No More Learning

Noise: Yet notwithstanding all this, he was silent a long while and minded only the proper Business of his Calling, resolving not to concern himself with State-Affairs, as deeming them above his Sphere and Condition ; which Silence and Resolution he had still kept, notwithstanding the great and ineffable Evils he saw impending over us, (which were much the more apparent upon the Prorogations and Dissolutions of so many Parliaments in so dangerous and so critical a Juncture ;) but that casually reading one of the Weekly Intelligences, he happened therein to meet with something, Entituled, An Address from the Loyal Young Men Apprentices of the City of London to His Majesty : The Title (he thought) concerned him, as being a Loyal Appren tice of the same City, and therefore he deliberately read it over. At first it seemed to bear a fair Aspect, as it was a Tender of Thanks to His Majesty for His most Gracious Declaration ; but considering that this Declaration contained in several severe Reflections on the Proceedings of the late Parlia ments, terming them Arbitrary, illegal, and unwarrantable, Mr. Noise dreaded the Consequence of such Reflections, as believing that stood not with Modesty, for Apprentices to charge the Great Senate of the Nation with Arbitrary, Illegal, and Un
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warrantable Proceedings ; and resolved what in him lay, to Vindicate himself and fellow-Apprentices (which is thought to have been the Cause of all his Sufferings before related) and to satisfie the whole World, that the far greater Part of the Apprenties of London have too great a Veneration for Parlia-
" ments, (which under his Majesty are the Bulwarks of our Lives, Liberties, and Properties) for to be concerned in any Thing tending to Reproach, or reflect upon them ; he advis'd with several sober Persons about who did not disapprove of his Design, but Advice therein they would not give Wherefore Mr.
Noise thinking to Petition the Lord Mayor would be the most modest and proper Way to demonstrate Dislike of, and Detes tation to all such Actions, he caused the following Petition to be drawn up and Presented, viz.
To the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London, the Humble Address of many Thousand Loyal Apprentices of the same City, whose names are hereunto Subscribed,
In all Humility Sheweth,
That as we are justly sensible of our Happiness, in being bom under the Enjoyment of the Protestant Religion, so Ex cellent a Government, and so Gracious a King, to whose Service we shall ever be ready to sacrifice our Lives so have we continually applied our selves to discharge our Duties in our
proper Callings, without presuming to intermeddle in Affairs beyond our Sphere or Concernment.
But being fully Satisfied, both by his Majesty's frequent Pro clamations, the unanimous Votes of several Parliaments, and the Notoriousness of Fact, that for divers Years past, there hath been, and still a Devilish Plot carrying on by the Papists against the Sacred Life of our Soveraign, (whom God preserve) and to subvert the Protestant Religion, and the Government Established In which horrid Practices the Conspirators have
alway appeared most active and insolent during the Intervals of Parliaments and from thence, and the continuing Hopes of a Popish Successor, take Occasion with greater Confidence, to
push on their fatal Designs.
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Observing likewise, that among the many late Addresses, there hath been one promoted in the Names of some few of our Condition in this Honourable City, which now is represented as the Act and Sense of the Generality of Apprentices, although the far greater Part never joined therein, as fearing lest the same might seem of a Tendency dishonourable to Parliaments, whose Constitution we Reverence, and humbly apprehend their Coun sels highly necessary in such a Juncture.
Wherefore, though out of an awful Respect, we presume not to approach his Sacred Majesty, yet we cannot but think it our Duty, to declare to your Lordship (the Chief Magistrate under him of this honourable City) and to all the World, That we shall never be behind any of our Fellow-Apprentices in Demon strations of Loyalty to his Sacred Majesty, even to the last Drop of our Blood, whenever his Majesty's Service shall require against any Traitors or Rebels whatsoever. And also to assure your Lordship, That as we do (and through God's Grace ever shall) abhor Popery, and all its bloody, traiterous Practices So
we do utterly disapprove and dislike any such Proceedings from private Persons, as tend to reproach Parliaments but do unani mously, with one Heart, and with one Voice, express our Satis faction in, and Thanks for the humble Petition and Address of your Lordship and the Common-Council presented to his
Majesty in May last, and since approved of in Common-Hall, for the Assembling and sitting of a Parliament.
That the God of Heaven may ever bless and preserve his Sacred Majesty, and your Lordship, and this great and honourable City and grant that your Successors, in this weighty Trust, may imitate your Lordship's Piety and Zeal, for the Protestant Religion, and his Majesty's Service, shall ever be the daily Prayers of us his Majesty's humble, faithful, loyal and obedient
Subjects. Printed for Thomas Goodwill, An. 1681.
This Name composed of Fourteen Letters, taken out of the Names of the Chief Managers.
This Address was signed by about Thirty Thousand Hands and when those Twenty Persons that presented had subscribed their Names to they sent Mr. Noise and Mr. Dunton (two of the said Presenters) to Mr. Firmin,'to know when they might have
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Leave to present it to my Lord Mayor, which being granted in a few Days the Twenty Presenters went in a Body together to Mr. Firmin, who introduced 'em to my Lord. To whom Mr. Burley
made a brief Speech as follows.
May it Please your Lordship.
The Occasion of giving your Lordship this Trouble is humbly to lay at your Lordship's Feet, an Address to your Lordship subscribed by many Thousand Loyal Apprentices of this City.
We do humbly acknowledge to your Lordship, that the Pre sumption we may seem guilty of in this Matter, (considering our present Stations) requires a far greater Apology than we are able to make. But the principal Reasons that incited us, thus to address ourselves to your Lordship, are,
To demonstrate our Loyalty to his Sacred Majesty.
Our Zeal for the Protestant Religion.
And the Veneration and Esteem we have, and ought to have
or Parliaments.
Neither indeed, my Lord, could we think these sufficient
Motives to stir us up to this publick Application, (which better becomes graver Heads than ours) had not some few of our Fellow-Apprentices lately presented his Majesty with an Ad dress (which seemed to be a Gratulation for the Dissolution of the Two last Parliaments) whic^i they now report to have been the Act of the Majority of Apprentices of this honourable City ; although the far greater Part (as may by the Subscriptions of this Address appear to your Lordship) were never concerned therein. And although (by Reason of our present Condition) we think it an unpardonable Crime to approach his Sacred Majesty about Matters relating to the State ; yet we deem it our bounden Duty to declare to your Lordship and the whole World, That we utterly disclaim any proceedings (especially from Persons in our own Condition) that may seem to reflect upon Parliaments, the greatest Senate of the Nation. And that the Generality of Apprentices of this City have a Venerable Esteem
for Parliaments ; which may the better appear to your Lordship upon reading the Address it self.
And I dare be bold to affirm to your Lordship, (by the Infor
121
mation I have had from those who were employed to take Sub scriptions to this Address,) That there is not one Subscriber to who either Journey-man, Tapster, Hostler, Water-man,
or the like but all Persons of our own Rank and Condition. Which Address, in the name of all the Subscribers thereunto,
humbly offer to your Lordship, and beg your Lordship's favour able Reception of it.
Then his Lordship commanded the Address to be read, which being ready, Mr. Burley proceeded thus.
have one Thing more to say, my Lord, understand that there a common Notion about Town, that this Address hath been carried on by Faction, and that none but Dissenters have been concerned in it. can assure your Lordship of the con trary For that know many of the Subscribers who are of the Church of England; of which Church boast my self an unworthy Member.
Then his Lordship was pleased to express himself to this Effect.
Gentlemen,
This a Surprize to me and therefore cannot tell what to say to it. But for as much as have heard your Address read, and at first reading can find nothing in but what becomes Loyal and Obedient Subjects, do accept of it. only desire the Names of you that are the Presenters.
Then we told him, that our Names were those, which were next to the Address self at some Distance from the rest of the Subscribers. Then he ordered them all to be called over, and so we answered to our Names. And then his Lordship desired he might have an Account of our Abodes, which we also gave him.
Then his Lordship advised us to go home, and give Evidence of our Loyalty by our peaceable Demeanour, and Conformity to the Laws of the Land and to lay the Foundation of our future Happiness, by being dutiful to our Masters, and diligent in our Business, that so in Time we might become good Citizens.
So they returned again in five Coaches, to Russell's, and supped there all together, and so every one went home.
The Twenty Presenters of this Address were, Mr. Burley,
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Mr. A h, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Mead, Mr. B th, Mr.
Mr. Batty, Mr. P /if, Mr. Donton, Mr. Noise,
of the Persons who first set this Design afoot) Mr. C
Mr. Mr. y, Mr. Heming, Mr. B w, Mr. Pointell, Mr. th, Mr. Bourn, Mr. Malthus, Mr. ft.
Letter sent August 19. 1681. thus subscribed,
7(7 /fa truly Loyal and Protestant Apprentices of London, that were the Principal Managers of the late Address to my Lord Mayor.
Go on, Heroick Souls, and faithful be Unto your God, your King, your Liberty. Let your unbyast Actions give the Lie To such as scandalize your Loyalty.
To Casar render what's to Ccesar due
Earth merits, Heaven expects no more from you.
Those Rights defend which your Brave Sires sent down, Inviolable as the Throne or Crown.
Tell supple Parasites, and treacherous Knaves,
You're humble Subjects, not degenerate Slaves.
Bow low, but scorn to creep, (for that's as well) Nor for a Mess of Broth your Birth-rights sell.
Pass by th' Affronts that Hell and Rome can send Comfort your selves, when 'tis at worst 'twill mend. But when the Church shook by Potent Foes, For her Defence your Bodies interpose.
Of Popish Mercy never run the Risque
A crowned Serpent grows a Basilisk.
Vindicate then the Gospel and the Laws
The Cause Heaven's, Heaven will espouse the Cause.
Undauntedly prop up your Churches Walls, And joy to fall beneath falls.
To perish thus, who would not be content, When mouldring Temples are his Monument
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THE
INTRODUCTION OF THE
Western TRANSACTIONS, AND
UPON
pENERAL pBSERVATIONS
JHEM.
AM sensible 'tis a very invidious Thing to defend any Action which has had the Public Stream and Cry long against it ; with which even Men of Sense, and sometimes Religion too, tho' Pride or
Shame perhaps seldom lets 'em own the very Truth on't, are commonly hurried away as well as others. But this is, 'tis hoped, for the general, an Age of Confession and Ingenuity ; and since so many of the greatest Men upon Earth have gone before, in acknowledging some Notions too far strained, and others mistaken, 'twill be no real Disgrace, but an Honour to
follow them, when so much in the right. And if once Principles and Notions are changed, or limited, we shall necessarily have other Thoughts of Things and Persons than we had before ; and
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that Action was called Rebellion, and those Men we thought Rebels, while we had a wrong slavish Notion of Obedience ; when once that's regulated, and we believe with all the World, and all Ages and Nations, That ■we are to obey only the lawful
Commands of Superiors, and submit only to such unjust ones, as will not much damage the Commonwealth ; but resist and defend ourselves, when all we have dear, our Religion, Liberty and Lives, are visibly and undeniably attackt and invaded, either without all Form of Law, or what's worse, the wrested Pretence ofit. Then we think truly, that such Men are so far from being Rebels, that they are the worthy true Defenders of their Faith and Country : And such an Action so far from Rebellion, that 'tis highly meritorious and praise-worthy. Most Men being now satisfied in these Points, unless those whom insuperable Interest or Prejudice have poisoned and rooted incorrigibly in the contrary Belief. And the Truth and Reason ableness of them having been undeniably proved by many worthy Persons from the Law of Nations, the Ends of all Government, and the constitution of our Kingdom, and the Practice of former Ages, both Popish and Protestant : All the Question now must be about Matter of Fact, Whether Things were then brought to that Extremity that 'twouldprobably be too late to make any Defence for Religion and Property, if 'twere not then made: and whether or no the Fundamental Contract were then actually violated?
This is plain, that the Protestant Religion, and all our Liber ties were then most eminently in Danger, publick Leagues being long before made between his Britannick Majesty and the King of France for their Extirpation : That he who had been voted in Parliament the main Head of the Popish Cause, was now grown the Head of the Kingdom ; or indeed the Popish Deputy here, as he is since the King of France's in our Neighbouring Island ; that for being reconciled to Rome, he was actually a Traitor ; and besides, of a Religion whose Oaths could not be depended upon, as we were then, and long before told, and have since sufficiently felt and experienced. That on this Account, he hardly could keep his Contract, as 'twas plain he actually did not, publickly and notoriously violating those Laws he swore to maintain, both before and after he had done by going to Mass
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himself, setting up Mass-houses, and encouraging Popery. As for many Grievances and Oppressions, he was then as really guilty of 'em as ever after, tho' not in such large, and frequent, and various Instances ; some of 'em are those very same which the Parliament inserted among the Proofs and Reasons of the Abdication, particularly the issuing out Quo Warrantoes for Cities and Corporations ; the great Cause and Counsellor of which no Doubt he was, even before he actually, I mean publickly, reigned.
In a Word, the securing the Protestant Interest in all Europe, that, and their own Liberties in England, was the main cause why many, and most engaged in this Design. If these were in no Danger, and not violated, they we Rebels :
'em could be expected any other Way but by the Sword, they were no better. Whether Things were in that Condition, or no, at that Time, God and the World must be Judges. If it were
If the Safety of
If the Case was not so bad, and the Mystery of Iniquity not so far revealed, as it has been since, yet
preventive Physick is necessary, especially when Death is un avoidable without it. If a prudent Man is to meet Mischief rushing upon him, and not stay for't till it overwhelms him, and take the same Course against a certain Consequence, as an actual Evil, why then, I think 'twill be very hard to hang People in one World, and damn 'em in another, for having as little a Fore sight, and great a Faith as their Neighbours.
Others there were who embarkt in that Action, because they really thought, how much mistaken soever they might be, that the Duke of Monmouth was the King's Legitimate Son; which such as had a personal Love for him might more easily believe. Now, although many, who engaged on the former Account only, did not believe this, nor know anything of his Intention of being proclaimed King, nor approved of it when 'twas done ; and tho'
had he been able to make out his Title, or let his Pretensions alone, he had not wanted in all Likelihood a sufficient Assistance from the Nobility and Gentry, none of whom for those Reasons coming in to him ; yet on the other Side, 'tis hardly doubted that these Men, who thought he had a Right, were really obliged to follow the Dictates of their Conscience, tho' mistaken, and do whatever lay in their Power, to the utmost Venture of their
so, they were not Rebels :
126 'flElje flfllesftern transfactionsf.
Lives, to fix him on his Father's Throne, to which they verily believed he had a proper Right and Title. And these Men too,
acting on the same Reasons with the forementioned, for Deliver ance of their Country, as well as Defence of him whom they thought their King ; the earnest Zeal, and Concern, and Love, which most of 'em manifested for the Protestant Religion, being besides so conspicuous in their Lives and Deaths, I know not how they can, without Impudence, be branded with the infamous Name of Rebels; nor think 'twill be any Arrogance to honour 'em with the just and dear-bought Title of Martyrs.
One Thing there is very observable in most, if not all of those who laid down their Lives in this Cause, both in England and Scotland, that, besides that extraordinary Divine Courage and Chearfulness with which they died, they had Expressions plainly boding that great Deliverance which Providence has since that miraculously accomplished for these Kingdoms. 'Twould be endless to give almost all the innumerable Instances of it : Mr. Nelthorp says [God had in his wonderful Provi
dence made him and others Instruments, not only in what was already fallen out, but he believed, for hastening some other great Work, he had yet to do in these Kingdoms. ] Mrs. Gaunt says, [God's Cause shall revive, and he'd plead it at
another Rate than yet he had done, against all its malicious
And speaks yet more strangely of those then upper most, and likely to be so, [ That tho' they were seemingly fixed, and using their Power and Violence against those they had now got under 'em, yet unless they could secure Jesus Christ, and all his Holy Angels, they should never do their Business, but Vengeance would be upon 'em e'er they were
Captain Ansley, whose Speech is as pretty and neat a Thing, as close, and Christian, and couragious, as perhaps any that ever was made by Man in his Condition, after he had said [He did
not repent what he had done, but if he had a thousand Lives would have engaged 'em all in the same Cause ;] adds just after, [Though it has pleased the wise God, for Reasons best known to himself, now to blast our Designs, yet he will deliver his People by Ways we know not, nor think of] Rumbold said just the same. Mr. Hewling says, [/ question not, but in his own Time, God will raise up other Instruments to carry on the
OpposeTM. ]
aware. ]
introbuction.
same Cause they died for, for his own Glory. "] Mr. Lark [That he was confident God would revenge their Bloods] Now, it will be very harsh to say, all these, and several more, to the same Purpose, were nothing but Enthusiasm, since spoken by Persons of all Sexes and Ages in twenty different Places, in the most calm and serene Tempers, and the Persons not wild or fancyful ; and their Words miraculously made good by the Event, which shews God honour'd 'em with being Prophets as well as Martyrs.
To proceed to the Persons who suffered in this Cause here, and in the West, and other Places, chiefly under Jeffrey s insulting Cruelty. His dealing with 'em is not to be paralleled by any thing but the new French Dragoons, or the old Cut-throats and Lord Chief Justices of the poor Albigenses or Waldenses at Merindol and Cutrices. Had the Great Turk sent his nisaries, or the Tartar his Armies among 'em, they'd 'scaped better. Humanity could not offend so far to deserve such
Punishment as he inflicted. A certain barbarous Joy and Pleasure grinned from his Brutal Soul through his Bloody Eyes, whenever he was sentencing any of the poor Souls to Death and Torment ; so much worse than Nero, as when that Monster wisht he had never learnt to write, because forced to set his Name to Warrants for Execution of Malefactors. Jeffreys would have been glad if every Letter he writ had been such a Warrant, and every Word a Sentence of Death. He observed neither Humanity to the Dead, nor Civility to the Living. He made all the West an Aceldama ; some Places quite depopu lated, and nothing to be seen in 'em but forsaken Walls, un lucky Gibbets, and Ghostly Carcases. The Trees were loaden,
almost as thick with Quarters as Leaves. The Houses and Steeples covered as close with Heads, as at other Times frequently in that Country with Crows and Ravens. Nothing could be liker Hell than all those Parts, nothing so like the Devil as he. Caldrons hizzing, Carkases boyling, Pitch and Tar sparkling and glowing, Blood and Limbs boyling, and tearing, and mangling, and he the great Director of all ; and in a Word, discharging his Place who sent him, the best deserving to be the late King's Chief Justice there, and Chancellor after, of any
Man that breathed since Cain or Judas.
Ja-
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Some of the more Principal Persons who fell under his bar barous Sentences, 'tis thought worth the while to treat distinctly and particularly of, throwing the rest together after 'em, and only reprinting the former Account, if any are left out, it being necessary to hasten, to prevent Shams. If the Book be accepted, and come to another Edition, they shall be inserted ; and if any Faults or Mistakes found, acknowledged and regulated. And the first whom we shall make especial Remarks on, are
THE HEWLINGS.
F any one would see true Pure Popish Mercy, let 'em look on these Two Gentlemen, the onely Sons of their Vertuous and Sorrowful Parents ; the Comforts, Props, and Hopes of their Name and
Family, carefully educated, vertuously disposed both of them ; after all repeated Applications, if but for one of their Lives, barbarously Executed. A particular care was taken by their Father in their Education, forming their Minds by his own Example, and constant Instructions and Prayers, as well as other Pains of Ingenious Masters, to the strictest Rules of Piety and Vertue. Nor was their Pious and very Tender Mother less
careful in that Particular.
The Elder, Mr. Benjamin Hewling, had Tutors in the Mathe-
maticks, and other Parts of Philosophy ; a Course of which he went through successfully enough, and so as to render him as compleat in his Mind, as Nature had formed his Body : After which he went to Holland, as his Brother, Mr. William Hewling, from whence this last returned with the Duke : Both of 'em had Commands in the Army ; the Elder had a Troop of Horse, the Younger was a Lieutenant of Foot, and discharged their Places with much more Conduct and Bravery than could be expected from such Young Soldiers, being entirely satisfied in the Cause they fought for, since 'twas no less than the Interest of all that was dear to 'em in this World or t'other. The Eldest had par ticularly signalized himself in several Skirmishes, and was sent with a Detachment of his own Troop, and Two more, to Myn- head in Somersetshire to bring Cannon to the Army, at the very
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Instant the Duke engaged the King's Forces at Fatal Sedgmore; and came not up till after the Field was entirely lost ; to whose Absence, with so considerable a Party of the Duke's Horse, and the most resolved Men of all he had, the Loss of the Day was principally owing. Finding all Things in Disorder, and the Rout beyond recovering, he was forced to disperse his Troops, every one shifting as they could for themselves. He and his Brother kept together, where, what befell 'em after, their Friends have given an exact Account, which is here following inserted.
An' Account of the Behaviour of Mr. William and Benjamin Hewling, before and at their Execution ;
with several Letters to divers of their
The Gracious dealings of God, manifested to some in Dying Hours, have been of great Advantage to those living that heard the same, giving them an Occasion thereby to reflect on their own State, and to look after the Things of their Peace, before they be hid from their Eyes ; as also a great Encouragement to strengthen the Faith of those that have experienced the Grace of God to
them.
To that End it is thought necessary, by Parents especially, to
preserve to their Children that Remain, those blessed Expe riences that such have had, which God hath taken to himself.
Here therefore is presented a true Account of the Admirable Appearances of God towards two Young Men ; Mr. Benjamin Hewling, who died when he was about 22 Years of Age, and Mr. William Hewling, who died before he arrived to 20 Years : They engaged with the Duke of Monmouth, as their own words were, for the English Liberties, and the Protestant Religion, and for which Mr. William Hewling was Executed at Lyme the 12th of September, 1685. and Mr. Benjamin Hewling at Taun
ton, the 30th of the same Month ; and however severe Men were to them, yet the blessed Dispensation of God towards them was such, as hath made good his Word, that out of the Mouths of Babes he hath ordained Strength, that he may still the Enemy and the Avenger. Then, Reader, would you see
Earthly Angels, (Men that are a little too low for Heaven, and much too
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high for Earth) would you see poor frail Creatures trampling this World under their Feet, and with an holy, serene Counten ance Smiling at the Threats of Tyrants, who are the Terrors of the Mighty in the Land of the Living ? Would you see shackled Prisoners behave themselves like Judges, and Judges stand like Prisoners before them ? Would you see some of the rare Exploits of faith in its highest Elevation, immediately before it be swallowed up in the Beatifical Vision ? To conclude, would you see the Heavenly Jerusalem pourtrayted on Earth ? Would you hear the melodious Voices of ascending Saints in a ravishing
Comfort ready to join with the Heavenly Chorus in their delight ful Hallelujah's ? Then draw near, come and see ! If thou be a Man of an Heavenly Spirit, here is pleasant and suitable Entertainment for thee ; and after thou has conversed a while with these Excellent Spirits, it may be thou wilt judge as I do, That dead Saints are sweeter Companions (in some Respects)
for thee to converse with, than those that are living : And when thou shalt see the magnificent Acts of their Faith, their invin cible Patience, their flaming Love to Christ, their strange Con tempt and Undervaluings of the World, their Plainness and
Simplicity in the Profession of the Gospel, their fervent and brotherly love to each other, their ravishing Prospect (as it were on the Top of Mount Pisgah) of the Heavenly Canaan, their Swan-like Songs and Dying-Speeches. And, Reader, you know the first Lispings of little Children, and last farewels of Dying Saints are always most sweet and charming : Those Fore-tastes of the Rivers of Pleasure, the transporting Glimpses they had
I say, when you see and read these Exemplary Truths, wonder not that the Pious Hewlings longed
so vehemently to be in a better World, though they were to pass through a Thousand Deaths, or the Fiery Trial to it. [But to
come to our intended Matter. ]
After the dispersing of the Duke's Army, they fled and put to
Sea, but were driven back again, and with the Hazard of their Lives got on Shoar, (over dangerous Rocks) where they saw the Country filled with Soldiers, and they being unwilling to fall into the Hands of the Rabble, and no Way of Defence or Escape remaining to them, they surrendred themselves Prisoners to a Gentleman, whose House was near the Place they landed at,
of the Crown of Glory ;
The SuRiiEjf i>br ok the Hew lings.
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and were from thence sent to Exeter Goal, the 1 2th of Jtdy, where remaining some Time, their Behaviour was such, that (being visited by many) caus'd great Respect towards em', even of those that were Enemies to the Cause they engaged in ; and being on the 27th of July put on Board the Swan Frigate, in Order to their bringing up to London, their Carriage was such, as obtained great Kindness from the Commander, and all other Officers in the Ship ; and being brought into the River, Captain Richardson came and took them into his Custody, and carried . them to Newgate, putting great Irons about them, and put them apart from each other, without giving Liberty for the nearest Relation to see them, notwithstanding all Endeavours and Entreaties used to obtain tho' in the Presence of a Keeper which though did greatly increase the Grief of Relations, God, who wisely orders all Things for Good to those he intends Grace and Mercy to, made this very Restraint, and hard Usage a blessed Advantage to their Souls, as may appear by their own Words, when after great Importunity and Charge, some of their near Relations had Leave to speak a few Words to them before the Keeper, to which they replied, They were contented with the Will of God whatever should be. Having been in Newgate three Weeks, there was Order given to carry them down into the West, in Order to their Trial which being told them, they answered, They were glad of and that Morning they went out of Newgate, several that beheld them, seeing them so chear- ful, said, Surely they had received their Pardon, else they could never carry with that Courage and Chearfulness. Although this must be observed, that from first to last, whatever Hopes they received from friends, they still thought the contrary, never being much affected with the Hopes of nor cast down, nor the least discouraged at the worst that Man could do. In their Journey to Dorchester, the Keepers that went with them have
given this Account of them, That their Carriage was so grave, serious, and Christian, that made them admire to see and hear
what they did from such Young Men.
A near Relation that went into the West to see the Issue of
Things, and to perform whatever should be necessary for them, gives the following Account
At Salisbury, the 30th of August, had the first Opportunity K
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of Converse with them : I found them in a very Excellent Com posure of Mind, declaring their Experience of the Grace and Goodness of God to them in all their Sufferings, in supporting and strengthning, and providing for them, turning the Hearts of all in whose Hands they had been both at Exon, and on Ship board, to shew Pity and Favour to them ; although since they came to Newgate they were hardly used, and now in their Journey loaded with heavy Irons, and more inhumanely dealt
with. They with great Chearfulness professed, That they were
better, and in a more happy Condition than ever in their Lives, from the Sense they had of the pardoning Love of God in Jesus Christ to their Souls, wholly referring themselves to their wise and gracious God to chuse for them Life or Death; expressing
themselves thus : if
Any thing what pleases God, what he sees best,
so be it : We know he is able to deliver, but not, blessed be his Name, Death is not terrible now, but desirable. Mr. Benjamin Hewling particularly added, Asfor the World, there is nothing in it to make it worth while to live, except we may be serviceable to God
Itherein. And afterward said, Oh / God is a strong
have him so indeed. found
Refuge,
The next Opportunity I had was at Dorchester, where they both
were carried, there remaining together four Days : By Reason of their strait Confinement our Converse was much interrupted ; but this appeared, that they had still the same Presence and Sup port from God, no way discouraged at the Approach of their Trial, nor of the Event of whatever should be.
The 6th of September Mr. Benjamin Hewling was ordered to Taunton to be tried there Taking my Leave of him, he said, Oh! Blessed be God for Afflictions have found such happy
Effects, that would not have been without them for all this World.
remained still at Dorchester 'to wait the Issue of Mr. William Hewling, to whom, after Trial, had free Access, whose Dis course was much filled with Admirings of the Grace of God in Christ, that had been manifested towards him, in calling him out of his natural State. He said, God his holy Spirit did sud denly seize upon his Heart, when he thought not of in his
retired Abode in Holland, as it were secretly whispering in his Heart, Seek ye my Face, enabling him to answer his Call, and
it
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it
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133
to reflect upon his own Soul, shewing him the Evil of Sin, and Necessity of Christ, from that Time carrying him on, to a sensible Adherence to Christ for Justification and Eternal Life. He said, Hence he found a Spring of Joy and Sweetness beyond the Comforts of the whole Earth. He further said, He could not but admire the wonderful Goodness of God, in so preparing him,
for what he was bringing him to, which then he thought not of; giving him Hope of Eternal Life, before he called him to look Death in the Face, so that he did chearfully resign his Life to God before he came, having sought his Guidance in itj and that both then, and now the Cause did appear to him very Glorious, notwithstanding all he had suffered in it, or what he further might. Although for our Sins God hath with held these good Things from us. But he said, God had carried on his Blessed
Work on his Soul, in and by all his Sufferings ; and whatever the Will of God were, Life or Death, he knew it would be best for him.
After he had received Ihis Sentence, when he returned to
my spiritual inci eas find Comforts
Prison, he said, Methinks
ing, ever since my Sentence. There is no Condemnation to them
that are in Christ Jesus, it's God that justifies, whom shall condemn ?
When I came to him the next Morning, (when he had received News that he must die the next Day, and in Order to it was to be carried to Lyme that Day) I found him in a more excellent rais'd Spiritual Frame than before : He said, He was
satisfied God had chosen best for him : he knows what the Temptations of Life might have been ; I might have lived and forgotten God, but now I am going where I shall sin no more. 0 ! it's a Blessed Thing to be free from Sin, and to be with Christ. Oh ! the Riches of the Love of Christ to Sinners. Oh ! how great were the Sufferings of Christ for me beyond all
I can undergo ? How great is that Glory to which I am going ? It will soon swallow up all our Sorrow here.
When he was at Dinner, just before his going to Lyme, he dropt many abrupt Expressions of his inward Joy, such as these : Oh ! the Grace of God, the Love of Christ; Oh I that
ILamb, to be ever with the Lord !
He blessed Supper of the for
further said, When
went to Holland, you knew not what
13i %ty flfllesftern transaction? .
Snares, Sins and Miseries Imightfall into, or whether ever ive
should meet again : But now you know whither that we shall certainly have a most joyful Meeting.
He said, Pray give my particular Recommendations to all my Friends, with acknowledgments for all their kindness. I advise them all to make sure of an Interest in Christ, for he is the only comfort when we come to die.
One of the Prisoners seemed to be troubled at the Manner of
the Death they were to die ; to whom he replied, am reconciled to it all.
/
bless God
I
Just as he was going to Lyme, he writ these few Lines to a Friend, being hardly suffered to stay so long.
/ am going to launch into Eternity, and I hope and trust into the Arm of my Blessed Redeemer, to whom I commit you and all my dear Relations; my Duty to my dear Mother, and Love to all my Sisters, and the rest of my Friends. Hewling.
William
As they passed through the Town of Dorchester to Lyme, Multitudes of People beheld them, with great Lamentations,
admiring at his Deportment at his parting with his Sister.
As they passed upon the Road between Lyme and Dorchester, his Discourse was exceeding Spiritual, (as those declared who were present) taking Occasion from every Thing to speak of the Glory they were going to. Looking out on the country as he
passed, he said, This is a Glorious Creation, but what then is the Paradice of God to which we are going? 'Tis but a few Hours, and we shall be there, andfor ever with the Lord.
I will not leave you comfortless,
you. Christ will be with us to the last. One taking LeI
for us,
him, he said, Farewel till we meet in Heaven; presently
be with Christ : Oh ! I
ave of shall would not Change conditions with any
in this world; I
To another that asked him how he did now ? He said, Very
would not stay behind
for
ten thousand worlds.
well he blessed God. And farther asking him, if he could look Dealh in the Face with Comfort now it approach'd so near ?
I
am going, and
At Lyme, just before they went to die, reading John 14. 18. He said to one of his Fellow-sufferers, Here is a sweet Promise
I will come 'unto
II 135 He said, Yes, bless God can with great Comfort ; God has
made this a good Night to me, my
I I
are much increased Dorchester : Then taking Leave of him, said, Fare-
Comforts
shall see you no more. To which he replied, How I See
since
wel,
me no more? Yes,
that was by him to the last, he said, Pray remember my dear
left
I
to meet you in Glory. To another
hope
Love to my Brother and Sister
Afterwards he prayed for about three Quarters of an Hour with the greatest Fervency, exceedingly blessing God for Jesus Christ, adoring the Riches of his Grace in him, in all the
Glorious Fruits of it towards him, praying for the Peace of the Church of God, and of these Nations in particular, all with such eminent Assistance of the Spirit of God, as convinced,
astonished, and melted into Pity the Hearts of all present, even the most malicious Adversaries, forcing Tears and Expressions from them ; some saying, They knew not what would become of them after Death ; but it was evident he was going to great Happiness.
When he was just going out of the World, with a joyfuIl Countenance, he said, Oh I now my Joy and Comfort is, that have a Christ to go to, and so sweetly resign'd his Spirit to
would comfort themselves that
shall quickly meet in the Glorious Mount Sion above.
Christ, the 1 2th of September,
An Officer who had shewed so malicious a Spirit as to call
the Prisoners Devils, when he was guarding them down, was now so convinced, that he after told a Person of Quality, That he was never so affected, as by his chearful Carriage and fervent Prayer, such, as he believed, was never heard, especially from one so Young ; and said, I believe, had the Lord Chief Justice been there, he would not have let him die.
The Sheriff having given his Body to be buried, although it was brought from the Place of Execution without any Notice given, yet very many of the Town, to the Number of about 200, came to accompany him ; and several Young Women of the best of the Town, laid him in his Grave in Lyme-Chuich- Yard, the 13th of September, 1685.
After which his Sister wrote the following Letter to her Mother :
I, and tell them,
I
desire they
1685.
am to Christ, and we gone
136
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flfllesftem 'flrransfactionsf.
Although I have nothing to acquaint my Dear Mother withall, but what is most afflictive to Sense, both as to the Determination of God's Will, and as to my present Apprehen sion concering my Brother Benjamin, yet remaining; yet there is such abundant Consolation mixt in both, that I only wanted an Opportunity to pay this Duty ; God having wrought so Glorious a Work on both their Souls, revealing Christ in them, that Death is become their Friend. My Brother William having already with the greatest Joy declared to those that were with him to the last, that he would not change Conditions with any that were to remain in this World, and he desired that his Relations would comfort themselves, that he is gone to Christ.
My Brother Benjamin expects not long to continue in this World, and is exceeding willing to leave it when God shall call, being fully satisfied that God will chuse that which is best for him and us all ; by these Things God doth greatly support me ; and I hope you also, my Dear Mother, which was and is my Brother's great Desire ; there is still Room for Prayer for one ;
and God having so answered, though not in kind, we have Encouragement still to wait on him.
Honoured Mother,
Your Dutiful Daughter, Hannah Hewling.
When I came to Taunton, to Mr. Benjamin Hewling, he had received the News of his Brother's being gone to die with so much Comfort and Joy, and afterwards of the continued Goodness of God increasing it to the End. He exprest to this Effect, We have no Cause to fear Death, if the Presence of God be with us ; there is no Evil in the Sting being taken away it's nothing but our Ignorance of the Glory that the Saints pass into by Death, which makes appear dark for our selves or Relations in Christ, what this World that we should desire an Abode in It's all vain and unsatisfying, full of Sin and Misery Intimating also his own chearful Expectations soon to follow, discovering then, and all along great Seriousness, and Sense of Spiritual and Eternal Things, complaining of nothing in his present Circumstances, but Want of a Place of Retire ment to converse more uninterruptedly with God and his own
:
;
it if ?
it, is it
;
-
%l)e ^etolinetf. 137
Soul, saying, That his lonely Time in Newgate was the sweetest in his whole Life. He said, God having some Time before struck his Heart (when He thought of the Hazard of his Life) to some serious Sense of his past Life, and the great Consequences of Death and Eternity, shewing him, that they were the only happy Persons that had secured their Eternal States : The folly and Madness of the Ways of Sin, and his own Thraldom therein, with his utter Inability to deliver himself ; also the Necessity of Christ for Salvation : He said it was not without Terror and Amazement for some Time, the Sight of unpardoned Sin, with Eternity before him. But God wonderfully opened to him the Riches of his Free Grace in Christ Jesus for poor Sinners to flee to, enabling to look alone to a Crucified Christ for Salvation :
He said this blessed Work was in some Measure carried on upon his Soul, under all his Business and Hurries in the Army ; but never sprung forth so fully and sweetly till his close Confine ment in Newgate. There he saw Christ and all Spiritual
Objects more clearly, and embraced them more strongly ; there he experienced the Blessedness of a reconciled State, the Excellency of the Ways of Holiness, the Delightfulness of Communion with God, which remained with very deep and apparent Impressions on his Soul, which he frequently expressed with Admiration of the Grace of God towards him. He said, Perhaps my Friends may think this Summer the saddest Time of my Life ; but I bless God it hath been the sweetest and most happy of it all ; nay, there is nothing else worth the Name
of Happiness. I have in vain sought Satisfaction from the Things of this World, but I never found it ; but now I have found Rest for my Soul in God alone.
O how great is our Blindness by Nature, till God open our Eyes, that we can see no Excellency in Spiritual Things, but spend our precious Time in pursuing Shadows, and are deaf to all the Invitations of Grace, and Glorious Offers of the Gospel! How just is God in depriving us of that we so much slighted and abused ! Oh ! his infinite Patience and Goodness, that after all he should yet sanctifie any Methods to bring a poor Sinner to himself : Oh ! Electing Love, Distinguishing Grace ! What great Cause have I to admire and adore it !
He said, What an amazing consideration is the suffering
of
138 'W$t
flfliegtern
f3Trans(actton&
Christ for Sin, to bring us to God ; his suffering from wicked men was exceeding great; but alas, what was that to the Dolours of his Soul, under the infinite Wrath of God? This Mystery of Grace and Love is enough to swallow up our
Thoughts to all Eternity.
As to his own Death, he would often say, He saw no Reason
to expect any other;
I
know God is infinitely able to deliver, and
I
am sure will do
which, bless God, am fully satisfied; it's all my Desire that he would chuse for me, and then am sure it will be best, whatever it be; for truly unless God have some Work forme to do in the World for his Service and Glory, see nothing else to make Life desirable In the present State of Affairs, there is nothing to cast our Eyes upon, but Sin, Sorrow, and Misery: And truly, were Things never so much according to our Desires, ifs but the World still, which will never be a Resting-place. Heaven is the only State of Rest and Happi ness there we shall be perfectly free from Sin and Temptation, and enjoy God without Interruption for ever.
Speaking of the Disappointment of their Expectations in the Work they had undertaken, he said with Reference to the Glory of God, the Prosperity of the Gospel, and the Delivery of the People of God, We have great Cause to lament but for that outward Prosperity that would have accompanied it's but of small Moment in self; as could not satisfie,so neither could be abiding for at longest, Death would have put an End to
all Also adding, Nay, perhaps we might have been so foolish, as to have been taken with that Part of with the Neglect of our eternal Concerns and then, am sure, our present Circum stances are incomparably better.
He frequently expressed great Concern for the Glory of God, and Affection to his People, saying, If my Death may advance God's Glory, and hasten the Deliverance of his People, enough saying, was great Comfort to him, to think of so great a Priviledge as an Interest in all their Prayers.
In his Converse particularly valuing and delighting in those Persons, where He saw most Holiness shining also great Pity to the Souls of others, saying, That the Remembrance of our former Vanity may well cause Compassion to others in that
it be
for
his Glory, and my Good; in
;
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it
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;
I
it,
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:
;
;
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; itI ;
it
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139
State. And in his Converse prompting others to Seriousness, telling them, Death and Eternity are such weighty Concerns, that they deserve the utmost Intention of our Minds ; for the Way to receive Death chearfully, is to prepare for it seriously ; and if God should please to spare our Lives, surely we have the same Reason to be serious, and spend our remaining Days in his
Fear and Service.
He also took great Care that the Worship of God, which they
were in a Capacity of maintaining there, might be duly per formed ; as Reading, Praying, and Singing of Psalms, in which he evidently took great Delight.
For those three or four Days before their Deaths, when there was a general Report that no more should die ; he said, / don't know what God hath done beyond our Expectations ; if he doth
am sure it is all his own, and by his Grace I will wholy devote it to him.
But the 29th of September, about Ten or Eleven at Night, we found the Deeeitfulness of this Report, they being then told they must die the next Morning, which was very unexpected, as to the Suddenness of it ; but herein God glorified his Power, Grace, and Faithfulness, in giving suitable Support and Comfort by his blessed Presence, which appeared upon my coming to him at that Time, finding him greatly composed : he said,
Though men design to surprise, God doth and will perform his Word, to be a very present Help in Trouble.
prolong my Life,
I
The next Morning when I saw him again, his Chearfulness and Comfort were much increased, waiting for the Sheriff with the greatest Sweetness and Serenity of Mind ; saying, Now the
I
will of God is determined, to whom referred
have and he hath chosen most certainly that which is best.
Afterward with a smiling Countenance he discoursed of the Glory of Heaven, remarking with much Delight, the third, fourth, and fifth Verses of the 22d of the Revelations, And there shall be no more Curse but the Throne of God, and of the Lamb, shall be in and his Servants shall serve him, and they
shall see his Face, and his Name shall be in their Foreheads, and there shall be no Night there, and they shall need no Candle nor Light of the Sun, and they shall reign for ever and ever. Then he said, Oh, what a happy State is this Shall we be loth
!
it,
;
it,
140
Wyt Mlestem ^ransactionsf,
to go to enjoy this ! Then he desired to be read to him, 2 Cor. 5. For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a House not made with Hands, eternal in the Heavens; to the tenth or eleventh Verses. In all, his Comforts still increasing, expressing his sweet Hopes and good Assurance of his Interest in this glorious Inheritance, and being now going to the Possession of seeing so much of this happy Change, that he said, Death was more desirable than
he had rather die than live any longer here. As to the Manner of his Death, he said, When have considered others under these Circumstances, have thought it very dreadful, but now God hath called ? ne to it, bless God have quite other Apprehensions of it; can now chearfully embrace as an easie Passage to Glory And though Death separates from the Enjoyments of each other here, it will be but for a very short
Time, and then we shall meet in such Enjoyments as now we cannot conceive, andfor ever rejoyce in each other's Happiness. Then reading the Scriptures, and musing with himself, he intimated the great Comfort God conveyed to his Soul in saying, what an invaluable Treasure this blessed Word of
God; in all Conditions here is a Store of strong Consolation. One desiring his Bible, he said, No, this shall my Companion to the last Moment of my Life. Thus praying together, reading, meditating, and conversing of Heavenly Things, they waited for the Sheriff, who, when he came, void of all Pity or Civility, hurried them away, scarce suffering them to take Leave of their Friends. But notwithstanding this, and the doleful Mourning of all about them, the Joyfulness of his Countenance was encreased. Thus he left his Prison, and thus he appeared in the Sledge, where they sat about half an Hour, before
Officers could force the Horses to draw, at which they were greatly enraged, there being no visible Obstruction from Weight or Way. But at last the Mayor and Sheriff hall'd them forwards themselves, Balaam-like driving the
Horses.
When they came to the Place of Execution, which was sur
rounded with Spectators, many that waited their Coming with
Life
Sorrow, said, That when they saw him and them come with such Chearfulness and Joy, and Evidence of the Presence
great
is bf
I it
it,
O
it ;
I
I
:
II
;
l£etoli'ngsf.
141
of God with them, it made Death appear with another Aspect.
They first embraced each other with the greatest Affection ; then two of the Elder Persons praying audibly, they joined with great Seriousness. Then he desired Leave of the Sheriff to pray particularly, but he would not grant only askt him he would pray for the King He answered, pray for all Men. He then requested they might sing a Psalm the Sheriff told him, It must be with the Ropes about their Necks which they chear- fully accepted, and sung with such heavenly Joy and Sweetness, that many present said, It both broke and rejoyced their Hearts.
Thus in the Experience of the Delightfulness of praising God on Earth, he willingly closed his Eyes on a vain World, to pass to that Eternal Employment, Sept. 30. 1685.
All present of all Sorts were exceedingly affected and amazed. Some Officers that had before insultingly said, Surely these Per sons have no Thoughts of Death, but will find themselves sur
prised it; after said, That they now saw he and they had some thing extraordinary within, that carried them through with such Joy. Others of them said, They were so convinced oftheir Happiness, that they would be glad to change Conditions with
them. All the Soldiers in general, and all others, lamenting exceedingly, saying, That was so sad a Thing, to see them so cut off, they scarce knew how to bear it.
Some of the most malicious in the Place, from whom nothing but Railing was expected, said, (as they were carried to their
Grave in Taunton Church, voluntarily accompanied by most of the Town) That these Persons had left a sufficient Evidence, that they were now glorified Saints in Heaven.
A great Officer in the King's Army has been often heard to say, That you would learn to die, go to the Young Men of Taunton.
Much more was utterVi by them, which shewed the blessed and glorious Frames of their Hearts, (to the Glory of Divine Grace) but this what occurs to Memory.
Mr. Benjamin Hewling, about two Hours before his Death, writ this following Letter, which shewed the great Composure of his Mind.
if is
it
by
/ it, ;;
?
if
142
Mt$mn trangacttong.
Mr. Hewling's Last Letter a little before his Exe cution, Taunton, Septemb. 30. 1685.
Honoured Mother,
That News which I know you have a great while feared, and
we expected, I must now acquaint you with, That notwith standing the Hopes you gave in your two last Letters, Warrants are come down for my Execution, and within these few Hours I expect it to be performed. Blessed be the Almighty God that gives Comfort and Support in such a Day ; how ought we to magnifie his holy Name for all his Mercies, that when we were running on in a Course of Sin, he should stop us in full Career,
and shew us that Christ whom we had pierced, and out of his Free Grace enable us to look upon him with an Eye of Faith, believing him able to save to the utmost all such as come to him. Oh admirable long-suffering Patience of God, that when we were dishonouring his Name, he did not take that Time to
bring Honour to himself by our Destruction. But he delighteth not in the Death of a Sinner, but had rather he should turn to him and live : And he has many Ways of bringing his own to himself. Blessed be his Holy Name, that through Affliction he has taught my Heart in some Measure to be comformable to his Will, which worketh Patience, and Patience worketh Experience, and Experience Hope, which maketh not ashamed. I bless God I am not ashamed of the Cause for which I lay down my Life ; and as I have engaged in and fought for so now am going to seal with my Blood. The Lord still carry on the same Cause which hath been long on Foot and tho' we die in
and for question not but in his own good Time he will raise up other Instruments more worthy to carry on to the Glory of his Name, and the Advancement of his Church and
People.
Honoured Mother, know there has been nothing left un
done by you, or my Friends, for the Saving of my Life, for which return many hearty Acknowledgments to your self and them all and it's my dying Request to you and them, to pardon all Undutifulness and Unkindness in every Relation. Pray give my Duty to my Grandfather and Grandmother, Service to my Unkles and Aunts, and my dear Love to all my Sisters to every
;
it
it,
I ;
it
I
it, I
;
it
it,
I
Cfje lUetolmgsf.
143
Relation and Friend a particular Recommendation. Pray tell 'em all how precious an Interest in Christ is when we come to die, and advise them never to rest in a Christless Estate. For if we are his, it's no Matter what the World do to] us, they can but kill the Body, and blessed be God the Soul is out of their
Reach, for I question not but their Malice wishes the Damnation of that, as well as the Destruction of the Body ; which has too evidently appeared by their deceitful flattering Promises. I commit you all to the Care and Protection of God, who has promised to be a Father to the Fatherless, and a Husband to the Widow, and to supply the Want of every Relation. The
Lord God of Heaven be your Comfort under these Sorrows, and your Refuge from those Miseries we may easily foresee coming upon poor England, and the poor distressed People of God in it. The Lord carry you through this Vale of Tears with a resigning, submissive Spirit, and at last bring you to himself in
Glory ; where I question not but you will meet your dying Son,
Their Characters.
They were both of sweet and obliging Tempers, as has
appeared in their History, it being a very hard Matter for their worst Enemies, when they once knew 'em well, not to honour and love 'em. Mr. Benjamin, the Elder, reconciled the Lamb and the Lion exactly. In the Field he seem'd made only for War, and any where else, for nothing but Love. He, without Flattery, deserved to be called a very Fine Man, of a lovely
Proportion, extreamly well made, as handsom a Meen, and good an Air, as perhaps few in England exceeded him : His
Picture is pretty like him.
The Younger, Mr. William, somewhat taller, and more
slender. His Face fresh and lively, as his Spirit, being Master of an extraordinary Vivacity and Briskness of Temper. Both of 'em Vertuous, Pious, and Couragious, far above their Years, and indeed, seem'd to be Men too soon, one of 'em not being Twenty, the Eldest but Two and Twenty when they died ; verifying that common Observation, That whatever is perfect sooner than ordinary, hasgenerally a shorter Periodprefixed than what's more base and ignoble.
Benjamin
Hewling.
it,
144 tlje MRt&ttm transactionsf.
MR. CHRISTOPHER
BATTISCOMB.
E was another Young Gentleman of a good Family, and very great Hopes, and of a fair Estate, which lay in Dorsetshire, somewhere between Dorchester and Lyme. He had studied some Time at the
Temple, and having Occasions in the Country about the Time of my Lord RussePs Business, he was there seized, on Suspicion of being concerned in and clapt into the County Goal at Dorchester, where he behaved himself with that Prudence and winning Sweetness, and shewed so much Wit, and innocent Pleasantry of Temper, as extreamly obliged both all his Keepers and Fellow-prisoners, and even Persons of the best Quality in that Town. 'Tis indeed genteel, well bred Place, as almost any in England, at such a Distance from London. The Streets are fair and large, and Buildings pretty regular Two plentiful Rivers running by it. It stands on a^Chalky Hill, but wants not Store of good Water. The Market-House a plea sant little Pile, that very much sets off the Town. There are Three Churches in and One in its adjoining Parish. endowed with several Alms-houses, good Grammar-School well enough provided, which has had the happiness of Ingenious Masters, and by their Care, produced no inconsiderable Number of good Scholars. There are two or three fine old Roman Forti fications near the Town, which Camden and Speed take Notice of. The People on't are generally Civil and Gallant enough, not little on the extream that Way. They knew how to value such a Gentleman as Battiscomb, and made him such frequent Visits in the Prison, till the Place self was so far from being scandalous, that there was generally all the Conversation, and where you might be sure to meet the best Company in the Town of both sexes. Mr. Battiscomb had the Happiness not to be dis pleasing to the Fair Sex, who had as much Pity and Friendship for him as consisted with the Rules of Decency and Virtue and
perhaps their Respect for him did not always stop at Friendship,
tho' still preserved the other Bounds inviolable.
sweet,
'Tis
Pity
it
a
; is
if
it
a
it,
is
;
a
it,
S^r. Cljrisftopfjer ©attfsfromb* 145
generally but a little Way from Love, especially when the Object of it is any thing extraordinary. But after he had been there some Time, and nothing could be proved against him which could any ways affect him, he was at length, almost un willingly delivered from this Sort of happy Slavery. And when the Duke landed, appeared with him, and served him with equal Faith and Valour, till the Rout at Sedgmoor, when he fled with the rest, and got up as far as Devonshire, where he was seized in a Disguise, and brought to his Old Palace, the
Prison at Dorchester.
He behaved himself there the second Time in the same cour
teous, obliging Manner as he did at the first, tho' now he seemed more thoughtful and in Earnest than before, as knowing nothing was to be expected but speedy Death : though his
Courage never droopt, but was still the same, if it did not increase with his Danger. At his trial Jeffreys railed at him with so much Eagerness and Barbarity, that he was observed to foam almost upon the Bench. He was so angry with him, because he was a Lawyer, and could have been contented all
such as he should be hang'd up without any Trial ; and truly 'twas no great Matter whether he or the rest had had that Formality, or no. Mr. Battiscomb was as undaunted at the Bar, as in the Field, or at Execution. How he demeaned him self in Prison before his Death, take this following Account verbatim, as 'twas written by his Friends. Tho' that which occurred most remarkable after his Sentence, must not be omitted. Several Young Ladies in the Town, among whom one, who is particularly mentioned in the Poem, went to Jeffreys to beg his Life, who repuls'd 'em at such a brutish Rate, as nothing with one Spark of Humanity would have been guilty of, and in a Manner even too uncivil to be mentioned. The Particulars may be seen in the Petition of the Widows and
Orphans of that Country.
The Account given of him by his Relations.
He was observed to be always serious and chearful, ready to entertain Spiritual Discourse, manifesting Affection to God's People and his Ordinances ; he seemed to be in a very calm
L
146 C&e flfliegtern Crangamong,
Indifference to Life or Death, referring himself to God to determine expressing his great Satisfaction as to some Opportunities of Escape that were slipt, saying, That truly he
sometimes thought the Cause was too good to flee from suffering in it, though he would use all lawful Means for his Life; but the Providence of God having prevented this, he was sure was best for him, for he said, he blest God he could look into Eternity with Comfort. He said, with Respect to Relations and Friends, to whom his Death would be afflictive, that he was willing to live, God saw good; but for his own Part, he thought Death much more desirable. He said, have enjoyed enough of this World, but never found any thing but Vanity in no Rest or Satisfaction. God, who an Infinite Spiritual Being, is the only suitable Object for the Soul of Man, which Spiritual in its Nature, and too large to be made happy by all that this World can afford, which is all but sensual. There
fore methinks, see no Reason why should be unwilling to leave it Death, since our Happiness can never be perfected till then, till we leave this Body, where we are so continually clogg'd with Sin and Vanity, frivolous and foolish Trifles. Death in self is indeed terrible, and Natural Courage is too low to encounter it; nothing but an Interest in Christ can be our Comfort in he said, which Comfort hope have; in timating much Advantage to his Soul by his former Imprison ment.
The Day he went from Dorchester to Lyme, after he had received the News of his Death the next Day, he was in the same serious Chearfulness, declaring still the same Apprehension of the Desireableness of Death, and the great Supports of his
Mind under the Thoughts of so sudden passing through alone from the Hope of the Security of his Interest in Christ taking
Leave of his Friends with this Farewel, Tho' we part here, we shall meet in Heaven. Passing by his Estate, going to Lyme, he said, Farewel Temporal Inheritance, am now going to my
Heavenly, Eternal One. At Lyme, the Morning that he died, appeared that he had the same Supports from God, meeting Death with the same Chearfulness and after he had prayed
a while to himself, without any Appearance of Reluctancy, yielded up his Spirit, Sept. 12. 1685.
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SlfH\ Cfjrisrtopfjer Battteromtu 147
A further A ccount of the Behaviour of Mr. Christopher Battiscomb, of his last Speech and Prayer, immedi ately before he suffer'd at Lyme, the izth of Sep
tember, l685.
. ! .
He was a true Protestant to the last, well beloved among the Gentry of that Country : But it was his Fortune to be concerned with the Duke of Monmouth, and was very faithful to him to the last, during the Time of the Bloody Assizes at Dorchester, where he received his Sentence of Death : he was divers Times sent for to the Chamber of the then L. C. J. and prompted with Offers of Life to betray some Gentlemen, which he always refused, saying, he scorned to purchase his Life by such indirect Means ; and he accordingly chose Death rather than Life ; seeing it could not be purchased, but by such unworthy Means. The Day being come, he prepared himself, and received the holy Sacrament, walking down to the Place of Execution, with much Chearfulness and Christian Courage; when he was
mounting the Ladder, he smiled, and said,
am
not afraid of
I would have undergone this had hearkned to the L. C. but it was upon such
my Pardon, die a True
A Poem on a Lady that came to my Lord Chief Justice, to beg Mr. Battiscomb's Life, Sister to one of the Sheriffs in the West, which he denied.
Harder than thine own Native Rocks !
To let the Charming Silvia kneel,
And not one Spark of Pity feel ; Harder than sensless Stones and Stocks !
L2
I
World, to a Celestial Paradise, a Heavenly Jerusalem;
Protestant; I
with all Men : God
am going to a better Place,
this,
might have chosen, whether
from
I unworthy Terms, that should
I
it would have been troublesom to me;
Death, if
J.
have accepted
of I
am in
this Nation from Popery; the Lord bless you all. So taking his Leave of them he knew, after Prayer, he launched into Eternity.
Charity
preserve
/
a poor and miserable
148 W$t
fallesstern
tltangacrtong.
Ye Gods ! What Showers of Pearls she gave ! What Precious Tears ! Enough to save
A Bleeding Monarch from the Grave.
By every hapless Virgin Curst :
Winter Blasts not more unkind ;
Deaf as the rugged Northern Wind ; By some Welsh Wolf in Murders nurst.
Hast thou Eyes ? Or hast thou none ? Or are they worse than Marble grown ? Since Marbles weep at Silvia's Moan.
Rebels stiff, and supple Slaves,
All the Frantick World divide,
One must stoop, and t'other ride ; Cringing Fools, and Factious Knaves ;
Tho' falling on the Loser's Part, Gentle Death arrests my Heart, And has in Honey dipt his Dart.
Life farewel, thou gaudy Dream,
Painted o'er with Grief and Joys,
Which the next short Hour destroys ; And drowns them all in Lethe's Stream :
What blest Mortal would not die, Might he with me Embalmed lye,
In Precious Tears from Silvia's Eye ?
His Character.
All that knew or saw him, must own, Mr. Battiseomb was very much a Gentleman.