THE SPEECH OF Mr. William Plessington. Who was EXECUTED at CHESTER (For being a Priest of the Church of Rome) July 19 1679.  
Dear Countrymen.  
I Am here to be executed, neither for Theft, Murder, nor any thing against the Law of God, nor any fact or Doctrine inconsistent with Monarchy or Civil Government, I suppose several now present heard my Trial the last Assizes, and can testify that nothing was laid to my charge but Priesthood, and I am sure that you will find that Priesthood is neither against the Law of God nor Monarchy, or Civil Government. If you will consult either the Old or New Testament, (for it is the Basis of Religion) for no Priest no Religion, S. Paul tells us in Hebrews, the 7. and 12. The Priesthood being changed, there is made also of necessity a change of the Law, and consequently the Priesthood being abolished, the Law and Religion is quite gone.  
But I know it will be said, that a Priest ordained by authority derived from the See of Rome, is by the Law of the Nation to die as a Traitor, but if that be so what must become of all the Clergymen of the Church of England, for the first Protestant Bishops, had their Ordination from those of the Church of Rome, or none at all, as appears by their own writers, so that Ordination comes derivatively to those now living.  
As in the Primitive times, Christians were esteemed Traitors; and suffered as such by National Laws, so are the Priests of the Roman Church, here esteemed and, suffer as such. But as Christianity then was not against the Law of God, Monarchy, or Civil Policy, so now there is not any one Point of the Roman Catholic Faith, (of which Faith I am) that is inconsistent therewith, as is evident by induction in each several Point.  
That the Pope hath power to depose or give licence to Murder Princes, is no point of our Belief. And I protest in the sight of God and the Court of Heaven, that I am absolutely innocent of the Plot so much discouresd of, and abhor such bloody and damnable designs, and although it be Nine Weeks since I was sentenced to die, there is not any thing of that laid to my charge, so that I may well take comfort in S. Peter's words, 1 Pet. 14, 15, 16. Let none of you suffer as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as an Evil doer, or as a Busy Body in other men's matters, yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed or Sorry. I have deserved a worse death, for though I have been a faithful and true Subject to my King, I have been a grievous sinner against God; Thiefs and Robbers that Rob on Highways, would have served God in a greater perfection than I have done had they received so many favours and graces from him as I have.  
But as there was never sinner who truly repent and hearty called to Jesus for mercy, to whom he did not show mercy; so I hope by the merits of his Passion, he will have mercy on me, who am hearty sorry that ever I offended him.  
Bear witness good hearers, that I profess that I undoubtedly and firmly believe all the Articles of the Roman Catholic Faith, and for the truth of any of them, (by the assistance of God) I am willing to die, and I had rather die then doubt of any Point of Faith, taught by our Holy Mother the Roman Catholic Church.  
In what condition Margaret Plate one of the chiefest witnesses against me was before, and after she was with me, let her nearest relations declare.  
George Massey, another witness swore falsely, when he swore, I gave him the Sacrament, and said Mass at the time and place he mentioned, and I verily think that he never spoke to me, or I to him, or saw each other but at the Assizes week; the Third witness Robert Wood was suddenly killed, but of the Dead why should I speak? These were all the witnesses against me, unless those that only declared what they heard from others. I hearty and freely forgive all that have been or are any way instrumental to my Death, and hearty desire that those that are living may hearty repent.  
God bless the King and the Royal Family and grant his Majesty a prosperous Reign here and a Crown of glory hereafter, God grant peace to the Subjects, and that they live and die in true Faith, Hope, and Charity, That which remains is, that I recomend myself to the mercy of my Jesus by whose merits I hope for mercy, O Jesus be to me a Jesus.  
FINIS.