A SPEECH OF THOMAS MERCER, Merchant, Spoken a little before his death, being executed in the Parish of S. Mildred, near the Poultry, the 27. of May. 1645.  
wherein is set forth, 

1. His sins against God,  
2. The Cause of God's judgement still among us, &  
3. His advice to his Wife.    
LONDON, Printed by Peter Cole at the sign of the Printing Press in Cornhill, near the Royal Exchange, 1645.   

A Speech of THOMAS MERCER, Merchant, spoken a little before his death, being executed in the parish of S. Mildred near the Poultry the 27. of May, 1645.  
IT is observable, that the actions of dying men are most remarkable, and I conceive here are many good people does expect I should say something concerning my latter end; I must confess it has been my chiefest aim, to apply my heart unto wisdom, and to make my peace with my God, whom I have so highly offended, both in thought word, and deed: If you should ask what those sins are, I should answer; that for number they would put the best Arethmitician past his account, for they are innumerable; more than the sands on the Seashore, for their weight intolerable, not to be borne, neither by men nor Angels; but by the imputative Righteousness of my blessed Saviour, who I hope hath nailed them to his Cross, hide them in his wounds, and bathed them in his most precious blood, that they may neither shame me here, or condemn me hereafter: I must confess I have searched my heart-from one corner to the other; and left no place unsearched, nor sin I hope unrepented of; although the world may judge of me, and that scandallously it matters not; I wave it, as S. john saith, They judge but according to outward appearance, I believe they are such as have Argus' eyes, that pry into other men's faults, and sentens them but few of them have Cornelius hands to cherish and comfort them whom they judge; but as our Saviour saith, judge not, lest ye be judged; for my part I hearty forgive them all, the Lord in mercy forgive them. I shall only leave unto them this lesson of a servant of Christ's, that would never look upon any man's fault with one eye, but would presently reflect upon himself with the other eye: and say thus, in this my vile heart, remains this sin, which without the special grace of God, I should have committed. Blood I know is a crying sin, and the vengeance of God due to it, if not truly repent of, but I know that by true repentance, and humiliation and lively faith to lay hold one the merits of jesus Christ, he is both able and will wash away my sins in his precious blood, therefore not to despair but steadfastly to lay hold on the precious promises that he hath made to all true penitents be their sins never so great or many, but he will pardon them, therefore I raise these as comforts to myself of his mercy unto great sinners Manasses that made Ci●les to run down with blood, Peter that denied his Master, Saul that persecuted the Church, David that sinned in a big nature, yet upon true repentance obtained mercy, not that I presume upon these because they sinned and repent, therefore I should be saved, but Lord grant me true repentance for mine own sins, for I know I shall not suffer for other men's sins, nor be saved by another man's righteousness, for as our Saviour saith concerning them one whom the Tower of Siloam fell except ye repent ye shall also likewise perish. And therfare I shall desire of you all good people your charitable opinion of me, and your prayers for me as long as I shall live here in this life, & though the rigour of the Law hath taken hold of me, more than of others, God knows my heart, I speak not against any favour others have received, for as we say Lex nervae republicae, and 'tis well known, to the greatest Lawyers the Law is the nerves and sinews of the Commonwealth And without the Law there could be no communion amongst men, but when justice shall be perverted, when the Law says it is so, and the judge says it is so, according to Law: and yet judgement pass contrary to Law, it makes me not wonder then, and indeed the more not to wonder, that when God's judgements and heavy ones to are upon us, when we are she-thing one another's Swords in one another's bowels, and yet we fast and pray, and humble ourselves. Yet no judgement diverted: but rather increased what's the reason! lay it to bear't I beseech you, justice is turned backward, it hath cast of the veil from of her face and respecteth one more than another, this is not Godlike, who hath no respect of persons, but the soul that sinneth is to die. We have fasted indeed but how, as the Lord complains in the 58. Esay to strife, and to debate, and smite with the fist of wickedness, to taking of bribes. But I pray God establish your laws in the right meaning of them, & you that are judges, follow the example of that in the 2 Cro. 19 6. 7. That judges take heed what they do, for you judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in Judgement: wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you, take heed, and do it, for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no respect of persons, nor taking of gifts, as I shall answer before God, that the accident that happened, for which I now die, I had no prepension, or intended malice against any man, but I blame none, I forgive them all, the Lord forgive them in mercy, psa. 116. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and supplication, because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live, the sorrows of death compassed me and the pains of hell got hold upon me, I found trouble and sorrow, than called I upon the name of the Lord. Oh Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul, gracious is the Lord, and righteous, yea our God is merciful, the Lord preserveth the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me, return unto his rest O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee, for thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling, I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living, I believe, therefore have I spoken; I was greatly afflicted; I said in my haste all men o'er liars, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? I will take the cup of salvation, and will call upon the name of the Lord, I will pay my vows now unto the Lord, in the presence of all this people, precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of his Saints. O Lord truly I am thy servant, and the Son of thine hand maid, thou hast loosed my bonds, I will offer up unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord: I will pay my vows now unto the Lord in the presence of all this people, in the Courts of the Lords own house, in the midst of thee oh jerusalem praise we the Lord.  
Oh most gracious, eternal, everliving, and ever loving Lord God, and my most merciful Father in jesus Christ for his sake have mercy upon my poor soul. Oh thou just judge of all the world have mercy upon me: oh holy and blessed Spirit have mercy upon me: oh holy blessed and glorious Trinity have mercy upon me, & cleanse me from all my sins of what nature or degree soever; Lord thou knowest my private humiliations prayers and tears before thee though in much weakness, yet accept them from the most unworthiest of all thy servants: I pray thee deal not with me after my sins, neither reward me after mine iniquities: Lord I am hearty sorry for my sins, and am grieved that I can be no more sorrowful, but o, specially I am grieved that I have offended, so good, so gracious and so merciful a Father, so loving a Saviour Oh forgive me that I have grieved thy Holy Spirit, that from time to time hath suggested such good motions into my heart, oh I have slighted them, and slighted, Thy word, Sacraments, and Sabbath, all thine ordinances: I beseech thee Holy Father, for jesus Christ his sake, lay not those sins to my charge; and I beseech you good people take warning by me of slighting the means of salvation, which I fear hath been the main cause, that the Lord hath been pleased to lay his afflicting hand upon me, which I confess, I have justly deserved; and therefore desire hearty to be forgiven; the good Lord forgive me; and sanctify his afflictions unto me, and to all good people; for I know that affliction come by the Almighty providence of God: but S. Paul comforts them, that suffers afflictions here in this life; if we bear them patiently, we shall receive an eternal wait of glory hereafter, which God of his infinite mercy grant unto all afflicted persons, in what place, or case soever, especially in this kingdom, And herein and above the rest, let us pray for the Kings most excellent Majesty, Lord as thou hast graced him with a Crown, so crown him with thy grace, bless his noble Consort, Queen Mary: And Lord as thou hast made them both of one flesh so make them both of one spirit in truth, in the Protestant Religion. Bless our hopeful Prince Charles, with the rest of that Royal Progeny. Lord bless the Parliament, unite the King, and his great Council together, for the good and peace of this Kingdom. Lord heal the distractions of the people; and Lord if it be thy will sheathe up thy devouring sword, settle we pray thee this unnatural war, that thy people may embrace one another in bonds of peace, and not in effusion of blood, and in thy good time stop this issue of blood, & turn the stream of that into the bosom of thine, & thy people's enemies; bless I beseech thee all good people here present, Lord bless all my kindred & acquaintance. Lord I beseech thee bless my dear wife and children, whom I ever loved with a real inward, and unfeigned affection, though I confess I have not been so careful as I ought to have been. Lord lay not this sin to my charge; & I beseech thee set not any offence of mine stain any of them by any outward scandal or reproach, but bless them all I hearty beseech thee, for out of the deapths have I called unto thee Lord, hear my voice, and let my cry come up unto thee, for if thou shouldst mark what is done amiss, who could stand before thee; therefore with David in thee 119. Psal. I pray remove from me reproach, and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies, thou hast taught us O Lord, whereby a young man shall cleanse his way, that is by taking heed unto thy word. Grant Lord I beseech thee, that all young men here present may take heed, & learn this lesson, that by my example they fall not into the like errors I have done, which hath been the cause that God hath taken me in the flower and strength of my years, and taken me from my dear wife & children, the Lord bless them, and provide for them, and I believe the Lord will according to his promise in the 68 Psal. 6. The Lord set the solitary in families, and he brings out those that are bound with chains, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land: and in the 37. Psal. He hath promised not to forsake the righteous, nor suffer his seed to beg their bread. And here I shall desire all my loving neighbours, that they would give this causion of comfort unto my dear wife: my direction is that in the first place she seek jesus Christ and to lay hold one him by a lively faith, to seek to him by prayer, to hear often his word, & as often as opportunity permits to receive the Sacrament, & all in sincerity of heart, I speak not this as if these things were wanting in her, but that she should persist as she hath begun to her lives end. And my soul for thine thou wilt be prosporous here and everlastingly happy hereafter. I pray God bless my poor tender babes, and I pray dear wife to thy power, (for I know thou lovest them,) to bring them up in the rudiments of learning especially of Religion and the Lord bless it to them, and make them obdient children to thee, And I in●reat thee be wary of giving them the raines at first, for to muuh indulgency being perceived does encourage young twigs to sprout up like the Ivy which surrounds the oak and binds it as it were at its command, therefore while they are green be careful of them, and fo●low Sollomans' rule in the. II. Prov 6. te●ch a Child when he is young in the way that he shoould walk, and ●hen he is old he will not departed from it, and I pray thee comfort thy sealfe in the Lord although the time be hard & charity be cold, it matters not if you rely upon him you cannot want, the Lord knows saith S. james what is best for you, as I told you before you have his promise in .37. Psa. &. 67. 6. he sets the solitary in families, and though he do afflict by gentle means it is for our good, for as David saith, it was well for me that I was afflicted, for before I went astray; and the Apostle saith, Flagelum omnem filium quem recipit, he whips every Son whom he receiveth; therefore take Crosses as comforts, they are true symptoms of Christians, if so sanctified unto them as we have been taught, that the Cross is an unseparable companion of a Christian, and for my part I never read of any of the dear Children of Christ, but have suffered afflictions by one means or oother. And though they seem tedious and irksome here; yet by the providence of God unto whom they are sanctified, they are joys in sadness, lights in darkness, Heaven in hell, but here heed must be taken, that affliction; must be seriously laid to heart, and grounded upon the right princill from whence we receive them. We must not bear them in ostentation, or in imaginary shows, that pleases not God, & therefore we must labour to know whether they be from God or not, and there be several signs, by which they may be known first if we bear them patiently, & that for Christ who suffered patiently for us. 2. They must be borne willingly, submitting to the will of our Heavenly Father as Christ did 3. They must be borne comfortably, not as punishment, but as pledges of God's favour seeing then that God is pleased to deal with us as with his dearest Servants, how thankful ought we to be, & ready always to embrace them here, that we may find the comfort of them hearafter, for David knew well enough that the Lord would maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor, psal. 140. 12. And therefore it matters not what my fellow actors upon the stage of this world say, God is the great spectator that beholds the secrets of every man's heart, & therefore I wave all relations of this world, & role myself upon my chief Rock, my saviour jesus Christ and with David I shall pray, Lord let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee, according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed, to die and Lord I return unto thee from the bottom of my heart all humble & hearty thanks for that great & inestimable providenc over me, forgiving me so long and so large a time of repentance, that when men would have destroyed me, even as it were in a moment before i might have time to send up one sorrowful groan unto thee for my sins, and that i had ofended so gracious a God.  
Yet even thou Lord, hadst compassion on me, and liftest me up, Oh what shall I render unto thee for all thy benefits towards me. I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord as long as I live. Oh Lord hear my prayer, and have mercy upon me a poor sinner, accept of me in jesus Christ. Sweet jesus plead thy merits for me to thy Father, who hath made full satisfaction for all my sins, and for the sins of all those that truly lay hold on thee, Lord yet strengthen my faith that nothing may separate me from thee, neither life nor death, nor any thing may separate me from the love of God, which is in Christ jesus my Lord, and only Saviour, who sitteth at the right hand of God making intercession f●r all that are weary, and heavy laden with their sins: now Lord I come unto thee, where I shall receive everlasting joy, and comfort: Oh I beseech thee accept of my poor person and prayers now before thee. And though death look grim, one nature, yet by thy grace, it is advantage unto all thine Elect, for thou hast broken the bars of death, and of hell; and therefore through thy merits, I meet death, as a Bride groom doth his Bride, with joy and comfort, and that through jesus Christ my Lord, and only Saviour, in whose blessed name and words I conclude my imperfect prayers, in that absolute form of prayer which be himself hath taught us, saying, Our Father, etc.  
FINIS