Selected quad for the lemma: justice_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
justice_n	offence_n	peace_n	session_n	2,850	5	9.9973	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A88232	The picture of the Councel of State, held forth to the free people of England by Lievt. Col. John Lilburn, Mr Thomas Prince, and Mr Richard Overton, now prisoners in the Tower of London. Or, a full narrative of the late extra-judicial and military proceedings against them. Together with the substance of their several examinations, answers and deportments before them at Darby house, upon the 28. of March last.	Lilburne, John, 1614?-1657.; Prince, Thomas.; Overton, Richard, fl. 1646.	1649 (1649)	Wing L2154; Thomason E550_14; ESTC R204431	45,344	56

which stood nigh unto my door and perceiving them in the street and lane I laught heartily to see so many armed men come for me I told the Lieutenant Col. one man with a Legal Warrant had been sufficient The Lieutenant said they had special Order upon their peril to come I told him to come in that manner was suitable to his unjust Warrant And I also told him my name is Prince and that it was usual for Princes to have great attendance The Lieutenant Collonel gave a Captain charge of me to bring me to Paul's yard which was performed with a strong Guard following close unto us after a very little time came my Friend Lieut. Col. John Lilburn and Mr. William Walwyn after salutations betwixt us we went from thence with Adjutant General Stubbard to White-Hall and there with a very strong Guard of Soldiers was brought unto us our Friend Mr Richard Overton and there we were kept prisoners until about five a Clock in the afternoon at that time with a Guard of Souldiers we were brought to Darby-house within two hours after we had been there I was called for I presently went as was desired into a room where I see about ten or twelve men sitting about a large Table after I had given them a full view I put off my Hat I was spoke unto to go nigh Mr Bradshaw which I did Mr Bradshaw said unto me Here is the Votes of Parliament against that printed paper entituled The second part of Englands new Chains discovered which Mr Bradshaw gave unto Mr Frost to read it to me which he did Mr Bradshaw likewise told me Here is an Order of Parliament giving power to this Councel of State to finde out and examine the Authors Framers and Contrivers of the aforesaid paper and to deal with them as they shall see cause This Councel is informed that you are one of the Authors Framers or Contrivers of the aforesaid Paper and you are required to give your Answer After a little silence I said these words or to this effect Sir I am an Englishman and therefore lay claim to all the Rights and Liberties which belongeth unto an English man and God gave me such knowledg that in the very first beginning of the late Wars I gave my cheerful assistance against those that would rule over the people by their own wills and upon that account I adventured my life and lost much blood in defence of the Common-wealth and all along to this day have assisted in person and purse to my utmost abilities and I am the same man still to withstand Tyranny in any whomsoever Sir I hate no man in the world only the evil in any man I hate Sir all those good things which my conscience and my actions will witness I have done in behalf of the Common-wealth I desire they may be all layd aside and not come in the ballance as to hinder any punishment that can be afflicted upon me for breaking any known Law Sir that which makes a man an offender is for breach of a Law and that Law ought to be made before the offence is committed Sir Although I have fought and assisted against the wills and tyranny of men yet I have not fought to overthrow the known Laws of the Land for if there be no Law to protect my Estate Liberty and Life but to be left to the will of men to the power of the Sword to be abused at pleasure as I have been this day contrary to Law being fetcht from my wife and family Sir by the same rule you may send for my wife and children and for all my estate and the next time if you please to destroy all my neighbors nay all in the City and so from County to County until you destroy as many as you please Sir I have heard talk of Levellers but I am sure this is levelling indeed and I do here before you abhor such doings and I do protest against them Sir There is a known Law in this Land if I have wronged any man let him take his course in Law against me I fear not what any man in England can do to me by Law and Sir the Law I lay claim unto as my right to protect me from violence Sir the Parliament hath lately declared they would maintain the Law but I am sure their and your dealing by me declares to the contrary Mr Bradshaw said Is this your Answer I said Yes then I was commanded to withdraw After some space I was called in again Mr Bradshaw asked me if I did own or deny that Paper entituled The second part of Englands new Chains discovered and to this I was required by that Councel to give my Answer To which I replyed Sir At the beginning of the Parliament it was declared how destructive it was for any man to be examined upon Interrogatories and Sir if they had not Declared it it is my right not to be examined against my self Sir God hath given me this understanding not to wrong my Neighbour nor my Self if my right hand should take away and betray the liberty of my left I would cut it off Sir the people who is the Originall of all Just Power hath not given any such power to the Parliament as to examine men against themselves in criminall Causes the Parliament cannot give that to others they have not Sir as I said before if any man in England hath any thing against me let them take their course by Law Sir the Law doth prescribe Rules for the Offender to be brought before a Justice of Peace and after the Justice hath examined witnesses upon Oath before the party apprehended if the offence although proved upon oath be Bayleable the Justice is to take Bayle if the Justice refuse the party may arrest the Justice and have his cost by Law against him if not Bayleable the party is to be sent to prison and there to be kept untill the next Session or Assises and not during pleasure Sir I never heard of any Law that gives you or any of these Gentlemen that sit here any just Authoritie to call me here in this manner before you Master Bradshaw said Is this your Answer I answered yes then I was bid withdraw About an hour after news was brought unto us That we were to be sent Prisoners to the Tower upon suspition of High Treason we disputed with the Officer and shewed he had no Legall Warrant to carry us thither as prisoners notwithstanding by the power of the sword we were brought Prisoners to the Tower of London where we are Rejoycing that we are counted worthy to suffer in bearing Testimony for the Freedome of the People against their Usurpation and Tyrannie Tho Prince From the Tower of London this 1. day of April 1649. FINIS