THE CONFESSION OF Mr. HUMPHREY MARSTON,  
And his Speech at the place of Execution in Aldersgate-street on Monday last, being the 21 of August, 1654.  
With a Narrative of the whole Transactions of the business, in relation to his Trial, Charge, Conviction, and Condemnation.  
The Name of him who betrayed him: And the manner how he disputed Canon house near Windsor, with a great party of horse before he was taken.  
Aug. 21 London, Printed for G. Horton, 1654.   

An exact Relation of the Life and Death of Mr. Marston, who received the fatal sentence at the Sessions in the Old Bayley, to be hanged by the neck till he was dead, in Aldersgate street, on Monday the 21 of this instant August: Together with his speech at the place of execution.  
THere is a Maxim, That the Law delighteth in certainty, and it doth abandon incertainty, as the Mother of all debate and confusion; than which, there is nothing more odious in Law; for God himself ruleth by Law, Eternal, Moral, and Natural; they have certainty in them, and he ruleth not otherwise, or contrary to them. And can it be imagined, that there is a Mortal living, that will think it a diminution to his honour, if men choose the Law for their Sanctuary, rather than their changeable Affections, and mutable Will and Pleasure?  
But we shall not insist upon any thing by way of Circumstance; but rather interwove his life and conversation, with his present sufferings, to wit, He was a Gentleman of known and faithful integrity to the Weal-publike of this Nation: Nothing too dear did he prize, to purchase his Country's liberty from tyranny and slavery: No means was left unassayed for the recovering of the Freeborn people of England from the Norman Yoke; And nothing did he esteem, or hold in competition less, than the exposing of his life and fortunes, for the regaining of his Native Country's Liberties. For, as he was a cordial and precious Christian, free from the wicked and abominable Vices of swearing, drinking, defrauding, etc. so was he soldier of a most magnanimous and puissant spirit, never dreading the face of th' … 〈…〉 Enemy that ever durst attempt a Charge … t him; but always laying of himself forth 〈◊〉 the Common-cause of public freedom. And whereas some are pleased to give out, that he was apprehended for Clipping and Coining, it appears evident to the contrary, by the Sentence of Death pronounced against him at the Sessions in the Old-bayley, where no such Bill of Indictment was exhibited against him; nor no process in Law, but only upon the Account of killing the two Messengers in Aldersgate-street; which he did in his own defence; as appears by the subsequent matter in his speech following. And as it may seem strange to many, how he came now to be apprehended, the Work being done about 4 years ago: The truth on't is, it was revived and discovered by one Barefoot, who had incurred the displeasure of Authority, and should (probably) have died for it; but only a pardon was granted upon the revealing of this Gentleman: In pursuance whereof, a party of horse were sent to Canon house to apprehend him, (where many blows passed between them) and from thence brought up to Newgate, most amen ably shot and mortified; and at the Sessions tried, convicted, and condemned, to be hanged in Aldersgate-street, where he made this ensuing Speech.  

The Speech.  
Gentlemen,  
I Am this day borough hither to my place of marriage, where (within the space of few minutes) I doubt not but I shall be espoused and wedded to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and there to sing Hallelujah with the Saints in Heaven, who languish & mourn at the selfish and by-ends of the Creature here on earth; for indeed Injustice discontents a people, and Discontents are the ordinary foundations that Changes are laid upon: And as for my part, prosperity I wish to this Commonwealth, and freely forgive all those who have been Instrumental to make me an Actor of so strange a Tragedy, and Theatre of Death; However, I doubt not, but providence will enable, support, and assist me, to act my part both as a Soldier and a Christian; for why should I fear that, which I have often looked in the face: No Gentlemen 〈…〉 dread not, neither do I fear what man can 〈…〉 … nst me: But some there are who thirst after my blood, and much good may it do them, the quantity will not be great. But alas! to have it taken f●om me upon the score of Murder, I do here protest my innocency; and that what I did upon that account, was in my own defence; as appears thus Gentlemen: Upon the coming of those three parties to me, whom I knew not, I demanded what they were, and from whence they came; but they denied me a Resolve, and one of them on a sudden steps to me, and sets his pistol to my breast, saying that I was his prisoner, and must go before the Council of State: whereupon I lifted up my harm, mounted his pistol, and it immediately fired over my should: which I perceiving forced my passage from them all; and so escaped; But as for the committing of mulder wilfully and violently, it was a thing I ever detested; for I do profess unto you Gentlemen, here in the presence of Almighty God, that I never wronged man woman, or child, of a penny in all my days; I never was guilty of the blood of any man, but in the public Cause of this Nation, which was to preserve & maintain the fundamental Law of the Land, the glory of the Gospel 〈…〉 Freedoms of the people; The which, with hearts imploring, and hands listed up to the most high God, both I, and many thousands in the Army, have vowed to maintain and keep inviolably; the Lord forgive them that have acted to the contrary. And so farewel Gentlemen all.   
Having ended his speech, he took his leave of his friends, and with a smiling countenance embraced the Rope, being not in the least dauted or terrified at Death; but cheerfully undergoing this great and transitory Change from a Guard of Halberds, to a Guard of Angels.  
And from this place of Execution, he was carried to the three Horseshoes in Goswel street; and from thence on Tuesday the 22 instant, to the new Church yard of Bethel, being accompanied by divers friends, to attend the Corpse.  
THE END.