favourable
strain that could be invented, and sent him to subscribe, but all in
vain; yea, it was offered to him, if he would but let a drop of ink fall
on a bit of paper, it would satisfy; but he would not. In the mean time,
he was kept so close that he could get nothing wrote. His begun
testimony which he was writing was taken from him, and pen and ink
removed. However he got a short paper wrote the night before, which is
to be found in the cloud of witnesses, as his last speech and testimony.

On Tuesday the 14th, he was brought before the council on account of the
informatory vindication, but what passed there cannot be learned,
farther than their signifying how much kindness they had shewn him, in
that they had reprieved him without his supplication; a thing never done
before. He answered with extraordinary cheerfulness, rejoicing that he
was counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of his Master. A friend,
asking him, how he was?--He said, Very well, and he would be better
within three days. He told his mother, That the last execution he was
witness to was Robert Gray's, and that he had a strong impression in his
mind that he should be the next; and often said, He saw need for his
suffering at this time; and that he was persuaded his death would do
more good than his life for many years could have done. Being asked,
what he thought God would do with the remnant behind him? He answered,
It would be well with them, for God would not forsake nor cast off his
inheritance.

On the day of his execution, the chief jailor begged that at the place
of execution, he would not mention the causes of his death, and would
forbear all reflections. Mr. Renwick told him, That what God would give
him to speak, that he would speak, and nothing less. The jailor told
him, that he might still have his life, if he would but sign that
petition which he offered him. He answered, That he never read in
scripture or in history, where martyrs petitioned for their lives, when
called to suffer for truth, though they might require them not to take
their life, and remonstrate the wickedness of murdering them; but in the
present circumstance he judged it would be found a receding from truth,
and a declining from a testimony for Christ.

His mother and sisters, having obtained leave to see him, after some
refreshment, in returning thanks, he said, "O Lord, thou hast brought me
within two hours of eternity, and this is no matter of terror to me