ness that abounds, and appears so scandalously bare-faced every where, gives too just occasion to fear the worst thing that can befal a people. I pray God prevent it, and give those who have showed a concern for the public good, and have appeared hearty for the true interest of the nation, and the Protestant religion, grace to live so, that they may not cast a reproach on that which they endeavoured to advance, which (God knows) has often given me sad thoughts; and I hope such of my friends as may think they are touched by this, will not take what I say in ill part, but will endeavour to amend their ways, and live suitable to the rules of the true reformed religion, which is the only thing that can administer true comfort at the latter end, and relieve a man when he comes to die. "As for my present condition, I bless God I have no repining in my heart at it. I know, for my sins, I have deserved much worse at the hands of God; so that I cheerfully submit to so small a punishment as the being taken off a few years sooner, and the being made a spectacle to the world. I do freely forgive all the world, particularly those concerned in taking away my life; and I desire and conjure all my friends to think of no revenge, but to submit to the holy will of God, into whose hands I resign myself' entirely. "But to look back a little: I cannot but give some touch about the Bill of Exclusion, and show the reason of my appearing in that business, which, in short, is this,—that I thought the nation in such danger of Popery, and that the expectations of a Popish successor (as I have said in Parliament) put the King's life likewise in much danger, that I saw no way so effectual to secure both, as such a bill. As to the limitations that were proposed, if they were sincerely offered, and had passed into a law, the Duke then should have been excluded from the power of a King, and the government quite altered, and little more than the name of a King left; so I could not see either sin or fault in the one, when all the people were willing to admit of the other; but thought it better to have a King with his prerogative, and the nation easy and safe under him, than a King without it, which would breed perpetual jealousies and a continual struggle. All this I say only to justify myself, not to inflame others, though I cannot but think my earnestness in that matter has had no small influence in my present sufferings. But I have now done with this world, and am going to a kingdom which cannot be moved. "And as to the conspiring to seize the guards which is the crime for which I am condemned, and which is made a constructive treason, for taking away the King's life, to bring it within the statute of Edw. III., I shall give this true and clear account:-I never was at Mr. Sheppard's with that company but once, and there was no undertaking then of securing or seizing the guards, nor any appointed to view or examine them. Some discourse there was of the feasibleness of it; and several times by accident, in general discourse elsewhere, I have heard it mentioned as a thing might easily be done, but never consented to as a thing fit to be done. And I remember particularly, at my Lord Shaftesbury's, there being some general discourse of this kind, I immediately flew out and exclaimed against it; and asked, if the thing succeeded, what must be done next, but mastering the guards, and killing them in cold blood? which I looked upon as a detestable thing, and so like a popish practice, that I could not but abhor it. And at the same time the Duke of Monmouth took me by the hand, and told me very kindly, My lord, I see you and I are of a temper; did you ever hear so horrid a thing?" And I must needs do him justice to declare, that I ever observed in him an abhorrence of all base things. "As to my going to Mr. Sheppard's, I went with an intention to taste sherry; for he had promised to reserve for me the next very good piece he met with when I went out of town; and if he recollects himself, he may remember I asked him about it, and he went and fetched a bottle; but when I tasted it, I said it was hot in the mouth, and desired, that whenever he met with a choice piece, he would keep it for me, which he promised. I enlarge the more upon this, because Sir George Jeffreys insinuated to the jury, as if I had made a story about going thither; but I never said that was the only reason. I will now truly and plainly add the rest. "I was, the day before this meeting, come to town for two or three days, as I had done once or twice before, having a very near and dear relation lying in a languishing and desperate condition; and the Duke of Monmouth came to me, and told me, he was extremely glad I was come to town, for my Lord Shaftesbury, and some hot men, would undo us all. How so, my lord? (I said) Why (answered he) they will certainly do some disorderly thing or other, if great care be not taken; and therefore, for God's sake, use your endeavour with your friends to prevent any thing of this kind. He told me that there would be company at Mr. Sheppard's that night, and desired me to be at home in the evening, and he would call on me; which he did. And when I came into the room, I saw Mr. Rumsey by the chimney, though he swears, he came in after : wards; and there were things said by some, with much more heat than judgment, which I did sufficiently disapprove and yet for these things I stand condemned; but, I thank God, my part was sincere and well meant. It is, I know, inferred from hence, and pressed to me, that I was acquainted with these heats and ill designs, and did not discover them. But this could be but misprision of treason, at most; so I die innocent of the crime I stand condemned for. I hope no body will imagine that so mean a thought should enter into me, as to go about to save myself by accusing others: the part that some have acted lately of that kind, has not been such as to invite me to love life at such a rate. "As for the sentence of death passed upon me, I cannot but think it a very hard one; for nothing was sworn against me (whether true or false I will not now examine), but some discourses about making some stirs; and this is not levying war against the King, which is treason by the statute of Edward III., not the consulting and discoursing about it, which was all that is witnessed against me; but, by a strange fetch, the design of seizing the guards was construed a design of killing the King; and so I was in that cast. "And now I have truly and sincerely told what my part was in that which cannot be more |