SIR John Fenwick, on the Day of his Execution, arose at Four a Clock in the Morning, and was privat until Seven: At Ten he came out of Newgate into a Mourning Coach, was received by the Sheriffs and Guards, and conducted to Tower-Hill; in his passage he fix'd his Eyes on a Prayer Book, and spoke not a word to any person. So numerous were the Spectators, that it was past Eleven half an Hour before he came upon the Scaffold; where it was observed at first, that he seemed to be somewat sur­prized, and for a few Moments stood Speechless, but soon after appeared with great composure of Mind; and after saluting those on the Scaffold, desired Dr. White to pray with him: Which being over, he thank'd the Sheriffs for their Civilities, and delivered them a Paper, desiring them to do him that Justice as to give it the King. He then prayed again, and having forgiven the Executio­ner, prepared himself for the Block, and the Sign being given, the Executio­ner, at one blow, sever'd his Head from his Body; which was brought in a Hearse to one Mr. Metcalfs, an Upholster, at the Helmet in Fleet-street, and thence, that Night, privatly Interred in the Church of St. Martins in the Field. The Sheriffs, according to his desire, delivered the Paper to the King; which is as follows.

SPeaking nor Writing was never my Talent; I shall therefore give a very short, but faithful Account. First, Of my Religion; and next, What I suffer most innocently for, to avoid the Calumnies I may reasonably ex­pect my Enemies will cast upon me when Dead, since they have most falsly and maliciously aspersed me, whilst under my Misfortunes.

As for my Religion; I was brought up in the Church of England, as it is Established by Law, and have ever professed it; tho, I confess, I have been an unworthy Member of it, in not living up to the strict and excellent Rules thereof, for which I take shame to myself, and humbly ask forgiveness of God. I come now to Die in that Communion, trusting, as an humble and hearty Pe­nitent, to be received by the Mercy of God, through the Merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour.

My Religion taught me my Loyalty, which I bless God, is untainted; and I have ever endeavoured, in the Station wherein I have been placed, to the ut­most of my power, to support the Crown of England, in the true and lineal course of Descent, without interruption.

As for what I am now to Die, I call God to witness, I went not to that Meeting in Leaden-Hall-Street with any such intention, as to Invite King James by Force to Invade this Nation; nor was I my self provided with ei­ther Horse or Arms, or engaged for any number of Men, or gave particular consent for any such Invasion, as is most falsly Sworn against me.

I do also declare, in the presence of GOD, that I knew nothing of King James his coming to Calais, nor of any Invasion intended from thence, till it was publickly known; and the only Notion I had that something might be at­tempted, was from the Thoulon Fleet coming to Brest.

I also call GOD to witness, that I received the knowledge, of what is con­tained in those Papers that I gave to a Great Man that came to me in the Tower, both from Letters and Messages that came from France; and he told me, when I read them to him, that the Prince of Orange had been acquained with most of those things before:

I might have expected Mercy from that Prince, because I was Instrumental in saving his Life; for when, about April 95, an Attempt formed against him, came to my knowledge, I did partly by Disswasions, and partly by Delays, prevent that Design; which, I suppose, was the reason that the last Villain­ous Project was concealed from me.

If there be any Persons whom I have Injured in Word or Deed, I heartily pray their Pardon, and beg of GOD to Pardon those who have injured me; particularly, those who with great Zeal hath sought my Life, and brought the guilt of my Innocent Blood upon this Nation, no Treason being proved upon me.

I return my most hearty Thanks to those Noble and worthy Persons who gave their Assistance, by opposing this Bill of Attainder; without which, it had been Impossible I could have fallen under the Sentence of Death. God bless them and their Posterity; tho', I am fully satisfied, they pleaded their own Cause while they defended mine.

And now, O God, I do with all humble Devotion commend my Soul into thy Hands, the great Maker and Preserver of Men, and Lover of Souls; beseeching thee, that it may be always dear and precious in thy sight, through the Merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.