John Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 1 of 2)Shorthouse, J. H. (Joseph Henry)
History
John Inglesant: A Romance (Volume 1 of 2)
Shorthouse, J. H. (Joseph Henry)
Great Britain -- History -- Charles I, 1625-1649 -- Fiction; Religious fiction
sins; that he acknowledged that his just due was eternal punishment,
from which he only expected to escape through the satisfaction made by
Christ, by which Mediator, and none other, he hoped to be saved. The
Doctor then asking him if, by a miracle (not to put him in vain hope),
God should save him that day, what life he would resolve to lead
hereafter? he replied, "It is a question of great length, and requires
a great time to answer. Men in such straits would promise great things,
but a vow I would make, and by God’s help endeavour to keep it, though I
would first call some friend to limit how far I should make a vow, that
I might not make a rash one, and offer the sacrifice of fools."
In answer to other questions, he said,—"He wished well to all lawful
governments; that he did not justify himself in having ventured against
the existing one; he left God to judge it whether it be righteous, and
if it be, it must stand. He desired to make reparation to any he had
injured, and he forgave his enemies."
The Doctor then addressed him at length, saying,—
"Sir, I shall trouble you very little farther. I thank you for all
those heavenly colloquies I have enjoyed by being in your company these
three days, and truly I am sorry I must part with so heavenly an
associate. We have known one another heretofore, but never so
Christianlike before. I have rather been a scholar to learn from you
than an instructor. I wish this stage, wherein you are made a spectacle
to God, angels, and the world, may be a school to all about you; for
though I will not diminish your sins, yet I think there are few here
have a lighter load upon them than you have, and I only wish them your
repentance, and that measure of faith that God hath given you, and that
measure of courage you have attained from God."
The Colonel, having wished all who were present in the room farewell,
went up on the scaffold accompanied by the Divine. The scaffold was so
near that Inglesant and the officers and the guards, who stood at the
window screened from the sight of the people, could hear every word that
passed. They understood that the whole open place was densely crowded,
but they could scarcely believe it, the silence was so profound.
Colonel Powell made a speech of some length, clearing himself of Popery
in earnest language, not blaming his judges, but throwing the guilt on
false witnesses, whom, however, he forgave. He bore no malice to the
present Government, nor pretended to decide controversies, and spoke
touchingly of the sadness and gloom of violent death, and how mercifully
he was dealt with in being able to face it with a quiet mind. He
finally thanked the authorities for their courtesy in granting him the
death of the axe—a death somewhat worthy of his blood, answerable to his
birth and qualification—which courtesy had much helped towards the
pacification of his mind.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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