Stafford's memoires, or, A brief and impartial account of the birth and quality, imprisonment, tryal, principles, declaration, comportment, devotion, last speech, and final end of William, late Lord Viscount Stafford, beheaded on Tower-hill Wednesday the 29. of Decemb. 1680 whereunto is annexed a short appendix concerning some passages in Stephen Colledges tryal / the whole now again set forth for a more ample illustration of that so wonderfully zealous pamphlet entituled The papists bloody aftergame, writ in answer to the said Memoirs, and published by Langley Curtis, 1682.

My Lord's last Speech.

BY the permission of Almighty God, I am this day brought hither to Suffer Death, as if I were Guilty of High Treason. I do most truly in the presence of the Eternal, Omnipotent, and All-knowing God, protest upon my Salvation, that I am as Innocent as it is possible for any Man to be, so much as in a thought, of the Crimes laid to my Charge.

I acknowledge it to be a particular Grace and Favour of the Holy Trinity, to have given me this Long time to prepare my self for Eternity, I have not made so good use of that Grace as I ought to have done; partly be∣cause not only my Friends, but my Wife and Children, have for several days been forbidden to see me, but in the presence of one of my Warders. This hath been a great trouble and di∣straction unto me, but I hope God of his Infinite Mercy will Pardon my Defects, and accept of my good Intentions.

Since my long Imprisonment I have considered often what could be the Ori∣ginal Cause of my being thus Accused, since I knew my self not Culpable, so

much as in a thought, and I cannot believe it to be upon any other account then my being of the Church of Rome. I have no reason to be ashamed of my Religion, for it Teacheth nothing but the Right Worship of God, Obedience to the King, and due Subordination to the Temporal Laws of the Kingdom. And I do submit to all Articles of Faith be∣lieved and taught in the Catholick Church, believing them to be most consonant to the Word of God. And whereas it hath so much and often been objected, That the Church holds that Soveraign Princes, Excommunicated by the Pope, may by their Subjects be De∣posed or Murdered: As to the Murder of Princes, I have been taught as a Matter of Faith in the Catholick Church, That such Doctrine is Diabolical, Hor∣rid, Detestable, and contrary to the Law of God Nature, and Nations: As for the Doctrine of Deposing Princes, I know some Divines of the Catholick Church hold it, but as able and Learned as they have Written against it: But it was not pretended to be the Doctrine of the Church, that is, any Point of Catholick Faith▪ Wherefore I do here in my Con∣science declare, that it is my true and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Judgment, That the same Doctrine of Deposing King•• is contrary to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a•• Lawpunc; of this Kingdom, In∣jurious

to Soveraign Power, and con∣sequently would be in me or any other of his Majesties Subjects, Impious and Damnable. I believe and profess, That there is One God, One Saviour, One Holy Catholick, Church, of which through the Mercy, Grace, and Good∣ness of God, I die a member.

To my great and unspeakable grief, I have offended God in many things, by many great Offences, but I give him most humble thanks, not in any of those Crimes of which I was Accu∣sed.

All the Members of either House ha∣ving liberty to propose in the House what they think fit for the good of the Kingdom, accordingly I proposed what I thought fit, the House is Judge of the fitness or unfitness of it; and I think I never said any thing that was unfitting there, or contrary to the Law and Ʋse of Parliaments: For certainly if I had, the Lords would (as they might) have punished me: So I am not culpable be∣fore God or Man:

It is much reported of Indulgences, Dispensations, and Pardons, to Mur∣ther, Rebel, Lie, Forswear, and Com∣mit such other Crimes held and given in the Church; I do here profess in the presence of God, I never Learned, Be∣lieved, or Practised any such thing, but

the contrary; And I speak this without any Equivocation, or Reservation whatsoever, And certainly were I guil∣ty, either my self, or knew of any one that were Guilty, whosoever, that were so, of any of those Crimes of which I am accused, I were not only the greatest Fool imaginable, but a perfect Mad-man, and as wicked as any of those, that so falsly have accused me; If I should not discover any ill Design I knew in any kind, and so upon Disco∣very save my Life; I have so often had so fair occasions proposed unto me; And so am guilty of Self-Murther, which is a most grievous and hainous Sin; and though I was last Impeached at the Lords Bar, yet I have great grounds to believe, that I was first brought to Tryal, on the belief, that to save my Life, I would make some great Discovery; And truly so I would, had I known any such thing of any ill Design or Illegal Dangerous Plot, either of my self or any other Person whatso∣ever, without any Exception. But had I a thousand Lives, I would loose them all, rather then Falsly accuse, either my self or any other whatsoever. And if I had known of any Treason, and should thus deny it, as I do now upon my Salvation, at this time, I should have no hope of Salvation, which

now I have through the Merits of Christ Jesus.

I do beseech God to bless his Majesty, who is my Lawful King and Soveraign, whom I was always by all Laws Hu∣mane and Divine, bound to Obey, and I am sure that no power upon Earth, ei∣ther singly or altogether, can legally allow me, or any body else, to lift up a hand against him, or his Legal Authori∣ty. I do hold that the Constitution of the Government of this Kingdom, is the only way to continue peace and quiet∣ness; which God long continue.

Next to Treason, I hold Murther in Abhorrence, and have ever done, and do; And I do sincerely profess, that if I could at this time free my self immedi∣atly, and Establish what Religion I would, and what Government I would, and make my self as great as I could wish, and all by the Death of one of those Fellows, that by their Perjuries have brought me to the place where I am, I so much abhor to be the cause of any Mans death, that I would not any way be the cause of their Murther; how much less would I endeavour the Assas∣sination of his Majesty, whom I hold to be as Gracious a King as ever this or any other Nation had; And under whom the People may enjoy their Liberties, as much as ever any did, And if it please

God to grant him Life and Happiness, according as I have always Wished and Prayed for, I am morally perswaded, that he, and all his Dominions, will be as happy and prosperous as ever People were; Which I beseech God grant.

I do most humbly ask Pardon of the Almighty and All-merciful God, for all the great Offences I have committed a∣gainst his Divine Majesty, and I know he would not have the Death and Con∣fusion of a Sinner, but that he may Re∣pent and Live; In that assurance I hope, knowing he never despiseth a Contrite Heart; And though I have not so fee∣ling a Contrition as I would, yet I have it as well as I can; and I doubt not but that God will accept of the Good Will.

I do desire that all People will for∣give me any Injury that I have done them in any thing, either Wilfully or by Chance, and I do heartily forgive all People in this World that have Injured me; I forgive even those Perjured Men, that so Falsly have brought me hither by their Perjuries.

I do now upon my Death and Salva∣tion aver▪ That I never spoke one word either to Oates or Turbervil, or to my knowledge ever saw them, until my Tryal; And for Dugdale I never spoke unto him of any thing but about a

Foot-boy, or Foot-man, or Foot-race▪ and never was then alone with him; All the Punishment that I wish them, is, that they may repent and acknow∣ledge the Wrong that they have done me; then it will appear how Innocent I am: God forgive them! I have a great Confidence that it please Almighty God, and that he will in a short time bring Truth to Light; then You, and all the World will see, and know what Injury they have done me.

I hope that I have made it appear, that I have some Conscience; for if I had none, certainly I would have sav'd my Life by acknowledging my self Guilty; which I could have done, though I know I am not in the least Guilty▪ And I having some Conscience, make very ill use of it; for I throw my self into Eternal Pain, by thus plainly and constantly denying thus at my Death, the knowledge of what I am accused of in the least.

I have said thus much in discharge of my Concience, and do aver upon my Salvation, what I have said to be re∣ally true.

I shall say little of my Tryal; and whether it were all according to the known Law, I am two much a Party to say much of it; if it were not so, God forgive him or them that were the cause of it.

My Judges were all Persons of Ho∣nour, who were all as much bound to Judge rightly, as if they had been upon Oath upon what was legally proved; And not to Vote but according as in their Consciences they were satisfied; And if any of them did otherwise, upon any account whatsoever, I be∣seech God to forgive them; I do hear∣tily.

I shall end with my hearty Prayers for the happiness of His Majesty, that he may enjoy all happiness in this World, and the World to come; and Govern his People according to the Laws of God, and that the People may be sensible what a Blessing God hath so miraculously given them, and obey him as they ought. I ask Pardon with a prostrate Heart of Almighty God, for all the great Offences that I have committed against his Divine Majesty, and hope through the Merits and Passion of Christ Jesus, to obtain everlasting Happiness, into whose hands I commit my Spirit, asking Pardon of every Person that I have done any wrong to; I do freely for give all that have any ways wrong∣ed me; I do with all the Devotion and Repentance that I can, humbly invoke the mercy of our Blessed Saviour.

I beseech God not to Revenge my In∣nocent Bloud upon the Nation, or on those

that were the cause of it, with my last Breath. I do with my last Breath truly assert my Innocence, and hope the Om∣nipotent All-seeing Just God will deal with me accordingly.

HIS Speech being ended, he deliver∣ed several Written Copies of it to the Sheriffs and others near him, (one of which, Writ with his own hand, he sent to the King,) Then he returned to the middle of the Scaffold, where, en∣compassed by his Catholick Friends: He kneeled down, and reverently making the Sign of the Cross, pronounced aloud, with exceeding Devotion, this follow∣ing Prayer.

AGnosco (Domine Jesu) pecca∣ta mea, multa & magna, pro quibus timeo; sed spero in misericordiâ & miserati∣onibus tuis, quarum non est numerus; Secundum igitur magnam misericordiam tuam miserere m••i, & secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum dele iniquitatem meam. Si Peccata mea magna sunt, major est mi∣sericordia tua: Si mult••ae, inf••itae sunt miserationes tuae: Si ego commisi, unde me possis condemnare, Tunon amisisti, un∣de potes, & soles salvare. Credenti in potentiâ tuá, & dicenti, Domine si vis,

potes me mundare, tu statim respon∣disti: Volo; mundare: Credo, quod ip∣se credidit: Spero quod ipse speravit: Im∣ploro quod ipse imploravit. Dic igitur animae meae, Salus tua ego sum: Sana me, Domine Jesu, & sanabor: Salv∣um me fac, & salvus ero, & misericor∣dias tuas in aeternum cantabo. Ne pro∣jicias me igitur a faciê tuâ, & Spi∣ritum sanctum tuum ne auferas à me: Sed redde mihi laetitiam Salutaris tui, & Spiritu principali confirma me. Tu dixisti, dulcissime Jesu, Convertimini ad me, & ego convertar ad vos: Ego me, ex toto corde meo, ex totâ animâ, ex totâ mente me â, converto ad te: Converte te igitur misericordissime, ad indignum sa∣mulum tuum quem pretioso sanguine rede∣misti. Tu dixisti, Omnis qui confite∣bitur me, coram hominibus confitebor, & ego eum coram Patre meo, qui in coelis est. Ego te, & sanctam tuam Re∣ligionem Catholicam vivens confiteor, & moriens, adjuvante gratiâ tuâ, confitebor: dignare me igitur suscipere, & confiteri coram patre tuo, qui in Coelis est. In tuâ promissione, non in meâ justitiâ confido. Vitam quam dedisti mihi, libenter tibi reddo secundum beneplacitum tuum: In manus tuas commendo Spiritum meum, qui moriens Spiritum tuum in aeterni Patris manus commendasti. In face igitur, in id ipsum dormiam & requiescam, quoni∣am

tu Domine, singulariter in spe consti∣tuisti me. Amen, Jesu, Amen.

Englished thus.

I Acknowledge (O Lord Jesus) my Sins to be many, and great, for which I am affraid; but I hope in thy mercy, and commiserations which are without number. Have mercy therefore on me according to thy great mercy, and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out mine iniquity. If my Sins be great, thy mercy is greater; If many, thy Commiserations are infinite. If I have committed that, for which thou mayest Condemn me, thou hast not lost that, by which thou canst, and art accustomed to Save. To him, that believed in thy Power, and said, O Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean; Thou presently answe∣redst, I will; Be thou clean: I believe, what he believed, I hope, for what he hoped, I Implore, what he Implored. Say therefore to my Soul, I am thy Sal∣vation; Heal Me, O Lord Jesus, and I shall be healed; Save Me, and I shall be saved, and I will Sing forth thy Mercy for all Eternity. Cast me not therefore away from thy Face, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me, But render me the joy of thy Salvation, and

with thy Principal Spirit Confirm Me. Thou hast said, O most Sweet Jesus, Turn to Me, and I will turn to You: I turn myself to Thee with my whole Heart, with my whole Soul, with my whole Mind; Turn thy self therefore (O most Merciful) unto me, thy un∣worthy Servant, whom thou hast re∣deemed with thy most Precious Bloud. Thou hast said, Every one who shall con∣fess me before Men, I will confess him be∣fore my Father which is in Heaven. I, Living Confess thee, and thy Holy Ca∣tholick Religion, and through thy Holy Grace will confess thee Dying; Vouch∣safe therefore to Receive and Confess me before thy Father which is in Hea∣ven. I confide in thy Promise, not in my own Justice; The Life, thou hast given me, I willingly render thee ac∣cording to thy good pleasure. Into thy Hands I commend my Spirit, who dying didst commend thy Spirit into the Hands of thy Eternal Father In peace therefore, in that one thing, will I Sleep and Rest; because thou, O Lord, hast singularly Established me in hope. Amen, JESƲS, A∣men.

TO this Prayer he adjoyned several other Pious Ejaculations, where∣in with singular Compunction, and a∣boundance of Tears; he Implored the Divine Mercy and Pardon for his Sins past; He recommended his Soul to his dear Redeemer Jesus; He blessed his Holy Name: And offered his Life to him, a w••lling Sacrifice of Gratitude, Piety, and Love.

Remaining still on his knees, he a∣gain protested his Innocence with all the asseverations a dying Christian is ca∣pable to make. Then rising up, he a second time saluted the People, and walking to each side of the Scaffold, told them: They had as good and graci∣ous a King as ever Reigned. He earnest∣ly exhorted them to be faithful and con∣stant in their Allegiance to him. And that no pretence whatsoever should with∣draw them from their Duty. He wish∣ed with a feeling resentment, that none might be less Loyal to his Majesty then he had been. And it was very remark∣able in him: He never seemed trans∣ported with any fervours, or Extasies, but either in his Prayers to God, or in his expressions of Loyalty to the King; Then indeed he was all Flame, and

you might read in his very Eyes, the tender Emotions, and Zeal of his heart: He likewise assured them upon his Sal∣vation, he knew no design the Duke of York ever had against the King, But that he had behaved himself for ought he knew, as a loving Loyal Brother ought to do; Then he again declared his own Innocence, and desired the Prayers of all good Christians for him; He Prayed to God heartily to bless the King, and preserve him from his Ene∣mies; To bless the Nation; To bless, and be with them all there present, e∣specially the Kings Loyal Subjects; He begged Gods Mercy and Pardon for his Sins; He asked forgiveness of all, and forgave all; beseeching the Divine goodness not to Revenge his Innocent Bloud upon the whole Kingdom; No, not upon those by whose Perjuries he was brought thither, to whom he wished from his Heart no other hurt, then that they should repent, and tell truth.

Whilst he thus professed his Loyalty, his Innocence, his Piety; Most that heard him were touched with a sensible Compassion for him; Some, as he Spoke, put off their Hats, and Bowed to him, in sign they Accorded to what he said▪ Others by distinct Acclamati∣ons answered, We believe you my Lord;

God bless you my Lord: Pray God forgive him his Sins, &c.

In this conjuncture a Protestant Mini∣ster accosted him, saying, Have you re∣ceived no Indulgences from the Romish-Church? Have you received no Absolu∣tion? To which my Lord answered▪ What have you to do with my Religion? However I do say, the Roman Catholick Church allows of no Indulgences or Dis∣pensations, Authorizing Treason, Mur∣der, Lying, or Forswearing; Nor have I received any Absolution for such ends. Pray do not trouble your self, nor me.

Then turning from the Parson, he ap∣plyed himself to his Friends about him, whom he lovingly embraced, and with a pleasant Voice and Aspect, Bid them adieu, for this World. Next he deli∣vered his Watch, two Rings off his Fin∣gers, his Staff, and his Crucifix about his Neck, as Legacies to several Friends; He desired the Sheriffs that such Persons as he nominated might have leave (without the Executioners Intermeddling) to assist him, and to take care of his Body, which was ac∣cordingly done: And his Gentleman Stripping him of his Coat and Peruke, put on his head a Silk Cap, and accom∣modated his Hair, Shirt, and Waist∣coat, for the Execution. And he now being ready for Death, both in Body

and Mind, he chearfully submitted himself to the Block, before which first kneeling down, and making the Sign of the Cross, he recommended himself with raptures of Devotion to the Di∣vine Mercy and Goodness: After this, he lay down as it were to try the Block. And then (who could imagine it?) with a Stupendious Courage, embraced the fatal Wood, as the dear Basis, or Point, from whence his Soul was now to take its flight to Immortal Glory. The Heads-man put him in mind, that his Shirt and Waistcoat came too high: Whereupon he raised himself up upon his Knees, and bid his Gentleman cut them lower. Whilst this was p••rform∣ing, he was heard continually to breath forth several Acts of Prayer, as Sweet Jesus receive my Soul; Into thy hands O Lord I commend my Spirit, &c. When his Gentleman had finished; He again laid down his head upon the Block, per∣severing still his Prayer, and expecting the suddain and dismal arrest of Death, with a courage (say the Papists) Di∣vinely Elevated, a constancy more then humane. No change in his Countenance; no Quaking, or Trembling in any one Joynt of his Body, could be discerned. Thus he lay, or rather quietly rested, upon the very Brink, between Time and Eternity, a good space; Till at length

finding the Head's man delayed the Ex∣ecution of his Office; He once more rai∣sed himself up upon his Knees, and with an aspect, Grave, (but still serene and lively) asked, Why they staid? It was answered, For a Sign; What Sign will you give Sir? He replyed, None at all; Take your own time; God••s will he done, I am ready. The Head's man said, I hope you will forgive me, He answered, I do. Then Blessing himself again with the Sign of the Cross, he reposed his Head upon the Block, never more to lift it up, in this Mortal State.

The Head's man took the Ax in his hand, and after a short pause, Elevated it on high, as it were to take aim, and set it down again. A second time he did so, and Sighed. The third time he gave the Fatal Blow, which severed my Lords Head from his Body, save only a small part of the Skin and Wind-pipe, which was immediatly cut off with a Knife.

The Body after Seperation from the Head, Trembled a little, and Stirred no more. The Head was received into a Black Silk Scarf, by two of my Lord's Friends, and retained by them, till the Sheriff called for it, and commanded the Executioner to hold it up to the view of the Multitude; The which he did, at the four Corners of the Scaffold; Cry∣ing aloud, This is the Head of a Traytor.

But however, the People had been for∣merly possessed with prejudice both a∣gainst my Lord's Practices and Princi∣ples; Yet now, they made no Accla∣mations at the sight of the Ploud-drop∣ing Head, nor seemed much taken with the Jollity of the Spectacle; Some went away with Confusion and Remorse, for their past hard censure of him; Others conceived strange apprehensions and fears of God's Judgements ensuing Perjury, and Bloud-shed. Some again said, My Lord was Drunk with Brandy; Others said; Verily This was a just Man. The Papists who best knew his Innocence; And who looking upon themselves as in some measure Parties in his Sufferings; be∣held this whole Tragedy with most ten∣der Resentments. They regarded him as a Victim of Religion and Innocence. They mutually accompanied him with their Prayers, and Supplications to God in his behalf. They seemed to receive new Comfort and Courage from his Christian Magnanimity. They Wept; They Smiled; They Sympathized with him, both in his Dolours and Joye••. They Blessed and Praised Almighty God for his goodness to Him, and to Them, in Him. They Glorified his Holy Name, who often sheweth the strength of his Power, in the weakest Subjects. In fine, many did, (and still do.) believe, the peculiar

grace, and presence of Cod's Spirit, had some Effect, and Influence upon all in a manner that saw him; And few there were of his Religion, who did not wish themselves in his Place.

No sooner was Execution done, but the Sun, (which before was obscured, and secluded from our sight,) on a sud∣dain dissipating the Clouds, sent forth it's Clear and Illustrious Beams; Upon which accident, different Parties have since made different Reflections; My Lord's Adversaries say, The Sun before frowned at Popish Guilt, but seemed pleased when Justice was done. The Pa∣pists say, The Heavens Mourned and were ashamed, and unwilling to be Specta∣tors at the Shedding of Innocent Bloud; but appeared in Joy, and Splendour, at the Reception of a New and Glorious In∣habitant into their Coelestial Mansions.

When the Head had been publickly exposed, it was returned back into the Silk Scarf, held by a Youth that had waited upon my Lord, and so laid into the Coffin together with the Body vest∣ed. (For out of Modesty my Lord had desired he might not be stripped naked on the Scaffold.) In the interim, divers Persons threw up their Handkerchiefs, to have them dipt in my Lords Bloud, wherein some were Gratified, and others had their Handkerchiefs thrown with Derision over the Scaffold••.

After this the Coffin was taken down from off the Scaffold by several Bearers, and by them carried to the Bounds of the Tower, where a Velvet Herse-cloath being spread over it, It was carried in order to its Interment into the Tower; A place (say the Papists) as it hath been Enobled by his Sufferings, so will it remain to future Ages, a Triumphal Monument of his Fortitude, and Vi∣ctory.

Thus Lived, thus Dyed this Famous Nobleman, to whose Memory I shall only adde, of my own, That if his Cause was Innocent, and his Religion wrongfully Traduced, He is Happy, and we unfortunate by his untimely Death.

1 Ep. Cor. Cap. 15. Verse 54.

Absorpta est Mors in Victoriâ.

Notes

• Psal. 51.12.
• Math 8.23.
• Psal. 36.3. Jer. 17.14.
• Psal. 89.2 Ps. 50.13.14
• Zach. 1.3.
• 1 Pet. 1.19. 1 Jo. 1.7.
• Mat. 10.32.
• Luke 23 46.
• Psal. 4.9. and 10.
• Luk. 23.48.