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While in the Castle he had these remarkable expressions, in conversation with a dear friend: "My gross compliances are now sad and grievous to me; for these the Lord would not honour me to be instrumental in his work, but I desire to die in the faith of a deliverance to his Church and people; and tho' I will not take upon me to be a prophet yet having strong impressions thereof upon my spirit I doubt not but her deliverance will come very suddenly, and I hope it shall be well. It is true, my family is low, and I have nothing to leave them; but if they seek God, they will be wonderfully seen to, and provided for, and if they do not, I care not what come of them. I fear some have eyed me too much as an instrument; lean not to the arm of flesh."
The day of his execution (30th June, 1685.) his Lordship dined with grave and becoming chearfulness; and being used to sleep a little after meat, he retired to the closet, and laid himself down on a bed and for about a quarter of an hour slept as sweetly and pleasant as ever he did. Meanwhile an officer of state came in and enquired tor him. His friends told him that his Lordship, as usual, was taking a nap after dinner, and desired that he might not be disturbed. When he saw the Earl in that posture he was so impressed, that he hasted from the Castle to a relation's in the Castle-hill, and throwing himself on a bed, discovered great distress of mind; and when asked the cause of all his trouble, said I have been in at Argyle, and saw him sleep as pleasantly as ever a man did, and he is now within an hour of eternity! But as for me, &c.
His Lordship, when he came to the scaffold delivered a very judicious and pious discourse to the spectators; after which, having taken leave of his friends, he at last kneeled down, and embracing the Maiden, said, "This is the sweetest maiden I ever kissed it being the mean to finish my sin and misery, and my inlet to glory, for which I long." Then he prayed a little within himself, thrice uttering these words. "Lord Jesus receive me into thy glory!" And lifting up his hand which was the signal, the executioner did his work.
