CONFESSION OF THE EARL OF ESSEX. 397 



a life so far from his precepts, as no sinner more. God 

 forgive it me, and forgive me my wicked thoughts, 

 my licentious life, and this right arm of mine, which, 

 I fear me, hath drawn blood in this last action. And 

 I beseech you all bear witness, that I die a Catholic, 

 yet so, as I hope to be saved only by the death and 

 passion of Christ, arid by his merits, not ascribing any 

 thing to mine own works. And I trust you are all 

 good people, and your prayers may profit me. Fare 

 well, my worthy lord Gray, and my lord Compton, 

 and to you all ; God send you both to live long in 

 honour. I will desire to say a few prayers, and 

 embrace my death most willingly. 



With that he turned from the rail towards the 

 executioner ; and the minister offering to speak with 

 him, he came again to the rail, and besought that 

 his conscience might not be troubled, for he was re- 

 solved ; which he desired for God s sake. Whereupon 

 commandment was given, that the minister should 

 not interrupt him any farther. After which he pre 

 pared himself to the block, and so died very manfully 

 and resolutely. 



An abstract out of the earl of Essex s confession 

 under his own hand. 



UPON Saturday the twenty-first of February, after 

 the late earl of Essex had desired us to come to him, 

 as well to deliver his knowledge of those treasons, 

 which he had formerly denied at the bar, as also to 

 recommend his humble and earnest request, that her 



