THE SPEECH OF Mr Arthur Knight OF Grays-Inne, Gentleman; WHO Was Executed in the Covent-Garden the Second day of March, 1652.  
London, Printed for Tho: Heath at his shop in russel-street, near the Piazza's of Covent-Garden.   

The Speech of Mr Arthur Knight of Grays-Inn, Gentleman; who was Executed in Covent-Garden, March 2. 1653.  
Gentlemen,  
I Am come hither to Act, or rather suffer my part, no strange part, though a sad one, I hearty wish I could perform it perfectly, and to the life, as becometh my innocence; that the shamefullnesse of the Stage might not cause me to make an unhandsome Exit.  
I stand here before the Allseeing God, I speak before Angels, unto men, I shall not therefore increase my sins by dissembling them; upon the Files of heaven hang the records of every truth; and I will not as a man, I dare not as a Christian spend my last breath in falsities; let the world form what Judgement of me it pleaseth.  
I am now to suffer upon a score of murder, a foul and heavy score, were I guilty thereof: but it is my comfort, that though I die as criminous, both myself and very many others are fully convinced of my innocence: yea Mistress Furnefall herself (Relict of the Gentleman for whose death I die) hath confessed to more than a few, that she esteemed me guiltless, and that her conscience would not suffer her to prosecute against me, and that for her own part she did not, and was sorry from her very heart that others had been so violent, and that she would redeem me if she could by any means possible. But my fall is unavoidable, the crime is murder, for which I am cast and sentenced, and now brought hither to forfeit my life, I thank God although I stand not Justified before my earthly Judges, I do fall justified before my heavenly Judg.  
Gentlemen, I am now going to my Trial, the Trial I have passed is none; death is but the Beadle that brings me to the celestial Bar, To that Tribunal I hasten; that though I be condemned as a guilty person in foro Soli; I may be acquitted in foro Poli.  
I carry with me many witnesses and good, a good conscience is Mille testes, and whilst a thousand witnesses stand for me, I am sure I cannot finally miscarry. That Judge above proceedeth by an unerrable and most conspicuous light; he knoweth things as they are, not as they appear, and therefore cannot be misinformed, or mistaken in his sentence.  
Truly, Sirs, though I suffer as a murderer, (besides the acquittance of my own conscience) no one here present of greenest years and reason, will think me guilty, if at least he knew, that at the time when the Gentleman was wounded, my sword was in a readiness; wherewith if my intents had been murderous, I might easily have clapped him through without venturing my own life or liberty. I had then a sword by my side, but made no use of it; nay, I did not so much as draw it, nor attempt to draw it: had I harboured any bloody revenge, or had I intended him ill, or death, I could, yea I should have drawn it.  
What ever provocation was given me, (and indeed I had enough) I had yet no premeditation of evil unto this person; nor did I lodge in my breast any malice against him; I wished him no harm, for I scarce ever saw the Gentleman before; what affection he did bear towards me, I know not, God knows: but I conceive his craziness within, the neglect of timely physic, or the ignorance of the assistants, hath precipitated his and my death. I hope, good people, none of you think me so bad a Christian, as now in the last period and article of my life, to dissemble my guilt if I were inwardly convinced. I beseceh you allow me who am upon the marches of death, so far your credit and good opinion, that if my innocence cannot rescue me from this punishment, it may yet preserve my memory from common prejudice and scandal.  
True indeed I am a man obnoxious to many faults and failings, and as a sinner I need a great allowance of pardon for youthful frailties & offences. But I am taught to believe that in this life there is no perfection or exemption from sin; and I hope that in the merciful balance of the Almighty, I am found passable and currant for heaven. I would have none believe I excuse myself from crime, I only profess myself innocent from the sin of murder, that imputation for which I now suffer. The greatest matter that troubles my peace, is this, that the misfortune of untimely death should defeat me and deceive my parents of the glad expectation they conceived of me: I had most dear and tender parents, and they of me a dutiful son, and they hoped to be once happy in my welfare having bestowed upon me qualities, travel and learning, expecting at the hand of Providence the harvest of their pains and expenses. But God the supreme and sole arbiter of life and death, who hath the conduct of all actions & ends, hath suffered them to be disappointed of their hopes, & me of my desires of compensating their large charges and care. These things thou permittest, O Lord, that all of us might learn to submit and fear. I submit therefore (O thou Father of infinite mercies) to thy good pleasure to this my premature death, this ignominious death, enable me (most gracious Father) to despise the shame, endure the cross, and to wade through this sea of blood unto the shore of everlasting happiness. Lo, O Lord, I come, I come unto thee, because thou bidst me come, because thou drawest me.  
Alas; I had almost forgotten somewhat essential to my own duty, and my brother's security, to wit the clearing of my brother Thomas Knight from all guilt in this unfortunate Action, I hope my life doth satisfy the law, and expiate the offence, however I am bound in conscience to declare that not any part of this matter can be justly charged upon him, for I protest by the faith of a dieing man, he is as free from it, as I am reputed guilty: he had no hand at all in this fact.  
Concerning my faith, I need not speak many words it having been never doubted, only thus much I shall profess, that I die in the faith wherein I always lived, and into which I was baptised, to wit the faith of the Church of England, that established faith I die in, whereof I have lately made profession to some persons of honour, who were intimate to my last preparations.  
And now oh Jesus witness for me, that what measure soever I have received, I die peaceably and in charity with all men, I forgive all my enemies, and am more favourable to my Judges, than they have been to me, Lord, let not the least drop of my blood stand upon their account: blood oh Lord lies heavy, yet thou knowest that therein I have a conscience full of serenity and Calmness.  
Lord receive my soul, my soul I resign unto thee, I trust it with thee, thou art a faithful Creator and keeper.  
Lord Jesus receive my soul.  
FINIS.   

AN ELEGY On the Execution of Mr. ARTHUR KNIGHT.  

AS Socrates, because he durst defy  
Plurality of Gods, was forced to die:  
Yet when his friends bewailed his unjust fate,  
Incurred for noble Truth, and Popular hate;  
He gladly said, Who would not be content  
Rather than guilty, to fall innocent?  
So injured Arthur, since thy blameless mind  
Hath purged thine hands, and inward parts refined,  
Since thy unshackeled conscience disdains  
Gild woven Fetters, or heart-binding Chains:  
(For vile intents may stamp good actions, ill,  
But no man can be had against his will;)  
We must thy death a persecution call,  
And more a Sacrifice, than Funeral:  
The Altar of thy breast being free from dress,  
Makes the Line, Fillets; and the Tree a Cross;  
Whereon thy former crimes did offerings lie,  
That so thy soul uncloged might climb the Skit.  
None while he lives his own Cause justly Tries;  
Each proves his own best Judge yet, when he dies.   
FINIS.