I have faid thus much in difcharge of my Confcience, and do aver upon my Salvation, what I have faid to be really true,

I fhall fay little of my Tryal; and whether it were all according to the known Law, I am too much a Party to fay much of it; if it were not fo, God forgive him or them that were the Cause of it.

My Judges were all Perfons of Honour, who were all as much bound to judge rightly, as if they had been upon Oath upon what was legally prov'd; and not to vote but according as in their Confciences they were fatisfied; and if any of them did otherwife, upon any Account whatfoever, I beseech God forgive them, I do heartily.

I fhall end with my hearty Prayers for the Happiness of his Majefty, that he may enjoy all Happiness in this World and the World to come, and govern his People according to the Laws of God; and that the People may be fenfible what a Bleffing God hath fo miraculously given them, and obey him as they ought. I ask Pardon with a proftrate Heart of Almighty God, for all the great Offences that I have committed against his Divine Majefty, and hope, through the Merits and Paffion of Chrift Jefus, to obtain everlasting Happiness, into whofe Hands I commit my Spirit, asking Pardon of every Person that I have done any any Wrong unto; I do freely forgive all that have any ways wronged me; I do, with all the Devotion and Repentance that I can, humbly invoke the Mercy of our bleffed Saviour.

I befeech God not to revenge my innocent Blood upon the Nation, or on those that were the Caufe of it, with my last Breath. I do with my laft Breath truly affert my Innocency, and

A a 4

hope

hope the omnipotent all-feeing juft God will deal with me accordingly.

His Speech being ended, he deliver'd feveral written Copies of it to the Sheriffs, and others near him (one of which, writ with his own Hand, he fent to the King) then he return'd to the Middle of the Scaffold, where, encompassed by his Catholick Friends, he kneeled down, and reverently making the Sign of the Crofs, prayed aloud with exceeding Devotion.

Having ended his Prayer, and remaining still on his Knees, he again protefted his Innocence with all the Affeverations a dying Christian is capable to make. Then rifing up, he a fecond time faluted the People, and walking to each Side of the Scaffold, told them, they had as good and gracious a King as ever reign'd. He earneftly exhorted them to be faithful and conftant in their Allegiance to him. And that no Pretence whatsoever fhould withdraw them from their Duty. He wifh'd, with a feeling Refentment, that none might be less loyal to his Majesty than he had been. And it was very remarkable in him, he never feemid tranfported with any Fervours or Extafies, but either in his Prayers to God, or in his Expreffions of Loyalty to the King; then, indeed, he was all Flame, and you might read in his very Eyes the tender Emotions and Zeal of his Heart. He likewife affur'd them upon his Salvation, he knew no Defign the Duke of York ever had against the King, but that he had behav'd himself, for ought he knew, as a loving loyal Brother ought to do: Then he again declar'd his own Innocence, and defir'd the Prayers of all good Chriftians for him; he pray'd to God heartily to blefs the King, and preferve him from his Enemies; to blefs the Nation; to blefs and be with them all there prefent, especially the

King's loyal Subjects; he beg'd God's Mercy and Pardon for his Sins; he ask'd Forgiveness of all, and forgave all, befeeching the divine Goodnefs not to revenge his innocent Blood upon the whole Kingdom; no, not upon those by whofe Perjuries he was brought thither, to whom he wifh'd from his Heart no other Hurt, than that they fhould repent and tell Truth.

Whilft he thus profefs'd his Loyalty, his Innocence, his Piety, moft that heard him were touch'd with a fenfible Compaffion for him; fome as he spoke put off their Hats and bow'd to him, in fign they accorded to what he faid; others, by diftinct Acclamations, answer'd, We believe you, my Lord, God blefs you, my Lord, pray God forgive him his Sins, &c.

In this Conjuncture a Proteftant Minister accofted him, faying, Have you receiv'd no Indulgences from the Romish Church? have you receiv'd no Abfolution? Abfolution? To which To which my Lord anfwer'd, What have you to do with my Religion? However, I do fay, the Roman Catholick Church allows of no Indulgences or Difpenfations, authorizing Treafon, Murder, Lying or Forfwearing; nor have I receiv'd any Abfolution for fuch Ends. Pray do not trouble yourself nor me. Then turning from the Parfon, he apply'd himself to his Friends about him, whom he lovingly embrac'd, and with a pleasant Voice and Afpect bid them adieu for this World. Next he deliver'd his Watch, two Rings off his Fingers, his Staff, and his Crucifix about his Neck, as Legacies to feveral Friends; He defir'd the Sheriffs that fuch Perfons as he nominated might have leave (without the Executioner's intermeddling) to affift him, and take care of his Body, which was accordingly done; and his Gentleman tripping him of his Coat and Peruke, put on his

Head

Head a filk Cap, and accomodated his Hair, Shirt, and Waftecoat, for the Execution. And now being ready for Death both in Body and Mind, he chearfully fubmitted himself to the Block, before which firft kneeling down, and making the Sign of the Crofs, he recommended himself with Raptures of Devotion to the divine Mercy and Goodnefs; after this he lay down, as it were, to try the Block. And then (who could imagine it?) with a stupendous Courage embrac'd the fatal Wood, as the dear Bafis or Point from whence his Soul was now to take its flight to immortal Glory. The Headfman put him in mind, that his Shirt and Wastecoat came too high; whereupon he rais'd himfelf up upon his Knees, and bid his Gentleman put them lower. Whilft this was performing, he was heard continually to breath forth feveral Acts of Prayer, as Sweet Jefus receive my Soul: Into thy Hands, O Lord, I commend my Spirit, &c. When his Gentleman had finifh'd, he again laid down his Head upon the Block, perfevering still in Prayer, and expecting the fudden and dismal Arreft of Death, with a Courage (fay the Papifts) divinely elevated, a Conftancy more than humane. No Change in his Countenance, no quaking or trembling in any one Joint of his Body, could be difcerned. Thus he lay, or rather quietly refted, upon the very Brink between Time and Eternity, a good Space; till at length, finding the Headsman delay'd the Execution of his Office, he once more rais'd himself up upon his Knees, and with an Afpe&t grave (but still ferene and lively) ask'd why they ftaid. It was answer'd, for a Sign; what Sign will you give, Sir? he reply'd, none at all, take your own time, God's Will be done, I am ready. The Headfman faid, I hope you forgive me; he anfwer'd, I do. Then bleffing

bleffing himself again with the Sign of the Crofs, he repos'd his Head upon the Block, never more to lift it up in this mortal State.

The Headfman took the Ax in his Hand, and after a fhort Paufe, elevated it on high, as it were to take Aim, and fet it down again; a fecond time he did fo, and figh'd; the third time he gave the fatal Blow, which fever'd my Lord's Head from his Body, fave only a small part of the Skin and Windpipe, which was immediately cut

off with a Knife.

The Body, after Separation from the Head, trembled a little, and ftir'd no more. The Head was receiv'd into a black filk Scarf, by two of my Lord's Friends, and retain'd by them till the Sheriff call'd for it, and commanded the Executioner to hold it up to the view of the Multitude, the which he did at the four Corners of the Scaffold, crying aloud, This is the Head of a Traytor. But however the People had been formerly poffefs'd with Prejudice, both against my Lord's Practices and Principles, yet now they made no Acclamations at the fight of the Blood-droping Head, nor feem'd much taken with the Jollity of the Spectacle; fome went away with Confufion and Remorfe, for their past hard Cenfure of him; others conceiv'd strange Apprehenfions and Fears of God's Judgments enfuing Perjury and Bloodfhed. Some again faid my Lord was drunk with Brandy; others faid, Verily this was a just Man. The Papifts, who beft knew his Innocence, and who look'd upon themfelves as, in fome measure, Parties in his Sufferings, beheld this whole Tragedy with moft tender Refentments. They regarded him as a Victim of Religion and Innocence. They mutually accompanied him with their Prayers and Supplications to God in his be half. They feem'd to receive new Comfort and

Courage