His Life.(484)
After the condemnation of Father Garnett and the execution of Father
Ouldcorne, they kept Father Garnett still in the Tower, to the marvel of
many, from the time of his arraignment, which was the twenty-eighth of
March, until the third of May. In the meantime there was of purpose spread
many false rumours of his, that forsooth he would yield and go to church
with heretics, and that they should see him preach publicly heretical
doctrine, and such like; all which things God knows were far from his
thoughts, as he showed by his great constancy, and in express words also
when he came to die. But this was done to diminish the great and worthy
opinion which was conceived of him generally, and to cause some bad
rumours to be spread of him in other countries before his death, that the
truth itself, when it came to be opened by his constant suffering, might
have the less credit, at least in some men’s minds, where the contrary
prejudicate opinion should be before settled.
All this time, which God of His gracious providence gave unto the holy man
for his better preparation and perfecting of his fervent and religious
desires, his enemies also gave him good occasion to increase his merits,
often soliciting him(485) to declare who was intended for Protector by the
Catholics if the Plot had gone forward, whereby it was thought likely that
the Earl of Northumberland would have been deeply touched. And to this end
it was constantly affirmed by some that knew much how things passed, that
both life and favour were often and earnestly offered him, if he would
have yielded in that point. But Father Garnett was far from any such base
and unworthy mind: neither could he ever be brought to repair his own
liberty with the ruins of others.(486)
Wherefore when it was plainly seen that there was no hope to draw him to
anything unlawful or unfit for a Religious Priest, it was then determined
presently that he should suffer. And the day was assigned to be the first
of May, which being told unto Father Garnett, he misliked the choice they
had made of that day, as well in regard it hath not been usual to put any
to death upon such great Feasts, as for that it hath long time been a
custom in England upon that day in the morning early, for the people to go
into the fields and come home with green boughs in their hands in sign of
joy, and to spend most of that day in triumph and pastime. To which effect
Father Garnett made answer, “What, will they make a May game of me?” which
words of his (as it afterwards proved) he was by God’s providence directed
to speak. For when it was told to the Council what he said, they saw it
was not fit, and altered the day from Thursday, which was May-day, until
the Saturday following, which was the Invention of the Holy Cross, and the
day no doubt assigned by Almighty God for his martyrdom; for, of all other
days in that season, the martyr himself was most affected unto that,
having ever had a special devotion unto the Cross and Passion of Christ;
wherefore as he misliked the unfit choice of the other day, so he rejoiced
exceedingly at this election, and prepared himself gladly to find this
cross which God would send him upon that day, and by that cross to find
the way to Heaven. He showed himself a true disciple and follower of the
Apostle “et gloriatus est in cruce Domini nostri Jesu Christi, in quo est
salus, vita et resurrectio ejus, per quem salvatus et liberatus est.”(487)
The manner of his preparation we cannot learn, all things being kept so
close in that most close and strict prison, where none but his only keeper
could possibly come to him; and that keeper a most malicious naughty
fellow, as before hath been showed. But we may well judge of his
preparation by the effects of his well prepared mind and his cheerful
carriage, which, in so grave a man, was a sign of great peace and
contentment of mind. When the desired day was come, Father Garnett was
brought down from his chamber in the Tower, where first there met him one
of the cooks of the house, who used to provide him his meat,(488) and this
man took his leave of him saying, “Farewell, good sir;” upon whom Father
Garnett looking with a pleasant smiling countenance, said, “Farewell, good
friend Tom, this day I will save thee a labour to provide my dinner.” And
going a little further towards the hurdle, there met him also the
Lieutenant’s wife to take her leave, who said, “God be with you, and
comfort you, good Mr. Garnett, I will pray for you.” To whom, with a
joyful countenance, he gave thanks, saying, “I thank you, good madam, and
for your prayers, you may keep them at this time; and if it pleaseth God
to give me perseverance, I will not forget you in my prayers.” Then being
brought unto the hurdle, there he was laid as the order is, having a black
cloak somewhat long upon his other clothes, and a hat on his head. All the
way as he was drawn (with three horses), he held his hands together,
lifted up somewhat towards Heaven, and kept his eyes shut for the most
part, as a man in deep contemplation.
The place of the execution was St. Paul’s churchyard, on the west
end,(489) over against the Bishop’s house; provided so by God, that as by
his virtuous life and doctrine he had confuted heresy, so by his constant
death he might confound both it and the teachers thereof. In that place
there was a great scaffold made, and a gibbet in the midst of the
scaffold. And such multitudes of people, noble and ignoble, so many
standings set up by carpenters to hire out for money, that a mere place to
stand on would cost twelvepence well; and the party from whom I chiefly
have many of these particulars (being a Priest of great credit and
estimation) was glad to give twelvepence only to stand upon a wall. All
windows were full, yea, the tops of houses full of people, so that it is
not known the like hath been at any execution. When he was taken up from
the hurdle, his arms being still unbound, there met him the Dean of St.
Paul’s and of Winchester,(490) with a company of other ministers. And the
Dean of St. Paul’s said unto him (both he and the rest having their hats
in their hands and with great show of reverence), “Mr. Garnett, I am sent
unto you from His Majesty, to will you, that now being in the last hour of
your mortal life, you will perform the duty of a true subject, to which
you are obliged by the laws of God and nature; and therefore to disclose
such treasons as you know intended towards His Majesty’s danger and the
commonwealth.” By this it may appear they had often laboured him to
confess something, and could never get anything in that kind, which moved
them now again to make this last trial. To this Father Garnett answered,
“Mr. Dean, it may please you to tell His Majesty, that I have been
arraigned, and what could be laid to my charge, I have there answered, and
said as much as I could; so that in this place I have no more to say.”
Then the Dean and other ministers began to persuade him to a true and
lively faith (meaning their own solifidian doctrine), but in this he cut
them off quickly, desiring them not to trouble themselves, nor him; and
said that for his estate of soul he needed not their instructions; he came
prepared and was resolved. Which two last words are of themselves
sufficient to convince all the slanders his enemies would fain have
imposed upon him, and to declare what he had done in his private prison,
whereof as yet we cannot learn the particulars. Then he was brought upon
the scaffold, where there was both the Sheriffs of London, the Recorder,
with the Deans and Doctors before mentioned, and some other petty
officers, as also some Catholics of reckoning, and well-wishers,(491) all
which he saluted very kindly and cheerfully.
And first he asked whether there was not some place to pray;(492) but the
Recorder began to say unto him, that he and others were there by order
from His Majesty, to bring him to remembrance of his treason, and that he
should acknowledge he was justly condemned, and ask the King’s
forgiveness. To which he answered, he had not committed any treason nor
offence against His Majesty, nor was ever guilty of the Powder Treason in
the least degree, but had earnestly dissuaded and sought to hinder both
that and all other attempts against His Majesty; neither could they
condemn him for anything, but for not opening the secret of confession, in
which only he had knowledge of that Powder Treason, and in which he had
done according to his function, and therefore could not justly be
condemned for it; neither had any ways willingly offended His Majesty. But
so far forth as this concealing of the treason (unto which he was bound in
conscience) did any ways offend His Majesty or the State, he did ask them
forgiveness with all his heart.
Thereupon the Recorder taking hold, said to the hearers, “Do you hear,
gentlemen? He asketh the King forgiveness for the Powder Treason.” To
which Father Garnett answered, “You do me wrong: for I have no cause to
ask forgiveness for that whereof I was never guilty, nor was privy to it
in such sort that it may justly be imputed to me for concealing it.” The
Recorder then would gladly have made good his former speech with facing
down the Father, and said: “What! will you deny your own hand? We have it
under your hand, that you knew of it by other means than confession, that
Greenway told you of it by way of consultation, and that Catesby and
Greenway came together to be resolved of you.” “No,” said the Father, “Mr.
Catesby never told me of any particular. And for Mr. Greenway, I knew it
only, as I have said, by confession, which therefore I could not lawfully
open, until now that I had leave so to do. Neither would I have named him
as I have done,(493) but lest any might think him guilty of counselling or
furthering in the matter, and(494) to the end the very truth might be
known, because false reports make him thought more guilty than he is. What
is under my hand I will not deny, but you shall never show my hand
contrary to what I have spoken.”
The Recorder answered, “You do but equivocate, and if you will deny it,
after your death we will publish your own hand, that the world may see
your false dealing.” The Father answered, “This is no time to talk of
equivocation, neither do I equivocate. But in troth, in troth, you shall
not find my hand otherwise than I have said.” Which double asseveration
did satisfy the hearers much, though he would not be satisfied that was
resolved and prepared to contradict. Wherefore the Recorder said to one of
his followers, “Let him see his own handwriting.” “You cannot,” saith the
Father, “show me any such writing of my hand.” Then he that should have
had the note, said it was not there; it was left at home (at which divers
of the standers-by laughed in their sleeves). “No,” saith the Father,
“neither here nor at home you have any such.”
Then they asked him whether he had anything to say unto the people. He
answered his voice was low and himself weak; he doubted they could not
hear him. But yet he(495) turned him to the people and said, “Upon this
day is recorded the Invention of the Cross of Christ; and upon this day I
thank God I have found my cross, by which I hope to end all the crosses of
my life, and to rest in the next by the grace and merits of my Blessed
Saviour. As for the treasons which are laid against me, I protest now at
my death that I am not guilty of them, neither had knowledge of the Powder
but in confession, and then I utterly disliked it and earnestly dissuaded
it. Yea, I protest upon my soul I should have abhorred it ever, though it
had succeeded. And I am sorry with all my heart that any Catholics had
ever any such intention, knowing that such attempts are not allowable, and
to my own knowledge contrary to the Pope’s mind. And, therefore, I wish
all Catholics to be quiet, and not to be moved by any difficulties to the
raising of tumults, but to possess their souls in peace. And God will not
be forgetful of them, or of His promise, but will send them help and
comfort when it is most to His glory and to their good.”
Then some one that stood near unto him, seeking to interrupt him, and
saying, “But, Mr. Garnett, were not you married to Mrs. Ann Vaux?”
thereupon he, turning himself from the people to those about him, said,
“That honourable gentlewoman hath great wrong by such false reports. And
for my own part, as I have been always free from such crimes, so I may
protest for her upon my conscience that I think her to be a perfect pure
virgin, if any other in England or otherwise alive. She is a virtuous good
gentlewoman, and, therefore, to impute any such thing unto her cannot
proceed but of malice.”
Then, no more being said unto him, he prepared himself to execution, and
asked if he might be permitted to pray, to which was answered, he might.
Then he kneeled down at the ladder-foot, and there prayed for a good space
in devout and religious manner. Then he helped to strip himself of his
cloth unto his shirt, which was somewhat long, and himself had also sewed
down the sides thereof almost to the bottom, that the wind might not blow
it up, which was noted by many as a sign of great modesty in the Father.
About that time a minister seemed again to insinuate himself as desirous
to speak unto him in way of exhortation, but the Father desired him to
hold himself contented, and not to trouble him any further.
And being upon the ladder, after he had made the sign of the Cross and
desired the prayers of all good Catholics, one said unto him aloud, “Mr.
Garnett, it is expected you should recant from your religion and become a
Protestant,” for so it was given out that he would do, and afterwards
preach at Paul’s Cross. The Father answered, “God forbid. I had never any
such meaning, but ever meant to die a true and perfect Catholic.” And
then, looking upon the people with a pious and undaunted countenance, he
wished them to consider well the state of their souls, assuring them, upon
his conscience and salvation, there was no other way for their eternal
bliss but to live and die in the profession of the Catholic faith. Then
said the Dean of St. Paul’s, “But, Mr. Garnett, we are all Catholics.”
“No, no,” said Father Garnett, “you are not, for such are only Catholics
as live in unity and profession of one faith, under one supreme head of
God’s Church, which is the Pope’s Holiness, and you must be all of the
Catholic Roman Church, or you cannot be saved.”
Then he prayed for the King, Queen, Prince, the Council, and the whole
State. Then he desired the hangman to give him warning before he did cast
him off the ladder. Then, making the sign of the Cross with “In nomine
Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti,” he said, “Adoramus te, Christe, et
benedicimus tibi, quia per sanctam crucem tuam redemisti mundum;”(496)
then, “Maria Mater gratiæ, Mater misericordiæ, tu nos ab hoste protege et
horâ mortis suscipe;”(497) then, “In manus tuas, Domine, commendo spiritum
meum,”(498) which he repeated twice or thrice; then,(499) “Per crucis hoc
signum (blessing himself) fugiat procul omne malignum. Infige crucem tuam
in corde meo, Domine;”(500) then returned again to “Maria Mater gratiæ,
Mater misericordiæ, tu nos ab hoste,” &c. Then he told the hangman he was
ready, and being desirous to carry the Cross with him out of the world
imprinted in his heart,(501) he crossed his arms over his heart upon his
breast, and so was cast off the ladder, and his arms continued so across
as he had placed them (not being bound, nor he making any struggling at
all with death) until he had rendered his spirit to his Redeemer.
Neither was he cut down before he was perfectly dead. For the people was
so much moved with his modesty, and so altered from their former hard
conceits of him by the sight of his constancy, and by his protestation of
innocency at his death, that they prevented the hangman with a loud cry
that he might not cut him down too soon. Who thereupon, having permitted
him to hang awhile, would then have cut him down when he presumed him to
be half-dead; but the people cried out again, “Hold, hold,” and so again
the third time, not permitting him to be cut down until he was thoroughly
dead. Yea, and one of the citizens took him by the legs and pulled him to
put him out of his pain, and that he might not be cut down alive. Which
kind of favours are nothing usual when the people do presume men die for
treason, and were not used to the gentlemen that suffered before, although
men of good sort, and much beloved and esteemed before this enterprise.
And it was much marvelled how the people durst do this so publicly, seeing
the State so generally bent against Father Garnett in this cause. But most
of them proceeded much further than this. For when he was cut up and his
bowels cast into the fire, and his heart pulled out and showed unto the
people with these words, which are ever used in such cases, “Behold the
heart of a traitor,” there was not heard any applause, or those that
cried, “God save the King,” which is always usual when the heart or head
is holden up in that kind.
Yea, so strange and unexpected an alteration there was in the very
heretics themselves that some of them said, without doubt he was in
Heaven; others said, “He died like a Saint;” others, that he looked not
like a contriver of treason. Yea, and some ministers themselves were heard
to say that questionless his soul was in Heaven. And, generally, the
people went away much satisfied of his innocency and sanctity.
The Priest, of whom I spake before, who saw and heard most of these
things, going down from his standing, went under the scaffold in desire to
get some drops of his blood, which he did, and found divers there hunting
for the same prey. Besides, his shirt was presently gotten by a person of
great account, and most of his apparel also was redeemed by several
persons, and are now esteemed of more than their weight in gold.
One marvellous thing happened whilst his body was dividing on the block,
about a straw or ear of corn, which did strangely leap out of the basket
into which his head and quarters were cast as they were cut up. This straw
did leap into the hand of a Catholic, who stood by with great desire to
get some part of the martyr’s blood, but durst not be seen to take it.
But, for that the chiefest marvel that concerneth this straw was not
discerned at the first, but was discovered some days after, to the great
comfort of Catholics and wonder of many: therefore I reserve it for the
next chapter, as also some other marvel seen about Father Garnett’s head.
Now, therefore, having declared how he finished his holy life,(502) I will
here set down so much of his whole course therein as I could learn from
some of those that have been very inward with him, that it may the more
plainly appear how his religious virtues did prepare and perfect him to
this last conflict and conquest over the world.
He was born in the county of Derby. His parents were well esteemed, and
well able to maintain the charge of their family. His father was given to
learning, insomuch that he made profession thereof, and taught Free School
in the next shire-town, which was of Nottingham.(503)