he was ready when he pleased: Then the Sheriff commanded the Keeper to fetch him forth; so he came forth immediately, sooner than was expected; (running down the stairs with a smiling countenance;) by reason of his sudden coming, the door (that he was to go up a pair of stairs at) was not opened, which occasioned his stay in the Hall till the Keeper could be found; and there one Mrs. M. took him by the hand, and said, with a loud voice, Blessed be the great God of Hosts, that hath enabled you, and called you forth to bear your testimony; the God of all grace and peace be with you, and keep you faithful to the death, that you may receive a Crown of Life.' With that one of the officers pulled the woman away by the shoulder, saying, Away with this woman, she stands prating here. But the Major-General replied, Be not offended with her, she speaks Scripture-language: So they thrust her away from him, and would not permit any to speak more to him in that place. 6 follow him in such a dis; ensation as this; and yet my Lord and Master is as sweet and glori*ous to me now, as he was in the time of my greatest prosperity.' 6 4 He also said, This I can say for myself, That according to the light that God hath given me, I have served him and my country with integrity and uprightness of heart, not willingly nor wittingly wronging any:' But this I have done with much infirmity and weakness. One telling him, that he did not know how to understand the mind of God in such a dispensation as this: He said, Wait upon the Lord; for you know not what the Lord is leading to, and what the end of the Lord will be.' After this, addressing himself to a gentleman, he said, I dare not, nor cannot be a pleaser of men' A friend answered, It appeared so by your declining Cromwell's interest; which words he assented to, and further said, The manner of my speaking before the Court may seem strange to some; but my design was Then he was carried into a room where the not to approve myself before men, but God; common prisoners were, and told them what a and what I said was according to my consad thing it was to be condemned to die, and 'science.' And as the rope was tying on, he to want the love and favour of God; but it is repeated Isaac's words to Abraham; Father, not so with me; for though I die, yet I know 'here is the wood, but where is the sacrifice ?" I shall live with Christ to all eternity, and this and also said, If the Lo see good, he can is out of the exceeding riches of the grace of provide another sacrifice, he can deliver those God; for he it is that maketh the difference : that are appointed to die; but his will be For as I am in myself, I am a base, vile, and done, death is not terrible to me; yea, it is nothing creature; but complete in him who is no more to me than a rush, I have learned to the head of all principalities and powers. Poor 'die long ago.' And was often heard to say, men! I wish you all as well as I do my own concerning the Lord's dispensation to him and soul. Oh that you did but know Christ! his his people, Shall not the Lord do with his own bowels yearn towards the greatest of sinners; what it pleaseth him?' And so parting with his blood is sufficient to do away the deepest his friend, went down stairs to the sledge, and iniquity; he waiteth to be gracious, and is wil-asked which way must I sit? for I am not acling to receive all that come unto him: Oh therefore labour to come to Christ! your time in this world is short and uncertain; you are walking upon the brink of eternity, and are ready to drop in every moment; if you die without the fear of our God, you will be miserable for ever and ever; but if you come to know Christ to be yours, it will be your joy and happiness world without end. He then put his hands into his pocket and gave them some money, and wished them to take heed of sinning against the Lord. And from thence was carried upon the leads on the top of Newgate, so that he could see the greatest part of the city; he then said, 'The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof, and there is nothing hid from his eyes.' From thence he was carried down two pair of stains, where he was tied about the back, breast, and shoulders; he took the rope in his hand and said, Friends take notice that God gives me power to receive this with thanksgiving,' and he helped the serjeant to put on the rope. Then a friend came weeping to him to take her leave of him, he said, Hinder me not, for I am going about a work for my master.' Then looking about hin, said,Sirs, it is easy to follow God when he makes a hedge about us, and makes liberal provision for us; but it is hard for most to VOL. V. 6 quainted with this: Good is the Lord in all his ways. Then he was carried away in the sledge, having a sweet smiling countenance, with his eyes and hands kfted up to heaven, his countenance never changing in all the way as he went to the place of execution, but was mighty chearful to the astonishment of many, He called several times in the way, and spoke aloud, I go to suffer upon the account of the 'most glorious cause that ever was in the 'world. As he was going to suffer, one in derision called to him and said, Where is your "Good Old Cause?' He with a chearful smile clapt his hand on his breast, and said, Here it is, and I am going to seal it with my blood.' And when he came to the sight of the gallows, he was transported with joy, and his servant asked him how he did; he answered, Never better in my life: His servant told him, Sir, there is a Crown of Glory ready prepared for you. O yes, said he, I see it. When he was taken off the sledge the hangman desired him to forgive him. I do forgive thee, said he, with all my heart, as it is a sin against me; and told him he wished him all happiness. And further said, Alas poor man, thou dost it ignorantly; the Lord grant that this sin may not be laid to thy charge! And putting his hand into his pocket, gave him all the money he had; and 4 K so parting with his servant, hugging of him in his arms, he went up the ladder with an undaunted countenance; from whence he spake to the multitude as follows: "Genilmen, I did not expect to have spoken a word to you at this time; but seeing there is a silence commanded, I will speak something of the work God had in hand in our days. Many of you have been witnesses of the finger of God, that hath been scen amongst us of late years, in the deliverance of his people from their oppressors, and in bringing to judgment those that were guilty of the precious blood of the dear servants of the Lord. And how God did witness thereto by many wonderful and evident testimonies, as it were immediately from Heaven, insomuch that many of our enemies, who were persons of no mean quality, were forced to confess, That God was with us; And if God did but stand neuter, they should not value us: And therefore, seeing the finger of God hath been pleading this cause, I shall not need to speak much to it; In which work I with others were engaged; for the which, I do from my soul bless the name of God, who out of the exceeding riches of his grace accounted me worthy to be instrumental in so glorious a work; and though I am wrongfully charged with murder and bloodshed, yet I must tell you I have kept a good conscience both towards God, and towards man; I never had malice against any man, neither did I act maliciously towards any person, but as I judged them to be enemies to God and his people; and the Lord is my witness that I have done what I did out of the sincerity of my heart to the Lord. I bless God I have no guilt upon my conscience, but the spirit of God beareth witness that my actions are acceptable to the Lord, through Jesus Christ; though I have been compassed about with manifold infirmities, failings and imperfections in my holiest duties; but in this I have comfort and consolation, that I have peace with God, and do see all my sins washed away in the blood of my dear Saviour. And I do declare as before the Lord, that I would not be guilty wittingly, nor willingly, of the blood of the meanest son, no not for ten thousand worlds, much less of the blood of such as I am charged with. "I have again and again besought the Lord with tears to make known his will and mind unto me concerning it, and to this day he hath rather confirmed me in the justice of it, and therefore I leave it to him, and to him I commit my ways; but some that were eminent in the work, did wickedly turn aside themselves, and to set up their nests on high, which caused great dishonour to the name of God, and the profession they had made. And the Lord knows I could have suffered more than this, rather than have fallen in with them in that iniquity, though I was offered what I would if I would have joined with them; my aim in all my proceedings was the glory of God, and the good of his people, and the welfare of the whole Commonwealth.” The People observing him to tremble in his hands and legs, he taking notice of it, said: "Gentlemen, By reason of some scoffing that I do hear, I judge that some do think I am afraid to die, by the shaking I have in my hands and knees; I tell you, no, but it is by reason of much blood I have lost in the wars, and many wounds I have received in my body, which caused this shaking and weakness in my nerves; I have had it this twelve years; I speak this to the praise and glory of God; he hath carried me above the fear of death: and I value not my life, because I go to my Father, and am assured I shall take it up again. "Gentlemen, Take notice, that for being instrumental in that cause and interest of the Son of God, which hath been pleaded amongst us, and which God hath witnessed to my appeals and wonderful victories, I am brought to this place, to suffer death this day; and if I had ten thousand lives, I could freely and chearfully lay them down all, to witness to this matter. "Oh, what am I, poor worm, that I should be accounted worthy to suffer any thing for the sake of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! I have gone joyfully and willingly, many a time, to lay down my life upon the account of Christ, but never with so much joy and freedom as st this time; I do not lay down my life by constraint, but willingly; for if I had been minded to have run away, I might have had many op portunities; but being so clear in the thing, I durst not turn my back, nor step a foot out of the way, by reason I had been engaged in the service of so glorious and great a God, However, men presume to call it by hard names; yet I believe, ere it be long, the Lord will make it known from heaven that there was more of God in it than men are now aware of." [The Sheriff minding him of the shortness of time, if he had any thing to say to the people, he might.] He said, "I do desire as from my own soul, that they and every one may fear the Lord, that they may consider their latter end, and s it may be well with them; and even for the worst of those that have been most malicious against me, from my soul, I would forgive them all so far as any thing concerns me; aud so far as it concerns the cause and glory of God, I leave it for him to plead; and as for the cause of God, I am willing to justify it by my sufferings, according to the good pleasure of his will I have been this morning, before I came Li ther, so hurried up and down stairs (the meaning whereof I knew not) that my spirits are almost spent; therefore you may not expect much from me. "Oh the greatness of the love of God to such a poor, vile, and nothing creature as am! What am I, that Jesus Christ should shed his heart's blood for me, that I might be happy to all eternity, that I might be made a Son of God, and an heir of Heaven! Oh, that Christ should undergo so great sufferings and t proaches for me! And should not I be willing to lay down my life, and suffer reproaches for him that hath so loved me; Blessed be the name of God that I have a life to lose upon so glorious, and so honourable an account; [Then praying to himself, with tears; and having ended, the hang-man pulled down his cap; but he thrust it up again, saying,] I have one word more to the Lord's people, that desire to serve him with an upright heart: Let them not think hardly of any of the good ways of God for all this; for I have been near this seven years a suffering person, and have found the way of God to be a perfect way, his word a tried word, a buckler to them that trust in him, and will make known his glorious arm in the sight of all nations. And though we may suffer hard things, yet he hath a gracious end, and will make a good end for his own glory, and the good of his people; therefore be chearful in the Lord your God, hold fast that which you have and be not afraid of suffering; for God will make hard and bitter things sweet and easy to all that trust in him: Keep close to the good confession you have made of Jesus Christ, and look to the recompence of reward; be not discouraged by reason of the cloud that now is upon you; for the sun will shine, and God will give a testimony unto what he hath been a doing, in a short time. "And now I desire to commit my concernments into the hands of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he that hath delivered himself for the chief of sinners; he that came into the world, was made flesh and was crucified; that hath loved me, and washed me from my sins in his own blood, and is risen again, sitting at the right hand of God, making intercession for me. "And as for me, Oh! who am I, poor, base, vile worm, that God should deal thus by me? for this will make me come the sooner into his glory, and to inherit the kingdom, and that crown prepared for me? Oh, I have served a good Lord and Master, which hath helped me from my beginning to this day, and hath carried me through many difficulties, trials, straits, and temptations, and hath always been a very present help in time of trouble; he hath covered my head many times in the day of battle: By God I have leaped over a wall, by God I have run through a troop, and by my God I will go through this death, and he will make it easy to me. Now into thy hands, O Lord Jesus, I commit my spirit." Then he was turned off, and was cut down, alive, for after his body was opened, he mounted himself, and gave the executioner a box on the ear*. Some Particulars of the subsequent BEHAVIOUR and of the EXECUTION of Mr. JOHN CAREW, the 15th day of October, 1660, at Charing-Cross. When the first tidings of the adversary's in "This Sentence was so barbarously executed that he was cut down alive, and saw his bowels thrown into the fire." Ludlow. tentions to seize and apprehend him (being then in Cornwall) came to his knowledge, he uttered these words or to this effect. That he had committed both his life and estate to the Lord; to save or destroy, as he thought meet: and therefore he would not by any means go out of the way, though provoked thereunto by several friends. After he was seized upon in the country, and coming up to London, he had a gracious presence of the Lord with him; sweetly supporting him in the sense of the love of Christ to his soul; and being persuaded, that the cause of his suffering from man was such, as he had no cause to be ashamed of; otherwise, the many reproaches and hard usage in the way to London had been sufficient to have troubled his spirit. In most towns where he came, the generality of the people reviling him, with such words as these: Hang him rogue, pistol him, said others, hang him up said some (at Salisbury) at the next sign-post without any further trouble. Look, said others, how he doth not alter his countenance; but we believe he will tremble when he comes to the ladder. This is the rogue will have no king but Jesus. Indeed, the rage of the people all the way was such, that had he not been endued with strength from on high, he could not have undergone the wicked and barbarous deportment and carriage of the giddy multitude which he was subjected to. After he came to London, and had many op portunities of escape, if he had thought it meet (before he was sent to the Tower) yet he would not, knowing how much the name and glory of God was concerned in his faithful witness to the cause of Christ for which he was in bonds. And the truth is, his joy in the Lord was such, that when many came drooping in spirit to him (by reason of the gloominess of this present dispensation) they went away refreshed and comforted by those many gracious words that came out of his mouth. When word was brought him that major ge neral Harrison was dead, he said, Well, my turn will be next, and as we have gone along in our lives, so must we be one in our death. The Lord God grant, that I may have strength from himself to follow courageously to the last breath; and that I may much honour and glorify God, whom I have made profession of; I can do nothing of myself, but my strength is in the Lord of Hosts, who hath helped me from my beginning to this day, and will help me to the end. The night before he suffered, some of his natural relations came to take their leave of him, and when they were parting, they shed some tears, but when he perceived it, said, O my friends, if you did know and feel what joy I have, and what a glorious crown I shall receive from the hand of Christ (for this work) you would not mourn, but rejoice, that I am counted worthy to be a witness to this cause, and said further, The Lord preserve you all from the portion of this generation for assuredly, there is great wrath from the Lord that will reach them to their destruction. When Mr. L. came to take his leave of him, he asked | suffer; which was all he needed or desired of this question, viz, how it was with him? he an- them; for he was much tired with speaking to swered, Very well I bless my God; as to my in- company that came continually in: He desired terest in him I have not the least doubt, but do to be remembered to some friends, and tell know assuredly, that when my soul shall be se- them, That this was the last beast, and his rage parated from this body, I shall be taken into was great, because his time was short. Some his presence where is fuluess of joy, &c. And more expressions he uttered to this effect. But by Jesus Christ be presented to my Father, in all his words and manner of speaking, he without spot and blame in his own complete manifested the highest Christian magnanimity and perfect righteousness which is free, and not and holy greatness of mind, and such a spirit for any of nine own works: for I am a poor, of joy and glory rested upon him, even to as sinful and wretched creature, and compassed tonishment. It was asked if he apprehended about with many infirmities. And when it his confidence would continue to the death? was asked him, if he had any thing of convic- he said, he was not strong in his own strength, tion upon him as to what he was to suffer for? but in the Lord's strength, which he still relied be answered No, not in the least, for, said he, upon. And he said to one by him, will you though man have condemned, yet the Lord not see how God will carry me through next hath and doth justify; he added, the Lord had day? and desired prayers for him. One asked justified it in the field once already in this na- him, what he thought of this severe hand of tion (but that is now accounted as a thing of God? He said, that which was hid secret in the nought) but he will again do it with a witness, bosom of the Father should be manifested in and prayed that the Lord would deliver hin, due time: Oh! said he, it grieves me to think viz. Mr. L. from that judgment that was at how popery is coming upon us like a flood in hand by which he would do it. To this effect this poor nation, and the great judgment that spake he also to many that did quere with him will follow. But the Lord will be a hiding. about this matter; being told that his nephew place for his poor people until the indignation and some others were doing their utmost for be overpast: let not our enemies think to his reprieve, he replied, that there is nothing break the spirit by putting us to death; for I to be done: For the sheriff hath brought me am confident, that God will give his spirit word, just now, that I must die to-morrow, and seven-fold unto those that are left: but the that there was some that desired I might not enemy, the Lord hath set their feet in slippery be quartered, but it would not be granted. But places, so that when they come to their mea death is nothing to me, let them quarter my sure, they must be cast down: Therefore it is body never so much, God will bring all those the duty of the Lord's people to wait patiently, pieces together again. It was asked him if he and he that shall come, will come, and will not had assurance of the love of God? he said, yea, tarry. It is a trying time, and none but those yea, he had fought a good fight and had over- that are endued with power from on high, will come, and he was ready to suffer the will of be able to hold out. One asking him, where God. One asked him if he thought there his chain was? he said, here it is; and though would be a resurrection of the Cause? he an- I have worn it so long, that it hath entered into swered, he died in the faith of that, as much as my flesh, yet it was as Joseph's, it had not e he did that his body should rise again, and it he tered into his soul. He was highly raised up did not believe that, he should not be so chear-in admiring the grace of God, that he shoud ful at the sentence of death; he said also he had not the least regret or disturbance on his spirit about that for which he was to die, for what he did was of the Lord, and if it were to be done again, he would do it. And the way they took to suppress and destroy those that did not think the king's person sacred, their blood will make many hundreds more persuaded of the truth of it: it was grievous to him, to hear how at his trial they blasphemed God and his people; but he was resolved he would own the Lord among them, which they could not bear, therefore they were so violent against him he said the gospel was going from London, and popery and superstition, &c. was coming in, and it would be a rare thing to find a professor of religion in London shortly; he encouraged those about him, to keep close to the Lord in this evil day. Oh! said he, who would have thought some years since, that popery and formality should have been let in again to these nations? he said, they were so barbarous, they would not allow him some small time to take a little rest before he was to be accounted worthy to wear a chain for Christ, saying, they have been blessed chains to me adding, that the Lord had crowned him beyond many of his brethren, being counted worthy to seal God's work with his blood; admiring that God should accept of such a crazy body: much of his strength being already spent; yet, that God should so honour it in the end; he much admired the depths of the love of God to such an unworthy worn. The Lord will bring my blood, saith he, to cry with the rest of the mat tyrs, How long, O Lord, holy and true, &c. As for death, or the fears of it, I am got above them, in and through the beholding of the glory of our God, into which I am entering: which glory shall be shortly for the reviving of the spr rits of his saints, and destroying his enemies A friend speaking to him (the night before he died) of this dispensation, he said, he was per suaded, that their blood would be of much advantage to the Cause in foreign nations. Twe friends that came to visit him, being, as he thought, under some trouble of spirit, be dr rected his speech to them as follows; Bet open entrance, and make my passage very sweet; and a blessing may be behind, even upon you. The first thing, indeed, that hath been very weighty, and I desire to leave it upon all, upon saints, as well as upon those that are immortality, and eternal life, it is a wonderful thing; the thoughts and apprehensions of it are able to swallow up a poor soul: we little think what it is; he that knows most of God, and most of Christ, and hath the greatest measure of the anointing, he little, little knows troubled, there is nothing stands between me and the Father; for I go with all clearness and freedom, and, I know, that Jesus Christ is my complete righteousness; and this is my crown of rejoicing, That I die not in the Lord only, but for the Lord; and think not that this bless-not acquainted with Jesus Christ, that eternity, ed Cause shall be lost; for it shall reach to the end of the earth. Think not your prayers lost, for your prayers and tears with our blood, shall come down shortly upon Babylon, although they think to heal her, yet they shall give her a greater blow than ever we could have given her in our persons. Those who have been plead-what it is to appear before the holy, the most ing for sufferings, who so ready to run away from it! While the Lord hath given us a little of the spirit of rejoicing, that hath made us willing to be giving up ourselves unto him. And, although the enemy think to conquer us, they shall never do it; for we are got above them in the spirit of the kingdom; we trample upon them, and they are under our feet; and this blood that now is shed, shall warm the blood that hath been shed before; and shall come down and do notable execution upon the enemy. The Lord hath, in much wisdom, hid this death from us, and hath allured into it; but he hath fitted us for it, and be not troubled that he hath taken away two or three drops of the spirit; for he will in the room thereof pour it out upon you. glorious, the most righteous God of heaven and earth; to stand before his judgment-seat, before Jesus Christ that is at his right hand: And where all the holy angels are so ashamed, because of the glory of God, that they fall down and cover their faces, and cry, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come. And therefore, if such glorious creatures, if such excellent spirits, as these seraphins and cherubins be, if the do fall down before the glory and majesty of this most excellent and wonderful God, how should dust and ashes do? And how should they fear and tremble to appear before him? And therefore, I say, think of this, and of the righteousness of God, as well as of his glory and majesty, and of his justice; that when for one sin he The day he suffered, and the hour being threw down the angels, those glorious spirits, come, the rope being tied about him, he re-into hell, and he would take no ransom or joiced exceedingly, saying, Oh, what am I, that I should be bound for the cause and interest of the Son of God? And when he was coming down Newgate stairs, to go into the sledge, in a very smiling chearful manner, he uttered words to this effect; My Lord Jesus, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, and despised the shame, and is now set down on the right hand of God; whose steps I desire to follow.' It was also observed, that the chearfulness of his countenance, all the way as he went to the gibbet, remained, to the encouTagement of the faithful, and admiration of enemies, uttering by the way many chearful expressions, setting forth his joy in the Lord. When he was brought to the gibbet, before he went up the ladder, his hands being bound, he exhorted several friends standing by, to be faithful unto death, and not to be ashamed of the Cause for which they suffered, and they should receive a crown of life. And further said to a friend that stood by, that he hoped the truths of the kingdom which he had preached up and down would not be the less esteemed, for that he came now to seal them with his blood. After he had mounted the ladder, he made the following Speech. "Truly, it is not words, nor that which I have to speak in mine own spirit, will glorify God, or give any advantage to your souls, or unto me: But it is, if I may speak a few words, in the spirit of the Lord, and in the power of his might, and from an unfeigned love unto Jesus Christ: That would indeed give me an redemption for them; and though he hath mercy on the sons of men, according to his own election and purpose, and according to that that he hath purchased for himself in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world was laid, yet in time he made his Son a sacrifice before men and angels, to bring his chosen ones to glory. That he should take pleasure to send his own Son out of his bosom, whe was the delight of his soul, and bruise him for our sins; yet it pleased the Father to bruise him. The most holy and righteous God, that had but one Son, one only begotten Son (that was the delight of his soul), and should take pleasure to bruise him, that we might be healed, and laid stripes upon him that we might be healed! Oh! the height and depth! Oh! the length and breadth of the love of God in Christ Jesus unto poor souls! Oh! this is that the angels do desire to stoop down and look into, and to know more of this great mystery of the love of God in Christ: And that God should take upon him the nature of man, and put him into that glorious union with his own Son: and that he should leave the angels, though Christ was made a little lower than they for suffering death for us: Yet now, because the nature of man is united to the Godhead by virtue of that marriage and union, we become the sons of God, and heirs of glory. Those that are adopted by Jesus Christ are brought near to the throne of glory, are in a high and glorious com munion and fellowship with the Father and Spirit, owned of all the holy angels. And therefore they do stand without the throne, as in |