science, and ventured my soul, there might have been hopes of saving my life, that I should not have come to this place: but blessed be my God, I have made the best choice, I have chosen affliction rather than sin, and therefore welcome scaffold, and welcome ax, and wel⚫ come block, and welcome death, and welcome all, because it will send me to my father's house: I have great cause to magnitý God's grace, that he hath stood by me during mine imprisonment; it hath ben a time of no little temptation to me, yet (blessed be his grace) be hath stood by me and strengthened me; I magnify his grace, that though now I come to die a violent death, yet that death is not a terror to me; through the blood of sprinkling, the fear of death is taken out of my heart; God is not a terror to me, therefore death is not dreadful to me: I bless my God, I speak it without vanity, I have formerly had more fear in the drawing of a tooth, than now I have at the cutting off my head I was for some five or six years under a spirit of bondage, and did fear death exceedingly; but when the fear of death was upon me, death was not near me; but now death is near me, the fear of it is far | from me: and blessed be my Saviour that hath the sting of death in his own sides, and so makes the grave a bed of rest to me, and makes death (the last enemy) to he a friend, though he be a grim friend. Further, I bless my God, that though men have judged me to be cast out of the world, yet that God hath not cast me out of the hearts and prayers of his people; I had rather be cast out of the world, than cast out of the hearts of godly men. Some think me (it is true) not worthy to live; and yet others judge I do not deserve to die: but God will judge all, I will judge no man. have finished my course, I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is a crown of righteousness laid up for me; and not for me only, but for all them that love the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,' through whose blood, when my blood is shed, I expect remission of sins and eternal salvation. And so the lord bless you all!" Then turning to the Sheriff, he said, "May I pray?" Sheriff Titchburne. Yes, but consider the time. Love. I have done. Sir. Then turning to the people, he said, "Beloved, I will but pray a little while with you, to commend my soul to God, and I have done." After which he prayed with an audible voice : "Most glorious and eternal Majesty, thou art righteous and holy in all thou dost to the sons of men, though thou hast suffered men to condemn thy servant, thy servant will not condemn thee. He justifies thee, though thou cuttest him off in the midst of his days, and in the midst of his ministry, blessing thy glorious name, that though he he taken away from the land of the living, yet he is not blotted out of the book of the living: Father, my hour is come, thy poor creature can say without vanity and falshood, He hath desired to glorify thee on earth, glorify thou now him in heaven; he hath desired to bring the souls of other men to heaven, let his soul be brought to heaven. O thou blessed God, whom thy creature hath served, who hath made thee his hope, and his confidence from his youth; forsake him not now he is drawing nigh to thee: Now he is in the valley of the shadow of death, Lord, be thou life to him: Smile thou upon him whilst men frown upon him: Lord, thou hast settled this persuasion in "I have now done, I have no more to say, his heart, that as soon as ever the blow is given but to desire the help of all your prayers, that to divide his head from his body, he shall be God would give me the continuance and sup- united to his head in heaven; blessed be God ply of divine grace to carry me through this that thy servant dies in those hopes; blessed be great work that I am now about: that as I am God, that thou hast filled the soul of thy ser to do a work I never did, so I may have a vaat with joy and peace in believing. O Lord, strength I never had: that I may put off this think upon that poor brother of mine, that is a body with as much quietness and comfort of companion in tribulation with me, who is this mind, as ever I put off my clothes to go to day to lose his life as well as I; O fill him full bed: and now I am to commend my soul to of the joys of the Holy Ghost, when he is to give God, and to receive my fatal blow, I am com- up the ghost. Lord, strengthen our hearts that forted in this, Though men kill, they cannot we may give up the ghost with joy and not with damn me; and though they thrust me out of grief. We intreat thee, O Lord, think upon thy the world, yet they cannot shut me out of poor churches; O that England might live in heaven.' I am now going to my long home, thy sight! and O that London might be a faithand you are going to your short homes; but ful city to thee! that righteousness might be I will tell you, I shall be at home before you; among them; that so peace and plenty might I shall be at my father's house, before you will be within their walls, and prosperity within be at your own houses: I am now going to the their habitations: Lord, heal the breaches of heavenly Jerusalem, to the innumerable com- these nations, make England and Scotland-as pany of angels, to Jesus the mediator of the one staff in the Lord's hand, that Ephraim may new covenant, to spirits of just men made per- not envy Judah, nor Judah vex Ephraim, but fect, and to God the judge of all; in whose that both may fly upon the shoulders of the presence there is fulness of joy, and at whose Philistines. O that men of the Protestant Reliright hand are pleasures for evermore.' I gion, engaged in the same cause and covenant, conclude with the Speech of the Apostle, 2 might not delight to spill each others blood, Tim. iv. 6, 7: I am now to be offered up, but might engage against the common adver and the time of my departure is at hand; Isaries of our religion and liberty! God shew and this death is a long sleep, where I shall rest in Abraham's bosom, and in the embraces of the Lord Jesus." And then saying, "The Lord bless you!" he laid himself down upon the scaffold with his head over the block; and, when he stretched forth his hands, the Executioner cut off his head at one blow. mercy to all that fear him: The Lord think upon our covenant-keeping brethren of the kingdom of Scotland, keep them faithful to thee, and let not them that have invaded them, overspread their whole land. Prevent the shedding of more Christian blood, if it seem good in thine eyes. God shew mercy to thy poor servant who is here now giving up the ghost: O blessed Jesus, apply thy blood, not only for my justification unto life; but also for my comfort, for "I know," says Heath, "some scruple will the quieting of my soul, that so I may be in the be made against these persons, [Love and joys of heaven before I come to the possession Gibbons] as Presbyterians and sufferers upon of heaven. Hear the prayers of all thy people another account than of the fifth commandthat have been made for thy servant; and ment, as having their own, and the king's inthough thou hast denied prayer as to that par- terest interwoven with it: but all things consiticular request concerning my life; yet let dered, without much reconcilement of the herein the fruits of prayer be seen, that thou | different opinions; in this case we may venture wilt bear up my heart against the fear of death. to register, and enroll them in this Martyro God shew mercy to all that fear him, and shew|logy. For without all doubt, the bottom of mercy to all who have engaged for the life of their design was the king's restoration, and thy servant; let them have mercy at the day however it was clogged with salves and condiof their appearing before Jesus Christ. Pre- tions for themselves and their party (which serve thou a godly ministry in this nation, and abates something of the lustre, though not of restore a godly magistracy, and cause yet good the worth of this crown) yet the main was days to be the heritage of thy people, for the loyalty, which they hoped to vindicate and Lord's sake. Now Lord, into thy bands thy evince to the world, who had hard thoughts of servant commits his spirit; and though he may them in the matter of the king's death in the not with Stephen, see the heavens open, yet let previous method thereunto. him have the heavens open: and though he may not see upon a scaffold the Son of God standing at the right hand of God, yet let him come to the glorious body of Jesus Christ, and this hour have an intellectual sight of the glorious body of his Saviour. Lord Jesus receive my spirit, and Lord Jesus stand by me thy dying servant, who hath endeavoured in his life time to stand for thee: Lord hear, pardon all infirmities, wash away his iniquity by the blood of Christ, wipe off reproaches from his name, wipe off guilt from his person, and receive him pure, and spotless, and blameless before thee in love. And all this we beg for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen and Amen." His Prayers being ended, Mr. Ash said, You make a Christian end, I hope. Love. Ay, I bless God. Then turning to Mr. Sheriff Tichburn, he said, “I thank you for this kindness, you have expressed a great deal of kindness for me. Well, I go from a block to the bosom of my Saviour." Love. Where is the Executioner? "This confederation was therefore begun just upon the conclusion of that horrid murder, that what they could not remedy in that, they might compensate in this, and by a timely application to his present majesty, redeem themselves into his good opinion and favour, forfeited by their former averseness to their duty towards him. "To this purpose, most of the eminent ministers of that way in London, had several meetings and conferences in consultation and debate of the manner of their proceeding in this affair. Among thein Mr. Love appeared to be most active and stirring, whether out of conscience of some unwarrautable, undutiful demeanor towards the king during the war, I take not upon me to determine. The rest were Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Robinson, Dr. Drake, Mr. Watson, and others. captain Titus, Mr. Potter, an apothecary in Black-friars, Mr. Gibbons, and some else. These held intelligence both with the king and the parliament of Scotland, then not agreed, but in expectation of a treaty, which was the Of the lay-part When the Executioner came forward, he first thing endeavoured by these men here to be said, Art thou the Officer? Executioner. Yes. Love. (Lifting up his eyes) O blessed Jesus, that hath kept me from the hurt of death! O blessed be God! blessed be God! Then taking leave of the Ministers, he said, The Lord be with you all! And taking leave of sheriff Tichburn, he kissed his hand; then kneeling down, he made a short prayer privately. Rising up he said," Blessed be God, I am full of joy and peace in believing: I lie down with a world of comfort; as if I were to lie down in my bed: my bed is but a short sleep, promoted, and with desired effect concluded. "Their chief meeting-place was Mr. Love's, where their intelligence was cominunicated, letters read, and advice given upon the several emergencies of that business; which proceeded so far, that the king and his subjects of Scotland, having ended the treaty, and his majesty arrived in Scotland, whether Cromwell with the English army was also advanced, and had worsted the Kirk's army at Dunbar; they concluded of raising an army in this kingdom to the assistance of that nation, and the recovery of this from the slavery and tyranny it suffered under. "This passed through so many hands, engaged in it, and was so publicly owned, that the Council of State had very early notice of the whole design, so that they dained most part of the while in the net; information being given of every day's proceedings, and of what additions or accesses of persons to the design: which soon after, when they had let it run as far, as without danger they might trust it, they drew the curtain, and apprehended most of the aforesaid persons, and brought them to trial before a high court of Justice, which was yet standing, and had not yet put off their blood-died robes, in expectation of this grand contrivance, which should make them farther work. "Mr. Love being one of the chief, was first tried, afterwards some others, who recanted, and humbly besought the parliament's mercy, as Mr. Jenkins and Potter, but Mr. Love's submission (such as it was, for they required confession and discovery too) came too late, and to no purpose; so that he, and this Mr. Gibbons a taylor, was condemned by that high court for the same business, lost their heads on Tower-bill, as aforesaid." with their utmost power, the man was condemned and executed upon Tower-hill. And to shew their impartiality, about the same time they executed Brown Bushel, who had formerly served the parliament in the beginning of the rebellion, and shortly after served the king to the end of the war, and had lived some years in England after the war expired, untaken notice of, but upon this occasion, was enviously discovered, and put to death. "It is a wonderful thing what operation this Presbyterian spirit had upon the minds of those who were possessed by it. This poor man Love, who bad been guilty of as much treason against the king, from the beginning of the rebellion, as the pulpit could contain, was so much without remorse for any wickedness of that kind that he had committed, that he was jealous of nothing so much, as of being suspected to repent, or that he was brought to suffer for his affection to the king. And therefore when he was upon the scaffold, where he appeared with a marvellous undauntedness, he seemed so much delighted with the memory of all that he had done against the late king, and against the bishops, that he could not even then forbear to speak with animosity and bitterness Lord Clarendon mentions the Execution of against both, and expressed great satisfaction Love thus: "Scotland being subdued, and in mind for what he had done against them, Ireland reduced to that obedience as the par- and was as much transported with the inward liament could wish, nothing could be expected joy of mind, that he felt in being brought thi to be done in England for the king's advan-ther to die as a martyr, and to give testimony tage. From the time that Cromwell was for the covenant; whatsoever he had done chosen general in the place of Fairfax, he took | all occasions to discountenance the Presbyterians, and to put them out of all trust and employment, as well in the country as in the army; and, whilst he was in Scotland, he had intercepted some letters from one Love, a Presbyterian minister in London (a fellow who hath been mentioned before, in the time the treaty was at, Uxbridge, for preaching against peace) to a leading preacher in Scotland; and sent such an information against him, with so many successive instances that justice might be exemplarily done upon him, that, in spight of all the opposition which the Pres byterians could make, who appeared publicly being in the pursuit of the ends,' he said, 'of that sanctified obligation, to which he was in and by his conscience engaged.' And in this raving fit, without so much as praying for the king, otherwise than that he might propagate the Covenant, he laid his head upon the block with as much courage as the bravest and honestest man could do in the most pious oc casion." "Mr. Love, together with one Mr. Gibbons, suffered death 'ogether on Tower Hill at the earnest suit of Cromwell, protesting he would not march into Scotiand unless they were cat off." History of Independency, part 4. p. 17. 189. The Trial of Mr. JOHN GIBBONS, before the High Court of Justice, for High Treason: 3 CHARLES II. A. D. 1651. strange to me, that I do not know what to say to it at the first hearing; therefore I humbly beseech your lordship that I may hear it read again. POTTER and Gibbons were both brought to | cular, that was laid to my Charge: And now the bar together. Potter's Charge was first I do hear my parti ular accusa ion, it is so read, unto which he pleaded Guilty, and made a large narrative of all his crimes against the state: very much was he examined against Master Gibbons, but no hurt at all he did him. After they had done with him, the harge of master Gibbons was read; which when he heard he spake in this mai iner: Gibbons. My Lord, this Charge is very new to me; I have been a prisoner under close imprisonment for many weeks together, and never knew before this time wh at it was, in parti Att. Gen. (Mr. Prideaux ) My Lord, Master Gibbons heard Potter's Charge read, which was very like to his own; so he hath heard it twice already : however, my lord, he may hear it read again; for he may hear it thrice. Ld. President Keble. Come let him hear it again; he is a young man, let him have what favour he may have: mark it well, now you hear it again. After reading, Master Gibbons spake in this manner : Piercy, Jermin, &c. and other their complices, since the death of the late king, several days and times in the years aforesaid, within this commonwealth of England, and elsewhere, did traitorously and maliciously declare, publish, and promote Charles Stuart, son of the late king, commonly called the prince of Wales, to be king of England, meaning of this common Gibbons. My Lord, I am brought hither by an Order of this Court, which Order mentions a Charge of Treason exhibited against me; I should betray the liberty I am born unto, if I should not desire a trial, according to the fun-wealth. damental laws of this nation, which is by a jury of my neighbourhood: the benefits and advantages are exceeding great, therefore I do earnestly crave to have them. Keble. The State hath thought of another way of trial, which you must have, and submit to; this is best for your advantage, and more honourable, than any other you can have, therefore you must plead Guilty or Not Guilty. Gibbons. My Lord, I shall never be so progal of my blood, as to throw away my life by refusing a trial before you, though I am not satisfied in this new way of trial; yet I shall not refuse to plead in confidence of my own innocency, and in hope of your tenderness in matters of blood. But before I plead, and answer to my charge, I have this humble motion to make. Here he spake very much on the first day of his trial, moving very much for counsel; but after he had used many arguments to persuade the court to incline to it, and could not have it, he desired the court to be the counsel for him, and take care of his life, and not suffer him by his own ignorance to weave a web for his own ruin and destruction. After much said of this nature, he pleaded Not Guilty: the which being entered in the book, they proceeded to Trial. Att. Gen. The Attorney-General began with a long speech, bow Master Gibbons had plotted and contrived these treasons; named the meetings and the places where he said it began presently after the late king's death, under the pretence of getting the king to Scotland; but the truth was, they intended to settle him upon this commonwealth. And further, That he the said John Gibbous, as a false Traitor, and out of a malicious and wicked purpose and design to raise insurrections in this nation, did several days and times in the years 1648, 49, 50, and 51, and at divers other times and places within this commonwealth, together with Christopher Love, Piercy, Jermin, Massey, &c. and other their complices, being false traitors to this commonwealth, traitorously, maliciously, complot, contrive and endeavour to raise forces against this commonwealth, settled in way of a free state, without King or House of Lords: and for the subversion of the saine, did raise and collect divers great sums of money, and did hold intelligence by letters, messages and instructions, with Charles Stuart, son of the late king, and with the queen his mother, and divers other persons, being false traitors to this commonwealth. And further, he the said John Gibbons, together with Christopher Love, William Drake, | And further to carry on the said Design, he the said John Gibbons several days and times in the respective years aforesaid, together with Christopher Love, William Drake, Piercy, &c. did endeavour to procure the Scots to invade this commonwealth of England. And further, That he the said John Gibbons on the 6th of April, 1650, and on divers other days and times between the 29th day of March, 1650, and the 1st day of June, 1651, at London, and elsewhere, did give, use, and hold correspondence with the said Charles Stuart, son of the late king, and the queen his mother, | Jermin, Piercy, &c. And further, to accomplish the said Designs, he the said John Gibbons, on the 6th day of April, 1651, at the places afore-mentioned, did hold and give correspondence and intelligence with divers persons of the Scotish nation, as Argyle, Lowdon, Lothian, &c. enemies to this commonwealth, and adhering to the king in the war against them. And further the said John Gibbons did traitorously and maliciously abet, assist, countenance, and encourage the Scotish nation, and divers other persons adhering to them; and did convey great sums of money, arms, and ammunition into Scotland, and elsewhere. All which wicked practices and designs of him the said John Gibbons were against this commonwealth, parliament, and people; and in manifest contempt of the Laws of this nation, and acts of parliament, in such cases made and provided. [After he had ended, the Witnesses were called: The first was major Adams; the second col. Barton; the third was capt. Hatsel; the fourth col. Bains; the fifth major Alford; the sixth capt Far; the seventh was master Jaquel; the eighth was major Huntington; the ninth master Harvey; the tenth was major Corbet. Adams being first examined, his testimony was to this effect.] Adams's Testimony. That the correspondency of John Gibbons with the rest abovesaid, was to endeavour an agreement between the king and the Scots. The first meeting was at the Swan in Fishstreet, where Master Gibbons was. At that place there was only a consideration how to carry on the correspondency. There was also a petition to be sent to the king (as I was informed); and the meeting in this place was in reference to that also. There was letters written to Scotland, and some received thence; which Mr. Gibbons was privy to. After Master Drake went away, we met at Master Love's Major Alford's Testimony. house, where Master Gibbons met also. There were letters read; and I think Master Gibbons did hear them, and did confer about them. where divers were, captain Titos made a large At the meeting at the Swan at Dowgate, The letters sent to Jermin, Piercy, &c. at one time or other Master Gibbons was present, ing how inclinable he was to cast off his cavanarration of the prince's deportment, declarand heard them read. This was before Titus's liering adherents, if he were but assured there going away. Then after there were letters sent from the king, which were read at Master Love's was a people in England that stuck to their house; where Master Gibbons was present, and was ready to apply himself to the ends of covenant; he was weary of his other counsels, and heard them read. Master Gibbons brought the covenant.-A Petition was brought to the likewise a rough draught of the instructions Bear in Bread-Street, where it was read, aud that were to go to Holland. Also there was a Letter read at Mr. Love's from alderman debated among us, and agreed to be drawn up; Bunce, where Master Gibbons was present. with it.-I do not remember that Master Giband captain Titus and Drake were sent away Also a letter after Dunbar fight from Scotland, bons was at either of these meetings.-There relating how affairs stood there, (and that letter, as I now remember, was for arms and of me; he had it in private. Captain Titus was money raised for Titus: Drake had 10/ money) was read at Master Love's house; had 301. for his journey. He went over twice, where Master Gibbons was present at the reading of it. Master Gibbons was a constant I think; and if so, the second time Master man at all meetings. A letter was sent from Master Gibbons, he brought me to his chamber; Gibbons was there. The second time I saw Massey, read at Master Love's, for arms and and the third time he and I went with some money: Master Gibbons was present. And three or four hundred pounds agreed to be sent. papers to Gravesend, agreed on at Master A letter was written to the estates of Scotland, Love's. These papers were either a commis to procure Massey and the English to be in sion, or instructions, or both together in one. Master Gibbons sometimes acquaint-Willoughby, and others, should go to the treaty But this was the substance, that the lord ed me where we were to meet. esteem. Lieutenant-Colonel Baine's Testimony. A little while after the death of the late king, there was a meeting at the Swan at Dowgate, where several persons were: bat whether Mr. Gibbons was there, I know not. But captain Titus was there, and gave a large commendation of the young prince; and moved that a petition might be drawn up, and sent to the prince from the Presbyterian party here. There was a debate upon it: and this design was looked upon as the only visible way to preserve the Presbyterian Party, and to bring the prince to the crown. Colonel Barton's Testimony. A while after the death of the late king I was going into Cannon-Street, and at Dowgate I met with William Drake, who desired me to meet him at the Swan at Dowgate. When I came there, I found captain Titus, lieutenantcolonel Baines, and divers other persons: I believe Mr. Gibbons was not there. I came in while they were in discourse, and I could not well hear them. But at their rising, I asked Mr. Drake what was the occasion of their meeting; and he told me that captain Titus had given a good report of the prince, and did desire that some addresses might be made to him, that thereby he might be taken off from his cavaliering counsellors. After a while William Drake came to me for 10%, which he said was to furnish a friend of his which did want 1007. He desired I would not deny him; and because he was a good customer to my house, I did lend it him. And after I heard it was for captain Titus. As for the prisoner, I think he was not at the Swan at Dowgate; for I did not know him till afterwards. at Breda, and to press the king concerning this withal, writ for money and arms, to be sent the club: Mr Gibbons was as little absent as Master Harvey's Testimony. I came to the knowledge of this design at several meetings and places. Mr. Gibbons told me of 2,000l. which was to be sent into Scotland; and that Massey was to land forces in the West: And concerning my lord general's |