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...

15. Captain Abraham Ansley's Last Speech.

I AM come to pay a Debt to Nature; 'tis a Debt that all must pay, though some after one manner, and some after another. The way that I pay it, may be thought by some few ignominious, but not so by me; having long since, as a true English-man, thought it my Duty to venture my Life in defence of the Protestant Religion against Popery and Arbitrary Power: For this same purpose I came from my House to the Duke of Monmouth's Army: At first I was a Lieutenant, and then a Captain, and I was in all the Action the Foot was engaged in, which I do not repent: For had I a Thousand Lives, they should all have been engaged in the same Cause, although it has pleased the wise God (for Reasons best known to himself) to blast our Designs; but he will deliver his People by ways we know nor think not of: I might have saved my Life, if I would have done as some narrow-soul'd Persons have done, by impeaching others; but I abhor such ways of Deliverance, choosing rather to suffer Affliction with the People of God, than to enjoy Life with Sin. As to my Religion, I own the way and Practice of the In∣dependant Church, and in that Faith I die, depending on the Merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, for my Eternal Salvation: His Blessing be with you all. Farewel to thee, poor England, Fare∣wel.