THE SPEECH Of Colonel JOHN SARES,  
Delivered at the place of Execution on the tenth of this instant Month at Chester: With his Protestation, That if he had a head of Hair as big as Absalon, and every hair as strong as Samson, he would spend them all for the good and honour of His KING.  
Likewise, the Charge of High Treason read against him at the Bar, for adhering to Charles the TWO; And his Declaration upon the Ladder: Together with his triumphant Speech when the Rope was put over his Neck, saying; What a gallant mourning Ribbon is this, which I wear for the true Loyalty I bear to my KING.  
London, Printed for G. HORTON. 1652. 1651   

A Speech made by Colonel John SARES at the place of Execution, in the Marketplace at Westchester; who after a Trial before a Council of War, received Sentence to be hanged upon a Gallows, for levying Forces against the Common Wealth of England, and assisting the King of Scots against the Parliament.  
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 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, & more than convenient drinking, which is incident to too many men, and the Mother & 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 lost grief or trouble to me, but rather occasions triumph and joy, 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 Hallelujaes 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 M. Pack (the Minister) to sing a Psalm, and after wards to pray with him; which done, he turned towards the Ladder, and seeing it somewhat too short, he said Jacob dreamt of a Laddrr which 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 to Heaven, and be brought to my happy journey's end. Then he gave the Executioner 3 li. and as he went up the Ladder entreated his friends not to weep for him, saying, That he was full of inward comfort, and freely forgave his Enemies,; And (saith he) although they intended evil to me, yet they have done me much good, in taking me out of a sinful world, and out of a distressed Kingdom, and s●o●n distracted people, and send●n, 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, & 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 undantedly 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. I have ever lived, and die a Protestant, and so far 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.  
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 mourning 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 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.  
But that which was thought very strange, and never observed in any, none of the spectators could perceive any motion, or stirring of either hand or foot, or the least appearance of pain in undergoing the same.   

This Mr. Sares was taken in Cheshire, since the late fight at Worcester, and immediately committed to safe custody; but upon the 7. instant he was brought to a Trial before a Court Marshal, where the Judge Advocate (in the name of the whole Court) read the Charge of High Treason exhibited against him; declaring, That he stood impeached of Treason against the Commonwealth of England, for abetting, and adhering to Charles Stuart, and holding correspondency with the Enemies of this Nation.  
After reading of the Charge, the Court proceeded to sentence, viz. That he must return to the prison from whence he came, and from thence to the place of execution, there to suffer the pangs of Death, by being hanged upon the Gallows.  
At the pronouncing of this sentence, he seemed to smile, saying,  

Gentlemen,  
ALthough I am sentenced by man, yet Gôd hath adjudged and designed me to this Death; and 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, but rather occasions alacrity, cheerfulness, and comfort, that I am accounted worthy, although by the basest of deaths, to suffer for my Dread Sovereign Lord and King.   
He was executed on the 10 instant, being the flower (for stature) of England, Scotland, and Ireland; for he was two yards and a quarter complete in height.   
FINIS.