A true declaration of the happy conuersion, contrition, and Christian preparation of Francis Robinson, gentleman Who for counterfetting the great seale of England, was drawen, hang'd, and quartered at Charing-Crosse, on Friday last, being the thirteenth day of Nouember, 1618. Written by Henry Goodcole preacher of the Word of God, and his daily visiter, during his imprisonment in the gaole of Newgate.

His Progression.

VVHen there was warrant out for his apprehension,* 1.1 he then was in Darby, and hearing that there was waite laide for him, posted thence some sixe miles, but had not the power any further to trauell, but returned to Darby, to goe and Iustifie his foule fact, which by the narrow loo∣king into, and examining of a Lawyer there inhabiting, with whome he was at variance, his designes were discouered.

When he was thus discouered, and sent vp to London to the right Honourable the Lord Chauncellor of England, by whom he was examined, and vrged to confesse, that his foule fact of high Treason: stood stoutly in the deniall of the same. But hée that sitteth in Heauen laughed him to scorne, and most wonderfully disclosed the secret of his heart, and his foule fact, whereof he thought none should haue knowne, for being re-examined by the right Hon: Sir Henry Moun∣tague Knight, Lord chiefe Iustice of England, to him as for∣merly he did, denyed his foule fact, but behold héere how the

hand of God laide holde on him, and how the eye of God was watching ouer him, and disclosed him, by deliuering a Key to Humphrey Smith, to goe to a Truncke, wherein his coun∣terfeit Commission was, and diuers other writings.

It pleased Almighty God, who teacheth all mens hearts wisdome, that the right Hon: the Lord Chiefe Iustice thus bethought himselfe, to know the truth, séeing as yet he could get no knowledge, he set spies to watch those that had accesse vnto him, to finde out by them, this foule fact, which most miraculously by the carefull examination of Humphrey Smith (by that graue Iudge Sir Heury Mountague) came soone to light thereof, who tolde his Hon: of a Truncke of writings: which so strangely discouered, Robinson thereat was greatly amazed, thinking it a thing impossible to be knowne at all to any; who when that he saw he was disco∣uered, betooke himselfe (of an obstinate denyer) to become an humble, contrite, and sorrowfull confessor of what he had done, and implored mercy and fauour at honourable persons hands, of whome he little deserued the same. But he out of his most Noble disposition, denyed not any the least of his requests, and humble suites, but buryed all his former vn∣deseruings, in the bowels of pitty and compassion, grieuing to sée what a most wretched course he had runne, that the Iustice of the King, and his Lawes, did iustly challenge his deserued deoth.

Nay further note and consider I pray you, for these were the wordes procéeding out of his owne mouth: how God did make his owne wisdome to be foolishnesse, therewith to laugh himselfe to scorne, that presuming he had some sound iudgement and true knowledge in the Law, vp∣on which hée too much built and relyed, for his knowledge therein, was but the flash of pride & presumption: for when the right Worshipfull, graue, wise and learned in the Law (Sir Henry Yeluerton his Maiesties Atturney Generall) heard, said, that his intention, made the Law to take holde on him, he thereat was silenced, and confessed his blindnes, and ignorance, and that his eyes were shut, and heart infatuated

euen vnto the day of his tryall, in which it pleased God to reueale to him, his grosse mistaking of the Law, and guilt in this his foule fact, which when he well and plainely percei∣ued; he then remembred that portion of Scripture which he formerly had read in the 3. Chap. of Ieremy, which stroake re∣morse of conscience in him, and that the whole world might take notice that the Iudgements of God had ouertaken him, aduisedly coated the place recited for memory, that men should feare to offend in the like case, least they come to haue in the end the like reward for their paines.

Lastly, he confessed the person, and first occasion that drew him to commit his foule fact, which was (Couetous∣nes) the foundation of all mischiefe. And lodging at the Swan at Charing Crosse, there he grew acquainted with one (Morgan a Romish Catholicke) whom he tolde of his thirsting after money, who then shewed the fruites of his Religion, to bring by his wicked deuice, the body of this Gentleman to his destruction, and (had not God in his great mercy preuented the same destroyed) his soule also, for he went the right way thereunto, by crafty seducing of him to become a Papist. And thus, he leauing and for saking his God, and Religion, his sodaine downefall afterwards hap∣pened, the which he heartily prayed to Almighty God might teach, warne, and terrifie others from the like attempt: and thus spake that morning a little before hée receiued the most holy and blessed Sacrament, of the Supper of our Lord Ie∣sus Christ, (said▪) that Morgan did seduce him first, from his Religion, and after that, his heart was inclinable to re∣ceiue, what Morgans poysoned tongue of mischiefe would speake, of which kinde of people and their Religion, hée desi∣red all people to beware and to flye their Doctrine, it tending onely to mischiefe and destruction.

Notes

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  Note this▪