erstretch the laws of the land beyond their due limits, in
prejudice of the life of a native subject; next by an extreme inquiry of
torture, and then by exiling me to the bass; and then, after all by
giving me a new indictment at the instance of the new advocate, who,
before, was one of mine, when I received the first indictment; to which
new indictment and debate in the process, I refer you; and particularly
to these two defences of an extra-judicial confession, and the promise
of life given to me by the chancellor, upon his own and the public faith
of the kingdom; upon the verity thereof I am content to die, and ready
to lay down my life, and hope your charity to me a dying man will be
such as not to mistrust me therein; especially since it is notoriously
adminiculate by an act of secret council, and yet denied upon oath by
the principal officers of state present in council at the making of said
act, and whom the act bears to have been present: the duke of
Lauderdale, being then his majesty's commissioner, was likewise
present;----and which act of council was, by the lords of justiciary,
most unjustly repelled, &c. Thus much for a short account of the
affair for which I am unjustly brought to this place; but I acknowledge
my private and particular sins have been such as have deserved a worse
death to me; but I hope in the merits of Jesus Christ to be freed from
the eternal punishment due to me for sin. I am confident that God doth
not plead with me in this place, for my private and particular sins, but
I am brought here that the work of God may be made manifest, and for the
trial of faith, John ix. 3, 1 Pet. i. 7. That I might be a witness for
his despised truths and interest in this land, where I am called to seal
the same with my blood; and I wish heartily that this my poor life may
put an end to the persecution of the true members of Christ in this
place, so much actuated by these perfidious prelates, in opposition to
whom, and testimony to the cause of Christ, I at this time lay down my
life, and bless God that he hath thought me so much worthy as to do the
same, for his glory and interest. Finally, Concerning a christian duty,
in a singular and extraordinary case, and anent my particular judgment,
concerning both church and state, it is evidently declared and
manifested elsewhere. Farewell all earthly enjoyments, and welcome
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, into whose hands I commit my spirit.

JAMES MITCHEL."

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