THE EXAMINATIONS , Arraignment & Conuiction of George Sprot , Notary in Aye-mouth , Together with his constant and extraordinarie behauiour at his death , in Edenborough , Aug. 12. 1608.

Written & set forth by Sir William Hart , Knight , L. Iustice of Scotland .

Whereby appeareth the treasonable deuice betwixt Iohn late Earle of Gowry and Robert Logane of Restalrig ( commonly called Lesterig ) plotted by them for the cruell murthering of our most gracious Souereigne .

Before which Treatise is prefixed also a Preface , written by G. Abbo● Doctour of Diuinitie , and Deane of Winchester , who was present at the sayd Sprots execution .

LONDON : Printed by Melch. Bradwood , for William Aspley . 1608.

AMong those troubles & crosses , wherewithall our heauenlie Father is pleased to exercise his best children , while they remaine in this Tabernacle of their flesh , there is no one more frequent , than such euill and slanderous reports , as the virulent tongues of malicious persons , out of a hatred to their vertues , are desirous to lay vpon them . For there was neuer Age nor Countrey , wherein either man or woman was adorned with rare and eminent qualities , for the seruice of God , and aduancement of true religion , but immediatly such as were ill-affected began to imploy their wits , and beat their braines , how by calumniation and forged imputations , they might obscure the lustre of those singular parts , which their quicke but enuious eye had discouered in them . That worthy Moyses the meekest a a Num. 12.3 . man vpon earth is reproched as ambitious , and charged by Core , to b b Num. 16.3 . take too much vpon him . That admirable Daniel was c c Dan. 6.13 . accused to the King as a contemner of his Greatnesse , and violater of his Lawes . It was obiected to zealous and iust Nehemiah by d d Neh. 6.6 . Sanballat , that himselfe and the people of Iuda intended a rebellion . Paul and Silas , two great instruments of Gods glory , were complained vpon as seditious persons , and e e Act. 16.20 . disturbers of the peace and quietnesse of the city . The old Christians , men no doubt of vertuous behauiour , yet because in time of persecution they assembled themselues together in the night , for the worship of their God , and profession of their faith , were reported by the Gentiles to haue the Feasts of f f Euseb. Eccl. Hist. lib. 4.7 . Thyestes , ( that is , to eat the flesh of children ) and to do as Oedipus did , that is , promiscuously to commit fornication with their mothers , sisters and daughters . Yea , their owne g g Lib. 5.1 . seruants were brought by the terrours of the Infidels to accuse them of such crimes . Tertullian complaineth of this , declaring that it was obiected to the Christians ; h h Tertull. Apolog. cap. 2. that they killed a babe new borne , and in the blood thereof did dip their Eucharist , and so eat it ; as also , that suffering their dogs of purpose to ouerturne their lights , they in the darke committed incest with their mothers and daughters . Hence it grew , as a kinde of Prouerbe , That it was the part of Christians to doe good , and yet to be ill spoken of . So i i Euagrius Eccl. Hist. lib. 3.40 . Euagrius reporteth , touching that holy and blessed Emperour Constantine the Great , that the Ethnicks laded him with many false criminations : , because he tooke away their Heathenish superstitions , and in place thereof aduanced the seruice of Christ Iesus .

In all which accusations , and other of like nature , ( if we looke aduisedly into them ) we shall perceiue , that both Sathan hath his worke , and euill men haue a part , yea that God himselfe hath a finger . Sathan hath his worke , because ( as Cyprian writing of Cornelius , saith ) It is k k Cyprian . Epist. ad Antonian . Lib. 4.2 . euermore the worke of the Diuell , that he may with lies ●eare the seruants of God , and by false opinions spread concerning them may defame their glorious name ; that such as are bright in the light of their owne conscience may be sordidated , or dimmed , by the reports of other . Euill men haue their part , either because with Zoilus , when they l l Aelian . Hist. lib. 11.10 . can do not hurt to the good and vertuous , at least they will speake ill of them ; or els , because ( as Hierome writeth ) m m Hieron . Epist. 10. ad Furiam . It is the solace of euill men to carpe at the good , thinking that by the great number of offenders the guilt of their faults is diminished and abated . Nay , God hath a finger in it , to trie & sharpen men , and by that meanes to fit them to himselfe . For slanders haue that force in them , as Gregory well noteth , speaking thus : n n Gregor. Hom. 38. in 40. Hom. Going thorow almost all examples , we finde , that there hath not beene one good man whom the naughtinesse of euill men hath not tried : for , that I may so speake , the sword of our soule is not brought to the exactnesse of sharpnesse , if the file of other mens naughtinesse hath not rubbed and fretted it . Againe , in as much as we should grow into deepe and dangerous securitie , if it were not for such remembrances , our heauenly Father is contented that by such calumniations we should be rowzed from the sleepinesse and drowzinesse of the world . o o Plin Natur . Hist. lib. 8 16. Pliny writeth , that the Lion is subiect to no sicknesse , but only a fastidium , or fulnesse of stomacke : wherewithall when hee is oppressed , the way to cure him is to offer him some contumely ; which is by tying an Ape neere him : for the Lion is so moued and vexed for the time , with the tricks which the Ape plaieth , that he riddeth and putteth ouer that , which so much before offended him . Euen so God vseth the contumelies of base persons , & the reproches of the vilest , to rowze vp men of excellent spirits , that they surfet not in voluptuousnesse , and so consequently be lulled asleepe in idle securitie , to their owne harme and peraduenture ruine .

But be it for one or all these reasons , certaine it is , that in our age as well as in times by-past , the deerest children of God haue tasted of this triall , and haue been forced to endure very horrible imputations & staining aspersions , which the venomous tongues of vngodly men haue striued to cast vpon them . It were no hard matter to name very strange calumniations which haue been inuented by the vassals of Antichrist , and published by the adorers of the beast in diuers books ( which are no better than defamatory libels ) against Gods seruants of the highest ranke vpon earth , because they ouer-turned the strong holds of idolatry , and gaue free passage to the Gospell of Christ Iesus . But I forbeare to giue such particular instances , and rather leaue to the consideration of the wise , whether it may euer be hoped , that such irreligious creatures ( who haue solde themselues to Sathan the accuser of the brethren ) will make spare to lash and scourge such single persons as stand in their way , & hinder their designes ; when they make no conscience to brand our holy faith , and the generalitie of our profession , with reports most odious , and such as must needs be acknowledged for abominable , if they should be true : but in sooth are in the sight of God , of Angels and men , before heauen & earth ▪ but plaine fictions and forgeries , conteining in them no parcell of veritie . Of which sort are those defamations ▪ which a countryman of ours , without all shame , auoucheth in a p p Certaine Articles or forcible reasons printed at Antwerpe 1600 : Pamphlet not long since put out , and published to the world ; That the Protestants are bound in conscience , neuer to aske God forgiuenesse of their sinnes : That the Protestants are bound in conscience to auoid all good works : That the Protestants make God the author of sinne ; the only cause of sinne : that man sinneth not ; that God is worse than the Diuell . And that of q q Ross. contra Henri● . Gallum . cap. 4.5 . Rosseus writing against the French King now reigning : Hominum animas cum corporibus interire , & homines a brutis pecoribus nihil differre , Euangelicorum infinita millia credunt . Infinite thousands of Protestants doe beleeue that the soules of men die together with their bodies , and that men do nothing differ from brute beasts .

Such truthlesse , shamelesse , and gracelesse assertions they haue not sticked to proclame openly in the face of the Sunne . The knowledge whereof should cause all men indifferently affected , not to be credulous or light of beleefe , when they finde gall and bitternesse cast out of the mouth or penne of an enemy of the Gospell against any contending for the truth , though it be but a priuate man ; but especially to suspend their iudgements , when persons of highest quality , for maintaining Gods cause , are traduced by an enemy , or defamed by some vile one , whose tongue and pen indeed is no slander , as we commonly speake . For these great ones are the special marke whereat malice doth aime ; and as poison ordinarily hasteneth to the heart , so doth enuie let driue at the head , at those who be most eminent in the State and Common-wealth . When Cato the elder liued , there was not in all Rome so woorthy a man as he : for ( as r r Plin. Natur . Hist. lib. 7.27 . Pliny noteth ) he was the best Orator , the best Leader or Generall in the field , the best Senatour or Counseller that was in that Citie : yet was he so intreated as neuer man was , being publikely called to his answer foure and fortie seuerall times , whereby one while his fame was hazarded , another while his life : and yet alwayes he was honorably , or as the yoonger Pliny hath it , s s Plin. de viris illustrib . gloriously absolued and acquited . Doubtlesse there was against him a great deale of spleene , a very great deale of malice . From the touch wherof , euen Kings and Princes are so farre from being free , that they are more subiect to it than any other persons : which made * * Diog. Laert . in Antisth . Antisthenes to say , That it was a Kingly thing , when thou hast done wel , to be ill spoken of for thy labor . And if we be desirous to see a famous example of this , there is no one more notable than that of holy Dauid , who being first a Prophet , and afterwards a King , ( but in both most vnspotted touching the crimes layd against him ) yea being a man after Gods own heart , yet was accused and charged with many hainous iniquities ; which caused him to complaine both before and after his comming to the Crowne : as vnto Saul : t t 1. Sam. 24.10 . Wherefore giuest thou an eare vnto mens words , that say : Beholde , Dauid seeketh euill against thee ? And to God himselfe : O u u Psal. 7.3 . Lord my God , if I haue done this thing , meaning , which they layd vnto him ; if there be any wickednesse in my hands , intending , such as they would fasten vpon him , then let the enemie persecute my soule and take it . And in another place , speaking to the slandering Aduersarie , Thy * * Psal. 52.2 . tongue imagineth mischiefe , and is like a sharpe razor that cutteth deceitfully . And yet further : The x x Psal. 119.69 . proud haue imagined a lie against me . So in the next Psalme : y y Psal. 120.2 . Deliuer my soule O Lord from lying lips , and from a deceitfull tongue . These things , and that the z z Psal 69.12 . drunkards did make songs vpon him , did many times exceedingly grieue him , that he who laboured to seeme innocent , should be reproched as nocent ; that he who was but the Patient , should be held for the Agent ; that the man wronged , should be reported to do wrong vnto other ; that he whose life was sought , should be termed by Shimei , a a 2. Sam. 16.7 . a man of blood , and a murtherer . This troubled & grieued him aboue measure . For it is the property of innocency and integritie , that if it may finde no other reward , yet it would gladly shine in the simplicitie and sinceritie of it selfe . But when there was no other helpe to be freed from those slanders , Dauid had one assured remedie ; that was , to retire himselfe to the Lord , & commend his cause to his Maker : As he excellently doth in the three and fortieth Psalme , where being oppressed by the malice of his aduersaries , and complaining of it in the first verse : b b Psal. 43.1 . Iudge me O God , and defend my cause against the vnmercifull people : deliuer me from the deceitfull & wicked man , he helpeth himselfe in the last verse , rebuking the impatiency which he found in his owne soule , and directing his affections vnto another course , c c vers. 5. Why art thou cast downe my soule ? and why art thou disquieted within me ? wait on God : for I will yet giue him thanks : he is my present helpe and my God .

Many men haue been desirous to haue their fame cleered from the reproches of their enemies , and haue sought meanes to haue their hearts eased from the disturbances and distempers whereinto false accusations haue put them . Zeno is much commended , that with such calmnesse he could turne aside those bitter taunts which some bestowed on him : for being asked , how he did bear himselfe against euil speeches : d d Diog. La ▪ e rt . in Zenon . I do , saith he , as if an Embassadour should be sent vnto me , and I should returne him without an answer . This for a Philosopher , who was but an heathen man , was an excellent resolution . But in these words of Dauid , there is a way more noble than Zeno could conceiue ; that is , to looke vp to our great God , and commit all to him , expecting his good leasure . It is not enough when a man being priuy to his owne innocencie doth not boile within himselfe , or fret against the wicked ( which are things e e Psal. 37.1 . forbidden vnto vs ) but he must goe a step farther , and propose to his owne heart some more notable example . And in this case who is rather to be imitated by a Christian , than our Sauior Chirst ? Concerning whom S. Chrysostome said well : That f f Chrys Homil. 1. de in●●●●treh . Dei natura . when he cast out diuels , and did innumerable good things , and yet was ill spoken of ; against those men who said , that he had the Diuell , he did not send any thunderbolt , he did not ouerthrow those blasphemous mouthes , he consumed not with fire those vnchaste , vngratefull , vnworthie tongues of theirs : but only with these words put aside those euill speeches ; I haue not the Diuell , but I honour him who sent me . This is most truly related of our Sauiour : but there was in him somewhat els , which is better obserued by S. Peter : g g 1. Pet. 2.23 . When he was reuiled , he reuiled not againe ; when he suffered , he threatened not , but committed it to him that iudgeth righteously . And this , committing it to him that iudgeth righteously , was the course which Dauid vsed : to wait patiently on the Lord , to cast vp his eies to heauen , and commending to God the integrity of his waies , to leaue all to his disposing . And this is the very Lesson which hee teacheth both himselfe and other . For in the seuen and twentieth Psalme , hauing spoken of his h h Psal. 27.12.14 . aduersaries , of false witnesses which rose vp against him , and such as speak cruelly , he concludeth with this document , Hope in the Lord ; bee strong , and hee shall comfort thine heart , and trust in the Lord . Which is the most sound instruction , that any creature can haue : to looke vp to his Creator ( to whom all hearts are open , and no priuie thing can be secret ) and to commend to his prouidence , to his fatherly care and wisedome , the vnspottednesse of his waies , and the simplicity of his conuersation . And assuredly that God who is the God of truth , will bee the patron and protectour of innocencie in his seruants . It is a strong consolation which Dauid giueth in this case ; i i Psal. 37.5.6 . Commit thy way vnto the Lord , and trust in him , and he shall bring it to passe . And hee shall bring foorth thy righteousnesse as the light , and thy iudgement as the noone day . But it followeth : Wait patiently vpon the Lord , and hope in him : As if that must bee the meanes to attaine thy desire : not to run before thy Maker , and appoint him the time when thy integrity shall bee cleered , and the dimming clouds of obloquie shall be blowen from thy estimation ; but to leaue that to his managing , to his dispose and direction . For as S. Chrysostome telleth vs ; k k Chrys. in Psal. 129. If it be in the power of God to giue vnto vs , it is also in his power to giue when himselfe pleaseth . It is said of him , that hee doth all things in l l Sapient . 11.17 . measure , number and waight . But if before the number bee full , or the measure be vp , thou wilt limit him the time when thy innocencie must appeare : thou takest on thee to be wiser than the Lord , and in a sort mounting vp into his throne in heauen , thou doest iustle him out of his seat of maiesty and eternity . If thou wilt set downe the decree for time or place , or the maner of purging thy selfe , or how the wickednes of thine enemies must be displaied , thou makest thy selfe the Iudge , and the Lord of heauen and earth shall be but thy executioner . Leaue the maine then to him ( which doth not fore-close thee , but that thou mayst vse all honest meanes to lay open thy vnspottednesse ) and thou shalt haue reason with Dauid to thanke him , and say : m m Psal. 43.5 . He is my present helpe and my God .

And in truth it is strange to see the Lords worke in this behalfe , how , when the fame of his seruants hath beene vniustly denigrated by false accusations , hee taking the matter into his hands hath in his good time dispelled all mists of slander . Heereof Dauid himselfe had singular experience . For when Saul was informed that Dauid sought his life , and by the often ingeminations of malitious men this was taken for a truth , and Dauid was accordingly persecuted , and in danger to be murdered , God put Saul n n 1. Sam. 24.4 . c. 26.7 . two seuerall times into the hands of Dauid , that easily hee might haue slaine him : which being entertained as an inuincible argument of Dauids fidelity , Saul himselfe by the irrefragable euidence of truth was forced to crie out , o o 1. Sam. 24.18 . Thou art more righteous than I : for thou hast rendered me good , and I haue rendered thee euill . And a second time : p p 1. Sam. 26.21 . I haue sinned : come againe my sonne Dauid , for I will doe thee no more harme , because my soule was precious in thine eies this day : behold I haue done foolishly , and haue erred exceedingly . Eusebius hath such another example , of q q Euseb. Ecel . Hist. lib. 6.8 . Narcissus the Bishop of Ierusalem , who was a vertuous and worthy man , and yet by three persons was accused of a hainous crime . The story doth not cleerely deliuer what it was : but by circumstances it may be gathered to bee incontinency . These three to giue the more reputation to that accusation , wherewithall they charged him , did vse diuers imprecations and execrations on themselues , if those things were not true which they obiected against him . As the one wished that himselfe might be burnt , the second that he might die of a loathsome disease , the third that he might lose the sight of his eyes . This constant and consenting crimination so affected Narcissus , though priuy to his own vprightnesse , that he withdrew himselfe from his abode , and liuing priuately commended his righteous cause to God : which had such effect , that not very long after , the first of his accusers was indeed consumed with fire , the house being burnt in which he remained : the second died of the same disease which he wished vpon himselfe : and the third being much affrighted with the punishment of his fellows , had remorse of his sinne , and came and openly acknowledged the conspiracy of them three against innocent Narcissus : but withall , he had such feeling of his owne iniquity , that powring out continuall teares , hee lost the sight of his eyes with the rheume that descended . A most memorable narration to their comfort , who , being wronged by men in their fame or good name , commend their cause to God . Like to which is that of r r Theodor. Eccl. Hist. lib. 1.20.21 . Theodoret , who reporteth , that Eustathius the Patriarke of Antioch had many combats with the Arrians for defence of Christs truth : and when he still preuailed against them , they out of their malice suborned a harlot to accuse him of fornication , and openly to maintaine , that a childe was his which she held in her armes : by which meanes hee was constrained to flie to the same succour that Narcissus formerly had done ; which had such force with Almighty God , that within a while after the harlot was stricken with a grieuous sicknesse , which wrought in her so powerfully , that shee freely confessed the combination of the Arrians against the holy man : and how shee was suborned to accuse him wrongfully , whereof she was now sory . But whereas she had said that Eustathius was the father of her childe ; that indeed was true of another Eustathius , but not of the Bishop of Antioch . Wherein we may beholde , that euen so long agone Equiuocation was in vse , but it was with leaud persons , as heretikes and harlots : but withall Gods worke appeareth , that he will not euermore suffer innocencie to be oppressed , and truth to be wronged ; but at the last veritie shall breake forth , as the Sunne which was darkned with a cloud . And this mercifull fauor of God to his seruants was not onely in the ages past , but our dayes haue experiments of the very like occurrents ; as in a famous case lately acted at Edenborough may sensibly be discouered : whereof , because I was an eye-witnesse at my late being there by the commandement of his Maiestie , I haue thought it my dutie , in honor to God and loue to his truth , to declare what I saw and heard ; that this following Treatise penned by an honorable personage of North-Britaine might not goe forth vnaccompanied with the Declaration of one of South-Britaine , for so much as hee beheld .

There are few in this Iland of any vnderstanding , but haue heard of the traiterous and bloodie attempt of the Earle Gowrie and his brother against the person and life of our most blessed Souereigne . Wherein albeit there were such euidences and arguments , as that any man who would haue taken notice thereof , might haue been sufficiently informed therein euen at the very first ▪ and afterward by the cleere depositions ( for most pregnant circumstances ) and ample attestations of many persons of honour and qualitie , the Parliament of that Kingdome tooke full knowledge thereof , and accordingly proceeded to the forfaiting of the whole estate of that Earle , and of his heires for euer : yet some humorous men , whom in that respect I may iustly terme vnthankfull vnto God , and vndutifull to their King , out of fond imaginations , or rather , if you will , seditious suppositions of their owne , did both at home and abroad , by whisperings and secret buzzings into the eares of the people ( who were better perswaded of them than indeed there was cause ) imploy their wits and tongues to obscure the trueth of that matter , and to cast an imputation where it was least deserued . Which when God had permitted for the space of some yeeres to ranckle and foster in the bowels of those who were the Authours of it ; the same God in his wisdome at last meaning to cure them if they would be cured of that maladie , discouered , that in the same treason , although caried neuer so secretly , there were other confederates , of whom hitherto the world had taken no kinde of knowledge . And albeit two of the persons interested in that businesse were lately dead , and departed vnto far greater torment than all the earth could lay vpon them ( vnlesse they died repentant ) yet it was apprehended that a third partie remained , who had fore-knowledge of that conspiracie , and was able to vtter much of the secrets of it ; one George Sprot , a Notarie inhabiting at Aye-mouth , a place well knowen in that countrey . Which matter , or some part thereof , being made knowen to an s s The Earle of Dunbar . honourable person , a most faithfull seruant to his Maiestie , first by some words that fell from Sprot himselfe , and afterwards by some papers found vpon him , it was so wisely caried , and so prudently brought about , by the great care and diligence of that noble man ( God Almightie blessing the businesse ) that so much was reueiled as followeth in this Treatise , vpon the Acts to be seene ; which are here set downe at large , word for word as they agree with the processe originall , and other examinations , that such as haue beene auerse may at last receiue satisfaction . Touching all which , I shall say nothing , but only report that which befell vpon the day of his death , when hee suffered for that treason . Hauing then the sentence passed on him vpon Friday the twelfth of August 1608 in the fore-noone , and publikely being warned to prepare himselfe to his end , which must be that after-dinner , he most willingly submitted himselfe vnto that punishment , which ( as he then acknowledged ) he had iustly deserued . And being left to himselfe til dinner-time was expired , then came to him into that priuate place where hee remained , some of the * * Archb. of Glasc . Bis. of Brickh . L. Halyrudeh . L. Collector . L. Register . L. Iustice . D Maxey . M Hodson . M. P. Galoway . M. I. Hall . N. Ch. Lumsden with others . reuerend Bishops , diuers L.L. of the Session , two of the English Ministers there imploied by his Maiestie , with diuers other Ministers of the towne of Edenborough . Before whom he first acknowledged and auouched his former confession to be true , and that he would die in the same ; and then falling on his knees in a corner of that roome , where he and they then were , in a prayer to God vttered aloud he so passionately deplored his former wickednesses , but especially that sinne of his for which he was to die ; that a man may iustly say , hee did in a sort deiect and cast downe himselfe to the gates of hell , as if he should there haue beene swallowed vp in the gulfe of desperation : yet presently laying holde vpon the mercies of God in Christ , he raised himselfe , and strangely lifted vp his soule vnto the Throne of Grace , applying ioy and comfort to his owne heart so effectually , as can not well be described . In the admitting of this consolation into his inward man , he burst out into teares , so plentifully flowing from him , that for a time they stopped his voice . The sight & hearing wherof wroght so forcible an impression in those persons of honour and learned men who beheld him , that there was scant any one of them , who could refraine teares in the place , as diuers of themselues that day did witnesse vnto me . The effect of his prayer was the aggrauating of his crime in concealing the treason against the Kings Maiestie ; into which , hee said , God did most iustly suffer him to fall , by reason of his former wickednesse which he had so desperately multiplied in despight of God and his holy Word . And thereupon going on with many sensible speeches and most feeling comparisons , hee insisted on the fearefull and dreadfull danger wherein hee was , if the Lord in iudgement should looke vpon him . Notwithstanding , at last he proceeded : Yet most mercifull father , whereat he made a stay , and repeating the word father with a maruellous loud and shrill voice , he added , why should I call thee father , that haue so many wayes and so horribly transgressed thy commandements , in all the course of my life , but especially in concealing this vile , fearefull and diuellish treason against my most gracious Soueraigne ? Lord , Lord , there is nothing belongeth to me but wrath and confusion : and so went on in a strange vnaffected current of words , liuely expressing the sorrow of his heart . Yet there he stayd not , but spake forward to this purpose : Notwithstanding , Lord thou hast left me this comfort in thy Word , that thou hast sayd , Come vnto me all ye that are weary and laden , and I will refresh you . Lord I am weary , Lord I am heauily laden with my sinnes , which are innumerable : I am ready to sincke Lord euen to hell , without thou in thy mercy put to thy hand and deliuer me . Lord thou hast promised by thine owne word , out of thine owne mouth , that thou wilt refresh the weary soule . And with that he thrust out one of his hands , and reaching as high as hee could , with a louder voice and a strained , cried , I challenge thee Lord , by that word , and by that promise which thou hast made , that thou performe and make it good to mee , that call for ease and mercie at thy hands . Lord heare mee , Lord pardon mee , Lord comfort me by thy holy spirit : assure my conscience of the forgiuenesse of my sinnes , & say to my soule , that thou art reconciled . And so after many zealous petitions vttered to the like effect , he applied to himselfe the mercies of God in Christ Iesus , in whom he assured himselfe of Gods fauour , with earnest request , that he might continue in that assurance to the end , wherof he nothing doubted .

Afterward , being brought to the scaffold , where he was to die , he vttered many things , among which I obserued these : He acknowledged to the people , that he was come thither to suffer most deseruedly ; That hee had beene an offender against Almightie God in very many respects ; But that none of his sinnes was so grieuous vnto him , as that for which he must die : wherin , notwithstanding he was not an Actor , but a Concealer only . That he was ingyred in it by the Laird of Rastalrig and his seruant the Laird of Bour , both which , hee sayd , were men that professed not religion . Whereupon he exhorted men to take heed how they accompanied with such as are not religious ; because , sayd he , with such as make not profession of religion , there is no faith , no trueth , no holding of their word , as himselfe had tried and found . But touching the treason for the concealing whereof he was condemned , he added , That he was preserued aliue to open that secret mysterie which so long had layen hidde ; That God had kept him since that attempt of the Earle Gowrie from very manie dangers , but notedly from one , when being in apparent hazzard of drowning , he was strangely deliuered : which , said he , was Gods worke , that I might remaine aliue vnto this happie and blessed day , that the trueth might be made knowen . And now I confesse my fault to the shame of my selfe , and to the shame of the Diuell ; but to the glorie of God . And I doe it not either for feare of death , or for any hope of life , ( for I haue deserued to die , and am vnworthie to liue ) but because it is the trueth , which I shall seale with my blood . My fault , sayth hee , is so great , that if I had a thousand liues , and could die ten thousand deaths , yet I might not make satisfaction , that I should conceale such a treason against so gracious a King . These and the like words , when hee had spoken vpon one side of the scaffold , hee turned him to the second side , and afterward to the third , ( that all the people might heare ) where he spake to the same purpose as formerly he had done . And here it may not be forgotten , that in the vttering of these things his tongue serued him verie well , with words readie and significant , his memorie was perfect , his countenance reasonably erect and full of alacritie , without all feare of death , his voice was loud and audible on euery part : which was the more strange , because at the times of his examination , as also that very fore-noone , at the houre of his arraignment , his speech was low and weake ; but now so strong , as if God of purpose had giuen him power to deliuer his words in such a maner , that all the people might heare and vnderstand .

When this aboue-mentioned declaration had beene made , Sprot returned to that part of the scaffold where he first began to speake , and there falling on his knees , he vttered a prayer to the same purpose as is set down in this ensuing Treatise . And hauing ended the same , one of the Ministers praied againe , and the prisoner ioyned with him , That God would forgiue his sinnes , and receiue his soule to mercie . After which , Sprot standing vp made diuers requests : First that what he had deliuered by this Confession on the scaffold , might be put into his Processe , that the world might take notice of it . Secondly , that such as were present ( as they might haue opportunity ) would be suters vnto the King , that his Maiestie would forgiue him this offence , for the which , he sayd , he craued pardon of God , of his Souereigne , and the world . And thirdly , hee desired those of the Ministerie which were present , that wheresoeuer they , came they would proclame in the Pulpit his confession of his crime , his sorow for the same , and his full hope that God would pardon him . And to the end that this might be performed , hee tooke the hands of such Ministers as stood neere about him , so binding a promise on them . And heere , being told by the said Ministers and other persons of qualitie , that being so neere his departure out of the world , it concerned him to speake nothing but the trueth , and that vpon the perill of his soule : he answered , that to the end that they should know , that hee had spoken nothing but the veritie , and that his Confession was true in euerie respect , hee would ( at the last gaspe ) giue them some apparent token for the confirmation of the same . Then fitting himselfe to the ladder , the Executioner commeth to him , and , as the maner is , asking forgiuenesse of him ; With all my heart , saith hee , for you doe but your office , and it is the thing I desire ; because suffering in my bodie , I shall in my soule be ioyned vnto my Sauiour . Ascending vp to the ladder , he desired the people to sing a Psalme with him , which they did with many a weeping eye . Hee named the sixt Psalme , and beginning it or taking it vp himselfe , in euerie verse or line thereof hee went before the people , singing both lowd and tunably vnto the very end . Then once againe confirming and auowing his former confession , he couered his owne face , and commending his soule to God , hee was turned off the ladder ; where hanging by the necke some little while , hee three seuerall times gaue a lowd clap with his hands , that all the standers by might heare : which was the signe or token ( as it seemeth ) which he a little before had sayd that hee would giue at his last gaspe , for the ratification and auowing of those things , which by his confession hee had so many times declared and deliuered . These things were done in the open sight of the Sunne , in the Kings Capitall towne , at the Market-crosse in Edenborough , in the presence of diuers thousands of all sorts : of the Nobilitie , of the Clergie , of the Gentrie , of the Burgesses , of women and children , my selfe with the rest of the English Ministers standing by and looking on , and giuing GOD the glorie , that after so long a space as eight yeeres and eight dayes ( for so it was by iust computation after the attempt of Gowrie ) he was pleased to giue so noble a testimonie vnto that , which by some maligners had beene secretly called in question without any ground or reason . I haue reported at length those particulars which I heard and saw , which that honourable personage , who wrote this Treatise following doth somewhat more briefly deliuer , but yet both of vs very truly , as thousands can witnesse .