/ 
 
 DA 447.J4B47 ""'""''"' '*^^^^ 
 ., Blopdy assizes. 
 
 JAN i 
 
 3 1924 024 892 972 
 
JlUlULiiUi 
 
 r^^K.r ^AHe.£. 
 
 :^SS£i^ 
 
 ^SSS^QS^^^^^^Jf^g^ 
 
 B&inbutgb: 
 E. & G. GOLDSMID. 
 
 1890. 
 
i 
 
 I 
 
 THE 
 
 Bloody Assizes: 
 
 Or, A C O M P L E A T 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 O F T H E 
 
 LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 (t^eorge 3Lort) Jeffertes, 
 
 FROM 
 
 His Birth to this Present Time. 
 
 WHEREIN, 
 Among other things, is given a true Account of his unheard of 
 Cruelties, and Barbarous Proceedings, in his whole UlUcSteVIl 
 
 Circuit 
 
 COMPREHENDING 
 
 The whole Proceedings ; Arraignment, Tryals, and Condemnation 
 of all those who Suffer'd in the IVest of England, in the Year 
 1685. With their undaunted Courage at the Barr, their Be- 
 haviour in Prison, their Cruel Whippings afterwards, and the 
 remarkable Circumstances that attended their Executions. 
 
 To which is added Major HO L MESs Excellent Speech, with the Dying Speeches 
 and Prayers of many other Eminent Protestants. 
 
 None of which were ever before Publish' d. 
 
 Faithfully Collected by several West-Countrey Gendemen, who 
 were both Eye and Ear-Witnesses to all the matter of Fact. 
 
 WITH ALLOWANCE. 
 
 LONDON, Printed for J. ©UntOll at the Blacli Ramn in the Fouhrey, over against 
 the Compter, and sold by R, yane-uiay in ^hieens-HeaJ-Alky in Pater-nosrer-roiu. 
 1680. 
 
I 
 
 TO 
 
 ^ 
 
 ©EOESi 1.018 liPll|ll§ 
 
 LATE 
 
 hw4 £\xAiiG'Q\hur ef E-n-gla^iiKJI. 
 
 My LORD, 
 
 IKnow not to whom I could more properly Dedicate a Treatise 
 of this Nature, than to your Lordship, who lately was Lora 
 Chief Justice of England, and have set such remarkable Copies 
 to inferiour Magistrates. What is here offered may serve as a 
 Mirrour, in which future Administrators of public Justice would do 
 well to look; for you may remember, my Lord, (if your Lordships 
 present Afflictions have not made you forget as much Law as you 
 ever learnt) Common Law runs much upon Presidents : And if a 
 man happen to have none of the best Physiognomies, there is no 
 reason why he should streight grow angry, and fling stones, to break 
 all the Looking-glasses he meets with, only because they represent 
 the true Figure of the Object. 
 
 My Lord, The following Treatise is a true Account of your Lord- 
 ships Life and Actions, (most of which are ready to be attested upon 
 Oath) of your unheard of Cruelties and barbarous Proceedings in 
 your whole Western Circuit : In which all may see at what dear rates 
 
 ■•w^: 
 

 I 
 
 6 
 
 i 
 
 The Blxia% ^s?,izes ; ot, 
 
 our Western Martyrs purchased their Reb'gion, and how that it cost 
 those glorious Sufferers that so lately went off the stage (under your 
 Lordships Sentence) both Whippings and cruel Imprisonments, and 
 the most exquisite Tortures which none could invent or inflict but 
 your Lordship, (who is suppos'd by all to have an Heart of marble, 
 and Entrails of brass) nor any endure but they whose gallant and 
 noble Souls were born up with heavenly Cordials, and a Power from 
 on high. But my Lord, rest assured, that their Blood still cryes for 
 Vengeance, and will be a lasting monument of your Lordships 
 Cruelties, whilst History can speak or transmit to incredulous pos- 
 terity the remarkables of elapsed Ages ; for Hang, Draw and 
 Quarter, and try Men afterwards, (Witness Sir Thomas Armstrong's 
 Death, &c.) has been your peculiar Talent. But your Lordship will 
 now at last do well to remember that King Alfred caused forty four 
 Judges in one year to be Hang'd as Murderers, for their false Judg- 
 ments. 
 
 I hope your Lordship will pardon this present Address, seeing 'tis 
 a Priviledge we modern Authors hold by prescription, to put any 
 great Body's Name in the front of our Book : Princes have not been 
 able to exempt themselves or their Families from the persecution of 
 Dedications ; nor ever was there (I humbly conceive) any Rule made 
 in your Lordships Court to forbid them. 
 
 Suffer then, I beseech your Lordship, this Address to remain a 
 Monument to Posterity, of the sentiments this age has of your Lord- 
 ships Conduct and Merits ; and Witness to all the World how much 
 its Author is 
 
 Your LORDSHIPS 
 
 Most Humble Servant, 
 
 JAMES BENT. 
 
1 Sfl 
 
 I IkL^ 
 
 hih at Judgjj $eiUnes, 
 
 A 
 
 POEM TO THE MEMORY 
 
 OF 
 
 giOlBl fcOli Jif flltig. 
 
 *3e&o>a>c©"«^- 
 
 T Cannot hold, hot struggling Rage aspires, 
 
 * And crowds my free-born breast with noble fires ; 
 
 Whilst prudent fools squeak Treason through the nose, 
 
 And whine a quivering Vote in sneaking Prose, 
 
 My Muse soars out of reach, and dares despise 
 
 What e're below attempts to Tyrannize. 
 
 Tho' I by some base Nero should be clad 
 
 In such a Gown as the old Christians had. 
 
 In clouds of Satyr up to Heaven I'de roul. 
 
 For he could burn my shell, but not my Soul. 
 
 Tho' Nature her auspicious aid refuse. 
 
 Revenge and Anger shall inspire my Muse : 
 
 Nature has given me a complaining part, 
 
 And murder'd Protestants a resenting Heart. 
 
I 
 
 8 
 
 I 
 
 Tln3 Blxx0% Assizes', (xv, 
 
 Then room for bloody Jefferys, or he'll swear 
 
 By all the Aps from St. Cadwallader ; 
 
 Prutus hur creat Cranfather, if hur enquire, 
 
 And Adam's Cranfather was Prutus sire ; 
 
 Famous ap Shenkin was hur elder Brother, 
 
 Some Caledonian Sycorax hur Mother : 
 
 Or some she-De'il more damn'd than all the rest, 
 
 At their black Feast hur lustful sire comprest : 
 
 Thence do I think this Cacademon rose. 
 
 Whose wrathful Eyes his inward baseness shows ; 
 
 His shape is all inhumane and uncouth, 
 
 But yet he's chiefly Devil about the MOUTH ; 
 
 With care this Brat was nurs'd, for fear it shou'd 
 
 Grow tame, and so degen'rate into good : 
 
 With City-charters he was wrap'd about, 
 
 And Acts of Parliament for swaddling-clout : 
 
 As he grew up, he won a noble Fame, 
 
 For which Squire Ketch hath sworn him public shame. 
 
 And won't it be a pretty sight to see't, 
 
 The Hang-man, Rope, and bloody Jefferys meet ? 
 
 Jefferys who cherisht spite, as all can tell ; 
 
 Jefferys who was the darling Brat of Hell. 
 
 Oft with success this mighty Blast did bawl. 
 
 Where loudest Lungs, and biggest Words win all ; 
 
 And still his clenched Arguments did end 
 
 With that home-thrust. He is not Caesar's Friend. 
 
 Sometimes that jaded Ears he might release. 
 
MU Cxi Judge $eUenes, 
 
 Good ]Man ! he has been fee'd to hold his Peace. 
 
 Hear him, but never see him, and you'd swear 
 
 He was the Cryer, not the Counseller : 
 
 He roars, as if he only chanc'd to find 
 
 Justice was now grown deaf as well as blind. 
 
 This Demy-fiend, this Hurricane of Man 
 
 Was sent to butcher all i' th' West he can : 
 
 'Twas him the Popish Party wisely chose 
 
 To splutter Law, and the dinn'd Rabble pose : 
 
 They have a thousand Tongues, yet he can roar 
 
 Far louder, tho' they had a thousand more. 
 
 Unto lono--winded Cook he scorns to Sfo, 
 
 But Pleads, His Majesty will have it so. 
 
 He's for all Mischief set, by Nature bred ; 
 
 He rails at all before him, and is fed 
 
 Hyaena like, by tearingup the Dead. 
 
 The unluckiest Satyrist alive, that still 
 
 Writes his own character in all that's ill. 
 
 Of all the World most fit a Vice t' expose. 
 
 That all its Cause, Effects and Motions knows, 
 
 Sranger to none can no advantage lose. 
 
 Big with conceit the empty shape looks great, 
 
 His own dear self obligingly doth treat : 
 
 Rewards his Soul in any garb will lap, 
 
 His ductile Soul will put on any shape : 
 
 Vice hath his patronage, and there's no fear 
 
 But Hell in time may his protection share, 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 io 
 
 The Bloodij ^ssi/.es ; or. 
 
 The rather 'cause the god of Gold is there. 
 
 He courts loud rumour, but lets truth alone, 
 
 Conscious of guilt, he shuns being justly known, 
 
 And by's oft changing flyes a definition. 
 
 Learn'd, but in ill ; Ingenious, but in spite ; 
 
 Virtuous by accident, by chance a Wit ; 
 
 Modest, when beat ; in suffering valiant ; 
 
 Honest, when forced ; and moderate when in want ; 
 
 True, but for Interest ; Civil, but for dread ; 
 
 Devout for Alms ; and Loyal but for bread. 
 
 Thy mushroom Greatness I dare now arraign. 
 
 For all thy Hectoring now will be in vain. 
 
 Here, take this Pass, e're we for ever part ; 
 
 Then run, and then Farewell with all my heart. 
 
 The Lawyers yelling in their feign'd debate, 
 
 And the fleec'd Client's Wisdom, all too late ; 
 
 The keeping Cully's Jealousie and Care, 
 
 The slighted Lover's Maggots and Despair ; 
 
 A Womans Body every day to dress, 
 
 A fickle Soul, little as theirs, or less ; 
 
 The Courtiers business, th' Impudence o' th' Stage, 
 
 And the defeated Father Peter's Rage ; 
 
 A Clock-work Spouse with loud eternal Clack, 
 
 A Shop i' th' 'Change still ty'd to What d'ye lack : 
 
 Worse than these last, if any Curses more 
 
 Ovid e're knew, or fiercer Oldham's store ; 
 
 'Till not one part in Body or Soul be free. 
 
JMil 
 
 i UlL 
 
 hiie at $x\dge $iiiUvies, il 
 
 May all their barbed Vengeance show'r on thee : 
 Press'd with their weight, long may'st thou raving lye, 
 Envying an Halter, but not dare to dye : 
 And when Condemn'd thou dost thy Clergy plead. 
 Some frightful Fiend deny thee Power to read ; 
 Madness, Despair, Confusion, Rage and Shame 
 Attend you to the Place from whence you came : 
 To Tyburn thee let carrion Horses draw, 
 In jolting Cart, without so much as straw ; 
 Jaded, may they lye down i' th' road, and tyr'd, 
 And (worse than one fair hanging, twice bemir'd) 
 May'st thou be maul'd with Pulchers* Sexton's Sermon, 
 'Till thou roar out for Hemp-sake, Drive on Car-man. 
 Pelted and Curst i' th' road by every one, 
 E'ne to be hang'd may'st thou the Gauntlet run. 
 Not one eood Woman who in Conscience can 
 Cry out, — 'Tis pitty, — Troth, a proper Man. 
 Stupid and dull, may'st thou rub off like Hone, 
 Without an open, or a smother'd groan : 
 May the Knot miss the place, and fitted be 
 To plague and torture, not deliver thee ; 
 Be half a day a Dying thus, and then 
 Revive like Savage, to be hang'd agen. 
 
 In Pity now thou shalt no longer Live, 
 For when thus satisfy'd, I can forgive. 
 
 John Carter. 
 
 * St. Sepulchre's bell tolls when there is an execution in Newgate. 
 
 J^ 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 12 
 
 Tlie Blxxxidtj lissizesjor. 
 
 THE 
 
 BLOODY ASSIZES: 
 
 OR, A 
 
 Compleat 1bi6tor^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE OF 
 
 miniS") 
 
 iil§. 
 
 — >=3*i03*CO«S«* 
 
 REader, Think it not strange if I present you with the memor_ 
 able Life and Actions of a Person, so well known in this 
 great Kingdom : And peradventure Fame has not been 
 silent in other Countreys, especially since he has been advanced to 
 be a Chief Minister of State, and fate as it were steering at the Helm 
 of Government. Various indeed are the Changes of worldly Affairs, 
 and the Actions of Humane Life, which have been more particularly 
 exemplified in the Rise and Fall of the Person, the subject of this 
 Discourse ; who from almost a mean obscurity, soar'd to the lofty 
 Pyramid of Honour ; where, tor a while, like an unfixed Starr, he 
 appeared in the Eyes of the wondering Nation, giving an imperfect 
 lustre ; 'till by the sudden turn and change of unsteady Fortune, he 
 dropt headlong from his Sphere, and lost at once his Grandeur and 
 
hih of hxdgo -Httmes, 
 
 I'' 
 
 his Power. To let Mankind see how httle trust there is to be given 
 to the smiles of flattering Greatness, especially when attained by 
 violent and pressing motions : I now proceed to trace this unfortu- 
 nate Favourite in the sundry Capacities and Stations that have 
 hitherto made up the series of his Life. 
 
 He was Born at Acton, near Wrexam, in Denbigb-shire, in Wales, 
 
 about the Year 1648. His Fathers Name was Jefferies, being 
 
 reputed a Gentleman in that Countrey, though of no large Fortune or 
 Estate ; however he lived very comfortably on what he had, improv- 
 ing his yearly Income by his Industry ; and gain'd by his plain and 
 honest Endeavours a good repute amongst the Gentry of those 
 Parts ; insomuch that it was not long before he, upon the recom- 
 mendation of some Person of Interest and Ability, gain'd a Wife of 
 a good House ; and they liv'd very comfortably together in their rural 
 Habitation, being far from Ambition, or striving for Court-favour; 
 but contented with what God had blessed them with, and the fruits 
 of their own Industry, they found a solid Happiness in that Con- 
 tentment. Nor had they lived together any considerable time, but 
 amongst other Children, the fruits of Wedlock, God was pleased to 
 bestow on them the Person who is intended the subject of this 
 Discourse, who was in due time Baptized by the Christian Name of 
 George ; whether he had God-fathers, &c. it does not occur ; however 
 he under the care and diligence of his industrious Parents grew up- 
 and appeared to all that stuyded him, of a very prompt and ready 
 Wit, active, and striving for Preeminency, even among his Compeers 
 in his tender Age, which lively demonstrated that an Air of Ambition 
 was inherent to his Person. 
 
 As soon as he was capable to receive Learning, he was put to a 
 Countrey School, where he was furnished with such Education as 
 that afforded, which was not extraordinary ; yet his natural Parts set 
 it off to the best Advantage ; and growing to years of somewhat a 
 ripe understanding, and not very tractable, his Father by the advice 
 
1 HI 
 i _^__ ill 
 
 H Tlu5 Blaodij ^ssi?;es; or. 
 
 began to flourish ; the Practitioners liv'd in much Credit and Reputa- 
 tion, and many of them purchased large Estates, which served to 
 wing the desire of this Person with Impatience ; and some say he was 
 the rather incited to it by a Dream he had whilst a Scholar at St 
 Paul's School, viz. That he should be the chief Scholar in that 
 School, and afterward should enrich himself by Study and Industry, 
 and that he should come to be the second Man in the Kingdom ; 
 but in conclusion, should fall into great disgrace and misery : This is 
 confidently reported ; and some say himself told it to sundry Persons, 
 since when he found the second part of it was fulfilled, by acquiring 
 the Chancellourship, and standing high in the Favour of his Prince. 
 However, we find the latter part did not deterr him from his pur- 
 pose ; for having enter'd himself in the Inner-Temple House, one of 
 the chief Inns of Court, after his performing such things as are 
 conformable to the Customs of the House, we find him call'd to the 
 of some of his Confidents, caused him to be brought to London ; 
 and finding him not inclinable to any Trade, but rather addicted to 
 Study, he entered him, or by his Procurement he was entered into 
 the Free School of St. Paul's, where he Profited much ; so that he 
 was by the care of Dr. Gill soon enabled to understand the Langua- 
 ages, or at least so many of them as were convenient for the study 
 of the Lav?, which above other things he aimed at ; tho his Father 
 seemed not very plyable to his desires ; for perceiving in his Soul a 
 more than ordinary spark of Ambition, fearing that it might kindle 
 into a flame, and prove one day his ruin, he laboured to hinder the 
 ways he conceiv'd most likely to bring it upon him ; and is reported 
 to say (when he found he could not disswade him from what he pur- 
 posed, gently clapping him on the back,) Ah George, George, I fear 
 thou wilt dye with thy Shooes and Stockings on : What he meant by 
 that Expression, I determine not, but leave the Reader to Interpret. 
 ., Upon the Coming in of King Charles the 2d, and the restoring 
 the Face of Affairs in the Kingdom, the Law reviv'd again, and 
 
 ^^ 
 
I 
 
 Jaife of dxxdge HtUries. 
 
 1$ 
 
 Barr, by the Interest he made with the Benchers and Heads of that 
 learned Society, earher than had been usual, leaping over the Heads 
 of elder Graduates. 
 
 This happening about the twentieth Year of the Reign of King 
 Charles the 2d. and the City of London beginning to raise her self 
 out of her ashes, more stately and magnificent than before she sunk 
 in flames, a Sacrifice to the Revenge and Malice of the Papists, as 
 by the late Inscription on the Monument, and upon Record it 
 appears : This great City I say, regaining her Trade, her Priviledges 
 and Customs were kept up with great exactness, so tliat in the Courts 
 at Guild Hall there vvaS much business ; which being consider'd by 
 this Person as more beneficial than that at Westminster, by reason 
 of its frequency, and being carryed on briefer, and with less diffi- 
 culty ; which induced him to give his Attendance, as also at Hixes- 
 Hall, and other inferiour Courts and Places ; insomuch that he being 
 of bold Presence, and having naturally a fluent Tongue, an audible 
 Voice, and good Utterance, he had not Pleaded often before he was 
 very much taken Notice of; and gain'd so much Credit with the 
 People, that they preferr'd him before any of the younger sort of 
 Barristers ; by which means he found his lucky Starrs begin to smile 
 upon him ; so that he was in a manner Courted to take Fees, and 
 had Breviates thrust into his Hand frequently in the middle of a 
 Cause by Persons, when they perceived it went ill on their sides, and 
 was like to go against them. 
 
 Thus flush'd with Success, he now thought of nothing more than 
 how he might climb ; nor did he want an Opportunity, for the next 
 Station we find him in, is that of Common Serjeant, to the great and 
 honourable City of London ; and so much Fortune favour'd him at 
 this time, that Alderman Jeffreys the great Smoaker, having often 
 observ'd his Discourse and Actions, took such a liking to him, that 
 being of the same Name, though not in the least any Relation, he 
 back'd him with his Purse and Interest, which was not inconsider- 
 
 K 
 
I 
 
 10 
 
 Tli^ Bloorlij Jtssizjgs ; m, 
 
 able ; and thereby not only enabled him to carry on his Grandeur 
 but to purchase as he found a conveniency or advantage, in order to 
 his keeping it up in the World. 
 
 These, I say, being the Degrees by which he was climbing the 
 slippery stair of Honour, to contract a firmer alliance, he Addressed 
 himself to a brisk }Oung Widow, Daughter to Sir Tho. Bloodworth, 
 then one of the Aldermen of the City ; and who in the time of the 
 dreadful Conflagration had the Chair, as being then Lord Mayor ; 
 and so far prevail'd upon the Lady and her Father, that he gain'd 
 both their Consents, and the Contract was made, the Nuptials 
 solemnized; And soon after he had the pleasure to behold the fruits 
 of his labour. Sir John Howel the Recorder of London giving 
 place, the Recordership became vacant, which made this Person lay 
 hold of that Opportunity, to use his own and the Interest of his 
 Friends, to acquire that Place of Trust and Honour; nor did his 
 ^Measures fail him, for by the powerful influnce he had by this time 
 gain'd over sundry Persons, who were best able to promote him to 
 what he so earnestly labour'd to arrive at, he was Chosen and Con- 
 firm'd Recorder of the Honourable City ; taking upon him the 
 Charge and Care of the Writings, Papers, &c. that belong to so great 
 a Charge and Trust, as that of a Recorder of the City of London. 
 
 By this means being become (as himself declar'd) The mouth of 
 the City, and as we may term him, Capital Judge in the Guild-Hall, 
 in Controversies at the Sessions held there, &c. and the Power of 
 breathing forth Sentences of Punishment being put into his hands, 
 he found his Ambition enlarg'd, aiming at nothing more than to be- 
 come a Court-Favourite : Nor was it long before an Opportunity 
 offer'd itself, to make him to be taken notice of; for so it happened 
 that some Persons had imprinted a Psalter, and Entituled it (the 
 better to shadow the Injury they had done to the Company of 
 Stationers, by invading their Property) The King's Psalter, which 
 occasioning a Dispute, it was referred to a Hearing before the 
 
h'lU of Judge 'Hftmes, 
 
 17 
 
 Council at White-Hall, the King being present, and the Company 
 the better to make out their Title and Claim, carryed with them this 
 Person as their Councel ; who in the opening of the Case, and mak- 
 ing the Complaint of the apparent Injury done to the Company, in 
 Printing what was really their Propriety, he had this Expression, viz. 
 They have teem'd with a spurious Boat, which being clandestinely 
 midwiv'd into the World, the better to cover the Imposture, they lay 
 it at your Majesties door, &c. This, though the King might have 
 taken it (for sundry Reasons) as a Reflection upon his Royal Person, 
 yet he was so far from resenting it that way, that he only turned to 
 one of the Lords that sat next him, and said, This is a bold Fellow 
 I'le warrant him ; and indeed the Stationers had the Matter declared 
 by the Honourable Board in their Favour. 
 
 About this time the Popish Plot being discovered by Dr Oats and 
 others, the Nation was for a while in a Ferment, and matters run ex- 
 treamly high in Disputes and Controversies, and he sail'd with the 
 Current, declaring with much heat and violence against the Priests, 
 Jesuits, and others of the Conspirators and Romish Faction ; as 
 appeared not only by his vehement Expressions in pleading against 
 them, but the alacrity and little Concern that was visible in his 
 Countenance, when at any time as Recorder of London he passed 
 Sentence of Death upon any of them ; which he frequently did with 
 more or less of Reproach, and became in a manner the Terror of 
 that Party. But no sooner he perceived the Wind tacking at Court, 
 and that there was some mis-understanding between K. Charles II. 
 and his Parliament, but he began to fall off and grow cold in Pro- 
 secuting the Ends of the Government, being frequently at Court, 
 and labouring as much as in him lay to draw the Magistracy of the 
 City after him, as appears more especially by one Passage, viz. The 
 King being recovered of an Indisposition, that had for some lime 
 put the Kingdoms in a fear and doubt of his Life, the Lord Mayor 
 and Aldermen went to Congratulate him upon his going abroad ; 
 
I 
 
 is 
 
 Tlue Bloody <^ssiz:5s ; m\ 
 
 after which, and a favourable Reception, it was proposed by this 
 Person that they should in the like manner wait upon his Royal 
 Highness, then Duke of York, who was not long before returned from 
 Flanders ; but perceiving no forwardness to be seconded, he only 
 with his Father-in-law stayed behind to gain that Access : These and 
 other Proceedings created in the City a Jealousie, that he had 
 espoused an Interest to their Prejudice, which wrought so strongly in 
 their Conceits, that it was concluded in the Council-Chamber at 
 Guild-Hall, that he should resign his Recordership ; and accordingly 
 they sent to him to deliver back the Papers and Writings they had 
 intrusted him with, which accordingly was done, and Sir George 
 Treby constituted Recorder in his stead. 
 
 This so nettled him, that he now openly declar'd himself to be 
 what before was only suspected, indulging his thoughts in nothing 
 more than how he might revenge it upon the Dissenters, to whose 
 influence on the Court of Aldermen he attributed his dismission 
 from the Recordership, and used his Endeavours to blacken them 
 as much as he could : Yet all his Honour was not sunk, for he had 
 prevailed for the Removal of Sir Job Charleton from the Chief 
 Justiceship of the County Palatine of Chester, and by the Impor- 
 tunity and Interest of his Party at Court, gained it for himself; and 
 took the first Possession of that Charge in much splendour, paying 
 at that time his Father a Visit with a numerous Train, which put the 
 old Gentleman into such a fret, for the drinking up his Cyder, and 
 devouring his Provisions, that he charged him with the undertaking 
 to ruine him, by bringing a whole Countrey at his heels, commandiu'^ 
 him never to attempt the like Prodigality again with hopes of success. 
 
 Many Petitions being put up upon the Dissolving the Parliament 
 in 1689. by most of the Counties, and Burroughs, and Corporations 
 of England, for the speedy Calling another, to redress the Grievances 
 of the Nation ; and the King shewing some dislike of that manner 
 of Proceeding, this Person further to endear himself to the Interest 
 
Mfe at hxdge $etUvies, 
 
 19 
 
 of the Court, declared in his Station as vehemently against them, by 
 saying, He abhorred that Petitioning, &c. from which, and the dis- 
 countenancing the Petitioners as much as in him lay, he gained the 
 Name and Epithite of an Abhorrer; and upon the burning the Pope 
 in Effigies at Temple-Barr, upon the Birth-day of Queen Elizabeth, 
 amongst other Figures, the Arch-vvaggs had set one on Horse-back 
 with his Face to the Tail, and a Paper on his back, viz. I am an 
 Abhorrer. 
 
 During these Transactions, the Parliament being called, met at 
 Westminster, and amongst others this Person was called before them, 
 for attempting to infringe upon the Rights and Privi ledges of the 
 People, &c. and obliged at the Barr of the Commons House (after 
 having been heard what he could say in defence of his Proceedings 
 by his Council) to make his Acknowledgment upon his Knees, and 
 receive the Reprimand of the Speaker ; whereupon, with some sharp 
 Rebukes, as the Censure of the House, he was discharged. 
 
 To comfort him in his Affliction, that was not by a Man of his 
 Haughty Spirit a little stomacked, this Parliament being Dissolved, 
 and a Call of Serjeants had at the Kings-Bench-Bar Westminster, he 
 was the First in the Roll, and consequently the Kings Serjeant ; and 
 as it is usual to present the King with a Ring on that occasion, the 
 Motto he agreed to was, A Deo Rex, a Rege Lex, viz. The King 
 from God, and the Law from the King. And now the Popish party 
 playing their Cards with more security, Edward Fitz-Harris who had 
 been Impeached by the Commons, and stood charged by them of 
 High-Treason; being nevertheless, upon the Dissolution Tryed at 
 the Kings Bench-Bar ; this Person was the principal stickler against 
 him, and by his Rhetorical and florid expressions, wrought so power- 
 fully with the Jury, who were somewhat in doubt what they should 
 do in this Case, that they found him Guilty, and the Impeachment 
 in Parliament set aside, he was Executed as a Traytor at Tyburn : 
 and soon after this, the Dissenters losing of their Esteem in the eyes 
 
 u 
 
20 
 
 Tlii} Bloodtj lissizgs ; or. 
 
 I 
 
 of the Court-party, and some Justices of Peace of Middlesex being 
 sharp upon them, this person was chosen Chair-man at the Sessions 
 of Hicks's-Hall, where he had an opportunity to make them as he 
 found his time, see the resentments of his anger, but this place being 
 held too low for a Spirit winged with so large an Ambition, he aimed 
 at higher things, resolving like Icarus to be near the Sun, tho' at the 
 hazard of melting his waxen Wings, dropping headlong into the Sea 
 of inevitable Ruin : whereupon perceiving some hot contests in the 
 City of London, about the Election of Magistrates and Officers, he 
 turned the Edge of his Fury that way, insomuch that a Quo-warranto 
 came down against the Charter of the Honourable City of London, 
 and in fine, after much Pleading and Argument,//-^ et contra, the 
 Charter was surrendered, at least in consent, by those that were in 
 Power, and the King suspending the Execution of the Judgment 
 obtained, caused such orders to be observed as he thought most 
 convenient, which being so well known to the Citizens of London, it 
 would appear a presumption in me to enter upon particulars; yet the 
 chiefest cavil against the City was, taking the Toll of Markets, col- 
 lecting Money to build Cheapside Conduit, &:c. Nor was it long 
 after this, and the Tryal of several Persons for Rioters, who attended 
 the Election of Sheriffs and Mayor, and the Fines passing upon many 
 worthy Citizens as Rioters on that occasion; in promoting which, 
 this Person as a Councillor by his florid Rhetorick was mainly instru- 
 mental, by giving the Court an account of their respective Abilities, 
 the better to settle the Fines : but the Lord Chief Justice Saunders 
 dying, he succeeded him as Lord Chief Justice of the Kings-Bench ; 
 in which station he was scarcely settled, but he admitted the Popish 
 Lords to Bail, that lay under an Impeachment in Parliament, and 
 whose Bailing had been refused by the Judges his Predecessors ; and 
 now it was that he began more particularly to remember former 
 affronts, an Example of which take in the Case of Elias Best a Hop- 
 merchant in Thames-street, viz. 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 MU at Ju%6 $eiUmes, 
 
 n 
 
 It so happened when this Person was Recorder of London, that a 
 Jury, of which Best was one, having contrary to his mind, Acquitted 
 a party Indicted at the Sessions of Peace in Guild-Hall, for Printing 
 and Publishing a Pamphlet, he in much heat declared that they had 
 gone contrary to their Consciences, and stuck not to upbraid them 
 with Perjury ; for which, as a high affront put upon the Juries of 
 London, they prayed the Court at the Old-Baily, that they might 
 preferr an Indictment against him ; and herein Mr Best was the 
 most active, but the Lord Chief Justice Scroggs then upon the 
 Bench, after it had been a long time Argued and debated, told them 
 that the Sessions being almost at an end, it could not be Tryed, and 
 therefore he would desire them to deferr it to the next Sessions, for 
 the Recorder being a person of Quality, he could not suffer him to 
 lie under the imputation of an Indictment so long ; but in the 
 Interim, he resigning his Recordership, the business fell and came to 
 nothing ; but soon after, it seems, Mr Best had drank a Health to 
 the pious Memory of Stephen Colledge departed, meaning the 
 Joyner that was Executed at Oxford, for which he was Indicted upon 
 an Information, and found Guilty ; yet he being at large, thought fit 
 to withdraw himself to avoid the Rigor of the Fine, &c. when so it 
 fell out, that this Person going the Circuit as Lord Chief Justice, 
 accompanied with a great many on Horseback, Mr Best came by, 
 and asked of one of the Company what Judge that was, who replyed, 
 the Lord Chief Justice Jefiferys, and he unadvisedly told that party 
 his name was Best, and desired him to remember his Service to his 
 Lordship ; upon notice of which, he immediately caused him to be 
 fetched back, and committed him to York Gaol, from whence he 
 was brought by Habeus Corpas to the Kings-Bench, and Imprisoned 
 for a Fine of sool. &c. And other instances of the Greatness 
 of his Stomack, tho' in another nature, is that which so remarkably 
 happened at Kingston upon Thames, at the Midsummer Assizes 
 held there for the County of Surry, 1679. 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 w. 
 
 The Blojjjdtj ^ssi^^es ; ox. 
 
 At this Assize being Council in a Case upon Nisi prius before Sir 
 Richard Weston, one of the Barrons of the Exchequer, and desiring 
 to ingrosse all the questions, without suffering those on the other 
 side to ask the Witness what was convenient in carrying on, and 
 managing the case ; he was desired by the Judge to hold his 
 Tongue, &c. upon which some words passing, this Person told him, 
 he did not use him like a Counsellor, curbing him in the managing 
 his Breviate, &c. to which the Judge fiercely replied : Ha ! since the 
 King has thrown his favours upon you, in making you Chief Justice 
 of Chester, you think to run down every body, if you find your self 
 aggrieved make your complaint, here's no body cares for it : And this 
 Person replying, That he had not been used to make complaints, 
 but rather stopped those that were made ; when being again Com- 
 manded to hold his Tongue, he sat down and wept for anger, &c. 
 And here by the way it will not be amiss to let the Reader have a 
 taste of some passages that happened on the Public Stage of business, 
 in the Jocular part of this great Mans Life, and the Repartees he 
 met with, of which I shall instance a few: 
 
 Once it happened upon a Tryal, that a plain Countrey fellow 
 giving Evidence in the Court, and pressing it home, moved this 
 person who was Counsel on the other side, to pick a quarrel with 
 the poor mans Leather Doublet, and amongst other Interrogations 
 bawl'd out. You fellow in the Leather Doublet, pray what have you 
 for Swearing ; the Man upon this, looking steadily on him, replyed. 
 Truly Sir, if you have no more for Lying than I have for Swearing, 
 you might wear a Leather Doublet as well as I : This bluntly retortedi 
 moved at that time much laughter, and filled the Town with the 
 Discourse of it. 
 
 Another time it so fell out, that some Musitioners brought an 
 Action against a person, at whose Wedding they had play'd, for the 
 Money they were promised or expected, when in the midst of the 
 Evidence, this Person called to one of them, viz.. You Fidler, &c. at 
 
 w 
 
 Sji 
 
hiU at Hdge $eUmes. 
 
 2$ 
 
 which the man seeming to be disgusted, he again, upon the parties 
 alledging himself to be a Musitioner demanded what difference there 
 was between a Musitioner and a Fidler; As much, Sir, said he, as 
 as there is between a pair Bagpipes and a Recorder ; and he then 
 being Recorder of London, it was taken as a suitable Repartee. 
 
 Being at a County Assize as Judge, an old Man with a great 
 Beard, came to give evidence before him, and not doing it to his 
 mind, he began to cavil with his Beard, and amongst other expres- 
 sions told him, that if his Conscience was as large as his beard, he 
 might well swear anything; This so nettled the old blade, that with- 
 out any respect to his greatness, he briskly replied, My Lord, If you 
 go about to measure Consciences by Beards, your Lordship has 
 none : Many more of this kind might be mentioned, but not being 
 greatly to the purpose, they are willingly omitted. 
 
 But to return to the thread of this Discourse ; passing by his 
 vehement and pressing Discourse to the Jury against William Lord 
 Russet, on his Tryal at the Old-Baily, which some say greatly 
 influenced them to find him Guilty; and add, that he had it out of 
 a Pique, in remembrance he was one of the Members of the Parlia- 
 ment before whom he was brought on his Knees. We find him by 
 this time Trying of Dr. Titus Oats upon two Informations, upon the 
 account of his Swearing to the White-Horse Consult, and Ireland's 
 being in Town ; and after a long Debate, wherein many sharp 
 Repartees passed, the Jury made a shift to find him Guilty ; as to 
 the Circumstances, I referr you to the Tryal ; but the Sentence was 
 severe, and of its Effects few are ignorant, wherefore I shall pass it 
 over, as also that of Mr. Tho. Dangerfield, another of the Evidences 
 in discovering the Contrivances and carrying on of the Popish Plot, 
 which the Papists by these manner of Proceedings accounted to be 
 damn'd to the lowest Erebus. And now before any thing remark- 
 able happened, the Kingdom was allarum'd by the landing of the 
 late Duke of Monmouth at Lyme in Dorset-shire, and the Earl of 
 
2* 
 
 Tlifi Bl0xni|} ^ssizj^s ; at, 
 
 Argyle in Scotland ; but however these two unfortunate Gentlemen 
 miscarrying, and losing their Lives, left a great many of their miser- 
 able Followers to feel the severity of Punishment ; and as for the 
 gleanings of the bloody Field in England, they came to the sifting 
 of this Person, who with others, going down with a Commission to 
 Try them, all the Indignities and Dissenters had put upon him came 
 fresh into his remembrance, so that he made them find the Laws 
 more cruel than the Sword, and wish they had fallen in the Field, 
 rather than have come to his handling ; for he breathed Death like a 
 destroying Angel, and sanguined his very Ermins in Blood, a large 
 Acconnt of which you shall have in its proper place. 
 
 But by the way, for the sake of the West-Country Reader, I shall 
 here add a true and impartial Narrative, of the late Duke of Mon" 
 mouths whole Expedition whilst in the West ; seeing that was the 
 Prologue to that bloody Scene that you'll hear by and by, was acted 
 by George Lord Jefferies (the subject of our present Discourse.) 
 
 To begin then, May 24. Old Stile, We left Amsterdam about two 
 of the Clock, being Sunday Morning, and in a Lighter Sail'd for the 
 Texel, our Vessels being sent before us thither ; but meeting with 
 extream cross Winds all the way, we Arrived not till Saturday Night, 
 and then went all on Bord. Here our Man of War with about 32 
 Guns (where the Dukes Person was) was under an Arrest by order 
 of the States of Amsterdam, on the Complaint of our Envoy, they 
 presuming we had been clear, but we broke through our Arrest, and 
 Sunday Morning at break of Day, set Sayl for England. We had in 
 all three Ships, that of 32 Guns carried most of our Men, the other 
 two were for our Amunition. We met with exceeding cross Winds, 
 most part of the time we spent on the Seas, and Arrived not at Lime 
 till Thursday, June 11. so that from Amsterdam to Lime, we wanted 
 but two days of three AVeeks. 
 
 We landed without any the least Opposition, and were received 
 with all Expressions of Joy imaginable; the Duke, as son as he jumpt 
 
 
hih gf $xxdffid ^gfferies. 
 
 2^ 
 
 out of his Boat on Land, call'd for silence, and then desired we 
 would joyn with him in returning God thanks for that wonderful 
 Preservation we had met with at Sea, and accordingly fell on his'knees 
 on the Sand, and was tlie Mouth of us all in a short Ejaculation, and 
 then immediately well Armed, as many as we were, entred the Town. 
 
 Friday, the whole day was spent in Lifting of Men, which flock'd 
 to us so fast, that we could scarce tend them with Arms. 
 
 The like, Saturday also ; and then about ten of the Clock at 
 Night, 300 of our Men were sent to Bridport, about six English 
 Miles off, to Storm that Town betimes in the Morning, which we 
 did accordingly, taking many Prisoners out of their Lodgings, and 
 had not our Soldiers been a little to eager of Plunder, we had made 
 a good days Work on't ; but there lying about a Wood some of the 
 King's Forces, we were forced to Retreat, losing three or four Men, 
 and killing several of theirs, and taking Eight Prisoners ; this was 
 the first Action which we had. 
 
 Sunday also was spent in Lifting, and Monday Morning ; but in 
 the Afternoon we Marched out of Line for Axminster, a little Town 
 four Mile off, our Party was near 2000 Foot, and 300 Horse, though 
 we Landed not full a Hundred Men, and all these in the space of four 
 days : About two Miles from Lime we espied the Duke of Albermarle, 
 with about 4000 Men, designing that Night to Quarter in the same 
 Town, which we had News of on the Way ; yet we Marc'd on in 
 good Order, and came into the Town, lined all Hedges, Planted our 
 Field-Pieces, and expected nothing more than that we should give 
 them Battle, they being not an English Mile from the Town ; they 
 made towards us as soon as they heard that we were there ; but the 
 Duke of Albemarle finding his Men to be all MILITJA-Men of 
 the County of Devonshire, and that they had no Stomach to 
 fight against MONMOUTH, Retreated, when he came within a 
 quarter of an English Mile of the Town. He came from Exon with 
 these Forces, intending to lay a Seige against Lime, presuming we 
 
 m 
 
 "■"i^iiitjl 
 
26 
 
 The BloWij Jlssiz^s ; m\ 
 
 could not be ready in so short a time ; but finding us so well pre" 
 pared to receive him, he wisely Retired his Men being in great 
 Disorder and Confusion, supposing we had Pursued them, which 
 was Debated ; but the Duke said, It was not his Business to Fight 
 yet, till his Men had been a little Disciplin'd, but rather to make up 
 into the Country as fast as possible, to meet his Friends, not ques- 
 tioning, but there would have been in several Parts of the Kingdom 
 some Action, on the News of his Success ; but this in the end 
 prov'd fatal to us ; for had we but followed them, we had had all 
 their Arms, several more Men, and might have March'd in two days 
 with little or no Opposition, to the very Gates of Exon, the County- 
 Troops resolving not to Fight us ; and several came to us that Night 
 with their Arms. But missing this Opportunity, we March'd on for 
 Taunton, Lodging at several small Towns by the way, which still 
 received us as kindly as possible, and all the Way met with the 
 loud Acclamations of the Countrey, Praying God to succeed our 
 Arms. 
 
 Thursday we came to Taunton, about Twenty Mile from Lime 
 To give a particular Account of our Reception here, would be too 
 tedious ; the Streets throng'd with People, we could scarce enter, all 
 endeavouring to manifest their Joy at his coming, and their Houses, 
 Doors, and Streets garnished with Green Boughs, Herbs and 
 Flowers, all the Emblems of Prosperity. 
 
 The next day. Twenty-six young Gentlewomen, Virgins, with 
 Colours ready made at the charge of the Towns-men, Presented 
 them to his Grace; the Captain of them went before with a Naked 
 Sword in one Hand, and a small curious Bible in the other, which 
 she Presented also, making a short Speech, at which the Duke was 
 extreamly satisfied, and he assured her, He came now in the Field) 
 with a Design to Defend the Truths contained therein, and to Seal 
 it with his Blood, if there should be any Occasion for it. Nothing 
 now could content the Countrey, but he must be Proclaimed 
 
 I 
 
tiU at hxdge Httmes, 27 
 
 KING, which he seemed exceeding averse to ; and really I am of 
 Opinion, from his very Heart. 
 
 They said. The Reason why the Gentry of England moved not' 
 was because he came on a Common-Wealth-Principle ; This being 
 the Cry of all the Army, he was forced to yield to it, and accordingly, 
 Saturday Morning he was Proclaimed ; In the Afternoon came out 
 Three PROCLAMATIONS, one setting a Sum of Money on the Kings 
 Head, as he had done before by the other. The Second, Declaring 
 the Parliament of England, A Seditious Assembly ; and if they did 
 not separate before the End of June, to give Power and Authority to 
 any that would attempt to lay hold of them as Rebels and Traytors. 
 
 The Third, To Declare the Duke of Albemarle a Traytor, (who 
 now lay within six miles of us, having had time to Rally his Men) if 
 he laid not down his Arms ; forthwith a Message also was sent to 
 command him, but he sent Word, That he was a Subject to JAMES 
 the Second, the late King's Brother, and that he knew no other 
 Lord. 
 
 We tarried here till Sunday Morning, and then March'd for 
 Bridge-Water, seven Miles from thence : We were now between 
 four and five thousand Men, and had we not wanted Arms, could 
 have made above Ten Thousand. We were receive'd here as in 
 other Places, but did little more than Read our Declaration, which 
 we did also in all other Towns, the Magistrates standing by in their 
 Gowns ; and likewise our Proclamations, and so March'd forward for 
 Glassenbury, from Glassenbury design'd for Bristol, three days 
 March from that place, designing to Attacque it : Accordingly we 
 Arrived at Canshum-Bridge, a little Town three Miles English from 
 Bristol, intending to enter next Morning, the Duke of Beaufort being 
 there with a Garrison of about Four Thousand Men, being here 
 lodg'd in the Town, we were on a sudden Alarm'd with the Noise of 
 the Approach of the Enemy, being in no small Confusion on this 
 unexpected News : The Duke sent one up the Tower to see whether 
 
i 
 
 2$ Tin; Blaoxii} ^ssi^es ; or, 
 
 he could discover them Marching, as soon as he came up, he saw 
 them at the very Entrance into the Town fighting with our Men. 
 Here we had a small Skirmish, our Men being in the Fields Ad- 
 joyning to the Town refreshing themselves ; but it lasted not long, 
 for before he could bring Word, they were fled, being not above sixty 
 Horse-Men ; they did us Mischief, Killed and Wounded above 
 Twenty Men, whereas we killed none of theirs, only took four 
 Prisoners and their Horses, and Wounded my Lord Newbury, that 
 it was thought Mortal ; they came thither thinking it had been their 
 own Forces, and had not our Undisciplin'd Fellows been a little too 
 eager, and suffer'd them to come a little further on, they would have 
 entered the Town, and we must have had every man of them ; their 
 infantry was following, but on their Return came not forward. 
 These Forces being so near, and Bristol being so well Mann'd also, 
 the Duke was loth to pass the Bridge for Bristol, though some 
 Gentlemen that came over with us, and were Prescribed upon the 
 Account of the former Plot, being Bristol-Men, and kne thaw Hearts 
 of the Towns-Men, begg'd him heartily to proceed towards it, offer- 
 ing themselves to go in the Head of them into the Town, by some 
 private Ways which they knew, assuring him. They would make no 
 Resistance, but could not perswade him ; which had we been Po- 
 sessors of, we could not have wanted Money nor Arms, the only 
 things needful for us in that Juncture ; for had we but had Arms, I 
 am perswaded we had by this time, had in the least Twenty 
 Thousand Men ; and it would not then have been difficult for us to 
 have March'd to London, with the Recruit of Bristol, the King not 
 being able to make 7000 Men for the gaining of so many Kingdoms. 
 But God saw it not fit for us, and over-ruled our Consultations to 
 our own Ruine, for this was in the top of our Prosperity ; and yet 
 all the while, not a Gentleman more than went over with us came to 
 our Assistance. 
 
 So we Marcht on to Bath, we lay before it in the Afternoon, and 
 
mil 
 
 sent in our Trumpter to demand the Town, but they refused to give 
 us enterance having a strong Garrison, it being a stout People and a 
 strong place. Having no mind to spend time in laying Seiges, we 
 marcht on that day to a little town called Phillips Norton, and there 
 lay that night, being now Sunday the 26th of June, Old Style 
 Saturday Morning preparing for. 
 
 Frome, we were drawing out our baggage for our March, and on a 
 suddain were alarmed with the appearance of the Enemy, who had 
 entered the Town and had lined all the Hedges and began to Fire 
 on us ; here began the briskest Rencounter we yet had, and for an 
 hour or more we had a brisk Skirmish, but at last we beat them back. 
 Killing about thirty which lay in the place, and we lost about ten in 
 all, and a few Wounded ; they Retreating with their whole Army, 
 Pitched within a mile of the Town ; and we went out also and 
 pitched near them, but out of Musket shot, playing Cannon on one 
 another for some hours ; they Killed us but one Man all the while, 
 but with ours we did great Execution, having the advantage of the 
 ground, so at last they Retreated, and I have been told lost some 
 hundreds of Men in the Battle, both Killed and Wounded : So we 
 march'd on for Frome, a Town where we was as well beloved as at 
 Taunton, where we wanted for nothing but Arms, which were by a 
 stratagem taken from them a few days before our Entrance. Here 
 came the unexpected News of Argyles being Defeated, and likewise 
 of the advance of the King's Force from London with considerable 
 Bagage, and thirty Field Pieces. This News, together with our 
 want of Money and Arms, not seeing which way to avoid these 
 Forces, we were at a stand, and not a little nonplust. 'Twas at last 
 agreed on, that we that came with the Duke should get good Horses 
 that Night, and so for Pool, a little Sea-Port Town not far off, where 
 we were to seize a Ship, and set forth for Holland again, leaving our 
 Infantry to the Mercy of the Country. 
 
 This was much like that Resolution of the Hollanders in the time 
 
I 
 
 The Bloaxlij ^ssv/xs ; m\ 
 
 of the Civil War with Spain, being as we then were, in dispair of 
 making better Terms, and not daring to enter Salisbury Plain, 
 because their Horse being so much better then ours, their Men 
 being all Disciplin'd, ours not, we could not Face them in so plain 
 and open a Country, so that we Retreated backward, in the mean 
 time resolving to see what London would do, having a good an 
 opportunity offered them: The Soldiers being called forth, and not 
 'wo thousand Men to be had for their defence if they had but 
 attempted any thing ; this disheartned our Men, and several of theni 
 coming home to their own country, having felt by experience the 
 hardships of War, withdrew from us. 
 
 We came well back again to Bridgwater, and were received with 
 wonted Love ; we arriued here on Friday the 3d. of July, and 
 resolved here to Fortifie so as to hold our ground till we heard from 
 London. Saturday in the Afternoon News was brought of the 
 Approach of the Kings Forces within a Mile and a halfe of the 
 Town where thy had Encamped, the Duke went up into the Tower 
 and there took a view of them, and seeing them so Careless, and 
 their Horse at some distance from the Army, in a little Town, the 
 Infantry being in Sedge Moor. He called a Councell on it, and it 
 was concluded on, that we should fall on them in the dead of the 
 Night, accordingly having a Guide to Conduct us on in a private 
 way, we Marcht out about Eleven of the Clock in the Night, and 
 about one fell on them in their Tents. There was a Ditch between 
 us, and the Guide promised to Conduct them over an easie formable 
 Place, but our Men seeing the Enemy just before them, ran furiously 
 on and lost the Guide, so that while they endeavored to recover over 
 that place the Enemy got on their Legs, and put themselves in 
 Order, and now began as fierce a Battle as perhaps ever was fought 
 in England in so short a Time, our Foot fought as well as ever Foot 
 Fought, but not a Horse came up ; had our Horse but assisted, we 
 must have beaten them out of the Field. But our Horses would not 
 
Isiffi af $x\dgci Jj3ffj3i*ii3s, 
 
 31 
 
 stand at the noise of Drumns and Guns, so that we soon lost two of 
 our Pieces of ordinance, and we had but four in all, and then but one 
 more in the Field, our Foot flung most of their shot over, so that the 
 Men for the most part was killed in the Rear, and that run, but the 
 Front stood still, and had we done but as much Execution in the 
 Front, as we did in the Rear, the day had been our own, but God 
 would not have it, their time was not then come : By this time their 
 Horses came up, and having six or eight hundred good disciplined 
 Men, well Mounted and well Arm'd, ours neither ; our Foot having 
 shot away all their Ammunition, and our Baggage being not then in 
 the Field, they were forced to Retreat, being all in Confusion. 
 
 Having no Mony left,and our Party thus unexpectedly Repulsed, the 
 Duke seeing he could not hold it any longer. Fled with my Lord Gray. 
 
 The Dukes Party was said to be about three thousand Foot, and 
 a thousand Horse; we had more, at least five thousand Men and 
 Horse, but not well Arm'd, yet in the Field. 'Tis said we lost not 
 above three hundred, and they Foot; but after, when we were 
 Routed in our Retreat lost a vast many more ; tho they pursued not 
 in some houres after. 
 
 The most remarkable Persons that were taken in this total Rout, 
 were Collonel Holmes, Major Perrot, the Constable of Crookborn> 
 and Mr. Williams, Servant to the late Duke of Monmouth. 
 
 After the Field was clear of the Dukes Men, the Earl of Fever- 
 sham Marched with five hundred Foot and a Party of Horse and 
 Dragoons to Bridgwater, where he found the Dukes Forces that 
 were left there, fled and dispersed into several Places : When his 
 Lordship having left these Men in the Town, under the Command 
 of Collonel Kirk, and hearing the late Duke of Monmouth was fled 
 with about fifty Horse, the greatest number of the Dukes Men that 
 were left together, he sent out divers Parties in pursuit of him and 
 others that fled the field. When on the 7th of July, about five in 
 the Morning, some of the Lord Lumly's men seized the Lord Gray 
 
I 
 
 and another person near Holt-Lodge in Dorsetshire, four miles from 
 the West of Ringwood; and the said Lord Lumly making further 
 inquiry among the Cotts, was informed by one Anna Ferrant that 
 two Men went over a Hedge, proving to be the out bounds of many 
 Inclosures, some of which were over grown with Fern, others with 
 Pease and Oats ; But Guards being set upon the Avenues, after 
 divers attempts to escape, the Brandenburgh, one of the Parties 
 observed to enter the Ground, was Taken on the 8th day of JULY, 
 about Five in the Morning, who confessing he departed from the 
 late Duke of MONMOUTH about one of the Clock that Morning 
 in the out-bounds, diligent search was made ; when about Eleven of 
 the Clock the same Morning he was found, by one Henry Parking) 
 hid in a ditch, covered with Fern, who calling others to assist him, 
 the said late Duke was in the end Taken, and together with the 
 Lord Gray, and the Brandenburgh, with a Strong-Guard brought by 
 easie Journeys to White-Hall, where they arrived on the 13th. of 
 JULY, and after some Examination were committed to the Toweri 
 when on Wednesday the 15th. of July, the late Duke of Monmouth, 
 pursuant to a Warrant Signed for his Execution, upon his Attaindure 
 of High-Treason, was delivered to the Sheriffs of London and 
 Middlesex, about Ten in the Morning, and conducted to a Scaffold 
 erected on Tower-Hill, where after about half an hours continuance 
 he laying down his Head, had it stricken off by the Executioner, the 
 which, together with his Body, being put into a CofHn covered with 
 Velvet, were carried away in a Velvet-covered Hearse, in order to 
 his Interment. 
 
 After the Duke was Beheaded, many Prisoners taken and those 
 that fled by Parcels, taken up and down, were secured in diuers 
 Goals, in order to their Prosecution, as was said according to Law ; 
 which was the Occasion of this great Mans shewing his parts at that 
 Degree as he did, no one else fit to be made a Tool for such a 
 Bloody Tragedy as he acted. 
 
MU xif Hxdge Htieries. 
 
 33 
 
 The Tryals were deferred (for some time after the fatal Blow given 
 to the Duke of Monmouth on Tower Hill, which was the 15th. of 
 July following) because of my Lords being at Tunbridge ; but the 
 latter end of August, he with a special Commission of Oyer and 
 Terminer, assisted with four other Judges, set forward with a Party 
 of Horse, and made by special Commission their General. The 
 first place he came at was Winchester, where were divers Prisoners 
 on Suspicion ; but here began the Tragedy, for the Lady Lisle was 
 there Arraigned for High-Treason, in Harboring Mr. Hicks and Mr. 
 Nelthrope, that had been concerned with the Duke ; the Lady being 
 on Tryal, the Jury were dissatisfied once and again ; but my Lords 
 Threats and other Managery, so disposed the Jury, that at last they 
 brought the Lady in Guilty ; on which he pronounced the Sentence 
 of Death on her, as usual in such cases, but she had the favour of 
 being Beheaded ; their other Prisoners were carried to Salisbury; 
 and this was the most remarkable thing at that Assizes. 
 
 From thence they set forward for Salisbury, where were many 
 Prisoners that had been pick'd up and down the Countrey, then in 
 the Goal, the which, with those that were brought from Winton, 
 were ordered to be carried to Dorchester, there not being Evidence 
 enough to accomplish what was then designed by my Lord ; so that 
 little of moment passed there, but to pursue the Matter proceeds 
 from thence to Dorcester, where he with his Assistants, Gown-Men 
 and Sword-Men, Arrived on the 3d of September, on which day 
 being Thursday, the Commission was Read. Friday Morning was 
 an E.xcellent Sermon Preached before their Lordships, by a worthy 
 Divine, Chaplain to a Worthy Person of that County, much tending 
 to Mercy : It was observed, that while my Lord Chief-Justice was at 
 Church in Prayers as well as at Sermon, he was seen to laugh, which 
 was so unbecoming a Person in his Character, that ought in so 
 weighty an Affair as he was then entring upon, to have been more 
 serious, and have craved the Help and Assistance of God Almighty. 
 
34- The BlDodij ^issizBS ; or, 
 
 The Sermon being over, their Lordships repaired to the Court, 
 which by Order of the Lord Chief-Justice was hung with Red Cloth, 
 a Colour suitable to such a succeeding bloody Tragedy, being 
 accompanied by a Numerous Company of the Gentry of that Count)', 
 as well as the Flower of the Neighbouring Counties of Somerset and 
 Devonshire, and then proceeded to give his Charge ; in which 
 Charge, by Reason of the Severity of his Sentiments, and Positions 
 laid down to make Discoveries of all such as were Abettors, Aiders 
 or Assisters to the late Duke of Monmouth, on Pain of High-Treason, 
 which was a great Surprise to all the Auditors, and so vehemently 
 urged, and so passionately Expressed, as seemed rather the Language 
 of a Romish Inquisitor, than a Protestant Judge ; and then Adjourned 
 until eight of the Clock next Morning, when was a Bill found against 
 Thirty Persons, charged for High-Treason, for Aiding and Assisting 
 the late Duke of Monmouth ; who put themselves on their Trials, 
 notwithstanding my Lord's threatening, That in Case any did put 
 themselves on Trial, and the Countrey found them Guilty, they 
 should have but a little Time to live ; and at the same time Insinu- 
 ated, that it were better to Plead Guilty, if they expected any 
 Favour. 
 
 These thirty being on Tryal, the Evidences being Sworn and Ex- 
 amined before the JURY: Upon the whole, by the violent Deport- 
 ment of the Lord Chief Justice, the sharpness of the JURY, they 
 found Twenty-nine GUILTY, though some of them were very hardly 
 dealt vrith, and not so Criminal as my Lord and their Countrey 
 imagined. Particularly amongst the Twenty-nine, were Mr. Matthew 
 Bracrg of Thorncomb, and Joseph Speed of CuUiton, in the County 
 of Devonshire, and Mr. Smith, Constable of Chardstock, in the said 
 County ; and George Seward, of CuUiton aforesaid : The Circum- 
 stances of each of these, and the Severity of their being found 
 GUILTY, &c. shall be shewed in its proper Place, before we take 
 eave of this Town, and proceed on in this Western Expedition. 
 
I 
 
 hiU at Judge $efUv\e3. 
 
 The said Twenty-nine being found (as before) GUILTY, my 
 Lord immediately Pronounced Sentence of Death on them all, as 
 usual in cases of High-Treason, and did the same Night give a 
 Warrant to the Sheriff, for the Executing of thirteen of the twenty- 
 nine on Monday following ; which accordingly was done, notwith- 
 standing great Application was made to the Lord-Chief-Justice by 
 Gentlemen of the best Quality, in this and the Neighbour-Counties, 
 for a Reprieve of IVEr Bragg, to all which he was Deaf, and not to be 
 prevailed upon ; though he was assured of his Honesty, and true 
 Conformity to the Church of England, yet it availed nothing. At 
 last, it was only Requested for ten days Respite, yet that had no 
 better Effect; but on Monday, he with twelve more of that number, 
 were accordingly Executed at Dorchester. The Christian like De- 
 portment, and other things, relating to the said Mr. Bragg and others, 
 shall be made out before we leave this Discourse. 
 
 In the mean time, this Proceeding was designed to shorten Busi- 
 ness, and to wheedle the rest that were to follow, to a Confession, 
 which without it, the tenth part of them could not be proved 
 Guilty ; a Method was also taken without President, to entrap 
 many poor ignorant People, by a couple of Officers that were 
 sent into the Goal, to call over, and take the Names of the Pri- 
 soners ; on Promise, if they confest, they might expect Mercy ; other- 
 wise not ; which many did. And this was Written so, that had they 
 Pleaded not Guilty, these two were designed to haue been Evidences 
 against them from their own Confessions, which so disposed the 
 remaining great Numbers, that all, except a very few. Pleaded 
 Guilty, which put an end to any farther Trial. 
 
 The only thing remaining, was the pronouncing of Sentence on 
 them, which were in Number 292. who received Sentence of Death 
 all at once. One Mr. Lawrence put himself on Trial, but by the 
 Jury found Guilty, whose Case was so hard, his Circumstances 
 being so small to be condemned to die ; and had actually suffered, 
 
 KJ-tliJ.LB W'.l'W'WPWgig 
 
ZG 
 
 TliB Bloa% Assizes ; m*, 
 
 had not Application been made to my Lords Favourites, and with 
 the payment and securing of 400 1. preserved him from Execution ; 
 his Case being so remarkable, his Defence so honest, that we cannot 
 pass it by in Silence ; the particulars of which, you shall have in its 
 proper Place, with others that are most remarkable. 
 
 This matter being Adjusted, and Execution Awarded to about 
 Eighty, which were Executed at their Quarters sent up and down the 
 Countrey to the dread of the Spectators, as well as the Annoyance 
 of the Travellers ; his extraordinary Whippings, though unmerciful, 
 are not to be taken notice of ; so we leave this place, and proceed 
 towards the City of Exon : In their way thither, lying at an Honour- 
 able Gentlemans House, divers of the Neighbouring Parishes made 
 their Petitions to the Lord-Chief-Justice in behalf of some Relations 
 concerned ; it hapned that through some Disorder amongst his 
 Servants, some Pistols were fired in Night, which gave him a Suspicion, 
 or at least he took it, of some design upon him; on which at parting, 
 said. Not a Man of all those Parishes that were of that Vicinitude, 
 if found Guilty, should escape. And so we proceed and arrive at 
 Exon, where to the number of 243 Prisoners being in Custody for 
 assisting the said Duke of Monmouth, one amongst the rest, Mr. 
 Power Acers, Pleading not Guilty, he being found by the Jury, the 
 said Lord-Chief Justice immediately Pronounced the Sentence upon 
 him, and immediate Execution, which was done to terrifie the rest, 
 who all Pleaded Guilty ; so that these unfortunate People had not 
 time to have the fairness of Trials allowed them, which is a right due 
 by the Laws of God and Man. The remaining number he all con- 
 demned, and here was a little sparing ; not so many order'd Execu- 
 tion as was in the other County, but those that were Executed, were 
 hung up and down in most Towns of the County, and their 
 Quarters and Heads scattered up and down their High-ways and 
 publick places. An extraordinary Sentence of severe Whipping 
 was pronounced against Mr. Samuel Staple of Thorncomb in the 
 
 --T-^'SEki"'.. '.I'-tlHUSHH 
 
 i 
 
I 
 
 Ute of $udge UUxies, $7 
 
 said County, which in its proper place, you shall have an account of 
 the Crime ; but these are Trifles, and we shall endeavour to pursue 
 our Design and make as quick Dispatch as we can, that time may 
 not be lost, the King served, and this Miscreants thirst quenched 
 with Protestant Blood, which is always well-pleasing to Inquisitors, 
 and so proceed to the Town of Taunton. At which place being 
 Arrived, it was thought fit by the Lord Chief-Justice to be as ex- 
 peditious as might be ; so that late in the Afternoon the Court sat, 
 where the Commission being Read, he proceeded to give the 
 Charge, which was so very keen and full of sharp Invectives, as if 
 the Countrey it self had not been able to make Expiation to his 
 Lordship, to quench his Thirst in the Blood of those that ventur'd 
 their all in Defence of the Protestant Religion ; and here we enter 
 upon the bloodiest part of this Tragedy. In this Town, and at 
 Wells in the said County, were more than 500. Prisoners. 
 
 To begin at Taunton ; the next Morning after the Charge given, 
 the Assizes began where some few put themselves on Trial, who 
 were fouud Guilty, and immediately ordered to be Executed; of 
 which Number, one Mr Simon Hamlin was one, who was a zealous 
 worthy good Man, and his Case no way dangerous, but on the con- 
 trary, had he had to do with a Judge of another Stamp ; his 
 particular Case you shall have before we conclude. To proceed to 
 the rest, this first Cruelty caused the rest to Plead Guilty in hopes of 
 Favour, which was only a few dayes to live, which those that 
 Pleaded had not. Amongst these at Taunton were divers eminent 
 Persons that had been taken in the West and carried to London, and 
 brought down there to compleat the Bloody Tragedy in those parts : 
 Mr Parrot, Mr Hewling the Elder, Mr Lisle, Mr Jenkins, Mr 
 Hucker and divers others were very Eminent. To take notice of 
 every particular in this Matter, will alter our Design, and swell the 
 Book to too great a Bulk, being only designed for a Pocket Com- 
 panion, and useful it may be, to see the Cruelty of Men when in 
 
The Bla0dtj ^ssi2;fis ; m*, 
 
 their Power, and how the Devil stirreth up his Instruments, to 
 pursue those that adventure for the Cause of God and Religion. 
 Here were in this County Executed 239. the rest that were Con- 
 demned, were Transported, except such as were able to furnish 
 Coin, and that not a little, for an account was taken of Mens 
 Abilities, according to which, the purchase for Life must be man- 
 aged by two of his Favorites, who had a small share, the rest went 
 into his Lordships Pocket ; according to the Actions of Rome 
 where Sins of any kind may be pardoned for Money. This indeed 
 was a glorious design in the Eye of Mother-Church, to Root out 
 Heresie by Executions and Transportations, to make Room for a 
 pack; here Expedition must be made to conclude at Wells, for that 
 a great Man being fallen, our great Judge designing his Chair, which 
 in short, he had as the Reward of so Eminent and extraordinary a 
 piece of Service as he did for Advancement of the Roman Catholick 
 Intrest, which is cruel always where it prevails. 
 
 Thus we leave the Town of Taunton, after awarding Execution to 
 many there, and their Quarters to be scattered up and down the 
 County ; and so we proceed to Wells, where divers Prisoners that 
 had been carried from Goal to Goal, in Expectation of Evidence 
 against them, were in Carts removed to Wells ; in which place, to 
 finish this Expedition, the same Method as was at the former Assizes, 
 was also taken here by a severe Charge, affronting the Gentlemen of 
 this County, as he had done in all the Counties before, terrifying the 
 Juries (when any Pleaded) to make them to bring in the Persons 
 Guilty ; some of which being over-awed, and it is doubted, contrary 
 to their Judgments, which if so, the Lord forgive them. 
 
 Here were many Eminent and Worthy Persons that received the 
 Sentence of;Death, but the Executions of the County being put 
 tot^ether, as you have before seen, we make no particular Division 
 of the Number here, and the number at Taunton, the whole being 
 Recited before : We shall therefore endeavour to be as brief as we 
 
 I 
 
hiie at Jxtclge Jeffries. 
 
 39 
 
 can, to give you what we think Material, and truly matter of Fact ; 
 my Lord now beine; come to conclude this extraordinary Commis- 
 sion, and in haste to be Elevated, maketh all manner of Dispatch to 
 repair to the King then at Windsor, to give an Account of his Tran- 
 sactions, and to receive the Reward of his merritorious Service in 
 this Butchering of Protestants, which is so acceptable to his Holi- 
 ness, and his Bigotted Disciples, as nothing can be more ; and 
 indeed if you will believe them, a Work that merits Heaven at last, 
 besides what temporal Preferments are thought fit in this World. 
 If this cruel judge were a true Protestant, his Case is much the 
 more worse, being made use of as a Tool to destroy, and carry on 
 Popish Designs : Thus the Affairs being ended, the Country filled 
 with Heads and Quarters of those that were Executed, the rest that 
 had not wherewith to purchase their Lives, left in Custody in order 
 to Transportation ; my Lord being come to the King to give an 
 account of his Affairs in the West, the great Seal being to be 
 disposed of by the Death of the late Keeper, he kiss'd the King's 
 Hand for it, and was made Lord Chancellour, which was only an 
 earnest of his Desert for so eminent and extraordinary a piece of 
 Service, so now that which remains, is to give an Account of divers 
 that had fled, and hid themselves up and down in Holes and 
 Privacies, whose Friends make all Application to some great men or 
 other to procure their Pardons ; some to this, and others to such as 
 they thought Favourites with the King; but the Rewards must be 
 Assertained before any Application could be made : Divers lists 
 being sent up, and the Rewards assertained, which amongst many of 
 them put together, did amount to considerable, so that it was now, 
 who could find a Friend to Relieve his Distresed Relations, which 
 were forced to wander up and down in Caues and Desarts, for fear 
 of being taken ; but this Misfortune attended the Agents, that unless 
 my Lord Chancellour were used, by his Creatures, that were allowed 
 by him so to do ; other Applications commonly met with Disappoint- 
 
40 
 
 TTifi Bl00% llssizfis ; or, 
 
 ments, which caused an Emulation amongst the great Men ; one 
 supposing to have deserved the Kings Ear as well as the other, 
 which caused other measures to be taken, though some were 
 wheedled out of their Money : At last came out a General Pardon, 
 with Exceptions, very few, if any of those that were solicited for, not 
 being Excepted, were of course Pardoned ; but however, divers Sums 
 of Money having been paid, no Restitution to be had, for from Hell 
 is no Redemption : A Worthy Western Gentleman, his purchase 
 came to 15, or 16000 Guineas, which my Lord Chancellour had. 
 Amongst the exceptions, were a parcel of Taunton Girls, some of 
 which were Children of eight or ten years old, however something was 
 to be made of them, if these Ladies were Judged Guilty of Treason for 
 presenting the Duke of Monmouth with Colours, &c., and for to 
 preserve these from Trials, they were given to the Maids of Honour 
 to make up their Christmas box ; so that an Agent of theirs was sent 
 down into the Countrey, to Compound with their Parents, to pre- 
 serve them from what might after follow, if taken, so, that some ac- 
 cording to Ability, gave 100/. others 50/. all which, however did not 
 answer the Ladies first Expectations ; yet it did satisfie, and they 
 were accordingly Pardoned : Thus we have given you an Account 
 of what hath happenned on this Occasion, being in every point 
 Truth : We might have farther Enlarged, but that would have 
 spoiled the Design, and swoln our Pocket Companion to a Volume 
 too big. 
 
 We shall only according to our Promise, give the particular Cases 
 of some of those that were Condemned and Executed ; as also of 
 some others that were most eminent, of their Dying Words, and of 
 their Christian-like Behaviour at the Place of Execution ; which may 
 serue as an Encouragement to all true Protestants to go on in their 
 Christian Profession, and not to waver, God Almighty being able to 
 sweeten the Bitterest Sufferings, and will make good his Promise, 
 Never to leave nor forsake those that are his. 
 
hiU (xt ^uxlge UMmas, 
 
 I 
 
 4i 
 
 Ti^€ Oy«^g Spe€€Hes, ant! % B«Ha«««f «^' 
 of i\\<ik Cases, take as followetl^ : 
 
 |gg^t^lllJ.UMIJjpig PIWj qg|gp 
 
UU 0f hxdge ^attmes. 43 
 
 The ©yiug Speeches, and the JJehauiour of some of them, 
 with the Circumstances of their Cases, tahe as followeth: 
 
 WE begin with Mr. Matthew Bragg, who was a Gentleman, and 
 descended from an Antient and Good Family ; he was bred an 
 Attorney, in which he practised the Law, his Case being this ; He 
 hapned to be upon the Road Riding Home to his House, being 
 come from a Gentleman's House for whom he kept Courts ; he as 
 before, being met with by a Party of Horse belonging to the 
 Duke of Monmouth, who were going to search the House of a 
 Roman Catholick for Arms, who liued two or three Miles from the 
 place they met him, they required him to go with them, and shew 
 them the way, he knowing the Country better than they did ; he 
 desired to be excused, telling them. It was none of his Business, and 
 besides had no Arms ; but his Excuses signified nothing, they forced 
 him amongst them, where they went, when being come, a Party 
 Enter'd the House and searcht it ; Mr. Bragg never dismounted, 
 they being then satisfied, took him along with them to Chard, where 
 then the Duke of Monmouth was ; being there, after having set up 
 his Horse where he used to do, often having Occasion there, he was 
 much tampered with to Engage in the Design, but he refused it ; 
 but the next morning made haste out of Town, not seeing the Duke 
 at all ; calling for his Horse, it was told him, That it was seized for 
 the Dukes Service ; so then he took his Cane and Gloues, and 
 walked to his own House, which was about five or six Miles, and 
 was no more concerned in the Affair, than that after the Dukes 
 Defeat at Kings-Sedgmore, some busie Person Informeth and 
 requireth a Warrant from a Justice of Peace for the said Mr. Bragg, 
 
 BBTTS: 
 
■I 
 
 ■l|i|l!ilillDl 
 
 44 
 
 The Bloody ^ssiz;es ; or, 
 
 who obliged him to enter into a Recognizance to appear at the next 
 Assizes, the said Justice accounting the matter in it self but Trivial; 
 and indeed all men did judge him out of Danger. At Dorchester 
 he appeared in Court to discharge his Bayl, on which he was pre- 
 sently Committed, and the next day being Arraigned, Pleading not 
 Guilty, put himself on the Trial of God and his Countrey, which 
 found him and 28 more of 30, Guilty ; the L. C. J. often saying, If 
 any Lawyer or Parson came under his Inspection, they should not 
 escape ; the Evidence against him, was the Roman Catholick, whose 
 House was searcht, and a Woman of 111 Fame, to whom the L. C. J. 
 was wonderful kind; but his Evidence which were more than 20, to 
 prove his Innocence, signified nothing ; the Jury being well instructed 
 by my Lord-Chief-Justice. Being thus found Guilty; Sentence was 
 presently Pronounced, and Execution awarded, not withstanding al) 
 the Interest that was made for him, as before Recited. 
 
 Thus being condemned Saturday, and ordered to be Executed 
 Monday, he spent the Residue of his little time very devoutly, and 
 much becoming a good Christian and a true Protestant of the 
 Church of England, all which availed nothing with this Protestant 
 Judge : he was frequently visited by a worthy Divine of the Church 
 of England, who spent much time with him and received great 
 Satisfaction from him, the faid Divine told me that his deportment, 
 his behavior and converse, was so much like an extraordinary 
 Christian ; that they could not in the least doubt but this violent 
 passage would put him into the fruition of happiness : he wisht and 
 desired a little longer time out of no other design, but throughly to 
 repent him of his Sins, and make himself more sensible of and fit 
 for to receive the Inheritance that is prepared for those that continue 
 in well doing to the end ; when he came to the place of Execution 
 with great Courage and Resolution, being as he said prepared for 
 Death, he behaved himself very gravely and devoutly, being asked 
 
hiie ixt hxdge Jeffries. 
 
 4^ 
 
 when he was on the Ladder, whether he was not sorry for his being 
 concerned in the Rebelhon? He replyed, that he knew of none that 
 he was Guilty of, and prayed them not to trouble him, adding he 
 was not the first that was Martyr'd, he was so much a Christian as to 
 forgive his Enemies. And after some private Devotions he suddenly 
 was Translated as we have all hopes to believe from Earth to 
 Heaven ; the only Favour of this Protestant Judge, was to give his 
 Body to his Friends, in order to it's Interment amongst his Ancestors. 
 
hife of Judge feffries. 
 
 47 
 
 of €i?(af<Jsto€-k. 
 
Mild of Judge ^ejfmas. 
 
 49 
 
 The Behuuiour at Mv. Smith, Nonstable to €har4stocl;, 
 
 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 
 come to the knowledge of some of the D'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 D. of M. To which 
 he pleaded not Guilty, the Evidence against him were the same with 
 those that had been against M. Bragg, the said M. Smith Informed 
 the Court and the Jury, what little Credit ought to be given to the 
 Evidence the L. C. J. thundered at him, saying thou Villain me 
 thinks 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 dye, 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 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 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 Exhorta- 
 tions to his Brethern that suffered with him, he was ordered to 
 prepare being the first that was to be Executed where he speak as 
 
50 
 
 Tlie Bloadtj ^ssizies ; or, 
 
 followelh, Christian Friends, I am now as you see lanching into 
 Eternity, so that it may be expected I should speak something, 
 before I leave this miserable World, and pass through those 
 Sufferings, 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 Sufferings 
 now, but for Sins long unrepented of which indeed hath brought me 
 to this dismal place and shameful Death ; and truly dear Countrey 
 Men having Ransaked my Soul, I cannot find my small concern 
 with the D. of M. doth deserve this heavy Judgment on me, but I 
 know as I said before ; It is for Sins long unrepented of, I dye in 
 Charity with all Men, I desire all of you to bear me witness, I dye a 
 true Professor of the Church of England ; Beseeching the Lord still 
 to stand up in the Defence of it, God forgive my passionate Judgesi 
 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 stands 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 tryed ; and Lord, if it be thy holy will, stop 
 this issue of Christian Blood, 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 himself, said, O Lord into thy hands 
 I commend my Spirit, and so submitted to the Executioner, Sept. 
 7th. 85. 
 
 itMIUlilli 
 
lUil 
 
 ^ 
 
 w 
 
 I 
 
 UU of Judge Jefferies. 
 
 51 
 
 Mr. Jos«pl^ S-pe€-d, ef €«IIHo«. 
 
hih of Judge Jeffries. 
 
 53 
 
 The gfihauiour and dging Speech of Kir. Joseph Speed, 
 of euUiton. 
 
 AT the same time and place, as he came near the place of 
 Execution he spying his Country Man and Friend, called him and 
 said I am glad to see you here now, because I am not known in 
 these parts ; being answered by his Friend, I am sorry to see you in 
 this condition, he replies, it is the best day I ever saw, I thank God 
 I have not lead my Life as Unchristian like as many have done, 
 having since the years of i6 always had the checks of Conscience on 
 me, which made me to avoyd many gross and grievous Sins, my 
 course of Life hath been well known to you, yet I cannot justifie my 
 self, all Men err, I have not been the least of Sinners, therefore 
 cannot excuse my self, but since my confinement I have received so 
 great comfort, in some assurance of the Pardon of my Sins, that I 
 can now say, I am willing to dye to be dissolved, and to be with 
 Christ, and to say to Death where is thy Sting, and to the Grave 
 where is thy Victory ; being asked by some rude Souldiers ; whether 
 he was not sorry for the Rebellion, he was found Guilty of? he 
 Couragously replyed, if you call it Rebellion, I can assure you I had 
 no sinister ends in being concerned, for my whole design in taking 
 up Arms under the D. of M. was to fight for the Protestant Religion, 
 which my own conscience dictated me to, and which the said D. 
 declared for, and had I think a lawful Call and Warrant for so doing, 
 and do not question that if I have committed any Sin in it, but that 
 it is pardoned? pray Mr, Sheriff let me be troubled no farther in 
 
H 
 
 The 1100% ^ssizies ; or, 
 
 answering of questions, but give me leave to prepare my self (those 
 few muintes I have left) for another World, and go to my Jesus ; who 
 is ready to receive me, then calling to his Friend who stood very 
 near him, said my dear Friend you know I have a dear Wife and 
 Children, who will find me wanting being somewhat incumbred in 
 the World, let me desire you as a dying Man to see that she be not 
 abused, and as for my poor Children, I hope the Father of Heaven 
 will take care for them, and give them grace to be dutiful to their 
 distressed Mother, and so with my dying Love to all my Friends, 
 when you see them, I take leave of you and them and all the V/orld, 
 desiring your Christian Prajers for me to the last moment, then 
 repeating some Sentences of Scripture, as Collossians Chap. 3. 
 vers. I, 2. If your then, &:c. and Praying very fervently for a 
 quarter of an hour said, I thank God I have Satisfaction ; I am 
 ready and willing to suffer shame for his name, and so powering 
 forth some private Ejaculations to himself and lifting up his hands, 
 the Executioner did his Office : The Souldiers then present said 
 they never before were so taken with a dying Man's Speech, his 
 courage and Chrisiian-bke Resolution, caused many violent Men 
 against the Prisoners, to repent of their Tyranny, towards them ; 
 some of whom in a short time dyed full of horror; and thus fell 
 this good Man, a true Protestant and one that held out to the end. 
 
I 
 
 hiU at Judge Jeffries. 
 
 55 
 
 Aft Accouft-t of i\\me -tli^at s»ff€f€<i at 
 Bfklp-oft a-fi-d iiftve. 
 
I 
 
 Jaife at hidge $sifUvies. 57 
 
 |tn ^ccDuiat of those that suffered at IJridport and Mxne. 
 
 AT Bridport one John Sprake, who was a very good Man, and 
 behaved himself with a great deal of Christian-like Courage to the 
 End ; His Speech and his Devotions, &c. must be omitted, not 
 being possible to take them, by reason of the rudeness, &c. and the 
 shortness of the time allowed them by the Soldiers. 
 
 Next place was Lime where many of Note dyed : Particularly, 
 Coll. Holmes, who was the first of those there executed, near the 
 same Place where they Landed, when they came ashoar with the D. 
 of M. being brought to the Place of Execution after some difficulty ; 
 for the Horses that were first put into the Sled would not stir, which 
 obliged those concerned to get others, which they did from the 
 Coachman, who had that Morning brought them to Town ; when 
 they were put into the Sled, they broke it in pieces, which caused 
 the Prisoners to go on foot to the Place of execution ; where being 
 come, as I told you before, the Coll. began thus at the Foot of the 
 Ladder, he sate down with an Aspect altogether void of Fear ; but 
 on the contrary with a kind of a smiling countenance, so began to 
 speak to the Spectators, to this purpose. That he would give them 
 an Account of his first Undertaking in the design, which was long 
 before in London, for there he agreed to stand by and assist the D. of 
 M. when opportunity offered, in order to which, he went to Holland 
 with him, and there continued until this Expedition, in which 
 God had thought fit to frustrate his and other good Mens Expectations ; 
 He believed the protestant Religion was bleeding, and in a step 
 towards Extirpation, and therefore he with these his Brethren, that 
 
 Kki^Baaimiairs^v ;^^^:J ' ■ ' W'"Wt. 
 
The Blaadi} Assizes ; ar, 
 
 were to suffer with him, and Thousands more had adventured 
 their Lives and their All for to save it ? but God Almighty had not 
 appointed them to be the Instruments in so glorious a Work, yet 
 notwithstanding he did verily believe and doubted not, but that 
 God would make use of others, that should meet with better success, 
 tho the way or means was not yet visible, but of this he did not 
 doubt ; he also was satisfyed of the D's Title, so that matter did not 
 afflict him on account of this engaging on his Score, and going on 
 further with Discourse of this Nature, he was asked by a person, 
 why he did not pray for the King ? He with a smiling countenance, 
 answered, I am sorry you do not yet understand the difference 
 between Speaking and Praying ? and having ended his Discourse, he 
 then prepared himself by Prayer for his Dissolution, which was very 
 devout and pious for half an hour ; but in it not mentioning the 
 Name of the King, was charged as before, to which he replyed, as 
 he was a Man, he prayed for him in General, praying for All 
 mankind. 
 
 After having ended his Prayer, he took occasion to speak to his 
 suffering Brethren, taking a solemn leave of them, incouraging them 
 to hold out to the end, and not to waver observing that this being a 
 Glorious Sun Shining day, I doubt not though our Breakfast be 
 sharp and bitter, it will prepare us, and make us meet for a comfortable 
 Supper, with our God and Saviour, where all Sin and sorrow shall be 
 wiped away, so embracing each of them, and kissing of them, told, 
 the Sheriff, you see I am imperfect only one Arm, I shall want 
 Assistance to help me up on this Tragical Stage, which was presently 
 done and Execution sudenly followed, after which followed Mr. 
 Sampson Larke, who was a very Eminent pious Man, and had lived 
 in that Town but little before many Years, he was there well 
 acquainted, and all People that knew him had a value for him, 
 behaving himself with that Humility and Circumspection as no body 
 could have any other occasion but to value him, he designed to 
 
laife of ^udge HUmes, r>9 
 
 have spoken somewhat on a portion of Scripture and was beginning, 
 having mentioned the place he intended to speak upon, but was 
 interrupted and told, the work of the day being great, they should 
 want time. So then he stopt and replyed, he could make application 
 where he should not meet with interruption, and so apply'd himself 
 to Prayer which he performed with great Devotion and Zeal, for a 
 quarter of an hour to the great satisfaction of the Auditors, and so 
 taking leave of his sufTering Brethren, he mounted the Stage, which 
 was to be the last Act he made in this World, being on the Ladder 
 he saw some of his Friends and Neighbours weeping and mourning 
 for him, to whom he speak, pray weep not for me, I am going to a place 
 of Bliss and Happiness, wherefore pray repair to your Houses and 'ere 
 you get thither, I doubt not, but I shall be happy with my God and 
 Saviour, where all tears shall be wiped away, and nothing shall remain 
 but Hallelujahs to all Eternity. 
 
 There was also Mr. William Hewling of London, a young gentle- 
 men under twenty, who came over with the D. of M. he seemed to 
 be in a calm and composed frame of Spirit, and with a great deal of 
 Courage and Seriousness, he behaved himself; there is already 
 something said of his converse and discourse, which amongst others 
 is Printed ; therefore we shall say nothing more of him, but that in 
 all manner of Appearance he dyed a good Christian, true Protestant, 
 and doubtless now enjoys the benefit of it : there were several 
 worthy Men more there Executed, viz. Mr. Christopher Battiscombe, 
 Dr. Temple, Captain Madders, Captain Mathews, Captain Kid, 
 &c. in all twelve, who all of them dyed with the Courage and 
 Resolution as became Christians, and such who eminently had 
 adventured their Lives and Fortunes, in defence of what was most 
 dear to them, and namely our Religion, which though God did not 
 think those fit to defend and secure it yet in his infinite wisdom, we 
 hope it will be in some measure secured by other Instruments, the 
 Glory of the same being only due to him. So that now leaving this 
 
mm 
 
 60 
 
 The Bloody Assizes ; or, 
 
 Place, we proceed to other parts of the Country, where with the hke 
 Butchery were only five Executed, amongst which was M. Tyler of 
 Bristol, who had had Command in tne Dukes Army, where he 
 behaved himself very stoutly to the last, after the Army was dispersed, 
 he amongst others were taken, received Sentence of Death at 
 Dorchester, and here brought for the Completion of the same, and 
 from hence we hope was Translated to Heaven, he spent his time 
 between the Sentence and Execution very devoutly, in confirming 
 and strengthening those that were to be his fellow Sufferers. And 
 made it his business, to bring them to a willingness to submit to, 
 and a preparedness for, Death ; The day being come and he brought 
 to the Place of Execution, he thus spoke, my Friends you see I am 
 now on the brink of Eternity, and in a few minutes, shall be but 
 Clay, you expect I should say something, as is usual in such cases ; 
 as to the matter of fact I dye for, it doth not much trouble me, 
 knowing to my self the ends for which I ingaged with the D. of M. 
 were both good and honourable, here being stop'd, and not suffered 
 to proceed farther, he then comforted his fellow sufferers, desiring 
 them to join with him in Singing a Hymn, which he himself com- 
 posed for the occasion as followeth. 
 
 O Lord how Glorious is thy Grace, 
 And wondrous large thy Love ; 
 At such a dreadful time and place. 
 To such as Faithful prove. 
 
 If thou wilt have thy Glory hence ; 
 Though a shameful death we dye, 
 We do Bless thee for this Providence, 
 To all Eternity. 
 
 I 
 
hite (xt Ju4ge Jeffries. 
 
 61 
 
 Let these Spectators see thy Grace. 
 In thy Poor Servants shine ; 
 While we by Faith behold thy Face ; 
 In that blest Son of thine. 
 
 Though Men our Bodies may abuse, 
 Christ take our Souls to rest : 
 Till he brings forth the joyful news, 
 Ye are my Fathers blest. 
 
 Appear for those that plead thy Cause, 
 Preserve them in the way, 
 Who own King Jesus, and his Laws, 
 And dare not but obey. 
 
 O God confound our cruel Foes, 
 Let Babylon come down 
 Let Englands King be one of them, 
 Shall raze her to the Ground. 
 
 Through Christ we yield our Souls to thee. 
 
 Accept us on his Score ; 
 
 That where he is there we may be. 
 
 To Praise thee ever more. 
 
 After the Hymn Sung he Prayed devoutly, for half an hour; after 
 Prayer he gave great satisfaction to all present of his Assurance 
 of Heaven, had many weeping Eyes for him, and was much lamented 
 
The Bloadij <^ssizes ; or, 
 
 in the Town, though a stranger to the place, so unbuttoning himself, 
 said to the Executioner, I fear not what Man can do unto me ; 
 I pray thee do thy work in mercy, for I forgive thee with all my 
 Heart, and I also pray to God for to forgive thee, dont mangle my 
 Body too much, and so lifting up his hands to Heaven, the 
 Executioner did his Office, there was also one William Cox, that 
 dyed with him, who also dyed very couragiously despising the shame, 
 m hopes and expectation of a future better Estate ; he and his two 
 Sons were some of the first that came to the D. of M. and all taken 
 and all condemned together, the Father only suffered, the Sons by 
 providence were preserved ; when he was going to Execution he 
 desired leave to see his Sons, then in another Prison in the Town, 
 to whom he gave his Blessing, and though he was going to be 
 Executed, yet had that satisfaction to hope that God would preserve 
 them which was so. 
 
UU ixt Judge $ennes, 6$ 
 
 li 
 
 Afl A{imm\t of tl\<3s« Ex«€«t€<i at Sli^^fbera. 
 
h\U at ludgfi $(ifUms. 
 
 U 
 
 ^n Itccomit of those Exei;nte4 at Sherboru, 
 
 AT Sherborn, in the same County were Executed twelve, who all 
 dyed Couragously, especially one M. Glisson of Teovel, in the 
 County of Somerset, his extraordinary deportment and carraige at 
 the Place of Execution, was so very considerable, as gave great 
 satisfaction to his Friends, and Amazment to his Enemies ; he 
 declared to the World, that he dyed a true Protestant, and had not 
 ingaged with the D. of M. but Judged it high time to stand up for 
 the Defence of the same, though God Almighty had thought fit, to 
 frustrate his designs and to bring him to that Place, to Seal the 
 same with his Blood ; also John Savage and Richard Hall of Culliton, 
 In the County of Devon, suffered at the same time and Place in 
 their particular Conversation, they valued most those that they 
 saw most of piety in, and pittyed others that they saw not so well 
 prepared, saying thai the remembrance of our vanity, may cause 
 compassion towards such as were in such a condition, exhorting all 
 to be serious and to consider their latter end, which deserved the 
 greatest attention of mind, the way to dye comfortably being to 
 prepare for it seriously, and if God should miraculously preserve us 
 from this death now before our Eyes ; It should be the duty of us 
 all to spend the remainining part of our time, in such a manner as 
 now when we see death just at the Door ; At the hour of Execution, 
 their chearfulness and comfort was much increased, saying now 
 the will of God will be done, and he hath most certainly 
 chosen that for us which is best, with many other such like 
 Christian expressions, too tedious here to be inserted, because we 
 design to keep to our first intentions, and not to swell this 
 
 I 
 
 
66 The Blaadij ^Isaizes ; av, 
 
 Treatise too big. Upon the whole after they had with much 
 earnestness, recommended their Souls to the all wise God by Prayer, 
 they all with much content and satisfaction, submitted themselves 
 to the Executioner, not doubting of a happy Translation, and 
 accordingly were Executed and quartered ; before the rest of the 
 Executions in this County, as at Weymouth, Pool, Sh afton, Wimborne, 
 &c. Not being there, we shall pass over, and only give you particular 
 touches, which we saw to our perfect knowledge, and so we return to 
 Culliton, in the County of Devon, where John Spragne, and William 
 Clegg, both of that town were condemned at Exon, and there brought 
 to be executed ; before they were brought into the place, a Messenger 
 came from the Prisoners, with a Request to the Vicar of the Parish, 
 to desire his company and Assistance, in this their extremity, and to 
 Administer those Spiritual helps, that were suitable to Men, in their 
 Circumstances ; accordingly the said Minister came very readily, and 
 did demand of them what they had to desire of him, the dying 
 Persons answered they desired his Prayers, accordingly he prayed 
 with them a considerable space of time ; After which he asked of 
 them several questions, for to give him and the World satisfaction of 
 the prepared condition they were in, in order to their lanching into 
 Eternity; especially about the Doctrine of non resistance, John 
 Spragne, very soberly and moderably replyed, but whether satisfactory 
 or not, we leave to the Reader, he believed that no Christian ought 
 to resist a Lawful Power, but the case being between Popery and 
 Protestantism, altered the matter ; and the latter being in danger, he 
 believed that it was lawful for him to do what he did, though God 
 in his Providence had thought fit to bring him to this place of 
 Execution. A.fter Reading a Chapter out of the Corinthians, and 
 Singing a Psalm suitable to the occasion, he very vehemently and 
 fervently recommended his Soul to the all wise God by Prayer, for 
 near half an hour to the great satisfaction of all that heard him ; then 
 his Wife and Children, coming to him weeping bitterly, he imbraced 
 
 I 
 
 ^iiSiimiSSi 
 
iaiffi at Judge Jeffems. 
 
 them in his Arms, saying weep not for me ; but weep for yourselves 
 and for your Sins, for that he had that quiet satisfaction, that he was 
 only going to be Translated into a state of Bliss and Happiness ; 
 where he should sin and sorrow no more ; but that all tears should 
 be wiped away, wishing them to be diligent in the Service of God, 
 then recommended his Wife and Children to the protection of the 
 Almighty God, who had promised to be a Husband to the Widdow, 
 and a Father to the Fatherless, who was faithful and able to make 
 up their loss in him, in that which should be better for them, then he 
 could be, desiring God to be a Refuge for them to fly to for security, 
 and preservation from the troubles that seemed to threaten this 
 poor Nation, the which if they did conscientiously perform, though 
 death here made a seperation, he doubted not of meeting them in 
 Heaven at last, and so the Executioner did his Office, during which 
 time his Brother sufferer, William Clegg, was all the time on his 
 Knees, Praying to himself, with a seeming Zeal, suddenly after 
 which his turn being come to follow- his Brother, he only told the 
 People that his fellow-sufferer, , had spoken what he thought was 
 necessary, and they were also his sentiments and so submitted to 
 Execution. 
 
hite at ?udge Jeffries. 69 
 
 Aft A€c««flt «f tl^osB Executed at Axmiftst«f 
 ami JHIoftitoft. 
 
Ute cif fudge Jeffries, 71 
 
 Jin Recount of those Executed at Jlxminster and lionitou. 
 
 AT Axminster one also was Executed, his Name, Mr. Rose he 
 was, a Gunner, that Landed with the D. of M. he had a great 
 Resolution, and not at all started with the fear of Death, he said he 
 defy ed death and all them that were the occasion of it. He was 
 very couragious and dyed so ; he spent some time in private Prayer, 
 and was not allowed time because there w as to be Execution at 
 Honiton ; so that his Execution being over, we passed on to Honiton, 
 where were four Executed, one of which was a Chyrurgeon, his 
 Name, If I do not mistake, was Mr. Pott, who behaved himself with 
 that extraordinary Christian Courage, that all the Spectators were 
 almost astonished : he being but young about twenty, his Prayers 
 being fervent, his Expressions so pithy, and so becoming a Christian 
 of greater Age, that drew pity and compassion from all present ; a 
 rude Fellow, just before he was to be executed, called for a Bottle 
 of Wine, and so began the Kings health to one of the Guard ; which 
 he perceiving, poor Soul said he. Your Cup seeemeth to be sweet to 
 you, and you think mine is bitter, which indeed is so to Flesh and 
 Blood, but yet I have that assurance of the fruition of a future 
 Estate, that I doubt not but this bitter Portion will be sweetn'd 
 with the Sugar of the loving kindness of my dearest Saviour, that I 
 shall be translated into such a State, where is fulness of Joy and 
 Pleasure for evermore. 
 
 Before I conclude one Mr. Evans a Minister ought not to be 
 omitted, who did all along in the time of his confinement in Prison, 
 behave himself with that Devotion and Strictness, that became a 
 Christian of great eminency, as indeed, he was, he spent much of 
 
The B looiiy Assizes ; or, 
 
 his time in Preaching and Praying to his fellow Prisoners, exhorting 
 them to hold out to the end, he at last by apoointment being 
 Condemned was Executed by himself, at which time and place he 
 behaved himself with great Courage and Devotion, and with a 
 great willingness and chearfulness, he submitted Execution, there 
 might have been much more said of this worthy Man ; but because 
 we will keep to our design shall be ommitted; many others, which 
 were also very eminent that suffered in this County for asserting and 
 endeavouring to secure Protestant Religion, might deservedly have 
 a share in this finall Treatise, but having resolved this for brevity, 
 according as it meetetb with reception, so it may give encouragement 
 for Additions, else must stand as now it is. 
 
I 
 
 I 
 
 Isifjj of 3i.idge Jeffijries. 
 
 73 
 
 € Case -of Ui\ Sh«oi^ HamliRQ, 
 
 ifillOTWW^I^nnPiHHMg 
 
I 
 
 Isifij of Judgf) UUmt^s. 
 
 7& 
 
 The ease of Mr. gimon l]amliug, 
 
 THus having finished what we have to say at present shall only 
 add the Case of one Mr. Simon Hamling at Taunton, to shew that 
 sometimes Innocency will not protect : Mr. Hamling was formerly 
 an Inhabitant of the place, but of late years had lived two or three 
 miles from thence ; he was a very honest, worthy, good Christian, 
 but was a Dissenter, and indeed in the Judgment of some fiery Men, 
 that might be Crime enough, as did too sadly appear in divers Cases ; 
 but to our purpose Mr. Hamling living in the Country, hearing of 
 the D. of M. being in Town, he there came to speak with his Son, 
 who lived in that place, where being come he gave him advice, 
 which was that as he expected his Blessing and Countenance, he 
 should not at all concern himself in the matter, but submit to the 
 Will of God in all things, and having thus advised his Son, he 
 returns home, and two days after came again to Town, on a Market 
 day, with his Wife to buy Provisions for his Family, and returned to 
 his house again, and this was all the times he was in Town, whiles 
 the D. was there, but after the business was over, he was brought in 
 on suspition, being a Dissenter, that was Crime enough, except 
 Coin appear'd to a Justice of that Town, who usually did commit or 
 dismiss as that appeared ; this Man was arraign'd at Taunton, 
 pleady not guilty ; the matter above is the Truth of this Case, the 
 Evidences were two profligate Rascals, that had Incouragement from 
 the Justice, they usually doing what he put them on ; the Prisoner 
 had many to prove this Fact and his Honesty ; but this did not 
 avail, the Jury found him gulty, with two more, who were presently 
 
Tlie Bloody Assizes ; or, 
 
 sentenc'd, and next Morning executed for to be Examples to others. 
 It is said that the Justice did make application to our famous 
 Protestant Judge, and hinted some mistake concerning him ; to 
 which as I have been informed, he should Reply, you have brought 
 him on, if he be innocent, his blood be upon you, which was a very 
 fine Reply from a merciful Judg, but nothing else could be expected, 
 as the whole Treatise evinceth. The tender Mercies of the wicked 
 being cruel ; this Man behaved himself very worthily at the place of 
 execution, and did at the last declare, his crime to be the same as is 
 above mentioned, and no other wise, there was one Mr. Gatchett 
 executed with him, his crime being a Constable of the Hundred, he 
 was surprised by a Party of the Ds. and shewed a Warrant to bring 
 in Provisions and other necessaries for the use of the Army, which 
 if he had not obeyed, was threatned to have his House burnt, &c. 
 So that he was obliged to do what he did for his own preservation, 
 but this was not sufficient ; for being found guilty was also executed 
 at the same time and place. 
 
 .^ 
 
UU of $x\dge Jeffries. 
 
 Tl^e €ase of Mr. Tl^e. iawf€«c«. 
 
i 
 
 hite at Judge Jeffries. 79 
 
 The €ase of Kir, Thn. Isawrence. 
 
 MR. Tho. Lawrence at Dorchester had also very hard measure, 
 he had the managing of an Estate belonging to a Person of Quality, 
 who had a Barn in the Parish of Lime, where the D. Landed ; the 
 day after his Landing a Party came and took away Three Horses 
 from off this Estate, which he having the Trust and Care of, makes 
 a])plication to the D. for them, adding that he ought not to suffer 
 any of his Masters goods to be wanting, but must endeavour to 
 Recover them again, so mov'd hard to the D. for the Horses, 
 but all would not prevail, but at last had one, and was forced 
 to leave two ; this was look'd on as an abetting, being judg'd 
 to be by consent, after the defeat was given he was had before a 
 Justice of the Peace, who bound him over to the Assizes, where 
 appearing, he was committed, pleaded not guilty on his Tryal, which 
 he pleaded to very honestly, yet was found guilty and sentenc'd to 
 dye; my Lord was excellent at Improvement, 'twas thought he 
 would, if possible, have brought in the Gentleman, that own'd the 
 Estate, who was very Rich ; this honest Mr. Lawrence was to be 
 sacrific'd, and his Execution order'd to be at Warham ; but my 
 Lord's Favourite got a Reprieve for him by the help of 400/. 200/. 
 being actually paid, the other secur'd by Bond. 
 
 I promised before I concluded, to give some .'Vccount of the 
 barbarous and cruel whippings, which were executed on many good, 
 honest and sufficient Persons, both men and women in the Countries 
 of Dorset. Devon, and Somerset, by the severe and cruel Sentence 
 of the L.C.J, some tor such small crimes, as an impartial man may 
 
 I 
 
80 The BI0W1J lissizes ; or, 
 
 judge, they deserved no punishment at all ; more especially one Mr. 
 Stayle of Thorncomb in Devonshire, his Sufferings were so hard, 
 that it caused many to pity him, he was a good Liver, well beloved 
 among hij Neighbours, and a true Protestant, also one Mrs. Brown 
 of Lime, suffered very dear in that nature, she only jokingly said, 
 unto the OflScer of the Excise, I will pay my Excise to K. Mommouth, 
 which being sworn before this severe Judge, she was found gulty of 
 a misdemeanor, was sentenc'd to be whipt in several Market-Towns, 
 which accordingly was done, but this Cruelty was not only extended 
 to those of riper years and able better to endure those painful 
 Sufferings, but even to Children ; A poor boy of Weymouth in the 
 County of Dorset, having got some Pamphlet, relating somewhat to 
 satisfie the People, that the D. of Monmouth came to secure the 
 Protestant Religion, had the hard fortune to take his Tryal before 
 this harsh Judge, I think he was about ten or twelve years of Age, 
 had the Flesh of his Back so cut with the whipping, that I heard he 
 dyed with the same, but whether he is dead or not, never was such 
 cruelty in all this World : And now we may see how just the Lord is, 
 he that all that time had no Mercy for any, but those that appeared 
 loose Villains, is pittyed but by few : Now I come to give you an 
 Account of the Number executed ; the Towns and Places where, 
 and so shall conclude. 
 
hiU at ^udge $d(m(is. 
 
 n 
 
 A irm aft<l Exact iist <^f all %m tl^at w«fe 
 
 £m4m\(\^4 mil Suffered m i\\^ West, k ti^e 
 
 Year 1€85, U^def tl^e Se^nte-nce -of <^^y hw4 
 
 €l^ancellof, %ft i<3f<:l Cl^ief Jiistice of 
 
 E^^^la«<l, wUl^ tl^e Nam-es -of 
 
 were Exec^ited. 
 
 ^ 
 
 l.'d^.. ■^^v!-..-<^;;^-r-tT9' 
 
Ipllk 
 Um — ^ 
 
 Mte of Judge Jefferies. 
 
 <S3 
 
 ^ True and Exact t»ist at all them that were Condemned 
 and Suffered in the West, in the Hear 1C85. Itnder 
 the Sentence of my Iiord Chancellor, then Lord 
 €hief Justice nf England, uiith the liaines of the 
 llouins where theij were Ececuted, 
 
 Hamp-shire. 
 
 
 At Winchester. 
 
 I 
 
 Wilt-shire. 
 
 
 At Salisbury. 
 
 I 
 
 Dorset-shire. 
 
 
 At Dorchester. 
 
 13 
 
 At Lyme. 
 
 12 
 
 At Belmont. 
 
 10 
 
 At Weymouth. 
 
 12 
 
 At Sherborne. 
 
 12 
 
 At Pooll. 
 
 10 
 
 At Warahem. 
 
 5 
 
 At Shafton. 
 
 6 
 
 At Wimborn. 
 
 5 
 
 In all 
 
 87 
 
 Devon-shire. 
 
 
 At Exon. 
 
 I 
 
 At Huniton. 
 
 S 
 
 At Axmister, 
 
 I 
 
 mmms ffBtBff^ 
 
The Bloa% ^ssiz^si; at, 
 
 I 
 
 
 At Culliton. 
 
 2 
 
 
 At Certon. 
 
 I 
 
 
 At Plimoth. 
 
 
 
 At Parkmouth. 
 
 
 
 At Totneys. 
 
 
 
 At Dillverton. 
 
 
 
 At Barnastaple. 
 
 
 
 In all 
 
 37 
 
 
 Sumerset-shire. 
 
 
 
 At Bath. 
 
 5 
 
 
 At Philipsnorton. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Froome. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Bruton. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Wincanton. 
 
 6 
 
 
 At Shepton Mallet. 
 
 13 
 
 
 At Pensford. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Wrington. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Wells. 
 
 8 
 
 
 At Vivelscomb. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Tutton upon Menaip. 
 
 2 
 
 
 At Chard. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Crookern. 
 
 10 
 
 
 At Somerton. 
 
 7 
 
 
 At Teovil. 
 
 8 
 
 
 At Netherstoe. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Danster. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Dalverton. 
 
 3 
 
 
 At Bridgevvater. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Ratlis-hill Bristol. 
 
 6 
 
 
 At Illmister. 
 
 12 
 
 
 At Stogursey. 
 
 2 
 
hiie af hxdge Htteties, 
 
 85 
 
 At Wellington. 
 
 
 3 
 
 At Southpetherton. 
 
 
 3 
 
 At Porlock. 
 
 
 2 
 
 At Glasenbury. 
 
 
 6 
 
 At Taunton. 
 
 
 19 
 
 At Langport. 
 
 
 3 
 
 At Axbridge. 
 
 
 6 
 
 At Cutherstone. 
 
 
 2 
 
 At Minehead. 
 
 
 6 
 
 At Evillchester. 
 
 
 12 
 
 At Stogummer. 
 
 
 3 
 
 At Castle-Cary. 
 
 
 3 
 
 At Milton-Port. 
 
 
 2 
 
 At Keinsham. 
 
 
 I r 
 
 
 In all. 
 
 239 
 
 Besides those hanged and destroyed in cold Blood. 
 
 fmt^'-'. 
 
hiU of hxdge Retteries. 
 
 87 
 
 Same '^m\di{'kdihk Passages, witt\ tbfi Oyifiig 
 Pfay«fs ■of ma-ny Emk^^Rt F€fs-8fls wl^o 
 siiiffefe<l ^fl t!^e West «ni-d«f tl^e €fa«l 
 S«iiit€ifi€'e «f tl^€ late iof-d €-h(i^ncellof i\\iifi 
 tw4 £\\k^ Amike J-efferys, aad tl\€ )«ost 
 ffieafkalsl-e €«''CiH«sta'ncfls t-!\a( att€fld€<l 
 
Th^ Blciadg |tssizes ; ar, 
 
 gome W^emnrknhle Passages, uiith the Dying Jfraijers of 
 manij Eminent fersons xvha suffered in the West 
 under the cruel Sentence of the late tord Chancellor 
 then Iiord €hief Justice Jeffertjs, and the most 
 remarkable Circumstances that attended their 
 Execution, 
 
 An Account of the behaviour of Coll. Holmes in Lyme, and at the 
 place of his Execution. And his last Prayer. 
 
 HE with Eleven more were brought from Dorchester to Lyme six 
 in a Coach, and six in a Cart, as he was drawn through the Town, 
 he chearfuUy beholding the People, advised them not to be discour- 
 aged, at their severe Deaths, for that though it was their hard 
 fortunes to loose the day, in so good a Cause, yet he questioned not 
 but it would be Revived again, and by such means as he nor they 
 could imagine, God I hope and trust will never let this Nation to 
 fall into Popery, being brought to the Inn where they stoped, near 
 two hours, until the Butchers had prepared every thing ready for the 
 slaughter, they were visited by a very worthy Divine, and Vicar of 
 that Town, who offered them those spiritual helps, usually in those 
 Occasions, which some of them Embraced, and others not ; their 
 Principles being Different from the Church of England ; The Jaylor 
 speaking to Coll. Holmes to knock off his Irons, he said, Great Men 
 of State wear Chains, and tis accounted for their honour, but though 
 there is a vast difference, betwixt those Golden ones and mine, yet I 
 take mine to be more Honourable, as that good Apostle said, he 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 t,ife jcif Judge $dUms. 
 
 S9 
 
 accounted it an honour to suffer shame for his Masters Name, the 
 Sledge being in readiness they prepared to enter it ; but Alas ! who 
 should draw such Men to Execution though Men were so bloody, 
 the very beasts refused to draw them ; and instead of going forward 
 they went backwards, and could by no means, make them do it, 
 which so enraged some Persons, that they took the Coach Horses 
 out of the Coach, and placed them to the Sledge; but presently the 
 Sledge broke in pieces ; then spake this worthy good Man : Pray 
 Gentlemen you see all your strivings will not do, to draw us to 
 Execution, I verily believe there is more in it then you are aware of, 
 pray read about the Prophet, that went out of Gods way, his beast 
 saw that he could not. 
 
 Give us leave and we will walk to the place ; Being there come the 
 Coll. prepared first to mount that Tragical Stage, the heads of his 
 Speech you have before, therefore his Prayer take as followeth, 
 
 €oll. holme's I^ast Ifrayer, 
 
 MOst Glorious, most great, and most merciful God, there is none 
 in Heaven nor in Earth that is like unto thee, Heaven is thy Throne 
 and the Earth is thy footstool, who shall say unto thee, what doest 
 thou, here we are poor deplorable Creatures come to offer up our 
 last Prayers, and Services unto thee, we beseech thy favourable Ear 
 to our Prayers and the comfort of thy holy Spirit, at this time, we 
 praise and magnifie thy name, for all the dispensations of thy pro- 
 vidence towards us, especially for this thy providence in bringing us 
 to this place and at this time, to suffer shame for thy Name, help and 
 assist all of us to submit to thy will patiently. Pardon all our Sins, 
 remove them out of my presence as far as the East is from the West, 
 and accept of us in the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ, thou who art 
 the searcher of hearts, and tryer of Reins let there not at the moment 
 of death be the least spark of Sin indwelling in us, nor the strivings 
 

 90 
 
 The Blaadt} Assizes ; or, 
 
 of Flesh and Blood, that may hinder us from a joyfuU passage unto 
 thee, give us patience also under these sufferings and a deliverance 
 to all others from undergoing them, and in thy good time work 
 deliverance for poor England, let thy Gospel yet florish amongst 
 them, hasten the downfall of Antichrist, we trust the time is near 
 come ; prevent O Lord this effusion of Christian Blood, and if it be 
 thy will, let this be the last ; Lord bless this Town, let them from 
 the highest to the lowest set the fear of God before their Eyes ; 
 Bless all sorts and Conditions of Men in all Ranks and Qualities, 
 pardon all their Sins, give them due Repentance, and the Grace of 
 thy holy Spirit, fit and prepare us for the chearful fulfiling of thy 
 holy will, let the Comforter be still with us, be merciful to all our 
 Friends and Relations and Acquaintance, forgive our Enemies, 
 accept of our thankfulness, for all the Mercies and favours afforded 
 us, and hear and graciously answer us, in these our Requests, and 
 what else thou knowest Needful and Expedient for us, and all for 
 our dear Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ his sake; who dyed for 
 us, that we might Reign with him for ever and ever, to whom with 
 thee and thy Blessed Spirit of Grace be ascribed, as is most due, all 
 honour, glory and praise both now and for ever ; after which, 
 imbracing his Fellow sufferers, and kissing them and giving them 
 some ghostly Comforts, he desired help of the Sheriff to go up the 
 Ladder, having but one Arm, and the Gallows higher then ordinary, 
 which was granted : And in a short time after the Executioner did 
 his Office ; thus fell, the valiant and good Christian Coll. Holmes, 
 his dying Words, we have now found come to pass, he was much 
 lamented by all that saw him, except by some, that 'tis feared, are 
 delivered up to a feared Conscience. 
 
hiU o-t Judge $idttmes. 
 
 9i 
 
 Mf. €Vistopl^«f Batlg€6fflb«, his iast Sp««c!^ 
 at hyme, i2i\\ sf S-dfUmher, 1685. 
 
92 
 
 The Hloodt} Jissizes ; av, 
 
 Mr, Christopher Batiscomhe his last Speech and ffrayer 
 iramediateli} before he suffered at Eyme, J2tb of 
 September, 1685. 
 
 HE was well known to be a Gentleman, and of a good Estate in 
 Dorchester-shire, and a true Protestant, well beloved among the 
 Gentry of that Country : It was his fortune to be concerned with 
 the D. of M and was very faithful to him to the last, during the 
 time of the Bloody Assizes at Dorchester, where he received his 
 Sentence of death, was divers times sent for to the Chamber of the 
 then L. C. J. and promoted with offers of Life to betray some 
 Gentlemen, which he always refused saying, he scorned to purchase 
 his Life by such indirect means ; and he accordingly chose death 
 rather then Life ; seeing it could not be purchased, but by such 
 unworthy means. The day being come he prepared himself and 
 received the Holy Sacrament, walking down to the Place of 
 Execution, with ranch chearfulness and Christian Courage, when he 
 was mounting the Ladder, smiled, and said, I am not afraid of this, 
 I am going to a better Place, from a poor and miserable World, to 
 a Celestial Paradise, a Heavenly Jerusalem ; I might have chosen, 
 whether I would have undergone this death, if I had hearkned to 
 the L. C. J. but it was upon such unworthy terms, that should I 
 have accepted to my Pardon, it would have been troublesome to 
 me ; I dye a true Protestant, I am in Charity with all Men, God 
 preserve this Nation from Propery, the Lord bless you all ; so taking 
 his leave of them he knew, after Prayer, he lanched into Eternity. 
 
hiie of $ndge $ettevies. 
 
 93 
 
 Some Ifassages delating to Mt. Sampson tarte with his 
 E^rayer, at the same time and E*lace ivhen Executed. 
 
 I M mediately after Col. Holmes was Executed; this good Man 
 was ordered to prepare to follow, accordingly going to deliver some 
 few words to the People, some whereof formerly of his Congregation, 
 but being told, he could not expect much time ; because it was so 
 late, and so many to be Executed after him, so he suddenly con- 
 cluded, and said, I will now speak a few words to him, which I am 
 sure will hear me, and so began his Prayer, as followeth. 
 
 Blessed Lord God, we thine unworthy Creatures now here before 
 thee cannot but acknowledge from the bottom of our Hearts our own 
 unworthiness, we must confess we have been grievous Sinners and 
 have brought forth the Evil Fruit of it in our Lives, to the great 
 dishonour of thy Name, for which we have deserved thy heavy wrath 
 and indignation to be powered forth upon us, not only in this Life, 
 but in that which is to come. 
 
 O let us bless God for our sufferings and afflictions, as for our 
 mercies, we bless thee in particular for this, O sanctifie it to us, let 
 us be effectually convinced of the vanity of the World and of our 
 own sinfulness by Nature and practise, and to sec that to be Sin 
 which we never saw before ; O Lord make us sensible of the absolute 
 Necessity of the Righteousness of Christ to justifie us, and let him 
 be now made much more dear and precious to our Souls then ever, 
 that so we may be wrought into a more Heavenly Frame, and raised 
 to a higher degree of Spirituality, and so made more meek and 
 humble, and let us judge Charitable of others, that differ from us in 
 Opinion and Judgment : and now O Lord, though by thy most 
 righteous Judgment, we most justly deserve these sufferings, and 
 
I 
 
 9* 
 
 The Blaodi} |lssizes ; or, 
 
 such an ignominious death, for our Sins, against thee, not for Treasons 
 against the Kingdom, let us be in a preparedness for it : Pardon all 
 our Sins, help us quietly to submit to thy holy will, speak peace 
 to our Souls, look in mercy O Lord, on this poor Nation, especially 
 on this Town and every particular Person in it, let them all mind 
 those things which concerns their peace before they are hid from 
 their Eyes, comfort my dear and distressed Wife, be a Husband 
 unto her, deliver her out of the Paw of the Lyon, and the Paws of 
 the Bear, look upon all thy poor afflicted ones, all prisoners and 
 Captives, work deliverance for them if thou seest it good, but thy 
 will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven, and now Lord with humble 
 meekness and submission I submit to thy will, depending upon the 
 merits of my Saviour, to whom with thy blessed self and Spirit be 
 ascribed all Honour and praise both now and for ever Amen. 
 
 Then mounting the Ladder, he called to some of the Town who 
 weeped for him, but were at some distance, go home to your own 
 Houses, pray do not weep for me, and before you get up yonder Hill, 
 I shall be with my Heavenly P'aiher, in fullness of Joy and Pleasure 
 for ever more, and so advising those before him to leave off those 
 cruel Sentiments they had taken of them, besides some Heavenly 
 discourses with some of his Friends, was turned off to the great grief 
 of the good People in the Town, especially those of his own 
 Congregation. To give him nothing but his due, he was a Man, 
 mighty charitable, relieving and visiting the poor and needy. Preached 
 in season and out of season, and made it his business to go about 
 doing good, and to put poor Souls in a way for Eternal Life, he was 
 an old Christian, as well as aged in Years ; he was a general loss. 
 
 Especially to his dear and tender Wife, but all our losses are 
 nothing to be compared to that Glory that he now enjoys. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 hiie of ^ndge $&iienes, 
 
 95 
 
 €apt, Ma'd'def's las-t Pfay^r at t\\^ smvie ime 
 afid -pla**, 
 
I. 
 
 95 
 
 The Blaadtj Jlssizes ; or, 
 
 €!apt. madders last IPrayer at the same time and place. 
 
 CApt. Madders at the time of the Duke's Landing was a Constable 
 at Crewkern, in the County of Somerset; and so diligent and active 
 for the King in his Office, that when two Gentlemen of Lyme came 
 there, and brought the News of the Duke's Landing, and desired 
 Horses to ride Post, to acquaint his Majesty therewith, he immediately 
 secured Horses for them, the Town being generally otherways bent, 
 and assisted them so far as any called Loyal in those times could do, 
 which was represented to the Lord Chief Justice, in expectation 
 thereby to save his Life; but an Enquiry being made about his 
 Religion, and returned by a very worthy Gentleman of those Parts, 
 that he was a good Protestant, an honest Man, had a very good 
 Character amongst his Neighbours ; O then, says he, I'le hold a 
 wager with you he is a Presbyterian, I can smell them forty miles ; 
 though moderately I now say, they can smell him two hundred 
 Miles West ; then surely he must dye, because he was, and had the 
 Character of an honest Man, a good Christian, and a brave Trades- 
 man. But to be short, I could say a great deal more of him, being 
 intimately acquainted with him, and was with him to the very last : 
 being brought to the Place of Execution, he was the last Man except 
 one executed, and he behaved himself, whilst the rest were Executing, 
 with great Zeal ; and lifting up his hands and eyes, would often say. 
 Lord, make me so willing and ready to the last : And God did hear 
 his Prayers ; for though he seemed to the Spectators to be somewhat 
 unwilling to dye, yet at the last he dyed with as much Assurance anj 
 
 I 
 
hiU of Judge Jeff lories. 
 
 97 
 
 Christian Resolution as any ; for after his publick Prayer, he cam 
 once down the Ladder and Prayed again privately, then mounted the 
 Ladder again, the Sheriff saying, Mr. Madders, If you please, you 
 may have more liberty ; he answered. No, I thank you Mr. Sheriff, 
 now I am ready, I am willing, and desire to be dissolved, and to be 
 with Christ: Oh! you cannot 'imagine what Comfort and Refresh- 
 ment I have received in a few minutes ; my Comforts are so great 
 that I cann6t contain my self : So blessing and praising of God, he 
 was translated, as I hope (we have no grounds to imagine the con- 
 trary) from Earth to Heaven, repeating Revel. 20. 6. Blessed and 
 holy is he that hath part in the first Resurrection, on such the 
 second Death hath no power. His publick Prayer was as followeth. 
 
 O Eternal and ever blessed Lord God, look down upon me a 
 miserable Sinner with an eye of pity and compassion, in and through 
 my dear Redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. O Lord, I acknowledge 
 my self a great and grievous Sinner, I have sinned against the clearest 
 liiiht and the dearest love; I have deserved to have- been spurned 
 from thy Presence, and from the glory of thy Power, and that thou 
 shouldest now say unto me, I will have no more to do with such an 
 unworthy Wretch, such a polluted filthy Creature as thou art and 
 hast been : But, O Lord, there is mercy with thee that thou mayest 
 be feared ; and thou hast promised, that if a Sinner turn from his 
 wickedness thou wilt have mercy on him; and tho' his sins were as 
 scarlet, thou wouldst make them white as wool : Fulfil, O Lord, thy 
 gracious Promise unto me, a poor supplicant, in this my last hour of 
 my life; purge and cleanse me from all sin and filthiness, give me 
 true Repentance ; and if there lyes any sin not yet repented of, O 
 Lord bring it to my Conscience, Mind and Memory : But I hope, 
 O Lord, thou hast heard my prayers, my sighs and groans; I hope 
 and trust thou hast pardoned all ray sins, and wilt immediately 
 receive my soul. Look down in Mercy on my dear Wife and 
 
 ^^ 
 
I 
 
 i 
 
 9$ 
 
 The Blaody Assizes ; or, 
 
 Family, be thou a Comfort and all in all unto them. Now, Lord, 
 I am coming to thee, assist me to the last moment. Comfort my 
 distressed Soul ; do more for me than I am able to ask for, or think 
 of, but what thou knowest to be needful and necessary for me, in 
 and through the Merits of my dear Redeemer, the Lord Jesus 
 Christ, to whom with thee and thy blessed Spirit of Grace be 
 ascribed the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory, for ever and for 
 ever. Amen. 
 
ilif: 
 
 IFIiF*' 
 
 I 
 
 hlte at Judge iattmes, 
 
 99 
 
 % ^ai«« T™« afl<l Pla€€. 
 
Ml'illB 
 
 Ml- 
 
 i- 
 
 JOO 
 
 The Blaa% .^ssiztesi; or, 
 
 The &i}ing Words of 6ajit. Kidd, Executed at the same 
 •pime and Flace, 
 
 THis Gentleman was the last Executed at that lime ; as soon as 
 Capt. Madders was turned off, he began to prepare to follow, and 
 called to his Guards and those present. Do you see this, (pointing 
 up to eleven that were dead before him) do you think this is not 
 dreadful to me, that eleven of twelve of us, that but a few hours 
 since came down together are dead and in Eternity? and I am just 
 going to follow them, and shall immediately be in the same Condi- 
 tion : Says one to him. It must be dreadful to flesh and blood ; 
 says he, Well, Gentlemen, I will assure you, I am so far concerned, 
 that methinks I bethink their Happiness, that they should be so 
 long before me in bliss and happiness, but I'le make haste to follow ! 
 I am satisfied this is the best day that ever I saw : The day of a 
 Man's death is said to be better than the day of his birth, and truly 
 so I find it as to my flesh, for I shall be presently free from sin and 
 sorrow ; I am satisfied God hath done his best for me : 1 might 
 have lived and have forgotten God, but now I am going where I 
 shall sin no more : 'Tis a blessed thing to be free from sin, and to 
 be with Christ : O how great were the sufferings of Christ for us, 
 beyond all that I can undergo ! how great is that Glory to which I 
 am going 1 Then taking his leave of the People then present, he 
 Prayed some small time very devoutly, and with seeming great Joy 
 and Comfort, the Executioner did his Office. There was Executed 
 also at the same time divers others, as Mr. Will. Hewling, Doc t 
 Temple, Mr. Matthews, and some others. 
 
I 
 
 hiU of Judge Jefferics. 
 
 101 
 
 At Bridport, in the same County of Dorset, there were executed 
 Twelve, one of which was John Sprage of Lyme, a Man more fit to 
 dye than he that Condemned him was fit to live : He was a zealous 
 Christian, and a Man that in a manner lived in Heaven while on 
 Earth ; he was but of an ordinary Estate in this World ; but to be 
 short, his Praise, his Worth, his Fame, will never dye in those places 
 where known; he went about doing good, even in his worldly 
 Employments, as I have been credibly informed, hardly any thing 
 coming that way but what his spiritual Meditations were upon. He 
 was apprehended near Salisbury, brought to Dorchester, where I 
 saw him several times, and was conversant with him before his 
 Tryal, he carried himself very moderately to all; some of divers 
 Principles in matters of Religion he continually Prayed with them, 
 advising and instructing them to those holy Duties which were 
 necessary to Salvation : Being asked how he could endure those 
 hardships he had undergone, since his being taken ; says he. If this 
 be all, 'tis not so much ; but my Friend, if you were to take a 
 Journey in those ways you were not acquainted with, you would (I 
 hope) desire Advice from those that had formerly used those ways, 
 or lived near by them : Yes, says he : Then said he, The ways of 
 Affliction which I have lately travelled in, I had Advice many a time 
 from a Minister, who hath often told his Congregation of the trouble- 
 somness of the road, and of the difficulty of getting through ; and 
 has given me and hundreds of others to understand the pitts and 
 sjtones in the way, and how to avoid them ; he has been a Man used 
 to those roads many years; I have taken his Advice, I am got thus 
 far on confortably, and I trust shall do so to the end ; I am not 
 afraid to fight a duel with Death, if so it must be : Now I thank God 
 I can truly say, O Death where is thy sting? and O Grave where is 
 thy victory? Two or three days after their Sentence they were 
 drawn to Execution, but were very rudely and opprobriously dealt 
 with, to the shame of those that then had the charge over them, 
 
 ,'x-v«.S9W»«j«5. 
 
J02 
 
 The Bloo% Jlsshes ; or, 
 
 r w^ ^r'v '•'*■ '«' 
 
 p -■.(?- ryr^p.-^niip.lS 
 
 I 
 
 their Rigor unto them was more like Turks than Christians. But 
 to conclude, being come to the Place of Execution, he Prayed very 
 devoutly with them all, but by the rudeness of the Guards there 
 could be no Copy taken to be said to be true : All of them dyed very 
 Courageous,, especially this stout Christian Champion who spake to 
 them in these words, (looking on the Souldiers) saying. Little do 
 you think that this very Body of mine, which you are now come to 
 see cutt in pieces, will one day rise up in Judgment against you, 
 and be your Accuser, for your delight in spilling of Christian Blood ; 
 the Heathens have far more Mercy : O 'tis sad, when England must 
 outstrip Infidels and Pagans : but pray take notice, don't think I 
 am not in Charity with you ; I am so far, that I forgive you and all 
 the World; and do desire the God of Mercies to forgive you, and 
 open your hearts, and turn you from darkness to light, and from 
 the power of Satan to the Lord Jesus Christ; and so Farewell. I 
 am going ou.t of the power of you all; I have no dependance but 
 upon my blessed Redeemer, to whom I commit my dear Wife and 
 Children, and all the World. 
 
I 
 
 hiU of Judge UUems. 103 
 
 at % Flace of Ex«€ut^«fl 
 
 am, 
 
I'lhiiiil 
 
 llliiiilllNlH 
 
 30* 
 
 T1j« Bloddtj ^ssiz^s ; or, 
 
 The hnst Speech of Doct. Temple of flottingham, at the 
 Iflace of Execution, 
 
 UOctor Temple was one of them that Landed with the Duke, 
 and was his chief Physitian and Chyrurgeon ; he Hved in Notting- 
 ham, but minding to see other Parts of the World, (as I have heard) 
 goes for Holland, where he came acquainted with the Duke of 
 Monmouth, concerning which he thus spake, just as he was going 
 off the Ladder ; 
 
 Christian Friends, and dear Counirey-men, 
 
 " I Have somewhat to say, and not very much, before I depart 
 from you, and shall be seen no more : And, 
 
 " First, as to my Engagement with the Duke of Monmouth. 
 
 "Secondly, How far I was concerned : And, 
 
 " Thirdly, I shall leave all of you to be Judges in matter of Fact : 
 And so for the 
 
 " First, As a Dying Man I now Declare, that when I entered my 
 self with the Duke of Monmouth, to be his Chyrurgeon, it was no 
 no other Account but to serve him in the West Indies ; where I 
 knew no other Design whatsoeuer, but to Possess himself of some 
 of those Islands, until I had been at Sea two days, wherein one 
 privetely told me, we were absolutely bound for England, and I 
 should take it from him it was true ; it much surprized me, but 
 knowing no way to avoid it, or to get on shore, though it was at that 
 time contrary to my Inclinations, if I could have avoided it : I would 
 not let others see that I had that dissatisfaction within me. After 
 
I 
 
 our Landing at Lyme, I knew it was never the near to attempt my 
 Escape, the Countrey being so beset ; on the other hand, if the 
 Duke of Monmouth did win the day, I might have raised my 
 Fortunes as high as I could expect ; these were the Arguments that 
 Flesh and Blood did create in my Breast for self-preservation. 
 While I was with the said Duke, I did him as much Service as I 
 could, and faithfully : After it pleased God to disperse that Army 
 under his Command, I endeavoured to secure my self, but by 
 Providence was taken at Honyton, from thence Committed to Exon, 
 and after removed to Dorchester, where I received my Sentence, and 
 am now as you see just going to Execution ; the Lord prevent all of 
 you from such ignominons Deaths ; and I advise you all, that you 
 never take any great thing in hand, but what you have a warrant for 
 from the Lord: I assure you I had not satisfaction in this ; but this 
 I am sure, that if I have done any thing amiss in it, it is Pardoned : 
 I Bless God I have that satisfaction, I dye a Professor of the Church 
 of England. I desire Pardon of all those I have any ways wronged 
 or abused, as I freely forgive all those that have wronged or abused 
 me; I am in Charity with all men. Lord have mercy upon me, 
 give me strength to go through these pains, and give me full 
 Assurance now at this last moment: Come, Lord Jesus, Come 
 quickly." 
 
 Also one Samuel Robbins of Charmouth in the County of Dorset, 
 that was Executed, or rather Murihered, at Warham, in the said 
 County ; I cannot pass him by in silence, his Case being so extra- 
 ordinary hard, that to speak moderately betwixt the King and his 
 Case, I do say this, that I verily believe never Man suffered inno- 
 center ; as I hope you will be satisfied in, after you have heard his 
 Crime, and on what small grounds he was Guilty, or so supposed by 
 my Lord Chief Justice. 
 
 He used generally in the Summer to use the Craft of Fishing, to 
 
I 
 
 106 
 
 The t1an% Jissizes; or,- 
 
 get a competent maintenance for his Family, and happened to be 
 out at Sea a Fishing before Lyme, that day the Duke came in to 
 land, and was commanded on board of one of the Duke's Ships, he 
 not knowing who they were, and they bought his Fish of him ; after 
 which they told him that was the Duke of Monmouth, poynting at 
 him, and that he was just going to Land ; he desired to go on shore, 
 which was refused, and told, that as soon as the Duke was landed 
 he should have his liberty ; so accordingly he came on shore, and 
 never after was with him, or ever took up Arms under him : I leave 
 the Reader to judge whether this was High Treason or no. This 
 was all he was Guilty of, except that he was a good honest Man, a 
 zealous Christian, a Man of a very good Life and Conversation, as 
 I think his Neighbours will attest it, in most Towns and Parishes 
 near where he lived ; but alas he had a good Book in his House 
 when taken, called. The solemn League and Covenant ; this was the 
 High Treason he must be Guilty of, which was aggravated to the 
 Lord Chief Justice, by one or two hot Spirits his Neighbours. But 
 to be short, he received his Sentence of Death with great Courage, 
 and not at all dismay'd ; saying very often in Prison before, " If it 
 pleased God to call him now (to glorifie his Name by this Provi- 
 dence of his) to Death, he should be ready, but (said he) I am as 
 Innocent of any thing I have done against any Man that may 
 deserve this Punishment, as the Child now unborn." When he 
 came to the Place of Execution, he very chearfuUy declared his 
 Innocency to the Spectators, as before, and so Praying very devoutly 
 for some time, he was Executed : His Prayer I have no exact Copy 
 of. 
 
 Also one Mr. Charles Speake of London, a Gentleman of good 
 Extraction, being Son to to the Worshipful George Speake Esq ; near 
 Ilmister in the County of Somerset, where he was Executed ; his 
 Case also was extraordinary hard, but there may be Two great 
 
UU cxt Judge leff^ms, 107 
 
 Reasons given why he was Executed ; the First was, Because he 
 came from that good Pious Family, which always have been opposers 
 to Popery, and suffered deeply for their courage that way. Secondly, 
 The said Mr. Charles Speak had purchased some great place in the 
 Kings-Bench, or Common-pleas, which was very profitable to him, 
 so that by his fall there being a forfeiture, much Money may be 
 made of it : all intercession would not avail with the L. C. J. for 
 his life; he hapened to be at Ilminster at the time of the Dukes 
 being there, which was the greatest Crime he was guilty of, the 
 validity of his Evidence I leave to those in the West, which know 
 how far it was carried that way. He was a fine courteous loving 
 Gentleman, and notwithstanding his Youth, he acted the part of 
 an old Christian Soldier, at his Death, preparing himself before 
 to undergo those pains, saying very often, They were nothing to his 
 deserts from God Almighty, but as for what I am Accused of, and 
 Sentenced for, I hope you will believe I am not so Guilty, as my Judge 
 and Accusers have endeavoured to make me ; if it had pleased God, I 
 should have been willingto have lived some time longer, but God's time 
 being come, I am willing, 1 will be contented to drink this bitter Cup 
 off. Being at the place of Execution, the croud was so great, that I 
 suppose he was shorter than otherwise he would have been ; but 
 alas ! how could it be ? for on every side of him, as well as up and 
 down the Town, the Inhabitants weeping and bewailing him : O 
 'tis the worst day that ever we saw in this Town ! Must this good 
 Gentleman die here? Oh ! yet save his life, I am ready to die for 
 him ; and the like. He Prayed very heartily for near an hour, and 
 Sung a Psalm, and so we hope was translated to Heaven, there to 
 Sing everlasting Praises and Hallelujahs. His Father and Mother 
 you may easily judge were not a little concerned about him, but 
 their Adversaries malice ended not here, but Father and Mother 
 must be brought in, and how many Thousands of Pounds it cost 
 them, I think is too well known in London, and most parts of the 
 
■ 
 
 JOS The Eloady ^ssizesi; ar, 
 
 Kingdom have heard in the publick Letters their Names mentioned. 
 Some may think they were concerned with the Duke, but I never 
 heard there was so much made appear against them, as could have 
 made them been brought in Guilty of High Misdemeanours ; had 
 not the good Gentleman and his Lady been vertuous people, 
 abhorring the Debaucheries of the times, and of such a competent 
 Estate, able to spare ten or twelve Thousand Pounds ; the hard 
 usage this honest brave Gentleman and his vertuous Lady had, and 
 their sufferings, to relate them, would be too large ; and besides, it 
 is so well known in most places in the West, that I shall without 
 saying any more proceed. And next for Mr. Parret, who was 
 Executed at Taunton ; if I mistake not, he said he was a Londoner, 
 and a Brewer ; when he came to the place of Execution, he seemed 
 a Man almost unconcerned at Death ; after some time, he began to 
 dehver himself somewhat low in Voice to the People, and after 
 rising by degrees, he seemed more like a Minister in a Pulpit 
 preaching devoutly, than a Prisoner just going to Execution ; but I 
 being then not well, could not tarry to see his end ; but the 
 Character I had was, That he desired all, not to be faint hearted, 
 because of their fall, and to think that there was no hopes remain- 
 ing : he said, he verily believed God would yet work out deliverance 
 for them, and at the time they were in the greatest Extremity, that 
 would be God's opportunity ; put your whole trust and confidence, 
 and dependance on the Lord, and he will never leave you nor 
 forsake you : and much more ; but having no more exact Copy, I 
 shall not inlarge ; but come to some other. 
 
 i^::uBasi:a5asH;:^-^.--;--3«.»i^^^»»^^^^»p-^ .1.1 ..l j«^»l.». 
 
I 
 
 t,if^ of Judge HiUries, 
 
 109 
 
 A Paem «fl a i.a<jly tl^at came to i«y iofd 
 yfe, Sist€f to am of tl^e Sln«rilfs 
 
UU of ft(dg« Jcfferi^. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Jl taem on a £»ady that came to my tord €hief 
 
 Justice, to beg Mr. Bescombs I»ife, 
 
 Sister of one of the SheriffK 
 
 in the West, which 
 
 he deny'd. 
 
 HArder than thine own Native Rocks ! 
 To let the Charming Sylvia kneel, 
 And not one spark of Pity feel : 
 Harder than senseless Stones and Stocks 1 
 
 Ye Gods ! what showers of Pearls she gave ? 
 What precious Tears ; enough to save 
 A bleeding Monarch from the Grave. 
 
 By every hapless Virgin Curst : 
 
 Winter blasts not more unkind ; 
 Deaf as the rugged Northern Wind ; 
 By some Welch Wolff in Murders nurst. 
 Hast thou Eyes ? or hast thou none ? 
 Or are they worse than Marble grown ? 
 Since Marbles weep at Sylvia's moan. 
 
n2 
 
 the Bloo% lissizus; (xt, 
 
 Rebbels stiff, and supple Slaves, 
 
 All the frantick World divide. 
 One must stoop, and t'other ride ; 
 Cringing Fools, and Factious Knaves ; 
 Tho' falling on the losers part. 
 Gentler Death arrests my Heart, 
 And has in Honey dipt his Dart. 
 
 Life farewell, thou gaudy Dream, 
 
 Painted or'e with griefs and joys. 
 Which the next kind hour destroys ; 
 And drown them all in Lethes Stream : 
 What blest Mortal could not die, 
 Might b« with me Embalmed lie. 
 In precious Tears from Sylvias Eye ? 
 
Jaif* ixt $x\d^^ UUm^s, 
 
 lU 
 
 
i 
 
 I 
 
 Hi Thij Blaadij ^ssizea ; txx, 
 
 .' "f?^?M 
 
 SJggg g 
 

 f. l|il!l i i|il uB 
 
 h\U xif $x\dg$ $ettm6$. 
 
 n^ 
 
 The Last Speech 
 
 OF 
 
 HENEY 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 himself 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. 
 
U0 
 
 Tl« Blaa% lissizes ; at, 
 
 I was Born in Lyme-Regis, in the County of Dorset, 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 Countries quarrel with For- 
 reigners, to maintain our Ancient Priviledges and Honour of our 
 Nation. I served him faithfully ; and as for any 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 Soveraigns 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 those last Spiritual 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 own'd 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 lie? 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 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 Jaife of Judge HUmes. ' J17 
 
 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, quietly submitted to Death. 
 
 This Bloody Tragedy in the West being over, our Protestant 
 Judge returns for London ; soon after which. Alderman Cornish felt 
 the anger of some body behind the Curtain ; for it is to be Noted, 
 that he was Sheriff when Best prayed an Indictment might be pre- 
 ferred, and was, as well as Sheriff Bethel, earnest in promoting it ; 
 in alledging, that it was no ways reasonable, that the Juries of 
 London should lie under such a reproach, &c. But passing this over, 
 we now find this Person arrived at the Pinacle of Honour; the 
 Purse and Mace were reserved for him, vacant by the Death of the 
 Lord Keeper North, and he advanced to the Lord Chancellorship 
 of England ; rais'd by this means, as one might think, above the 
 envy of the croud ; and it might be wished, in so dangerous a height 
 he had looked better to his footsteps ; for now being created Baron 
 of Wem, we find him in a High Commission, or Ecclesiastical 
 Court, Suspending the Honourable Lord Bishop of London from 
 performing the Episcopal Office and Function of that See, and for 
 no other default, than not readily complying with the Kings Letter 
 in suspending Dr. Sharp, Dean of Norwich, for Preaching a Sermon 
 in the Parish Church of St. Giles in the Fields, at the request of the 
 Parishioners, shewing the Errors and Fallacies of the Romish 
 Religion ; the better to confirm them in the Faith and Doctrine of 
 the Church of England. Nor was it this good Bishop alone that 
 was aimed at ; for scarce had the Magdalen CoUedge passed the 
 Seal, and in that very Mother of Learning, and Chief Seminary of 
 our Church, such alterations made, as startled the Kingdom ; by 
 whose Counsel I undertake not to determine ; but in the midst of 
 Liberty of Conscience, as twice declared. The Church of England 
 had a Test put upon her Sons, which seemed such a Paradox that 
 
Fffll 
 -MJ- 
 
 Thij Blaadtj ^ssiz^s ; or, 
 
 has been rarely heard of, viz. To Read the Kings Declaration for 
 Liberty of Conscience in the Churches, during the time of Divine 
 Service, and a Mark, and Penalties threatned to the refusers ; which 
 was evidently demonstrated, by the Imprisonment of those Pious 
 Patriots of their Country, and Pillars of the Church . His Grace the 
 Lord Arch-bishop of Canterbury, the Lord Bishop of Bath and 
 Wells, Ely, Peterborough, Chichester, St. Asaph, and Bristol ; who 
 for shewing their Reasons, why they could not comply with this 
 Command, by way of Humble Petition ; were sent to the Tower, 
 and afterwards Tryed upon Information of High Misdemeanour, at 
 the Court of Kings-Bench; where their Innocency appearing in a 
 large manner, they were Acquitted, to the Scandal of their Accusers: 
 yet Orders were sent into all parts of England, to return an Account 
 to the Lord Chancellour, of those that refused to Read the 
 Declaration, that they might be proceeded against, for a contempt 
 of what their Consciences would not permit them to do, and for a 
 time they were extreamly hot upon it : but the News of the great 
 preparations in Holland, and that the Prince of Orange was cer- 
 tain'y designed for England, the determined Councils cooled, and 
 then quite ceased, so that the Church of England-men, whose 
 Cause the Prince had Espoused, were restored again to the Com- 
 missions and Trusts they had (by what Justice I know not) been 
 lately deprived ; and amongst other Charters that were on this 
 occasion restored, was that of the City of London ; and that which 
 makes it more memorable, was, that it was brought to the Guild" 
 Hall by this Person, tho' he was not attended with the Shouts and 
 Acclamations he expected, nor seemed so florid or frolicksome as 
 heretofore, which some looked npon as a presaging Omen ; and it's 
 reported, soon after he being asked by a Courtier, What the Heads 
 of the Princes Declaration was ? he should Answer, He was sure his 
 was one, whatever the Rest was. 
 
 The Court by this time beginning to scatter, and the Prince of 
 
I m 
 
 ttfe of ?udg« $ettme6. iJ9 
 
 Orange approaching, the King thought fit to withdraw himself, upon 
 notice of which, the Lord Chancellor betook himself to Wapping, 
 disguised like a Seaman, in order to his Escape to Hamborough, 
 in a Collier ; but being discovered, he was brought before Sir John 
 Chapman Lord Mayor of the City of London ; in a strange disguise 
 from what he formerly appeared : and by reason of the Lord 
 Maiors indisposition, he not being able to Commit him, he offered 
 to go to the Tower, to be out of the Hands of the Rabble, who there 
 in great numbers with clubs and staves, threatned him with present 
 destruction : but having a Guard of the Train bands to conduct 
 him, he got thither safe, and soon after was charged in Custody by a 
 Warrant of Commitment from the Lords at White-Hall, where 
 he continued under much affliction and indisposition ; having since 
 moved for his Habeas-Corpas to be Bailed, but has hitherto not 
 been able to attain it. He had not been in the Tower many days, but 
 as 'tis said (whether true or no, I cannot affirm) he had a Barrel of 
 Oysters sent him, upon sight of which, he said to the bearer. Well 
 then, I see I have some Friends left still ; but upon opening the 
 Barrel, he found them to be only Friends that were impatient till 
 he gave them a prospect of his future destiny, for verily the mighty 
 Present was nothing but a good able Halter. Now, as I said before, 
 whether this passage be true or no, I cannot say, but this I am sure, 
 (if we consider his Lordships Life and Cruelties) the Moral of it is 
 very good. And thus Reader, you have briefly seen the Rise and 
 Fall of this unfortunate Person, and so (at present) we take our 
 Farewel. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
hiU iif hidga Htfmas. 
 
 12J 
 
 ^S-fl^^ 
 
 Address to Lord Jefferies, 
 
 A PoEJi TO THE Memory of Lord Jefferies 
 
 The Bloody Assizes 
 
 ■ > *»* < 
 
DA l+)+7 Ji4. Bi+7 
 
 Author 
 
 Bent, James 
 
 Vol. 
 
 Title 
 
 The Bloddy Assizes 
 
 Copy 
 
 Date 
 
 Borrower's Name