THE SPEECH AND Confeſſion of Capt. Brown-Buſhel, at the place of Execution on Saturday laſt, under the Scaffold on Tower-Hill: With the manner of his deportment, and his coming from the Tower in a Scarlet Cloak; as alſo his Prayer, and Deſires to the People. Together with the manner of his Tryall; and the Articles and Charge exbibited againſt him. Written by G. H. an Eye-Witneſſe.
Lord Jeſus receive my ſoul.
Imprinted at London by R. W. 1652.
HAving been an Eye-witneſſe of the manner and deportment of Captain Brown-Buſhel at the place of Execution on Saturday laſt at Tower-Hill, I could do no leſs, than demonſtrate to the world, his true Character and Embleme, And by reaſon that I may not leave the world unſatisfied, touching the cauſe of this his Execution, give me leave, I beſeech you, to preſent you with (in the firſt place) his Articles of Impeachment, and his Tryall, before the High-court of Juſtice in Weſtminſter-Hall on Tueſday the 25 of March, 1651. a Narrative whereof followeth.
2On Tueſday (as aforeſaid) He was brought to the Bar, and then charged with the betraying, ſurrendring, and yielding up of the Caſtle and Town of Scarbrough in the County of York, the Command whereof he had taken upon him for the Parliament before.) And for levying War againſt the Parliament at Beverley and Whitby. To which he pleaded, Not guilty. And the proof againſt him of his Fact ſtands thus. Being brought to the Bar again the ſame day, The Witneſſes for the Common-wealth brought up from Yorkeſhire were preſent, and gave their Evidence, That Sir Hugh Cholmley Revolt•ng from the Parliament 25 March, 1645. And then holding out the Caſtle of Scarbrough for the late King, Buſhel the Thurſday before Easter came to Scarbrough to the Bayliffs and deſired their aſſiſtance to keep the Caſtle, which that night he did, and pretended he would hold it out for the Parliament. But Cholmley next night, being Good-Friday, coming againſt the place with Forces dr•wn out of divers of the Kings Gariſons, Buſhel ſurrendred it on the next morning without making any reſiſtance, or diſcharging any ſhot againſt Cholmley, although the Towneſmen and Souldiers in the Caſtle would willinglg have reſiſted. And after this, H•coming to Hull to Sr John Hotham, was there impri•oned, and by Cholmleys means exchanged and ſo took up ar•s with him, and came with 600 or 700 Cavaliers in Auguſt, 1644. againſt Beverley, and there was in fight againſt the Parliaments forces, and from thence went to Whitby, where he was alſo in armes, and there ſeized upon ſeveral Veſſels of the Parliaments ſide, and rifled and pillaged them of their moneys and goods, and impriſoned one of the Maſters in Irons. Thus ſtanding the Evidence, Buſhel confeſt his being in arms at Beverley and Whitby, and that he delivered up the Caſtle becauſe he had not force enough to withſtand Cholmley; but made no proof of any thing. Upon the whole matter the Court adjudged him guilty of Treaſon and denounced Sent•nce, to have his head ſevered from his ſhoulders at Tower-hill London, on Saturday the 29 of March, (being the day of the week on which he betrayed the ſaid Caſtle and Town.
3And accordingly on Saturday laſt, about 5 of the clock in the Afternoon, he was brought from the Tower to the place of Execution, being accompanyed by Col. Weſt, Sheriff Chiverton, and others. He came in his Scarlet cloak, ſmiling upon the people; and ſo ſoon as he had entred under the Scaffold, ſaluted the Lieutenant of the Tower; then turning himſelf about, and eſpying the Ax and Block, ſaid, I thank my God (putting off his hat) I do not fear theſe Inst•uments; and bleſsed be his Holy Name, (caſting his eyes up towards Heaven) that hath taken away the ſting of Death. Then taking two or three paces on the ground,•nd eſpying a multitude of people, ſaid, Well I ſomething is expected from me before I die, I hope (Mr Sheriff) I may have liberty to ſpeak my mind, being a dying man. Sh. Yes Sir. Cap Buſhel. I thank you Sir. But by reaſon of the preſſing in of the Spectators ſo neer him, he was a little interrupted, uttering theſe words, Gentlemen, pray give me a little room, I ſhall not deſire it long. Whereupon the Sheriff, Officers and Souldiers forced them to retire to a further diſtance; Then, urning himſelf round, with his hat in his hand, declared himſelf to the Spectators as followeth.
I Am brought hither to die, and to pay the wages of Death, for which I am not in the leaſt ſory; but rather conceive it a great mercy from Heaven, that God hath been pleaſed to uſe this means, for bringing me ſo much the nearer and ſooner unto him: Yet I deſire that the world may take notice, and underſtand, the true cauſe and grounds of this my untimely Death; Good people (putting off his hat) I ſerved the King of Spain 10 years with faithfulneſs and integrity; but hearing of the diſtractions4 in England, I was deſirous to do ſervice in my Native Countrey, and in order thereunto took ſhipping at Dunkirk, and landed in the Northern Parts, where I firſt engaged for King and Parliament; but afterwards being convinc'd (both in Conſcience & Judgment) of the unlawfulneſſe of that Engagement, I then deſerted the Parliament, being heartily ſorry, that ever I drew my Sword for ſuch — Maſters; And (truly) had I as many lives, as I have haires upon my head, I ſhould freely and willingly adventure them all for my ſecond Maſter the King (putting off his hat) As for my ſufferings they have been great, having bin confin'd to a very ſmall allowance, to the value of two pence a day ſometimes, which did not a little trouble me; conſidering, that I have kept as good a houſe, as any Gentlemen here, excepting Mr. Sheriff; But God forgive my Enemies, as I freely do, & I deſire my bloud may be the laſt, that is to be ſhed upon this account. Touching my Religion, it is apparently known, that I have been, and here die, a true Son to the Church of England, a loyal Subject to my Maſter the5 King, and a cordial friend to the Land of my Nativity; for all which, I hope, through the great merits and precious blood of my Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt, to receive a Crown of glory, and the pardon and remiſſion of ſins, from the moſt great God, and omnipotent Jehovah of Heaven and earth (putting off his Hat, with his hands lifted up, looking towards heaven.) Then turning himſelf about, and eſpying a great many people on the tops of Houſes, ſaid, Alas poor Creatures, you may behold a ſad ſpectacle, but a loyal ſubject; and ſo God bleſs you all. Then turning to the Executioner, ſaid, prethee ſhew me the Block, I will Sir, He kiſt it: where is the other Inſtrument? Executioner, here Sir, and ſhewing him the Ax, he ſaid, Is this the Block and Ax which my late Royal Maſter received the fatal blow from? yes Sir, theſe are the ſame: well, (ſmiling) Gods will be done, I bleſs my God that hath brought me hither this day, I am ready: Then, caſting off his Scarlet Cloak, gave it to his Kinſman, there preſent; which done, with undantedneſs of ſpirit, he unbrac'd himſelf, and threw off his Doublet; then he pulled a white cap out of his pocket, and put it on his head; and calling to the Executioner, ſaid, Is there any thing elſe to be done? Executioner, yes Sir, your hair muſt be put up under your cap: prethee help me; then the Executioner put up his hair: Cap. •nſhel, well done, is all well now? Executioner, yes Sir, Then he kneeled down, and deſired the people to pray for him; and after he had ſaid the Lords prayer, roſe up again, lifting up his eyes to Heaven, ſaying, To thee O Father and thy bleſſed ſpirit, be all honour and glory, both now and for ever, Amen. And then coming to the Executioner, ſaid, come honeſt friend, give me thy hand; the Lord forgive thee, I do, here is 20 s. for thee, and God bleſſe thee; had I more, thou ſhould have it; but truly here is the mite of a loyal Subject, and a dying man. Prethee how ſhall I lie, I will ſhew you Sir, kneeling down, ſaid, it will do very well: here is a ſkarfe for thee, prethee lay it upon the block, I will Sir: then kneeling down the ſecond time, and ſaying, Lord Jeſus receive my ſoul, and holding up his right hand, (which was the ſign) the Executioner did his Office, and ſevered his head from his ſhoulders at one blow. So ſoon as he had done this he took him by the arm, and laid him upon his back; and then took the Red Scarf from under him, which covered the Block and all the Saw-duſt: the ſaid Scarf being 5 yards in length, and 3 yards broad.
The manner of this Gentlemen at his departing, will cauſe many (eſpecially thoſe of his own fraternity) to eternize his Name; but it is biſput•ble, whether conſcience or courage, arm'd him with this Reſolution: Let us look back into former Ages, and we ſhal find many the like preſidents; for the Cr•eks and Med•s being at war one with the other, the Grecians took a courage and oath, proteſting, that each particular man would rather change his life into death, then their Lawes for the Perſians.
So whether out of envy to this preſent Government, or love to the precedent, wrought moſt in•he heart of this man, I leave it for the charity of thoſe that read theſe his dying words to judge.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A86851)
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