A true and exact copy of Mr. Gibbons' Speech, which he intended to have spoken immediately before his death, on the Scaffold at Tower Hill, AUGUST 22. 1651.  
I Am brought upon the Stage, where I am a Spectacle to God, Angels, and Men; an object of pity and compassion to my friends, whose eyes are come to behold a man in the prime and flower of his years, in the height and excellency of his strength, to be cut down by a violent stroke, as an unprofitable tree that burdens the ground, therefore must stand no longer: it is nothing but Gods ordinary way to suffer men to cast out, that he may receive: No sooner was the blind man thrown out by the Pharisees, but he was received by Christ; the three Children thrown into the fiery Furnace, are entertained and delivered by God; it is no matter what the means is, if God take it into his hand, it shall deliver his people: we have but one way into the world, but a thousand ways out: could all the miseries of earth and hell be inflicted, if it leads to Christ, a Christian must not go out of the way; how much more ought I to submit to this my present condition, which God hath chosen for me, as the best portion I can possibly have! I bless God I come to this place with as much comfort as ever the bridegroom received his bride: and though the passage be bloody, it is the way to my crown: here my head is to be severed from my body, but my soul shall be to all eternity joined to Christ; I wish that the present Power, and that Court they have set up, have done themselves no more wrong, than they have me, by their sentence of death, which is the means to bring me to the way, I am now a going from earth to heaven, from friends, relations, and creature comforts, which ere long I must of necessity have left, to receive the end of my Faith, the reward of my Hope, the portion of the Saints, the perfection of believers, the riches of eternity, the glory of heaven, which never can nor shall be taken from me: Therefore farewell world, and all that I cannot keep, a●d thrice welcome death, that puts me into the hands of a convoy of Angels, that will carry me to my Father's house, to receive an inheritance I shall never part withal.  
I do not come hither to tell a large story of my life, nor to make a discovery of my sins, which I find upon the examination of my heart, to be so many and wonderful, that nothing but eternity can be sufficient, to admire the freeness of God's grace, in receving me to mercy.  
From my childhood I have seen affliction, I have seen a Father laid in the grave, a Wife and Child in the grave, but never to this day could I put my sins in the grave, which have been the great wounding of my heart; and this is wonderful comfort to me, though I were to enjoy nothing else, that after this day I shall never sin more. Ever since the time I can remember, I have set my face towards heaven, and in the course of my life have endeavoured to fence my way with thorns, always desiring to go the most strictest, and straitest way that might bring me to Christ.  
In the Bishop's time I did with a trembling soul behold the dying condition of Religion, and then did often meet before the Lord to pour out my soul and complaints amongst others of God's servants, for the great miseries and oppressions that the Church and people of God lay under.  
Ever since I had my knowledge, I have looked upon the Presbyterian Government as the only most excellent Government, and have often thought it to be the Chain spoken of in the Revelation, that shall bind the Devil a thousand years; believing from my soul, that all the world is not able to find out a Government that does so much advance Christ in his Throne, maintain Religion in its glory, the Church in its rights, the people in their liberties, as that Government doth: and that no Government doth so much curb profaneness, all sorts of wickedness, errors and blasphemy, as the Presbyterian Government doth; and that no Government doth so much cross corrupt nature, and call for exact walking in all manner of holy conversation, as the Presbyterian Government doth. I am wonderfully confirmed it is of God, when I behold the multitudes and universality of wicked men that oppose it, with the swarms of all sorts and Sects, with all ranks and all manner of men, and old heresies that rise up against it: I have always been for the Covenant, the force and ends thereof upon Gospel's principles. I have always ●one owning the ways of God and Religion, when most clouded and despised, never daring to quit my principles upon consideration or danger whatsoever, for the true cause of God, Religion and liberty I have always been; upon these principles I have engaged, from these principles I never departed; these are the principles in which I have lived, these are the principles upon which I die, and do resolve by God's grace this day to seal the same with my blood, choosing rather a thousand times to have my neck upon the Block, then to enjoy the most glorious life and liberty with those that have most fearfully betrayed the cause of God, and Religion, their own souls and consciences, by their most horrible Apostasy; to the great dishonour of God, and scandal of Religion: let them put what dress or mask they will upon it, when God shall rend and tear it off, discover and rip up the intentions of their hearts, men will see, and themselves shall know what it must cost to lose a good conscience. I never was without a trembling spirit, nor a heart to lament while the Spouse of Christ was clothed in mourning. I have always been so far from daring to make merry at such a time, that I thought it not only my duty, but the least I could do, to lie in tears while the Church was rolling in blood; it hath been one of my greatest afflictions, that I never yet could get a heart sensible enough to mourn, as I ought for the great desolation, havoc and ruin that is this day made amongst all the Churches of God. Lord deliver all those that fear thy Name, from the number of such as can rejoice, keep days of Thanksgiving, and make Songs of triumph for the number of those that are slain for the Testimony which they hold. I am at last brought to suffer death as an enemy to the State, though a friend to Jesus Christ, his Church and Members: The Jews told Pilate he was no friend to Caesar, if he did let Christ go; the case is now altered, for whosoever desireth to keep Christ, his Truth and Laws, the Covenant and the ends thereof, and let sin and wickedness go and stand in opposition to error and heresy, are declared enemies to the State; and if there be no Law of God nor man to condemn us, then like the Jews they find out a Law, and by that Law they tell us we ought to die. I shall make no large discourse of the manner of of my Trial, for I know there were both eye and ear witnesses, that will declare to posterities following all the hard measure that I had, besides I have left something behind to be printed, which will publish to the world upon what slight grounds and slender Testimonies I lose my life; those that writ for me had their books taken away, whereby I was cut off from all possible means from making a defence when I came before them: I declared all this again and again, most earnestly craved a Copy of my Charge, the Copy of the Depositions of the Witnesses and Counsel assigned: when no Arguments nor means could move them to grant me this, I did choose rather to submit to the mercy of the Court then plead, so that all I could do, was to put up an appeal to the Court, being denied means, could never make any defence, but my defence is of God, that saveth the upright in heart: the Court adjourned; the next time I came before them I received the Sentence of death.  
Here I must crave leave to discharge my conscience, concerning a Petition in my name sent to Westminster, that acknowledged the Sentence to be just; I could not withstand my friends persuasions, but according to their desires a Petition was sent, the which I neither writ, nor would ever set my name for without wounding of my conscience, I cannot say (to gain the world) it is a just sentence, but am clear of an opinion, with that Gentleman that was both ear and eyewitness of my Trial, and understood both the Laws and their Acts as well as any, from his knowledge did declare, that he would not have had a hand in my Sentence for as much gold as could lie in Westminster Hall, Let them declare, writ a thousand books to blind the world and justify themselves, if they do not repent of this day's work, both God, Angels, and Men, (with the blond that is this day spilt) will witness against them: as I do verily persuade myself, that before this time, never such a Sentence passed upon English ground, so from my soul and conscience I do declare they have committed a horrible murder, and without repentance make as sad an account to God for my blood, as Cain must one day for Abel's.  
I do believe it would be more pleasing to God, if they did send the soldiers to the prisoners Chambers, and cut their throats, then under a colour to bring them to a Trial before such a Court, that carries a face of Justice, when there is nothing but murder and destruction to be expected from them.  
I do not speak this from a bitter spirit, the Lord knows I do freely forgive them, and desire from my soul they may have hearts to repent; for both in the Sentence, and all other things, I read both the will and goodness of God; I look upon them as a company of poor instruments, which God knows well enough how to deal with; therefore it is both my duty, and the duty of all those that love God, to pray for them, to pity their condition, and not envy it.  
I would not leave this Scaffold to enjoy their lives, and have that account they must make, for all the world's glory; better to have my neck upon the Block, then to have my conscience upon the rack.  
As freely do I forgive the Witnesses, the Lord lay not the great sins they have committed to their charge; I hope they will one day see it is better to be in a suffering condition, then in a sinful; and that wrath and sin is more to be feared, than any misery whatsoever; they have bought their lives and liberties dear enough, therefore let none be angry, it is the will of God, lament their estate and pray for them.  
I am here brought to die for Treason and complotting against the State, and such a plot have they proclaimed to the world, as the like hath not been for many years.  
Here I do concur, and am of their opinion, that there is a very great plot, and so great, that a plot must be pretended to beget greater plots; that is, to destroy the Presbyterian Government, the whole race of the Ministry, and those that desire to keep a good conscience, and truly fear God; this lieth at the bottom, whatsoever is held forth: for any plot that ever I had, or any of my friends accused, and the Ministers had, I know none that I thought worth any thing: I am sensible how many millions of sins I have committed, the which I have seen before me, and on the right hand and on the left, every way piled up, till they are swelled to such a magnitude, that they exceed the highest mountains for greatness: so you see that I have not wanted sins to pour out floods of tears upon; but for this thing I am accused for, and now brought to die, I cannot only plead my innocency, but put up my Appeal to the great God, who is a most impartial Judge, (unto whose Bar I am now a going to receive a righteous Judgement) that I never had any other end in all this business laid to my charge, but the honour of God, his Gospel and Religion; all which were so dear unto me, that when I saw the wonderful and horrible scandal that the late actions of a generation of men had thrown upon the face of Religion and Gospel. I told a Gentleman now with God, in the hearing of some living, that so deeply did the honour of God suffer, the honour of th● Gospel and cause of Religion, in the eyes of all reformed Churches, in the eyes of Papists, in the eyes of Turks and Heathens, that happy for England would it be, if any means might be found to wash off the scorn, contempt, and stains cast upon the Gospel and Religion; yea though it were with the blood of Ministers, it would be cause of rejoicing in the eyes of all that fear the Lord. Who can tell but this day's work is the way unto it; all that I have mourned for was that Religion suffered; all that ever I prayed for, was that Christ might have the Government in his hand; all that ever I endeavoured for, was to bring things back into the channel where God would have them: all that I have done and desired, was that there might be a restoration of the honour of the Gospel, the truth of Religion, the Laws, Liberties and Privileges of the People: And though I were but clay and spittle, I knew in the hands of God I might be instrumental, always thought it my duty to bring something, though it were but a handful of goat's hair, if any way I might be useful and contribute towards the help of the Church, and the relief of God's people from under their great oppressions: this is all that I have done, and that I must this day die for; what a thousand pens write is no matter, but what God and Conscience write, that shall stand: I am most assured this day's work will be written in heaven, suffering for the Lord Jesus and his Truth: I have the testimony of my conscience, for whatever I have done concerning this, and can die with abundance of peace, and go to God with comfort: this you are to believe from the mouth of a dying man, and not regard what a company of engaged men declare to make for their interest, who go contrary to all rules of Conscience, neither know how to show mercy to Christians while they live, nor to their names when they are dead. I cannot but wonder that the men in power can look any Christian in the face, and tell him of a plot, who have been the original and foundation of those plots that have torn Nations and Kingdoms apieces, rend asunder all Laws, Ordinances, Government, Liberties, Privileges, Proprieties, and whatsoever is dear either to Christians or rational men, and thrown three Kingdoms into that misery, that all the enemies in the world could not have done the like without them; but rather how will they be able to stand and look God in the face, when they shall come to reckon for this, and make Inquisition for blood? unto whose doors will all the desolations, blood and ruin of Scotland and Ireland return for these three or four last years? who amongst us living, that knows not some three years since, we had the most glorious promising bright morning that ever looked England in the face, all our heads and hands listed up, and our hearts raised with expectations to receive the reward of many years' sufferings and prayers, and to be paid for the expense of all the blood.  
After all this how comes it to pass, we behold with our eyes such horrible days of darkness, breaking and treading down, after such hopes of seeing England clothed with glory and peace, and become like the garden of Edev; how comes it to be an Aceldama, a Golgotha, a field of blood, and place of dead men's sculls? after our Ship was thus brought to the harbot, with all the lives, liberties, and safeties of three Kingdoms: Who were they that were the instruments to throw it back into so miserable a stormy Sea, as the Lord knows whether man or child living upon the earth shall ever see it get out again? they which have done this are plotters indeed, plotters with a Witness; these are the Egyptians that all the people of God, and all the reformed Churches in Christendom groan under; these (like Nero) have set all on sire, and would fain lay it upon the Christians, like as the Papists plot and contrive, lay barrels of gunpowder to blow up King, Lords, and House of Commons, and when they have done they intent to lay it upon the Puritans but God will not be mocked, early or late he will find them out, and make them know what the lives of innocents' are worth, and what undermining of States, and all such actions as those must cost.  
Many delightful sights hath Antichrist seen; the massacre of Paris was a glorious sight in the eyes of Antichrist; the piles of wood that burned so many Martyrs in QMaries-time, and all the streams of blood that were then let out of the hearts of God's people, was a most beloved fight in the eyes of Antichrist.  
The persecution in the Bishop's time, the imprisoning and banishing of God's people and Ministers, the carriage of three Worthies to the Pillory, and cutting off their ears, was a pleasing sight in the eyes of Antichrist: The breaking asunder the Parliament, throwing down the House of Lords, tearing the Members out of the House of Commons, putting the King to death, and overturning all the Laws and Government of the Nation, engaging all the people as well in a necessity of sinning, as perishing, and then invade the Church of Scotland; kill and slay the precious of the Lord; these, and such sights as these are very rare in the eyes of Antichrist; the plucking down of Magistracy and Ministry, the letting lose of the Chain of Error and Heresy, the discountenancing of truth and faithful Ministers, tolerating of all manner of false Doctrine and damnable blasphemers, is a most delightful sight in the eyes of Antichrist; these and many such sights hath Antichrist seen; but the most joyful sight that ever his eyes beheld, is the late proceed of the present Power, in tearing Ministers from their Congregations, locking up both them and many more of the Lords people in prison, for nothing but endeavouring to keep that Covenant which they have made them to swear, representing their office and persons under that contempt and scorn, that they serve for nothing else but signs and wonders, being made a butt and mark for all envenomed arrows reproach and scorn to be shot at, as the like was never seen by English eyes till now; but yet a more joyful sight do the eyes of Antichrist behold, such a one (I dare say) as he never saw in England before; that is a most faithful Minister and blessed servant of God put to death by Protestants, and such as call themselves the most pious religious people upon the earth. Next to him I am brought upon the Stage to encounter with death, and fight the bloody battle: the Lord knows how many may follow; I pray that I may be the last; but is not Johabs' hand in this? are not the hands of Papists and Jesuits in all this? I need bring no arguments to persuade you to believe it; I think very few but are convinced, that they both sit at the Stern, and are the chiefest actors: therefore whatsoever they do must needs be very delightful in the eyes of Antichrist; as they are joyful lights to Antichrist, so are they the most saddest sights that ever God's people beheld.  
O blessed God, say they, is all the expense of our blood, and all our mourning, fasting, and prayer come to this? after such hopes of healing, have we such wounds made in our souls, such piercing swords put into our bowels? is there nothing will serve the turn but the death of God's Ministers, the blood of his people? had it been any thing else I could have born it; but to see such precious blood spilt like water upon the ground, it goes so near the heart of me, that I see myself cut off from all that should be a comfort to me.  
I go in to my closet, I can find no comfort there; if I go to my friends I can receive no comfort from them; if I look upon my children; then my heart is filled with woe and misery, to think what will become of them, and there I lie down in sorrow, and rise up in sorrow, and know not what to do: I confess such things as these, and such a sight as you have this day seen, is matter of great lamentation, and bless God that you can mourn for it, for of this side hell, I cannot think any more miserable, than those that can rejoice at such sights as these. But have a care your mourning be not a discontented mourning, quarrelling with God and his Providence; repining and murmuring at the instruments; do you as Jacob did, look who stands upon the top of the ladder, and (like Ezekiel) see who stands upon the top of the well, and do not look at the hammer that smites, nor at the next stop of the ladder, but look up to God, that orders and directs all, who is infinitely wise, and knows best how to contrive and bring things about for the good of his Church and people: do you your duty, and trust God; though you see all the Providences of God crossing his promises, still wait; if you should never understand them here, stay until you come in heaven, there you will know the meaning of every cross working, and then see that none of all the Church's sufferings nor afflictions of the Saints could have been spa●ed: while you are here alive and depend upon promises, and not providence; do not forget, that when God is a pulling down, he is a setting up; when he seems to make the greatest wounds, he comes with the greatest healing; when he holds forth the greatest destruction, he intends the greatest deliverances; he came to Jacob like an enemy, to destroy, when he was resolved to show the greatest friendship. I am most confident, all that your eyes have seen this day, is also for your good, and the way to your deliverance, and that our bloods shall set the enemies a horseback, and put spur to their destruction: I am most assured some standing in this place shall here, and to all eternity bless God for this day's work: The most ●icked of men may behold the sufferings of God's people, but they cannot see the comforts they have they may see their mournings and rears, but they cannot see the Towel that Jesus Christ wipes their eyes withal: since the Creation to this present day, there was never any suffered Martyrdom for the testimony of a good conscience, but God came with strength and comfort according to their condition, and now they are in heaven: I do fully persuade myself, these of them that died the worst of deaths, would have died no other, nor have abated any of their sufferings or reproaches for a thousand worlds: Were we but sensible of the infinite glory God gets by the sufferings of his people, did we but know how many flowers and precious pearls it adds to their Crown, we should see men come running as fast to Martyrdom, as our eyes now see them running from it; the very first moment that we behold the face of God, will be a sufficient reward for a thousand times more, than ever we have, or can suffer here, though there were nothing else to be enjoyed, but Christ owning their souls at the day of Judgement, it were enough to engage a Christian to own Christ here, though his sufferings were to be like the torments of hell, when we come to know and taste of the infinite rewards that God hath prepared for his suffering people, it heaven were capable of shame, we would be ashamed we have done and suffered so little for Christ; therefore give me leave to persuade you; and let the last words of a dying man prevail with you, that you let go all, rather than part with your Principles; better the heavens should fall, and the whole world be set of fire, then that God should lose his honour, or the least jot or tittle of the truth be parted with; fly from error, though it come in the habit and dress of Saints and Angels, error is like barrels of gunpowder, that will blow up States, Kingdoms, souls and bodies: whosoever takes up error, draws a sword against Christ, his Truth, and Laws; if you do but countenance one step, the least from the truth, you are in danger of falling into a gulf that will swallow you up; ask but your own experience, and that will tell you, many glorious Stars and Professors, that for some self-ends at the first did go but a little aside from the truth, but there they did not stay, but run from one error to another, searching all the rooms in hell to find out new ones: for never could any rest that follow error, it is like hell without any bottom: how many Ministers have you seen heretofore, you could have lived and died withal, gone but a little astray from the truth, by which they have given a greater blow to the honour of God and Religion, than all their Sermons and Preaching can do good while they live; did you ever see any go aside from the truth, but he got a blot and dishonour upon his name; Truth hath called Kings and Emperors to honour, the meanest of persons therefore, though you see thousand and ten thousand run to error, hold you to the Truth, if you love your souls, bodies, land, est●●e, wife, children, part not with the least of it, follow neither Christian nor Minister any further than he follows Christ, not wonder it you see those that have appeared to be the most eminent in knowledge and grace, go from the truth to error, for from the beginning it hath been so, and God doth suffer the same to try his people. I must needs acknowledge that error is now clothed with so smooth a dress, that i● makes my heart to bleed to think of the harvest the devil will have; but in all Ages God hath preserved a remnant, and so he doth still, blessed be God that there are a few, some of all sores both Ministers and people, that have kept their garments unspotted, never yet stained with error. All you that love God, be of the number of those few, though you suffer and die with them: every Error is a Chain that binds your Soul and Conscience, that you cannot go to God: every error is a Bar that makes fast the doo● against Christ and his Laws; : hold and keep close to the truth: look upon Athanasius that owned the truth when the whole world was against it: be like Amos, who kept close to God when a whole Court was against him, or like Martin Luther, that owned the truth of God alone, against all the power and force of Antichrist: in all Ages, even in the most damnable apostatising times, God hath had some that have dared to own his truth: if Baal be God, follow him; but if the Lord be God, follow him: Naboths Vineyard is taken away, and his inheritance taken possession of; but God is so far from approving of it, that he sends in Elisha with an arrant of vengeance: have not our eyes seen, and our ears heard more abominable practices in our times? the head of our Country, the breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the Lord, by a violent death, is taken away from us: so dreadful was this stroke, that it struck at the root of all Laws and Religion, and murdered the honour and repute of the whole Race of the Protestant Profession: so far are the sons of abomination from blushing, or being ashamed at this, that they go on, take possession, and justify the same before God and all the world; and when the Heir is coming, they combine together and say, Come let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours for ever. This doth call upon us that fear the Lord, to wish their heads fountains of tears, that they might pour out rivers of sorrow. It have been to me living, and shall be now dying, a great lamentation.  
I do profess unto you all, I am so far from approying of any of the late actions, that I would not have dared to have gone so far out of God's way, to have had the least hand in the death of the King, no not to have saved the lives of all the three Kingdoms. That God that hath written down all their actions and intentions, will one day clear the Presbyterian Party, and vindicate their Innocency before the face of all the whole world, and though for the present their interest be lost with men, it is found in God, and there shall be a most glortous Resurrection of all their names and integrity, when God comes to reckon with those men that have made use of their honest endeavours, to blow up the Lord's Vineyard, and let in the wild Boar of the Forest: this is now both a black and bloody day of jacob's trouble; all the Churches of Christ in the Furnace, the poor Church of Scotland, a bleeding, fetching their dying groans. Is there none to pity none to help? nor none that will consider my distress? was there ever any affliction llike my affliction? I am smitten in the place of Dragons, I have my bowels torn out by those that I have brought forth and maintained; the men whose hands I have strengthened have slain my young men, by hundreds and thousands, and carried them away captiffs: those who I have been instrumental to save, have destroyed all my peace and glory; and laid my honour in the dust; rob me of my Jewels, rob me of my Ordinances, rob me of all my riches, and treasury, and made all the Land drunk with the blood of my slain; and that which is ten thousand times worse, they have poisoned the souls of my people with error and Heresy, every one of these have a noise crying in the ears of God and men.  
I read of a bitter curse pronounced against those that came not out to the help of the Lord against the mighty; God hath given that poor Nation a bloody Cup to drink; but most assured I am, all the dregs lie at the bottom, for all those persons that come not forth with their prayers and tears to improve all their interest both in heaven and earth, for the deliverance of that miserable oppressed people; if it be terrible to all such as come not out with their swords to help and rescue them; if God will be avenged upon all such persons as stand looking on, what will the portion be of all such that do not only draw their swords against that beloved people, but put them into their bowels, and proclaim to all the world they do God good service; and when they have laid heaps upon heaps, and died the Church with their blood, they do not only rejoice and triumph, but hang up colours for monuments of their lasting glory: such as these are Monsters with a Witness; therefore let all those that love either bodies or souls, rather choose ten thousand times to live in a howling wilderness, to be cast into a Den of Dragons, then either to countenance encourage, or remain amongst the numbers of those men; throughout all the book of God, amongst all the prayers of the Saints, you find none like David, putting forth all his strength with the utmost of his vehemency, improving all his interest to pluck down wrath and vengeance out of the hands of God; against who was it, but a cursed generation of men that persecuted those whom the Lord had smitten? the Sun shined upon Sodom, and presently after they were destroyed by most terrible showers of fire and brimstone; all the prosperity and flourishing estate of the wicked, is but like a watery Sun, that will end in a dismal cloudy day: The people of God may sit a while in darkness, but they are sure there will be light; the wicked may rejoice for a moment, it is not long, but they will have an eternal stormy night of God's displeasure, that shall never be blown over: I know a child of God had rather have all the Lions of the Wilderness roaring upon him, all the miseries in the world, and all the devils in hell let lose, then to live under the frowns of God; how canst thou then envy the state of the wicked, though they did prosper as much as Alexander, enjoyed as much peace and glory as Solomon, ride with as much state as Caesar did through Rome, when thou knowest they are under the frowns of an infinite God, that hates them with as perfect a hatred, as he doth the devils in hell, and knows well enough how and when it is seasonable to bring a most terrible destruction upon them, that shall fly as far, and ring as loud in the ears of all the Christian world, as their sins and abominations have done: The bush may burn, but it shall not be consumed; the devil hath been above this five thousand six hundred years a breathing out flames and persecutions against the Churches of God, and yet it remains; and so it shall be to the end of the world; mourn for the sufferings of our dear brethren of Scotland, give them all possible assistance by prayers and tears, and what else possible you may, but never despair of their deliverance; for one look of God out of the Cloud can break all the power of their enemies, and make a glorious Resurrection of them, and all the Churches of Christ; mourn and lament with an exceeding bitter lamentation for the reproach, scorn and contempt that the Ministry lies under; pray mightily that they may be delivered from many and great temptations, and the multitudes of traps and snares that the subtlety of the adversary hath laid, that they may destroy their offices and persons together.  
You that make mention of the Lord, never give him rest, but cry and pray mightily; for there are wonderful promises to be accomplished, wonderful things to be done, the fall of Babylon with all the power of Antichrist; the calling of the Jews, which will be the fullness of the Gentiles, the perfecting and coming in of all the glory of the Churches of Christ, the shaking of Nations and Kingdoms is the way to this; therefore be not discouraged, for Jacob shall arise, God is never more in his way to bring all this about, but when he seems to be most out of it.  
Thus I have both endeavoured to declare and discharge my conscience, I have nothing now to do, but to take my leave of the world, where I do again forgive all that have been the instruments to bring me to this place; hearty I desire that they may have mercy and forgiveness at the hand of God, when they have most need of it: I know it is the hand of God that hath brought me to this place, and that all things are under his Seal, that neither death, nor any thing else can come without his Commission; it is not the death I am now to think upon, but that which follows after: I am now presently to lunch into the gulf of eternity, never shall come back more, to call over this life. I am going with a naked soul to stand before God, whose eyes are ten thousand times brighter than the Sun, that will never behold the least iniquity: the very thoughts of this God would be as terrible as devouring flames of fire, did not I behold him in the merits and mercies of a Saviour, sitting at his right hand, making intercession for me; his righteousness is more able to save, than all the sins of men and devils can be to send to hell; had I all the righteousness of men and Angels, woe and ten thousand woes be unto me, if I had not an interest in the righteousness of my blessed Saviour, and then had I all the sins since the Creation of the world laid to my charge, it is as easy for me to have a pardon in blood of Christ for them all, as for one vain thought: all my righteousness is as filthy rags, sin enough there is in my best prayers and performances, for ever to throw me out of the presence of God into hell. I have scarlet crimson sins, sins of all sorts, but through faith in the merits of my Saviour I have a sure confidence, grounded upon promises, and the Covenant of Freegrace, that I shall now suddenly rest in the Lord, and enter into my Master's joy, where I shall never to all eternity to praise him; blessed be God and blessed be his people for the benefit, help and support I have had by their prayers; the archers have both grieved and shot at me, but my bow hath abode in strength, and the arrows of my hands have been made strong by the hands of the mighty God the Lord, return a thousand-fold all the love and kindness, with the reward of those prayers that have been made for me into the bosom of his own people: the last prayer that Samson made, was that the Lord would remember him, and strengthen him, only once more, it is the last request that ever I shall make unto you that are the Lords Remembrancers; therefore be not wanting unto me now at the last act of my life, only help me this once, it is the last time that ever you shall pray for me, the last sigh, the last tear that ever you shall shed to do me good; stir and quicken up your graces, act your faith in God, improve all your interest at the Throne of grace; take notice who brought, and what was thrown into the Church's treasury, the eyes of God run to and fro through the world, he looks upon every heart this day, and sees who pities me, who prays and st●ives to help me through this bloody passage; who use their utmost endeavours to strengthen my heart and hands io encounter with death: it is usual for you to do the last things best, when you give last, to give most: deal so with me this day, put out all your might and strength to bring me safe off this Scaffold to my Father's house, for it is the last time that ever I shall need your prayers and help.  
Most gracious God into thy hands I commit my Spirit, I was never yet in distress, but thou didst comfort me, never yet in want, but thou didst receive me, therefore I know thou wilt not fail to help me in this my needful time of trouble. O blessed Saviour! thou hast sought after me when I was running from thee, therefore I am confident thou wilt receive me now I am coming to thee: Though death be my portion by sin, eternal life is my purchase by thy righteousness: though my sins should exceed the number of millions of Ages, yet I know thy merits and righteousness is ten thousand times more exceeding; upon this rock do I anchor my hope, and with this assurance do I die.   

Mr. Gibbons' last Prayer, in the hearing of the People.  
O Most blessed and glorious Lord God, a God of piercing eyes, and seest me thy poor creature thou knowest the intention of my heart; then hear the words of my mouth, but thou knowest the intentions of my soul. O Lord put words into my mouth what I should speak for myself; now is the last time that ever I shall speak, till I come to speak and admire thee to eternity. O blessed God O what is a smile of thy face now! O one smile is more worth than ten thousand world's. O blessed God before my head is severed from my body, let me be assured that my soul shall be received into thy hands. O blessed God let me find now the benefit of all the prayers and tears, and desire of my heart. Lord it is true, I have nothing to plead, I have not a handful of Goat's hair, I have nothing but a dead dull heart; but Lord, though I be broken and distracted, thou looked'st upon Hezekiah with his chattering prayers, when he chattered as a Crane '; blessed Lord, look upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and whatsoever imperfections thou hast seen in me pardon them, and wash me from them in his blood; Lord, though I had never sinned before I came to this Scaffold, yet I have committed sin enough here to throw me into everlasting burning: but Lord, look for thy promise sake, for thy mercy sake, look over thy bowels of compassion, consult with them now, and with thine Attributes, and whatsoever Christ and Mercy may speak, hear the cries this day.  
Blessed God, there is no reason that thou shouldest own me, but there is reason thou shouldest own thy promise, and own thy truth, and own thy Christ. O blessed God grant that this day all thy people may bless thee, and may go and keep a day of Thanksgiving, that I have not carried myself any way unbecoming a Christian; Lord, let me give thee the glory, I am but poor dust and ashes, and clay, the unworthiest in the world, all my strength is nothing; I bless God I am n●w coming where I shall need Faith no more, nor Hope no more, O 〈…〉 let me act all the strength I have in thy Promise, and in the Lord Jesus Christ s … e particular promise, O Lord show thyself, O one smile for the Lord Jesus Ch●i●ts sake. I commend all unto thee, I lay my neck upon the Block, I give my soul into thy hands, take my soul, it is no matter what becomes of my body, I shall never more, never more hope for any thing, or desire any thing, but all my soul shall be filled up; Lord hear me, and help me, and stand by me, and strengthen me, and guide me, and pardon and forgive all my sins for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake.  

His prayer being ended, he put off his doublet, and asked for his Noble Friend Dr. Bastwick, and embraced him: after that he embraced his Uncle, and others of his friends on the Scaffold; then laying his head on the Block, Dr. Bastwick came to him, and wished him to take off his Rings, which accordingly he did, by ra●sing himself upon his knees, and gave them to his Uncle; which done, he laid his head on the Block, and holding up his left hand, the Executioner at one blow (and a small race) severed his head from his body.   
FINIS.