THE Earl OF STRAFFORDS SPEECH ON THE SCAFFOLD before he was beheaded on Tower-hill, the 12 of May, 1641.  
LONDON, Printed for PETER Coal. at the Glove in Cornhill, near the royal Exchange, 1641.   

THE Earl OF STRAFFORDS SPEECH On the Scaffold.  
MY Lord Primate of Ireland, (and my Lords, and the rest of these Gentlemen) it is a very great comfort to me, to have your Lordship by me this day in regard I have been known to you a long time, I should be very glad to obtain so much silence, as to be heard a few words, but I doubt I shall not, my Lord I come hither by the good will and pleasure of almighty God, to pay that last debt I owe to sin, which is death, and by the blessing of that God to rise again through the merits of Christ Jesus to eternal glory; I wish I had been private, that I might have been heard, my Lord, if I might be so much beholding to you that I might use a few words, I should take it for a very great courtesy, my Lord I come hither to submit to that judgement which hath past against me, I do it with a very quiet and contented mind, I do freely forgive all the world, a forgiveness that is not spoken from the teeth outward (as they say) but from the heart; I speak it in the presence of Almighty God, before whom I stand, that there is not so much as a displeasing thought in me arising to any Creature, I thank God I may say truly, and my Conscience bears me witness, that in all my services since I have had the Honeur to serve his Majesty in any Employment, I never had any thing in my heart, but the joint and individual prosperity of King and People; if it have been my hap to be misconstered, it is the common portion of us all while we are in this life, the righteous judgement is hereafter, here we are subject to error, and apt to be misjudged one of another; there is one thing I desire to clear myself off; and I am very confident, I speak it with so much clearness, that I hope I shall have your Christian Charity in the belief of it, I did always ever think the Parliaments of England, were the happiest Constitutions that any kingdom, or any Nation lived under, and under God the means of making King and people happy, so far have I been from being against Parliaments; for my death i here acquit all the world, and pray God heartily to forgive them; and in particular, my Lord Primate I am very glad that his majesty is pleased to conceive me, not meriting so severe, and heavy a punishment as the utmost execution of this sentence; I am very glad and infinitely rejoice in this mercy of his, and Beseech God to turn it to him, that he may find mercy when he hath most need of it; I wish this kingdom all the prosperity and happiness in the world: I did it living, and now dying it is my wish, I do now profess it from my heart, and do most humbly recommend it unto every man here, and wish every man to lay his hand upon his heart, and consider seriously whither the beginning of the happiness of a people should be written in Letters of blood, I fear you are in a wrong way, & I desire almighty God that no one drop of my blood may rise up in judgement against you.  
(My Lord,) I profess myself a true and obedient Son to the Church of England, to that Church wherein I was borne, and wherein I was bred; prosperity and happiness, be ever to it: and whereas it hath been said that I have inclined to Popery, if it be an Objection worth answering, let me say truly, that from the time since I was one and twenty years of age, till this hour, now going upon nine and forty, I never had thought in my heart, to doubt of the truth of my Religion in England: and never any had the boldness to suggest to me the contrary, to the best of my remembrance; and so being reconciled to the mercies of Christ Jesus my Saviour, into whose bosom I hope shortly to be gathered to enjoy those eternal happinesses that shall never have end. I desire heartily the forgiveness of every man, both for any rash or unadvised word, or deed, and desire your Prayers: And so my Lord's farewell, farewell all the things of this world, LORD strengthen my faith, give me confidence and assurance in the merits of Christ Jesus. I desire you that you would be silent and join in prayers with me; and I trust in GOD that we shall all meet and live eternally in Heaven, there to receive the accomplishment of all happiness, where every tear shall be wiped from our eyes, and every sad thought from our hearts: And so GOD bless this kingdom, and Jesus have mercy upon my soul.  
FINIS.