To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
WHen the Hangman was putting the Rope over his Head, he took it into his hands, and kissed it. Afterwards He said: I would gladly speak to Mr. Sheriff HOW; who coming up to him he addressed himself thus:
Mr. Sheriff. I having some doubt, whether I should be suffered to
speak, in relation to my Innocency and Loyalty, I did, for that Rea∣son, prepare what I had to say, and what I intended to say in Wri∣ting, and it is delivered into your hands, Mr. Sheriff; and therefore for the particular and precise Words and Expressions, I do refer my self to that, and I hope you will be so just to my Memory, that you will per∣mit it to be seen.
I shall therefore make only a short Preface, and I do declare, in the Presence of the Eternal God, and as I hope to be saved by the Me∣rits and Death of my dear Jesus, That I am not Guilty directly or in∣directly, of any Crime that was sworn against me; I do not speak this to Arraign the Court of Publick Justice, either Judges or Jury, but those Men that did swear it; and the Jury had liberty to believe, or not believe, as they pleased; And I do like wise say, with the same Averrment, That I did never in my Life see any Commission or Pa∣tent, or any Writing, or any other Thing, under the hand of Johannes Paulus de Oliva. &c.
Nor under no other Hand.?
No, nor under any other Hand, of any Commission or Patents, for the Raising of an Army, or any Thing else against the King.
What was the Patent for? for Nothing!
I never saw any, nor do I believe there was any: And whereas I have read in a Narrative, that I sent a Commission by my Son, to the Lord Arundel of Warder, and that I delive'rd another to the Lord Petre (or Petres) with my own hands, I take God to Witness, that I never knew him in my life, or ever, to my knowledge, saw the face of that Lord; nor did I send or know of any thing that was sent to my Lord Arundel of Warder, of that nature.
Shorten your business, you have, Mr. Langhorn, and your Party, so many ways to Equivocate, and after Absolution you may say any thing.
I refer my self to that Paper I gave you, Mr. Sheriff.
I think it is not fit to be Printed. I will do you no wrong.
I do not think you will.
You have already printed a Paper, or some body for you.
Sir, I did not Print it, and it was done without any Direction or Permission of mine. The Lord preserve his Majesty from all manner of Treason, and pre∣serve Him from falling into such Hands, as His Royal Father, of Glorious Memory, fell under; I pray god forgive my Enemies, as I freely do those that Accused me, those that witnessed against me; and all others that either desired my Blood, or rejoyce at the shedding of it; and all Persons that have any ways concern'd themselves with me, I freely for∣give them with all my Soul, and beg my dear Jesus to forgive them, and all others. God Almighty bless you, and bless the whole Nation, and the Government, and preserve it from all Evil and Mischief that
I am afraid is coming on it, for the shedding of Innocent Blood. Sweet Jesus, lay not my Innocent Blood to their Charge.
I shall say no more now Publickly.
Asked the Executioner, Whether the Rope was right or no? He said, Yes; and he asked him, Whether he did forgive him? To which Mr. Langhorne said, I freely do.
I shall now recommend my self to God in Private.
You may have liberty. The Writer. The Lord have Mercy on your Soul.
The Lord in Heaven Reward your Charity. Crost himself, pray'd again.
Blessed Jesus, into thy Hands I recommend my Soul and Spirit, now at this instant take me into Paradice; I am desirous to be with my Jesus; I am ready, and you need stay no longer for me.