An account of the behaviour of Sir John Fenwick, at his execution on Tower-Hill with the copy of the paper delivered by him to the sheriffs of London, &c.

AN ACCOUNT Of the Behaviour of Sir John Fenwick, at his Execution on Tower-Hill: with the Copy of the Paper delivered by him to the Sheriffs of London, &c.

SIR John Fenwick, on the Day of his Execution, aroſe at Four a Clock in the Morning, and was privat until Seven: At Ten he came out of Newgate into a Mourning Coach, was received by the Sheriffs and Guards, and conducted to Tower-Hill; in his paſſage he fix'd his Eyes on a Prayer Book, and ſpoke not a word to any perſon. So numerous were the Spectators that it was paſt Eleven half an Hour before he came upon the Scaffold; where it was obſerved at firſt, that he ſeemed to be ſomewhat ſurprized, and for a few Moments ſtood Speechleſs, but ſoon after appeared with great compoſure of mind; and after ſaluting thoſe on the Scaffold, deſired Dr. White to pray with him: Which being over, he thank'd the Sheriffs for their Civilities, and delivered them a Paper, deſiring them to do him that Juſtice as to give it the King. He then prayed again, and having for given the Executioner, prepared himſelf for the Block, and the Sign being given, the Executioner, at one blow, ſever'd his Head from his Body; which was brought in a Hearſe to one Mr. Metcalfs, an Upholſter, at the Helmet, in Fleet-ſtreet, and thence, that Night, privatly Interred in the Church of St. Martins in the Field. The Sheriffs, according to his deſire, delivered the Paper to the King; Which is as follows.

SPeaking nor Writing was never my Talent; I ſhall therefore give a very ſhort. but faithfull Account. Firſt, Of my Religion; and next, What I ſuffer moſt innocently for, to avoid the Calumnies I may reaſonably ex • ect my Enemies will caſt upon me when Dead, ſince they have moſt falſly and • aliciouſly aſperſed me, whilſt under my Misfortunes.

As for my Religion; I was brought up in the Church of England, as it is • ſtabliſhed by Law, and have ever profeſſed it; tho, I confeſs, I have been an • nworthy Member of it, in not living up to the ſtrict and excellent Rules thereof, • or which I take ſhame to my ſelf, and humbly ask forgiveneſs of GOD. I come • ow to Die in that Communion, truſting, as an humble and hearty Penitent, to 〈◊〉 received by the Mercy of GOD, through the Merits of Jeſus Chriſt my •• VIOUR.

My Religion taught me my Loyalty, which I bleſs God, is untainted; and I h ••• ever endeavoured, in the Station wherein I have been placed, to the utm ••• of my power, to ſupport the Crown of England, in the true and lineal courſe 〈◊〉 Deſcent, without interruption.

As for what I am now to Die, I call GOD to witneſs, I went not to th • Meeting in Leaden-Hall-Street with any ſuch intention, as to Invite King Jam •• by Force to Invade this Nation; nor was I my ſelf provided with either Honor Arms, or engaged for any number, of Men, or gave particular conſent f •• any ſuch Invaſion, as is moſt falſly Sworn againſt me.

I do alſo declare, in the preſence of GOD, that I knew nothing of King Jam •• his coming to Calais, not of any Invaſion intended from thence, till it was pu • lickly known; and the only Notion I had that ſomething might be attempt •• was from the Thoulon Fleet coming to Brest.

I alſo call GOD to witneſs, that I received the knowledge, of what is co • tained in thoſe Papers that I gave to a Great Man that came to me in the Towe • both from Letters and Meſſages that came from France; and he told me, wh •• I read them to him, that the Prince of Orange had been acquainted with moſt thoſe things before.

I might have expected Mercy from that Prince, becauſe I was Inſtrumental ſaving his Life; for when, about April 95, An Attempt formed againſt hi • came to my Knowledge, I did partly by Diſſwaſions, and partly by Delay prevent that Deſign; which, I ſuppoſe, was the reaſon that the laſt Villaino •• Project was concealed from me.

If there be any Perſons whom I have Injured in Word or Deed, I heart pray their Pardon, and beg of God to Pardon thoſe who have Injured m • particularly, thoſe who with great Zeal hath ſought my Life, and brought t •• guilt of my Innocent Blood upon this Nation, no Treaſon being proved up •• me.

I return my moſt hearty Thanks to thoſe Noble and worthy Perſons who ga •• their Aſſiſtance, by oppoſing this Bill of Attainder; Without which, it had be Impoſſible I could have fallen under the Sentence of death. God bleſs them a •• their Poſterity; tho', I am fully ſatisfied, they pleaded their own Cauſe wh •• they defended mine.

And now, O GOD, I do with all humble Devotion commend 〈◊〉 Soul into thy Hands, the great Maker and Preſerver of Men, a •• Lover of Souls; beſeeching thee, that it may be always dear and precio •• in thy ſight, through the Merits of my SAVIOƲR JESƲS CHRIS • Amen.