Page 37 - Hampdens Monument Unveiled

to him in despatching letters of counsel to the Parliament, in
prosecution of his favourite plan. While the resolute and lazy
spirit which had directed the army in the field should continue
to preside in the counsel of war, Hampden had reason to despair
of the great forward movement to which he had throughout looked
for the success of the cause. And now the reinforcements which
were pouring into Oxford from the North, and the weakened
condition of the Parliament, made the issue of this more
doubtful. His last urgent advice was to concentrate the
position of the army covering the London road, and provide well
for the threatened safety of the metropolis, -- and thus to
rouse the troops from the mortifying remembrance of their late
disasters to vigorous preparations, which yet might lead, by a
happier fortune, in turn, to a successful attack. This was his
last message; - like that from the dying consul, after Cannae,
to the senate of his country: --
'Abi, numcia patribus urbem muniant, ac, priusquam
'hostis victor adveniat, praesidiis firment.. ..... Me, in hac
'strage meorum patere expirare, ne aut reus e consultatu
'sim, aut accusator collegae existem, ut alieno crimine
'innocentiam meam protegam

Death and Funeral of John Hampden

After nearly six days of cruel suffering, his bodily powers
no longer sufficed to pursue or conclude the business of his
earthly work. About seven hours before his death he received
sacrament of the Lord's Supper; declaring, that 'though he
could not do away with the governance of the church by Bishops,
and did utterly abominate the scandalous lives of some
clergymen, he thought its doctrine in the greater part
primitive and conformable to God's word, as in Holy Scripture
revealed'. He was attended by Dr. Giles, the rector of Chinnor,
with whom he had lived in habits of close friendship, and by
Dr. Spurstow, an independent minister, the chaplain of his
regiment.

At length, being well nigh spent, and labouring for breath he
turned himself to die in prayer. 'O Lord God of Hosts,' said
he, 'great is thy mercy, just and holy are thy dealings unto us
sinful men. Save me, O Lord, if it be thy good will from the
jaws of death. Pardon my manifold transgressions. O Lord, save
my bleeding country. Have these realms in thy special keeping.
Confound and level in the dust those who would rob the people
of their liberty and lawful prerogative. Let the King see his
error, and turn the hearts of his wicked counsellors from the
malice and wickedness of their designs. Lord Jesu, receive my
soul!' He then mournfully uttered, O Lord, save my country ----
O Lord be merciful to' and here his speech failed him. He fell
back in the bed and expired.

It was thus that Hampden died; justifying, by the courage,
patience, piety and strong love of country, which marked the
closing moments of his life, the reputation for all those