NOt to aggrauate the sorrow of the liuing in the shame of the dead , but to disswade the idolatrously blinded , from seeking their owne destruction , in the way to damnation , I haue here briefely set downe a discourse of the behauiour and cariage of the eight persons afore named , from the time of their imprisonment , to the instant of their death : the nature of their offence , the little shew of their sorrow ; their vsage in prison , and their obstinacie to their end . First , for their offence , it is odious in the eares of all humaine Creatures , that it could hardlie be belieued , that so many monsters in nature , shoulde carry the shapes of men : Murther , oh , it is the crying sinne of the world , and such an intended Murther , as had it taken effect , would haue made a worlde to crie ; and therefore the horror thereof , must needes bee hatefull to the whole world to heare of it .

Men that saw them goe to their Execution ; did in a sorte grieue , to see such proper men in shape , goe to so shamefull an end , but the end was proper to men of so vnproper minds , who to satisfie ablinded conceite , would forget their duties to God and their King , and vnnaturally seeke the ruine of their Natiue Countrie : They are said to be borne vnhappie , that are not some way profitable to their Countrie , and then , how accursed are they borne , that seeke the destruction of the whole Kingdome ?

Papistes will perhaps idlely say , it was a bloody execution , but in respect of their desert , in the blood they entended to haue shedde , it was a mercifull punishment ; For if Iezabel a Queen for seeking the murther of one priuate man , was throwne out of a window , and fedde vppon by dogs : How can these people bee thought to be cruelly vsed , that could entend and practise so horrible a villany , as the death of so gracious a King , Queene and Prince , so Noble Peeres , & the ruine of so flourishing a Kingdome .

But since my entent is chieflie to make report of the manner of their demeanors from the prison to the Arraignement , & from thence to Execution . I will truely set downe , what I haue gathered , touching the same . After their apprehension in the Countrie , and brought vp to London , vpon the Apparance of their foule treason , before his Maiesties most Honorable Councell , they were by their commaundement committed to his Maiesties Tower of London , where they wanted nothing , that in the mercy of a Christian prince , was thought fit , and indeed too good for so vnchristian offenders . For in the time of their imprisonment they seemed to feele no part of feare , either of the wrath of God , the doome of Iustice , or the shame of sinne ; but as it were , with seared Consciences , senceles of grace , liued , as not looking to die , or not feeling the sorrow of their sinnes ; and now that no subtill Foxe , or rather Goose , that would faine seame a Foxe , shall haue cause , to say or thinke , that the Iustice of the lawe hath not beene truely ministred , according to the rules of the diuine will , behold here a true report , as I said before of their behauiour , and carririage , from their apprehension , to their imprisonment , and from condemnation to their execution . In the time of their imprisonment , they rather feasted with their sinnes , then fasted with sorrow for them ; were richly apparrelled , fared deliciously , and tooke Tabacco out of measure , with a seeming carelesnesse of their crime , as it were daring the Law to passe vppon them : but , the Almightie , and our most mercifull good God first reuealed them . His Maiesties and his Counsailes carefull head apprehended them , the law plainely did discipher them , Iustice gaue iudgement on them , and death made an end of them : but to come to their Araignment , and to deliuer the manner of their behauiour , after they went from the Tower by water & come to Westminster before they came into the hall , they made some halfe howres stay , or more in the Star chamber , whether being brought , and remaining til the Court was all ready to heare them , and according to the lawe to giue iudgement on them , it was strange to note their carriage euen in their verie countenances : Some hanging downe the heade , as if their heartes were full of doggednes , and other forcing a sterne looke , as if they would feare death , with a frowne , neuer seeming to pray , except it were by the dozen , vpon their beades , and taking Tabacco , as if that hanging were no trouble to them ; saying little but in commendation of their conceited religion , crauing mercy of neyther God nor the king for their offences , and making their Consciences , as it were as wide as the worlde ; and to the verie gates of Hell , to be the cause of their hellish courses to make a worke meritorious .

Now being come into the hall , and vppon the scaffold at the barre standing to aunswere to their Inditements , They all pleaded not guiltie , but were all found guiltie , Digby without crauing mercie , or fauour , of either God , or the King made onely fiue worldly requests , that his wife might haue her lointer , his children the lands intailed , by his father ; his sisters their legafies in his hand vnpaid , his debts paide , and for his death , to bee beheaded , and not hanged .

Robert Winter in like manner thinkeing himselfe alreadie halfe a Saint for his whole villanie , saide little to any purpose , that eyther made shew of sorrow , or sought mercy , but onely made a request to the king for mercy towardes his Brother , in regarde of his offence as he saide , thorough his onely perswasion .

His brother sayed little , but with a guiltie conscience , swallowed vp a concealed griefe , with little shew of sorrow for that time .

Graunt stubborne in his idolatrie , seemed nothing penitent for his villanie , asked little mercy , but as it were careles of grace receiued the doome of his desert .

The yonger Winter saide little , but to excuse the fowlenes of his fact , in being drawne in by his brother , and not of his owne plotting , with little talke to litile purpose troubled the time the lesser while .

Ruckwood out of a studied speech would faine haue made his bringing vppe and breeding in idolatrie , to haue beene some excuse to his villanie , but a faire talke , could not helpe a fowle deed , and therefore being found guiltie of the treason , had his iudgement with the rest of the traytors .

Now after their condemnation and iudgement , being sent backe to the Tower , there they remayned till the Thurseday following ; vpon sleddes and hurdles they were drawne into Powles Churchyearde ; Fowre of them , vz. Euerarde Digble , the elder Winter , Graunt , and Bates , of whome I forgat to speake , hauing no great matter to speake of , but onely that being a villanie , and hoping of aduancement by the same , he had the rewarde of a traytor .

Now these foure being drawne to the Scaffolde , made one purpose for their execution : First went vp Digbie a man of a goodly personage , and a manly aspect , yet might a warie Eye in the change of his countenaunce , beholde an inwarde feare of death , for his colour grew pale and his eie heauie , notwithstanding that hee enforced him selfe , to speake as stoutly as hee could , his speech , was not long and to little good purpose onely that his belied conscience , being but indeed a blinded conceit , had led him into this offence , which in respect of his religion alias in deede Idolatrie , hee held no offence but in respect of the law he held an offence for which , hee asked forgiuenesse of God , of the king , and the whole kingdome , and so with vaine , and superstitious crossing of himselfe betook him to his Latine prayers , mumbling to him selfe , refusing to haue any prayers of any , but of the Romish Catholicks , went vp the Ladder and with the helpe of the hangman made an end of his wicked daies in this world .

After him went Winter , vp to the Scaffold whére he vsed few words to anie good effect , without asking mercie of either God or the king for his offence , went vp the ladder , and making a few prayers to himselfe , staide not long for his execution

After him went Graunt , who abhominably blinded with his horrible idolatrie , though he confessed his offence to bee hainous , yet would faine haue excused it by his conscience , for Religion : a bloodie religion , to make so bloody a conscience : but better that his bloode and all such as hee was , should bee shed by the iustice of law , then the bloode of many thousandes to have beene shedde by his villanie , without lawe or iustice : but to the purpose , hauing vsed a fewe idle wordes to ill effect , hee was as his Fellowes before him , ledde the way to the Halter : and so after his crossing of himselfe , to the last parte of his tragedie .

Last of them came Bates , who seemed sorie for his offence , and asked forgiuenes of God , and the king , and of the whole kingdome , prayed to God for the preseruation of them all , and as hee sayed , onely for his loue to his Maister , drawne to forget his duety to God , his king and Countrie , and therefore was now drawne from the Tower to Paules Churchyeard , and there hanged & quartered for his treacherie . Thus ended that dayes busines .

The next day being Friday , were drawne from the Tower to the old Pallace in Westminster , ouer against the Parliament house , Thomas Winter theyon ger brother , Ruckewoode , Cayes & Faulks the Miner , iustly called the Deuill of the Vault : for had hee not beene a Deuill incarnate , he had neuer conceiued so villa nous a thought , nor beene employed in so damnable an action .

The next day being Friday were drawn from the Tower to the olde pallace in Westminster , Thomas Winter , Rookewoode Caies and Faulkes , where Winter first being brought to the Scaffolde , made little speech , but seeming after a sort as it were sorry for his offence , and yet crossing him selfe , as though those were wardes to put by the Deuils Stoccadoes , hauing already made a wound in his soule , of which , he had not yet a full feeling , protesting to die a true Catholicke as hee said ; with a very pale and dead colour went vppe the ladder , and after a swing or two with a halter , to the quartering block was drawn , and there quickliedispatched .

Next him came Ruckwood , who made a speech of some longer time , confessing his offence to God , in seeking to shedde blood , and asking therefore mercy of his diuine Maiestie , his offence to the King , of whose Maiestie hee likewise humbly asked forgiuenes , his offence to the whole state of whome in generall he asked forgiuenesse , beseeching God to blesse the king , the Queene , and all his royall Progenie , and that they might long liue to raigne in peace , and happinesse ouer this kingdom , but last of all to marre all the pottage with one filthy weede to mar this good prayers with an il conclusion : he praied God to make the king a Catholike , otherwise a Papist , which God for his mercy euer forbid : and so beseeching the King to bee good to his wife and children , protesting to die in his Idolatry , a Romish Catholicke , hee went vppe the ladder , and hanging till hee was almost dead , was drawne to the blocke , where he gaue his last gaspe .

After him came Caies , who like a desperate villaine vsing little speech , with small or no shew of repentance , wente stoutelie vp the ladder , where not staying the Hangmans turne , turned himselfe of with such a leape , that with the swing , he brake the Halter , but after his fall , was quicklie drawne to the blocke , and there was quicklie deuided into foure partes .

Last of all came the great Deuill of all , Faulkes alias Iohnson , who shoulde haue put fire to the powder : His body being weake with torture and sicknes , he was scarse able to goe vp the ladder , but yet with much adoe , by the helpe of the Hangman , went hie enough to breake his necke with the fall : who made no long speech , but after a sort , seeming to be sorrie for his offence , asked a kinde of forgiuenes , of the King , and the State , for his bloodie intent , with his crosses & his idle ceremonies , made his end vpon the gallowes , and the blocke , to the great ioy of the beholders , that the land was ended of so wicked a villanie .

Thus haue I ended my discourse vppon the Arraignement , and execution of these eight traitors executed vpon thursdaie , and friday last past in paules church-yard and the old pallace at westminster .

Now there is certaine report of the execution done on mundaie being the 27. of Ianuarie in the citie of worcester , vpon one Perkins and his man , for the receiuing of traitors . God be blessed for it and continue the Iustice of law to be executed vpon all such rebellious and traitorous wretches as either plot such villanies , conceale such treasons , or relieue such traitors , for since the betraying the Lord of heauen and earth , was there euer such a hellish plot practised in the world ? if the Pope were not a verie Diuill , and these Iesuites , or rather Iebusites ; and Satanicall Semenaries , verie spirites of wickednesse , that whisper in the eares of Euah to bring a world of Adams to distruction how could nature be so senceles or reason so graceles as to subiect wit so to wil , as to run all headlong to confusion ? is this a rule of religion ? or rather of a legion , where the Sinagogue of Sathan sat in counsaile for the worlds destruction , for the satisfaction of a lowzie humor or bloudy deuotion , or hope of honor , or to make waie to some mad fury to bring the most florishing kingdome on the earth to the most desolation in the world , to kil at one blow or with one blast , King , Queene , Prince and Peere Bishop , Iudge , and Magistrate to the ruine of the land , and vtter shame to the whole world , and left naked to the inuasion of anie enemie : is this a holy father that begets such wicked children ? is this religion , where is no touch of charitie ? or is there anie sparke of Grace , in these priestes ? that so poison the soules , & breake the neckes of so many people .

Ignorance in the simple and Idolatrie in the subtil , take ceremonies for certainties superstition for religion enuie for zeale , and murther for charitie , what can that church be but hell where the diuill sings such masses : seruus seruorum saies hee that would be Dominus dominorum seruant of seruants , that would be maister of maisters ; is not he a cunning heards-man , that can make one painted cow , or printed Bull giue him more milke , then many a Heard of better kine : are not these sweete Notes to bee taken in the nature of the Popish gouernment , kill princes ; sowe seditions , maintaine bawdie houses , blinde the simple , abuse the honest , bereaue the innocent , sweare and forsweare , so it be for the popes profite , the Church will absolue you , and if you misse the marke to hit the mischiefe you shooteat , you shall bee a hanging Saint , till you bee taken downe to the Deuill . Oh fine perswasions , that infinite sinnes by numbred prayers , inward curses , by outward crossings , an offence against God by a pardon from man , should be beleeued to be helped . A child cannot conceiue it , a wise man cannot disgest it , and surely none but either blind women or mad men can beleeue it . If a man would but a little looke into their Idolatries , hee should see a worlde of such mockeries , as would make him both laugh at their fooleries , and abhor their villanies . Their kissing of babies , their kneeling to wodden Ladies , their calling to Saintes that cannot heare them , their praying by the dozen , their taking of penance , their pilgrimages to Idols , their shauings and their washings , their confessions and their crossinges , and their diuelish deuises to deceiue the simple of their comfort . These with a worlde of such trickes , as would make Iacke an Apes a fine Iugler : He that coulde see them with that cleare eye , that can iudge betwixt light and darkenes , woulde , if they were his friendes , be sorry for them , if his enemies , laugh at them , and howsoeuer , or whatsoeuer leaue them , & say as he may say , that Papistrie is meere Jdolatrie , the Pope an incarnate Deuill , his Church a Synagogue of Satan , and his priestes the verie locustes of the earth .

But let vs leaue them to their loathsome puddles , and let vs bee thankefull to Almightie God , for the cleare water of life , that in his holy worde , wee receiue from the fountaine of his gracious mercie , & let vs a little looke into the difference betwixt the Traiterous Papist , that dieth for his villanie , and the faithfull Protestant that dyeth for the truth of his conscience in the beliefe of the worde of God .

The trayterous Papist will pull downe princes , and subuert Kingdoms ; murther and poyson whome they cannot commaund ; The faithfull protestant praieth for princes , and the peace of the people , and will endure banishment , but hate rebellion : The proud papist will shewe intemperancie in passion , while the humble protestant will embrace affliction with patience : The Protestant cries to GOD for mercie for his sinnes , the Papist giues authoritie to sinne , when before the offence the pardon is purchased .

I say , was it not a strange speech of Digbie , through the blindnesse of his bewitched witte , that to bring the kingdome into the popish Idolatrie , hee cared not to roote out all his posteritie .

Oh the misery of these blinded people , forsake the true God of heauen and earth to submit their seruice to the Deuill of the world , be Traitours to their gratious Princes to serue a proude vngratious prelate , loose their lands , goods , begger their wiues and children , loose their own liues with an open shame , and Ieaue an infamy to their name for euer , onely to obey the command of a cunning Foxe , that lying in his denne praieth on all the geese that he can light on , and in the proude beliefe to be made Saints will hazard their soules to goe to the Deuill .

But how many millions hath this Deuill inchaunted , & how many kingdomes hath he ruinated , and how many massacres hath he plotted , and how many soules hath he sent to damnation ? God for his mercy cut him off or open the eies of all them Christian princes , that they may agree together and pull him down . For during his pride , Princes that are of his Religion , will bee but as Copiesholders to his Countenance , Souldiers that fight not vnder his banner , shall bee as shake-rags to his Armie ; Lawyers except they pleade in his right , shall haue but curses for their fees : Diuines , if not of his opinion , shal be excommunicate out off his Church , Merchantes that bring not him commodities shall keepe no shops , in his Sanctuarie , nor Beggars that pray not for his Monarchie , shall haue any almes in his Basket : and therefore I hope , that God will so wipe off the skales from the eyes of the blinde , that both one and other , Souldier and Lawyer , Diuine and Laye man , rich and poore , will so lay their heades , their heartes and handes , and their purses together , that where as hee hath beene long in rising , and could not sitte fast , when hee was vppe , shall take a fall of sodaine , and neuer rise againe , when hee is downe : to which praver , I hope all true Christians will say Amen .