A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Account of execution 1 – Prayer 1
The Behaviour of Mr. Smith Constable of Chardstock.
ANother eminent Person that suffered with him at the same time and place, was one Mr. Smith, who was Constable of Chardstock, who having some Monies in his hands that belonged to the Militia, which came to the knowledge of some of the Dukes Friends, they obliged him to deliver it to them, which he was forced to deliver; and for this was Indicted for High T…eason, in assisting the Duke of Monmouth. To which he pleaded Not Guilty. The Evidence against him were the same with those that had been against Mr. Bragg. The said Mr. Smith informed the Court and the Jury, what little Credit ought to be given to the Evidence. The Lord Chief Justice thundred at him, saying, Thou Villain, methinks I see thee already with a Halter about thy Neck; thou impudent Rebel, to challenge these Evidences that are for the King. To which the Prisoner reply'd very boldly, My Lord, I now see which way I am going, and right or wrong I must die; but this I comfort my self with, That your Lordship can only destroy my Body; it is out of your Power to touch my Soul. God forgive your rashness; pray, my Lord, know it is not a small matter you are about, the Blood of man is more precious than the whole World. And then was stopped from saying any more. The Evidences being heard, a strict Charge was given the Jury about him. To be short, the Jury brought him in Guilty; so that he with the rest received the Sentence of Death all together, and were Executed on Monday; but by particular order from my Lord, he was ordered to be first Executed. The day being come for Execution, being Monday, he with a Courage undaunted, was brought to the Place, where with Christian Exhortations to his Brethren that suffered with him, he was ordered to prepare, being the first to be executed, where he spake as followeth: Christian Friends, I am now as you see lanching into Eternity; so that it may be expected I should speak something, before I leave this miserable World, and pass through those Sufferings, which are dreadful to Flesh and Blood; which indeed shall be but little, because I long to be before a just judge, where I must give an account, not only for the occasion of my Sufferings now, but for Sins long unrepented of, which indeed hath brought me to this dismal place and shameful Death. And truly, dear Country-men, having ransacked my Soul, I cannot find my small concern with the Duke of Monmouth, doth deserve this heavy Judgment on me; but I know, as I said before, it is for Sins long unrepented of; I die in Charity with all men; I desire all of you to bear me witness, I die a true Professor of the Church of England; beseeching the Lord still to stand up in the defence of it. God forgive my passionate Judges, and cruel and hasty Jury; God forgive them, they know not what they have done. God bless the King; and though his Judges had no mercy on me, I wish he may find Mercy when he standeth most in need of it: Make him, O Lord, a nursing Father to the Church; let Mercy flow abundantly from him, if it be thy will, to those poor Prisoners, to be hereafter tryed; and Lord, if it be thy holy Will, stop this issue of Christian Blood, and let my guiltless Blood be the last spilt on this account. Gentlemen, all farewel, farewel all the things of the World: Then singing some few Verses of a Psalm, and putting up some private Ejaculations to himself, said, O Lord, into thy hands I commend my Spirit, and so submitted to the Executioner, Sept. 7. 1685.
The Behaviour and Dying Speech of Mr. Joseph Speed of Culliton.
AT the same time and place, as he came near the place of his Execution, he spying his Country-man and Friend, called him, and said, I am glad to see you here now, because I am not known in these parts; being answered by his Friend, I am sorry to see you in this Condition: He replies, It is the best day I ever saw; I thank God, I have not led my Life as Unchristian-like as many have done, having since the years of 16 always had the Checks of Conscience on me, which made me to avoid many gross and grievous Sins, my course of Life hath been well known to you, yet I cannot justifie my self; all Men err. I have not been the least of Sinners, therefore cannot excuse my self; but since my confinement, I have received so great comfort, in some assurance of the Pardon of my Sins, that I can now say, I am willing to die, to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, and say to Death, Where is thy Sting? and to Grave, Where is thy Victory? Being ask'd by some rude Soldiers, Whether he was not sorry for the Rebellion he was found guilty of? He couragiously reply'd. If you call it a Rebellion, I assure you I had no sinister ends in being concerned; for my whole design in taking up Arms under the D. of M. was to Fight for the Protestant Religion, which my own Conscience dictated me to, and which the said Duke Declared for, and had, I think, a lawful Call and Warrant for so doing, and do not question, that if I have committed any sin in it, but that it is pardoned: Pray, Mr. Sheriff, let me be troubled no farther in answering of Questions, but give me leave to prepare my self (those few minutes I have left) for another World, and go to my Jesus, who is ready to receive me: Then calling to his Friend, who stood very near him, said, My dear Friend, you know I have a dear Wife and Children, who will find me wanting, being somewhat incumber'd in the World, let me desire you as a Dying Man to see that she be not abused; and as for my poor Children, I hope the Father of Heaven will take care of them, and give them Grace to be dutiful to their Distressed Mother; and so with my dying Love to all my Friends, when you see them, I take leave of you, and them, and all the World, desiring your Christian Prayers for me to the last moment; then repeating some Sentences of Scripture, as, Colossians, chap. 3. v. 1, 2. If you then, &c. and praying very fervently, said, I thank God I have satisfaction; I am ready and willing to suffer shame for his Name: And so pouring forth some private Ejaculations to himself, and lifting up his hands, the Executioner did his Office: T…e Soldiers then present, said, They never before were so taken with a Dying M…n's Speech; his Courage and Christian-like Resolution, caused many violent Men against the Prisoners, to repent of their Tyranny towards them; some of whom in a short time died full of horror: And thus fell this good Man, a true Protestant, and one that held out to the end.
An account of those that suffer'd at Bridport and Lime.
AT Bridport one John Sparke, who was a very good Man, and behaved himself with a great deal of Christian-like Courage to the end: His Speech and his Devotions, &c. must be omitted, not being possible to take them, by reason of the rudeness, &c. and the shortness of the time allowed him by the Souldiers.
Next place was Lime, 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 ashore with the Duke of M. Being brought to the place after some difficulty; for the Horses that were first put into the Sledge would not stir, which oblige-those concerned to get others, which they did from the Coachman, 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 sa… down with an Aspect altogether void of Fear, but on the contrary with a kind of smiling 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 be agreed to stand by and assist the D. of M. when opportunity offer'd; 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, tho the way or means was not yet visible, but of this he did not doubt: He also was satisfied of the D'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 answer'd, 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; which was as follows.
Colonel Holme's Last Prayer.
MOst glorious, most great, and most merciful God, there is none in Heaven or in Earth that is like unto thee; Heaven is thy Throne, and the Earth is thy Footstool; who shall say unto thee, What doest thou? Here we are poor deplorable Creatures come to offer up our last Prayers, and Services unto thee; we beseech thy favourable Ear to our Prayers, and the comfort of thy holy Spirit, at this time; we praise and magnifie thy name, for all the Dispensations of thy Providence towards us, especially for this thy Providence, in bringing us to this place and at this time to suffer shame for thy Name: Help and assist all of us to submit to thy Will patiently. Pardon all our sins, remove them out of thy presence as far as the East is from the West, and accept of us in the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ; thou who art the Searcher of Hearts, and Try…r of Reins, let there not at the moment of Death be the least spark of sin indwelling in us, nor the strivings of Flesh and Blood, that may hinder us from a joyful passage unto thee: Give us patience also under these Sufferings, and a deliverance to all others from undergoing them, and in thy good time work a deliverance for poor England, let thy Gospel yet flourish among them, hasten the downfall of Antichrist, we trust the time is come; Prevent, O Lord, this effusion of Christia… Blood; and if it be thy will, let this be the last; Lord, bless this Town, let them from the highest to the lowest set the fear of God before their Eyes: Bless all sorts and conditions of Men in all Ranks and Qualities, pardon all their sins, give them all true Repentance, and the Grace of thy Holy Spirit; fit and prepare us for the chearful fulfilling of thy Holy Will; let the Comforter be still with us; be merciful to all our Friends, and Relations, and Acquaintance; forgive our Enemies, accept of our thankfulness for all the Mercies and Favours afforded us, and hear and graciously answer us in these our Requests, and what else thou knowest needful and expedient for us, and all for our Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ his sake; who died for us, that we might Reign with him for ever and ever; to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit of grace be ascribed, as is most due, all honour, glory, and praise, both now and for ever.
After having ended his Prayer, he took occasion to speak to his suffering Brethren, taking a solemn leave of them, encouraging them to hold out to the end, and not to waver, observing that this being a glorious Sun-shining day, I doubt not, though our Breakfast be sharp and bitter, it will prepare us, and make us meet for a comfortable Supper, with our God and Saviour, where all sin and sorrow shall be wiped away; so embracing each of 'em, and kissing of them, told the Sheriff, You see I am imperfect, only one Arm, I shall want assistance to help me upon this Tragical Stage; which was presently done, and Execution suddenly followed.