THE EXECUTION OF Mr. Rob. Foulks, LATE MINISTER OF Stanton-Lacy In SHROPSHIRE. With some Account of his most Penitent Behaviour, Confession, last Speech, etc.  
Let him that standeth take heed lest he fall.  
LICENCED, 1678/9.  
LONDON: Printed for R. G. 1678/9.   

THE EXECUTION OF Mr. Rob. Foulks, Late Minister of Stanton-Lacy IN SHROPSHIRE.  
MR. Robert Foulks received Sentence of Death at the last Sessions, for Killing a newborn Child in November last, in York-buildings in the Strand, from whence the same Morning he went out of Town: But after the Discovery of the Murdered Infant, being pursued, was apprehended in the Country, and was brought up to Trial as aforesaid. The Fact was too apparent, nor did be after Conviction offer to deny it; but rather made it his business to give Glory to God, by an open Confession of his Sins, and declaration of his Sorrow and Self-abhorrency for them.  
And that he might the more effectually accomplish this, Authority was graciously pleased to allow him some longer time than commonly is granted, to fit himself for Death.  
These few days so charitably indulged, he failed not to improve, but husbanded them with Diligence to the best advantage. Confession of his Sins, with all their Aggravations, bewailing them with bitter Tears, and begging Forgiveness, as well for the Gild as Scandal of them, was his continual Employment.  
He was visited by several of the most Eminent, Learned, and Godly Divines about the City, who at divers times came to give him their Advice, and afford him their Christian Offices and Prayers; which he received with all Thankfulness, so that they departed much satisfied.  
Let not therefore either the right or lefthand Enemy's Triumph, or cast Reflections and Reproaches on this occasion; 
— Crimine ab uno  
Disce omnes—,  is but Poetical Logic; the Charity of Divinity will never allow any to Brand or Stigmatize a whole Party for the Lapses of any single Member, when the Body gives no Connivance or Approbation to such Excesses. The Doctrine and Discipline, the Orders and Canons of the Church of England, every way fitted for promotion and encouragement of Holiness of Life, Sobriety, Chastity, and all kind of Christian Virtues, and practical Piety, are sufficient to justify her to all the considerate World, against such ignominious scandals and undeserved Obloquys. And as her Principles are the soundest and purest, so, through God's grace, she is furnished with as Learned and Godly a Clergy in general, as any Nation under Heaven; able both by their Doctrine, and by their exemplary Lives and Conversations, to put to silence such malicious Cavillers.  
As this poor Gentleman, led away by the Temptations of Satan, and his own evil Nature, for want of keeping a due watch over his heart, and turning away his eyes from vanity, came to fall, like David, into those blackest of sins, Adultery and Murder: So we have good grounds from his late Behaviour, in the judgement of Charity, to hope and believe, that he has imitated that Royal Penitent too, in contrition and hearty sorrow for those Crying crimes; and that by the Grace of God, and Merits of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he may be washed and purged from those, and all other pollutions; and clothed with Robes of the Lamb's Righteousness, may be admitted into the blissful Regions of everlasting Glory, where nothing impure may enter.  
As for the particularities of his Deportment, Penitent Carriage, and Religious Conversation, since the time of his Condemnation to that of his Dissolution, all that visited him (amongst whom are many Worthy Divines, as aforesaid) can bear testimony: And farther, that he might glorify God in his Death, whom he had dishonoured so much in his Life, endeavouring, if possible, to make his Repentance and acknowledgement of his sins, as public as the scandal of them had been; he employed the few moments he had to live, in writing down his Meditations, and giving a warning to sinners, by his sad, but remarkable Example, and directing several Letters to his Wife, Children, Parishioners, and other Friends; which being all completed under his own hand, and delivered to very Worthy and Reverend persons, are to be made public. A Work which (with the Divine Blessing) may prove of great use and advantage to Souls.  
Some few days before that of his Execution, he humbly received the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, and kept several private Fasts. The day before he suffered (being the Anniversary Fast and Humiliation for the horrid Murder of King Charles the First of Blessed Memory) he was, at his own request, solemnly prayed for in most of the Churches of London and Westminster; and expressed great rejoicing in his Spirit, that his days were lengthened out so long in the land of the Living, contrary to his expectation, that he might have the opportunity of enjoying the public Prayers of so many good Christians.  
On Friday the thirty first of January, 1678/9. about ten of the clock in the forenoon, he was brought out of the Press-yard, and in a Coach conveyed to the place of Execution, where he made an excellent Confession and Speech to the People; a Copy of which (having it ready written with his own hand) he there delivered to a Minister present, to be faithfully Printed with the rest of his Papers, which are now in the Press, and within very few days will be made public.  
And so having prayed very affectionately, freely submitted himself to the Execution of the Sentence.  
His Corpse were brought back in a Coach, and that Evening decently (but privately) Interred at St. Giles'.  
FINIS.