veness, bewails his
compliance with the usurper, although, said he, he was not alone in that
offence, but had the body of the nation going before him, and the
example of all ranks to insnare him, &c. Then declares his adherence
to the covenanted work of reformation, earnestly desiring the prayers of
all the Lord's praying people, &c. and vindicates himself from having
any accession to the late king's death, and to the making of the change
of government; taking the great God of heaven to witness between him and
his accusers. And at last concluded with these words, "I do here now
submit, and commit my soul and body, wife and children, and children's
children, from generation to generation for ever, with all others his
friends and followers, all his doing and suffering witnesses,
sympathizing ones in present and subsequent generations, unto the Lord's
choice mercies, graces, favours, services, employment, enjoyments and
inheritments on earth and in heaven, in time and all eternity; all which
suits, with all others which he hath at any time, by his Spirit, moved
and assisted me to put up, according to his will, I leave before and
upon the Father's merciful bowels, the Son's mediating merits, and the
Holy Spirit's compassionate groans, both now and for ever more
Amen[133]."

After the reading of his speech, he prayed with great fervency and
liberty, and, being in a rapture, he began thus, "Abba, Father! Accept
this thy poor sinful servant, coming unto thee, through the merits of
Jesus Christ, &c." Then taking leave of his friends, he prayed again
with great fervency, being now near the end of that sweet work, he had
so much, through the course of his time, been employed in. No ministers
were allowed to be with him, but it was, by those present, observed that
God sufficiently made up that want. He was helped up the ladder by some
of his friends in deep mourning; and, as he ascended, he said, "Your
prayers, your prayers.--Your prayers I desire in the name of the
Lord."--Such was the esteem he had for that duty.

When got to the top of the ladder, he cried out with a loud voice, "I
beseech you all who are the people of God, not to scare at suffering for
the interest of Christ, or stumble at any thing of this kind, falling
out in these days; but be encouraged to suffer for him, for I assure you
in the name of the Lord, he will bear your charges." While the rope was
putting about his neck, he repeated these words again, adding,