The chief Heads of Mr. John Sares Speech, and other passages at the time of his Execution at West-Chester; he being the portliest man the three Kingdoms afforded, whose Coffin was two yards and a half in length, yet too short to contain his Corpse; he suffered the 20 th'. day of October, 1651.  
GEntlemen and Friends, I am here come, and now ready to pay and suffer that Death which my good God hath appointed for me, to his glory, and my own good, humbly confessing the same due to me for my sins; I look upon it as from him, though instrumentally by man.  
I here hearty acknowledge, that I have spent the prime of my age too much in vain Company-keeping, and more than convenient drinking, which is incident to too many men, and the Mother and Nurse of all mischief.  
And likewise have broken, and, which troubleth me most, despised that loyal knot of Matrimony; but I bless my God, I have after very much grief of heart, remorse, and true sorrow for the same, and wrestling with my gracious and good God, through the merits of Christ and his intercession, obtained pardon, and received comfort.  
But beloved friends, I am not sentenced by man, nor yet his power hath adjudged me to this Death, but God designed me to it; for this, nay this use I rather make of it, that the only motives and chief cause of sentencing me to this end, is not the least grief or trouble to me, but rather occasions Alacrity, cheerefulness & comfort, that I am accounted worthy, although by the basest of deaths, to suffer for my King; notwithstanding others of honour, have received noble deaths which could not be denied them; yet it matters not the manner of the end, whilst I have an assurance, that I, and all that have preceded me by what death soever, or shall hereafter suffer for the same cause, shall arrive at the Haven of Celestial joy, and ever sing Haleluiaes' to him that sitteth upon the Throne for evermore.  
The word of God requireth, Fear God, and honour the King; in the former I have been too remiss and neglected too too often, the Lord forgive me; nay he will, he hath forgiven me: And for the latter, my obeisance to my Liege Lord, and Sovereign King Charles the first, and after him, Charles the second; I was never censured, or in the least tainted; but you see sentenced by the contrary Party for the same: I was always for them in life, and am so still, I die for them; Nay I here profess, that if I had a head of Hair as big as Absalon's, and every hair as strong as Samson; And if I were to live as many Methusalaes' lives as I have hairs on my head, I would spend them all for the good and honour of my King.  
Then he desired Mr. Pack to sing a Psalm, and after to pray with him, which done, he turned towards the Ladder, and seeing it somewhat too short; he said Jacob dreamt of a Ladder that reached up to Heaven; what this Ladder wants in length, I hope by the support of God's Spirit, and his holy Angels, I shall be conveyed and carried to Heaven, and be brought to my happy journeys end. Then he gave a Gratuity to the Executioner: and as he went up the Ladder, he entreated his Friends not to weep for him, saying he was full of inward comfort. But he desired all to pray for him, saying he forgave all the world, and those that had a hand in bringing him thither; declaring himself in these expressions, they intended evil to me, but they have done me much good in taking me out of a sinful World, and out of a distressed Kingdom, and from a distracted people, and sending me sooner to the Haven of happiness, the haven of eternal and everlasting rest.  
Now some may imagine, that death doth work a terror and fear within me, and that I am afraid to die; I must confess the last night, the fear of death, and the amazement it brought unto me, and loathness to leave this World, troubled me very much; But I bless my God, I was comforted, encouraged, and well resolved before the day appeared, that I durst look Death undauntedy in the face; and as I trust God with my Soul, so I leave and commit my Children to his Gracious and Fatherly protection: All that is mine I leave unto them, hoping of God's goodness and blessing upon them, desiring the same with my soul.  
I ever have lived, and die a Protestant, and so fare as I ever conceived and verily believe, the late King, as also this, were ever Protestants, and stood for the Protestant Religion: and therefore I was for him who is not; and for him, for whose cause I now die, praying to God to bless him wheresoever he is or goeth.  
And now good Soldiers I thank you for your civilities towards me, and I entreat you to see that my poor Son, and the rest of my Children may not suffer after me, or on this manner, but let them have what is mine.  
And looking towards his acquaintance, he said; I desire you to remember me to my dear Mother, and all my Friends, I pray God bless and comfort her, and all them.  
Then he said to the Executioner, friend, when I hold up my hands, do thy Office; and as he put the Rope over his head, he with expressions of joy said; what a Gallant morning Ribbon is this which I wear for the sake of my King.  
Then he made many short heavenly ejaculations, praying earnestly, and saying, Lord I beseech thee wash my soul clean in the blood of thy dear Son my blessed Saviour from all my sins; I shall (said he) be by and by be with thee, I shall enjoy the blessed presence of thee my gracious God, my dear Saviour, and all the holy Saints.  
Then he entreated his Friends, not to suffer the Executioner to pull him by the Legs, when the Ladder was turned, or to use any violent means, as is usual to put him sooner out of his pain; for said he, I desire to suffer the pains of this death whatsoever it be; nay if it were ten thousand times more for my sins, and to wait upon my God, till he deliver my soul out of this mortal body.  
Then he prayed again, and said, into thy hands o Lord Jesus my blessed Saviour, I commend my Spirit; and so he held up his hands, and the Executioner did his Office accordingly.  
And that which was thought very strange, and never observed in any, none of the beholders could perceive any motion, or stirring of either hand or Foot, or the least appearance of pain in undergoing the same.  
FINIS.