"_The Bishop._ Though your Majesty's affections may be very well known as to religion; yet it may be expected that you should say something thereof for the world's satisfaction." "_The King._ I thank you heartily, my Lord, for that I had almost forgotten it. In troth, Sirs, my conscience in religion, I think, is very well known to all the world; and therefore I declare before you all that I die a Christian, according to the profession of the Church of England, as I found it left me by my father; and this honest man, I think, will witness it." Then to Colonel Hacker he said, "Take care that they do not put me to pain: and, Sir, this and it please you--" But a gentleman coming near the axe, the King said, "Take heed of the axe, pray take heed of the axe." Then speaking unto the executioner, he said, "I shall say but very short prayers, and when I thrust out my hands--" Then turning to the Bishop, he said, "I have a good cause, and a gracious God on my side." "_The Bishop._ There is but one stage more, this stage is turbulent and troublesome, it is a short one; but you may consider it will soon carry you a very great way, it will carry you from earth to heaven; and there you will find a great deal of cordial joy and comfort." "_The King._ I go from a corruptible to an incorruptible crown, where no disturbance can be, no disturbance in the world." "_The Bishop._ You are exchanged from a temporary to an eternal crown; a good exchange." Then the King said to the executioner, "Is my hair well?" and took off his cloak and his George, giving his George to the Bishop, saying, "Remember." Then he put off his doublet, and being in his waistcoat, he put on his cloak again; then looking upon the block, he said to the executioner, "You must set it fast." "_Executioner._ It is fast, Sir." "_The King._ When I put out my hands this way (stretching them out), then--" After that, having said two or three words to himself, as he stood with his hands and eyes lift up, immediately stooping down, he laid his neck upon the block.[7] And then the executioner again putting his hair under his cap, the King, thinking he was going to strike, said, "Stay for the sign." [7] It being doubted whether the king would submit to the executioner, staples were driven into the block, and hooks prepared, in order, if necessary, to confine his head forcibly to the block. On the trial of Hugh Peters in 1660, it was sworn that this was done by his orders given on the scaffold to one Tench, a joiner; in Houndsditch. See State Trials, vol. v.