Brief Account of the Death of Charles II by Hudleston is in Stewart Books.
A Brief Account of particulars occurring at the happy death of our late Sovereign Lord King Charles II. in regard to religion, faithfully related by his then Assistant, Mr. J. Hudleston.
Upon Thursday, the 5th of February, 1685, between seven and eight o’clock in the evening, I was sent for in haste to the Queen’s back-stairs at Whitehall, and desired to bring with me all things necessary for a dying person; accordingly I came, and was ordered not to stir from thence till further notice. Being thus obliged to wait, and not having had time to bring along with me the most holy sacrament of the altar, I was in some anxiety how to procure it. In this conjuncture, the Divine Providence so disposing, Father Bento de Lemos, a Portuguese, came thither, and understanding the circumstance I was in, readily proffered himself to go to St. James’s and bring the most holy sacrament along with him. VIcHIYZwSoon after his departure, I was called into the King's bedchamber, where, approaching to the bedside, and kneeling down, I in brief presented his Majesty with what service I could perform for God’s honour and the happiness of his soul at this last moment on which eternity depends. The King then declared himself, that he desired to die in the faith and communion of the holy Roman Catholic church; that he was most heartily sorry for all the sins of his life past, and particularly for that he had deferred his reconciliation so long; that through the merits of Christ’s passion he hoped for salvation; that he was in charity with all the world; that with all his heart he pardoned his enemies, and desired pardon of all those whom he had anywise offended; and that if it pleased God to spare him longer life, he would amend it, detesting all sin.
I then advertised his Majesty of the benefit and necessity of the sacrament of penance, which advertisement, the King most willingly embracing, made an exact confession of his whole life with exceeding compunction and tenderness of heart; which ended, I desired him, in farther sign of repentance and true sorrow for his sins, to say with me this little short act of contrition:
"O my Lord God, with my whole heart and soul I detest all the sins of my life past for the love of Thee, whom I love above all things; and I firmly purpose by thy holy grace never to offend Thee more. Amen, sweet Jesus, amen. Into thy hands, sweet Jesus, l commend my soul; mercy, sweet Jesus, mercy." This he pronounced with a clear and audible voice, which done, and his sacramental penance admitted, I gave him absolution.
After some time thus spent, I asked his Majesty if he did not also desire to have the other sacraments of the holy church administered to him: he replied, "By all means I desire to be partaker of all the helps and succours necessary and expedient for a catholic christian in my condition." I added, "And doth not your Majesty also desire to receive the precious body and blood of our dear Saviour, Jesus Christ, in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist?" His answer was this: "If I am worthy, pray fail not to let me have it." 1 then told him it would be brought to him very speedily, and desired his Majesty that, in the interim, he would give me leave to proceed to the sacrament of extreme unction. He replied, "With all my heart." I then anoyled1 him, which, as soon as performed, I was called to the door, whither the blessed sacrament was now brought and delivered to me.
Note 1. To anoit with oil.
Then, returning to the King, I entreated his Majesty that he would prepare and dispose himself to receive; at which the King, raising himself, said, "Let me meet my heavenly Lord in a better posture than in my bed:" but I humbly begged his Majesty to repose himself: God Almighty, who saw his heart, would accept of his good intention. The King then having again recited the forementioned act of contrition with me, he received the most holy sacrament for his viaticum with all the symptoms of devotion imaginable. The communion being ended, I read the usual prayers, termed the recommendation of the soul, appointed by the church for Catholics in his condition. After which the King desired the act of contrition, "O my Lord God," &c., to be repeated: this done, for his last spiritual encouragement I said:
"Your Majesty hath now received the comfort and benefit of all the sacraments that a good Christian, ready to depart out of this world, can have or desire. Now it rests only that you think upon the death and passion of our dear Saviour Jesus Christ, of which I present unto you this figure (shewing him a crucifix); lift up, therefore, the eyes of your soul and represent to yourself your sweet Saviour here crucified, bowing down his head to kiss you; his arms stretched out to embrace you; his body and members all bloody, and pale with death, to redeem you; and as you see him dead and fixed upon the cross for your redemption, so have his remembrance fixed and fresh in your heart; beseech him with all humility that his most precious blood may not be shed in vain for you; and that it will please him, by the merits of his bitter death and passion, to pardon and forgive you all your offences, and finally to receive your soul into his blessed hands; and when it shall please him to take it out of this transitory world, to grant you a joyful resurrection, and an eternal crown of glory in the next: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."
So recommending his Majesty on my knees, with all the transport of devotion I was able, to the divine mercy and protection, 1 withdrew out of the chamber. In testimony of all which, I have hereunto subscribed my name.
J. Hudleston.