The confession of Mr. Humphrey Marston, and his speech at the place of execution in Aldersgate-street on Munday last, being the 21 of August, 1654.: With a narrative of the whole transactions of the business, in relation to his tryal, charge, conviction, and condemnation. The name of him who betrayed him: and the manner how he disputed Canon house near Windsor, with a great party of horse before he was taken.

An exact Relation of the Life and Death of Mr. Marston, who received the fatal sentence at the Sessions in the Old Bay∣ley, to be hanged by the neck til he was dead, in Aldersgate street, on Munday the 21 of this instant August: Toge∣ther with his speech at the place of exe∣cution.

THere is a Maxim, That the Law delighteth in certainty, and it doth abandon incertainty, as the Mo∣ther of all debate and confusion; then which, there is nothing more odious in Law; for God himself ruleth by Law, E∣ternal, Moral, and Natural; they have cer∣tainty

in them, and he ruleth not other∣wise, or contrary to them. And can it be imagined, that there is a Mortal living, that wil think it a diminution to his honour, if men chuse the Law for their Sanctuary, ra∣ther then their changeable Affections, and mutable Wil and Pleasure?

But we shall not insist upon any thing by way of Circumstance; but rather interwove his life and conversation, with his present sufferings, to wit, He was a Gentleman of known and faithful integrity to the Weal-publike of this Nation: No∣thing too dear did he prize, to purchase his Coun∣tries liberty from tyranny and slavery: No meanes was left unassayed for the recovering of the Free∣born people of England from the Norman Yoke; And nothing did he esteem, or hold in competiti∣on less, than the exposing of his life and fortunes, for the regaining of his Native Countries Liberties. For, as he was a cordial and precious Christian, free from the wicked and abominable Vices of swear∣ing, drinking, defrauding, &c. so was he souldier of a most magnanimous and puissant spirit, never

dreading the face of th…… 〈…〉〈…〉 Enemy that ever durst attempt a Charge ……t him; but alwayes laying of himself forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Common-cause of publike freedom. And whereas some are pleased to give out, that he was apprehended for Clipping and Coyning, it appears evident to the contrary, by the Sentence of Death pronounced against him at the Sessions in the Old-bayley, where no such Bill of Indictment was exhibited against him; nor no process in Law, but onely upon the Account of killing the two Messengers in Aldersgate-street; which he did in his own defence; as appears by the subsequent matter in his speech following. And as it may seem strange to many, how he came now to be apprehended, the Work being done about 4 years ago: The truth on't is, it was revived and discovered by one Barefoot, who had incur'd the displeasure of Authority, and should (probably) have dyed for it; but onely a pardon was granted upon the revealing of this Gentleman: In pursu∣ance whereof, a pa ty of horse were sent to Canon house to apprehend him, (where many blows past between them) and from thence brought up to Newgate, most amen ably shot and mortified; and at the Sessions tryed, convicted, and condemned, to be hang'd in Aldersgate-street, where he made this ensuing Speech.

The Speech.

Gentlemen,

I Am this day brough hither to my place of marriage, where (within the space of few minutes) I doubt not but I shall be espous'd and wedded to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and there to sing Hallelujah with the Saints in Heaven, who languish & mourn at the selfish and by-ends of the Creature here on earth; for indeed Injustice discontents a people, and Discontents are the ordinary foundations that Changes are laid upon: And as for my part, pro∣sperity I wish to this Common-wealth, and freely forgive all those who have been Instrumental to make me an Actor of so strange a Tragidy, and Theatre of Death; However, I doubt not, but pro∣vidence will inable, support, and assist me, to act my part both as a Souldier and a Christian; for why should I fear that, which I have often lookt in the

face: No Gentlemen 〈…〉〈…〉 dread not, neither do I fear what man can 〈…〉〈…〉 ……nst me: But some there are who thirst after my blood, and much good may it do them, the quantity will not be great. But alas! to have it taken f••om me upon the score of Murder, I do here protest my innocency; and that what I did upon that account, was in my own de∣fence; as appears thus Gentlemen: Upon the co∣ming of those three parties to me, whom I knew not, I demanded what they were, and from whence they came; but they denied me a Resolve, and one of them on a sudden steps to me, and sets his pistol to my breast, saying that I was his prisoner, and must go before the Council of State: whereupon I lifted up my harm, mounted his pistol, and it im∣mediatly fired over my should: which I perceiv∣ing forced my passage from them all; and so esca∣ped; But as for the committing of mulder wilfully and violently, it was a thing I ever detested; for I do profess unto you Gentlemen, here in the pre∣sence of Almighty God, that I never wronged man woman, or child, of a peny in all my dayes; I never was guilty of the blood of any man, but in the pub∣like Cause of this Nation, which was to preserve & maintain the fundamental Law of the Land, the

glory of the Gospel 〈…〉〈…〉 Freedoms of the peo∣ple; The which, with hearts imploring, and hands listed up to the most high God, both I, and many thousands in the Army, have vowed to maintain and keep inviolably; the Lord forgive them that have acted to the contrary. And so farewel Gentle∣men all.

Having ended his speech, he took his leave of his friends, and with a smiling countenance embraced the Rope, being not in the least dauted or terrified at Death; but cheerfully undergoing this great and transitory Change from a Guard of Halberts, to a Guard of Angels.

And from this place of Execution, he was car∣ryed to the three Horse-shooes in Goswel street; and from thence on Tuesday the 22 instant, to the new Church yard of Bethel, being accompanied by divers friends, to attend the Corps.

THE END.