By W. W. Ravenhill, Esq. 183 
And Perfect Proceedings, of May 17th, 1655 
‘‘It is advertised from Salisbury that Lucas is beheaded and-that hee was very 
faint long looking for a pardon or a reprieve from the Lord Protector, and was 
still asking all that came to him, if it was come. But when he knew he must 
die he was exceedingly dejected, and so cast down that he was able to say very 
little he prayed and spake some few mournful words, and then lay down upon 
the scaffold and was beheaded.” 
Faithful Scout, Friday, May 11th :— 
“The Lord Protector having taken into consideration the sentence of death 
pronounced against many gentlemen in the West, orders were dispatched to 
the sheriffs that the said sentence of drawing and quartering be altered, and 
the execution of such as are to die to be by beheading or hanging. And accor- 
dingly,orders were issued for execution of those condemned at the several places , 
viz. yesterday being Thursday at Salisbury where Mr. John Lucas, Mr. Dean, 
and Mr. Kinsey were all executed; who deported themselves with singular con- 
stancy, and steadfastness, and seemed to be indued with sundry admirable com- 
forts, addressing themselves to the people as followeth. 
Mr. John Lucas his speech. 
Gentlemen and Friends 
I am this day come hither by the goodwill and pleasure of Almighty 
God to pay that last dett I owe to sin, which is death; and by the blessing of 
that God to rise again through the merits of Jesus Christ to righteousness and 
life eternal; I come not here to justifie myself, but shall rather confess as the 
poor publican did, God be merciful to me asinner. I desire your prayers to 
God for me, and I pray God for you, that no one drop of my blood may be re- 
quired at any mans hands. I forgive all the world, with as full and free a heart 
as mortal man can; and I beseech the most high and eternal God in heaven to 
forgive me mine, the omnipotent Jehovah of heaven and Earth, that seeth, 
heareth, and beholdeth, knows that I lie not, I have desired with unfained 
desire and hearty affection to be dissolved and to be with Christ, knowing that 
it shall be better for me, being assured thereby to be freed from the miseries of 
sin, and enter into a life of eternal peace and happiness. 
As for my accusers I pity them, and desire they may be so happy as to be 
taken up betimes, before they have drunk up more blood of Christian men, 
possibly less deserving than myself. And as for the cause in which I began to 
wade [warre] I must needs say it lay no scruple on my conscience, it was on 
principle of liberty and Freedom; and I bless God I find no blackness upon my 
conscience, for pursuing those wayes, nor have I put it into the bedroll of my 
sins. 
I desire God to honour himself, in prospering that side that hath right with 
it, and that you may enjoy peace and plenty, when I shall enjoy peace and 
plenty, beyond all you possess here. For the business of death, it is a sad 
sentence in itself, if men consult with flesh and blood; but truly without 
boasting, I say it, or if I do boast I boast in the Lord, I have not to this minute 
had one consultation with the flesh about the ladder; or one thought of the 
Rope, more than as my passe port to Glory. J desire you now that you would 
pray for me, and not give over praying for me, till the hour of death, nor till 
