eleven that were dead before him) Do you think this is not dreadful to me, that Eleven of Twelve of us,
that but afew Hours since came down
are dead and in
Eternity? AndI
mediately be in the same Condition. Says one to him, // must
together,
am just going to and shall im follow them,
be
will assure you,
I before
3Dr. temple.
to Flesh and Blood. Says he, Well, Gentlemen,
I
But I'll make haste to ; I
I bethink me in Bliss and
dreadful
their Happiness, that they shouldbe so long
Happiness :
is the best Day that ever
am this satisfied
am so
far
concerned, that methinks
I
to be better than the Day of his Birth : And truly so find
to my Flesh, And I freefrom
follow
saw: The Day a Man' s Death is said
I satisfied
and have forgotten God, but now
with Christ : O how great were the Sufferings of Christ for us, beyond all that I can undergo ! How great is that Glory to which I am going! Then taking his Leave of the People then present, he prayed some small Time very devoutly, and with seem ing great Joy and Comfort ; and the Executioner did his Office.
There was executed also at the same Time divers others, as ' Mr. William Hewling, Dr. Temple, Mr. Matthews, with some others.
The Last Speech of Dr. Temple of Nottingham, at the Place of Execution.
Doctor Temple was one of them that Landed with the Duke, and was his Chief Physician and Chyrurgeon ; he lived in Not tingham, but minding to see others of the World, (as I have
heard) goes for Holland, where he came acquainted with the Duke of Monmouth; concerning which he thus spoke, just as he was going off the Ladder.
Christian Friends, and Dear Countrymen,
I have somewhat to say, and not very much, before I depart from you, and shall be seen no more, And,
First, As to my Engagement with the Duke of Monmouth. Secondly, How far I was concerned : And,
Thirdly, I shall leave all of you to be Judges in Matter of Fact :
And so for the
First, As a dying Man I now declare, that when I entred my
self with the Duke of Monmouth, to be his Chyrurgeon, it was on Q
am God hath done his best
for
me :
might have lived
I
no more : 'Tis a blessed Thing to be free from Sin, and to be
of
I itas shall be presently Sin and Sorrow ;
I
am going where
I
shall sin
225
226 %%t flQlegtern Ixans(acttoniS.
no other Account but to serve him in the West-Indies ; where I knew no other Design whatsoever, but to possess himself of some of those Islands, until I had been at Sea two Days, wherein one privately told me, We are absolutely bound for England, and I should take it from him it was true : It much surprized me, but knowing no Way to avoid or to get on Shoar, though was at that Time contrary to my Inclinations, could have avoided would not let others see that had that Dissatisfac tion within me. After our Landing at Lyme, knew was never the
on the might These were the Arguments that Flesh and Blood did create in my Breast for Self-preservation. While was with the said Duke, did
nearer to attempt my Escape, the Country being so beset other Hand, the Duke of Monmouth did win the Day, have raised my Fortunes as high as could expect
him as much Service as could, and faithfully After pleased God to disperse that Army under his Command, endeavoured to secure my self, but by Providence was taken at Honiton, from thence committed to Exon, and after removed to Dorchester,
where received my Sentence, and am now, as you see, just going to Execution The Lord prevent all of you from such ignominious Deaths and advise you all, that you never take any great Thing in Hand, but what you have a Warrant for from the Lord assure you had no Satisfaction in this but this am sure, that have done anything amiss in pardoned bless God have that satisfaction, die a Professor of the Church of England, desire Pardon of all those have any ways wronged or abused, as freely forgive all those that have wronged or abused me am in Charity with all Men. Lord, have Mercy upon me, give me Strength to go through these
Pains, and give me full Assurance now at this last Moment Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
Also one Samuel Robbins of Charmouth in the County of Dorset, that was executed, or rather murthered, at Warham, in the said County cannot pass him by in Silence, his Case being so extraordinary hard, that to speak moderately betwixt the King and his Case, do say this, that verily believe never Man suffered innocenter as hope you will be satisfied in, after you have heard his Crime, and on what small Grounds he was found guilty, or so supposed, by my Lord Chief Justice.
; I
I if
I ;I I I
I
I
I
I
: I
;:
:
it, ; it is
it
: I
it, I
I
I
: I
if
II III
it,
I
it
I
I
;
I
: I
it :
if I
S^c. Cljarlesf uptake. 227
He used generally in the Summer to use the Crafi of Fishing, to get a competent Maintenance for his Family, and happened to be out at Sea a-fishing before Lyme that Day the Duke came in to land ; and was commanded on Board one of the Duke's Ships, he not knowing who they were, and they bought his Fish of him ; after which they told him that was the Duke of Mon mouth, pointing at him, and that he was just going to Land : He desired to go on Shoar, which was refused, and told, that as soon as the Duke was landed he should have his Liberty ; so ac cordingly he came on Shoar, and was never after with him, or ever took up Arms under him : I leave the Reader to judge whether this was High-Treason or no. This was all he was guilty of, except that he was a good honest Man, a zealous Christian, a Man of a very good Life and Conversation, as I think his Neighbours
will attest in most Towns and Parishes where he lived But alas he had a good Book in his House when taken, call'd, The solemn League and Covenant; this was the High-Treason he must be guilty of, which was aggravated to the Lord Chief Justice, by one or two hot Spirits his Neighbours. But to be short, he received Sentence of Death with great Courage, and not at all dismayed, saying very often in Prison before, Ifit
pleased God to call him now (to glorifie his Name this Pro vidence of his) to Death, he should be ready but (said he) am as Innocent ofany thing have done against any Man that may deserve this Punishment as the Child now unborn. When he came to the Place of Execution, he very chearfully declared his Innocency to the Spectators, as before, and so praying very devoutly for some Time, he was executed His Prayer have no exact Copy of.
Also one Mr. Charles Speake of London, a Gentleman of good Extraction, being Son to the Worshipful George Speake, Esq near Illminster'mthe County ofSomerset, where he was executed His Case also was extraordinary hard but there may be two great Reasons given why he was executed the first was, Because he came from that good Pious Family, which always have been Opposers to Popery, and suffered deeply for their Courage that Way. Secondly, The said Mr. Charles Speake had purchased some great Place in the King's Bench or Common Pleas, which was very profitable to him so that by his Fall there being
Q2
;
; ;
:
;
I a:;
by /
:
I
it,
228 %ty flfilesrteirn
transactions.
Forfeiture, much Money may be made of it ; all Intercession could not avail with the L. C. J. for his Life. He happened to be at Illminster at the Time of the Duke's being there, which was the greatest Crime he was guilty of ; the Validity of his Evidence I leave to those in the West, which know how far it was carried that Way. He was a fine courteous loving Gentleman ; and not withstanding his Youth, he acted the Part of an old Christian Soldier at his Death, preparing himself to undergo those Pains, saying very often, They were nothing to his Deserts from God Almighty ; but as for what I am accused of, and sentenc'd for,
I hope you will believe I am not so guilty as my Judge and Ac
cusers have endeavoured to make me :
should have been willing to have lived some Time longer, but God's Time being come, I am willing, I will be contented to drink this bitter Cup off. Being at the Place of Execution, the Crowd was so great, that I suppose he was shorter than other wise he would have been ; but alas ! How could it be ? For on every Side of him, as well as up and down the Town, the Inha bitants were weeping and bewailing : Oh 'tis the worst Day that ever we saw in this Town ! Must this good Gentleman die
If it had pleased God, I
I
the like. He prayed very heartily for near an Hour, and sung a
Psalm, and so we hope was translated to Heaven, there to sing everlasting Praises and Hallelujahs. His Father and Mother you may easily judge were not a little concerned about him ; but their Adversaries Malice ended not here, but Father and Mother must be brought in, and how many Thousands of Pounds it cost them, I think is too well known in London; and most Parts of the Kingdom have heard in the Publick Letters their Names mentioned. Some may think they were concerned with the Duke, but I never heard there was so much made appear against them, as could have made them been brought in guilty of High Misdemeanors : Had not the good Gentleman and his Lady been Vertuous People, abhorring the Debaucheries ofthe Times, and so much a competent Estate, able to spare Ten or Twelve Thousand Pounds ; the hard Usage this honest brave Gentleman and his vertuous Lady had, and their Sufferings, to relate them, would be too large ; and besides, it is so well known in most Places in the West, that I shall, without saying any more, proceed.
here ? Oh yet save his Life,
am ready to die
for
him I And
St£r. %nrp Botitip. 229
And next for Mr. Parret, who was executed at Taunton; if I mistake not, he said he was a Londoner, and a Brewer. When he came to the Place of Execution, he seemed a Man almost un concerned at Death. After some Time he began to deliver himself somewhat low in Voice to the People, and after rising by Degrees, he seemed more like a Minister in a Pulpit Preaching devoutly, than a Prisoner just going to Execution ; but I being then not well, could not tarry to see his End. But the Character I had, was, That he desired all not to be faint-hearted because of their Fall, and to think that there was no hopes remaining. He said, He verily believed God would yet work out Deliverance
for them, and at the Time they were in the greatest Extremity, that would be God's Opportunity. Put your whole Trust and
and Dependence on the Lord, and he will never leave you, nor forsake you. And much more ; but having no more exact Copy, I shall not enlarge, but come to some other.
The Last Speech of Henry Boddy, Executed at Bath.
While he was in Prison, especially afier Sentence, he behaved himself mighty humble, meek, and was much in Meditation, which was observed by several Divines, especially one, who at tended him to his last, his Name Mr. Simpson. His poor Wife coming to see him at Wells, and to make her Interest with some
Friends, if possible to save his Life ; but finding it lost Labour, and that she could by no Means prevail, she died there for Grief before her Husband was executed, to his great Grief. When he came to the Place of Execution, he delivered himself to the People" in these Words :
Good People, I am come here to pay a Debt due to Nature, which every one, one time or another, must pay, though not in this Manner or Nature. I am condemned as a Traitor and Rebel against my King, which were Things I always hated and abhorred ; and therefore give me so much Time as to deliver my self to you ; and what I say I hope you will believe me at this Time, being just going to give an Account, not only for every idle Word, but for all Things I have done since I have bad a Being.
Confidence
230
Uty flfllesftern 'transactions.
/ was bom in Lyme Regis in the County of Dorset, and bred up a Seaman from my Infancy; I have had the honour to serve his Majesty King Charles the Second, in his Wars with the
it to be the Duty of every true English-man to stand up in his Country's
Dutch and French, divers Times.
I
always thought
I
I
for
I
was in Arms,
with Foreigners, to maintain our ancient Priviledges
I
for any Undertaking now with the late Duke <y Monmouth, for
Quarrel
and Honour of our Nation.
served him faithfully : And as
I Son and Heir; but ifotherwise,
sure they were good, for
and hope the Lord hath pardoned it. While
am sure there's none can say
I did believe him to be my Soveraigris
which 1 am now come to suffer Death; as for my Designs,
am
I
have personally wronged them.
I
therefore ifyou please (speaking to the Minister) do these last Spiritual Services for me, as for to pray with me, and for me.
have done amiss, and am sorry,
desire all yonr Prayers
me to the last.
am no Orator,
The Minister being much taken with him, desired Leave of the Sheriff to ask him some Questions ; which being granted, the
Minister said unto him,
must make bold with you, but not to
I
People on what Groundyou stand;
my and the self
/
pray, but to
holdyou too long before
Whether you do own that Doctrine of Non-resistance, own'd by the Church. That it is not lawful on any Account whatsoever, to take up Arms against the King? 0 Sir ! As to that I answer, Could I have been satisfied he had been my lawful Prince, I should not have done it. But, said the Minister, he is, andyou are not to be Judge; except you own those Things, some People will hardly have Charity for you after you are dead. What matters that, said he ? Would you have me, now you put me so close to to lie No, will not. say, he was my lawful King, was misled in my Judgment, and have committed a great Error but, Lord, hope thou hast washed away all my Sins, in and through the Blood of my dear Redeemer, in whose alone Merits hope for Mercy. desire to be asked no more Questions. Then the Minister prayed very devoutly near half an Hour after which, lifting up his Hands and Eyes to Heaven, he quietly submitted to Death.
I
everlasting State. Now pray resolve me a few Things : First,
satisfie
mean as concerning your
;
I
;
it,
I
I
I
? I
I if
9£r. 3|ofjn ^icfeg. ' 231
Mr. John Hick's Last Speech, 1685.
I suppose the Spectators here present may expect I should speak something before I leave this sanguinary Stage and Pas sage through my Bloody Sufferings, by which my immortal Spirit will be speedily transported into an invisible and eternal World, and I conclude that they have different Resentments hereof. Some resent them with much Joy, high Exultation and Triumph, others with equal Grief and Sorrow ; that to the one I am a most pleasant Spectacle, that they behold me with high Com placency and Delight ; but to the other I am a mournful and un
pleasant one, and they behold me with no less Pity and Com passion. Concerning the first, I can say, I freely and heartily forgive them, and heartily pray that God would most mercifully and graciously prevent their Mourning through Misery, not only here, but eternally hereafter. Concerning the other, I will say, Weep for your own Sins, and for the Sins of the Nation, for the highest Rebellions that ever were committed against the Great and Eternal God ; lament bitterly for those
Sins that have been the meritorious Cause of the late terrible Judgment, that which I fear will cause God to break in upon this Nation with an overflowing Deluge of Judgments, which are far
more tremendous and dreadful. As for sympathizing with
in drinking this bitter Cup appointed for me, I return you most humble and hearty Thanks, earnestly desiring God to come unto you, and fill your Souls with all Celestial Comforts and Spiritual Consolations. Something I must say to purge and clear my self from a false Accusation laid to my Charge ; as that I was en gaged with Colonel Blood in rescuing Col. Mason near Boston, when he was sent down with a Guard from London to York, to be tried for High-Treason ; and that I was the Man that killed the Barber of that City ; and that also I was with him when he stole the Crown. Now as I am a dying Man, and upon the very
Brink of a very stupendious Eternity, (the Truth and Reality whereof I firmly believe) without any Reservation or the least
I do declare in the Presence of the All seeing God, that impartial Judge, before whom in a very little Time I must
I never saw nor conversed with Mr. Thomas Blood, from
Equivocation,
appear,
me,
232
afllesftern transfacti'onsf.
1656, till after he stole the Crown, which was in 71 or 72, nor was ever engaged with him in any of his Treasonable Plots or Practices. 'Tis true, I being involved in great Trouble of an other Nature, (of which I have given to the World a Narrative, and which is notoriously known in the Country where I then
lived, by some that were Enemies to me for my Preaching) I was persuaded to apply my self to Mr. Blood, to procure by his Intercession his late Majesty's gracious Favour : Accordingly he brought me into his Royal Presence ; while I was there, his Majesty carried it with great Clemency, without expressing one Word of that which I am now charged with. Mr. Blood continued with his Majesty a little longer than I did ; then he told me that he had granted me a Pardon, which I did thank fully accept of, knowing it would free me from all Penalties and Troubles that I was obnoxious to, and were occasioned to me by my Non-conformity. Then engaging him to take out my Pardon ; he told me, That he got it out with several others that had been engaged with him in several Treasonable Designs
and Actions ; at which I was troubled, supposing it might be im puted to me thereby ; yet, God knows, I have often since re flected upon it with great Regret and Dissatisfaction. If Mr. Blood did inform the late King to make himself the more consi derable, and to bring as many of his Party as he could to accept of their Pardons, that he might be rendered utterly incapable of Plotting any further Mischief against his Government, or any
otherways that I was engaged with him in any ofhis Treasonable Attempts ; I now appeal to God, as a dying Man, concerning that he hath done me an irreparable Wrong. also in the same Manner do declare, that was never ingaged with any Party in Plotting or Designing, or Contriving any Treason or Rebellion against the late King, and particularly, that was altogether unconcerned in, and unacquainted with that for which my Lord
Russel and others suffered, and as much a Stranger to any against the present King. And whereas reported of me, That at Taunton persuaded the late Duke of Monmouth to assume the Title ofKing; do once more solemnly declare, That saw not the said Duke, nor had any Converse with him
'till he came to Shipton-Mallet, which was thirteen
he landed, and several Days after he had been at Taunton. And
Days after
I
I
I
I
it is
II
it,
9&r. loljn ^tcfeg. 233
'tis as false that I rid to and fro in the West to stir up and per suade Men to go into his Army, and rebel against his present Majesty ; for I was in the East-Country when the Duke landed, and from thence I went directly to him, when he was at Shipton- Mallet, not one Man accompanying me from thence. But hitherto as I lived, so now I die, owning and professing the true Reformed Christian (commonly called the Protestant) Religion, which is founded on the pure written Word of God only, and which I acknowledge likewise to be comprehended in the Articles of the Doctrine of the Church. This Religion I have made a reasonable and free Choice of, and have heartily embraced, not only as it protests against all Pagan and Mahometan Religion, but against the Corruption of the Christian ; and I humbly and earnestly pray to God that by his Infinite Wisdom and Almighty Power, he will prevent not only the utter Extirpation but Dimi nution thereof, by the Heighth and Influence of what is con trary thereto ; and for that End the Lord make the Professors of it to live up more to its Principles and Rules, and bring their Hearts and Conversations more under the Government and Power of the same. ' I die also owning my Ministry, Non conformity, for which I have suffer'd so much, and which doth now obstruct the King's Grace and Mercy to be manifested and extended to me : For as I chose it not constrainedly, so I appeal to God as a dying Man, not moved from Sullenness or Humour, or factious Temper, or erroneous Principles of Edu cation, or from secular Interests, or worldly Advantages, but clearly from the Dictates of my own Conscience, and as I judged it to be the Cause of God, and to have more of Divine Truth in it than that which is contrary thereto ; so now I see no Cause to repent of nor to recede from not questioning but God will own at the last Judgment-day. If no more had been required after the late King's Restauration to qualifie Ministers for Publick Preaching, than was after the first Restauration from the Time of Charles the First, probably might have satisfied my self
therewith, and not scrupled Conformity thereto but the Terms and Conditions thereof, by a particular Law made in 1662, being not only new, but so strict and severe, that could never have Satisfaction in my own Conscience, after all Endeavours used for
Compliance therewith, and Conformity thereto To say
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nothing of the Covenant, which I never took, but the giving my Assent and Consent, have been too diflicult and hard for me to comply with. And I very well remember, that about Fourteen Years ago, entring into a Discourse with Mr. Patrick Heldore, an Irish-man, who was contemporary with me in Dublin, concern ing Conformity, which he much endeavour^ to persuade me to ;
I urg'd the Severity of the foremention'd Conditions against and after some Debates and Reasons with him, told him did believe they were contrived and designed on Purpose to prevent our Publick Preaching, and to keep us out of the Church To which he Ingenuously replied, He judged was so For, said he, a Bishop in Ireland {whose Name have forgot) told me the very same.
But though could not wade through, and conquer this Diffi culty, yet censure not those that did and believe after all the hottest Disputes, and most vehement Debates, and violent contests between Conformist and Non-conformist, there are of both Parties will be glorified in Heaven hereafter. According to the 29th Article of the Church of England, a visible Church
a Congregation of Faithful Men, in the which the pure Word of God Preached, the Sacraments of the Lord duly admi- nistred, according to Christ's Ordinance, and all those Things that of Necessity are requisite and necessary to Salvation so with such Church have held the most intimate Communion, and with such (did live) could hold would not therefore be so incorporated with any Church, as to exclude me from, and render me incapable of holding Communion with other
Churches was never strongly bound up to any Form of Ecclesiastical Government, but that under which a pure and undefined Religion doth flourish, and that which contains and really practises Holiness, and advances the Kingdom of God in the World, that can approve of, and willingly live under, were
to live.
did approve of the ancient and present Form of Civil Go
vernment, English Monarchy am fully satisfied with, and do also declare, that not warrantable, for any Subject to take up Arms against, and resist their Lawful Soveraigns and Rightful
Princes And therefore had not been convinced
Things that have read and heard, to believe that the late Duke
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of Monmouth was the Legitimate Son of his Father Charles the Second, I had never gone into his Army, judging that without this I could not be freed from the Guilt of Rebellion, which I always resolved to keep my self clear from : And tho' his Father denied he was married to his Mother, I thought it might be answered with this ; That Kings and Princes, for State-Reasons, ofien cannot be fathomed by their Subjects, affirming and deny- ings Thing which otherwise they would not do, and make even their natural Affections to truckle and stoop thereto. I exhort all to abhor all Treasonable Plots, and Pretences of all Rebellion, with the highest Detestation, and to take the plain Text of Sacred
Scripture to walk by, in honouring and obeying, and living in Subjection to Rightful Kings, and not readily to receive, or suddenly to be impress'd with evil Reports and Defamations of them, also not rashly to be Propagators of the same.
I desire God to forgive all mine Enemies, and to give me an Heart to forgive them, which are many, some mighty, and all most malicious : Particularly Barter of Lisnel, who betrayed me,
and proved such a Traitor to James D. of Monmouth, his old and intimate Friend. I am grievously afflicted that I should prove the Occasion of the great Sufferings of so many Persons and Families : But this hath fallen under the Just and Wise Ordering of Divine Providence, as David's going to Abimelech, when he proved the Occasion of the Death of all the Persons, Men, Women, and Children in the City : But who shall say unto God, What doest thou ?
The Care of my most dear Wife and a great many Children, I cast upon God, who I hope will be better than the best of Husbands unto her, and the best of Fathers unto them : God knows how just and legal Right my Wife hath unto her Estate ; to him therefore I commit her, to defend her from the Violence and Oppression of Men, particularly from a most inhumane and unnatural Brother : But no Wonder if he will lay violent Hands upon his Sister's Estate, that hath so often laid them on his own Father. I die a deeply humbled, self- judging, and self-condemning Sinner, loathing and abhorring my many and great Iniquities, and my self for them, earnestly desiring full Redemption from the Bonds of Corruption, under which I have groaned so many Years, longing for a most perfect Conformity to the most Holy and Glorious God, the only infinite
236 %ty QBegttvn Hvm&mitm$.
pure Being ; thirsting for a perfect Diffusion of his Grace through all the Powers and Faculties of my Soul, panting after perfect Spiritual Life and Liberty, and a consummate Love to my
dearest Jesus, who is an All-comprehensive Good, and to be satisfied with his Love for ever : A vigorous and vehement Zeal for the Protestant Religion, with a Belief I had of the Duke's Legitimacy, hath involved me in this ignominious Death ; yet blessed be God, that by sincere Repentance and true Faith in the Blood 9f Jesus, there is Passage from it to a glorious eternal Life, and from these bitter Sorrows to the Fulness of sweetest Joys that are in his Presence, and from these sharp bodily Pains to those most pure Pleasures, that are at his Right Hand for evermore : And blessed be God, that such a Death as this cannot prevent and hinder Christ's changing of my vile Body, and fashioning it like his Glorious Body, in the general Resurrection- Day.
I am now going into that World, where many dark Things shall be made perfectly manifest and clear, and many doubtful Things fully resolved, and a plenary Satisfaction given concern ing them ; all Disputes and Mistakes concerning Treason, Re bellion, and Schism, shall be at an End, and cease for ever ;
Many Things that are innocent, lawful, and laudable, which have foul Marks and black Characters stampt and fixt upon 'em here, they shall be perfectly purified and fully cleansed from there ; where at one View more shall be known of them, than by all wrangling Debates and eager Disputes, or by reading all Polemical Books concerning them here. I greatly deplore and bewail the greedy Appetite and insatiable Thirst, that Professing Protestants have after the Blood of their Brethren, and the high Pleasure they take in the Effusion thereof. But what will not Men do, when they are either judicially blinded, or their secular
worldly Interest insensibly insinuates and winds it self into their Religion, is so twisted and incorporated with that animates and acts the Life and Soul, the vital Form and Power, and made wholly subservient thereunto
bless God for all my Sufferings, and particularly for this last for the Benefit and Fruit of by God's sanctifiying of them to me, have been great hereby have been effectually convinced of the Vanity of the World, and my own Sinfulness
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by Nature and Practice, and to see that to be Sin which I never saw before ; and to be more throughly humbled for what I know to be sin, not only of Commission, but of Omission also ; Hereby I have been brought to a more thorough, deep, inward Sense and Feeling of the absolute Necessity of the Right eousness of Christ to justifie me, and he hath been made much more dear and precious to my Soul, than ever he was before. Hereby my Soul hath been more refin'd, from the Dross of Sen suality, wrought into a more Heavenly Frame, raised up to a higher Pitch of Spirituality ; hereby I am made more meek and humble, and so judge more charitably of others that differ from me in Opinion and Judgment ; So that by God's most Righteous Judgment I have been apprehended, and most justly and deservedly undergo this Suffering for my Sins, yet I hope they have wrought for me a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory, fitting and preparing me, making me a better qualified Subject for, and far more meet to be a Partaker of the same. By the Grace and Strength of God, I will not purchase my Life by the Death and Blood of my Protestant Brethren, but chuse to die rather than be a Betrayer of them ; the impetuous and violent Assault of this I dreaded more than
Death it self. Blessed be God I was not exposed unto and conquered by as some have been Having such full bodily Vigour and Strength, being in such perfect Health, notwithstand ing my Age, predominating in me, hath made more difficult to die, than had been clogged and incumbered with infirmi ties, made to bow and stoop under them by prevailing Diseases and Distempers, gradually worn out therewith, which many Times makes Men weary of Life, and to desire to die and this in Conjunction with many Things, (which forbear to mention) highly gratifying and pleasing to Sense, which must leave for ever, strengthens and heightens the Difficulty, and begets a greater Regret and Reluctancy in my Will, to have the Earthly
Tabernacle of my Body dissolved, and my Soul to dislodge and quit the same. But now when the black and gloomy Shades of Death do overspread me, can say, to the Glory of God's most Free and Powerful Grace, True Faith in some Measure hath changed the Difficulty into a Facility and Easiness of Dying
hath very much subdued the Reluctancy of my Will against it;
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for it makes future Things present, and invisible Things visible, and doth realise and substantiate the same to me ; and as by it I penetrate and pierce into Eternity, and behold invisible and immortal Things, so hereby, blessed be God, I have obtained a
greater Victory over Sense : The World is crucified to me, and I to the World, and all the most pleasant and delightful Objects therein, all finite, fading Creatures, Comforts and Enjoyments,
are become minute and small, despicable and contemptible to me, in Comparison thereof, being infinitely contained and com prehended therein : Shall my Soul clasp and cling about these mortal and perishing Things ? Shall it cleave and be glued to them ? Shall it be confined and captivated into what is kept in
the narrow Bounds of Time, and in this lower World ? Shall it earnestly desire and thirst for muddy Streams, yea Rivers of Flesh-pleasing Good ; when by an Eye of Faith I can look into the indeficient, inexhaustible, purest Fountain ; the immense, immensurate Ocean of Divine Good ; hoping to drink thereof,
to swim and bathe my Soul therein for ever and ever ? And when I consider how long my Ears have been bound up, and tied to their innumerable and horrid Oaths, and cursed Blas phemies, and mine Eyes to see the Prophanation of the Day of
God ; and when I beheld such an overflowing Flood of most prodigious Impiety, such an Inundation of most monstrous Iniquity, so much Hell upon Earth, and that there is so much Decay of holy Zeal, and true Piety, and Christian Religion, amongst the Professors of such seeming incurable Breaches and Divisions, such expiring Love, and Charity, and Partings among 'em ;'it hath powerful Influence on my Soul to reconcile
more to Death, and makes electively, and from Choice, to leave this present World, and to take up my Abode in that which unseen and future, where there shall be nothing but perfect Love and Holiness sinless State, and serving God with all Un- weariedness and Perfection, with the highest Complacency and
Delight that immortal Souls can be capable of There perfect Peace and Concord, the innumerable Company of Angels, and the Spirits of Just Men made perfect, all fastned together with indissolvable and uninterrupted Chains of most pure Love, and all continually wrapt up in, and transported with the highest Admiration of God's Love, his infinite and incomprehensible
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Excellencies and Perfections, singing Hallelujahs to him without ceasing and triumphing in his Praise for ever and ever. The Con sideration also, that I know so little of these sublime, profound and Divine Mysteries ; of the most glorious Mystery of Salvation by Jesus Christ ; that I am so uncapable to fathom the Depth of the Providences of God, whose ways are in the Sea, and whose Paths are in the deep Waters, and whose Footsteps are not known, and particularly in the late stupendious and amazing one ; and that
I am so ignorant of the Nature of Angels and Spirits, with their Offices and Operations, and of their high and glorious Excellen cies ; and that I am so little acquainted with the Nature of my own Soul, as at present dwelling in, and united to my Body, and as disunited and separated from it ; how without corporeal Organs it shall most vivaciously and vigorously perform all its proper Functions and Offices, and more than ever strongly and indefatigably serve the Lord Jesus, most fervently and abun dantly love him, and delight in him every way, much more obtain the supream and highest End of its Creation and Being ; and this makes me much more willing to die, that I may have
the Knowledge thereof, with innumerable other Things ; that I am now either ignorant of, or do but imperfectly know, and so be made happy by a Plenitude of Fulness of injoying intellectual Pleasures, which are of all other most suitable, sweet, and satis factory to immortal Souls. And also I see that he that departs from Iniquity makes himself a Prey ; and so many plunging themselves into the Ways of Iniquity, lest they should be ac counted odious and vile, which makes them so much degenerate not only from Christianity, but from Humanity it self, as if they were scarce the Excrement of either ; contemning even that most Noble, Generous, Heroick Spirit that dwelt in many Heathens, who accounted it most Honourable and Glorious to contend for their Rights and Liberties, yea, to suffer Death, and the worst of Deaths, in Defence of the same ; and judge them accursed and most execrable in the World that do so ; and not only so, but for their own Profit and Advantage, have many of them inslaved their Posterity by and are most industrious and laborious, most fierce and furious to destroy them, whereby they are become as unnatural as Children that seek the Ruin of their Parents that begot them, and brought them forth or them that lay
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violent Hands upon themselves, dashing out their own Brains, cutting their own Throats, hanging and drawing themselves, rip
ping uptheir own Bellies, tearing out their own Bowels, they being in different Senses Children and Members of that Body Politick they design and attempt the Destruction of ; and when I know not how longthe Duration and Continuance of these Things shall be, ora Conclusion or End by God shall be put thereto, whoby Divine and Unerring Wisdom governs the World ; why shall my Soul be unwilling to take its Flight into the unseen and eternal World ? Where no sullied, sordid, or impious Thing, most incongruous and unbecoming Nature, shall be seen and found, and where I shall behold no narrow, conclusive, contracted Soul there, habitually preferring their private before a Publick Good, but all most unanimously and equally center in one com mon, universal Good, and where the Sighs, and Groans, and
Cries of the Afflicted and Persecuted shall be heard no more for ever.
I earnestly exhort all most highly to prize and value Time, and diligently improve it for Eternity ; to be Wise, seriously and seasonably to consider of their latter End : For by the irre- peatable and irreversible Law of Heaven we must all die, yet
we know not how, where, or when. Live with your Souls full of Solicitude and Care, with a most deep Concernedness and most diligent Industriousness, whilst you have Time and Opportunity, and the Means of Grace, Health, and Strength, make sure of these two great Things, viz.
1. What merits for you a Right and Title to eternal Life and Glory, and the future unchangeable Blessedness, as the Re deemer's most precious Blood and Righteousness ; that thereby a real Application and Imputation may be unto you by sincere Believing.
2. That that which makes you qualified Subjects for the great Work of Regeneration, wrought in your Souls, being re newed in the Spirit of your Minds, the Divine Nature being imprest upon them, repairing of the depraved Image of God in you that being transformed into his own Likeness, thereby in the World you may mind and favour more the Things of the
Spirit than the Things of the Flesh, Celestial and Heavenly more tfjin Terrestrial and Earthly, superiour more than inferiour
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- Things: And therewith have a holy Life and Conversation conjoined, that results and springs from the same, as Fruit from the Root, and acts from the Habits. Let all, in Order thereto, seriously consider these few Texts of Sacred Scripture, let them predominately possess you ; let them be deeply and indelibly transcribed upon your Souls ; let them be assimilated thereun to, and made the written Epistles, the lively Pictures thereof, Mat. 5. 8, 20. Blessed be the pure in Heart, for they shall see
God. Ver. 29. For I
ness exceed the Righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no Case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. IJohn 3. 3.
say unto yon, Except your Righteous
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily,
say ? tnto thee, except a Man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of
God. 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10, 11. Know ye not that the Unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God, &>c. Gal. 5. 19, 20, to 23. Now the Works ofthe Flesh are manifest, which are these, Adultery, &*c. James 1. 18. Of his own Will begat he us with
the Word of Truth, that we should be a kind of First-fruits of his Creatures. 1 Pet. 1. 3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again to a lively Hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Ver. 13. Wherefore gird up the Loins of your Mind,
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the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts, &*c. Eph. 2. 1. And you hath he quickned, who were dead in Trespasses and Sins. Rev. 20. 6. Blessed and holy is he that hath Part in the First
Resurrection, on such the Second Death hath no Power. Rom. 8. 1. There is therefore now no Condemnation, dr>c 1 Pet. 1. 15. But as he that hath called you is holy, so be ye, &*c. Ver. 23. Being born again, not of corruptible Seed, &*c. Psal. 4. 3. But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is Godly for himself, &*c. I shall mention now no more, the whole Bible abounds with these Texts, with what a Renovation and Change of our carnal and corrupt Hearts and Natures, there must be, with Holiness of Life and Conversation, before we can be capable of a future and blessed Immortality, and of inheriting
the Kingdom of God for ever and ever. Amen. R
ye then be risen with Christ, seek those Things that are above : Set your Affections on Things above, not, Gr*c. Gal. 5. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified
Sfc. Coloss. 3. 1,2.
Wit^mn tlrans(actfong.
242
A Letter written by Mr. John Hicks, Octob. 5. the Day before his Death.
My Dear Nephew,
I am yet in the Land of the Living, though in the Mouth of Death ; I have been concerned for you, next to my own Children ; before I die, I thought fit to write two or three lines to you, as a Manifestation of my great Love to you : I earnestly desire the Welfare of you here, and to Eternity hereafter ; next to my own Wife and Children, you will want me when I am gone ; but I hope the Lord will take Care of you ; make it your Business to walk with him, to serve" him faithfully; flee youthful Lusts, and Remember your Creator in the Days of your Youth ; be deeply concern'd to have your Heart and Nature chang'd, and an Interest in Christ secured unto you. Death comes suddenly,
you know not when, where, nor how you shall die : Let Time therefore be most precious to you ; fill it up with Work and Duty ; live by Faith more than by Sense ; and this will stand by you when you come to die: Seek the Things which are above, and set your Affections upon them ; have your Conver sation in Heaven whilst you are upon Earth. When you see your Parents, give my dear Love to them and their children ; the Lord grant that we may meet in his everlasting Kingdom : When you see any of your Cousins, give my dear Love to them, and be not asham'd of my Sufferings. I wrote last Saturday was a Seven night to my Brother George, but whether he is at London or Worcester, I know not ; I wrote to him to desire him to Petition the King, that some Favour and Mercy might be shewed me, if he thought fit. Things that are made to aggravate my Crime, I am clear from ; as that I persuaded the Duke of Monmouth to assume the Title of King at Taunton, when I was not there with him, nor in thirteen Days after he came into England ; and that I rode to and fro in the West to persuade People to go into his Army, when I was in the East, and came from thence to him in the West ; but my Non-con formity cuts me, and obstructs the King's
Mercy from being extended to me, as I am told ; but the Will of the Lord be done ;
243
the Life to come is infinitely better than this : Many more Things are laid to my Charge, which I am no more guilty of than your self. If your Uncle be in Town, go speedily to him, and give him my dear Love. I pray for you, who am
Your most Affectionate Uncle, Octob. 5. 1685. J. H.
A Letter to Ms Wife, Septemb. 23. 1685.
My Dearest Love,
I hope you received a few Lines from me by the way of London ; once more I write to you, by our faithful and trusty Friend, W. D. , who hath been at Exon. If there be need for
he knows many of my dear and faithful Friends there, who wish you would come and live among them and if your Estate fail, think very advisable so to do hope God will stand by
you, and defend you My Dear, see me in God, as must you. must now bid Adieu to all earthly and worldly Comforts, and all the pleasant and delightful Objects of Sense. bless God for all present Mercies and Comforts hitherto have had what will be after this Day know not, but the Will of the Lord be
done.
My Dear, be very cautious not to speak one Word, lest be
wrested to a wrong Sense, which may ruin you have not writ what would of this Nature, take the Advice of Friends, and of what send by our Friend. let not the everlasting Arms of God be withdrawn from you one Moment and let hfm strengthen you with all Might, according to his glorious Power, and to all Patience and Long-suffering, with Joyfulness Pray hard for victory over Passion, and be much in private Closet-Prayer with God; and often read the Holy Bible, and other good Books; the Lord continually guide, direct, and counsel you. My Dear, return you a thousand Thanks for all the Love you have shown me and my Children, and particularly for the high and great Demonstration you have given hereof in this Day of my Distress. hope my Daughters will be as dutiful to you, and be as much concerned for your Comfort and Welfare, as you had travelled with them, and brought them into the World
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God bless my dear little Ones and them together, I shall die their most affectionate and praying Father ; God, I hope, will uphold, support, and comfort me at the last Hour, and enable me to overcome the Temptations I shall violently be assaulted with before I die. God by his infinite and freest Mercies in Jesus Christ, pardon all the neglect of Relative Duties, (which I have bitterly lamented and bewailed before God, with all the Sins I am guilty of) for the Sake of our dearest Lord and Redeemer. The Lord make you grow in all Grace more than ever, and make this great Affliction so humbly purifying and spiritualizing to you as well as me, that it may work for us both a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory. Let him take your Soul in his most dearest Embraces, and lodge it in the Bosom of his Love here, and make us to meet in the full and everlasting Fruition and Enjoyment of him hereafter. Though it be dangerous for you to vindicate that I die for, yetbenottoomuch castdownforit: Iwillsaynomore asto that. My hearty and affectionate Respects to all my dear Friends ; I need not name them ; I hope to meet them with
your self, to inherit Eternal Life, through the Merits of Christ's Death. Farewell, my Dear, fare well in the Lord, until we meet to be married to him for ever. My Heart is as full of Love to thee, as it was the first Day I married thee ; and if God spar'd my Life, it should have been as fully manifested until Death : Therefore I rest,
Your most Affectionate and Endeared Husband, Seitemb. m. l68t. J. H.
Another Letter.
I received your Letter by Mr. Skinner ; I bless you and my Babes are well; the Lord continue their Lives to be a Blessing and Comfort to you, and enable you to see them well Educated in the Fear of God ; and when God takes me away, let him be a Husband to guide, direct, succour, comfort, and support you, and to lodge your Soul in the Bosom of his Love ; and let him be a Father to them, and their Portion for ever. Monday last my Brother went to London to try what could be
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done for me; what the Success will be, I know not : I desire the Lord every Day to prepare me for Death, and carry me above the Fear of by the Discoveries of his everlasting Love unto my Soul, and clearing up my Right and Title to everlasting Life and by sealing up to me the Pardon of all my Sins, through the most precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Let us pray hard and much for each other When leave this World, shall be with . Prayer for thee God give me Life how shall study to be Comfort to thee, and to live up to my Marriage as well as Baptismal Covenant To all my Friends tender my affectionate Respects hope their Prayers will one Way or other be heard for me let the Almighty be your Protector, Supporter, and Comforter. There be two Books do recommend to you to read when you are retir'd, as well as in your family Pierce's Preparation for Death, and Fox's Redemption of Time.
Now let our Souls meet together in one most blessed God, in our dearest Jesus, and sweetest Saviour; let them clasp and cling about him, and be sick for the Love of him and that we may meet to enjoy him fully to Eternity, and be satisfied with his Love for ever. A thousand Loves, had them, would send to thee, next to my dearest Lord Jesus, and the Things that are Heavenly, Spiritual, and Immortal love thee What can spare for thee convey'd to thee and my dear Children, from
Thy most Affectionate and Faithful Husband,
and their most Loving Father,
Another Letter.
Mfy most Dear Love,
hope 'iou" have received my last once more, as dead and
living Man (through Difficulty) write to you, though yet do not know when or where shall die, but expect Death every Day when that Message brought to me, hope, through the Grace and Strength of Christ, will be no Surprize to me that neither my Lips, Flesh, nor Heart will. tremble when hear it;
know the Cause for which suffer; God hath and has singled me out from many of my Brethren (which never have been
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without some Apprehensions of, for above these twenty Years) to lay down my Life; how far it is for his Cause, will be judged at the last Day : I bless God, who hath kept me from all Temp tations to Conformity ; though it hath brought me to Ruin and Destruction in this World, it will be no fit Season for you to vindicate that for which I am called to suffer, be silent, and leave it to God ; I advise you to all Prudence in this Case : Have your own reserved Thoughts, and let them concerning me support and comfort you ; if there never happen a Time for you to glory in my Sufferings, it will be hereafter ; do you but walk with God (though through Prudence you must hold your Tongue) and be not asham'd you had such a Husband ; I thank God that gave it me, whose Courage and publick Spirit for the Protestant Religion, the Civil Liberties of his Country, even true English Liberties, hath in this ignominious Way brought me to the Conclusion and End of my Time. Mourn not, my Dear, as one without Hope, let the World know you have something from me, something from your self, as a Christian, but ten thousand times more from God, to comfort and support you ; see Christ by an Eye of Faith, infinitely more lovely and beau tiful than myself ; let him be married to your Soul ; let him be the Chiefest of ten thousand, and more dear and precious to you ; it is not long we shall be separated, before we shall see one another in a Spiritual Enjoyment, separated from all fleshly Pleasures and Delights, yet infinitely more sweet and satisfying to Immortal Spirits, as you and I us'd to see Streams from the
Fountain, and the largest Streams in the Ocean ; so let us see one another in God, the ever-flowing and over-flowing Fountain of all Good, the fathomless and boundless Ocean of Good. Seek much the Things which are above, live with your Affec tions set upon them ; and have your Conversation in Heaven whilst you are upon Earth. I continue yet to pray for you, as for my self, and shall continue to do it until I die ; in my last Prayers you shall be interested with my dear Babes, whom I hope God will take into Covenant with him, and number them among his Adopted Ones, and of that incorruptible Inheritance
which is in Heaven : I hope God will spare their Life to see them Educated, and guide and assist you therein, and theirs to be a Blessing and Comfort to you : Consider your Condition is
Captain abraljam Ansflep.
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not single and alone, this Country affords a Multitude of the like sad and deplorable Instances ; let this make you more to possess your Soul with Patience and Humility, calmly and quietly to submit to the good Will of God. I have left a Paper behind me for you to read ; and our Friend can tell with what Difficulty I write therefore must have many Defects and Imperfections, which must be over-looked and mended pre serve the two Bibles for my dear James and Betty. What shall say more, my Dearest? must break off with my Heart full
of Love to thee and subscribe my self
Your most Dear and Affectionate
Husband till Death, Octob. 1685. H.
Captain Abraham Ansley's Last Speech.
am come to pay a Debt to Nature; 'tis a Debt that all must pay, though some after one Manner, and some after another The Way that pay may be thought by some few ignominious, but not so by me having long since, as a true Englishman, thought my Duty to venture my Life in Defence of the Protestant Religion against Popery and Arbitrary Power For this same Purpose came from my House to the Duke of Monmouth's Army At first was a Lieutenant, and then Captain, and was in all the Action the Foot was engaged in, which do not repent For had a thousand Lives, they should all have been engaged in the same Cause, although hath pleased the wise God (for Reasons best known to himself) to blast our Designs but he will deliver his People by Ways we
know nor think not of might have saved my Life, would have done as some narrow-soul'd Persons have done, by impeaching others but abhor such Ways of Deliverance, chusing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy Life with Sin. As to my Religion, own the Way and Practice of the Independent Churches, and in that Faith die, depending on the Merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ for my Eternal Salvation His Blessing be with you all. Farewel to
thee, poor England, Farewel.
Abraham Ansley.
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From Taunton Castle, Sept. 21. 1685.
Abraham Ansley.
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I now send you my Last Farewel, being going to lay down my Life with Joy and Assurance of Life Eternal ; for which blessed be the Holy One of Israel, who never leaves nor forsakes those that put their Trust in him, and give you many Thanks for your Kindness to me, the Lord make it up to you, by pouring upon you a daily Portion of his most Holy Spirit, and deliver you from your Bonds. My Enemies have done what they could to afflict this Body ; but blessed be the most High, who hath given me Strength, Patience, and Courage to endure all they can lay upon me. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Fellowship of his Holy Spirit attend you ; which is the Prayer of your dying Friend, but living Brother in Christ Jesus,
Mr. Ansley's Last Letter. Sir,
Mr. Josias Askew's Letter to his Father.
Honoured Father,
I not having an Opportunity to make my Gratitude known to you for all your Endeavours, for the saving a poor, vain, perish ing, and troublesome Life ; and seeing it is all in vain, I would desire you both to acquiesce in the Will of God, and rejoice with me for this happy Day of my Departure from this State of Pilgrimage, home to the Possession of those Heavenly Mansions, which my God and Father hath provided for me, in and through
and is set down at the Right Hand of God, making Intercession for all those that have a well-grounded Confidence in him. My Time is but short, and by Reason of Company I am disturbed ; therefore I conclude with my last Breath, begging of God that he would keep you constant in his Fear, in this Day of great
It is in him alone I put my Trust and
my Lord Jesus Christ :
Confidence, and therefore can boldly say, Who is he that con- demneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again
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Temptation, and at last receive you to his Glory, where we shall once more unite in Praising without interruption or Dis traction, World without End, Amen : Until which Time the Grace of God the Father, the love of God the Son, the comfort able Refreshings of God the Holy Ghost, be with you, all yours, and the whole Israel of God, both now and for ever : Which is the hearty Prayer of your Son,
Pray remember me to all with Joy.
Josias Askew.
Another Letter to his Friend. Madam,
You have been a Partaker with me in my Troubles, I would also make you Partaker with me in my Joys ; seeing my Wed ding day is come, the Day of the Bridegroom is at hand, and I am this Day to be stript of my Rags of Corruption, to be cloathed upon with the White Robe of his Righteousness and Purity, and to be married to my Husband, and to be given to the Embraces of my Lord Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
Learn not to repine at the Holy Determination of an Infinite Wise God. but rest satisfied in his Will, knowing that he doth all Things for the Best, to them that fear him : Weep not for me
who am only changing this World of Temptation, of Troubles and Afflictions: It hath pleased God to call me a little before you, but you must soon follow after ; keep therefore the Fear of God before your Eyes, and then you will have Cause to rejoice, and not to mourn ; when at the Time of DepartIure you may
have Cause to say with me,
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my Course,
have kept the Faith, is laid up me a henceforth for
Your Friend and Servant,
Josias Askew.
The Account his Friend gives of him.
To prevent your further Trouble in suing for a Pardon, I think it convenient to let you know, I do not question but my dear Cousin hath had his Pardon sealed by the King ofKings,
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and is in everlasting Blessedness, singing Hallelujahs, Salvation, Glory, and Honour to him that sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever ; For God did so carry him through to drink that Bitter Cup, with so much Courage and Chearful- ness to the last, as was to the Admiration of all Spectators, not withstanding the terrible Sight he saw at the Place of Suffering, and so vehemently, as he was tried by the Adversary, yet it did not in the least discompose him, or alter his countenance ; for he continued with a smiling Countenance to the last, and was transported above Measure : I want Words to express he was like One wrapt up in Heaven, with his Heart there, and his Eyes fixed thereon. could wish you had been there, would have driven away all Cause of Sorrow from your Heart, to see his Deportment, and hear the gracious Words that proceeded out of his Mouth He remembreth his duty to you both, and left Paul's Blessing with you, Grace, Mercy, and Peace his
Love to his dear Sister he desires her not to be troubled for him, for he hath made his Peace with God, and was assured he should go to Eternal Happiness he would have written more to you and to his Sister, but that he had so short a Time after Sentence, that he wanted Opportunity when he went out of Prison, he said, Gentlemen, now am going, and it is the Time
much longed for; would not change with him that passeth Sentence upon me, for a World. was with him to the last, and seeing his Courage, did very much encourage me, though never saw such a Sight with my Eyes.
The Behaviour John Holway, before and at the
Place his Execution at Warham, in the Dorset.
He lived in Lyme where the Duke Landed, and appeared in Arms at that Time, until his Captain left him then took up Arms under the Duke of Monmouth, and went with him, until the King's Proclamation came forth, That all that would lay down their Arms before some Justice of the Peace, infour Days
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after, and take a Certificate for their so doing, they should be acquitted, and have his Majesty's Pardon, which this Person
did,
Resolution, and by the Means of one Mr. Tiller, who was to suffer with him, was brought to that settled Frame of Spirit, as fit for one in that Condition As he was riding in the Cart,
toward the Place of Execution, the Troopers, being just behind the Cart, he told them, They shewed like Brave Fellows, but, said he, were to have my Life forfighting the best five ofyou,
would not question it. At the Place of Execution he said not much, But that he thought his and other Mens Blood would be revenged one Time or another, and said, Forgive me, have Mercy on my poor Soul, pardon all my Sins, and the like, and so the Executioner did his office.
The Last Speech and Prayer Mr. Matthews at the Place Execution.
He was much concerned the Morning before he died, to see his Wife weep, and to be in such a Passion for him, which drew Tears from his Eyes and taking her in his Arms, said, My Dear, prithee do not disturb me at this Time, but endeavour to submit to the Will of God; and although thy Husband is going
from thee, yet trust God will be all in all unto thee; sure, my Dear, you will make my Passage into Eternity more Trouble- som than otherwise, you thus lament and take onfor me am very sensible of thy tender Love towards me, but would have you consider, that this Separation will be so much for. my advantage, as your loss cannot parallel. thank God am willing to die, and to be with my Jesus; be satisfied the will of God must be done Thy Will be done, God, in Earth as in Heaven: So
though one Day too late ; which Blot my Lord Chief Justice hit, being very good at and passed the Sentence of Death on him. Before his Trial he was not much concerned at his Case, and thought himself almost out of Danger But to be short, he received his Sentence with much Courage and
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