THE SPEECH AND Confession, of Sr HENRY HID (Ambassador for the King of Scotland, to the Emperor of Turkey) at the place of execution, against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, on Tuesday the 4 of March, 1651. with the manner of his deportment on the Scaffold; his kissing of the Axe and block; his prayer; and Oration to the People, touching his Master the King; As also the manner how he was first taken in Turkey, by the English Merchants, and sent prisoner to the Parliament, in the London-Dragon. With the Charge exhibited against him at his Trial.  
London, Printed for G.H. and are to be sold in Cornhill, 1651..   

THE Speech of Sir Henry Hid, Agent for the King of Scotland, to the Emperor of Turkey, on the Scaffold at the place of Execution, against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill, onn Tuesday March 4. 1651.  
SIr Henry Hid (late Agent for the King of Scotland, to the Emperor of Turkey) having for these two years last passed, been very active in foreign Countries, for the advancing of his Master's prerogative and power against the Parliament of England; and also endeavouring (what in him lay) to obstruft all trading and commerce between the English Merchants, and others; and in order thereunto, some time he spent at Smerney in Turkey, for the better accomplishing thereof; but finding his negotiations and consultations to be no way feacible, he road from thence to the city of Constantinople, soliciting the Viceroy about many things of great and dangerous consequence; but the Merchants (occasioned by many fears and jealousies) having made a great discovery of his design; and being likewise informed that he was determined to seize and secure their ships, etc. for the use and service of his Master; they immediately resolved to send forth a considerable party to intercept him in his return from Constantinople to Smerney; which accordingly they did (to his great astonishment) and brought him aboard the Dragon, transporting the said Sir Henry from thence to London, where by special authority, and command from the Parliament, he was sent prisoner to the Tower; and after few days, brought to a Trial before the High Court of Justice in Westminster Hall, and by Them adjudged guilty of high Treason against the Commonwealth of England; receiving this Sentence of Death, To have his head severed from his shoulders at the Old Exchange, London, on Tuesday the fourth of March 1651. which accordingly was performed, in the presence of many thousand spectators; the manner whereof, together with his Speech, Prayer, and Deportment, in effect, followeth.  
On Tuesday being the 4 of this instant, Sir Henry Hid was brought from the Tower, in a Coach, to the place of execution, being guarded with a Troop of horse, and accompanied by the Sheriffs of London, and the Lieutenant of the Tower; when he came upon the Scaffold, he put off his hat to the spectators, deporting himself with great cheerfulness, and undantednesse of spirit: then turning himself about, he desired to see his Coffin, which was accordingly shown him, a black mourning cloth being also prepared to cover the same. Then turning himself again to the people, and leaning over the rails of the Scaffold, spoke as followeth.  

Good People,  
YOur coming hither to day is to behold a sad spectacle, where you may apparently discern an Object of pity; I am by a law condemned to die, and I thank my God that hath appointed me this death for mine offence, for I have always lived a sinner, and offended my God, for which I humbly implore and desire a general remission and forgiveness. I am come hither to pay the wages of death, and to sacrifice my life for my obedience and loyalty to my Master the King, for whose sake, I was ever willing to adventure both life and fortunes. But as for those things laid to my charge, of having a design against the English Merchants, I here protest my innocency thereof; neither did ever the least thought of evil or prejudice arise within my breast, against this my Native Country of England; but always desired its prosperity and happiness; under a quiet and peaceable Government, etc. Much more was said to this purpose, and delivered with great applause and earnestness of spirit to the spectators: Having ended his speech, he turned himself about to Sheriff Tichburn, who was all in mourning, and after some queries and answers, uttered many divine and excellent expressions; desiring them to join in prayer with him; and kneeling upon his coffin, with his hat in his right hand, and his black mourning gloves in the left, most fervently besought the Lord by prayer, humbly supplicating himself before his Divine Majesty, in manner and form as followeth.    

His immediate and fervent Prayer before his Execution.  
O Lord Jesus, which art the only health of all men living, and the everlasting life of them which die in thee; I wretched sinner do submit myself wholly to thy blessed Will; and being sure that that thing cannot perish which is committed to thy mercy; willingly now I leave this frail and wicked flesh, in sure hope that thou wilt most gloriously restore it to me again at the last day, in the resurrection of the just: I beseech thee most merciful God, that thou wilt by thy grace make strong my faith against all temptations, and defend me with the buckler of thy mercy against all the assaults of Satan. I see, and know, that there is no hope of salvation, but by Thee, O God, and thy Son, the Saviour of the World, into whose hands I recommend my spirit; for my confidence and trust is in thy most merciful goodness: O Lord, I have no merits, nor good works, that I may allege before thee: Of sins and evil works (alas) I see a great heap; but yet through thy mercy, I trust to be in the number of them, to whom thou wilt not impute their sins; but receive them as inheritors of thy everlasting kingdom. O thou sweet Jesus of Heaven, that wast born for my sake, and gavest thy most precious blood to be shed upon the Cross for my sake, humbly I beseech thee, in these thy sufferings, graciously to vouchsafe an interest to me; and grant, O most merciful Father, that when death shall shut up the eyes of my body, yet the eyes of my soul may still behold and look upon Thee; and when Death hath taken the use of my Tongue, yet my Heart may cry, and say unto Thee, Lord into thy hands I commend my soul; Lord Jesus receive my soul.  
Having ended his prayer, he risen from his Coffin whereon he kneeled, and turning to Sheriff Titchborn, gave him a salutation: Then the Executione came to him, and asked him forgiveness: Sir Henry replied, I freely forgive thee, and all mine enemies; and as a signal thereof, here's 3 l. for thee. Then the Executioner took the Block, and placed it on the Scaffold, and Sir Henry prepared himself for the same, pulling off his Cloak, Doublet, and Band, and gave them to his man; which done, he went to the block, and kneeling down, laid his neck thereon, to try how it would fit: suddenly he arose again, taking his last farewell of the minister, who came along with him, and the rest of his friends; and kneeling down again the second time, the Executioner spread a red Scarf over the block, desiring the sign; to which he answered, By the stretceing forth my hands: Then, after kissing the Axe and block, casting his eyes up to heaven, earnestly cried out, Lord Jesus receive my soul; and patiently submitting to the block, immediately gave the sign, which the Executioner diligently observing, at one blow severed his head from his shoulders; the head moved three times after it was off; but neither body, hands, nor feet once stirred Presently after the blow was given, both head and body were put into a Coffin, and so carried away from off the Scaffold.  
FINIS.