No More Learning

I dare not say anything to future Things, but surely the Lord has a handful that are precious to Him, to whom he will be gracious ; to these is a dark Night at present, how long it will last, the Lord knows ! Oh let not the sad Disasters, that his poor People meet with, though very astonishing, terrifre you ; beware of Snares that abound, cleave fast to your Re formed Religion, do not shift the Cross of Christ, if you be
called to better to suffer than sin, account the Reproaches of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of the World.
In the last place, let not my Death be grievous to any of you, hope will be more profitable both for you and me, and for the Church and Interest of God, than my Life could have been.
bless the Lord, can freely and frankly forgive all Men, even
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as I desire to be forgiven of God, pray for them that persecute you, bless them that curse you. As to the Cause of Christ, I bless the Lord I never had Cause, to this Day, to repent for anything I have suffered, or can now suffer for his Name. I thank the Lord who has shewed Mercy to such a vile a sinner as I am, and that ever he should advance me to so high a Dignity, as to be made a Minister of his blessed and everlasting Gospel; and that ever I should have a Seal set to my Ministry, upon the Hearts of some in several Places and Corners of this Land : The Lord visit Scotland with more and more faithful Pastors, and send a reviving Day unto the People of God ; in the mean Time be patient, be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord ; and live in Love and Peace one with another, and the Lord be with his poor afflicted, groaning People that yet remain.
Now I bid farewel to all my Friends and dear Relations : Fare well my poor Wife and Children, whom I leave in the good Hands of him who is better than seven Husbands, and who will be a Father to the Fatherless. Fare well all Creature
Comforts ; welcome Everlasting Life, Everlasting Glory, wel come Everlasting Love, Everlasting Praise : Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me.
August 1\th, 1679, Tolbooth, Sic subscrib. King. circa horam septimam. John
A brief Account of the last Speech of Mr. John Kidd, at the Place of Execution at Edinburgh, on the 14th Day of August, 1679.
Right worthy and well beloved Spectators and Auditors.
Considering what bodily Distempers I have been exercised with, since I came out of the Torture, viz. scarce two Hours out of my naked Bed in one Day, it cannot be expected, that I should
'n a Case to say anything to purpose at this Juncture, es
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pecially seeing I am not as yet free of it ; however I cannot but Reverance the good Hand of God upon me, and desire with all
my Soul to bless him for this my present Lot.
It may be there are a great many here that judge my Lot
very sad and deplorable. I must confess Death it self is very terrible to Flesh and Blood, but as it is an Outlet to Sin, and an Inlet to Righteousness, it is the Christian's great and inex pressible Priviledge ; and give me Leave to say this, that there is something in a Christian's Condition that can never put him without the Reach of Insufferableness, even Shame, Death, and the Cross being included,
And then if there be Peace betwixt God and the Soul, nothing can damp Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, this is a most supporting Ingredient in the bitterest Cup, and under the sharpest and fieriest Trial he can be exposed unto, this is my Mercy, that I have something to lay Claim unto, viz. The
Intimations of Pardon and Peace betwixt God and my Soul. And as concerning that for which I am condemned, I mag- nifie his Grace, that I never had the least Challenge for but on the contrary, judge my Honour, that ever was counted worthy to come upon the Stage upon such a Consideration; another
Thing that renders the most despicable Lot of the Christian, and mine sufferable, a felt and sensible Presence from the Lord, strengthening the Soul when most put to and could have this for my Allowance this Day, could be bold to say, O Death, where thy Sting? And could not but cry out Welcome to and all that follows upon grant the Lord from an Act of Soveraignty may come, and go as he pleases, but yet he will never forsake his People, and this a Cordial to me in the Case am now exposed unto.
Thirdly, The exercising and putting forth his Glorious Power,
able to transport the Soul of the Believer, and mine, above the Reach of all sublunary Difficulties, and therefore seeing have Hope to be kept up by this Power, would not have you to look upon my Lot, or any other that or may be in my Case, in the least deplorable, seeing we have Ground to believe, that in more or less he will perfect his Power and Strength in weakness.
Fourthly, That may come little nearer to the Purpose in
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Hand, I declare before you all, in the Sight of God, Angels, and Men, and in the Sight of that Son, and all that he has created, that I am a most miserable Sinner, in Regard of my original and actual Transgressions. I must confess, they are more in Number than the Hairs of my Head. They are gone up above my Head, and are past numbring; I cannot but say as Jacob said, I am less than the least of all God's Mercies, yet I must declare to the exalting of his Free Grace, That to me, who am the least of all Saints, in this Grace made known, and
that by a strong Hand, and I dare not but say, he has loved me, and washed me in his own Blood from all Iniquities, and
well is it for me this Day, That ever I heard or read that faith ful Saying, That Jesus Christ came into the World to save
Sinners, of whom I am chief.
Fifthly, I must also declare in his Sight, I am the most un-
worthiest that ever opened his Mouth to Preach the unsearch able Riches of Christ in the Gospel. Yea, the Sense of this made me altogether unwilling to fall about so great a Work, until, by the Importunity of some, whose Names are precious and savoury to me and many others, I was prevailed with to fall about
and yet am hopeful, not altogether without some Fruit and durst say without Vanity, never found so much of the Pre
sence of God upon my Spirit, as have found in Exercises of that Nature, tho' must still confess attended with inexpressible Weakness, and this the main Thing for which must lay down my Tabernacle this Day, viz. That did Preach Christ and the Gospel in several Places of this Nation for which bless him (as can) That ever such a poor obscure Person as am, have been thus Priviledged by him, for making Mention of his Grace as was able.
In the next Place, tho' to many die desired, yet know, to not few my Death not desired, and the rejoycing of my Heart, that die in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has loved me, and given himself for me, and in the faith of the Prophets and Ap6stles, and in this Faith of theirs there not
a Name under Heaven by which Men can be saved, but the Name of Jesus, and in the Faith of the Doctrine and Worship of the Kirk of Scotland, as now established according to
the Word of God, Confession of Faith, Catechisms larger and
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shorter, and likewise I joinmyTestimonyagainst Popery, Perjury, Profanity, Heresie, and everything contrary to sound Doctrine. In the Close, as a dying Person, and as one who has obtained
Mercy of the Lord to be faithful, I would humbly leave it upon Godly Ministers to be faithful for their Lord and Master, and not to hold their Peace in such a day, when so many ways are
taken for injuring of him, his Name, Way, Sanctuary, Ordinances, Crown, and Kingdom, I hope there will be found a party in this Land, that will continue for him and his Matters, in all Hazards, and as Faithfulness is called for in Ministers, so Professors would concern themselves that they countenance not, nor abet
any thing inconsistent with former Principles and Practices. Let the Land consider,how neutral and indifferent we are grown in the Matters of God, even like Ephraim long ago, a Cake not turned.
As concerning that which is the Ground of my Death, viz. Preaching here and there in some Corners ; I bless my God, I have not the least Challenge for it ; and tho' those that con demned me are pleased to call such Preachings Rendezvouses of Rebellion, yet I must say this of them, they were so far from being reputed such in my Eyes, that if ever Christ had a People, or Party, wherein his Soul took Pleasure, I am bold to say, these Meetings were a great Part of them ; the Shining and Glory of God was eminently seen amongst these Meetings, the con
vincing Power and Authority of our Lord went out with his Servants in those blasphemously nick-nam'd Conventicles :
This, I say, without Reflection upon any. I have a Word to say farther, that God is calling Persons to Repentance, and to do their first Work : O that Scotland were a mourning Land, and that Reformation were our Practice, according as we are sworn in the Covenant.
Again, that Christians of Grace and Experience would study more straightness and Stability in this Day, when so many are turning to the Right Hand, and many to the Left ; he that endureth to the End shall be saved ; he hath appointed the
Kingdom for such as continue with him in his Temptations. Next, If ever you expect to have the Form of the House shewed you in all the Laws thereof, Goings-out-thereof, and'
Comings-in-thereof, then think it no Shame to take Shame to you for all that has been done : Sitting down on this Side
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Jordan, is like to be our Bane. Oh ! when shall we get up and run after him, till he brings us into the promised Land, let us up and after him with all our Heart, and never rest till he return.
I recommend my Wife and Young One to the Care and Faith fulness ofthe God ofAbraham, Isaac, and Jacob;the God that fed me to this Day, and who is the God of my Salvation,, their
God and my God, their Father and my Father. I am also hope ful, that Christian Friends and Relations will not be unmindful of them when I am gone.
Lastly, I do further bear my Testimony to the Cross of Christ, and bless him that ever he counted me worthy to appear for him in such a Lot as this : Glory to him that ever I heard tell of him, and that ever he fell upon such a Method of dealing with me as this ; and therefore let none that loves Christ and his Righteous Cause, be offended in me.
And as I have lived in the Faith of this, that the Three King doms are Married Lands, so I die in the Faith of that there will be a Resurrection of his Name, Word, Cause, and of all his Interest therein, tho' dare not determine the Time when, nor the Manner how, but leave all these Things to the infinitely wise God, who has done, and will do all Things well. Oh that he would return to this Land again, to repair our Breaches, and take away our Back-sliding, and appear for his Work. Oh that he would pass by Scotland once again, and make our Time
Time of Love. Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Himself hasten in his own Time and Way. The Lord my Light and Life, my J°y> mY Song, and my Salvation the God of his Chosen
be my Mercy this Day, and the inriching Comforts of the Holy Ghost keep up and carry me fair through, to the Glory of his Grace, the Edification of his People, and my own eternal
Advantage. Amen.
August 14th, 1679, Tolbooth, Sic subscrib.
ante horam septiman. JOhn KlDD. Thus, Reader, having given thee a faithful Account of the Behaviour and Dying-Speeches of the most Eminent Persons who
suffered in SCOTLAND, shall return again for London, where the Last Person of Quality that suffered, was the DUKE of MONMOUTH, whose Expedition and Sufferings, &*c. you have in the following Pages.
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JAMES
HE Last Person with whom we shall conclude this mournful Tragedy, and the Greatest in it is the late James Duke of Monmouth ; One indeed, who, if he had been a little less, might have been at this Time
One of the Greatest Men both in England and the World. By reason of some Passages in his Life, not so defensible, 'twas thought, at first, better to draw a Veil before that unfortunate Prince, and say nothing at all of him. But what Allowances are made for Custom and Education, God only knows. I remember a shrewd Answer given to an Objection of this Nature, Where said One, should he learn any better ? But however, where there has been any Time to think soberly of past Actions, or none of that Nature reiterated, Charity is oblig'd to judge favourably. And besides, the good West-Country-Men would be very angry if they should not find their Master that they loved so well, and suffered so much for, among the rest of these Noble Heroes. None can deny but he was a Great General, a Man of Courage and Conduct, and great Personal Valour, having signaliz'd him self both at Mons and Maestricht, so as to gain an high and just Reputation. He was all along true and firm to the Protestant In terest in and out of Parliament, tho' abhorring any base Way of promoting as well as his Friend my Lord Russel. This in tended as Character rather, or very short Compendium, than any History of his Life. He was all along the Peoples Darling, whose Hearts were entirely his by his Courtesie and Affability, as other Persons lost 'em by their Sourness and haughty Pride. After RusseFs Death he went into Flanders, whence had he prosecuted his Design, and gone, as 'tis said he intended, into the Emperor's Service, how many Lawrels might he have won, and how many more would now have been growing for him But his Fate was otherwise. — He came over into England, an exact Account of whose Enterprise another Place of this Book presents you as 'twas compiled by One present in all that Action. After the Defeat of his Army at Sedgmoor, he fled with my Lord Gray, who was first taken, and he himself a little after brought up to
DUKE OF MONMOUTH.
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London, and on his Attainder in Parliament, beheaded on Tower-Hill. 'Tis said, a certain Brave Old Officer, who then came over with him, and since with the Prince, offered with a small Party of Horse to have ventured through the Guards, and took him off the Scaffold. But they could not be got together ; his Time was come. Providence had designed other Things, that our Deliverance should be more just, and peaceable, and wonderful, and that the Glory thereof should be reserved for
their Sacred Majesties, King William and Queen Mary.
The Thing I shall in the next Place do, that I may leave out nothing material, relating to the Western Affair, is to insert the late Duke of Monmouth's Declaration, as it was taken from a Copy Printed in Holland in the Year 1685.
The Declaration of James Duke of Monmouth, and the Noblemen, Gentlemen, and others, now in Arms for the Defence and Vindication of the Protestant Re ligion, and the Laws, Rights, and Priviledges England.
As Government was originally instituted by God, and this or that Form of it chosen and submitted to by Men, for the Peace,
Happiness, and Security of the Governed, and not for the Pri vate Interest and Personal Greatness of those that Rule : So that Government hath always been esteemed the best, where the Supream Magistrates have been invested with all the Power and Prerogatives, that might capacitate them, not only to preserve the People from Violence and Oppression, but to promote their Prosperity ; and yet where nothing was to belong to them by the Rules of the Constitution, that might enable them to injure and oppress them, And it hath been the Glory of England above most other Nations, that the Prince had all intrusted with him that was necessary, either for the advancing the Welfare of the People, or for his own Protection in the Discharge of his Office ; and withal stood so limited and restrained by the Fundamental Terms of the Constitution, That without a Violation of his own Oath, as well as the Rules and Measures of the Government, he
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could do them no Hurt, or exercise any Act of Authority, but through the Administration of such Hands as stood obnoxious to be punished, in case they transgressed ; So that according to the Primitive Frame of the Government, the Prerogatives of the Crown, and the Priviledges of the Subject, are so far from justling one another, that the Rights reserved unto the People, tended to render the King Honourable and Great, and the Prerogatives settled on the Prince, were in Order to the Subjects Protection and Safety. But all humane Things being Subject to Perversion, as well as Decay, it hath been the Fate of the English Government to be often changed and wrested from what it was in the first Settlement and Institution. And we are particularly compelled to say, that all the Boundaries of the Government have of late been broken, and nothing left unattempted for turning our limi ted Monarchy into an absolute Tyranny. For such hath been the Transaction of Affairs within this Nation for several Years last past, that though the Protestant Religion and Liberties ofthe People were fenced and hedged about by as many Laws as the Wisdom ofMan could devise for their Preservation against Popery and Arbitrary Power, our Religion hath been all along counter mined by Popish Counsels, and our Priviledges ravished from us by Fraud and Violence. And more especially, the whole Course and Series of the Life of the D. of York, hath been but one con tinued Conspiracy against the Reformed Religion and the Rights of the Nation. For who ever considers his contriving the Burn ing of London, his instigating a Confederacy with France, and a War with Holland, his fomenting the Popish Plot, and encourag ing the Murther of Sir Ed. Godfrey to stifle it ; his charging Treason against Protestants, and suborning Witnesses to swear the Patriots of their Religion and Liberties out of their Lives, his hiring execrable Villains to assassinate the late Earl of Essex; and causing those others to be clandestinely cut off, in Hopes to conceal it ; his advising and procuring the Prorogation and Dis solution of Parliaments, in Order to prevent their looking into his Crimes, and that he might escape the Justice of the Nation ; such can imagine nothing so. black and horrid in itself, or so ruinous and destructive to Religion and the Kingdom which we may not expect from him.
The very Tyrannies, which he hath exercised since he snatched
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the Crown from his Brother's Head, do leave none under a Pos sibility of flattering themselves with Hopes of Safety, either in their Consciences, Persons, or Estates : For in Defiance of all the Laws and Statutes of the Realm, made for the Security of the Reformed Protestant Religion, he not only began his Reign with a bare faced avowing himself of the Romish Religion ; but hath called in Multitudes of Priests and Jesuits, for whom the Law makes it Treason to come into this Kingdom ; and hath im- powered them to exercise their idolatries. And by his being daily present at the Worship of the Mass, hath publickly assisted at the greatest Fopperies of their Superstition. Neither hath he
been more tender in trampling upon the Laws which concern our Properties, seeing in two Proclamations, whereof the one requires the collecting of the Customs, and the other the continuing that Part of the Excise which was to expire with the late King's Death ; he has violently, and against all the Law of the Land, broken in upon our Estates. Neither is it any Extenuation of his Tyranny, that he is countenanced in it by an extrajudicial Opinion of seven or eight suborned and forsworn Judges ; but rather declaring the Greatness and Extent of the Conspiracy against our Rights, and that there is no Means left for our Relief but by Force of Arms ; for advancing those to the Bench that were the Scandal of the Bar, and constituting those very Men to declare the Laws, who were accused and branded in Parlia ment for perverting them, we are precluded all Hopes of Justice in Westminster-Hall; and through packing together by false Returns, new illegal Charters, and other corrupt Means ; he doth at once deprive us of all Expectations of Succour, where our
Ancestors were wont to find it ; and Hopes to render that which ought to be the Peoples Fence against Tyranny, and the Con servator of their Liberties, the Means of subverting all our Laws, and of establishing of his Arbitrariness, and confirming our Thraldom. So that unless we could be contented to see the Reformed Protestant Religion, and such as profess extirpated Popish Superstition and Idolatry established, the Laws of the Land trampled under Foot the Liberties and Rights of the English People subverted and all that Sacred and Civil, or of Regard (amongst Men of Vertue and Piety) violated and un less we could be willing to be Slaves as well as Papists, and forget
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the Example of our Noble and Generous Ancestors, who con veyed our Priviledges to us at the Expence of their Blood and Treasure ; and withal be unmindful of our Duty to God, our Country and Posterity ; deaf to the Cries and Groans of our op pressed Friends, and be satisfied, not only to see them and our selves Imprisoned, Robbed, and Murthered, but the Protestant Interest throughout the whole World betrayed to France and
Rome; we are bound as Men and Christians, and that in Dis charge of our Duty to God and our Country, and for the Satis faction of the Protestant Nations round about us, to betake our selves to Arms. Which we take Heaven and Earth to Witness, we should not have done, had not the Malice ofour Enemies de prived us of all other Means of Redress ; and were not the Miseries that we already feel, and those which do further threaten us, worse than the Calamities of War. And it is not for any Personal Injuries, or Private Discontents, nor in Pursu ance of any corrupt Interest, that we take our Swords into our Hands, but for vindicating our Religion, Laws and Rights, and rescuing our Country from Ruin and Destruction, and for preserv ing our selves, Wives and Children from Bondage and Idolatry. Wherefore, before God, Angels, and Men, we stand acquitted from, and do charge upon our Enemies, all the Slaughter and Devastations that unavoidably accompany an intestine War.
Now therefore we do hereby Solemnly Declare and Proclaim War against J. D. of V. as a Murtherer, and an Assassinator of innocent Men, a Traitor to the Nation, and Tyrant over the People. And we would have none that appear under his Ban ner, to flatter themselves with Expectation of Forgiveness, it being our firm Resolution to prosecute him and his Adherents,
without giving way to Treaties or Accommodations, until we have brought him and them to undergo what the Rules of the Consti tution, and the Statutes of the Realm, as well as the Laws of Nature, Scripture, and Nations judge to be a Punishment due to the Enemies of God, Mankind, their Country, and all Things that are Honourable, Vertuous, and good.
And though we cannot avoid being sensible, that too many have, from Cowardice, Covetousness, and Ambition, co-operated to the subverting our Religion, and enslaving their Country ; yet we would have none from a Despair of finding Mercy, persevere
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in their Crimes, nor continue the Ruin of the Kingdom : For we exclude none from the Benefit of Repentance, that will join with us in retrieving what they have been accessory to the Loss of ; nor do we design Revenge upon any, but the Obstinate, and such as
shall be found at this Juncture yielding Aid and Assistance to the said J. D. of V.
And that we way both govern our selves in the Pursuit of this Glorious Cause, wherein we are engaged, and give Encourage ment to all that shall assist us in so Righteous and Necessary an Undertaking ; we do in the Presence of the Lord, who knows the Secrets of all Hearts, and is the Avenger of Deceit and Fals- hood, proclaim and publish what we aim at ; and for the obtain ing whereof, we have both determined to venture, and are ready to lay down our Lives. And tho' we are not come into the Field to introduce Anarchy and Confusion, or for laying aside any Part of the Old English Government ; yet our Purposes and Resolutions are, to reduce Things to that Temperament and Bal- lance, that future Rulers may remain able to do all the Good that can be either desired or expected from them, and it may not be in their Power to invade the Rights, and infringe the Liberties of the People.
And whereas our Religion, the most Valuable Thing we lay Claim unto, hath been shaken by unjust Laws, undermined by Popish Counsels, and is now in Danger to be subverted ; We
are therefore resolved, to spend our Blood for preserving it to our selves and Posterity ; nor will we lay down our Arms, till we see it established and secured beyond all Probability of being supplanted and overthrown, and until all the Penal Laws against Protestant Dissenters be repealed, and Legal Provision made against their being disturbed by Reason of their Consciences, and for their enjoying an equal Liberty with other Protestants.
And that the Meekness and Purity of our Principles, and the Moderation and Righteousness of our End, may appear unto all Men : We do declare, That we will not make War upon, or de stroy any for their Religion, how false and erroneous soever : So that the very Papists, provided they withdraw from the Tents of our Enemies, and be not found guilty of conspiring our Destruc tion, or Abettors of them that seek have nothing to fear or apprehend from us, except what may hinder their altering our
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Laws, and indangering our Persons in the Profession of the Re formed Doctrine, and Exercise of our Christian Worship.
Our Resolution in the next Place is, to maintain all the just Rights and Priviledges of Parliament, and to have Parliaments annually chosen and held, and not prorogued, dissolved, or dis continued within the Year, before Petitions be first
and Grievances redressed.
And seeing many of the Miseries, under which the Nation doth
groan, arise from displacing such out of the Number of Judges, as would not, for promoting Popish and Arbitrary Designs, wrest and misapply the Laws ; and from constituting corrupt and mercenary Men in their Rooms, on Purpose to stretch the Laws beyond the Reason and Intention of them, and to declare that for Law which is not : We can neither with Silence pass over the mentioning of them, nor should we have Peace in our selves, if we did not endeavour to prevent the like Mischief in Time to come. For by Reason of ill Men being advanced to the Bench, and holding their Places only durante bene-placito, many Per sons have been condemned in exorbitant Fines for no Crimes, or for very small ones : Many Statutes made for the Safety of the Subject, particularly the Habeas Corpus Act, have been wickedly eluded to the Oppression of the Innocent and Loyal Men. The Popish Lords that were impeached in Parliament,
for a most hellish Conspiracy, have, to the subverting the Rights of the House of Commons, and trampling on the Rights of the House ofLords, been discharged and set free. The imposing a Mayor and Sheriff upon the City of London by Fraud and
Violence, have been justified, and those who in Discharge of their Duty opposed illegally prosecuted, and arbitrarily punished. London, and other Cities and Corporations, have been robb'd of their Charters, upon unrighteous Judgments of pretended Forfeitures Sir Thomas Armstrong executed without being allowed the Benefit of a Trial Col. AIgernon Sidney condemned to die, upon the Deposition of one scanda lous Witness And that Loyal and Excellent Person, the late
William L. Russel, Murthered for alledged Crimes in Refer ence to which, all had been true, which was sworn against him, yet there was nothing which according to Law could have reached his Life. Upon the Considerations aforesaid, we further
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declare, that we will have Care taken for the future for debarring ignorant, scandalous, and mercenary Men from the Administra tion of Justice, and that the Judges shall hold their Places by the ancient Tenure of quamdiu se bene gesserint ; and to leave it to the Wisdom of a Parliament to settle some Way and Method for the Approbation of such as shall be advanced to the
Degree and Dignity of Judges.
And for as much as the Invasion made on the Rights ot
Cities, Burroughs, and Towns Corporate, by the Seisure of their Charters, whether by Surrender, or upon Pretence of Forfeiture, have been wholly Arbitrary and Illegal ; we likewise therefore declare, we will, to our utmost, endeavour to see them repos
sessed in what they formely had and could legally lay Claim to, and that we do esteem all Judgments given against them, and all Surrenders made by a corrupt and perjured Party amongst them, null and void in Law ; and do hold and declare their old
Charters, notwithstanding the new ones lately granted, to be good and valid ; and accordingly we do invite and incourage all honest Burgesses and Freemen to reassume the Rights and Priviledges, which by Vertue of the said old Charters belonged to their several and respective Corporations, and to deliver themselves from those late Parasites and Instruments of Tyranny
set-up to oppress them.
Moreover, for the restoring the Kingdom to its Primitive Con
dition of Freedom and Safety, we will have the Corporation and Militia Acts repealed, and all Out-la wries of Treason against any Person whatsoever, upon the late pretended Protestant Plot, reversed ; and also all other Out-lawries, Banishments, Warrants, Judgments, Imprisonments, and Injurious Proceedings against any other Persons, upon any of the Penal Statutes made against
Protestant Dissenters, made null and void. And we will have new Laws enacted for placing the Election of Sheriffs in the Free
holders of the several Counties, for settling the Militia in the several Shires, and for preventing all Military standing Forces,
«xcept what shall be raised and kept up by Authority and Con sent of Parliament.
And whereas several Gentlemen, and others, who have been
worthy and zealous Asserters of the Protestant
Laws of the Kingdom, are now in Custody in divers Places
Interest, and
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within the Realm, upon most unjust Accusations, Proceedings, and Judgments ; we do hereby further declare their said Imprisonments to be Illegal, and that in Case any
Violence shall be offered to them, or any of them, we will revenge it to the utmost upon such of our Enemies as shall fall into our Hands.
And whereas the said J. D. of Y. in Order to the expediting the Idolatrous and Bloody Designs of the Papists, the gratifying his own boundless Ambition after a Crown, and to hinder Inquiry into the Assassination of Arthur Earl of Effex, hath poisoned the late King, and thereby manifested his Ingratitude as well as Cruelty to the World, in murthering a Brother who had almost ruined himself to preserve and protect him from Punishment : We" do therefore further declare, That for the aforesaid Villanous and Unnatural Crime, and other his Crimes before mentioned, and in Pursuance of the Resolution of both
Houses of Parliament, who voted to revenge the King's Death, in Case he came to an untimely End, we will prosecute the said J. D. of Y. till we have brought him to suffer what the Law adjudged to be the Punishment of so execrable a Fact.
And in a more particular Maner, his Grace the Duke of Mon. mouth, being sensible of the Barbarous and Horrid Parricide committed upon his Father, doth resolve to pursue the said J. D. of Y. as a mortal and bloody Enemy, and will endeavour as well with his own Hand, as by the Assistance of his Friends and the Law, to have Justice executed upon them.
And the said James Duke of Monmouth, the new Head and Captain General of the Protestant Forces of this Kingdom, assembled for the End aforesaid, from the Generousness of his
own Nature, and the Love he bears to these Nations, whose Welfare and Settlement he infinitely prefers to whatsoever may concern himself, doth not at present insist upon his Title ; but leaves the Determination thereof to the Wisdom, Justice, and Authority of a Parliament legally chosen, and acting with Freedom : And in the mean Time doth profess and declare by all that is Sacred, that he will, in Conjunction with the People of England, imploy all the Abilities bestowed upon him by God and Nature, for the Re-establishment and Preservation of the Protestant Reformed Religion in these Kingdoms, and for res
o2
Pretences,
195
196
^tje flfllegtern Itangactfong,.
toring the Subjects of the same to a free Exercise thereof, in Opposition to Popery, and the consequences of Tyranny and Slavery. To the obtaining of which End, he doth hereby pro
mise and oblige himself to the People of England, to consent unto, and promote the passing into Laws all the Methods afore
said that may never more be in the Power of any single Person on the Throne, to deprive the Subjects of their Rights, or subvert the Fundamental Laws of the Government designed for their Preservation.
And whereas the Nobility, Gentry, and Commons of Scotland are now in Arms upon the like Motives and Inducements that we are, and in Prosecution of Ends agreable with ours We do therefore approve the Justice of their Cause, commend their Zeal and Courage, expecting their, and promising our Assistance,
for carrying on that Glorious Work we are jointly engaged in being obliged, for avoiding Tediousness, to omit the recounting many Oppressions under which the Kingdom hath groaned and the giving a Deduction of the several Steps that have been taken for introducing of Popery and Tyranny: We think fit thereof to signifie, both to our Countrymen and Foreigners, that we intend larger Testimony and Remonstrance of the Griev ances, Persecutions, Cruelties, and Tyrannies we have of late layn under and therein a more full and particular Account of the unparallell'd Crimes of the D. of Y. And we make our Appeal unto God, and all Protestant Kings, Princes, States, and
People, concerning the Justice of our Cause, and the Necessity we are reduced unto of having our Recourse to Arms. And as we do beseech, require, and adjure all sincere Protestants and true Englishtnen, to be assisting to us against the Enemies of the Gospel, Rights of the Nation, and Liberties of Mankind So we are confident of obtaining the utmost Aid and Succour which they can yield us, with their Prayers, Persons, and Estates, for the Dethroning the said Tyrant, cW. nor do we doubt being
justified, countenanced, and assisted by all Protestant Kings, Princes, and Commonwealths, who either regard the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, or their own Interest And above all, our Depen- dance and Trust upon the Lord of Hosts, in whose Name we go forth, and to whom we commit our Cause and refer the Decision betwixt us and our Enemies in the Day of Battle.
is
:
;
a
it
:;;
;
;
it,
3 ameg 2Dufee of S^onmoutlj. 197
Now let us play the Men for our People, andfor the Cities ofour Cod, and the Lord do that which seemeth good unto him.
Thus, Reader, I have given you a Copy of the Duke of Mon mouth's Declaration, (which was disperst in the West of England in the Year 1685. ) But it not being the Part of an Historian
to make Remarks, I have satisfied my self with barely in serting, it leaving every Reader to make what Reflections on it he thinks fit.
A brief Abstract of his True Speech.
I repent in general of all my Sins, and am more particularly concerned for what Blood hath been spilt on my Account, and the rather, seeing the Issue is such as I fear will prove of fatal
Consequence to the Reformed Protestant Religion.
Instead of being counted Factious and Rebellious, the very
opposing of Popery and Arbitrary Power, now arising and ap pearing plain enough, would sufficiently have protected my Cause ; besides, several other most hainous and notorious Crimes, (such as the unhappy Fate of the Earl of Essex, and my
Father of ever blessed Memory, and others now covered over with Jesuitical Policy) should have been detected and avenged.
I have lived, and shall now die in the Faith of this, that God will work a Deliverance for his People, and then will be dis covered the great and horrid, and scarcely to be paralleled Villanies our Enemies have been guilty of ; but now you see my Case is desperate, yet know that I die a MARTYR FOR
THE PEOPLE, and shall rather pity the State, that their false and covetous Minds have brought themselves and me to ; than discover who are the Persons concerned in my Overthrow, and I heartily forgive all that have wronged me, even those that have been instrumental in my Fall, earnestly praying for their
Souls.
And I hope King James will shew himself to be of his Bro
ther's Blood, and extend his Mercy to my Children, even as he was wont to his greatest Enemies, they being not capable to act, and therefore not conscious of any Offence against the Govern ment.
198 %\)t
flfllegtern trangactfong.
His ELEGY.
Come, Mortals, come, now set yourselves to weep,
Is not your Glorious M gone to sleep ?
Send us some Tears, you Indians, from your Shoa r, For it's our Grief that we can mourn no more.
We want some Mourners from the utmost Coast
Of all the Earth, that Grief may not be lost.
When Britain hath sat down and mourn'd her Fill, She ought to send for other Mourners still.
Created Things, come set your selves to mourn, Since Lovely M from the World is torn. Should you not mourn, and tell your Children so, That Ages hence may mourn and sorrow too, 'Cause we have lost so great a Good as this,
Who was our Flow'r, and mourning Europe's Bliss ? The Sun did mourn the Morning of that Day,
And with the Clouds of Darkness did array
His Glorious Face, that Mortals might not see His Royal Rays, while they did murther thee.
All Things but Devils seemed then to weep,
Nor could the Earth almost in Silence keep. Methought all joy would vanish from the Earth,
And Pleasantness would stop with M 's Breath. Methought the Sun might now be angry grown,
And would no more on Earth be seen or known.
We fear'd the Heavens now disturbed were,
And for the Earth would take no further Care. Allgood Men griev'd to see that fatal blow,
Whilst floods of Tears did from the Heavens flow. But that black Blow, instead of proving Three,
Like Russell's Fate, Five Bloody Siroaks they see.
Ye Ages all, let this recorded be,
O Lovely M
, Glory of our Land,
Who for God's Word did like a Pillar stand.
And let all Mankind, M
As when we saw him walking hence to Bliss,
, mourn for thee. Could we but draw those blessed Looks of his,
harnesf 2Duke of ^onmoutlj. 199
When from the Tower he did the Hill ascend,
Where Troops of Angels did his Soul attend ;
One would have thought, to see him in that Throng, That he to Bliss already did belong.
His Countenance all others did out-shine,
And made his very Foes to Grief incline.
No sooner was his Soul arriv'd in Bliss,
Where he receiv'd a better Crown for this ;
Than Phoebus and the Earth began to shine,
And pleasant Looks towards us do incline.
The Clouds and Tears were wip'd from Heaven's Face, And Glorious Brightness did again take Place.
Now, Happy Soul, we leave thee to thy Rest, To live in Joys that cannot be exprest.
Argile and the Duke of Monmouth being now both safe in their Graves, King James was so pufft up with a petty Victory over a few Clubmen, and so wrapt up with a Conceit, that he had now conquer'd the whole Nation, (so that now believing himself impregnable) he resolves to be reveng'd upon the
Western People for siding with his Capital Enemy Monmouth, and to that purpose sends down his Executioner in Ordinary, Jeffreys, not to decimate according to the Heathen Way of Mercy, but with the Beesom of his Cruelties, to sweep the Country before him, and to depopulate instead of Punishment, at which Time Acquaintance or Relation of any that fell in the Field, with a slender Circumstance tack'd to either, was a Crime sufficient for the extirpation of the Family. And
Young and Old were hang'd by Clusters, as if the Chief Justice had designed to raise the Price of Halters ; besides the great Number of those that upon bare Suspicion were transported
beyond Sea, and there sold for Slaves, and the Purchase-Money given away to satisfy the Hunger of needy Papists. — After- Ages will read with Astonishment the barbarous Usage of those
poor People ; of which among many Instances, this one may seem sufficient, whereby to take the Dimensions of all the rest : That when the Sister of the two Hewlings hung upon the Chief Justice's Coach, imploring Mercy on the behalf of her Brothers, the merciless Judge, to make her let go, caus'd the Coach-man
aoo 'flEljc Me$ttvn
'flErangactions(.
to cut her Hands and Fingers with the Lash of his Whip. Nor would he allow the Respite of the Execution but for two Days, tho' the' Sister with Tears in her Eyes offered a Hundred Pounds for so small a Favour. And whoever shelter'd
any of those forlorn Creatures, were hurried to the Slaughter house with the same inexecrable Outrage, without any Con sideration either of Age or Sex ; Witness the Execution of the
Lady Lisle at Winchester. As for Argile and the Duke, tho' they might die pitied, yet in Regard they had declared open Hostility, it was no more than they were to expect upon ill
Success.
We shall now, to compleat our Western Martyrology, (and that
we may not be too tedious) proceed to give the particular Cases of those that were condemned and executed in the
WEST, with their Christian Behaviour and Dying-Speeches, as their plain Country Friends have preserved 'em.
The Dying-Speech and Behaviour of Mr. Matth. Bragg.
And we begin with Mr. Matthew Bragg,who was a Gentleman, and descended from an Ancient and Good Family; he was bred an Attorney, in which he practised the Law : His Case being this, he happened to be upon the Road riding home to his House, being come from a Gentleman's House for whom he kept courts. He, as before, being met with by a Party of Horse belonging to the Duke of Monmouth, who were going to search the House of a Roman Catholick for Arms, who lived two or three Miles from the Place they met him, they required him to go with them, and show them the way, he knowing the Country
better than they did ; he desired to be excused, telling them, It was none of his Business, and besides had no Arms. But his Excuses signified nothing, they forced him amongst them, where they went ; when being come, a Party ente^d the Housei and searcht it : Mr. Bragg never dismounted, they being then satisfied, took him along with them to Chard, where then the
Duke of Monmouth was. Being there, after having set up his Horse where he used to do, often having Occasion there, he was tampered with to engage in the Design, but he refused it ; but the next Morning made haste out of Town, not seeing the Duke at all ; calling for his Horse, it was told him, That it was seized
for the Duke's Service. So then he took his Cane and Gloves, and walked to his own House, which was about five or six Miles, and was no more concerned in the Affair, than that after the Duke's Defeat at Kings-Sedge-Moore, some busie Person in- formeth, and requireth a Warrant from a Justice of Peace for the said Mr. Bragg,who obliged himself to enter into a Recognizance to appear at the next Assizes ; the said Justice accounting the Matter in itself but trivial ; and indeed all Men did judge him out of Danger. At Dorchester he appeared in Court to discharge his Bail, on which he was presently committed, and the next Day being Arraigned, pleading Not Guilty, put himself on the Trial of and his Country, which found him and 28 more of
Guilty ; the Lord Chief often saying, any Lawyer 30 G^>d Justice If
or Parson came under his Inspection, they should not escape; the Evidence against him was the Roman CatholickjV/hose House was searcht, and a Woman of ill Fame, to whom the L. Chief Justice was wonderfully kind ; but his Evidence, which were more than Twenty, to prove his Innocence, signified nothing, the Jury being well instructed by my Lord Chief Justice. Being thus found Guilty, Sentence was presently pronounced, and Execution awarded, notwithstanding all the Interest that was made for him, as before recited.
Thus being condemned on Saturday, and ordered to be ex ecuted on Monday, he spent the Residue of his little Time very devoutly, and much becoming a good Christian, and a true
Protestant of the Church of Englaud, all which availed nothing with this Protestant Judge.
He was frequently visited by a worthy Divine of the Church of England, who spent much Time with him, and received great Satisfaction from him. The said Divine told me, That his Deportment, Behaviour, and Converse was so much like an extraordinary Christian, that he could not in the least doubt but this violent Passage would
put him into the Fruition of Happiness. He wisht and de sired a little longer Time, out ofno other Design, but thoroughly
201
203 %\}t Jiillcsrtern '(Irans(actt'ong.
to repent of his Sins, and make himself more sensible of, and fit for to receive the Inheritance that is prepared for those that continue in well-doing to the End. When he came to the Place of Execution with great Courage and Resolution, being, as he said, Prepared for Death, he behaved himself very gravely and devoutly. Being asked, when he was on the Ladder, Whether he was not sorryfor his being concerned in the Rebellion ; He replied, That he knew of none that he was guilty of; and prayed them not to trouble him ; adding, He was not thefirst that was martyr'd; he was so much a Christian as toforgive his Enemies. And after some private Devotions he suddenly was translated, as we have all Hopes to believe, from Earth to Heaven. The only Favour of this Protestant Judge was, to give his Body to his Friends, in Order to its Interment amongst his Ancestors.
The Behaviour of Mr. Smith, Constable of Chard- stock.
Another Eminent Person that suffered with him at the same Time and Place, was one Mr. Smith, who was Constable of
Chardstock, who having some Monies in his Hands that belonged to the Militia, which came to the Knowledge of some of the Duke's Friends, they obliged him to deliver it to them, which he was forced to deliver ; and for this was indicted for High-Trea son, in assisting the Duke of Monmouth. To which he pleaded Not Guilty. The Evidence against him were the same with those that had been against Mr. Bragg. The said Mr. Smith informed the Court and the Jury, what little Credit ought to be given to the Evidence. The Lord CIhief Justice thundered at
him, saying, Thou Villain, methinks see thee already with a Halter about thy Neck; thou impudent Rebel, to challenge these Evidences that are for the KIing. To which the IPrisoner re plied very boldly, MyILord,
now see which way
am going,
I
That your Lordship can only destroy my Body ; it is out ofyour
must die; but and right or wrong this
my with, self
comfort
Power to touch tny soul. Godforgive your Rashness; pray, my
9pr, £>tmt&. 203
Lord, know it is not a small Matter you are about, the Blood ofMan is more precious than the whole World. And then was stopped from saying any more. The Evidences being heard, a strict Charge was given the jury about him. To be short, the Jury brought him in Guilty ; so that he with the rest received the Sentence of Death all together, and were executed on Mon day; but by particular Order from my Lord, he was ordered to be first executed. The Day being come for Execution, being Monday, he with a Courage undaunted, was brought to the Place, where with Christian Exhortations to his Brethren that suffered with him, he was ordered to
I am now, as you see, launching into eternity; so that it may be expected I should speak something before I leave this miserable World, and pass through those Sufferings, which are I to
prepare,
be executed, where he spake as followeth : Christian Friends,
Flesh and Blood ; which indeed shaI
ll be but little, because
to be before a Just Judge, where
only for the Occasion of my Sufferings now, but for Sins long unrepented of, which indeed hath brought me to this dismal Place and shameful Death. I And truly, dear Country-men, having ransacked my Soul,
but
before,
allyou to bear me
e Monmo
DukI of
for of.
know, as
Idie in CIharity with all Men; I
die a true
seeching the Lord still to stand up in the Defence of it. God for
Witness,
Professor of
give my passionate Judge, and cruel and hasty Jury; God forgive them, they know not what they have done. God bless the King; and though his Judges had no Mercy on me, 1 wish he may find Mercy when he standeth most in Need of it;
Make him, O Lord, a nursing Father to the Church; let Mercy flow abundantly from him, if it be thy Will, to those poor Prisoners, to be hereafter tried; and, Lord, if it be thy Holy Will, stop this issue of Christian Blood, and let my guiltless Blood be the last spilt on this account. Gentlemen all, fare well, fare well all the things of the World : Then singing some few Verses of a Psalm, and putting up some pIrivate Ejaculations to commend my Spirit,
himself, said, O Lord, into thy Hands
and so submitted to the Executioner, Sept. 7. 1685.
desire
of
being the first to
must an Account, not give
cannot my small concern with the find
Iuth, doth deserve this heavy Judgment on me; said it is Sins long unrepented
the Church England; be of
dreadful
long
dfllegtern Ixangacttong.
204-
The Behaviour and Dying-Speech of Mr. Joseph Speed of Culliton.
At the same Time and Place, as he came near the Place of his Execution, he spying his Country man and Friend, called him, and said, I am glad to see you here now, because I am not known in these Parts ; being answered by his Friend, I am sorry to see you in this Condition : He replies, It is the best Day I ever saw ; I thank God I have not led my Life as Unchristian- like as many have done, having since the Years of 16 always had the Checks of Conscience on me, which made me to avoid many gross and grievous Sins ; my Course of Life hath been well known to you, yet I cannot justifie my self; all Men err.
I have not been the least of Sinners, therefore cannot excuse myself; but since my Confinement I have received so great Comfort, in some Assurance of the Pardon of my Sins, that I can now say, I am willing to die, to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, and say to Death, Where is thy Sting ? And to Grave, Where is thy Victory ? Being asked by some rude Soldiers, Whether he was not sorry for the Rebellion he was found guilty of? He couragiously replied, If you call it a Rebellion, I assure you I had no sinister Ends in being concerned ; for my whole Design in taking up Arms under the Duke of Monmouth, was to fight for the Protestant Religion, which my own Conscience dictated me to, and which the said Duke declared for, and had, I think, a lawful Call and Warrant for so doing, and do not question, that if I have committed any Sin in but that pardoned Pray, Mr. Sheriff, let me be troubled no more in an swering of Questions, but give me Leave to prepare my self (those few Minutes have left) for another World, and go to my Jesus, who ready to receive me Then calling to his Friend, who stood very near him, said, My dear Friend, you know have a dear Wife and Children, who will find me wanting, being some what incumbered in the World, let me desire you as a Dying
Man, to see that she be not abused and as for my poor Chil dren, hope the Father of Heaven will take Care of them, and
give them Grace to be dutiful to their distressed Mother
-so with my Dying love to all my Friends, when you see them,
and
I
is
;
;
:
;
I is
I
I
it
it,
take Leave of you, and them, and all the World, desiring your Christian Prayers for me to the last Moment ; then repeating some Sentences of Scripture, as, Colossians, chap. 3. 5. i, 2, Ifyou then, &c. and praying very fervently, said, I thank God I have Satisfaction; I am ready and willing to suffer Shame for his Name : And so pouring fourth some private Ejaculations to himself, and lifting up his Hands, the Executioner did his
Office : The Soldiers then present said, They never before were so taken with a Dying Man's Speech; his Courage and Christian like Resolution, caused many violent Men against the Prisoners, to repent of their Tyranny towards them ; some of whom in a short Time died full of Horror : And thus fell this good Man, a true Protestant, and one that held out to the End.
An Account of those that Suffered at Bridport and Lyme.
At Bridport one John Sprage, who was a very good Man, and behaved himself with a great deal of Christian-like Courage to the End : His Speech and his Devotions, dr'c. must be omitted, not being possible to take them, by Reason of the
Rudeness, &r'c. and the Shortness of the Time allowed him by the Soldiers.
With Mr. John Sprage there were executed Twelve in the County of Dorset. Mr. John Sprage of Lyme, a Man more fit to die, than he that condemned him was fit to live : He was a
zealous Christian, and a Man that in a Manner lived in Heaven while on Earth ; he was but of an ordinary Estate in this World ; But to be short, his Praise, his Worth, his Fame will never die in those Places where known ; he went about doing good, even in his worldly Employments, as I have been credibly informed ; hardly any thing coming that Way, but what his Spiritual Meditations were upon. He was apprehended near Salisbury, brought to Dorchester, where I saw him several Times, and was conversant with him before his Trial ; he carried himself very moderately to all ; some of divers Principles in Matters of
2o6 'QEfje
flfilegtern ^rangactfong.
Religion, he continually prayed with them, advising and instruct ing them to those holy Duties which were necessary to Salva tion. Being asked, how he could endure those Hardships he had undergone since his being taken? Says he, If this be all, 'tis not so much ; but my Friend, if you were to take a Journey in those Ways you were not acquainted with, you would hope) desire Advice from those that had formerly used those
I
Advice many a Time from a Minister, who hath often told his Congregation of the Troublesomness of the Road, and of the Difficulty of getting through; and hath given me, and
Hundreds of others to understand the Pitts and Stones in the Way, and how to avoid them; he has been a Man used to
(I Ways, or lived near by them: Yes, says he : Then said he,
The Ways of Affliction which
have lately travelled in,
I
had
I
got thus far on comfortably, and
these Roads many Years;
have taken his Advice ; I
am not
End; I afraid
I
be: NowI
if
can truly say, 0 Death where is thy
am trust shall do so to the tofight a Duel with Death, so it must
I
Sting ? And O Grave, where is thy Victory ! Two' or three
thank God
Days after their Sentence, they were drawn to Execution, but were very rudely and approbriously dealt with, to the Shame of those that then had the Charge over them ; their Rigor unto them was more like Turks than Christians. But to conclude, being come to the Place of Execution, he prayed very devoutly with them all, but by the Rudeness of the Guards, there could be no Copy taken to be said to be true : All of them died very cou- ragious, especially this Stout Christian Champion, who spake to them in these Words, (looking on. the Soldiers) saying, Little do
you think that this very Body of mine, which you are now come to see cut in Pieces, will one Day rise up in Judgment against
you, and be your Accuser, for your Delight in spilling of Chris tian Blood; the Heathens have far more Mercy; 'O 'tis sad, when England must out-stripIInfidels and Pagans ! But pray
am not in Charity with you; I forgive you and all the World; and do desire the God of Mercies to forgive you, and open your Hearts, and
take Notice, don't think that
I
turn you Darkness to Light, and thI
am so far, that
from from
e Power Satan
to the Lord
Christ; and so Farewel.
of
going of
the Power Jesus all I of you :
have no
am Dependence
out but upon my
Colonel
li? olmeg.
207
Blessed Redeemer, to whom Icommit my dear Wife and Children and all the World.
The next Place was Lyme, where many of Note died, par ticularly Col. Holmes, who was the first of those there executed, near the same Place where they landed, when they came a-Shoar with the Duke of Monmouth, being brought to the Place after
some Difficulty ; for the Horses that were first put into the Sledge would not stir, which obliged those concerned to get others, which they did from the Coachman, who had that Morn ing brought them to Town ; when they were put into the Sledge, they broke it in Pieces, which caused the Prisoners to go on foot to the Place of Execution ; where being come, as I told you before, the Colonel began thus at the Foot of the Ladder ; he sat down with an Aspect altogether void of Fear, but on the contrary with a kind of smiling Countenance, so began to speak to the Spectators to this Purpose, That he would give them an Account of his first Undertaking in the Design, which was long before in London; for there he agreed to stand by, and assist the D. of Monmeuth, when Opportunity offered ; in Order to which he went to Holland with him, and there continued until
this Expedition, in which God had thought fit to frustrate his and other good Mens Expectations : He believed the Protestant Religion was bleeding, and in a Step towards Extirpation and, therefore he with these his Brethren that were to suffer with him, and Thousands more, had adventured their Lives and their All to save it ; but God Almighty had not appo inted 'em to be the Instruments in so glorious a Work ; yet notwithstanding he did verily believe, and doubted not, but that God would make Use of others, that should meet with better Success, tho' the Way or
Means was not yet visible, but of this he did not doubt : He also was satisfied of the Duke's Title, so that Matter did not afflict him on Account of his engaging on his Score : And going on further with a Discourse of this Nature, he was asked by a Person, Why he did not pray for the King? He with a smiling Countenance answered, / am sorry you do not yet un derstand the Difference between Speaking and Praying; And having ended his Discourse, he then prepared himself by Prayer for his Dissolution, which was very Devout and Pious for half an Hour ; which was as follows :
2o8 dfliegtern ^rangactt'onsL
Colonel Holme's Last Prayer.
Most Glorious, most Great, and most Merciful God, there is none in Heaven or in Earth that is like unto thee ; Heaven is thy Throne, and the Earth is thy Footstool ; who shall say unto thee, What doest thou? Here we are poor deplorable Creatures come to offer up our last Prayers and Services unto thee ; we beseech thy Favourable Ear to our Prayers, and the Comfort of thy Holy Spirit, at this Time ; we praise and magnifie thy Name, for all the Dispensations of thy Providence towards us, especially for this thy Providence, in bringing us to this Place, and at this Time, to suffer Shame for thy Name : Help and assist all of us to submit to thy Will patiently. Pardon all our Sins, remove them out of thy Presence as far as the East is from the West, and accept of us in the Merits of thy Son Jesus Christ ; thou who art the Searcher of Hearts, and Trier of Reins, let there not at the Moment of Death be the least Spark of Sin indwelling in us, nor the Strivings of Flesh and Blood, that may hinder us from a joyful Passage unto thee : Give us Patience also under these Sufferings, and a Deliverance to all others from undergo ing them, and in thy good Time work a Deliverance for poor England, let thy Gospel yet nourish among them, hasten the
downfal of Antichrist, we trust the Time is come ; prevent, O Lord, this Effusion of Christian Blood ; and if it be thy Will, let this be the last : Lord, bless this Town, let them from the highest to the lowest set the Fear of God before their Eyes : Bless all sorts and conditions of Men in all Ranks and Qualities, pardon all their Sins, give them all true repentance, and the Grace of thy Holy Spirit ; fit and prepare us for the chearful Fulfilling of thy Holy Will ; let the Comforter be still with us ; be merciful to all our Friends, and Relations, and Acquaintance ; forgive our Enemies, accept of our Thankfulness for all the Mercies and Favours afforded us, and hear, and graciously answer us in these our Requests, and what else thou knowest needful and expedient for us, and all for our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ his Sake ; who died for us, that we might reign with him for ever and ever; to whom with thee and thy Blessed
Spirit of Grace be ascribed, as is most due, all Honour, Glory, and Praise, both now and for ever.
Colonel
l^olmes.
209
After having ended his prayer, he took Occasion to speak to his suffering Brethren, taking a solemn Leave of them, encou raging them to hold out to the End, and not to waver, observing that this being a Glorious Sun-shining Day, I doubt not, though our Breakfast be sharp and bitter, it will prepare us, and make us meet for a comfortable Supper, with our God and Saviour, where all Sin and Sorrow shall be wiped away ; so embracing
I shall want Assistance to help me
each of 'em, and kissing of 'em, told the Sheriff, You see imperfect, only one Arm, I
upon this Tragical Stage; which was presently done, and Ex ecution suddenly followed.
He with Eleven more were brought from Dorchester to Lyme, Six in a Coach, and Six in a Cart ; as he was drawn through the Town, he chearfully beholding the People, advised them not to be
discouraged at their severe Deaths ; for that though it was their hard Fortunes to lose the Day in so good a Cause, yet he questioned not but it would be revived again, and by such Means as he nor they could not imagine ; God, I hope and trust, will never let this Nation to fall into Popery. Being brought to the Inn where they stopped near two Hours, until the Butchers had prepared every Thing for the Slaughter, they were visited by a very Worthy Divine, and Vicar of that Town, who offered them those Spiritual Helps, as usual in those Occasions, which some of them embraced, and others not ; their Principles being different
from the Church of England. The Jaylor speaking to Colonel Holmes to knock off his Irons, he said, Great Men of State wear Chains, and 'tis accounted for their Honour, but though there is a vast Difference betwixt those Golden ones and mine, yet I take mine to be more honourable, as that good Apostle said, he accounted it an Honour to suffer Shame for his Master's Name ; the Sledge being in Readiness they prepared
to enter it ; but alas ! Who should draw such Men to Execu tion ? Though Men were so bloody, the very Beasts refused to draw them ; and instead of going forward, they went backwards, and could by no Means make them do which so inraged some Persons, that they took the Coach-Horses out of the Coach, and placed them to the Sledge but presently the Sledge broke in Pieces then spake this worthy good Man Pray, Gentlemen, you see all your strivings will not do to draw us to
am
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;
;
:
it,
2io flfllesftern tEranssactfonsf.
Execution, I verily believe there is more in it than you are aware of ; pray read about the Prophet, that went out of God's Way, his Beast saw that he could not.
Give us Leave, and we will walk to the Place ; being there come, the Colonel prepared first to mount that Tragical Stage, the Heads of his Speech you have before ; imbracing his Fellow- Sufferers, and kissing them,and giving them some ghostly Com forts ; he desired Help of the Sheriff to go up the Ladder, having but One Arm, and the Gallows higher than ordinary, which was granted : And in a short Time after the Executioner
did his Office.
Col. Holmes in his Prayer not mentioning the King, he was
charged as before ; to which he replied, He prayed for him in general, praying for all Mankind. Thus fell the Valiant and good Christian, Col. Holmes ; his Dying-Words we have now found come to pass ; he was much lamented by all that saw him, except by some, that, 'tis feared, are delivered up to a seared
Conscience.
Now follows the Execution of Mr. Sam. Larke.
Mr. Sampson Larke, who was a very eminent, pious Man, and had lived in that Town but little before many Years ; he was there well acquainted, and all People that knew him had a Value for him, behaving himself with that Humility and Cir cumspection, as no Body could have any other Occasion but to value him : He designed to have spoken somewhat on a Portion of Scripture, and was beginning, having mentioned the Place he intended to speak upon, but was interrupted, and told, the Work of the Day being great, they should want Time. So then he stopt, and replied, He could make Application where he should not meet with interruption ; And so applied himself to
Prayer, which he performed with great Devotion and Zeal for a Quarter of an Hour, to the great Satisfaction of the Auditors ; and so taking Leave of his suffering Brethren, he mounted the Stage, which was to be the last Act he made in this World ;
being on the Ladder, he saw some of his Friends and Neighbours weeping and mourning for him, to whom he spake, Pray weep
not for me, I am going to a Place of Bliss and Happiness, Iwherefore pray repair to your Houses, and e'er you get thither,
There was also Mr. William Hewling of London, a young Gentleman under Twenty, who came over with the Duke of Monmouth, he seemed to be in a calm and composed Frame of Spirit, and with a great deal of Courage and Seriousness he behaved himself. There is already something said of his Con verse and Discourse, which amongst others is Printed ; therefore we shall say nothing more of him, but that in all Manner of Appearance he died a good Christian, a true Protestant, and doubtless now enjoys the Benefit of it. There were several worthy Gentlemen more there executed, viz. Mr. Christoph Battiscomb, Dr. Temple, Capt. Madders, Captain Matthews,
Captain Kid, &c. in all Twelve, who all of them died with that Courage and Resolution as became Christians, and such who eminently had adventured their Lives and Fortunes in Defence of what was most dear to them ; and namely our Religion, which though God did not think fit to defend and secure yet in his Wisdom we hope will be in some Measure secured by other Instruments, the Glory of the same being only due to him. So that now leaving this Place, we proceed to other Parts of the Country, where with the like Butchery were only Five executed, amongst whom was one Mr. Tyler of Bristol, who had had Command in the Duke's Army, where he hehaved himself very stoutly to the last after the Army was dispersed, he among others was taken, received Sentence of Death at Dorchester, and here brought for the Completion of the same, and from thence we hope was translated to Heaven. He spent his Time between the Sentence and Execution very devoutly, in confirming and
strengthening those that were to be his Fellow-Sufferers and made his Business to bring them to Willingness to submit to, and Preparedness for Death The Day being come, and he brought to the Place of Execution, he thus spoke, My Friends, you see am now on the Brink of Eternity, and in a few Minutes shall be but Clay you expect should say something, as usual in such Cases, as to the Matter of Fact die for,
I
shall be with God and
happy my Saviour,
doubt not but
where all Tears shall be wiped away, and nothing shall remain but Hallelujahs to allEternity.
211
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2i2 H« Mlesftern transactionsf.
dIoth not much trouble me, knowing to my self the Ends for which engaged myself with the Duke of Monmouth were both good and honourable. Here being stopp'd, and not suffered to pro ceed further, he then comforted his Fellow-sufferers, desiring them to join with him in singing an Hymn, which he himself
Composed for the Occasion as follows :
A HYMN made by Mr. Joseph Tyler, a little before his Execution.
i.
O Lord, how Glorious is thy Grace,
And wondrous large thy Love ; At such a dreadful Time and Place,
To such as faithful prove !
2.
If thou wilt have thy Glory hence, Though a shameful Death we die,
We bless thee for this Providence, To all Eternity.
3-
Let these Spectators see thy Grace
In thy poor Servants shine ; While we by Faith behold thy Face
In that bless'd Son of thine.
4-
Though Men our Bodies may abuse.
Christ took our Souls to Rest ; Till he brings forth the joyful News,
Ye are my Father's Blest,
5-
Appear for those that plead thy Cause,
Preserve them in the Way,
Who own King Jesus and his Laws,
And dare not but obey.
S$r. feampgon Harke. 213
6.
O God confound our cruel Foes, Let Babylon come down ;
Let England's King be one of them Shall raze her to the Ground.
7-
Through Christ we yield our Souls to thee,
Accept us on his Score ;
That where he is, there we may be,
To praise thee ever more.
After the Hymn sung he prayed devoutly for half an Hour ; after Prayer he gave great Satisfaction to all present of his Assurance of Heaven, had many weeping Eyes for him, and was much lamented in the Town, though a Stranger to the
forgive thee with all my Heart, and
to God to forgive thee; don't mangle my Body too much; and so lifting up his Hands to Heaven, the Executioner did his Office. There was also one William Cox that died with him, who also died very couragiously, despising the Shame, in Hopes and Expectation of a future better Estate. He and his two Sons were some of the first that came to the Duke of Mon mouth, and all taken, and all condemned together : The Father only suffered, the Sons by Providence were preserved. When he was going to Execution he desired Leave to see his Sons, then in another Prison in the Town, to whom he gave his Blessing; and though he was going to be executed, yet had that Satisfaction to hope that God would preserve them, which was so.
Some further Passages relating to Mr. Sampson Larke, with his Prayer at the same Time and Place when Executed.
Immediately after Col. Holmes was executed, this good Man was ordered to prepare to follow ; accordingly going to deliver
Place ; so unbuttoning himself, said to the Executioner,
fear
not what MIan can do unto me; pray thy
also pray
Mercy, for
thee do II
/ Work in
214 t1je afllesftern IxansfactionjJ.
some few Words to the People, some whereof were formerly of his Congregation, but being told he could not expect much Time, because it was so late, and "so many to be executed after him ; so he suddenly conIcluded, and said, / will now speak a few words to him which
his Prayer as followeth :
Blessed Lord God, we thine unworthy Creatures now here
before thee, cannot but acknowledge from the Bottom of our Hearts our own unworthiness ; we must confess we have been grievous Sinners, and have brought forth the evil Fruit of it in
our Lives, to the* great Dishonour of thy Name, for which we have deserved thy heavy Wrath and Indignation to be poured forth upon us, not only in this Life, but in that which is to come.
O let us bless God for our Suffering and Afflictions, as well as for our Mercies, we bless thee in particular for this; O sanctifie it to us ; let us be effectually convinced of the Vanity of the World, and of our own Sinfulness by Nature and Practice, and to see that to be Sin which we never saw before ; O Lord> make us sensible of the absolute Necessity of the Righteousness of Christ to justifie us, and let him be now made much more dear and precious to our Souls than ever, that so we may be
wrought into a more heavenly Frame, and raised to a higher Degree of Spirituality, and so made more meek and humble ; and let us judge charitably of others, that differ from us in Opinion and Judgment. And now, O Lord, though by thy most righteous Judgment we most justly deserve these Sufferings, and such an ignominious Death, for our Sins against thee, not for
Treasons against the Kingdom, let us be in a Preparedness for it. Pardon all our Sins, help us quietly to submit to thy holy will ; speak Peace to all our Souls. Look in Mercy, O Lord, on this poor Nation, especially on this Town, and every par ticular Person in it; let them all mind those Things which concern their Peace, before they are hid from their Eyes. Comfort my dear and distressed Wife, be a Husband unto her, deliver her out of the Paw of the Lion, and the Paws of the Bear. Look upon all thy poor afflicted Ones, all Prisoners and Captives, work Deliverance for them if thou seest it good ; but thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. And now, Lord,
■ ith humble Meekness and submission I submit to thy Will,
am sure will hear me. And so began
9£r. feampson Hacfce. 215
depending upon the Merits of my Saviour, to whom with thy Blessed Self and Spirit be ascribed all Honour and Praise both now and for ever. Amen.
Then mounting the Ladder, he called to some of the Town who weeped for him, but were at some Distance, Go Home to your own Houses, pray do not weep for me, and before you get
up yonder Hill, Ishall be with my Heavenly Father in Fulness of Joy and Pleasure for ever more. And so advising those before him to leave off those cruel Sentiments they had taken of him, besides some heavenly Discourses with some of his Friends, he was turned off, to the great Grief of■the good People of the Town, especially those of his own Congregation. To give him nothing but his Due, he was a Man mighty charitable, relieving and visiting the Poor and Needy, Preached in Season and out of Season, and made it his Business to go about doing good, and to put poor Souls in a Way for eternal Life ; he was an Old Christian, as well as Aged in Years ; he was a general Loss, especially to his dear and tender Wife : But all our Losses are nothing to be compared to that Glory that he now enjoys.
Mr. Sampson Larke's Letter to a Friend just before his Execution.
My dear Friend, I am ready to be offered, and the Time of my Departure is at hand ; I have through Grace fought a good Fight, have finished my Course, have kept the Faith, and am in Hopes of the Crown of Righteousness prepared for me, and
all God's faithful Ones : The Experiences I have had of the Promises, hath given me comfortable Hopes that he will carry me to the full End of my Journey, with his Name, and that Truth of his, which I have made Profession of. My great Crime is for my being a Preacher of the Gospel, and here I am to be made a Sacrifice, where I have mostly preached Christ's Gospel. I think my Judges have devised this punish ment for my Hurt, but I trust God will turn it to my Good ; the great Trouble I have is for those good Hearts that I must
leave behind me : but this is my Comfort, knowing that all such as fear God, he will be a Father to them. My dear Wife is greatly troubled, but through Mercy much supported, and
216 Hfa flfllesftern 'Eransfactfonsf.
something quieted ; if any of you have Opportunity to give her Help, I hope you will do it. As for our confessing our selves Guilty, it was expressly as to Matter of Fact, and not of Form ; and this I did with some Freedom, and the rather, because all my worthy Brethren that went before me took that Way, and the many Ways having been used to have a further Discovery, yet nothing of that Kind by any but only by Captain
Jones. Since our Sentence, some wretched Men have been with us, to
draw from us a Confession of our being Rebels, that we might have their Absolution. I bless God, he hath hitherto helped me to be faithful, and I hope he will not leave me in the most needful Time. I must conclude, being ready to be called away ; my dear Love to all my Christian Friends, and especially those in the Goal. The Lord be with you all, Amen. Your dying Friend, in Hopes of Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ, Amen.
Sampson Larke.
From the House of my blessed Bondage in Dorchester, Septemb. 7. 1685.
An Account of those Executed at Sherborn.
At Sherborn, in the same County, were executed Twelve, who all died couragiously, especially one Mr. Glisson of Yeoval, in the County of Somerset, his extraordinary Deportment and Carriage at the Place of Execution, was so very considerable, as gave great Satisfaction to his Friends, and Amazement to his Enemies. He declared to the World that he was a true Protestant, and had not ingaged with the Duke of Monmouth, but judged it high Time to stand up for the Defence of the same, though God Almighty had thought fit to frustrate his Designs, and to bring him to that Place to Seal the same with
his Blood. Also John Savage, and Richard Hall, of Culliton, in the County of Devon, suffered at the same Time and Place ; in their particular Conversation they valued those most that they saw most of Piety in, and pitied others that they saw not so well prepared ; saying, that the Remembrance of our Vanity
a^r. 3|oijn feprape. 217
may cause Compassion towards such as were in such a Con dition; exhorting all to be serious, and to consider their latter End, which deserved the greatest Attention of Mind ; the Way to die comfortably, being to prepare for it seriously; and if God should miraculously preserve us from this Death now before our Eyes, it should be the Duty of us all to spend the remaining Part of our Time, in such a Manner as now, when we see Death
just at the Door. At the Hour of Execution their Chearfulness and Comfort was much increased, saying, Now the Will of God will be done, and he hath most certainly chosen that for us which is best; with many other such like Christian Expressions, too tedious here to be inserted, because we design to keep to our first Intentions, and not to swell this Treatise too big. Upon the whole, after they had with much Earnestness recommended their Souls to the All-wise God by Prayer, they all with much Content and Satisfaction submitted themselves to the Execu tioner, not doubting of a happy Translation, and accordingly were executed and quartered as before ; the rest of the Execu tions in this County, as at Weymouth, Pool, Shafton, Wimborne, &c. ,not being there, we shall pass over, and only give you particular Touches, which we saw to our perfect, Knowledge ; and so we return to Culliton in the County of Devon, where John Sprague and William Clegg, both of that Town, were condemned at Exon, and there brought to be executed. Before they were
brought into the Place, a Messenger came from the Prisoner's with a Request to the Vicar of the Parish, to desire his Com pany and Assistance in this their Extremity, and to administer those Spiritual Helps that were suitable to Men in their Circum stances. Accordingly the said Minister came very readily, and did demand of them, What they had to desire of him ? The dying Persons answered, They desired his Prayers. Accordingly he prayed with them a considerable Space of Time. And after that he asked of them several Qustions, for to give him and the World Satisfaction of the prepared Condition they were in, in Order to their launching into Eternity, especially about the Doc trine of Non-resistance. John Sprague very soberly and mode rately replied, but whether satisfactory or not, we leave to the Reader ; He believed that no Christian ought to resist a lawful Power; but the Case being between Popery and Protestantism,
218 MltHttvn ^rangacttong.
altered the Matter; and the latter being in Danger, he believed that it was lawful for him to do what he did, though God in his Providence had thought fit to bring him to this Place of Execution. After reading a Chapter out of the Corinthians, and singing a Psalm suitable to the Occasion, he very vehemently and fervently recommended his Soul to the All-wise God by Prayer for near half an Hour, to the great Satisfaction of all that heard him ; then his Wife and Children coming to him, weeping bitterly, he imbraced them in his Arms, saying, Weep not for me, but weep for your selves, andfor your Sins, for that he had that quiet Satisfaction, that he was only going to be
translated into a State of Bliss and Happiness, where he should sin and sorrow no more, but that all Tears should be wiped away, wishing them to be diligent in the Service of God. Then recommending his Wife and Children to the Protection of the Almighty God, who hadpromised to be Husband to the Widow, and a Father to the Fatherless, who was faithful and able to make up their Loss in him, in that which should be better for them than he could be; desiring God to be a Refuge for them to
fly to for Security and Preservation from the Troubles that seemed to threaten this poor Nation; the which if they did conscientiously perform, though Death here made a Separation, he doubted not of meeting them in Heaven at last. And so the
Executioner did his Office. During which Time his Brother- Sufferer, William Clegg, was all the Time on his Knees, praying to himself with a seeming Zeal ; suddenly after which, his Time being come to follow his Brother, he only told the People, That his Fellow-sufferer had spoken what he thought was necessary,
and they were also his Sentiments. And so submitted to Exe cution.
An Account of those Executed at Axminster and Honiton.
At Axminster one also was executed, his Name Mr. Rose, he was a Gunner that landed with the Duke of Monmouth, he had a great Resolution, and not at all startled with the Fear
219
ot Death. He said, That he defy'd Death, and all them that were the Occasion of it. He was very couragious, and died so. He spent some Time in private Prayer, and was not allowed Time, because there was to be Execution at Honilon ; so that his Execution being over, we pass on to Honiton, where there were executed, one of which was a Chyrurgeon, his Name, if I do not mistake not, was Mr. Pott, who behaved himself with that extraordinary Christian Courage, that all the Spectators were almost astonished, he being but Young, about Twenty, his Prayers being fervent, his Expressions so pithy, and so 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.