A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Speech 7
The last Speech of Henry Boddy Executed at Bath.
WHile he was in Prison, especially after Sentence, he behaved himself mighty humble, meek, and was much in Meditation, which was observed by several Divines, especially one who attended him to his Last, his name Mr. Simpson. His poor Wife coming to see him at Wells, and to make her Interest with some Friends, if possible to save his Life; but finding it lost labour, and that she could by no means prevail, she died there for grief, before her Husband was Executed, to his great grief. When he came to the place of Execution, he delivered himself to the People in these Words:
Good People, I am come here to pay a Debt due to Nature, which every one, one time or another, must pay, though not in this manner, or nature. I am condemned as a Traitor and Rebel against my King, which were things I always hated and abhorred; and therefore give me so much time as to deliver my self to you; and what I say, I hope you will believe me at this time, being just going to give an account, not only for every idle word, but for all things I have done since I have had a being.
I was born in Lyme Regis in the County of Dorset, and bred up a Seaman from my Infancy; I have had the Honour to serve his Majesty King Charles the Second, in his Wars with the Dutch and French, divers times. I always thought it to be the Duty of every true English man to stand up in his Countries quarrel with Foreigners, to maintain our ancient Priviledges and Honour of ou… Nation. I served him faithfully: And as for any undertaking now with the late Duke of Monmouth, for which I am now come to suffer death; As for my Designs, I am sure they were good, for I did believe him to be my Soveraign's Son and Heir; but if otherwise, I have done amiss, and am sorry, and hope the Lord hath pardoned it. While I was in Arms, I am sure there's none can say I have personally wronged them. I desire all your Prayers for me to the last. I am no Orator, therefore if you please (speaking to the Minister) do these last Spiritual Services for me, as for to pray with me, and for me. The Minister being much taken with him, desired leave of the Sheriff to ask him some Questions, which being granted; the Minister said unto him, I must make bold with you, but not to hold you too long before I pray, but to satisfie my self and the People on w…at ground you stand; I mean, as concerning your …v…rlasti…g state. Now pray resolve me a few things: First, Whe…her you d… own tha… Doctrine of Non-resistanc…, own…d by the Church, Tha… it is not lawful on any account wha…soever, to take up Arms against the King? O Sir! as to that I answer, Could I have been satisfied he had been my law…u… Prince, I should not have done it. But, said the Minister, he is, and you are not to be judge; exc…pt you own those things, some People wil… hardly have Charity for you after you are dead. What matters that? said he, would you have me, now you put me so close to it, to lye? No, I will not. I say, if he was my lawful King, I was misled in my Judgment, and have com…tted a great Error; but Lord, I hope thou hast washed away all my sins, in and through the Blood of my dear Redeemer, in whose alone Merits I hope for Mercy. I desire …o be asked no more Questions. Then the Minister prayed very devoutly near half an hour; after which, lifting up his hands and eyes to Heaven, he quietly submitted to Death.