KNow it is not for the generall buſineſſe that I am to ſuffer this untimely Death, as it would appeare, but I take it as a juſt Iudgement from Heaven for particular groſſe and grievous ſinnes committed againſt the great God and Supreame Ruler of Men and Angells; who hath oftentimes (to his glory be it ſpoken) brought me through many dangerous and huge difficulties, in ſo much, that few dayes (for a long time together) eſcaped me, but I have look't Death on the face, and by aſsiſtance from the Almighty, ſhall now outbrave him: yet ſuch was the mercy of God towards me, that I not onely have been preſerved, but ſucceſſefully returned with Victorie: and though I was ever ſo ambitious of Honour, that to purchaſe it, I never declin'd the worſt of dangers, yet was no one drop of my bloud ever drawne to this houre: but now, becauſe (through ambition, my greateſt ſinne) I robb'd the Lord of his Honour, as the juſteſt judgement that could befall me, I am brought here to lay downe my Head at the mercy of a poore ſimple hangman; and I doe it with much chearefulneſſe, for I am throughly ſenſible of the happy difference betwixt this death, and that in a Field, where mens fiery ſpirits breathe nothing but fury and heat of bloud; and what addes moſt to my comfort is That I ſuffer for ſo honourable and juſt a Cauſe, as onely for my Loyaltie and zeale to my dread Soveraigne, whoſe ſad condition I more grieve at, then ten ſuch Deaths; for it goes beyond all admiration, that underſtanding people ſhould be ſo much infatuated with the deluſions of ſome particular Noblemen and Miniſters, who governe for the time at their pleaſure; and doubtleſſe have a large account to make to the knower of the ſecrets of all hearts, as all this while not to undiſguiſe theſe masked zealots, who under the pretence of maintaining Religion; and the Kings Honour, have ſufficiently undone the one, and unavoydeably will ruine the other: I ſpeake not this out of a repining or reſenting humour; for were it not the pleaſure of the all commanding God, who alone hath power of Life and Death, that I ſhould in this way bid farewell to the World, though invironed with Armies, I could not periſh: And therefore I freely forgive 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 whatſoever wrongs I have received from men, and beſeech Heaven never to lay my bloud to their charge, but heartily prayes for their remorſe, and that the Lord would not onely in humility turne their hearts towards himſelfe, but likewiſe give them loyall hearts and ſtainleſſe Affections to their juſt, lawfull, and naturall Prince, and unite both his and theirs to the higheſt, who is above all Kings and Monarchs: if I have ſpoak any thing ignorantly, I beſeech my Redeemer to forget and forgive that ſin alſo, amongſt the reſt of my many haynous offences: And I implore the Father of mercies, that of his infinite goodneſſe he would be pleaſed to reſtraine the Coaleblowers and hatchers of this unnaturall Warre, and grant that their power may prove ineffectuall for the time to come, from further shedding of innocent bloud, and tyrannicall oppreſsing and deſtroying the Subject, and make them penitently ſenſible of their proceedings againſt both God and his Vicegerent.

My laſt ſervice to thoſe two invincible Noblemen HUNTLEY and MONTROSSE who have been moſt faithfull and true Subiects to their Maſter) my Cordiall reſpects to my Lord GORDON, my Parents, and him that should ſucceed me, I recommend to the Royall Protection of His Maieſty, to whom I have been ever Loyall, and for whom I lay down my head moſt heartily to the Block: My Soule I bequeath to my Maker, through whoſe tender mercies, and the merits of my Saviour IESUS CHRIST I hope and am confident to enioy everlaſting life.