Page:Early English adventurers in the East (1917).djvu/233

Rh "You manifest unto us the danger of dissimulation in this case. But tell us, if we suffer guiltlesse, being otherwise also true believers in Jesus Christ, what shall be our reward?"

The answer came from the principal minister—

"By how much the cleerer you are, 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 consciences 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—

" '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