A WORKE OF THE BEAST OR A Relation of a most vnchristian Censure Executed vpon IOHN LILBVRNE Novv prisoner in the fleet the 18 of Aprill 1638. With the heavenly speech vttered by him at the time of his suffering Uery vsefull for these times both for the encouragement of the Godly to suffer And for the terrour and shame of the Lords Adversaries HEB. 10.36 For you have neede of patience that after you have don the will of God you might receiue the promises HEB. 11.36 And others had triall of cruell mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bands and imprisonments RIGHT RICHT Printed in the yeare the Beast was Wounded 1638 The Publisher to the Reader Tender hearted Reader OF The wicked it is truely said in Iob. their Light shal bee Put out Now wee see in a Candle beeing almost extinguished that after it hath glimmered a while it rayseth some few blazing flashes and soe suddenly vanisheth To speake what I thinke my minde gives me that the Lord is now vpon extinguishing the bloody Prelates out of our Land For whereas they have not in some late yeares shewed the cruelty which they did before but now increase in persecution me thinkes this is a cleere foregoing signe that like a snuffe in the socket their end and ruine is at hand I write this to have thee the more patient contented and comforted when thou either hearest seest or readest of their barbarous crueltie besure their condemnation sleepeth not but when their wickednes is full I say when they haue once filled up the measure of their iniquity the which I trust they haue allmost don then will the Lord send back these locusts to the Bottomlesse pitt from whence they came In the meane time feare not their faces but stand in the trueth and let Gods house and his ordinances bee deare to thy soule And know that as the Lord gaue strength to this his Servant to suffer joyfully for Christs cause soe he will to thee and me and all others of his saints if he count us worthy to be called thereto Thine if thou be Christs and a hater of the English Popish Prelates F. R. A WORKE OF THE BEAST OR A Relation of a most unchristian Censure executed vpon IOHN LILBVRNE Novv prisoner in the fleet the 18. of Aprill 1638 vvith the heavenly speech vtter by him at the time of his suffering VPon Wednesday the said 18 of Aprill Hauing noe certaine notice of the execution of my Censure till this present morning I prepared my selfe by prayer unto God that he would make good his promise to be vvith me enable me to undergoe my Affliction vvith joyfullnes courage and that he vvould bee a mouâ—h and vtterance vnto mee to enable me to speake that vvhich might make for his greatest honour And in my meditations my soule did principally pitch vpon these Three places of Scripture First That in Jsay 41.10.11.12.13 Feare thou not for I am with thee be not dismaid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will helpe thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnes Behold all they that were incenced against thee shall be ashamed and confounded they shall be as nothing and they that striue with thee shall perrish Thou shalt seeke them shall not finde them even them that contented with thee they that warr against thee shall be as nothing as a thing of nought For I the Lord thy God will hold thee by thy right hand saying vnto thee feare not J will helpe thee Feare not thou worme Jacob and yee men of Israell I will helpe thee sayth the Lord and thy Redeemer the Holy one of Israell c. Secondly that place in Isay 43.1.2 Where God speaks thus to his Elect. Feare not for J have Redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine When thou passest through the waters J wil be with thee and though the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not bee burnt neither shall the flame kinâ—ell vpon thee Thirdly that in Heb. 13.5.6 In these words For he hath sayd I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Soe that we may boldly say the Lord is my helper J will not feare what man can doe to me With the consideration of these and other gratious promises made to his people I being one of his chosen ones did claime my share interest in them and the Lord of his infinite goodnes enabled me to cast my selfe upon and rest in them knowing and stedfastly beleeving that he is a God of faithfullnes and power whoe is able and willing to make good these his promises to the vtmost and to his praise be it spoken I desire to speake it my soule was that morning exceedingly lifted up with spiritual consolation and J felt within me such a divine supportation that the basenesse of my punishment J was to undergoe did seem as a matter of nothing to me And I went to my suffering with as willing and joyfull a heart as if J had been going to solemnize the day of my maraige with one of the choysest Creatures this world could afford The Warden of the Fleete hauing sent his men for my old fellow souldier Mr. Iohn Wharton and my selfe being both in one Chamber wee made our selues readie to goe to the place of execution I tooke the old man by the hand and led him downe three payre of stayers and soe along the yard till we came to the Gate And when we came there George Harrington the Porter told me J must stay alitle and after our parting commending one another to the protection of our alsufficient God I was bid goe to the Porters Lodge noe sooner was I gone in but came Iohn Hawes the other Porter to me vsing these words Mr Lilburne I am very sorie for your punishment you are now to undergoe you must stripp you and be whipt from hence to Westminster I replied the will of my God be done for I knowe he will carry me through it with an vndaunted Spirit But I must confesse it seemed at the first a little strange to me in regard I had no more notice given me for my preperation for soe sore a punishment For I thought I should not haue been whipt through the streete but onely at the Pillory And soe passing a long the Lane being attended with many Staves and Halberts as Christ was when he was apprehended by his Enimies and led to the High Priests Hall Mat. 26 we came to ffleete-bridge where was a Cart standing ready for me And I being commanded to stripp me I did it with all willingnes and cheerefullnes where upon the executioner tooke out a Corde and tyed my hands to the Carts Arsse which caused me to vtter these words Wellcome be the Crosse of Christ With that there drew neere a Yong man of my acquentance and bid me put on a Couragious resolution to suffer cheerfully
means to effect his own glory but hee by the least instrument is able to bring to passe the greatest things It is true J am a yong man and noe Scoller according to that which the world counts Scollership yet I have obtayned mercie of the Lord to be faithfull hee by a divine prouidence hath brought me hither this day I speak to you in the name of the Lord being assisted with the spirit power of the God of Heaven and earth I speake not the words of rashnes or inconsideratenesse but the words of sobernes and mature deliberation for I did consult with my God before I came hither and desired him that he would 〈◊〉 and enable me to speake that which might be for his glory and the good of his people And as I am a Souldier fighting under the banner of the great and mightie Captaine the Lord Iesus Christ and as J looke for that Crowne of immortality which one day I know shall bee set upon my temples being in the condition that I am in I dare not hold my peace but speake unto you with boldnes in the might and strength of my God the things which the Lord in mercy hath made knowne unto my Soule come life come death When I was here about there came a fat Lawier I do not know his name commanded me to hold my peace leave my preaching To whom I replied and said Sr. I will not hold my peace but speake my minde freely though I be hanged at Tiburne for my paines It seemes he himselfe was gauled and toucht as the Lawiers were in Christ time when hee spake against the Scribes Pharisees which made them say Master in saying thus thou reuilest us alsoe Soe he went away and I thinke complained to the Lords but J went on with my speech and said My Brethren be not discouraged at the waies of God for the affliction and Crosse that doth accompany them for it is sweete comfortable drawing in the Yoake of Christ for all that and I haue found it soe by experience for my soule is fild so full of spirituall and heavenlie joy that with my tongue J am not able to expresse it neither are any capeable J thinke to partake of soe great a degre of consolation but onelie those upon whom the Lords gracious afflicting hand is And for mine owne part I stand this day in the place of an evill doer but my conscience witnesseth that I am not soe And here a bout I put my hand in my pocket and puld out Three of worthie D. Bastwicks Bookes and threw them among the people and said There is part of the bookes for which I suffer take them among you and read them and see if you finde any thing in them against the Law of God the Law of the Land the glory of God the honour of the King or state I am the Sonne of a Gentleman and my Friends are of rancke and quality in the Countrie where they live which is 200. miles from this place and I am in my present condition deserted of them all for I know not one of them dare meddle with me in my present estate being J am stung by the Scorpions the Prelates and for any thing I know it may bee J shall never haue a fauourable countenance from any of them againe and withall I am a yong man and likelie to haue lived well and in plentie according to the fashion of the world Yet notwithstanding for the cause of Christ and to doe him service I haue and doe bid a due to Father Friends Riches pleasures ease contented life and bloud and lay all downe at the Footstoole of Iesus Christ being willing to part with all rather then I will dishonour him or in the least measure part with the peace of a good conscience that sweetnesse and joy which I haue found in him for in naked Christ is the quintisence of swetnes I am so farr from thinking my affliction and punishment which this day I haue endured and still doe indure and groane under a disgrace that I receive it as the welcome Crosse of Christ and doe thinke my selfe this day more honoured by my sufferings then if a Crowne of gold had beene set upon my head for I haue in some part beene made conformable to my Lord and Master and have in some measure dranke of the same Cupp which he himselfe drank of while he was in this sinfull world for he shed his most precious bloud for the salvation of my poore soul that so I might be reconsiled to his father therfor am I willing to undergo any thing for his sake that in ward joy consolation within me that carries mee high aboue all my pains torments you My Brethren if you be willing to haue Christ you must owne him and take him upon his own â—…aâ—…es know that Christ and the Crosse is in seperable for he that will live godlie in Christ Iesus must suffer persecution and affliction it is the lott and portion of all his chosen ones through many afflictions trials we must enter into glorie and the Apostell saith that if we be without afflictions whereof all are partakers then are yee Bastards and not Sonnes And therfore if you will haue Christ sit down reckon before ever you make profession of him what he will cost you least when you come to the triall you dishonour him and if you bee not willing and contented to part withall and let all goe for his sake you are not worthy of him If Parents husband wife or children lands or livings riches or honours pleasure or ease life or blood stand in the way you must be willing to parte with all these and to entertaine Christ naked alone though you haue nothing but the Crosse or else you are not worthy of him Math. 10 37-38 Oh my Brethren there is such sweetnes and contentednes in enjoying the Lord Iesus alone that it is able where it is felt to make a man goe through all difficulties endure all hardshipps that may possible come vpon him Therefore if hee call you to it doe not deny him nor his truth in the least manner for he hath said Hee that denies him before men him will hee denie before his Father which is in Heaven And now is the time that wee must shew our selves good Souldiers of Jesus Christ for his truth his cause and glorie lies at stake in a high degree therefore put one couragious resolutions and withdraw your necks and soules from all false power and worship and fight with courage and boldnes in this spirituall Battell in which Battell the Lord befor your eyes hath raised vp some valiant Champions that fought up to the eares in bloud therefore be couragious Souldiers and fight it out bravely that your God may be glorified by you and let him onelie have the service both of your inward and outward man and stand
bestowed greater guifts vpon them then vpon others and yet they detaine the truth in vnrighteousnesse from Gods people and do not make knowne to them as they ought the whole will and counsell of God And againe the greater is their sinne if their callings be vnlawfull as J verily beleeve they are in that they still hold them and doe not willingly lay them downe renounce them for they do but deceiue the people and highly dishonour God and sinne against their owne soules while they preach vnto the people by vertue of an Antichristian and vnlawfull Calling and the more godlie and able the Minister is that still preaches by vertue of this calling the more hurt he doth for the people that haue such a Minister will not be perswaded of the truth of things though one speake informe them in the name of the Lord but will be ready to reply Our Minister that preaches still by vertue of this Calling is so holy a man that were not his calling right good I do assure my selfe he would no longer preach by vertue thereof And thus the holines of the minister is a Cloake to couer the unlawfulnes of his calling and make the people continue rebells against Christs his Scepter and Kingdome which is an agreuation of his sinne for by this meanes the people are kept off from receiving the whole truth into their soules rest in being but almost Christians or but Christians in part But Oh my Brethren it behoues all you that feare God and tender the Salvation of your owne Soules to looke about you to shake of that long security formality in Religion that you have layne in For God of all things cannot indure Luke warmenes Revel 3.16 And search out diligently the truth of things and try them in the Ballance of the Sanctuary I beseech you take things no more vpon trust as hitherto you haue done but take paines to search and finde out those Spirituall and hidden truthes that God hath enwraped in his sacred Booke and finde out a bottom for your owne soules For if you will haue the comforts of them you must bestow some labour for the getting of them and you must search dilligently before you finde them Pro. 2. Labour also to withdraw your neckes from vnder that Spirituall and Antichristian bondage unto which you haue for a long time subjected your soules least the Lord cause his plagues and the fearcenesse of his wrath to seize both vpon your bodies and soules seeing you are now warned of the danger of these things For hee himselfe hath said Revel 14.9.10.11 That if any man worship the Boast and his Image and receiue his marke in his forehead or in his hand The same shall drinke of the wine of his wrath which is powered out without mixture into the cup of his indignation and he shal be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presences of the holy Angels in the presence of the Lambe and the smoake of their Torment ascended vp for ever and ever and they haue noe rest day nor night who worship the Beast his Image and whosoever receiveth the marke of his name Therefore as you loue your owne soules and looke for that immortall Crowne of happines in the world to come looke that you with draw your selves from that Antichristian power slavery that you are now vnder even as God himselfe hath commanded and injoyned you in Rev. 18.4 saying Come out of her my people that you bee not pertaker of her sinns and that yee receive not of her Plagues for her sinnes have reached vnto heaven and God hath remembred her iniquities Here is the voyce of God himselfe commanding all his chosen ones though they have lived vnder this Antichristian slavish power and estate along time yet at last to withdraw their obedience and subjection from it My Brethren wee are all at this present in a very dangerous and fearefull condition vnder the Jdolatrous and spirituall bondage of the Prelates in regard wee have turned Traytours vnto our God in seing his Almighty great name and his Heavenly truth troden under foote and soe highlie dishonoured by them and yet wee not onely let them alone in holding our peace but most slavishlie wickedly subject our selves unto them fearing the face of a peece of durt more then the Almightie great God of Heaven and earth who is able to cast both body Soule in to everlasting damnation Oh repent I beseech you therefore repent for that great dishonour you have suffered to bee done unto God by your fearfullnes and cowardlines for the time to come put on couragious resolutions like valiant souldiers of Iesus Christ and fight manfullie in this his spirituall battell in which battell some of his souldiers haue allready lost part of their blood and withall Study this Booke of the Revolâ—tion and there you shall finde the mistery of iniquitie fullie vnfolded and explaned and also you shall se what great spirituall battels haue beene fought betwixt the Lambe his Servants and the Dragon the Devill and his vassals and some are yet to fight Therefore gird on your Spirituall armour Spoken of Ephes 6. that you may quit your selves like good faithfull Souldiers and feare no coulors the victory and conquest is ours allready for wee are sure to have it I do not speake of any bodily and temporall battell but onelie of a spirituall one and be not discouraged and knoct of from the study of it because of the obscurity and darkenes of it for the Lord hath promised his enlightening Spirit unto all his people that are laborous and studious to know him aright and also he hath promised a blessing and pronounced a blessednes vnto all that read and labour to keepe the things contayned in this booke Rev. 1.3 My Christian Brethren in the bowels of Iesus Christ I beseech you doe not contemne the things that are delivered to you in regard of the meanesse and weaknesse of mee the instrument being but one of the meanest and unworthiest of the Servants of Jesus Christ for the Lord many times doth great things by weake meanes that his power may be more seene for wee are to ready to cast our eye vpon the meanes and instrument not looking up unto that Almighty power that is in God who is able to doe the greatest things by the weakest meanes and therefore out of the mouthes of Babes Sucklings he hath ordayned strength Psal 8.2 And hee hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world to confound the things which are mighty base things of the world things which are dispised hath God chosen Yea things which are not to bring to nought things that are 1. Cor. 1.27.28 And he giues the reason wherefore he is pleased so to do That no flesh should glory in his presence So you se God is not tyed to any instrument
to his cause and loue your owne Soules and feare not the face of any mortall man for God hath promised to bee with you and uphold you that they shall 〈◊〉 preuaile against you Isay 41.10.11 But alas how fewe are there that dare shew any courage for God and his cause though his glorie lies at the Stake but thinke themselves happy and well and count them selves wise men if they can sleepe in a whole skinn when Christ hath said Hee that will saue his life shall loose it and hee that will loose his life for his sake shall finde it What shall it profit a man if he gaine the whole world loose his owne Soule Therefore is it better for a man to bee willing and contented to let all goe for the enjoying of Christ and doing him service then to sit downe and sleepe in a whole skinne though in soe doeing hee gaine all the world and see him dishonoured his glorie and truth troden under foot and the bloud of his Servants shed and Spilt Yes without doubt it is But many are in these times so far from suffering valientlie for Christ that they rather disswade man from it and count it a point of singularitie and pride and selfe ends for a man to put himselfe forward to doe God service asking what calling and warrant any private man hath thereunto seeing it belongâ— to the Ministers to speake of these things Yes soe it doth But alas they are so cowardly and fearfull that they dare not speake And therfore it belongs also to thee or mee or any other man if thou beest a Souldier of Iesus Christ whatsoever by place or Calling thy rancke or degree bee bee it higher or lower yet if hee call for thy service thou art bound though others stand still to mainetaine his power and glory to the utmost of thy power and strength yea to the shedding the last drop of thy blood for he hath not loued his life vnto the death for thy sake but shed his precious blood for the redemption of thy soule hath hee done this for thee and darest thou see him dishonoured and his glory lie at the stake and not speake on his behalfe or doe him the best service thou canst If out of a base and cowardlie Spirit thus thou dost Let me tell thee here and that truly to thy face thou hast a Dalila in thy heart which thou louest more then God and that thou shalt on day certainly finde by wofull experience Alas if men should hold their peace in such times as these the Lord would cause the verie Stones to speake to convince man of his cowardlie basenesse Having proceeded in a manner thus farre by the strength of my God with boldnes and courage in my speech The Warden of the Fleete came with the fatt Lawier and commanded mee to hold my peace To whom I replied I would speake and declare my cause and minde though J were to bee Hanged at the gate for my speaking And he caused proclamation to be maid upon the Pillary for bringing to him the Bookes So then he commanded me to be gagged and if I spake any more that then J should bee whipt againe upon the Pillary So I remained about an hour a halfe gagged being intercepted of much matter which by Gods assistance I intended to haue spoken But yet with their cruelty I was nothing at all daunted for I was full of comfort and courage beeing mightily strengthned with the power of the Almightie which made me with cheerefullnesse triumph over all my sufferings not shewing one sad countenance or a disconted heart And when I was to come downe having taken out my head out of the Pillarie I looked about mee upon the people and said I am more then a conquerer though him that loved me Vivat Rex Let the King live for ever and soe I came downe and was had backe againe to the Tavern where I to gether with Mr. Wharton staid a while till one went to the Warden to know what should be done with me who gaue order wee should be carried back againe to the Fleete and as I went by land through the streetes greate store of people stood all along to behold me and many of them blessed God for enabling me to undergoe my sufferings with such cheerefullnes and courage as I did for I was mightily filled with the sweete presence of Gods Spirit which caused me notwitstanding the paines of my sufferings to go along the streets with a joyfull countenance not shewing the least discontentednes as if I had beene going to take possession of some great treasures After J came back to the prison none were suffered to come at me out the SurgioÌ„ to dresse me I feeling my self somwhat Fevorish I went to bed my Surgion doubting the same also gaue me a Glister and appointed to come the next morning let me blood but when he came he could not be permitted to come at me not any else for the Porter kept the key and lockt me vp very close saying the Warden gaue him straight command so to doe Wherevp on I desired the Surgion to go to Westminster to the Warden certifie him how it was with me being very ill that he might haue liberty to come at me to let me blood and dresse mee which could not be obtained till the Warden himself came home About one of the clock John Hawes the Porter came to me to knowe what I had to say to the warden to whom I said Mr. Hawes this is very cruell harsh dealing that after so sore whipping my SurgioÌ„ shal not be admitted to come dresse me nor any other be suffered to administer to my necessities having not eaten all this day nor the last eveÌ„ing but a little Caâ—dle I hope the Lords will be more mercifull then after the undergoeing the extremity of my Censure to take my life from me by letting mee perish for want of looking to therefore J pray speake to Mr. Warden that he would be pleased to give leave to my Chirurgion to come dresse me and let mee bloud otherwise I was in danger of a Feaver which might take away my life So he wished me to have written to the Warden J told him if he would helpe me to Penne Inke and Paper so I would No said hee I dare not doe that Then I desired him to deliver my mind to the Warden by word of mouth who then went away and after I was in my bedd he came to me againe and said thus unto me Mr. Lilburne I have one suite to you What is that said J It is this said he that you would helpe me to one of those Books that you threw abroad at the Pillary that I might reade it for J never read any of them I speake not for it to doe you any hurt only I have a great desire to reade one of them Sir I thinke you doe not said J but I cannot satisfie your