A New Martyrology, Introduction 2 · Life 4
Lady Lisle.
HAD those Persons who suffer'd about Monmouth's business, fell only into the hands of …annibals, some of 'em, at least, had scaped bet…r than they did from Jeffreys. Those more …me and civil Creatures would have spared the … and withered, though they had devoured the …ung and tender. But no Age, no Sex made …y difference here; and as those who were just …me into the World, Children and Girls of ten … a dozen years old were refused Pardon, so those …ho were half out of it, would not be suffered … tumble into the Grave intire, tho, as Juvenal …ys of Priam, they had scarce Blood enough lest to singe the Knife of the Sacrifices. An Instance of this was my Lady Lisle, of such an Age, that she almost slept on her very Tryal, condemned for as small a matter as has been known, by one of those dormant Laws, made only in terrorem, but hardly ever executed only for corresponding with Nelthrop, an out-law'd Person, and, as was pretended, giving him Shelter at her House, and Hicks, who brought him thither. For Hicks, he was not then convicted, nor in any Proclamation, and so 'tis a question whether she could even in rigour of Law, deserve Death on his account. For Nelthrop, he himself says in his last Speech, [That he was wholly a Stranger to th…t worthy Lady,; neither did she, as he verily believes, know who he was, or his Name, till he was taken] For this she was found Guilty, and lost her Head at Winchester. Her Case was thought so hard, that the Honourable Court of Parliament have now reverst her Judgment. At h…r Death she made the following Speech.
The last Speech of the Lady Alicia Lisle.
GEntlemen, Friends and Neighbours, it may be expected that I should say something at my Death, and in order thereunto I shall acquaint you, that my Birth and Education was … near this place, and that my Parents … me in the fear of God, and I now die of … …e…ormed Protestant Religion; that if ever … should return into this Nation, it would be a very great and severe Judgment; that I die in expectation of the pardon of all my sins, and of acceptance with God the Father, by the imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ, he being the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believes; I thank God through Jesus Christ, that I do depart under the Blood of Sprinkling, which speaketh better things than that of Abel; God having made this Chastisement an Ordinance to my Soul. I did once as little expect to come to this place on this occasion, as any person in this place or Nation; therefore let all learn not to be high-minded, but fear: The Lord is a Soveraign, and will take what way he sees best to glorifie himself in, and by his poor Creatures; and I do humbly desire to submit to his Will, praying to him, That I may possess my Soul in Patience. The Crime that was laid to my Charge, was for entertaining a Nonconformist Minister and others in my House; the said Minister being sworn to have been in the late Duke of Monmouth's Army; but I have been told, That if I had denied them, it would not at all have affected me; I have no excuse but surprize and fear, which I believe my Jury must make use of to excuse their Verdict to the World. I have been also told, That the Court did use to be of Counsel for the Prisoner; but instead of Advice, I had Evidence against me from thence; which though it were only by hear-say, might possibly affect my Jury; my defence being but such, as might be expected from a weak Woman; but such as it was, I did not hear it Repeated again to the Jury; which, as I have been informed, is usual in such Cases. However, I forgive all the World; and therein all those that have done me wrong; and in particular, I forgive Colonel Penruddock, although he told me, that he could have taken these men before they came to my House. And I do likewise forgive him, who desired to be taken away from the Grand Jury to the Petty-Jury, that he might be the more nearly concerned in my death. As to what may be objected in reference to my Conviction, that I gave it under my hand, that I had discoursed with Nelthrop; that could be no Evidence against me, being after my Conviction and Sentence: I do acknowledg his Majesties Favour in Revoking my Sentence; I pray God to preserve him, that he may long Reign in Mercy, as well as Justice; and that he may Reign in Peace; and that the Protestant Religion may flourish under him. I also return thanks to God and the Reverend Clergy, that assisted me in my Imprisonment.
ALICIA LISLE.