A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Prayer 2 – Final words
Capt. Madders last Prayer at the same time and place.
CApt. Madders at the time of the Duke's landing was a Constable at Crewkern, in the County of Somerset, and so diligent and active for the King in his Office, that when two Gentlemen of Lyme came there, and brought the News of the Duke's landing, and desired Horses to ride Post to acquaint his Majesty therewith, he immediately secured Horses for them, the Town being generally otherways bent, and assisted them so far as any called Loyal in those times could do, which was represented to the Lord Chief Justice, in expectation thereby to save his Life. But an Enquiry being made about his Religion, and retu…ned by a very worthy Gentleman of those Parts That he was a good Protestant, an honest Man, had a very good Character amongst his Neighbours: O then, says he, I'll hold a wager with you he is a Presbyterian, I can smell them forty miles. Though moderately I now say, they can smell him two hundred miles West; then surely he must dye, because he was, and had the Character of an honest man, a good Christian, and a brave tradesman. But to be short, I could say a great deal more of him, being intimately acquainted, with him, and was with him to the very last. Being brought to the Place of Execution, he was the last Man except one executed, and he behaved himself, whilst the rest were executing, with great Zeal; and lifting up his hands and eyes, would often say, Lord, make me so willing and ready to the last. And God did hear his Prayers; for though he seemed to the Spectators to be somewhat unwilling to dye, yet at the last he dyed with as much Assurance and Christian Resolution as any; for after his publick Prayer, he came once down the Ladder, and prayed again privately, then mounted the Ladder again; the Sheriff saying, Mr. Madders, if you please you may have more liberty; he answered, No, I thank you, Mr. Sheriff, now I am ready, I am, willing, and desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Oh! you cannot imagine what Comfort and Refreshment I have received in a few minutes; my Comforts are so great that I cannot contain my self. So blessing and praising of God, he was translated, as I hope (we have no grounds to imagine the contrary) from Earth to Heaven, repeating Rev. 20.6. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection, on such the second Death hath no power. His publick Prayer was as followeth.
O Eternal and ever blessed Lord God, look down upon me a miserable Sinner with an eye of pity and compassion, in and through my dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord, I acknowledge my self a great and grievous Sinner; I have sinned against the clearest light and the dearest love; I have deserved to have been spurned from thy Presence, and from the glory of thy Power, and that thou shouldest now say unto me, I will have no more to do with such an unworthy wretch, such a polluted filthy Creature as thou art, and hast been: But, O Lord, there is mercy with thee that thou mayest be feared; and thou hast promised, that if a Sinner turn from his wickedness, thou wilt have mercy on him; and tho' his sins were as scarlet, thou wouldest make them white as wool: Fulfil, O Lord, thy gracious promise unto me, a poor supplicant, in this my last hour of my life; purge and cleanse me from all sin and filthiness, give me true Repentance; and if there lyes any sin not yet repented of, O Lord bring it to my Conscience, Mind and Memory: But I hope, O Lord, thou hast heard …y prayers, my sighs and groans; I hope and trust thou hast pardoned all my sins, and wilt immediately receive my soul. Look down in Mercy on my dear Wife and Family, be thou a Comfort, and all in all unto them. Now, Lord, I am coming to thee, assist me to last moment; Comfort my distressed Soul; do mor… for me than I am able to ask for, or think of; but what thou knowest to be needful and necessary for me, in and through the Merits of my dear Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit of Grace be ascribed the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Dying Words of Captain Kidd, Executed at the same time and place.
THis Gentleman was the last …xe…ed at that time; as soon as Captain Madders was …urned off, he began to prepare to follow, and calle… to his Guards and those present, Do you see this? (pointing up to Eleven that were dead before him) do you think this is not dreadful to me, th…t eleven of twelve of us, that but a few hours since came down together, are dead and in Eternity? and I am just going to follow them, and shall immediately be in the same condition. Says one to him, It must be dreadful to Flesh and Blood. Says he, Well Gentlemen, I will assure you, I am so far concerned, that methinks I bethink their Happiness, that they should be so long before me in bliss and happiness: but I'll make haste to follow; I am satisfied this is the best day that ever I saw: The day of a Mans Death is said to be better than the day of his Birth: and truly so I find it as to my Flesh, for I shall be presently free from sin and sorrow; I am satisfied God hath done his best for me: I might have lived and have forgotten God, but now I am going where I shall sin no more: 'Tis a blessed thing to be free from sin, and to be with Christ: O how great were the suff…rings of Christ for us, beyond all that I can undergo! how great is that Glory to which I am going! Th…n taking his leave of the People then present, he prayed some small time very devoutly, and with seeming great Joy and Comfort, the Executioner did his Office.
There was Executed also at the same time divers others, as Mr. William Hewling, Dr. Temple, Mr. Matthews, with some others.