at the scaffold all the time, and
therefore they desired him to pray there; but he refused, and declared
he would not be limited in what he would say, and that he had
premeditated nothing, but would speak what was given him. They offered
him any minister to be with him; but he answered, "If I would have had
any of them for my counsellors or comforters, I should not have been
here this day. I require none with me but this one man;" meaning the
friend that was waiting upon him.

He went from thence to the scaffold with great cheerfulness, as one in a
transport of triumphant joy, and had the greatest croud of spectators
that has perhaps been seen at any execution; but little was heard on
account of the beating of the drums all the time without intermission
from his first ascending the scaffold until he was cast over. Yet from
the friends and others, permitted to attend him, there were some of his
last words collected, which were as follows.

When he went first unto the scaffold, some forbade him to speak any
thing, because the people could not hear; which he took no notice of.
There was a curate standing at the side of the scaffold, who, tempting
him, said, Own our king and we shall pray for you. He answered, I will
have none of your prayers; I am come here to bear my testimony against
you and such as you are. The curate said, Own our king and pray for him,
whatever you say against us--He replied, "I will discourse no more with
you. I am within a little to appear before him, who is King of kings and
Lord of lords, who shall pour shame, contempt and confusion upon all the
kings of earth, who have not ruled for him."

Then he sang Psalm ciii. read Rev. xix.: then prayed, commending his
soul to God through the Redeemer, and his cause to be vindicated in his
own time, and appealed to the Lord if this was not the most joyful day
he ever saw in the world; a day that he had much longed for. He insisted
much in blessing the Lord in honouring him with the crown of martyrdom,
an honour which the angels were not privileged with, being incapable of
laying down their lives for their princely Master. He complained of
being disturbed in worshipping God; but, said he, I shall be above these
clouds; then shall I enjoy thee, and glorify thee, without interruption
or intermission for ever. Prayer being ended, he spoke to the people
much to the purpose of his written testimony, whereof somewhat was
remembered to this effect:

"SPECTATORS,