ANother eminent Person that suffered with him at the same time and place, was one Mr. Smith, who was Constable of Chardstock, who having some Monies in his Hands that belonged to the Militia, which came to the knowledge of some of the Duke's Friends, they obliged him to deliver it to them, which he was forced to deliver; and for this was Indicted for High Treason, in assisting the Duke of Monmouth. To which he pleaded Not Guilty. The Evidence against him were the same with those that had been against Mr. Bragg. The said Mr. Smith informed the Court and the Jury, what little Credit ought to be given to the Evidence. The Lord Chief Justice thundred at him, saying, Thou Villain, methinks I see thee already with a Halter about thy Neck; thou impudent Rebel, to challenge these Evidences that are for the King. To which the Prisoner reply'd very boldly, My Lord, I now see which way I am going, and right or wrong I must die; but this I comfort my self with, That your Lordship can only destroy my Body; it is out of your power to touch my Soul. God forgive your Rashness: Pray, my Lord, know it is not a small matter you are about; the Blood of a Man is more precious than the whole World.— And then was stopped from saying any more. The Evidences being heard, a strict Charge was given the Jury about him. To be short, the Jury brought him in Guilty; so that he with the rest received the Sentence of Death all together, and were Executed on Monday; but by particular Order from my Lord, he was ordered to be first Executed. The Day being come for Execution, being Monday, he, with a Courage undaunted, was brought to the Place, where with Christian Exhortations to his Brethren that suffered with him, he was ordered to prepare, being the first to be Executed; where he spake as followeth.
CHristian Friends, I am now, as you see, launching into Eternity; so that it may be expected I should speak something, before I leave this miserable World, and pass through those Suf∣ferings which are dreadful to Flesh and Blood; which indeed shall be but little, because I long to be before a just Judge, where I must give an Account, not only for the Occasion of my Suf∣ferings, now, but for Sins long unrepented of, which indeed hath brought me to this dismal Place and shameful Death. And truly, dear Country-men, having ransacked my Soul, I can∣not find my small Concern with the Duke of Monmouth, doth deserve this heavy Judgment on me; but I know, as I said before, it is for Sins long unrepented of. I die in Charity with all Men; I desire all of you to bear me witness, I die a true Professor of the Church of England; beseeching the Lord still to stand up in the Defence of it. God forgive my passionate Judges, and cruel and hasty Jury; God forgive them, they know not what they have done. God bless the King; and though his Judges had no Mercy on me, I wish he may find Mercy when he standeth most in need of it. Make him, O Lord, a nursing Father to the Church; let Mercy flow abundantly from him, if it be thy Will, to those poor Prisoners, to be hereafter tried; and, Lord, if it be thy holy Will, stop this issue of Christian Bood, and let my guiltless Blood be the last spilt on this account. Gentlemen, all Farewel: Farewel all the Things of the World.—Then singing some few Verses of a Psalm, and putting up some private Ejaculations to him∣self, said, O Lord, into thy hands I commend my Spirit; and so submitted to the Executioner, September the 7th. 1685.