only an impudent wicked fellow, who will indeavour the Ruine of any
man to get six-pence; and therefore I shall desire all men to suspend their
Judgements untill I have a character of him, which I am promised
speedily, and so exactly that hee shall easily bee distingished from all
others of his name.
In my last I gave you the Illegall Ridiculous Arraignement of Col.
Morris and his fellow Prisoner at the Last Yorke Assizes, before the
two mock Judges [Thorpe and Pulleston:] And now I must tell you
(horresco Seribere!) they have proceeded to the utmost exeqution of
their unjust Sentence, having since that most barbarously Murthered
them. Wherein they shewed not more Cruelty then those gallant men
did of Roman-like Spirit and Resolution: insomuch that their very Enemies
(especially the Souldiery) pittied and bewailed (though they had
not the goodnesse to prevent) their misfortunes; or rather the feare
they have of their owne: saying, this very Act was president sufficient for
all of them to bee adjudged and hang'd in the like manner (sure enough) if
ever the times changed (unlesse they change their Masters) though Martiall
men, and for a (supposed) Martiall Crime, which is against the Law
of Armes.
And indeede Morris his life was not more terrible to them then now
his death destructive to the Cause they boast of; for hee told them immediately
before hee dyed; That hee thanked God there was nothing which
so much troubled his Conscience, as the service hee had formerly done the
Parliament, and the injury his Majestis, in Betraying the Garrison of
Liverpoole into their hands that have since murthered him; which yet I
doubt not (faith hee) but God hath forgiven me, in that I never repented
of any thing more, nor found greater comfort in all my Life then now I dee
that I must die for sorving my king faithfully. Assuring them further,
That hee had not done any one Act, for which hee was then to Suffer that hee
should not indem our to do[unr] againe if hee were at libertie: telling them
withall, That (although it were no his desert, yet) hee was confident their
blood would bee fully Reveng'd on their Enemies, and that Speedily.
But the most remarkable passage was occasioned upon the Ghostly
advice of one of their Lowzie-Levites, who perswaded him to Repent
of his sinnes against God and the Parliament, which Morris hearing, answered
to this effect - Good-Fellow! hold they Tongue for I'le none
of thy Doctrine non any of thy Prayers; I hope I have made my Peace with
God already, and stand not in neede of such [unr] as thou wouldst starve
me with - I am prepared for death, therefore (speaking to the Exequtioner)
I Prithee come and doe thy Office quickly, that I may not longer