A new martyrology, or, The bloody assizes now exactly methodizing in one volume comprehending a compleat history of the lives, actions, trials, sufferings, dying speeches, letters, and prayers of all those eminent Protestants who fell in the west of England and elsewhere from the year 1678 ... : with an alphabetical table ... / written by Thomas Pitts.

The ••as•• Sp••ech of Dr. Temple of Notting∣ham, at the place of Execution.

DOctor Temple was one of them that Landed with the Duke, and was his Chief Physician and Chyrurgeon; he lived in Nottingham, but minding to see other parts of the World, (as I have heard) goe•• for Holland, where he came ac∣quainted with the Duke of Monmouth, concerning which he thus spoke, just as he was going off the Ladder.

Christian Friends, and dear Countrymen,

I Have somewhat to say, and not very much, before I depart from you, and shall be seen no more. And,

First, As to my Engagment with the Duke of Monmouth.

Secondly, How far I was concerned: And, Thirdly, I shall leave all of you to be Judges in mat∣t••r of Fact: And so for the

First, As a Dying Man I now declare, that when I entred my self with the Duke of Monmouth, to be his Chyrurgeon, it was on no other account but to serve him in the West-Indies; where I kn••w no other de∣sign whatsoever, but to possess himself of some of those Islands, until I had been at S••a two days, wherein one privately told me, We are absolut••ly bound for England, and I should take it from him it was true: It much surprized me, but knowing no way to avoid it, or to get on shore, though it was at that time contrary to my Inclinations, if I could have a∣voided it; I would not l••t others see that I had that dissatisfaction within me. After our Landing at Lyme, I knew it was never the nearer to attempt my escape, the Country being so beset; on the other hand, if the Duke of Monmouth did win the day, I might have raised my Fortunes as high as I could expect: These were the Arguments that Flesh and Blood did create in my Breast for self-preservation. While I was with the said Duke, I did him as much Service as I could, and faithfully: After it pleased God to disperse that Army under his Command, I endeavour'd to secure my self, but by Providence was taken at Honiton, from thence committed to Exon, and after remov••d to Dorchester, where I received my Sentence, and am now as you see, just going to Execution: the Lord prevent all of you from such ignominious Deaths; and I advise you all, that you never take any great thing in hand, but what you have a Warrant for from the Lord: I assure you I had no satisfaction in this; but this I am sure, that if I have done any thing amiss in it, it is pardoned: I bless God I have that satisfaction, I di•• a Professor of the Church of England, I desire Pardon of all those I have any ways wronged or abused, as I freely

forgive all those that have wronged or abused me; I am in Charity with all men. Lord have mercy up∣on me, give me strength to go through these pains, & give me full assurance now at this last moment: Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Also one Samuel Robbins of Charmouth in the County of Dorset, that was Executed, or rather murthered, at Warham, in the said County: I cannot pass him by in silence, his Case being so ex••raordinary hard, that to speak moderately be∣twixt the King and his Case, I do say this, that I verily believe nev••r man suffered innocenter; as I hope you will be satisfied in after you have heard his Crime, and on what small grounds he was Guilty, or so supposed by my Lord Chief Justice.

He used generally in the Summer to use the Craft of Fishing, to get a competent maintenance for his Family, and happened to be out at Sea a-Fishing before Lyme, that day the Duke came in to Land; and was commanded on board one of the Duke's Ships, he not knowing who they were, and they bought his Fish of him; after which they told him that was the Duke of Monmouth, pointing at him, and that he was just going to Land: He desired to go on shore, which was re∣fused, and told, that as soon as the Duke was land∣ed he should have his Liberty; so accordingly he came on shore, and was never after with him, or ever took up Arms under him: I leave the Reader to judge whether this was High Treason or no. This was all he was guilty of, except that he was a good honest Men, a zealous Christian a man of a very good Life and Conversation, as I think his Neighbours will attest it, in most Towns and Pa∣rishes

where he lived: But alas he had a good Book in his House when taken, called, The Solemn League and Covenant: This was the High Treason he must be guily of, which was aggravated to the Lord Chief Justice, by one or two hot Spirits his Neighbours. But to be short, he received his Sen∣tence of Death with great ••ourage, and not at all dismayed, saying very often in Prison before, If it pleased God to call him now (to glorifie his Name by this Providence of his) to Death, he should be ready; but (said he) I am as innocent of any thing I have done against any man that may deserve this punish∣ment, as the Child now unborn. When he came to the place of Execution, he very chearfully decla∣red his Innocency to the Spectators, as before, and so praying very devoutly for some time, he was Executed: His Prayer I have no exact Copy of.

Also one Mr. Charles Speake of London, a Gentle∣man of good Extraction, being Son to the Wor∣shipful George Speake Esq near Illminster in the Coun∣ty of Somerset, where he was Executed: His Case also was extraordinary hard; but there may be two great Reasons given why he was Executed; The first was, Because he came from that good Pious Family, which always have been Opposers to Popery, and suffered deeply for their Courage that way. Secondly, The said Mr. Charles Speake had purchased some great place in the Kings Bench-or Common-Pleas, which was very profitable to him; so that by his Fall there being a Forfeiture, much money may be made of it; all intercession could not avail with the L. C. J. for his Life. He h••ppened to be at Illminster at the time of the

Dukes being there, which was the greatest Crime he was guilty of; the Validity of his Evidence I leave to those in the West, which know how far it was carried that way. He was a fine Courteous loving Gentleman; and notwith∣standing his Youth, he acted the part of an old Christian Soldier at his Death, preparing himself to undergo those pains, saying very often,

They were nothing to his Deserts from God Almighty; but as for what I am accused of, and Sentenc'd for, I hope you will believe I am not so guilty, as my Judge and Accusers have endeavour'd to make me: If it had pleased God, I should have been willing to have li∣ved some time longer, but God's time being come, I am willing, I will be contented to drink this bitter Cup off.

Being at the place of Execution, the croud was so great, that I suppose he was shorter than o∣therwise he would have been; but alas! how could it be? for on every side of him, as well as up and down the Town, the Inhabitants were weeping and bewail∣ing him: Oh' tis the worst day that ever we saw in this Town! Must this good Gentleman die here? Oh! yet save his Life, I am ready to die for him, and the like. He prayed very heartily for near an hour, and sung a Psalm, and so we hope was translated to Heaven, there to sing everlasting Praises and Hallelujahs. His Father and Mother you may ea∣sily judge were not a little concerned about him; but their Adversaries malice ended not here, but Father and Mother must be brought in, and how many thousands of Pounds it cost them, I think is too well known in London; and most Parts of the Kingdom have heard in the Publick Letters their names mentioned. Some may think they were con∣cerned

with the Duke, but I never heard there was so much made appear against them, as could have made them been brought in guilty of High Misdemeanours: had not the Good Gentleman and his Lady been vertuous People, abho••ring the Debaucheries of the times, and of such a com∣petent Estate, able to spare ten or twelve thou∣sand pounds; the hard usage this honest brave Gen∣tleman and his vertuous Lady had, and their suf∣ferings, to relate th••m, would be to large; and besides, it is so well known in most places, in the West, that I shall, without saying any more, proceed.

And next for Mr. Parret, who was executed at Taunton; if I mistake not, he said he was a Lon∣doner, and a Brewer. When he came to the place of Execution, he seemed a Man almost unconcern∣ed at Death. After some time, he began to deli∣ver himself somewhat low in voice to the People, and after rising by degrees, he seemed more like a Minister in a Pulpit preaching devoutly, than a prisoner just going to Execution; but I being then not well, could not tarry to see his End. But the Character I had, was,

That he desired all not to be faint-hearted because of their fall, and to think that there was no hopes remaining. He said, He verily believed God would yet work out deliver∣ence for them, and at the time they were in the greatest Extremity, that would be God's Opportu∣nity. Put your whole trust and confidence, and de∣pendence on the Lord, and he will never leave you nor forsake you:

and much more; but having no more exact Copy, I shall not enlarge, but come to some other.