The speech and CONFESSION OF William Lord Russel who was EXECUTED FOR High-Treason against his Majesty, and conspiring the Death of his Royal Highness James Duke of York. Saturday the 21th of this instant July the Lord Russel was beheaded in Lincolns-Jnn-Feilds.  
THe Report and True account, of the late Horrid and Damnable Plot contrived against our most Gracious Sovereign, and his Royal Brother James Duke of York. I doubt not but is by this time spread throughout the Nation to the amazement of many, and the wonder of all who have but the least ●incture of Loyalty lodge in the Breast of of obedient Subjects, but that William Lord Russel, once thought a Pattern of Gentility, should be Treacherous, is as wonderful to some, as lamented by many, but not to digress from my intended purpose. Let me acquaint you with the Gradual Proceed at the last Sessions, where my Lord after a fair Trial Received his Sentence of Condemnation. Great Endeavours were used for his Remission, but the Fact wherewith he was charged, savoured so much of Disloyalty, and Conspiracy of Treasonable Contrivances, that sueing for pardon was as insignificant, as his Crime Abominable: but after all Endeavours used to keep him from the Fatal Stroke, order was given for Erecting a Scaffold in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, there to be the last Stage he should tread, and become an Example to all persons who so unadvisedly, will entangle themselves into such a Labyrinth of Confusion.  
My Lord in the time of his Confinement seemed to be much concerned, for his (then) present State, deploring his sad condition, and much like a Christian, repenting his ill undertaken enterprise. Never was man more applauded for Generosity to the poor, for Tenderness to all persons in distress, and ten thousand pities, it is that a person of such Rare Qualifications, should by any indirect means be so wrought upon, as to be concerned, in such a matchless conspiracy▪ But Heaven that always frowns upon such Deeds of Darkness, will by some means or other, bring to light the accursed Stratagems of premeditated Murder.  
But having received an unchangeable Sentence of suffering for his great Crime, he like a Christian, prepared for his sudden change, and I doubt not but his true penitency, for his rash undertaking may prove advantagous' to his immortal Soul: and that though he dies as a Malefactor here, yet through the Mercys of Jesus Christ, he may live eternally in the World to come.  
But the day of his Execution being come, and on Saturday July 21 1083. He was conveyed to the place of Execution, which was appointed in Lincolns-Inn-Fields, 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 Habitation, being accompanied with thousands of wondering Eyes, and aching Hearts.  
He mounted the Stage, where by his amazed looks, it was easily to guests the sorrow of his afflicted heart, while his poor Lady, and the rest of his nearest Relations, were ready to sink under the burden of their Calamity, but as he was a Gentleman, whose Education was inferior to but a few, so he deported himself, that he begat pity in the hearts of the Spectators, all pitying his deserved punishment, and lamenting his sad Fate Thus Traversing the Fatal Stage, he at last made a worthy Oration acknowledging his crime, for which he was justly condemned, advising all to be Loyal and True, and that his untimely end might be a warning to all others, never by hopes of future advantage to lodge the least of disloyalty in the most secret Closets of their Hearts; since Heaven hath forbid the shedding of Innocent Blood, which without doubt, drop for drop must be accounted for, with watery Eyes. Thousands beheld this dying Gentleman, and none so obdure as not to grieve at his unfortunate overthrow.  
But after some speech made by him, having the good admonitions of some Divines, which he kindly received, he prepared himself for the block, & with unwilling willingness submitted to the severity of the Law, while aching heart could grant him no redress, but with volumes of sighs, sent forth palpable signals of their unexpressable sorrow.  
But to come to a conclusion. After he had delivered himself Verbally to the Auditory, and directed his prayers to the creator of all things, he took view of the block and having fitted himself for the stroke, he laid down his head, and paid dearly for his conspiracy, the executioner doing his business by severing his head from his body at 2 or 3 Strokes  
God grant that this his death may be a warning to all, that they may never become guilty of such Diabolical conspiracies, since the world can not but admire the insolency of such offenders who Sayter like seek the destruction of their lawful Prince.  
What encouragement can Traitors have, to undertake such dangerous attempts, or what can they purpose to themselves, since murder is absolutely forbid by the command of the Almighty But to Murder a King, is without doubt a crime so detestable in the common sense of the very Vulgar that nothing is sufficient to expiate its abominations.  
In what a flourishing condition might England be, could they but be unaonimous among themselves and loyal to their Prince, till than we cannot expect but continual troubles and an end thereof shall be the unfeigned prayer of your nameless Friend   

LONDON Printed for R. V. 1683.