THE LAST SPEECH AND CONFESSION OF Mr. JOHN SOƲTHWORTH A POPISH PRIEST, At his Execution at TYBURN JUNE 28. 1654.
Fully discovering the Papists Design to obtain Toleration and Liberty of Conscience; and to that end the late Rebellion was begun and carried on.
Printed from the true Copy found among other Papers at the search of a Papists House.
LONDON, Printed for Henry Brome, at the Gun at the West End of S. Pauls. 1679.
To the READER.
WHosoever shall read the following Speech made by a Popish Priest at his death, will have an opportunity (from the Diviner part) to discover the weakness of their Arguments, and how willing they are to blind themselves, by neglecting to read and consider the Scriptures, which, whoever does, it is impossible for him to be a Papist. From the Politick part ariseth a proof of the Papists pretended Loyalty to their King, and a demonstration of what they intended and aimed at. I would not be mistaken, and be thought to involve those (though few) noble and worthy Gentlemen of that persuasion, who faithfully served our late King of blessed Memory, during all the War, and who have been as Loyal to our present Sovereign (whose life God in mercy long continue) in the scandal and wickedness of their designing Jesuites, Priests, and other the Chief amongst them, who certainly were cause of, and stirred up the late Rebellion, contrived and brought to pass the horrid Murther of our late King, as well as they have endeavoured, and still aim at the Assassination of his Royal Majesty: not to name their rejoicings abroad, and arrogating to themselves the Glory (as they termed it) of so horrid a Fact; and the known Putney Consultation. There is yet living a worthy Gentleman who was present with the Usurper, when the then Lord Brudenel brought a Petition, which was delivered to Thurloe his Secretary, signed by the most, if not all the considerable Papists then in England, desiring a Toleration and free Exercise of their Religion, and they would root out the Family of the Stuarts (as they termed our gracious Sovereign and his Royal Family.) I have but one observation more, that whereas the bloud of the Christian Martyrs hath ever been the Increase of the true Church in what place soever it was spilt. It cannot be proved that hanging any Popish Priest hath formerly contributed to the Conversion of numbers to that Church; and I am certain the late executing of those worthily condemned Traitors, and the discovery of this Plot (for being Actors therein they have justly suffered) hath opened the eyes of many, to see and understand the truth, and powerfully brought them from longer continuing in that wicked Communion. And doubtless when the rest of those that are guilty of this damnable and hellishly designed Plot, shall receive due punishment according to their deserts, there will not be left any ground or pretence for a Papist to arrogate to himself the title of being a faithful Subject to the King of England, much less to remain in Communion with the Romish Church.
UPon Saturday being the twenty fourth day of June, 1654. Mr. John Southworth was called to the Bar at the Old Bayly, where he confessed himself a Priest, and a Condemned man for many years.
On Monday the 26, he was brought to the Bar again, where he was condemned to die. After Sentence given him, he desired leave to speak to the Bench, which was granted; and he desired to come nearer, which he did, and falling upon his Knees, said, O Lord I humbly thank thee, who hast made me worthy to suffer for thy sake.
Then standing up said, I thank you for all what you have done, and your Civilities unto me. And I pray God to give you his grace, that you, and all this Nation may be converted to the true Roman Catholick and Apostolick Faith, and to remain in Heaven for ever with Jesus Christ in glory.
The Recorder answered, We thank you, and we join with you in the latter part, but not in the first.
Upon Wednesday the 28. he was drawn upon a Hurdle between two Malefactors condemned to die for High-Treason, from the Prison to the place of Execution, where immediately before his Execution he spake as followeth.
I Am come hither to die, and would willingly speak something, if I thought the weakness of my voice would give me leave to be heard. I am a Lancashire man, and am brought hither to die, not for any Crime I have committed against the Laws, but for being a Priest, and obeying the Commandments of my Saviour Jesus Christ, and for professing the true Roman Catholick and Apostolick Faith, in which I willingly die, and have earnestly desired the same. My study from my Infancy was to find out the true and onely way to serve God; and having found it, my study was to serve him. And I have suffered much, and many years imprisonment, to obtain that which I hope ere long I shall enjoy. Almighty God sent his onely Son my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into this World for the Redemption of Mankind: and although the least of his sufferings was a superabundant satisfaction, yet he rested not so contented, but himself both by word and example, gave us a rule by which we should be guided: he told S. Peter, Thou art a Rock, and upon this Rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; which is the true Roman Catholick and Apostolick Church. He gave a Commandment to his Disciples, saying, Go you forth, preach and teach to all Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: they gave the same to their Disciples and Successors; and by that successive depending Authority was I sent to preach and teach in this my Nation, this was my Mission. And deeply resenting my Saviours words, qui vult venire post me, He that will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross and follow me; by which he meant the present persecutions of this World, I took up this Cross, and practised how to suffer, and as near as I could, learned the way to perfection, and am now brought hither to put it in execution; never to my knowledge, as a dying man, either speaking, writing, or persuading any thing against the Laws of this Nation, but performing my duty, and submitting my self to my Superiours, as I would have you all to do, both as to Spiritual and Temporal. I have been many years in learning this Lesson of suffering for my Saviours sake, which I am now to perform. My Saviour shewed me the way, for he died upon the Cross for my sake, and for his sake I die (looking up) upon this, which is my Cross, and willingly I embrace it.
The Lord Protector fought long for the Liberty of the Subject, and having obtained it, the people of this Nation were made to believe there should be a general Liberty of Conscience, and that no mans life should be taken away for matter of Religion, for which onely I now suffer. It hath pleased God to put the Sword of Justice into the Lord Protectors hand, and to take it out of the Kings, that he should rule this Nation well; and he ought to do justice to all in equal ballance, and that Catholicks being free-born Natives should enjoy that Liberty as others do, so long as they live obedient Subjects to him, and to the Laws of this Nation. I plead not for my self (for I come hither to die) but for the poor distressed Catholicks I leave behind me. Almighty God hath been pleased the Lord Protector should do Justice in bloud and not in mercy, contrary both to his promise and duty, in submission to whose power, and obedience to my Superiours of the Roman Catholick Church, I am brought hither, and willing to obey. All other Opinions have Liberty of Conscience, but even now we see the poor Catholicks are denied that priviledge, I am now to suffer for it. I see no reason why my life should be taken away, for the Law should be grounded upon Reason and Gods Word; this Law, which is mans Law, is repugnant to the Law of God.
For my Saviour said, Go preach and teach to all Nations, Baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but the Innocent should not be punished for the offenders. The Angels in Heaven did rebel against God through pride, but how were they punished? Not all the whole Hierarchy of Angels destroyed, but they onely who offended; the other Angels remained still in glory. So I say, if any Catholicks shall offend the Law, and not shew themselves true obedient Subjects, let those who offend be severely punished, and not for one mans particular offence punish all. So let the Lord Protector do to the Catholicks of this Nation, who are Natives of this Land, and I am very confidently assured they are as true Subjects to his Highness and this present Government as it stands now established, as any people of this Nation of what degree soever. And that they should be the onely people aimed at for destruction! Truly it is a very hard case, and contrary to the Government in any place in the whole World. I therefore desire the Lord Protector would grant them that Liberty of Conscience equal with their fellow-Subjects, and that he may so govern as may be for the honour of God, and good of all people.
And being then interrupted ceased, speaking any more aloud.