THE EARL OF strafford's LETTER. TO HIS LADY. SENT BY A TRUSTY MESSENGER, WITH HIS PRAYER ON THE Scaffold at Tower hill, 12. of May 1641. depiction of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford Thomas Earl of Strafford L Lieutenant of Ireland. A Letter sent from the Earl of Strafford, to his Lady into Ireland a little before his death May, the 11. 1641, YOu shall receive, my dear Wife, my last words in these my last times: my love I send that you may keep it when I am dead: And my Counsel, that you may remember it when I am no more. I would not with my will present you sorrows (dear Wife) let them go to the grave with me, and be buried in the dust, and seeing it is not the will of God, that I shall see you any more, bear my destruction patiently, and with an heart like yourself. First, I send you all the thanks, which my heart can conceive, or my words express: for your many travels and cares for me, which though they have not taken effect as you wished, yet my debt to you is no less: but pay it, I never shall in this world. Secondly, I beseech you for the love you bear me living, that you do not hid yourself many days, but by your travel seek to help the miserable fortune, and the right of your poor Children; your mourning cannot avail any thing that am but dust. Thirdly, you shall understand, that my Lands were conveyed (bona fide) unto my Son, the Writings were drawn at Midsummer was a twelvemonth, as divers can witness, and I trust my blood will quench their malice, who desire my slaughter: and that they will not seek also you, and yours, to kill with extreme poverty. To what friend to direct you know not, for all mine have left me in the true time of trial: most sorry am I, I that being thus surprised by death; I can leave you no better Estate: God hath prevented all my determinations, that great God that worketh all in all, and if you can live free from want, care for no more, for the rest is but vanity. Love God, and begin betimes in him, so shall you find true and everlasting comfort, when you have traveled, and wearied yourself: with all sorts of worldly cogitations, you shall sit down with sorrow in the end. Teach your Son also to fear and serve God, whilst he is young, that the fear of God may grow upon him, then will God be an Husband to you, and a Father to him, and a Husband and Father, that never can be taken away from you. Balo oweth me 1000 li. and Adrian 1000 li. in jernsey, I have also much owing me. Dear wife I beseech you for my soul's sake pay all poor men when I am dead: no doubt you shall be much sought unto, for the world thinks I was very rich, have a care to the fair pretence of men, for no greater misery can befall you in this life, then to become a prey unto the world, and after to be despised, I speak God knows not to dissuade you from Marrying again, for that will be the best for you, both in respect of God and of the world; as for me, I am no more yours, nor you mine, Death hath cut us asunder, and God hath divided me from the world, and you from me: Remember my Child, for his father's sake who loved you in his happiest estate; I sued for my life, but God knows it was for you and yours that I desired it: for know it dear wife your Child is the son of a true man, who in his own respect despiseth death. I cannot write much, God knows how hardly I steal time when all are asleep, and it is also time to separate myself from the world. Beg my dead body, which living was denied, and either lay it in Aleanne or Antley, by my Father and Mother. I can say no more, Time and Death calls me away. The everlasting God, powerful infinite and inscrutable, God Almighty who is goodness itself, keep you and yours, and have mercy upon me, and forgive me and my prosecutors and false accusers, and send us to meet in his glorious Kingdom. My dear Wife farewell, Bless my Boy, pray for me, and let my true God hold you both in his Arms. THE PRAYER MADE BY THE Earl of Strafford at Tower hill when he departed this life, 12. of May, 1641. O Most merciful father, I thy unworthyest of servants, do most humbly prostrate myself before the throne of thy heavenly Majesty, and this multitude of people here assembled to see me suffer, befeeching thee of thy infinite goodness to receive (when my head shall be divided from my body) at this instant this distressed soul of mine into thy heaaenly kingdom, and because the hour of my death is appointed, and the date of my life determined, at that hour let thy heavenly providence (I beseech thee O Lord) so guide me, that I swerve not from the truth in this my last Prayer. And I beseech thee O Lord, from the bended knees of my heart, as well as of my body, before this multitude of people, to infuse th● holy spirit in●o me, (that it may seal unto my soul ●he free pardon and forgiveness of all my sins, which cry for vengeance from the righteous judge of heaven and earth, and let me with the pennitent thief on the Cross find as thou answered him, this present day I confidently believe I shall see my Lord and saviour in the Kingdom of heaven, where all consolation and joy is forever remaining, and into whose presence I come, I come, Lord jesus receive my sinful soul. Amen. A Letter to a Lady. MAdam, Although there be some discovery made known, yet what we intent ●s secure; you must send two thousand pounds speedily; no danger, less difficult to compass as yet; you must remain secret; Remember your oath; we shall slay the Beast with many heads, and destroy the Devil's brood, before they dream or mistrust; burn this Letter; your reward shall be in heaven. FINIS.