A compleat history of the most remarkable providences both of judgment and mercy, which have hapned in this present age extracted from the best writers, the author's own observations, and the numerous relations sent him from divers parts of the three kingdoms : to which is added, whatever is curious in the works of nature and art / the whole digested into one volume, under proper heads, being a work set on foot thirty years ago, by the Reverend Mr. Pool, author of the Synopsis criticorum ; and since undertaken and finish'd, by William Turner...

13. The Last Speech of Henry Boddy, Executed at Bath.

WHile he was in Prison, especially after Sentence, he behaved himself mighty humble, meek, and was much in Meditation, which was observed by several Divines, especially one who attended him to his last, his Name Mr. Simpson. His poor Wife coming to see him at Wells and to make her Interest with some Friends, if possible to save his Life; but finding it lost Labour, and that she could by no means prevail, she died there for grief, before her Husband was Executed, to his great grief. When he came to the Place of Execution, he delivered him∣self to the People in these Words:

GOod People, I am come here to pay a Debt due to Nature, which every one, one time or another, must pay, though not in this manner, or nature. I am condemned as a Traytor and Rebel against my King, which were things I always hated and abhorred; and therefore give me so much time as to deliver my self to you; and what I say, I hope you will believe me at this time, being just going to give an Account, not only for every idle word, but for all things I have done since I have had a Being.

I was Born in Lyme-Regis in the County of Dorses, and bred up a Seaman from my Infancy; I have had the Honour to serve His Majesty King Charles the Second, in his Wars with the Dutch and French, divers times. I always thought it to be the Duty of every true English-man to stand up in his Country's Quarrel with Foreigners, to maintain our Ancient Privileges and Honour of our Nation. I served him faithfully: And as for my Undertaking now with the late Duke of Monmouth, for which I am now come to suffer Death; As for my Designs, I am sure they were good, for I did believe him to be my Soveraign's Son and Heir; but if otherwise, I have done amiss, and am sorry, and hope the Lord hath pardoned it. While I was in Arms, I am sure there's none can say, I have personally wronged them. I desire all your Prayers for me to the last. I am no Orator, therefore if you please (speaking to the Minister) do these last Spi∣ritual Services for me, as for to Pray with me, and for me. The Minister being much taken with him, desired leave of the Sheriff to ask him some Questions; which being granted, the Minister said unto him, I must make bold with you, but not to hold you too long before I Pray, but to satisfie my self and the People on what ground you stand; I mean, as concerning your everlasting state. Now, pray resolve me a few things: First, Whether you do own that Doctrine of Non-resistance, owned by the Church, That it is not Lawful on any Account whatsoever, to take up Arms against the King? O Sir! as to that I answer, Could I have been satisfied he had been my Lawful Prince, I should not have done it. But, said the Minister, he is, and you are not to be Judge; except you own those things, some People will hardly have Charity for you after you are dead. What matters that? said he, would you have me, now you put me so close to it, to lye? No, I will not. I say, if he was my Lawful King, I was misled in my Judgment, and have committed a great Error; but, Lord, I hope thou hast washed away all my sins, in and through the Blood of my dear Redeemer, in whose alone Merits I hope for Mercy. I desire to be asked no more Questions. Then the Minister prayed very devoutly near half an hour; after which, lifting up his Hands and Eyes to Heaven, he quietly submitted to Death.