THE CONFESSION, Obstinacy, and Ignorance, of Father BELL, a Romish Priest.  
Wherein is declared, the manner of his Trial, Condemnation, and Execution, on Monday Decemb. 11. 1643.  
Together with the names of those that suffered for stealling the Ambassador's plate; And the names and facts of others who were executed at Tyburn the same day.   depiction of the execution of Father Bell 
LONDON, Printed for Thomas Bates, and are to be sold at his shop in the Old-Baily. 1643.   

The Confession, Obstinacy, and and Ignorance of Father BELL a Romish Priest.  
Executed at Tyburn Decemb. 11. 1643.  
THe Priests and Jesuits under the supremacy of the Pope and Church of Rome, as they have been the fomenters, contrivers, and nourishers of almost all the debates, conspiracies, and massacres committed in divers foreign Nations (which have afforded them entertainment) in all ages since their first original and institution; as is apparent by the parricide of Henry the third King of France, and other Princes (who professed even the same Religion) inhumanely massacred by them, which would be too tedious particularly in this place to mention: So to come nearer both to our own times and Nation (for we shall also omit their main plots, and contrivances of the death of our late most illustrious and religious Queen Elizabeth) they were the prime Instruments of raising the late unparallelled and bloody Rebellion in Ireland, and the causes of the murdering of above an hundred thousand innocent Protestants there, and finding that all their plots and machinations would prove unsuccessful to advance their own Religion in these three Kingdoms, unless they kindled the like flames and combustions in England also, finding much favour from persons in authority in this Kingdom, who suffered them to go unpunished (although contrary to the Laws and Statutes of this Kingdom, they have so brought about their stratagems, as to cause a civil and unnatural war also in this Kingdom, notwithstanding which designs of their so apparent to the whole world; it is beyond admiration to think that any of that viperous brood should be so audacious and still to continue in this Kingdom. And this may serve to satisfy the world what just cause there is to proceed against them in Justice for their Delinquency therein. But that which I intent more particularly to inform you of at this time, is, concerning the Trial, Condemnation, and Execution of one Father Bell, who being taken by those who were enabled by the State for that purpose, and laid in Newgate, and from thence was brought to the Session's House the last week, where being indicted upon the Statute, and putting himself upon God and his Country, the Witnesses proving him to have been a Priest beyond the Seas, and that they had known him (being an English man borne) say Mass in England, and to seduce divers of His Majesty's subjects: Upon which Indictment the Jury sound him guilty, and the Court proceeded to sentence, which was to this effect: That he should go from thence to the place from whence he came (viz. Newgate) and from thence on a Hurdle to the place of Execution, and there to be hanged by the neck, cut down alive and quartered, and his Quarters to be set upon the several gates of the City. According to which sentence he was drawn on a Hurdle on Monday Decemb. 11. to Tyburn the place of Execution, where being come, he spoke as followeth:  
I Stand here to die, and declare unto you all the cause of my coming hither, nothing being brought or proved against me, but was only condemned for being a Briest of the Catholic Church; had I been a Heathen Priest, or a Priest after the levitical Order, than I should not so much have wondered at it to h●ve been put to death in a Christian Land: but that a Catholic Priest should be put to death by those t●t, pretend to be Christians, and to follow Christ ●●is Gospel, this is that, sensible men will wonder at. But those that have their judgements blinded, that see nothing, they may proceed to the like they have done before; and so they do now to me. They pretend Laws, but those Laws as they were ill made, so they hav● be●ne worse kept. Now I profess before you all, and testify here with m● life, and blood, before God and jesus Christ his Son that is to judge, that I die a true number of the Catholic Church. Being interrupted by one, who said, 〈…〉 the Roman Church▪ ●●ies the. If you 〈…〉, with all my heart I distinguish it from any Protestant Church her●tickes, or Conventicles, and I call it the Roman Church. My parents lived and died in that Religion, and I for my part have been brought up in the same faith; and were I to live ●●y longer here▪ I would profess it to my dying day. though I were to die a thousand deaths or to suffer never so great Torments. And this I testify before God and Jesus Christ.  
The Sheriff hearing him continue thus obstinate, and speaking against our Laws and Religion, spoke to him in this manner, viz. Mr. Bell, To go on to traduce our Laws, and seduce the people, we will not hear you any longer: me thinks you should think upon death, and desire God to open your eyes that you may see your blindness. You were not only condemned for being a Priest, but it was proved against you, and you confessed it, that you were an Englishman borne, and that you went over to take Orders, and you returned bacl hither again; now the Letter of the Law is thus, That an English man borne, going over to take Orders, and returning bacl again, the Law interprets that he comes to seduce the King's subjects:  
There was not one word spoke of seducing.  
Mr. Bridges spoke, This is not a time to dispute, Mr. Bell; pray apply yourself to God, and humble yourself before him.  
Mr. Bell spoke, Here are many people, but I suppose that they are as the Kingdom is seduced; and if a man labour to reduce them, I think it is good service. The people are deluded, because they have a piece of the Catholic Religion; they believe the Incarnation of Christ, and the Resurrection and Passion of Christ; but what is this? therefore I declare the truth to the people, that I may further their souls.  
Then the people in detestation of his speeches, and of his ways, cried out, help yourself.  
Then he spoke again, They that speak false doctrine, do not desire to hear others; but I tell you, that the Protestant Religion hath no divine faith.  
Then the Sheriff spoke, Do not scandalise our Protestant faith.  
Well, I do hearty forgive all men that had a hand in my death, and I desire to be forgiven; for I most willingly die in the Catholic faith.  
Mr. Bridges spoke, Mr. Bell pray apply yourself too God.  
I have declared my mind already.  
The greater is your infatuation, God hath not been pleased to open your eyes; and as your punishment hereafter is secret, so your judgement here is just; you know what your own Author Cajetan speaks, Interpaenas Dei mirabilis.  
Then he sake again, If I cannot reduce, I do not desire to be seduced.  
I am sorry for it: the Lord gives mercy to whom he will, and whom he will, he hardens.  
Then the Minister of Newgate spoke to him, and urged him to repent.  
He still obstinately answered, Repent; what should I repent for? I have a good cause.  
Then the Sheriff spoke, Mr. Bell, unless you will speak to the glory of God, and edification of your soul, speak no more. And so, as in blindness he lived, obstinately in blindness he ended his days.  
Also there was one Captain Towers, that pretended a Warrant for the searching of malignants houses, and under that pretence plundered the Countess of Nottinghams' house, and many other houses: and for this (and very justly) was condemned to die; and being brought to the place of execution, unexpectedly declared himself to be a Roman Catholic; for being asked by the Minister of Newgate, whether he died a Roman Catholic? answered:  
Yes, I die a Roman Catholic, do what you will with me, I will stand to it.  
I, but says the Minister, mind some thing else, you are now come to suffer death.  
Then he peremptorily answered, Well, he and I shall be in bliss ere long. I come to declare nothing to the world but the faith that I die in, namely the Catholic Faith: Pray God forgive them that accused me, and I desire to be forgiven.  
And so as Father Bell died, he died very obstinately, living and dying in blindness and darkness; what was in their minds, whither they should go, and where they are, God knower; we are not to judge, but to leave this their Confession, Obstinacy, and Ignorance for all judicious Readers to ponder on it.  
Also Tillet and Freeman were hanged for robbing of the Lord Ambassador of his plate, to the value of 6000. li.  
And one Butler for Burglary, breaking open a house in Chick-lane.  
Another for robbing of Gray's Inn.  
And Man●●●…●●●…ch for murdering of her child.   

Printed according to Order.   

The true Portraiture of the Worthy, Religious, and truly Wise, JOHN PYM Esquire, Burgess for Tavistocke, now deceased, Decemb. 8. 1643.  
 portrait of John Pym  
Behold this prop to Truth, pillar of pure Religion.  
Whose aim, and pains, was to purge our Zion.  
In all our straits he was to us a firm friend.  
For all our good his dearest strength did spend.