A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Speech 1
A Brief Account of the Last Speech of Mr. John King at the place of Execution at Edenburgh, on the 14th. day of August. 1679.
Men and Brethren,
I Do not doubt but that many that are Spectators here, have some other end, than to be edified by what they may see and hear in the last words of one going to Eternity; but if any one of you have Ears to hear, (which I nothing doubt but some of this great gathering have) I desir… your Ears and Attention, if the Lord shall help and permit me to speak, to a few things.
I bless the Lord, since infinite Wisdom and holy Providence has so carved out my Lot to dye after the manner that I do, not unwillingly, neither by force: It's true, I could not do this of my self, Nature always having an Inclination to put the Evil day far off, but through Grac… I have been helped, and by this Grace yet hope I shall: 'Tis true, through Policy I might have shunned such … hard S…ntence, if I had done some things; but though I could I durst not, God knows, redeem my life with the los… of my Integrity and Honesty. I bless the Lord that since I have been apprehended and made a Prisoner, God hath very wonderfully upholden me; and made out that comfortable word, Fear not, be not dismayed, I am with thee, I will strengthen thee, I will uphold thee by the righ… hand of my Righteousness, Isaiah 42.10. I than… the Lord he never yet gave me leave so much a… to have a thought, much less to seek after an… shift that might be in the least sinful: I did always, and yet do judge it better to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; therefore I am come hither to lay down my life; I bless the Lord I dye not as a Fool dyeth, though I acknowledge I have nothing to boast of in my self: Yea I acknowledge I am a sinner, and one of the chiefest that hath gone under the name of a Professor of Religion; yea amongst the unworthiest of those that have preached the Gospel; my Sins and Corruptions have been many, and have defiled me in all things; and even in following and doing of my Duty, I have not wanted my own sinful Infirmities and Weaknesses, so that I may truly say, I have no Righteousness of my own, all is evil and like filthy Rags; but blessed be God that there is a Saviour and an Advocate, Jesus Christ the Righteous, and I do believe that Jesus Christ is come into the World to save Sinners, of whom I am the chief, and that through Faith and his Righteousness I have obtained Mercy; and that through him, and him alone, I desire and hope to have a happy and glorious Victory over sin, Satan, Hell, and Death; and that I shall attain unto the Resurrection of the just, and be made Partaker of Eternal Life. I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. I have according to my poor Capacity, preached Salvation in his Name; and as I have preached, so do I believe, and with all my Soul have commended it, and still do commend to all of you the riches of his Grace, and Faith in his Name, as the alone and only way whereby to come to be saved.
It may be many may think (but I bless the Lord without any solid ground) that I suffer as an Evil-Doer, and as a busie body in other mens matters; but I reckon not much upon that, having the Testimony of my own Conscience for me. It was the lot of our blessed Saviour himself, and also the lot of many of his eminent precious Servants and People to suffer by the World as Evil-doers: Yea I think I have so good ground not to be scar'd at such a Lot, that I count it my non-such honour; and Oh what am I that I should be honoured so, when so many Worthies have panted after the like, and have not come at it: My Soul rejoyceth in being brought into Conformity with my Blessed Lord, and Head, and so Blessed a Company in this way and lot; and I desire to pray that I may be to none of you this day upon this account a Stone of stumbling, and a Rock of Offence; and blessed is he that shall not be offended in Christ and his poor Followers and Members, because of their being Condemned as Evil-doers by the World.
As for these things for which Sentence of Death hath past against me, I bless the Lord my Conscience doth not condemn me, I have not been Rebellious, nor do I judge it Rebellion for me to have endeavoured in my Capacity what possibly I could for the born-down and ruined interest of my Lord and Master, and for the Relief of my poor Brethren afflicted and persecuted, not only in their Liberties, Priviledges, and Persons, but also in their Lives; therefore it was that I joyned with that poor handful; the Lord knows, who is the searcher of Hearts, that neither my design nor practice was against his Majesty's person and just Government, but I always studied to be Loyal to lawful Authority in the Lord, and I thank God my heart doth not condemn me of any Disloyalty; I have been Loyal, and I do recommend it to all to be Obedient to higher Powers in the Lord.
I have been looked upon by some, and represented by others to be of a divisive, and Factious Humour, and one that stirred up division in the Church, but I am hopeful that they will all now give me their Charity, being within a little to stand before my Judge, and I pray the Lord forgive them that did so misrepresent me; but I thank the Lord whatever Men have said against me concerning this, that on the contrary, I have often disswaded from such way… and practices, as contrary to the Word of God, and of our Covenanted and Reformed Religion; and as I ever Abhorred division, and Faction in the Church, as that which tends to its utter Ruin, if the Lord prevent it not. So I would in the Bowels of my Lord …d Master, if such an one as I am may presume to …erswade, and Exhort both Ministers and Professors; if there b… any Consolation in Christ, if any comfort of Love; if any Fellowship of the Spirit, if any Bowels and Mercies that you be like minded, having the same Love, being of one accord, of one mind in lowliness of mind; let each esteem others better than themselves, Phil. 1.12. Harmoniousness and Honesty in the things of God, can never enough be sought after, and things that tend to the prejudice and hurt of Christs interest, can never enough be fled from and avoided.
And as I am come hither willingly to lay down my Tabernacle, so also I die in the Belief, and Faith of the Holy Scriptures, and in the Faith of the Apostles, and Primitive Christians, and Protestant Reformed Churches, and particularly the Church of Scotland, whereof I am a poor Member:
I shall but say a few words.
First, All you that are profane, I would seriously Exhort you that you return to the Lord by serious Repentance; if you do, iniquity shall not be your Ruine; if you do not, know that the day of the Lords Vengeance is near and hastneth on! Oh know for your comfort, there is a door of mercy yet open, if you be not despisers of the day of Salvation. And you that have been, and yet are, Reproachers and persecutors of Godliness, and of such as live Godly; take heed, Oh take heed, sad will be your day, when God arises to scatter his Enemies, if you repent not for your ungodly deeds.
Secondly, All those who are taken up with their own private …terests, and if that go well they Care the less …or the interest of Christ, take heed and be zealous, and repent, lest the Lord pass the Sentence, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Thirdly, For the truly Godly, and such as are Lamenting after the Lord, and are mourning for all the abominations of this City, and are taking pleasure in the very Rubbish and Stones of Zion, be of good Courage, and Cast not away your Confidence, I dare not say any thing to future things, but surely the Lord has a handful that are precious to him, to whom he will be Gracious; to these is a dark night at present, how long it will last the Lord knows! Oh let not the sad disasters, that his poor people meet with, though very astonishing, Terrifie you, beware of snares that abound. Cleave fast to your Reformed Religion, do not Shift the Cross of Christ, if you be called to it, it is better to suffer than sin, accoun… the reproaches of Christ greater Riches than all the Treasures of the World.
In the last place, let not my Death be Grievous, to any of you, I hope it will be more profitable both for you and me, and for the Church and interest of God, than my life could have been. I bless the Lord, I can freely and Frankly forgive all men, even as I desire to be forgiven of God, pray for them that persecute you, bless them tha… Curse you. As to the cause of Christ, I bless the Lord I never had cause, to this day, to repent for any thing. I have suffered, or can now suffer for his name. I thank the Lord who has shewed mercy to such a vile sinner as I am, and that ever he should advance me to so High a dignity, as to be made a Minister of his blessed and everlasting Gospel; and that ever I should have a Seal set to my Ministry, upon the hearts of some in several places and Corners of this Land: the Lord visit Scotland with more and more faithful Pastors, and send a Reviving day unto the people of God; in the mean time be patient, be stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord; and live in Love and peace one with another, and the Lord be with his poor Afflicted Groaning people, that yet remain.
Now I bid farewel to all my Friends, and dear Relations; Farewell my poor Wife and Children, whom I leave in the good hand of him who is better than seven Husbands, and who will be a Father to the Fatherless. Farewell all Creature Comforts, Welcome everlasting Life, everlasting Glory, Welcome everlasting Love, everlasting Praise: Bless the Lord, O my Soul, and all that is within me.
Sic Subscrib. JOHN KING. August 14th. 1679. Tolbooth, Circa horam Septimam.