Page 229 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

THE LAST SCENE OF ALL 229

“You manifest unto us the danger of dissimulation in
this case. But tell us, if we suffer guiltlessc, being otherwise
also true believers in Jesus Christ, what shall be our re­
ward ? ”
The answer came from the principal minister—
“ By how much the clecrcr you arc, soe much the more
glorious shall be your resurrection.”
“ With that word Coulson started up, embraced the
preacher and gave him his purse with such money as hee
had in it, saying—
<<«
Domine, God bless you. Tell the Governor I freely
forgive him ; and I entreat you to exhort him to repent of
this bloody tragedy wrought upon us poor innocent souls.’
“ Here all the rest of the Englishmen signified their
assent to this speech.
“ Then spake John Fardo to the rest in presence of the
ministers, as followeth—
«<
My countrymen and brethren that are heere with
mee condemned to dye, I charge you all as you will answer
it at God’s Judgment Seat if any of you bee guilty of this
matter, whereof we are condemned, discharge your con­
sciences and confesse the truth for satisfaction of the
world.’
“ Hereupon Samuel Coulson spake with a loud voyce,
saying—
“ According to my innocency in this treason so, Lord,
pardon all my sinnes, and if I be guiltie thereof, more or
lesse, let me never be partaker of Thy heavenly joys.’
“At which words every one of the rest cryed out—
t( c
Amen for me, amen for me, good Lord! ’
“ This done, each of them knowing whom he had accused,
went one to another begging forgiveness for their false