THE arraignment, Iudgement, Confession, and Execution of humphrey Stafford Gentleman. Who on the tenth of this present month of june, 1607. suffered, at Saint Thomas of Waterings.  
 framed printer's device of Edward Allde, featuring a fleur-de-lis (McKerrow 270) 
IN DOMINO CINFIDO   
AT LONDON Printed by E. A. for A. I. and F. B.& are to be sold at the sign of the Flower-de-Luce and crown in Paules Church-yarde. 1607.   

To the World. Some special reasons for the publication hereof.  
1. THe worthy example of impartial Iustice in Dooming to death so heinous an offender, appears more perspicuouslye in him, being a Gentleman of high birth, and honorablie descended, then if it had been executed vpon a meaner offender.  
2. As he was a Gentleman of good birth, so his much company keeping could not choose but make his vicious life known unto many thousands, unto whom happily the report of his repentant death, might never come, it being as great and just a cause of his friends ioy and comfort, in that he made so godly an end, as it was a cause of grief and sorrow in that he lived so ungodly a life.  
3. That his fall may be a warning to al such as shal read it, to beware they run not such a race as he did, least thereby their lives bee shortened as his was.  
4. Because that some out of an error, either of their own hearing or understanding, haue given it out that he would haue dyed desperatelye, by casting himself from the Ladder, for the truth of which their assertion, they could not gather in all the time of his being upon the Ladder, any the least reason to induce then so to think, for so far was he from casting himself off, that not but by the strength of the Executioners arm, he could be turned off, because he would by no means be guilty of his own death.  
lastly, know that some more particulars of his arraignment and also of his Execution, I could haue set down, but the former with modesty cannot be well expressed here, although necessity constrained them to be uttered there, and the latter being things impertinent to this treatise, concerning his repentance, I willingly forbear: yet are neither so sparing touched, but that as much may be thereout gathered, as concerns either thee to know or me to writ.  
Farewell.   

The arraignment, conviction and Iudgement of Humfiey Stafford Gentleman at the Kings-Bench-Barre at Westminster. May the eleventh, and june the eight.  
ON the eleventh of May, 1607. was endighted at the Kings Bench-bar at Westminster, before the reverend Iudges there, humphrey Stafford Gent. &c. for that he had upon the third of May, in the year of our Lord 1606. unnaturally and feloniously, contrary to the laws of God and the King, used unlawful company with two Boyes,& had them carnaly known, the one of them name Richard Robinson, the other Nicholas cross, the one about the age of xvii. yeares, the other of xiii. or xiiii. yeres: The place of the fact committed, was at the said humphrey Staffords lodging, then in the Parish of Saint Andrewes in holborn, to which fact he pleaded not guilty, and for his trial, put himself vpon God and the country, whereupon for that day, he was returned again unto prison in the kings Bench in southwark, the place from whence he came, until the eight of june next following, at which time, the said humphrey Stafford was again called to his further answer.  
Being come unto the bar, his Inditement was again red, whereunto he had before pleaded not guilty, whereupon was presently empaneled a jury of Gentlemen for his trial: Then were called into the Court his accusers: to wit, the two Boyes, Robinson and cross, and one of their Father and Mother. Then M. Stafford being before their faces, the Boyes were asked whether they knew master Stafford to be the party whom they meant? they answered yea directly, whereupon an Oath was administered unto those four aforenamed, that they should speak the truth, and nothing but truth: The two boyes vpon their oaths did directly charge him with the fact, and the particulars therof: as the time when, the place where, the manner how, the circustances both precedent and consequent( which here for modesty sake I over pass.) The man and the Woman testified only some matters ensuing vpon the fact, for confirmation of the truth of the boys allegations, showing that the boyes had received hurt thereby,& that they were forced to use the help of a surgeon for their cure. master Stafford stil denied the fact, affirming and protesting that he was guiltless therein, excusing himself, that if he had offended it was in wine; but the jury after a little ●eliberation returned him guilty, whereupon one of the Iudges made an exhortation unto him, withall demanding what he could say for himself, wherefore iudgement should not be pronounced against him? Whereupon master Stafford desired three or four dayes respite before sentence were pronounced: for( said he) I haue some thing to speak, which for some causes unto myself known I cannot now utter. But the honourable bench being not satisfied with that dilatory answer, Iudgement was presently pronounced, That he should be conveyed from thence to the place of Execution, there to bee hanged till he were quiter dead. The sentence pronounced, the prisoner was returned back to the place from whence he came, where he remained until the 10. of the same month of june, being Wednesday following, in which time he disposed himself to God-ward, having made his will,& bequeathed his body to be butted in the Church of S. George in southwark.  
During the time of his being in Prison, the knowledge of his fact, and the report of the sentence pronounced against him, coming unto some Recusants in the Kings bench-prison, they studied much how they might separate him from the body of our Church, being a Gent. of good descent, unto which end they wrote a certain Letter unto him in latin, which was closely conveyed unto him, therein persuading him that there was no salvation in our Church, and that he should not admit of any of our Ministers to confer with him, but that he should be Confessed by some Seminarie Priest, which Letter master Stafford having received, shewed it unto some of his friends and being himself in conscience persuaded of the truth of our Religion, he acknowledged a detestation of the Romish faith and Religion, subscribed with his own hand, which was also witnessed by the presence of some others, present at the same time, some of them being men of reverend esteem, who with their own mouths reported it unto me, which makes me presume of the truth thereof, they being men of known good report, and such as I verily think, make conscience of speaking the least untruth wittinglye. Which thing I the rather mention, because the world may see how the Papists seek by al means possible, both in prison& out of prison, to withdraw his majesties Subiects from the truth of Religion, unto the acknowledgement of the false Doctrine of the whore of Babylon, and that they more especially labour with, and aim at men of great birth and calling, rather then mean Personages, whereby may be gathered that they do it more of policy then for Conscience sake.   

The Execution and confession of humphrey Stafford Gentleman, june the tenth, 1607, at saint Thomas of Waterings.  
THe day of his death being come, he prepared himself thereunto cheerfully, and at his setting forward, he called for a clean band,& other things, and being asked the reason why he regarded those things? oh said he, I am now going to a most joyful marriage. He obtained( by request) of master arundel,( the under Marshal of the kings Bench Prison) that he might go on foot to his death, who himself with master Cartwright minister of S. Georges Church( who had laboured much with him for his souls health) did also bear him company, having on the one side his Brother, and on the other side his Kinsman master William Stafford. And amongst others who accompanied him to his death, was lame master Paget,( a reverend Preacher of Gods word) who also administered him greatest comfort at his death, although not of purpose thereunto appointed, for master Paget having been at Detford the same day, in his return thence towards London, seeing many assembled at the ordinary place of Execution, he demanded of them the reason thereof, who answered that they expected the coming of master Stafford from the Kings Bench Prison to suffer there. Whereupon Master Paget( willing to do him good in that extremity) road presently unto the Kings Bench to Master Stafford, to yield him what comfort he could in that extreamite,& to prepare him rightly unto God.  
Whereupon master Stafford reaping much ioy by his ministering, desired his company to his death, whereunto he assented. master Stafford being come unto Saint Thomas of Waterings, at the first,( the throng being great) he seemed somewhat amazed, protesting that he never saw the like( for the weather was exceeding hot, and the press of people to behold his death, great.) The rushing and pushing of the people being slacked, master Paget was desired to come unto him, at whose coming, master Stafford presently said, master Paget is most welcome unto me, and he is a man whom I reverence with all my hart,& then immediately he began to make a general acknowledgement of his sins. Then said M. Faget, I pray you that you will satisfy the world for this fact, for which you are now to die, I desire not the particulars of it. M. Stafford replied with a loud voice, I aclowledge that I haue deserved death but yet I could not perform mine intention; whereat he bowed towards the Preacher, and other his friends, adding with a very low voice For I could not put it in Execution for drunkenness. Then M. Paget willed him to testify unto the world, whether he were not one of those Atheists of the world, who denied that there was a God? No, said he, although my former life misspent, might justly occasion this question to be moved, yet I utterly disclaim it, hoping to bee saved by the alone merits of Christ Iesus, and not by any merits of mine own: and although it may bee justly said that Humprey Stafford, lived a most wretched life, yet bear me witness I beseech you, that now I die a most repentant sinner.  
Then M Paget in this his agony and conflict for his sins, comforted him with the examples of many repentant sinners, who upon their true repentance were received into grace and pardonned, as namely that of jonas, of Manasses, the prodigal child, the freeze vpon the cross, at which words, master Stafford like the true penitant Publican, beate his breast, lifting up his hands and eyes towards heaven. Then said master Paget, be of good Comfort, and pray that thou mayest bee that brand taken out of the fire, he replied that he hoped he was, and that his spark of ioy was turned into a flamme. Seeing said master Paget he is so penitent, let us not cast him down, further, with the burden of his sins, then happily in this so small a space I shal be able to raise him again.  
Now, said master Paget, shal we sing a psalm unto the praise of God? I will said he, bear you company, whereupon was sung the xxv Psalm, beginning thus: I lift my heart to thee, &c. the psalm being ended, now said master Paget, I hope you are able to pray yourself: I will follow you( said he) if you please to begin, whereupon, master Paget made a brief, but an effectual prayer, which master Stafford prayed after him, that the Lord would mollify and soften his hard heart, which till then had been so obdurate, and pardon and forgive his manifold sins and wickedness, which so long he had wallowed in. After which, he deuoutlye repeated the mother of all prayers, the prayer of Christ in the gospel, that fountain head of all Petitions, through which the springs of Gods mercies are opened unto us, as on the contrary, unthankfulness is Ventus vrens, a parching wind that dries up al the passages, and choketh the fountains of Gods free mercies and bounties unto vs.  
All this while master Stafford stood vpon the lower-most step of the Ladder, and being ready to ascend, the Executioner threw down an Ash-coloured silk garter to fasten his hands, whereat( said he) it shal not be needful, for I am resolved to die. Nay, but said master Paget, you know not what extremity of pain may force you unto, whereby you may wrong yourself: then said master Stafford let it be so: then he fastened his own hands before him,( and his soul doubtless fastened unto everlasting peace in Christ the Redeemer) but yet so as if he had but strove to unloose them, it might easily haue been performed.  
Ascending higher vpon the Ladder with a Ioude and audible voice, he out of true and perfect contrition, acknowledged again that he had been a grievous offender many and diverse ways and lifting up his voice to the people, prayed that his death might be a warning to all others, to beware how they gave up themselves to wine, swearing, and company keeping with such as he termed good fellowes, which from his youth he had greatly delighted in, but especially he wished that all men would haue a care never to delight in making of men drunk, which, as it should seem, was the sin his soul then chiefly stood guilty of Furthermore, also thanking the Lord for one especial comfort, which his soul now at the hour of his death reioyced in, to wit, that he was guiltless of the blood of any man, which might well be a great ioy, and vnualuable comfort unto a soul untimely departing. I forgive,( said he) al the world, and him that sought my blood, even as I would that the world should forgive me, for they were not mine enemies that brought me to mine end,& this my death, but God of his mercy called me, that I might be saved from eternal death.  
Then said he again with a loud voice, I beseech you let me hear you speak cheerfully that you freely forgive me; whereat there was an exceeding great noise with the peoples praying and condescending: for this his true and unexpected contrition in his end, made amends for all his former sins of his life, though never so loathsome& unnatural. As he was thus preparing for death, having before vnbraced his bosom, and looking vpon his own breast, I think( said he) I shall bee long in dying, because I am whole chested, whereupon master Paget out of a Christian love wished the Hangman to show him as much favour as he could in his death, and not to put him to any more torment then needs he must: whereunto master Stafford replied, that if he were two whole yeares in dying, he would willingly undergo it, for his sins had deserved it; yet that his joys in Christs mercies were exceeding, and that he hoped assuredly, that all his sins were pardonned, withall confessing that he had consumed much in riottousnesse, and abhorred living, which might haue relieved many a poor creature, and done many thousands good: but to his exceeding present sorrow he had spent all most vainly and wickedly. The Executioner being some ways moved, swore a great oath, which master Stafford hearing, reproved him for it, telling him that such courses had brought him to this end.  
He took his last farewell of his brother, withall importuning him not to be unmindful of some private business wherewith he had formerly acquainted him, who much grieving for his brother, and not able to endure to see him die, departed a little before his turning off. go now brother( said he) farewell till we meet in heaven. And perceiving that his brother took his death so heavily, I hope( said he) master Paget will comfort you: who answered, that he would do what God would enable him unto, if he pleased to resort unto him. Then took he his leave of diuers,& amongst the rest, be spake very hearty unto master arundel, under Marshall of the Kings Bench, thanking him for his extraordinary favours and kindness shewed unto him in the time of his imprisonment.  
The Halter being put about his neck, come( said he) This Halter is more welcome unto me then ever was ruff or falling Band: whereupon his friends looking heavily, he desired them not to be discomforted, for they should see him die like a Christian, and in that they should haue ioy and comfort of him. For whereas by reason of the wild affections and unbridled follies of his youth, they had had but small comfort of him, in his former life, he strove now to make amendes by putting the more into his death, which indeed( not without great cause) gave them all much cause of rejoicing. For a notorious general sinner dying, all the time of his riotous life to Godwards, as soon as he hearty repents him of his sins, then he begins his life with God, when he proves a dead man unto the world, and utterly mortifies all his filthy affections: so he never truly lived till death touched him, and a true feeling of all his former offences. The sense and apprehension of death makes men wise, and those that haue spent most follies in their youth, reap most wisdom at such an hour.  
A little before his turning of the ladder, I had thought( said he) to haue leaped off, which yet I will not do, least I should bee thought to die desperately, and yet the world shall see I will not die fearfully. His countenance could not be perceived to alter much at any time, because he was a man of an high colour,( for he was of a very Sanguine Complexion) yet now death seemde a little to take possession in his eye, for his look began to be heavy,( for who amongst a million is so hardie-valiant, at the door of whose heart death arrives not fearful) knowing wee must all give account to God the Auditor, at the dreadful day of Iudgement, that Auditor whom mans shallow wit cannot describe, Incomprehensible, just, respecting no person, the King is his Bayly, to give him account, as well as the beggar, tis not thy person, not thy state, not thy power, not thy authority and place in this world, which God respects: That Auditor will not be with bribes corrupted, not witches, and the vnspeakeble numberless treasures of the world, but pure hearts and consciences, washed in the blood of that immaculate lamb prevail with his mercies.  
The Phisitians are of opinion, that a bone being broken in the leg or elsewhere, if it be skilfullye set is faster ever after then any of the rest, so the true repentant sinner, having a broken& contrite heart in this world for his offences past, may haue a surer affiance and trust in that rock Christ Iesus, for through Tribulation, and hearty sorrow we enter into peace, and everlasting glory,& there is more ioy in heaven for one sinner that repenteth, then for many that need no repentance.  
Now being upon the point of turning off, he strove much with himself to express the hartines of his repentancce unto the world, for as his own words gave him out, I am( said he) the most penitent man in the world, withal adding, that if his sins were in number as many as the sands vpon the Seashore, or the drops of water that are therein, yet were Gods mercies above them all yea( said he) his mercies are far more then the sins of all this company, and yet here( looking about him) are a great many, and so praying earnestly to God to receive his soul in to his kingdom, he willed the Executioner to do his office, but his face being yet not well covered, the Executioner staying a little, he again added, Thou hast redeemed me oh Lord God of my salvation, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Now, Executioner, I pray thee do thy Office, and then immediately he was turned off the Ladder, not without great lamentation of the multitude and general praying for the happiness of his soul.  
After that his body had fully satisfied the Law, it had on the morrow Christian burial in Saint Georges-Church in southwark.  Mors illi lucrum. 
FINIS.