The Protestant Martyrs: or, The bloody assizes Giving an account of the lives, tryals, and dying speeches, of all those eminent Protestants that suffered in the west of England, by the sentence of that bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 persons, besides what were hang'd and destroyed in cold blood. Containing also, the life and death of James Duke of Monmouth; his birth and education; his actions both at home and abroad; his unfortunate sentence, execution and dying-words upon the scaffold: with a true copy of the paper he left behind him. And many other curious remarks worth the reader's observation.

The Protestant Martyrs: or, The bloody assizes Giving an account of the lives, tryals, and dying speeches, of all those eminent Protestants that suffered in the west of England, by the sentence of that bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 persons, besides what were hang'd and destroyed in cold blood. Containing also, the life and death of James Duke of Monmouth; his birth and education; his actions both at home and abroad; his unfortunate sentence, execution and dying-words upon the scaffold: with a true copy of the paper he left behind him. And many other curious remarks worth the reader's observation.

The Protestant Martyrs: or, The bloody assizes Giving an account of the lives, tryals, and dying speeches, of all those eminent Protestants that suffered in the west of England, by the sentence of that bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 persons, besides what were hang'd and destroyed in cold blood. Containing also, the life and death of James Duke of Monmouth; his birth and education; his actions both at home and abroad; his unfortunate sentence, execution and dying-words upon the scaffold: with a true copy of the paper he left behind him. And many other curious remarks worth the reader's observation.

Table of contents

Title page

The Proteſtant Martyrs Or, The Bloody Aſſizes, &c.

[Page] The Proteſtant Martyrs Or, The Bloody Aſſizes, &c.

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THE moſt Illuſtrious Prince James Duke of Monmouth is not, for the Illuſtriouſneſs of his Deſcent, inferiour unto any Prince in Europe, being deſcended from the Loins of the moſt Renowned Monarch, King Charles the Second; and alſo his Eldeſt Son: By which Royal Extraction he is deſcended from the incomparably wiſe and vertuous Prince, the Royal Martyr Charles the firſt and his Illuſtrious Conſort Henrietta Maria de Bourbon Daughter of the Great King Henry the Fourth of France: From which two ancient and Illuſtrious ſtocks, he was ingrafted into all the Royal Families of Europe, and hath concentred in his Princely Veins ſome of their Royal Blood; being thereby allied to all thoſe great Perſonages that are of the moſt high and Illuſtrious Quality in Europe; viz. James Duke of York, William of Naſſaw Prince of Orange, the Lady Madamoiſelle Queen of Spain, and her Siſter Madame de Valois, Daughter of the Duke of Oleance, and the late Princeſs Henrietta; alſo to Charles Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine: His Highneſs Rupert, Lewis the fourteenth King of France, now reigning; and many other Princes and Potentates of Europe; which is abundantly ſufficient to demonſtrate the Nobility of his Birth, and the Illuſtriouſneſs of his Extraction. But to render him yet more Eminent, it pleaſed his Royal Father to dignifie him with ſeverel Magnificient Titles, and to confer upon him the ſeveral Great Offices following, vz. Duke of Monmouth and Bucclugh, Earl of Doucaſter and Dalkeith. Lord Scott of Tindale, Whincheſter and Askdale, Lord Great Chamberlain of Scotland, Lord Lieutenant of the Eaſt-Riding of Yorkſhire, Governour of his Majeſties Town and Cittadel of Kingſtone upon Hull, Chief Juſtice in Eyre, of all his Majeſties Forreſts, Chaces, Parks and Warrens on the South-ſide of the River of Trent. Lord General of all his Majeſties Land-forces, Captain of his Majeſties Life-Guards of Horſe, Chancellor of the Univerſity of Cambridge, Maſter of the Horſe to his Majeſty, one of the Lords of his Majeſties moſt Honourable Privy-Council, and Knight of the moſt noble Oder of the Garter. All which Places he diſcharged with ſo much Honour and Fidelity, that the moſt inveterare and implacable of his Enemies notwithſtanding all their noiſe and clamour againſt him, were not able to produce one ſingle inſtance wherein he acted otherwiſe. Beſides his honour at home, he had likewiſe been highly honoured abroad, by having the Honour to command an Army in Flanders as Lieutenant-General under the French King, whoſe continual ſucceſs and numerous Victories in Flanders may be chiefly attributed to the Conduct and Valour of the Great Monmouth. He was born at Rotterdam, April 9. in the year 1649. in the very heat of our unnatural Broils. About the year 1656. his Mother was ſent a Priſoner to the Tower of London, as appears by a Warrant from the Protector, July 12. 1656. to Barkſtead, then Lieutenant of the Tower, whereby he diſcharged Mrs. Lucy Barlow from her Impriſonment. The Officers found a Grant when ſhe was apprehended, ſigned Charlet R. by which ſhe had an Anuity or yearly Penſiod of five thouſand Livres granted [Page] to her for her Life, with an Aſſurance to better the ſame when it ſhould pleaſe God to reſtore him to his Kingdom, and it was ſubſcribed by his Majeſties command Edward Nicholas. During her abode about London, the Cavilears as the Loyaliſts were then call'd, carried themſelves towards her with a profound Reverence and awful Reſpect, treating her [...] Perſon ſerving her on the Knee. An Engliſh Nurſe was provided [...] and both for privacy, Lodged at the Houſe of Mr. Claes Ghyſen a Merchant living at Schiedam about a Mile from Rotterdam, his Mother lodging at the ſame time at the Houſe of Mrs. Harvey, Mother to the famous Doctor Harvey, and lived in abundance of Pomp and Splendor, having a Gentleman and other Servants to attend her. Some time after he had been there at Nurſe, his Mother being deſirous to ſee him, took her Gentleman with her, who at a place where ſhe called by the Way to, to pay a Viſit, deſired to be excuſed for ſome ſmall time, from attending on her, till he had diſpatched ſome extraordinary Buſineſs which he pretended, promiſing to return again immediately, and having obtained her Permiſſion, away he went; but like an ungrateful and treacherous Villain, repaired immediately to Mr. Ghyſens at Schiedam, where the Princely Babe was nurſed, and pretending to be ſent for that purpoſe to his Mother, carried him and the Nurſe both away. His Lady waited his coming with abundance of patience, but at length Night drawing on, and no Gentleman appearing, ſhe began to ſuſpect her ſelf to be abuſed, whereupon a Gentleman offering to wait on her thither, ſhe preſently poſted away, and being arrived, and finding her Son gone, I want Words wherewith to expreſs her grief, and ſurprize; ſhe rent her Apparel, tore the Hair from off her Head, and with whole ſhowers of Tears bewailed the greatneſs of her Loſs, and the deplorableneſs of her Condition, yet ſuffered not Grief to prevail ſo far, as to make her uncapable of endeavouring to Right her ſelf; whereupon ſhe preſently gave order for the providing Horſes, which being ready, ſhe preſently poſted away to Maeſland-Sluce, riding all Night, ſhe ſuſpected that he was carried thither, in order to be tranſported to England, there having been ſome inquiry made after him, ſhe arrived there early in the Morning, juſt as the Sieur Newport, one of the Lords of the State, and the Maeſland were taking Boat for the Hague, thoſe that were with her, adviſed her to make her Application to him as the likelieft Perſon to aſſiſt her, telling her that he could Engliſh, whereupon ſhe addreſſed her ſelf to him in that Languiſh, diſcovering to him the Condition of her ſelf and Son, and the Relation they ſtood in to the King of England, with the Circumſtances of his ſtealing away, and pulling out a handful of Gold, If Money will do it, ſaid ſhe, I will ſpare for no Charges; imploring his help and aſſiſtance for the recovery of that Royal Treaſure; this occaſioned abundance of People flocking about them to learn the occaſion of her Addreſs, wherefore he adviſed her to go into ſome Houſe and make no noiſe about it, leſt ſhe thereby prevent the accompliſhing her deſire, which ſhe did, and he preſently ordered a general ſearch to be made, and that no Ships ſhould go off till they were ſearched, notwithſtanding which they could make no diſcovery of him till about 10 or 12 days after, when he was found at Loeſdymen, where he had been all that time concealed, and having to her inexpreſſible Joy recovered him, ſhe took a ſtately Houſe at Boſcal, where they reſided for ſome time.

Upon his Majeſties going for Scotland, in June 1650. he was committed by his Majeſty to the care of his Illuſtrious Grandmother, who lived then [Page] at the Par-le-Roy in Paris, and was by her committed to the care of one Goff belonging to her Majeſty, charging him to provide a good careful Nurſe for him, which he did accordingly, commending to her Majeſty one Mrs. Miles▪ a Gentlewoman that belonged likewiſe to her Majeſty.

The Beauty and Make of his Perſon, and the Majeſty of his Port and Cerriage, even whilſt an Infant, plainly diſcover'd the Greatneſs of his Birth, and the largeneſs of his Soul, and every ſucceeding Year of his Childhood, and afforded new Promiſes and Hopes that he would prove an Illuſtrious Branch of growing Honour; making an Early Diſcovery even at that tender Age, not only of a Great and Princely Spirit but alſo of an extraordinary Goodneſs and Sweetneſs of Nature, ſeeming to have that even and well-biaſſed Temper of Mind radicated in his very Nature, which other Men with extraordinary Induſtry and help of Philoſophy and Religion hardly acquire, when arrived at Years of Maturity.

Nor were his Inclinations to Vertue more admirable than the deſire he had to learn uſeful and ſolid Arts, his Genius rendring the Study and Exerciſes thereof, far more acceptable to him, than the Vanity of the moſt exquiſite Divertiſements. Wherefore when he was about 8 or 9 Years of Age, he was taken from Goff, and committed to the Care of Mr. Roſs, a Gentleman, who after His Majeſty's Reſtauration, went Secretary to the Honourable Henry Coventry Eſquire, (in his Embaſſy to Sweden) and ſent to Julen, a Place about 7 Leagues from Paris, there to be accommodated with Learning, and fitted for thoſe great Employments which God and Nature as well as His Majeſty had deſigned him for, in the future part of his Life. He went there by the Name of Mr. Croſſts

Soon after His Majeſty's happy Reſtauration▪ he commanded Mr. Roſs to turn away all his former Servants, and entertain new ones more ſuitable to his Quality; and to demonſtrate his Paternal Love, and to render his own Happineſs the more compleat, ordered him to be brought to Court, that ſo he might always have him in his Royal Preſence; whereupon he was provided with Gentlemen and Pages to wait on him, together with a rich Coach and 6 ſtately Horſes, a Coach-man, Poſtillion, Groom, and Foot-men in good Liveries, wherewith he ſet forward towards England.

About July, 1662. he came to Calis, where he imbarked for England; he Landed at Dover from whence he came by Land to London, and not finding his Majeſty there, he preſently repaired to Hampton-Court, where His Mejeſty then reſided, by whom he was received and imbraced with all the Demonſtrations of Joy imaginable; and about the middle of Auguſt, he came with the Court to White-Hall, where His Majeſty was pleaſed to appoint him his Lodgings in the Privy Gallery.

Soon after His Majeſty was pleaſed to make him a Peer of this Realm, by Creating him Duke of Arkeny, which Title was after changed for that of Monmouth; and the Cap and Robes being preſented to him, in the enſuing Parliament he took his Seat in the Houſe of Peers.

In April, 1663. he was with the uſual Solemnity inſtalled Knight of the Garter at Windſor.

This was followed by that which made his Happineſs yet more full and compleat, His Majeſty being pleaſed to conſent to a Contract of Marriage between his Grace and the only ſurviving Child, and ſole Heir of the late Earl of Bucclugh, a Lady reputed to be the greateſt Fortune, and to have the largeſt Dowery in the Three Kingdoms, her incomparable Vertues, and ſurpriſing Beauty, being no way inferior to (but rather exceeding) her Portion; [Page] her Mother, the Counteſs of Wembs, being conſulted about the Match, having received ſatisfaction from His Majeſty in whatſoever ſhe propoſed, ſhe willingly gave her Conſent, and the Marriage was ſpeedily Celebrated with extraordinary Pomp and Splendor, to the great Content of His Majeſty, the Queen's Mother, and the whole Court.

Soon after this, upon the Reſignation of the Lord Brandon Gerard, his Father King Charles, created him Captain of his Life-Guard, and admitted one of his Majeſty's moſt Honourable Privy-Council. In the Year 1672. the French King Lewis XIVth. made great Preparations for a War againſt the Datch, in which King Charles engaging, the Duke was ſent to Command the Engliſh, whoſe Gallantry and Bravery was ſufficiently admir'd by all preſent, where was the French King himſelf. He was attended by a numerous Train of Engliſh Volunteer Gentlemen. With this vaſt Army the French ſat down before Orſoy and Rhinberg, which preſently ſurrender'd: From thence they march'd to Wiſel, accounted an Invincible City, which after 4 Days Siege was deliver'd up; alſo Duysbury ſurrender'd, without venturing the Brunt of a Storm. This Succeſs of the Fren [...]h ſo terrify'd the Hollanders, that they abandon'd their Towns as faſt as the Enemy approach'd to take Poſſeſſion of them; nay, and of ſome they invite them to be Maſters; for the City Ʋ trecht, with the whole Province, in which were Nine Fine Cities beſides Ʋ trecht it ſelf, receiv'd a French Garriſon: Zutphen and Arnheim follow'd the ſame Fate; and ſuch a rapid Progreſs was made by the Arms of France, that by the 28th of June, they were advanc'd within 4 Leagues of Rotterdam, and the ſame diſtance from Amſterdam. Never was any State nearer Ruin than that of Holland at this time; and where the Policy of England could be to aſſiſt them in ſuch an Expedition, has I believe been dearly experienc'd ſince; for it was no ſmall Aſſiſtance they receiv'd from the Succours under the D. of Monmouth, which will more particularly appear in another Campaign; for this being ended, the Duke took his Leave of the French King, who highly extoll'd his Conduct and Perſonal Bravery, and paſſing through Flanders, arriv'd ſafely in England, and was joyfully receiv'd, eſpecially at Court; but he was in ſolemn manner welcom'd home by his Dutcheſs, who was ſoon after, Auguſt 26 [...]h. happily brought to Bed of a Son, which was Chriſtened Charles, and died ſoon after.

About November following, having taken Leave of the King, he ſet out again for France, where he was received in a very ſplendid manner by the French King and the Nobility; and being arriv'd at Calais, Dec. 18th. he ſent an Expreſs to his Majeſty, to acquaint him that the Prince of Orange was on the 15th ſat down with his Army before Char eroy, and that there was great Expectation in thoſe Parts, what would be the Iſſue of that Enterprize.

The Duke was highly welcom'd in all the Places through which he paſs'd, and return'd to England again before the opening of the Campaign; at what time he attended the King of France into the Field, and is remarkably diſtinguiſh'd in Hiſtory for his Conduct and Valour at the Siege of Maeſtrich, and came into England afterward with great Applauſe. But the next Year the Scale turn'd, and the Duke (as General of his Father's Forces) commanded againſt the French in Conjunction with the Dutch, always behaving himſelf with ſingular Conduct and Perſonal Bravery. What happen'd otherwiſe concerning him, is hardly Material. He grew into Love and Favour with the People, which appear'd in the Buſineſs of the Waliſea Race, for which he was taken into Cuſtody; he was alſo Baniſh'd; but we ſhall paſs over all theſe things, and come nearer to the Deſign in hand, which is the Buſineſs of the Weſt, in which we ſhall comprehend his Death.

[Page] King James IId. being aſcended the Throne, and the Duke of Monmouth then abroad, and being ſufficiently ſtunn'd with the unexpected News of the Death of King Charles, having enter'd into a League with the Earl of Argyle, putting great Confidence in his own Courage, and a vain Aſſurance of a Popular Affection and Aſſiſtance, bore up himſelf againſt all pretended Difficulties, and with three ſmall Ships, and between Threeſcore and Fourſcore Men, landed about the 12th of June at Lyme in the Weſt of England, while the Parliament was ſitting: A Romantick kind of Invaſion, and ſcarce parallel'd in Hiſtory; yet with this handful of Men, and afterward with the common People that join'd him, without Arms, Proviſions, Martial Diſcipline, Money, or any one place to retire to in caſe of Accidents, did this Brave unfortunate Man bid fair for a Crown. He landed, as was ſaid before, at Lyme in Dorſetſhire, where he increas'd his Number to One hundred and Fifty, from thence he march'd to Taunton, where he was Proclaim'd King, and Men flock'd to him, and Liſted under him as faſt, as if he had already been Maſter of the whole Country. After ſtaying there a while, he marched in ſome kind of Order to Bridgwater, ſtill increaſing his Numbers; from thence to Bath, where he was denied Entrance, the Train'd-Bands ſtill flying two Days March before him, by Order from the Court, to give pretence to the King to raiſe more Forces. At Philips Norton, by a Surprize or Ambuſh, he cut off the beſt part of a Troop of Horſe, the Duke of Grafton narrowly eſcaping with his Life. With this Succeſs he marched within 2 Miles of Briſtol, where a Conſult being held, he was adviſed not to enter that City, but to retreat back to Bridgwater; which was the firſt thing that diſhearten'd his Party, and hinder'd many from joining with him: Whereas if he had entred Briſtol, where there was no Force to oppoſe him but the Train'd-Bands, and the generality of them for him, not only in their Hearts, but in open Diſcourſes and drinking his Health, he might have furniſh'd himſelf with Men, Arms and Money, to have enabl'd him to march into Glouceſterſhire among the Clothiers, where great Numbers, and ſome of Quality, waited to join him, and by this means might have kept up the War till he had ſhak'd King James's Throne, if not overturn'd it.

In this time the King had ſent an Army into the Weſt againſt Monmouth, under the Command of the Earl of Feverſham as General, who incamp'd upon Sedgmore, not far from Bridgwater, where the Duke of Monmouth and his Party were Quarter'd; and the Duke ſeeing his Men daily Deſert in great Numbers, it was agreed to make one Puſh for all, and to that purpoſe iſſu'd out of Bridgwater by Night; but his Guide miſtaking his way in the Dark, the Duke's Ill Fate lead him upon a Battallion of Dumbarton's Regiment plac'd in his way; who encountering him, alarm'd King James's whole Army, with whom engaging he was Routed; or in all probability he had ſurpriz'd the King's Army in their Camp, and perhaps at that ſingle Blow decided the Fortune of England for once. Yet however, tho' he came too ſoon, before Matters were Ripe, by King James's ſetting up for the open Eſtabliſhment of Popery and Arbitrary Power, yet he may be ſaid to have pav'd the Way for a Nobler Change in the Throne, by leaving King James at Liberty through this ſucceſs, to act without Controul, which at length made him Abdicate the Government. Monmouth paid the Price of his Rebellion with his Blood, being on the 15th of July, 1685. Beheaded on Tower-Hill, by vertue of an Attainder paſs'd upon him in Parliament ſoon after his Landing.

An Account of what paſſed at the Execution of the late Duke of Monmouth, on Wedneſday the 15th. of July, 1685. on Tower-Hill.

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THE Duke of Monmouth came from the Tower to the Scaffold, attended by the Biſhop of Ely, the Biſhop of Bath and Wells, Dr. Teniſon, and Dr. Hooper; which four the King ſent him, as his Aſſiſtants, to prepare him for Death: The Duke himſelf entreated all four of them to accompany him a the Place of Execution, and to cantinue with him to the laſt. The two Biſhops going in the Lieutenant's Coach with him to the Bars, made Seaſonable and Devont Applications to him all the way; and one of them deſired him not to be ſurprized, if they to the very laſt upon the Scaffold, renewed thoſe Exhortations to a particular Repentance, which they had ſo often repeated before.

At his firſt coming upon the Scaffold, he looked for the Executioner; and ſeeing him, ſaid, Is this the Man to do the Buſineſs? Do your Work well.

Then the Duke of Monmouth began to ſpeak, ſome one or other of the Aſſiſtants during the whole time, applying themſelves to him.

Monmouth.

I ſhall ſay but very little; I come to die; I die a Proteſtant of the Church of England.

Aſſiſtants.

My Lord, if you be of the Church of England, you muſt acknowledge the Doctrine of Non-Reſiſtance to be true.

Mon.

If I acknowledge the Doctrine of the Church of England in general, that includes all.

Aſſiſt.

Sir, it is fit to own that Doctrine particularly, which reſpects your Caſe.

Here he was much urged about that Doctrine of Non-reſiſtance; but he repeated in effect his firſt Anſwer. Then he began as if he was about to make a premeditated Speech, in this manner.

Mon.

I have had a Scandal raiſed upon me about a Woman, a Lady of Vertue and Honour. I will name her; the Lady Henrietta Wentworth. I declare, That ſhe is a very Vertuous and Godly Woman. I have committed no Sin with her; and that which hath paſſed betwixt us, was very Honeſt and Innocent in the ſight of God.

Aſſiſt.

In your Opiuion, perhaps, Sir, as you have been often told; (i. e. in the Tower) but this is not fit Diſcourſe in this Place.

Mr. Sheriff Goſtlin.

Sir, were you ever Married to her?

Mon.

This is not a time to Anſwer that Queſtion.

Sher. Goſtlin.

Sir, I hoped to have heard of your Repentance for the Treaſon and Bloodſhed which hath been committed.

Mon.

I die very Penitent.

Aſſiſt.

My Lord, it is fit to be particular; and conſidering the Publick Evil you have done, you ought to do as much Good now as poſſibly you can, by a Publick Acknowledgment.

Mon.

What I have thought fit to ſay of Publick Affairs, is in a Paper which I have Signed; I refer to my Paper.

Aſſiſt.

My Lord, there is nothing in that Paper about Reſiſtance; and you ought to be particular in your Repentance, and to have it well grounded. God give you True Repentance.

Mon.

I die very Penitent, and die with great Chearfulneſs, for I know I ſhall go to God.

[Page]Aſſiſt.

My Lord, you muſt go to God in his own way. Sir, be ſure you be truly Penitent, and ask Forgiveneſs of God, for the many you have wronged.

Mon.

I am ſorry for every one I have wronged, I forgive every Body; I have had many Enemies, I forgive them all.

Aſſiſt.

Sir, your Acknowledgment ought to be particular.

Mon.

I am to die; pray, my Lord—I refer to my Paper.

Aſſiſt.

They are but a few Words that we deſire: We only deſire an Anſwer to this Point.

Mon.

I can Bleſs God, that he hath given me ſo much Grace, that for theſe two Years laſt paſt, I have had a Life unlike to my former Courſe, and in which I have been happy.

Aſſiſt.

Sir, was there no Ill in theſe two Years? In theſe Years, theſe great Evils have happened; and the giving Publick Satisfaction is a neceſſary part of Repentance; be pleaſed to own a Deteſtation of your REBELLION.

Mon.

I beg your Lordſhip that you would ſtick to my Paper.

Aſſiſt.

My Lord, as I ſaid before, there is nothing in your Paper about the Doctrine of Non-reſiſtance,

Mon.

I Repent of all things that a true Chriſtian ought to Repent of. I am to die; pray, my Lord—

Aſſiſt.

Then, my Lord, we can only recommend you to the Mercy of God; but we cannot Pray with that Chearfulneſs and Encouragement, as we ſhould if you had made a particular Acknowledgment.

Mon.

God be praiſed, I have Encouragement enough in my ſelf; I die with a clear Conſcience, I have wronged no Man.

Aſſiſt.

How, Sir, no Man! Have you not been Guilty of Invaſion, and of much Blood, which hath been ſhed, and it may be, of the Loſs of many Souls that followed you? You muſt needs have wronged a great many.

Mon.

I do, Sir, own that, and am ſorry for it.

Aſſ.

Give it the true Name, Sir, and call it Rebellion.

Mon.

What Name you pleaſe, Sir; I am ſorry for Invading the Kingdom, and for the Blood that has been ſhed, and for the Souls which may have been loſt by my means; I am ſorry it ever happened.

Mr. Sher. Vandeput.

He ſays, he is ſorry for Invading the Kingdom.

Aſſ.

We have nothing to add, but to renew the frequent Exhortations we have made to you, to give ſome Satisfaction for the Publick Injuries to the Kingdom. There have been a great many Lives loſt by this Reſiſtance of your Lawful Prince.

Mon.

What I have done, has been very ill; and I wiſh with all my Heart it had never been: I never was a Man that delighted in Blood; I was very far from it; I was as cautious in this as any Man was; the Almighty God knows how I now die, with all the Joyfulneſs in the World.

Aſſ.

God grant you may, Sir; God give you true Repentance.

Mon.

If I had not True Repentance, I ſhonld not ſo eaſily have been without the ſear of Dying: I ſhall die like a Lamb.

Aſſ.

Much may come from Natural Courage.

Mon.

I do not attribute it to my own Nature, for I am fearful as other Men are; but I have now no fear, as you may ſee by my Face; but there is ſomething within me that does it, for I am ſure I ſhall go to God.

Aſſ.

My Lord, be ſure upon good Grounds; do you Repent you of all your Sins, known, or unknown; confeſſed, or not confeſſed; of all the Sins which might proceed from Error in Judgment?

Mon.

In general for all, I do with all my Soul.

Aſſ.

God Almighty of his Infinite Mercy forgive you. Here are great Numbers of Spectators, here are the Sheriffs, they repreſent the Great City, and in ſpeaking to them, you ſpeak to the Great City; make ſome Satisfaction by owning your Crime be [...]ore them—He was exhorted to Pray for the King; and was asked, [Page] whether he did not deſire to ſend ſome Dutiful Meſſage to His Majeſty, and to recommend his Wife and Children to His Maieſty's Favour.

Mon.

What harm have they done? Do it if you pleaſe: I pray for him, and for all Men.

Aſſ.

(At his Undreſſing)

My Lord, you have been bred a Soldier; you will do a generous Chriſtian thing, if you pleaſe to ſpeak to the Soldiers, and ſay, That here you ſtand a ſad Example of Rebellion, and en reat them and the People to be Loyal and Obedient to the King.

Mon.

I have ſaid, I will make no Speeches; I will make no Speeches; I am come to die.

Aſſ.

My Lord, Ten Words will be enough.

M.

(Then calling his Servant, and giving him ſomething like a Tooth-pick Caſe)

Here, ſaid he, give this to the Perſon to whom you are to deliver the other things.

(To the Executioner:)

Here are ſix Guinea's for you; pray do your Buſineſs well: Don't ſerve me as you did my Lord Ruſſel. I have heard, you ſtruck him three or four times. Here

(to his Servant)

take theſe remaining Guinea's, and give them to him if he does his Work well.

Exec.

I hope I ſhall.

Mon.

If you ſtrike me twice, I cannot promiſe you, not to ſtir.

During his Undreſſing, and ſtanding towards the Block, were uſed divers Ejaculations, and much of the 51ſt Pſalm, and particularly, Deliver me from Blood-guiltineſs, O God, Thou God, &c. Then he lay down; and ſoon after he raiſed himſelf upon his Elbow, and ſaid to the Executioner,

Prithee let me feel the Ax. He felt the Edge, and ſaid, I fear it is not ſharp enough.

Execut.

It is ſharp enough, and heavy enough.

Then he lay down again. During this ſpace, many pious Ejaculatious were uſed by thoſe who aſſiſted him, with great Fervency.

God accept your Repentance, God accept your Repentance, God accept your imperfect Repentance; My Lord, God accept your Repentance; God Almighty ſhew his Omnipotent Mercy up on you: Father, into thy Hands we commend his Spirit, &c. Lord Jeſus receive his Soul.

A Brief Abſtract of the Paper left behind him.

I Repent in general of all my Sins, and am more particularly concern'd for what Blood hath been ſpilt on my Account, and the rather, ſeeing the iſſue is ſuch as I ſear 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 appearing plain enough, would ſufficiently have protected my Cauſe; beſides, ſeveral other moſt heinous 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 diſcovered the great, and horrid, and ſcarcely to be parallell'd Villanies our Enemies have heen 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 Brother'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 Government.

A Copy of the Duke of Monmouth's LETTER to the King, Dated from Ringwood the 8th of July, 1685.

YOUR Majeſty may think, it is the Misfortune I now lie under, makes me make this Application to you; but I do aſſure your Majeſty it is the Remorſe I now have in me, of the Wrongs I have done you in ſeveral things, and now, in taking up Arms againſt you. For my taking up Arms, it never was in my Thoughts ſince the King died. The Prince and Princeſs of Orange will be Witneſs for me, of the Aſſurance I gave them, That I would never ſtir againſt [Page] you; but my Misfortune was ſuch, as to meet with ſome Horrid People, that made me believe things of your Majeſty, and gave me ſo many falſe Arguments, that I was fully led away, to believe▪ That it was a Shame and a Sin before God not to do it. But, Sir, I will not trouble your Majeſty at preſent with many things that I could ſay for my ſelf, that I am ſure would move your Compaſſion; the chief end of this Letter, being only to beg of you, That I may have that Happineſs, as to ſpeak to your Majeſty: For I have that to ſay to you, Sir, that I hope may give you a long and happy Reign. I am ſure, Sir, when you hear me, you will be convinced of the Zeal I have for your Preſervation, and how heartily I repent of what I have done. I can ſay no more to your Majeſty now, being this Letter muſt be ſeen by thoſe that keep me. Therefore, Sir, I ſhall make an end, in begging of your Majeſty to believe ſo well of me, That I would rather die a thouſand Deaths, than excuſe any thing I have done, if I did not really think my ſelf the moſt in the wrong, that ever any Man was, and had not from the bottom of my Heart an abhorrence for thoſe that put him upon it, and for the Action it ſelf. I hope, Sir, God Almighty will ſtrike your Heart with Mercy and Compaſſion for me, as he has done mine with the Abhorrence of what I have done. Therefore I hope, Sir, I may live to ſhew you how Zealous I ſhall ever be for your Service; and could I ſay but one Word in this Letter, you would be convinced of it; but it is of that Conſequence, That I dare not do it. Therefore, Sir, I do beg of you once more, to let me ſpeak to you, for then you will be convinced how much I ſhall ever be Your Majeſty's moſt Humble and Dutiful.

MONMOƲTH.

There was alſo a ſhort Paper Printed at that time with his Speech wherein he declares, That his Father had told him in his Life-time, that he was never Married lo his Mother; which he hop'd would be a means for King James to uſe his Children with the more tenderneſs. We ſhall now proceed to give an Account of the Perſons that ſuffer'd for the ſime Cauſe, ſome of the more principal of which (whoſe Eſſigies are hereunto affix'd) 'tis thought worth the while to Treat diſtinctly of; giving an Exact Liſt of the other, and the Places where they ſuffer'd; and Firſt, of thoſe remarkable Brothers, Mr. Benjamin, and Mr. William Hewling; the Elder was a Captain of Horſe, and the Younger a Lieutenant of Foot in the Duke of Monmouth's Service: They got on Ship-board after the Defeat at Sedgmore, but were Caſt away on the Coaſt again, and ſo taken: The laſt, William, was Executed at Lyme, where juſt before he went to die, he ſaid to one of his Fellow-Sufferers, Here is a ſweet Promiſe for us; I will not leave you comfortleſs. I will come unto you. One taking Leave of him, he ſaid, Farewel till we meet in Heaven; preſently I ſhall be with Chriſt, O! I would not change Conditions with any that ſtay behind for ten thouſand Worlds: Pray remember my Dear Love to my Brother and Siſter, and tell them I deſire they would comfort themſelves that I am gone to Chriſt, and we ſhall quickly meet at the Glorious Mount Sion above. Afterwards he Prayed for near half an Hour with great Fervency, Bleſſing God earneſtly for the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, Praying for the Peace of the Church of God, and of theſe Nations in particular. When he was going out of the World, with a Joyful Countenance he ſaid, Oh! now my Joy and Comfort is, that I have a Chriſt to go to; and ſo gently reſign'd his Spirit to God the 12th of Sept. 1685.

As to the Elder Brother, when he had receiv'd the News of his Brother's Death, and that he died with ſo much Comfort and Joy, he replied, We have no cauſe to fear Death, if the Preſence of God be with us; and added, Perhaps my Friends may think this Summer the ſaddeſt Time of my Life; but, I Bleſs God, it has been the ſweeteſt and moſt happy time of all. Speaking of the Diſappointment of their Expectations in the Work they had undertaken, he ſaid, With reference to the Glory of God, the Proſperity of the Goſpel, and the Delivery of the People of God, We have great cauſe to lament it, but for that outward Proſperity that have attended it, it's but of ſmall Moment, and Death would have ended i [...]. The Day of his Execution, with others, being come, it is remarkable that they ſat in the Sledge near half an Hour before the Officers could make the Horſes draw: at which they were greatly enrag'd, there being no viſible Obſtruction from either Weight or Way; but at laſt the Mayor and Sheriffs hawl'd them forward themſelves, Baalam like, driving the Horſes. Being come to the Place of Execution, and having embrac'd his Fellow-Sufferers, he deſir'd of the Sheriff that he might Pray particularly, but he could not grant it; only ask'd him, if he would Pray for the King? He anſwer'd, I Pray for all Men. He then deſir'd he might ſing a Pſalm; but the Sheriff told him, it muſt be with the Halters about their Necks: To which he replied, With all his Heart; and then Sung with ſuch Heavealy Joy, that many preſent ſaid, it both broke and rejoyc'd their Hearts. In the midſt of which he clos'd his Eyes on a vain World Sept. 30th. 1685.

The next was one William Jenkin, Condemn'd at the Bloody Aſſize at Dorcheſter, Sept. the 29th, at Night. After he had heard he muſt die the next Day, he was exceedingly compos'd and chearful, expreſſing his Satisfaction in the Will of God. He us'd many Excellent Speeches before, and at his Death: Among the reſt he ſaid, This manner of Death hath been the moſt terrible thing in the World to my Thoughts, but I beſs God, now am I neither afraid nor aſham'd to die. When the Sheriff came to perform his Execution, he was ſtill as Compo [...]'d as ever, [Page] and had the ſame Chearfulneſs and Serenity of Mind in taking Leave of his Friends; and likewiſe in the Sledge; inſomuch that ſome of his Friends, who had before Cenſur'd him, thinking he had been unmindful of his Death, by being ſo Chearful, now profeſs'd they were rather Aſtoniſh'd to ſee ſo young a Man leave the World, and go through Death as he did.

We come now to the moſt moving Scene of this horrid and barbarous Tragedy, in the Death of the Lady Liſle, above 80 Years of Age, for only Correſponding with one Nelthrope, and Dr. Hicks; for which ſhe was Beheaded at Wincheſter. Her Speech made at her Execution is as follows.

The Laſt Speech of the Lady Alicia Liſle.

GEntlemen, Friends and Neighbours, it may be expected that I ſhould ſay ſomething at my Death; and in order thereunto, I ſhall acquaint you, That my Birth and Education was both near this Place, and that my Parents inſtructed me in the Fear of God, and I now die of the Reformed Proteſtant Religion; That if ever Popery ſhould return into this Nation, it would be a very great and ſevere Judgment; That I die in Expectation of the Pardon of all my Sins, and of Acceptance with God the Father, by the imputed Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, he being the end of the Law for Righteouſneſs to every one that believes: I thank God, through Jeſus Chriſt, that I do depart unto the Blood of Sprinkling, which ſpeaketh better things than that of Abel; God hav [...]ng made this Chaſtiſement an Ordinance to my Soul. I did once as little expect to come to this Place on this Occaſion, as any Perſon in this Place, or Nation; therefore let all learn not to be High-minded, but fear. The Lord is a Soveraign, and will take what way he ſees beſt to glorifie himſelf in, and by his poor Creatures; and I do humbly deſire to ſubmit to his Will, praying to him, That I may poſſeſs my Soul in Patience. The Crime that was laid to my Charge, was for Entertaining a Nonconformiſt Miniſter and others i [...] my Houſe; the ſaid Miniſter being ſworn to have been in the late Duke of Monmouth's Army; but I have been told, That if I had de [...]ied them, it would not at all have affected me; I have no Excuſe but Surprize and Fear, which I believe my Jury muſt make uſe of to excuſe their Verdict to the World. I have been alſo told, That the Court did uſe to be of Counſel for the Priſoner; but inſtead of Advice, I had Evidence againſt me from thence; which though it were only by hear-ſay, might poſſibly affect my Jury; my Defence being but ſuch, as might be expected from a weak Woman; but ſuch as it was, I did not bear it repeated again to the Jury; which, as I have been informed, is uſual in ſuch C [...]ſes. However, I forgive all the World, and therein all thoſe that have done me wrong; and in [...]ticular, I forgive Colonel Penruddock, although he told me, that he could have taken theſe Men before they c [...]me to my Houſe. And I do likewiſe forgive him, who deſired to be taken away from the Grand Jury to the Petty Jury, that he might be the more nearly concerned in my Death. As to what may be objected in reference to my Conviction, that I gave it under my Hand, that I had Diſcourſed with Nelthrop; that could be no Evidence againſt me, being after my Conviction and Sentence. I do acknowledge His Majeſty's Favour, in Revoking my Sentence; I pray God to preſerve him, that he may long Reign in Mercy, as well as Juſtice, and that he may Reign in Peace; and that the Proteſtant Religion may flouriſh under him. I alſo return Thanks to Gd and the Reverend Clergy, that aſſiſted me in my Impriſonment.

ALICIA LISLE.

One Mrs. Graunt was the next that ſuffered in this Cauſe; it was for harbouring one Burton, his Wife and Family, for which ſhe was Sentenced to be Burnt, and was accordingly ſo Executed on the 23d of October, 1685. at which time ſhe left her Murderers the following Memorial.

Mrs. Graunt's Speech, written the Day before her Sufferings.

NOT knowing whether I ſhould be ſuffered or able, becauſe of Weakneſſes that are upon me through my hard and cloſe Impriſonment, to ſpeak at the Place of Execution; I writ theſe few Lines to ſignifie, That I am well reconciled to the Way of my God towards me, though it be in Ways I looked not for; and by terrible Things, yet in Righteouſneſs; having given me Life, he ought to have the diſpoſing of it, when and how he pleaſes to call for it; and I deſire to offer up my All to him, it being but my reaſonable Service; and alſo the firſt Terms that Jeſus Chriſt offers, that he that will be his Diſciple, muſt forſake all and follow him; and therefore let none think hard, or be diſcouraged at what hath happened unto me; for he doth nothing without Cauſe, in all he hath done to us, he being holy in all his Ways, and righteous in all his Works; and 'tis but my Lot in common with poor deſolate Sion at this Day. Neither do I find in my Heart the leaſt Regret for what I have done in the Service of my Lord and Maſter Jeſus Chriſt, in ſuccouring and ſecuring any of his poor Sufferers, that have ſhewed Favour in his righteous Cauſe: Which Cauſe, though now it be fallen and trampled upon, as if it had not been anointed, yet it ſhall revive, and God will plead it at another Rate than ever he hath done yet, and reckon with all its Oppoſers and [Page] malicious Haters; and therefore let all that love and fear him, not omit the leaſt Duty that comes to Hand, or lies before them, knowing that now it hath need of them, and expects they ſhall ſerve him. And I deſire to bleſs his holy Name, that he hath made me uſeful in my Generation to the Comfort and Relief of many Deſolate Ones, and the Bleſſing of thoſe that are ready to periſh has come upon me, and being helpt to make the Heart of the Widow to ſing. And I bleſs his holy Name, that in all this, together with what I was charged with, I can approve my Heart to him, that I have done his Will; tho' it does croſs Man's Will, and the Scriptures that ſatisfie me are, Iſa. 16. 4. Hide the Outcaſts, bexray not him that wandereth. And Obad. 13, 14. Thou ſhouldſt not have given up thoſe of his that eſcape in the Day of his Diſtreſs. But Man ſays, You ſhall give them up, or you ſhall dye for it. Now who to obey, judge ye. So that I have Cauſe to rejoyce and be exceeding glad, in that I ſuffer for Righteouſneſs ſake, and that I am accounted worthy to ſuffer for Well doing, and that God has accepted any Service from me, which has been done in Sincerity, tho' mixed with manifold Infirmities, which he hath been pleaſed for Chriſt's ſake to cover and forgive. And now as concerning my Fact, as it is called, alas it was but a little one, and might well become a Prince to forgive; but he that ſh ws no Mercy, ſhall find none: And I may ſay of it in the Language of Jonathan, I did but taſte a little Honey, and lo I muſt die for it. I d [...]d but relieve an unworthy, poor, diſtreſſed Family, and lo I muſt dye for it. Well, I deſire in the Lamb-like Goſpel-Spirit to forgive all that are concerned, and to ſay, Lord, lay it not their Charge; but I fear he will not: Nay, I believe when he comes to make Inquiſition for Blood, it will be found at the Door of the furious Judge; who, becauſe I could not remember Things through my Dauntedneſs at Burton's Wife's and Daughter's Vileneſs and my Ignorance, took Advantage thereat, and would not hear me, when I had called to mind that which I am ſure would have invalidated their Evidence; tho' he granted ſomething of the ſame Nature to another, yet denyed it to me. My Blood will alſo be found at the Door of the unrighteous Jury, who found me Guilty upon the ſingle Oath of an out-lawed Man; for there was none but his Oath about the Money, who is no legal Witneſs, though he be pardoned, his Out-lawry cannot be recalled; and alſo the Law requires two Witneſſes in point of Life: And then about my going with him to the Place mentioned, 'twas by his own Words, before he was Out-lawed, for 'twas two Months after his abſconding; and tho' in a Proclamation, yet not High Treaſon, as I have heard; ſo that I am clearly murdered by you. And alſo Bloody Mr. A. who has ſo inſatiably hunted after my Life; and though it is no Profit tlo him, through the ill Will he bore me, left no Stone unturned, as I have ground to believe, till he brought it to this; and ſhewed favour to Burton, who ought to have dyed for his own Fault, and not bought his Life with mine; and Capt. R. who is cruel and ſevere to all under my Circumſtances, and did at that time, without all Mercy or Pity, haſten my Sentence, and held up my Hand, that it might be given, all which, together with the Great One of all, by whoſe Power all theſe, and a Multitude more of Cruelties are done, I do heartily and freely forgive, as againſt me; but as it is done in an implacable Mind agaigſt the Lord Chriſt, and his righteous Cauſe and Followers, I leave it to him who is the Avenger of all ſuch Wrongs, who will tread upon Princes as upon Mortar, and be terrible to the Kings of the Earth: And know this alſo, that though ye are ſeemingly fixt, and becauſe of the Power in your Hand, are writing out your Violence, and dealing with a deſpight [...]ul Hand, becauſe of the old and new Hatrred; by impovering and every way diſtreſſing thoſe you have got under you; yet unleſs you can ſecure Jeſus Chriſt, and all his Holy Angels, you ſhall never do your Buſineſs, nor your Hands accompliſh your Enterprizes; for he will be upon you e'er you are aware; and therefore, O that you would be wiſe, inſtructect and learn, is the Deſire of her that finds no Mercy from you,

Elizabeth Graunt.

The Earl of Argyle.

WE muſt now take a Step over into Scotland, that poor Country, which has been haraſs'd and tired for theſe many Years, to render them perfect Slaves, that they might help to enſlave England, to prevent which, and ſecure the Proteſtant Religion, which 'twas grown impoſſible to do, but by Arms; this good Lord embarkt from Holland about the ſame Time with the Duke, and arrived in Scotland with what Forces he could make; to which were added ſome others who joined him; which after ſeveral Marches and Counter-marches, were at length led into a Boggy ſort of a Place, on Pretence, or with Intention to bring him off from the other Army then upon the Heels of 'em, where they loſt one another, diſperſed and ſhifted for themſelves; the Earl being taken by a Country-man, and brought to Edinburgh, where he ſuffered for his former unpardondable Crime—requiring Care ſhould be taken of the Proteſtant Religion, and explaining his taking the Teſt conformable thereto; for the Legality of which he ha [...] the Hands of the moſt eminent Lawyers about the City. He ſuffered at Edinburgh the 30th of June, 1685. His Speech has a great deal of Piety and Religion, nor will it be any Diſgrace to ſay, 'twas more like a Sermon.—'Tis as follows.

The Earl of Argyle's laſt Speech, June 30. 1685.

[Page]

JOB tells us, Man that is born of a Woman, is of few Days, and full of Trouble; and I am a clear inſtance of it. I ſhall not ſay thing of my Sentence, or Eſcape about three years and a half ago; nor of my Return, leſt I may thereby give Offence, or be too tedious: Only being to end my Days in your Preſence, I ſhall, as ſome of my laſt Words, aſſert the Truth of the Matter of Fact, and the Sincerity of my Intentions, and Profeſſions that are publiſhed.

That which I intend mainly now to ſay, is, To expreſs my humble, and (I thank God) chearful Submiſſion to his Divine Will; and my Willingneſs to forgive all Men, even my Enemies; and I am heartily well ſati [...]fied there is no more Blood ſpilt, and I ſhall wiſh the Stream may ſtop at me: And that (if it pleaſe God) as to Zerubbabel, Zech. 4. 6. Not by Might, nor by Power, but by my Spirit, ſaith the Lord of Hoſts. I know Afflictions ſpring not out of the Duſt: God did wonderfully deliver and provide for me, and has now by his ſpecial Providence brought me to this Place; and I hope none will either inſult or ſtumble at it, ſeeing they ought not; for God Almighty does all Things well, for Good and holy Ends, tho' we not always underſtand it. Love and Hatred is not known by what is before us, Eccleſ. 9. 1. & 8. 11, 12, 13. Afflictions are not only foretold, but promiſed to Chriſtians; and are not only tolerable, but deſirable. We ought to have a deep Reverence and Fear of God's Diſpleaſure; but withal, a Hope and Dependance on him for a bleſſed Iſſue, in Compliance with his Will; for God chaſtens his own, to refine them, and not to ruin them, whatever the World may think, Heb. 12. 3. to 12. Prev. 3. 11, 12. Mat. 10. 18. to 40. Mat. 16. 24. to 28. We are to imitate our Saviour in his Sufferings, as x Pet. 2. 23. and 1 Pet. 16. to 20. We are neither to deſpiſe our Afflictions, nor to faint under them; both are Extreams. We are not to ſuffer our Spirits to be exaſperated againſt the Inſtruments of our Trouble; for the ſame Affliction may be an Effect of their Paſſion, and yet ſent to God to puniſh us for our Sin: Though 'tis a Comfort when we may ſay to them with David, Pſal. 59. 3. Not for my Tranſgreſſio, nor for my Sin, O Lord. Nor are we, by fraudulent, puſillanimous Compliances in wicked Courſes, to bring Sin upon our ſelves: Faint Hearts are ordinary falſe Hearts; chuſing Sin rather than Sufferings, and a ſhort Life with eternal Death, before temporal Death and a Crown of Glory. Such ſeeking to ſave a little, loſes all; and God readily hardens them to proceed to their own Deſtruction. How many, like Hazael, 2 Kings 8. 13. run to Exceſſes they never thought they were capable of! Let Rulers and others read ſeriouſly, and weigh Prov. 1. 10. to 20. 2 Chr. 28. 6. to 17. Prov. 24. 11, 12. and Prov. 28. 10. and avoid what is bad, and follow what is good.

For me, I hope by God's Strength to join with Job, Chap. 13. 15. and the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 22. 4. and 16. 7. and ſhall pray, as Pſal. 74. 19. to 24. and Pſal. 122. 6. to 9. and Luke 1. 74. 75. and ſhall hope, as Pſal. 94. 14, 15. I do freely forgive all that directly or indirectly have been the Cauſe of my being brought to this Place, firſt or laſt; and I pray God forgive them. I pray God ſend Truth and Peace in theſe Three Kingdoms; and continue and increaſe the Glorious Light of the Goſpel, and reſtrain the Spirit of Prophanity, Atheiſm, Superſtition, Popery and Perſecution, and reſtore all that have back ſlidden from the Purity of their Life or Principles; and bleſs his whole People with all Bleſſings, ſpiritual and temporal, and pnt an End to their preſent Trials. And I intreat all People to forgive me wherein I have offended, and concur with me to pray, Toat the great, good, and merciful God would ſanctify my preſent Lot, and for Jeſus Chriſt his ſake pardon all my Sins, and receive me to his Eternal Glory. It is ſuggeſted to me, That I have ſaid nothing of the Royal Family; and it remembers me, that before the Juſtices at my Trial about the Teſt, I ſaid, That at my Death I would pray, That there ſhould never want one of the Royal Family to be a Defender of the True, Ancient, Apoſtolick, Catholick, Proteſtant Faith, which I do now: And that GOD would enlighten and forgive all of them that are either luke-warm, or have ſhrunk from the Profeſſion of it. And in all Events, I pray GOD may provide for the Security of his Church, that Antichriſt, nor the Gates of Hell may never prevail againſt it.

Colonel RƲMBOLD.

AT the ſame place died Colonel Richard Rumbold, June 26, 1685. moſt of what occurred conſiderable in his Defence and Speech, you have had already in the Buſineſs of the Aſſaſſination. Two or three Paſſages more there are worth Remarks in the ſame, as Arguments of his Senſe and Courage. For this Cauſe, he ſays, we [...]e every Hair of his Head and Beard a Life, he'd joyfully ſacrifice 'em all. That he was never Antimonarchical in his Principles, but for a King and Free Parliament: the King having Power enough to make him great, and the people to make 'em happy. [That he died in the Defence of the juſt Laws and Lib rties of the Nations.] [That none was marks by God above another; for no Man came into the World with a Saddle on their Backs, nor others booted and ſpurr'd to ride upon't.] And being askt if he thought not his Sentence dreadful? Anſwered, [He wiſht he had a Limb for every Town in Chriſtendom.]

The next Place was Lyme, where many of Note died, particularly 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 Stedge would not ſtir, which obliged thoſe concerned to get others, [Page] which they did from the Coach-man, who had that Morning 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 ſmilin [...] 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 Duke of Monmouth, 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 appointed '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, though 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, I am ſorry you do not yet underſtand 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.

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 feared Conſcience.

The Laſt Speech of Dr. Hicks.

I am now going into that World, where many dark Things ſhall be made perfectly manifeſt and clear, and many doubtful Things fully reſolved, and a plenary Satisfaction given concerning them; all Diſputes and Miſtakes concerning Treaſon, Rebellion, and Schiſm, ſhall be at an End, and ceaſe for ever: Many Things that are innocent, lawful, and laudable, which have ſoul Marks and black Characters ſtampt and fixe upon 'em here, they ſhall be perfectly purified, and fully cleanſed from there; where at one View more ſhall be known of them, than by all wrangling Debates and eager Diſputes, or by reading all Polemical Books concerning them here. I greatly deplore and bewail the greedy Appetite and inſatiable Thirſt, that profeſſing Proteſtants have after the Blood of their Brethren, and the high pleaſure they take in the Effuſion thereof. But what will not Men do, when they are either judicially blinded, or their ſecular worldly Intereſt inſenſibly inſinuates and winds it ſelf into their Religion, is ſo twiſted and incorporated with it, that it animates and acts it, is the Life and Soul, the vital Form and Power, and made wholly ſubſervient thereunto.

My Lord Jefferies, after he had left Briſtol, being come to the King to give an Account of his Affairs in the Weſt, the Great Seal being to be diſpoſed of, by the Death of the late Keeper, he kiſs'd the King's Hand for it, and was made Lord Chancellour, which was only an Earneſt of his Deſert for ſo eminent and extraordinary a piece of Service; ſo now that which remains, is to give an Account of divers that had fled, and hid themſelves up and down in Holes and Privacies, whoſe Friends made all Application to ſome great Men or other to procure their Pardons; ſome to this, and others to ſuch as they thought Favourites of the King; but the Rewards muſt be aſcertain'd before any Application could be made: Divers Liſts being ſent up, and the Rewards aſcertained, which amongſt many of them put together, did amount to conſiderable; ſo that it was now who could find a Friend to relieve his diſtreſſed Relations, which were forced to wander up and down in Caves and Deſarts for fear of being taken: But this Misfortune attended the Agents, that unleſs my Lord Chancellour were uſed, by his Creatures, that were allowed by him ſo to do; other Applications commonly met with Diſappointments, which cauſed an Emulation among the great Men; one ſuppoſing to have deſerted the King's Ear as well as the other, which cauſed other Meaſures to be taken, though ſome were wheedled out of their Money. At laſt came out a General Pardon, with Exceptions, very few, if any of thoſe [Page] that were ſollicited for, not being excepted, were of Courſe pardoned; but however, divers Sums of Money having been paid, no Reſtitution to be had, for from Hell is no Redemption. A Weſtern Gentleman's Purchaſe came to fifteen or ſixteen hundred Guineas, which my Lord Chancellour had. Amongſt the Exceptions were a Parcel of Yaunton Girls, ſome of which were Children of eight or ten Years old; however ſomething was to be made of them, if theſe Ladies were judged guilty of Treaſon, for preſenting the Duke of Monmouth with Colours, &c. and for to preſerve theſe from Trial, they were given to Maids of Honour to make up their Chriſtmas▪Box; ſo that an Agent of theirs was ſent down into the Country to compound with their Parents, to preſerve them from what might after follow, if taken; ſo that ſome, according to Ability, gave 100 l. others 50 l. all which however did not anſwer the Ladies firſt Expectations; yet it did ſatisfie, and they were accordingly pardoned. Thus we have given you an Account of what hath happened on this Occaſion, being in every Point Truth: We might have farther enlarged, but that would have ſpoiled the Deſign, and ſwoln our Pocket-Companion to a Volume too big.

We ſhall therefore next proceed to give you a true and exact Liſt of all them that were condemned, and ſuffered in the Weſt, and the Year 1685. under the Sentence of my Lord Chief Juſtice Jeffreys, with the Names of the Towns where every Man was executed.

Lyme 12.

COl. Holmes, Mr. Batiſcomb, Mr. William Hewling, Mr. Sampſon Lark, Dr. Temple, Capt. Madders, Capt. Matthews, Mr. Joſeph Tyler, Mr. William Cox, &c.

Bath 6.

Walter Baker, Henry Body, Gerrard Bryant, Thomas Clotworthy, Thomas Collins, John Carter.

Philipsnorton 12.

Robert Cook, Edward Creaves, John Caſwell, Thomas Hayward, John Hellier, Edward Beere, Henry Portridge, George Pether, Thomas Peirce, John Richards, John Staple, John Smith.

Froome 12.

Francis Smith, Samuel Vill, alias Vile, Thomas Star, Philip Uſher, Robert Beamant, William Clement, John Humphrey, George Haſty, Robert Man, Thomas Pearl, Laurence Lott, Thomas Lott.

Bruton 3.

James Feildſen, Humphrey Braden, Richard Bole.

Wincanton 6.

John Howel, Richard Harvey, John Tucker, William Holland, Hugh Holland, Thomas Bowden.

Shepton-Mallet 13.

Stephen Mallet, Joſeph Smith, John Gilham, Jun. Giles Bramble, Richard Chinn, William Cruiſe, George Pavier, John Hildworth, John Aſhwood, Thomas Smith, John Dorcheſter, Sen. John Combe, John Groves.

Hensford 12.

Roger Cornelius, John Starr, Humphrey Edwards, William Pierce, Arthur Sullway, George Adams, Henry Ruſſel, George Knight, Robert Wine, William Clerk, alias Chick, Preſton Bevis, Richard Finier.

Wrington 3.

Alexander Key, David Boyſs, Joſhua French.

Wells 8.

William Mead, Thomas Cade, Robert Doleman, Thomas Durſton, John Sheperd, Abraham Bend, William Durſton, William Plumley.

Ulvelſcomb 3.

William Ruſcomb, Thomas Pierce, Robert Combe.

Tuton upon Mendip 2.

Peter Prance, William Watkins.

Chard 12.

Edward Foote, John Knight, William Williams, John Jervis, Humphrey Hitchcook, William Godfrey, Abraham Pill, William Davy, Henry Eaſterbrook, James Dennett, Edward Warren, Simon Croſs.

Creokern 10.

John Spore, Roger Burnoll, William Pether, James Evory, Robert Hill, Nicholas Adams, Richard Stephens, Robert Halfwell, John Buſhel, William Laſhly.

Somerton 7.

William Gillet, Thomas Liſſant, William Pocock, Chriſtopher Stephens, George Cantick, Robert Allen, Joſeph Kelloway.

Yeovil 8.

Francis Foxwell, George Pitcher, Bernard Devereux, Bernard Thatcher for concealing Bovet, William Johnſon, Thomas Hurford, Edward Gillard, Oliver Powel.

Netherſtoe 3.

Humphrey Mitchel, Richard Culverell, Merrick Thomas.

Dunſter 3.

Henry Lackwell, John Geanes, William Sully.

Dulverton 3.

John Baſely, John Lloyd, Henry Thompſon.

Bridgewater 12.

Robert Fraunces, Nicholas Stodgell, Joſhua Bellamy, William Meggeridge, John Hurman, Robert Roper, Richard Harris, Richard Engram, John Trott, Roger Guppey, Roger Hore, Iſaiah Davis.

Ratcliffe-Hall at Briſtol 6.

Richard Evans, John Tinckwell, Chriſtopher Clerk, Edward Tippot, Philip Cumbridge, John Tucker, alias Clover.

Ilminſter 12.

Nicholas Collins, Sen. Stephen Newman, Robert Luckis, William Kitch, Thomas Burnard, William Wellen, John Parſons, Thomas Trooke, Robert Fawne, Weſtern Hillary, John Burgen, Charles Speake.

Stogerſey 2.

Hugh Aſhley, John Herring.

Wellington 3.

Francis Prieſt, Philip Bovet, Robert Reed.

South-petherton 3.

Cornelius Furfurd, John Parſons, Thomas Davis.

Porlock 2.

James Gale, Henry Edny.

Glaſendury 6.

John Hicks, Richard Pearce, Iſrael Briant, William Mead. James Pyes, John Broome.

Taunton 19.

Robert Perrot, Abraham Anſley, Benjamin Hewling, Peirce Murren, John Freake, John Savage, Abraham Matthews, William Jenkyns, Henry Liſle, John Dryer, John Hucker, Jonathan England, John Sharpe, William Deverſon, John Williams, John Patrum, James Whittom, William Satchel, John Trickey.

Langport 3.

Humphrey Peirce, Nicholas Venton, John Shellwood.

Arbridg 6.

Iſaac Tripp, Thomas Burnell, Thomas Hillary, John Gill, Senior. Thomas Monday, John Butcher.

Cutherſton 2.

Richard Bovet, Thomas Blackmore.

Minehead 6.

John Jones, alias Evens, Hugh Starke, Francis Bartlet, Peter Warren, Samuel Hawkins, Richard Sweet.

Evilcheſter 12.

Hugh Goodenough, Samuel Cox, William Somerton, John Maſters, John Walrand, David Langwell, Oſmond Barret, Matthew Croſs, Edward Burford, John Mortimer, John Stevens, Robert Townſden.

Stogummer 3.

George Hillard, John Lockſtone, Arthur Williams.

Caſtlecary 3.

Richard Aſh, Samuel Garniſh, Robert Hinde.

Milton-port 2.

Archibald Johnſon, James Maxwel.

Reinſham 11.

Charles Chapman, Richard Bowden, Thomas Trock, Lewis Harris, Edward Halſwell, Howel Thomas, George Badol, Richard Evans, John Winter, Andrew Rownſden, John Phillebey.

Suffer'd in all 251.

Beſides thoſe Hanged and Deſtroyed in cold Blood.

This Bloody Tragedy in the Weſt being over, our Proteſtant Judge returns for London; ſoon after which Alderman Corniſh felt the Anger of ſome Body behind the Curtain.

FINIS.

[Page]

§

[Page]

[Page] The PROTESTANT Martyrs: OR, THE Bloody Aſſizes, Giving an Account of the Lives, Tryals, and Dying Speeches, of all thoſe Eminent Proteſtants that ſuffered in the Weſt of England, by the Sentence of that Bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 Perſons, beſides what were Hang'd and deſtroyed in cold Blood. CONTAINING ALSO, The Life and Death of James Duke of Monmouth; His Birth and Education; his Actions both at Home and Abroad; his Unfortunate Adventure in the Weſt; his Letter to King James; his Sentence, Execution and Dying-Words upon the Scaffold: With a true Copy of the Paper he left behind him. And many other curious Remarks worth the Reader's Obſervation.

[portraits of the executed]

LONDON: Printed by J. Bradford, at the Bible in Fetter-Lane,

Information about this book

Title statement

The Protestant Martyrs: or, The bloody assizes Giving an account of the lives, tryals, and dying speeches, of all those eminent Protestants that suffered in the west of England, by the sentence of that bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 persons, besides what were hang'd and destroyed in cold blood. Containing also, the life and death of James Duke of Monmouth; his birth and education; his actions both at home and abroad; his unfortunate sentence, execution and dying-words upon the scaffold: with a true copy of the paper he left behind him. And many other curious remarks worth the reader's observation.

Tutchin, John, 1661?-1707.

Edition statement

1688

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Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

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Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A63971

ID [STC]

Wing T3382AA

ID [STC]

ESTC R220942

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99832326

ID [PROQUEST]

99832326

ID [VID]

36798

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(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A63971)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 36798)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2139:17)

Source

— The Protestant Martyrs: or, The bloody assizes Giving an account of the lives, tryals, and dying speeches, of all those eminent Protestants that suffered in the west of England, by the sentence of that bloody and cruel Judge Jefferies; being in all 251 persons, besides what were hang'd and destroyed in cold blood. Containing also, the life and death of James Duke of Monmouth; his birth and education; his actions both at home and abroad; his unfortunate sentence, execution and dying-words upon the scaffold: with a true copy of the paper he left behind him. And many other curious remarks worth the reader's observation., Tutchin, John, 1661?-1707..

Extent

16 p. : ill., ports.

printed by J. Bradford, at the Bible in Fetter-Lane,. London :: [1688?]. (By John Tutchin.) (Publication date conjectured by Wing.) (Title page contains eleven engraved portraits.) (Reproductions of the originals in the British Library.)

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