A TRUE DESCRIPTION OF THE BIRTH, EDVcation, Life and Death OF William Ward,  
ALIAS Walker, alias Waller, alias Slaughter, who was borne in Cumberland, and executed at Tyburn the 26, of july 1641.  
With his Confession at the place of Execution.  
LONDON, Printed by T. H. for Francis Coules in the Old Bailey, 1641.   

A true Description of the birth, education, life, and death of William Ward, Who was executed at Tyburn the 26. of july 1641.  
'tIs generally observed that where God bestows the best gifts, there, for the most part the worst use is made of them: There is seldom any virtue that is not attended on, if not over-luld by some vice. God bestows on some wit, learning, knowledge, wisdom, valour, and many more heavenly gifts in a more ample manner then on others, who being left over to themselves, these graces tend rather to their ruin and destruction, then to their comfort here and eternal salvation hereafter, as many examples in these present times sufficiently testify. I could speak of the Earl of Strafford, who was endued with more than ordinary virtues, and yet that first and damned sin Ambition did so overweigh his good parts in the scales of Justice, that it rendered him odious and contemptible to three Kingdoms, cut off his life untimely, branded him with the just name of Traitor, and corrupted the blood of his innocent posterity: but it would be needless to instance in any other examples then of this jesuite, whose birth, education, life, and death was as hereafter is expressed.  
He was the son to one Master Robert Ward, a gentleman of good repute, who lived in Cumberland, and though a younger brother, and borne to small fortunes, he matched with a rich widow, who had a jointure of some hundred pounds per annum, on whom he begot this William Ward, who until he was fourteen years of age he was educated in the best Schools of Religion and Learning that that Country afforded, where he profited exceedingly, and surpassed (if credit may be given to common report) his friends expectations. He was no sooner fourteen years of age but he was more able and fit to instruct then to learn of his Country Schoolmaster; whereupon, his Father seeing him so capable and industrious withal, sent him to be further edoctrinated in a very famous School at Leeds in Yorkshire, where he remained until he was eighteen year of age, by which time he perfectly attained the Latin and Greek tongues, and could discourse as familiarly in them as in his native tongue. His Father being sensible of his admirable ingenuity was very desirous to make him a Scholar, and he affecting no course of life but that, was sent to Oxford, and there admitted a Student of Brazen-nose College, where he continued for the space of seven years, during which time he was generally accounted the ablest Disputant that College contained: His fallacies would seem real Syllogisms, and like a true Sophister would wind his arguments which way he pleased, to the astonishment of his antagonists: In which time his Father and Mother both died, so that he was then destitute of means to maintain him any longer at the University: whereupon he was forced to seek his fortunes; and then repaired to London, where he remained in expectation of some preferment for the space of half a year, in which time all his means was spent, and he no way advantaged his fortunes. That then by accident he happened into the company of one Master Dutton a welsh gentleman, who was to travel into Spain only for pleasure sake, and to see the fashions of those Countries, and promised to bear the charges of him the said William Ward, if he would go over with him; which proffer was most gladly accepted of.  
That the said William Ward all his life time until he came acquainted with the said Master Dutton was conformable to the Church of England, and a very good Protestant. But the said Master Dutton being a Roman Catholic (though at first unknown to the said William Ward) in the space of seven years converted him from a good member and supporter of the Church to be a demolisher of the same. He that before could withstand and oppose the arguments of his adversaries, is now confuted with an erroneous reason. In brief, he is a most idolatrous Papist, an adorer of Saints and Angels, and a most superstitious worshipper of the Lord in, at, and before Images.  
Afterwards he returned into England and came to London, where (as he confessed) he lodged at a Priest's house in Saint Giles in the fields, where finding cold entertainment, thought it his best course to repair to the Papists Sanctuary Rome, and then was admitted into the Pope's presence, who approving his learning and his jealous affectation of idolatry, bestows preferments and all the degrees upon him belonging to a jesuite, and finding him a fit member for his purpose, sends him again into England, to seduce Protestants to his Antichristian Religion, promiseth him rewards for his sedulity and diligence, dispensations and pardons, for any sin how heinous soever.  
He is now returned into England, he lodged sometimes in Coventgarden, in Bowstreet, and resorted much to all places where there was a general concourse of people and discourses with them as he found occasion, he would not lose the least opportunity, but would sound the affections of people, and learn how they were inclined, and accordingly he would fit his discourse.  
By these means he seduced many, and constantly every month changed his name, lodging and habit, so that it was almost impossible to take him tardy in his dangerous enterprises; but the quick eye of the blessed Parliament, that like the sun sends it lustre through the least cranny, and with its vigilancy finds out things intended for obscurity, amongst other enormities espies this caterpillar, whereupon he was according to Law of this land accused and convicted of high treason, and found guilty of these and many more illegal courses tending wholly to the ruin of religion, and the prejudice of the common Wealth, which would be too tedious to relate in this small volume, wherefore I refer you to his examination and confession.  
For which offences he was executed at Tyburn the six and twentieth day of july 1641. in this manner, first he was hanged upon the tree, and when he was half dead his body was ripped, and his heart, his bowels and privy members were thrown into the fire, with a general acclamation God save the King, and then his limbs were severed from his body, and order given to be hanged upon the City gates, to the everlasting glory of God, joy of good Christians, and shame and confusion of that bloody and superstitious sect of Rome.  

The true confession of the said Ward at Tyburn.  
HE standing in the cart with the rope about his neck, was desired to confess and lay open his confession, and he then confessed he had been a Priest these twenty and four years, and that he would die in that religion, and that he should be canonised for a Martyr, and he h●ld it a meritorious act of salvation to seduce people, which he had done all the time he had been a Priest  
And they desiring him to mention some particular people he had seduced, and the means he used to seduce them; confessed that when he lay in Cursitors Alley he seduced a man's wife, and endeavoured to seduce her husband, who he found very tractable, but so unconstant, that he thought he was of all religions, and being desired to tell their names he would not by any means.  
He confessed likewise that he was an intelligencer of the French of all the news happening here in England; and withal solemnly protested, that if his enlargement were offered him on the condition to turn Protestant he would not accept of it; for he was sure of s●lvation through his own merits, and that he saw the blessed Virgin in heaven interceding for him.  
His confession being ended, he drew out of his pocket a long wallet purse, wherein was great store of money; and called a particular person to him, unto whom he gave the same, and gave him a charge to dispose of it according to his former directions.  
The hangman hearing him blaspheme so, bade drive on the cart: the jesuit crossed himself, and loudly invocated on the Virgin Mary, until his breath was stopped.  
FINIS.