By IF. JF. RavenMU, Esq. 



185 



not knowinge whether [whither], into the late riseinge, and soe soone as lie 

 discovered what it was, made his escape from them with the hassard of his life; 

 aud of his being there had no other accusor but himselfe. Upon theise consider- 

 ations, I thinck it not unsuteable to present him to your honor, desiringe you 

 would improve your intrest with his highnes for a repreeve, untill his highnes 

 may have further information from the judges at theire retourne. If it be 

 otherwise then my information, I shall not interseade ; but if this matter 

 of fact be true I thinck his highness will not have a fitter objecte for his mercy. 

 Your favor to him in this shall bee acknowledged by 



•Your honor's reall friend and servant 

 London, Aprill this 16th day of, 1655. Robert Tichborne." 



According to all the newspapers Kensey was executed. The Faithful 

 Scout as we have seen, mentions his steadfastness at the scaffold, 

 where he is reported both by that journal and the Perfect Proceedings 

 to have made the following speech. After shewing a great deal of 

 remorse for his sins, he began by saying 



" That he had deserved death both temporal and eternal. But for this thing 

 he now died for he said it was his conscience but warned the people, that they 

 would [should] from henceforth take up the sword for neither side, but labour 

 to be armed with the sword of the spirit." 



Upon the conclusion of his speech he declared that 

 "the greatnesse of this world was vanity, but for his part he depended onely 

 on the righteousness of Jesus Christ for life and salvation." * 



John Thorp was next executed. The Proceedings says 

 " he had not expression like Lucas but did read a prayer given to him in writing 

 when he was on the ladder with the rope about his neck he called to his neigh- 

 bours to have the bell rung out for him and calling on Rose, Turner, Pitman, 

 and some others of his former companions to him, he gave them charge of his 

 body, and charged the gaoler to deliver his written paper to the party of whom 

 he had it. He warned his neighbours and his old companions and the rest, to 

 serve God and keep Good Company ; and said that if he had spent his time so 

 well all his life before as he did since hee had been in prison, he had never come 

 to this sad end. 



His speech, as reported in the Scout, is remarkable for a publican 

 and quondam gaoler. 



" Gentlemen it is no small comfort to me that I have at this instant an 

 assurance of salvation, and the riches and fulness of the blessed Spirit to support 

 me in this great hour of temptation ; it is my sins against God ; and not my 

 loyalty to my sovereign, that hath brought me hither, for which I desire a freo 

 remission and forgiveness as I forgive all my bitter enemies." And thus he ended 

 his days with the tolling of the Bell which he desired might ring out, when tho 

 rope was about his neck. 



* Weekly Scout, May lOtn. ; Ferfect Proceedings, May 3rd to 10th, 1655, K.r., Sin. Qo., 645, 



