The Noble RESOLUTION, Delivered in a PAPER thrown over the Scaffold AT EDINBURGH, BY PATT. LEITHE of Hearthill; One of the Commanders of His Majesty's Forces in the Kingdom of Scotland, at his Death, not being permitted to deliver himself in Words. The, 26. of October, 1647.  
Sent in a Letter from SCOTLAND.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year, 1647.   

The Noble Resolution delivered in a Paper thrown over the Scaffold (at Edinburgh) by Patt. Leithe, etc.  
Good People,  
KNow it is not for the general business that I am to suffer this untimely Death, as it would appear, but I take it as a just judgement from Heaven for particular gross and grievous sins committed against the great God and Supreme Ruler of Men and Angels; who hath oftentimes (to his glory be it spoken) brought me through many dangerous and huge difficulties, in so much, that few days (for a long time together) escaped me, but I have looked Death on the face, and by assistance from the Almighty, shall now outbrave him: yet such was the mercy of God towards me, that I not only have been preserved, but successfully returned with Victory: and though I was ever so ambitious of Honour, that to purchase it, I never declined the worst of dangers, yet was no one drop of my blood ever drawn to this hour: but now, because (through ambition, my greatest sin) I robbed the Lord of his Honour, as the justest judgement that could befall me, I am brought here to lay down my Head at the mercy of a poor simple hangman; and I do it with much cheerfulness, for I am throughly sensible of the happy difference betwixt this death, and that in a Field, where men's fiery spirits breathe nothing but fury and heat of blood; and what adds most to my comfort is That I suffer for so honourable and just a Cause, as only for my Loyalty and zeal to my dread Sovereign, whose sad condition I more grieve at, than ten such Deaths; for it goes beyond all admiration, that understanding people should be so much infatuated with the delusions of some particular Noblemen and Ministers, who govern for the time at their pleasure; and doubtless have a large account to make to the knower of the secrets of all hearts, as all this while not to undisguise these masked zealots, who under the pretence of maintaining Religion; and the King's Honour, have sufficiently undone the one, and unavoydeably will ruin the other: I speak not this out of a repining or resenting humour; for were it not the pleasure of the all commanding God, who alone hath power of Life and Death, that I should in this way bid farewell to the World, though environed with Armies, I could not perish: And therefore I freely forgive whatsoever wrongs I have received from men, and beseech Heaven never to lay my blood to their charge, but hearty prays for their remorse, and that the Lord would not only in humility turn their hearts towards himself, but likewise give them loyal hearts and stainless Affections to their just, lawful, and natural Prince, and unite both his and theirs to the highest, who is above all Kings and Monarches: if I have spoke any thing ignorantly, I beseech my Redeemer to forget and forgive that sin also, amongst the rest of my many heinous offences: And I implore the Father of mercies, that of his infinite goodness he would be pleased to restrain the Coaleblowers and hatchers of this unnatural War, and grant that their power may prove ineffectual for the time to come, from further shedding of innocent blood, and tyrannical oppressing and destroying the Subject, and make them penitently sensible of their proceed against both God and his Vicegerent.  
My last service to those two invincible Noblemen HUNTLEY and MONTROSSE who have been most faithful and true Subjects to their Master) my Cordial respects to my Lord GORDON, my Parents, and him that should succeed me, I recommend to the Royal Protection of His Majesty, to whom I have been ever Loyal, and for whom I lay down my head most hearty to the Block: My Soul I bequeath to my Maker, through whose tender mercies, and the merits of my Saviour JESUS CHRIST I hope and am confident to enjoy everlasting life.  
PATT. LEITHE of Hearthill.  
FINIS.