I Am come hither to Act, or ra­ther suffer my part, no strange part, though a sad one, I heartily wish I could performe it perfect­ly, and to the life, as becometh my innocence; that the shame­fullnesse of the Stage might not cause me to make an unhandsome Exit.

I stand here before the All-seeing God, I speak before Angells, unto men, I shall not therefore in­crease my sinnes by dissembling them; upon the Files of heaven hang the records of every truth; and I will not as a man, I dare not as a Christian spend my last breath in falsities; let the world forme what Judgment of me it pleaseth.

I am now to suffer upon a score of murder, a foul and heavy score, were I guilty thereof: but it is my comfort, that though I die as criminous, both my selfe and very many others are fully con­vinced of my innocence: yea Mistris Furnefall herselfe (Relict of the Gentleman for whose death I die) hath confessed to more then a few, that she esteemed me guiltlesse, and that her con­science would not suffer her to prosecute against me, and that for her own part she did not, and was sorry from her very heart that others had been so violent, and that she would redeem me if she could by any means possible. But my fall is unavoyda­ble, the crime is murder, for which I am cast and sentenced, and now brought hither to forfeit my life, I thank God although I stand not Justified be­fore my earthly Judges, I doe fall justified before my heavenly Judg.

Gentlemen, I am now going to my Triall, the Triall I have passed is none; death is but the Bea­dle that brings me to the celestiall Barr, To that Tribunall I hasten; that though I be condemned as a guilty person in foro Soli; I may be acquitted in foro Poli.

I carry with me many witnesses and good, a good conscience is Mille testes, and whilest a thou­sand witnesses stand for me, I am sure I cannot fi­nally miscarry. That Judge above proceedeth by an unerrable and most conspicuous light; he knoweth things as they are, not as they appear, and therefore cannot be misinformed, or mistaken in his sentence.

Truly, Sirs, though I suffer as a murderer, (be­sides the acquittance of my own conscience) no one here present of greenest years and reason, wil think me guilty, if at least he knew, that at the time when the Gentleman was wounded, my sword was in a readiness; wherewith if my intents had been murdrous, I might easily have clapt him through without venturing my own life or liber­ty. I had then a sword by my side, but made no use of it; nay, I did not so much as draw it, nor attempt to draw it: had I harboured any bloody revenge, or had I intended him ill, or death, I could, yea I should have drawn it.

What ever provocation was given me, (and in­deed I had enough) I had yet no premeditation of evil unto this person; nor did I lodge in my brest any malice against him; I wisht him no harm, for I scarce ever saw the Gentleman before; what af­fection he did bear towards me, I know not, God knows: but I conceive his craziness within, the neglect of timely physick, or the ignorance of the assistants, hath precipitated his and my death. I hope, good people, none of you think me so bad a Christian, as now in the last pe­riod and article of my life, to dissemble my guilt if I were inwardly convinced. I beseceh you al­low me who am upon the marches of death, so far your credit and good opinion, that if my in­nocence cannot rescue me from this punishment, it may yet preserve my memory from common prejudice and scandal.

True indeed I am a man obnoxious to many [Page 6] faults and failings, and as a sinner I need a great al­lowance of pardon for youthful frailties & offen­ces. But I am taught to believe that in this life there is no perfection or exemption from sin; and I hope that in the mercifull ballance of the Al­mighty, I am found passable and currant for hea­ven. I would have none believe I excuse my self from crime, I onely professe my selfe innocent from the sin of murder, that imputation for w^ch I now suffer. The greatest matter that troubles my peace, is this, that the misfortune of untimely death should defeat me and deceive my parents of the glad expectation they conceived of me: I had most dear and tender parents, and they of me a dutiful son, and they hoped to be once happy in my welfare having bestowed upon me qualities, travel and learning, expecting at the hand of Pro­vidence the harvest of their pains and expences. But God the supream and sole arbiter of life and death, who hath the conduct of all actions & ends, hath suffered them to be disappointed of their hopes, & me of my desires of compensating their large charges and care. These things thou per­mittest, O Lord, that all of us might learn to sub­mit and fear. I submit therefore (O thou Father of infinite mercies) to thy good pleasure to this my premature death, this ignominious death, en­able me (most gracious Father) to despise the shame, endure the crosse, and to wade through this sea of blood unto the shore of everlasting happiness. Lo, O Lord, I come, I come unto thee, because thou bidst me come, because thou draw­est me.

Alas; I had almost forgotten somewhat essenti­all to my own duty, and my brothers security, to wit the clearing of my brother Thomas Knight from all guilt in this unfortunate Action, I hope my life doth satisfie the law, and expiate the offence, how­ever I am bound in conscience to declare that not any part of this matter can be justly charged upon him, for I protest by the faith of a dieing man, he is as free from it, as I am reputed guilty: he had no hand at all in this fact.

Concerning my faith, I need not speak many words it having been never doubted, only thus much I shall professe, that I die in the faith where­in I alwaies lived, and into which I was baptised, to wit the faith of the Church of England, that e­stablisht faith I die in, whereof I have lately made profession to some persons of honor, who were in­timate to my last preparations.

And now oh Jesus witness for me, that what measure soever I have received, I die peaceably and in charity with all men, I forgive all my ene­mies, and am more favourable to my Judges, then they have been to me, Lord, let not the least drop of my blood stand upon their account: blood oh Lord lies heavy, yet thou knowest that therein I have a conscience full of serenity and Calmness.

Lord receive my soul, my soul I resign unto thee, I trust it with thee, thou art a faithfull Creator and keeper.

Lord Jesus receive my soul.