A BRIEF RELATION Of the Proceed of the High COURT of JUSTICE, Against Sir Henry Slingsby And Doctor John Hewet, Who for Treason against His Highness the Lord Protector, and the Commonwealth, in Plotting and Contriving a new and Bloody War, by bringing in Charles Stuart into this Nation, were both beheaded on Tower-Hill, on Tuesday the 8th of this Instant June.  
Also their last Speech and Confession at the said place of Execution.  
London, Printed for John Andrews, at the White Lion in Pie-corner, 1658.   

The Trial, Sentence, and Condemnation of Dr. John Hewet, and Sir Henry Slingsby, who for high Treason was condemned, by the high Court of Justice, etc.   execution of a traitor 
Sir Henry Slingsby being first brought to Trial, was impeached of high Treason, for endeavouring to raise a new War, by bringing in Charles Stuart into Hull; he at first pleaded, Not guilty, and also excused the matter, pretending it was only in jest: but it is not good jesting with Edge-tools. After this Doctor Hewet was arraigned for high Treason, in these particulars: First, In raising Forces, and traitorously levying War against his Highness, to subvert and destroy the Government. Secondly, In promoting Charles Stuart to be King of England, Scotland, and Ireland; and keeping correspondency with the said Charles Stuart; and by giving out Commissions from the said Charles Stuart, for the raising of Forces, for to maintain a new War.  
The Indictment of high Treason being read, he not only refused to plead, but began to question the authority of the Court, and to give out very seditious speeches to the people, against both the Government, and the Governors of the Nation; endeavouring to take off the People's Affection from the present Government.  
The Court after much patience and gentleness towards the Doctor, whose unhandsome carriage might have provoked them to advantages against him, were notwithstanding all enforced to proceed against him to judgement.  
Next after him was arraigned one Mr. John Mordant, brother to the Earl of Peterborough, who after examination of Witnesses, and other circumstances, was found Not guilty, and thereupon he was quitted by the Court.  
The next day the prisoners, viz. Sir Henry Slingsby, Doctor John Hewet, and Mr. John Mordant, were all three brought to the Bar, where the Judgement of the Court passed against them, as followeth: Sentence being to be given by the Lord Precedent, his Lordship was pleased in the first place, to express himself very piously and seriously to the three Prisoners at the Bar, setting forth the heinousness of the said Treason, exhorting them to repentance for the same, showing them the sad effects thereof both to themselves and others. Which being done, the final Sentence and Judgement of the Court was read by the Clerk, as followeth:  
That upon consideration of the Treasons by them the said Henry Slingsby, Knight, and John Hewet Doctor of Divinity, the Court being satisfied in Judgement and Conscience, that they the said Sir Henry Slingsby, and Doctor John Hewet, were both guilty of high Treason; for which aforesaid Treason, we do adjudge you the said Sir Henry Slingsby and John Hewet, as false Traitors to His Highness the Lord Protector, and the Commonwealth: to be conveyed back to the Tower, and from thence to be drawn through the City of London to the Gallows of Tyburn, and there to be hanged, and being alive, to be cut down, and their Bowels taken out and burnt; and their Heads cut off, and their Body divided into quarters, and after disposed of according to His Highness the Lords Protectors pleasure.  
After this, several godly and reverend Ministers, viz. Doctor Reynolds, Mr. Joseph carried, Mr. Edmund Callamy, and Mr. Marton, were ordered by the Commissioners, to repair forthwith to the said Sir Henry Slingsby, and Doctor Hewet, to fit and prepare them for death.  
Saturday the fifth of this instant June was the Day appointed for the Execution or Sir Henry Slingsby, and Dr. Hewet, according to the foresaid Sentence, and accordingly Warrants were issued forth for the Execution of the said Sentence; but His Highness the Lord Protector, upon address made to His Highness, was graciously pleased to grant a Reprieve for the said Sir Henry Slingsby and Doctor Hewet, until Tuesday the Eighth day of this instant June; and to revoke the said Sentence pronounced against them, doing them this honour, as to Order, That they the said Sir Henry Slingsby, and John Hewet, should be put to death, by having their Heads severed from their Bodies on Tower-Hill, and all other Circumstances in the said Sentence to be remitted.  
And according to this Order of His Highness the said Sir Henry Slingsby, and John Hewet Doctor of Divinity were both brought to the Scaffold on Tower-Hill, on Tuesday the vl day of this Instant June. The Scaffold being prepared about ten of the clock, the Lieutenant of the Tower of London delivered into the hands of the Sheriffs of London the prisoner Sir Henry Slingsby, who immediately conveyed him unto the Scaffold; there being several Companies both of Horse and Foot, besides the Officers belonging to the said Sheriffs, attending to that purpose, where in the presence of many thousands of people, who were there to behold this woeful Tragedy, they ascended the Scaffold. Sir Henry Slingsby being mounted the Scaffold, immediately began to take leave of his Friends there present, and to prepare himself for the stroke of death: he spoke but little, being not above half an hour upon the Scaffold: several eminent Ministers being there present, they all went to Prayers; which being done, he freely forgave the Executioner: Then laying down his Head upon the Block, commending his Soul to God; gave the sign to the Executioner by spreading forth his Hands, who at one blow severed his Head from his Body. Which being done, his Corpse was presently conveyed away in a Coffin prepared for that purpose.  
After this, the Sheriff descending from the Scaffold, went down to the Tower, where the Lord Lieutenant of the Tower delivered into their custody the other Prisoner Dr. John Hewet; who being attended by several learned Divines, to wit. Dr wild, Dr. Reeves, and several others: they likewise also conveyed towards the Scaffold, where being come, they presently ascended. The Dr. being upon the Scaffold kneeled down to prayers several times, and for the space of some two hours continued speaking, first to the Sheriff, after to the people there assembled, carried himself with much courage and resolution, exhorting all men there present to prepare themselves for death. Having ended his Speech, (the Particulars whereof are too large to be inserted here) only these he insisted on, to clear himself, That he had no hand in the late Plot of Firing the City. He denied that the Marquis of Ormond lay at his House: or that he was at Bruges with Charles Stuart. He excused his ignorance in the Law, for not pleading to his Charge. He prayed particularly for Charles Stuart, and that Family. Which done, he again kneeled down to prayer, recommending himself to God, he risen up again, and put on his cap, the Executioner put up his hair, who he freely forgave: then laying down his head upon the Block, he prepared himself for the dismal Stroke, and the sign being given, as before, by stretching forth his hands, the Executioner at one blow severed his head from his body: which being done, his Corpse was likewise put into a Coffin, being at the Scaffold very ready for that purpose, and so was conveyed away by his friends, by whom great preparation is made for his Funeral, at Gregory's near Paul's.  Sic transit Gloria mundi. 
FINIS.