Being come to the place of Execution , Thomas Forde , was first brought vp into the Carte , when as he began in this maner . Wheras I am come hither to die , for matters layd vnto my charge of treason , which shoulde be conspired against the Quéene , within these two yeares or somewhat more . I giue you to vnderstande , that of any such matter I am innocent and free , for that I can prooue my comming into England to be fiue yeerss since . Where vpon Maister Sherife spake vnto him and sayde , Forde , haue minde on God , aske him and her Maiestie hartily forgiuenesse , whom thou hast so highly offended , thou doost but delude the people , for it is manifestly known , how thou art guiltye of the matters layde to thy charge , here is thine owne aunswers to shew , affirmed vnder thine owne hand , and other witnesses to reprooue thee . Where vpon I my selfe was called foorth , who iustified the causes to his face , that at hys araignement was layd to his charge , and he euidently and plainly found guiltye thereof . Then were his aunswers wherto he had subscribed read vnto him , which is in the booke lately sette foorth by authoritye , where vpon he tooke occasion to tell a long sircumstaunce , of a certaine question mooued at Oxenforde , as concerning , taking armes against her Maiestie , which horrible treason he séemed to approoue thereby . Then Maister Sherife willed him to aske her Maiestie forgiuenes , offering him to stande his freende in attayning her graces mercy , yf he would chaunge his former traiterous minde to become a true and faithfull Subiect , acknowledging her to bee his lawful soueraigne Lady , notwithstanding any thing that any Pope could say or doo to the contrarye . Whereto be aunswered , I haue not offended her Maiestie , but if I haue I aske her forgiuenes & all the world , & in no other treason haue I offended then my religion , which is the Catholique faith , wherin I will liue and dye . And as for the Quéenes Maiestie , I doo acknowledge her supremacy in all thinges temporal , but as conserning Ecclesiastical causes I deny her , that onely belongeth to the Uicar of Christ , the Pope . In bréefe , he graunted to nothing , but shewed himselfe an impious and obstinate Traytour , and so he remayned to the death , refusing to pray in the English tongue , mumbling a fewe Latine prayers , desiring those that were Ex domo Dei , to pray with him , and so he ended his lyfe .

In the meane time that he hanged , which was tyll hee was dead , so great is the mercye of our gratious Princesse . Iohn Sherte was brought from off the Hurdell to the gallowes , wher séeing Forde hanging . He began with holding vppe his handes , as the Papistes are wont to doo before theyr Images . O swéete Tom , O happy Tom , O blessed Tom. Then being stayed , Forde was cut downe , and caryed to the place where his body should be quartered . In which time Sherte was brought vp into the Carte , where looking toward the dead bodye of Forde , hee fell downe on his knées , and held vp his hands to it , ( saying agayne . ) O happy Tom , O blessed Tom , thy swéete soule pray for me . O déere Tom , thy blessed soule pray for me . For which woords béeing rebuked , the Executioner lifted him vp on feete , when as he prepared him to his confession , ( saying ) I am brought hither to this place , to dye a death , whych is both shamefull , and ignominious , for which I thanks thee my Lord God , who framing me to thine owne simylitude & likenes , hath blessed me to thys good ende . There being stayed , because hee seemed to prolong the time to small purpose , the Sherife willed him to remember hymselfe , for what cause he was come thither : howe he had offended the Quéenes Maiestie , and that he was nowe to aske her forgiuenes , Beside he might receiue her princely mercy : wherto with an Hipocriticall outward boldnesse , but an inward faynting feare , ( as afterwarde euerye one playnly beheld , ) he gaue thys aunswere . What Mayster Sherife , shall I saue thys frayle and vile carcase , & damne mine owne soule ? No , no , I am a Catholique , in that faith I was borne , in that faith will I dye , and heere shall my ● bood seale it . Then Maister Sherife spake vnto him ( saying ) by the way as we came , you swore an oath , for which you willed me to beare witnesse that you were hartily sorie . Now I pray you let me be a witnesse , that you are as hartelie sorie for offending the Quéenes Maiestie . Why Sir ( quoth he ) I haue not offended her , without it be in my Religion , and if I haue offended her , then I aske her forgiuenesse . Maister Sherife vpon this sayde vnto him : is this the fruites of your Religion , to knéels to the dead bodie of thy fellowe , and to desire his soule to pray for thee . Alas , what can it eyther profite thée , or hinder thée ? praye thou to God and he will helpe thee . Maister Sherife , ( quoth Sherte , ) this is the true Catholique Religion , and whosoeuer is not of it , is dampned . I desire his soule to pray for me , the most glorious Uirgin Marie to praye for me , and all the holy company of Heauen to pray for me . At which woords the people cried , away with the traytor , hang him , hang him . O 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Maister Sherife ) forsake the whore of Roome 〈◊〉 wicked Antichriste , with all his abhominable 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 and put thy whole 〈…〉 Christ : wherto he aunswered . O 〈…〉 little remember the day , when as you & I shall 〈◊〉 bothe at one bar , & I come as witnesse against you , that you 〈◊〉 that holie and blessed Uiccar of Christ , the whoore of Rome , at which words the people cried again : hang him , hang him , away with him . Then he began his Pater noster in Latine , and before he had fully ended two petitions of it , he fell into the Latine Creede , and then to the Pater noster againe , afterwarde he sayde the Aue Maria : which done , knocking him selfe on the brest , saying Iesus , esto mihi Iesus , the Carte was drawne away , and he committed to the Mercie of God . But then to manifest that his former boldnesse , was but méere dissembling , and hipocrisie : he lyfted vp his handes , and caught holde on the Halter , so that euerie one perceyued his fayre outwarde shewe , and his fowle inward disfigured nature , also howe loth he was and vnwilling to die .

Robert Iohnson , being broughte vp into the Carte , Maister Sherife according as he had before , both declared vnto hym , her Maiesties mercy if he would repent , and al so willed him to be sory for his offences against her , wher of he séemed to make small estemation , denying the treasons according as the others had done , and appealinge likewise vpon his religion . Then was I called foorth againe , when as I gaue him to vnderstand , how notably he was approued guilty at his araignement , & euery matter sufficiently handled , how according as the reste were , he was confounded to his face , whereto he would make no other aunswer , but sayd . Well Munday God forgiue thee . Then were hys aunswers read vnto him , as they had béen before unto the other twain , hee not yeelding deniall , but sayd he spake them , and would doo it againe . Then was Athanasius Creede mooued vnto hym , which he graunted to be the Catholique fayth , whereof the Pope was Uiccar , and that there was no other Catholique fayth , but onely his . Why quoth the Preacher , the Pope is not named in it , I knowe not that ( quoth he againe , ) I haue not read it . Then Maister Sherife desired him to say hys prayers in English , and he with all the company woulde pray with him . Which he refusing to doo , in his Latine prayers , the Carte was drawen away , and he committed to Gods mercye .

No ( quoth he ) I will acknowledge no other head of the Church , then the Pope onelie : Wher vyon his aunsweres were reade vnto him , and he not denying them in any point , euén as they were wicked and impious , euen so he remayned in them , still appealing that it was for his Religion that he died , and not for any Treason . But the contrarie was prooued vnto his face , as well by sufficient proofes , as also by the Trayterous aunswers , whereto hée had subscribed with his owne hande . At last , as he was desired : he prayed for the Queenes Maiestie , that GOD might blesse her , and incline her harte to mercie towards the Catholiques , of which societie he was one . Then they opening his bosome , founde there two Crosses , which béeing taken from him , were helde vp , and showen to all the people , beside , his Crowne was shauen . So after a fewe silent Latine prayers to himselfe , the Carte was drawne away .

The next was Luke Kirbie , who being brought vp into the Carte , offered long circumstaunce of spéeche , as concerning that he was come thither to dye , hoping to bee saued in the blood of Christe : and much matter , which were néedelesse here to rehearse . Afterwarde , he beganne to saye , that there were none could approoue him to be a tray tour : neither had he at any time attempted any thing preiudiciall to her Maiestie , and that his aduersaries , Sled , nor Munday , could not vpbraide him with any thinge . Whervpon Maister Sherife tolde him , that Munday was there , and asked him if he woulde haue him called to him . I sée him ( quoth he ) yonder , and let him say what he can against mee .

Then was I commaunded to come some what neere him , when as he began in this manner to mée : O Munday consider with thy selfe , howe vntruly thou hast charged mee , with that which I neuer sayd nor thought . Besides , thou knowest that when thou camest to the Tower to me , before Maister Liuetenaunt , and an other who was there present then , thou wast demaunded what thou thoughtest of mée , and what thou couldest say against mée ? when as thou madest aunswer . Thou knewest no harme by mee , neither couldest thou at any tyme saye otherwise of mée then well : wherevpon thou wast asked , wherefore thou reportedst otherwise at my arraignement ? Then the Sherife sayde vnto him , who can beare thée witnesse of this ? ( Quoth he againe ) he spake it before Maister Lieuetenaunt , and an other was by then . Then was he demaunded what other he was that was present : which ( after a long trifling ) he sayde was a Keeper , and named him : whereto I made aunswere as followeth .

Maister Kirbie , I wishe and desire you , in the feare of God , to remember your selfe , for this is not a place to report an vntrueth , neither to slaunder any man otherwise then you are able to prooue . When as I came vnto the Tower , and made knowen to Maister Lieuetenant , for what cause I was sent to speake with you , you were brought into a Chamber by your Keeper : and what I mooued vnto you , your selfe very well knoweth , as concerning my allowaunce béeing the Popes Scholler : where , what aunswere you made , I haue truelie , and according as you aunswered already set downe in print . Maister Lieuetenant neither mooued any such woordes to mée , as héere you reported , and I call GOD to my witnesse , that not a motion of any such matter was once offered to mée by Maister Lieuetenant , or by your Kéeper . Your selfe then vttered that at sundrie times in the Seminarie , there was diuerse leude woords spoken , which might better haue béene spared and denied that you were not in my Chamber , when as I lying sicke in my bed trayterous spéech as were mooued by them , which were then present , whereof your selfe was one , with diuer so other matters which you spake vnto me , which Maister Lieuetenant him selfe heard , and your Kéeper béeing present . But if this be true which you say , that it may be prooued there was eyther such woordes mooued vnto mée , or any such aunswere made by mée , I offer to sustaine what punishment the Lawe shall affoorde mée . Then falling to an other matter , for that this redounded to his owne confusion , ( as Maister Lieuetenant can well witnesse : ) he beganne to talke of my being at Roome , what fréendshippe he had shewed vnto mée , and had done the lyke vnto a number of English men , whome he well knew , not to be of that Religion , bothe out of his owne purse , as also be fréending them to some of the Popes Chamber , he made conueyaunce for them the●ce , some tyme going fortie miles with them : when ( quoth he ) had my dealings béene knowne , I should hardlie haue beene well thought off : and I knewe well enough , that you were neuer bent to that Religion , albeit they thought the contrarie . Yea , I knewe well enough , when you departed thence , that your disposition was contrarie to ours , and concealed it to my selfe .

O Kirbie ( quoth Maister Sherife ) this is verie vnlyke , that you could affoord such fauour to any , who were contrarie to that Religion that you professed no , no , if you knewe any such there , you would rather helpe to persecute them , then to pittie them , as it is the nature of you all .

Maister Kirbie ( quoth I ) it is very vnlike that you had any such secrete knowledge of mée , eyther of my Religion , or howe I was secretlie bent , as you séeme heere to professe , for had I béene such a one as you woulde perswade these heere , you knewe mée to be , would you haue delyuered mee those silke Pictures halowed by the Pope which you did : and moreouer , make knowne to mée sundry of your freends heere in England , to whome I should conuey them ▪ O Munday ( quoth he ) I confesse I deliuered to thée Pictures in déede , but thou knowest I gaue thée two Iulyes to goe huic them with , I dyd it because I knewe thée to be such a one , and therefore I dyd misdoubt thee , for I woulde not credite thée with my hallowed Pictures . Maister Kirbie ( quoth I ) to deny your owne dooinges , is meruailous impudencie : dyd not you in your Chamber , delyuer to mée certaine silke Pictures , which you tolde mée at Seukelyes 〈◊〉 béeing there , were hallowed by the Pope , & what Indulgences were allowed them : one of them , which was a Crucifixe you gaue me , the other you willed me deliuer to your fréends at Rheimes , and in Englande : and because they were so fewe ( as in deede I thinke they were no more but fiue ) you gaue me two Iulyes , to goe into the Cittie to buie more , which I dyd : and hauing brought them to you , three or fowre of the fayrest you tooke from me , promising to gette them hallowed at the next Benediction : the other in deede you gaue me , and I tooke them with me . Howe saye you nowe Kirbie ( quoth Maister Sherife ) would you haue credited him with such matters , had you not supposed him to be one of your owne secte . Maister Sherife ( quoth he ) what I haue sayde , I knewe verie well . And after he was gone from Roome , I sent fifteene shyllinges to Rheimes , to be delyuered to him , but he was departed thence towarde Englande , before it came .

Then Maister Sherife sayde to him againe , you stand vpon these pointes verie much , which there is none that are héere , but will iudge to be vntrue . Thou hearest what he hath sayde vnto thee , and we haue heard that thou deniedst euerie thing . What sayest thou to thy Treasons , wherefore thou arte come eyther to dye● wylt thou be sorio for them , aske God and her Maiestie forgiuenesse , for shee is mercifull , and we wyll carrie thée backe againe , if wee shall perceyue in thee any such motion , that thou wylte forsake thy former wickednesse , and become a good and faithfull Subiect . At these woordes , the people among them selues , almoste generallie sayde : O excéeding mercie and fauour , what a gratious Princesse haue wée , who affoordeth such mercie to those that haue so yll deserued .

Then Maister Feeld the Preacher , in the booke read his aunsweres to him , where he had subscribed with his owne hande . Whether the Pope might lawfullie depose her Maiestie , or had any aucthoritie to take the tytle of her Crowne and dignitie away from her , wherto Kirbie aunswered . This is a matter disputable in Schooles , and therefore I maye not iudge of it . I thinke this with my selfe , that if any Prince fal by infidelity , into Turscisme , Atheisme , Paganisme , or any such lyke , that the Pope hath aucthoritie to depose such a Prince . And beeing asked , if her Maiesty were in any such : he sayd , he knew his owne conscience . Another Preacher being by , said vnto him , that the Prince receiued his aucthority from God , & that he was to be suppressed by none , but only by God Again that Salomon sayd : By me ( meaning by God ) Kinges raigne , and Princes decree Iustice . By me Princes rule , and the Nobles Pro. 8. 15. 16 & all the Iudges of the earth . Againe S Paule sayth . Let euery soule be subiect to the higher powers , for there is Roma. 13. 1. 2. 3. 4. no power but of God , and the powers that be , are ordained of God . Who soeuer therefore resisteth the power , resisteth the ordinaunce of God , and they that resist , shall receyue to them selues iudgement . For Princes are not to be feared forgood works , but for euill : wilt thou then be without feare of the power , doo well , so shalt thou purchase praise of the same : For he is the minister of God for thy wealth : But if thou doo euill , feare , for he beareth not a swoord for naught , for he is the minister of God to take vengeaunce on him that dooth euill . If then the Pope be a Soule , hee is to be obedient to the higher powers . And béeing a subiect to God , as all other Princes be : hée must not take vpon him , what belongeth to God . As for the aucthoritie that her Maiestie hath , shee hath receyued it from God , neither is the Pope , or any earthlie Prince to depriue her therof , but onelie God . Againe , when Iesus was brought before Pilate , Pilate sayde to him . Knowest thou not that I haue power to crucifie thée , and haue power to loose thee ? To the which Iesus Iohn . 19. 10. 11. aunswered : Thou couldest haue no power at all against mee , except it were giuen thee from aboue . Thus maye you see , that what Prince so euer ruleth vpon earth , hath his power and aucthority only from God : and not that any mortall man can vse the aucthoritie of a Prince at his pleasure . How say you to this ? whereto he would make no aunswere : But séemed to demaunde of them , if they would deny , that if a Prince were in Paganisme , Atheisme , or gouerned by infidelitie : that such a Prince might not lawfullie be deposed . Which the learned Preachers aunswered in learned sort , approouing that as the power was of God , so Princes were not to be deposed by any , but onelie by God .

No ( quoth Kirbie againe ) hath it not béene disputed in Schooles for these fiue hundred yéeres , and will you deny it ? O Maister Crowley , Maister Crowley , and there pawsed , as though that Maister Crowley had agréede with him in such a monstrous error . But Maister Crowley him selfe gaue me to vnderstand , that at such time as hee conferred with the sayde Kirbie in the Tower , about the same argument , that his aunswer was vnto him . If any Prince fell into any such kinde of error , that Prince were corrigible , but of whom ? not of any earthly Prince , but of that heauenlie Prince , who gaue him his aucthority , and seeing him abuse it any way , correcteth him in his Iustice . For by his attributing to the Pope , this aucthority , he witnessed him to be Antichrist in that he wil depose Princes at his pleasure , & exalt him self aboue all that is called God , and forgiue men their sinnes at his pleasure likewise . All this was not sufficient to mollifie the obstinate minde of Kirbie , but he would persist styl in this deuill●sh imagination . Maister Sherife & the Preachers , seeing him wauering , & not able to yéeld any reason for his arrogant opinion , laboured as much as in them laye to chaunge it : and when all would not serue , they desired him in hartie and humble manner to pray to God , to ashe her Maiestie forgiuenesse , for the Treasons wherein he had offended her . Whereto he aunswered , that he had not offended in any Treason , to his knowledge : whervpon they shewed him his Treasons , which were adiudged by the people , woorthy of greater punishment , then he was at that time to suffer , yet would not he acknowledge them . But prayed to God for her Maiestie , that shée might long rule in her aucthoritie , to confound all her enimies : and that his hart was frée from any Treason to her Maiestie . Then preparing himself to his prayers , the Preachers desired him to pray in Englishe with them , and to say a prayer after them , wherin , if he could finde any fault , he should be resolued thereof . O ( quoth he againe ) you and I , were not one in faith , therefore I thinke , I should offend God , if I should praye with you : At which woordes , the people began to crie , away with him : so be saying his Pater noster in Latin , ended his life .

Then was Laurence Richardson brought vp into the Carte , and to him Thomas Cottom , to be executed togeather . But Cottom seemed to vtter such words , as though there had béene hope he would haue forsaken his wickednesse , so that the halter was vntyed , & he brought downe out of the Carte againe : In which time Laurence Richardson prepared him to death , confessing him selfe a Cathelique , and that he would beléeue in all things , as the Catholique Church of Roome did , vnto the Pope he allowed the onelie Supremacie . In which traiterous opinion , after certaine Latin prayers , he was committed to God . Then was Cottom brought vp to the Carte againe , and the good opinion had of him before , chaunged into that obstinate nature , that was in them all , saying to Maister Sherife , that before he came into Englande , he was armed for India , and thyther if he might be suffered , he would passe with as much conuenient spéede as might be . Then looking to the body of Laurence Richardson , wheron the Executioner was vsing his office , he lysted vp his handes and sayde : O blessed Laurence , pray for mée , thy blessed soule Laurence , pray for mée : for which woordes , both the Preachers & the people rebuked him telling him that he ought to pray to none , but to God onely , all helpe of man was but in vaine . Wherto he aunswered , he was assured that he could pray for him . In bréefe , his Treasons béeing mooued to him , he denied all , albeit his owne hand writing was there to affirme it . He prayed for her Maiestie , and sayde his Pater noster , and Aue Maria : and as the Carte was drawing away , he sayd : In manus tuas Domine commendo spiritum meum , and so he ended his lyfe . Thus in bréefe haue I set downe the Execution of these Traytors , desiring God , that the leude life of them and this lamentable spectacle wytnessed to our eyes , may be a warning to vs all , how by our disobedience we prouoke our Lord God to anger against vs , and by our slacknesse in duetie , to our gratious & soueraigne Princesse , next vnder God , our only supreame gouernesse , enforce her mercifull hand to take vp the swoord of Iustice against vs . God long preserue her Maiestie , and her honourable Counsayle : confound Antichriste and his practises , and giue all faithfull Subiectes , the grace to beare true and loyall mindes , to God , their Prince and Countrey .

Let this suffise thée ( gentle Reader ) at this time : and if thou desirest to be more acquainted with their Romish and Sathanicall inglinges , reade my English Romaine lyfe , which so soone as it can be printed , shall be set foorth . And thus committing thée to the God of all trueth , who giue vs the grace to cleaue to the Trueth : I byd thée hartelie farewell .