not to dishonor my cause for you suffer said he for a good cause I gaue him thanks for his christian incouragement J replying I know the cause is good for it is Gods cause for my own part I am cheerful merry in the Lord am as well contented with this my present portion as if I were to receiue my present liberty For I knowe my God that hath gone along with me hither to will carry me though to the end And for the affliction itself though it be the punishment inflicted upon Rogues yet I esteeme it not the least disgrace but the greatest honour that can be done unto me that the Lord counts me worthy to suffer any thing for his great name And you my Brethren that doe now here behold my present condition this day be not discouraged be not discouraged at the waies of Godlinesse by reason of the Crosse which accompanies it for it is the lot and portion of all which will liue Godly in Christ Iesus to suffer persecution The Cart being readie to goe forward I spake to the executioner when I saw him pull out his Corded whipp out of his pocket after this manner Well my friend doe thy office To which he replyed I haue whipt many a Rogue but now I shall whip an honest man but be not discouraged said he it will be soon over To which I replyed J knowe my God hath not onely enabled me to beleeve in his name but alsoe to suffer for his sake Soe the Carman drove forward his Cart and I laboured with my God for strength to submit my back with cheerfullnes unto the smitter And he heard my desire granted my request for when the first stripe was giuen I felt not the least paine but said Blessed be thy name O Lord my God that hast counted mee worthy to suffer for thy glorious names sake And at the giving of the second I cried out with a loud voice Hallelujah Hallelujah Glory Honour and Praise bee given to thee O Lord for ever and to the Lambe that sitts vpon the Throne Soe wee vvent vp Fleetstreete the Lord enabling me to endure the stripes vvith such patience and cherefullnes that J did not in the least manner shevv the least discontent at them for my God hardened my backe and steeled my reynes and tooke a vvay the smart and payne of the stripes from mee But J must confesse if I had had no more but my owne naturall strength I had suncke vnder the burden of my punishement for to the flesh the paine was uery grevious heauy But my God in whom I did trust was higher and stronger then my selfe whoe strengthened and enabled mee not onely to undergoe the punishment with cherefullnes but made me Triumph with a holy disdaine to insult over my torments And as we went along the Strand many friends spoke to me asked how I did bid me be cherfull to whom I replied I was merry and cheerfull and was upheld with a diuine and heauenly supportation comforted with the sweet consolations of Gods spirit And about the middle of the Strand there came a Friend and bid me speake with boldnesse To when I replied when the time comes soe I will for then if I should haue spoken and spent my strength it would haue been but as water spilt on the ground in regard of the noyse and presse of people And alsoe at that time I was not in a fitt temper to speake because the dust much troubled mee and the Sunne shined very hot vpon mee And the Tipstaffe man at the first vvould not let mee haue my hatt to keepe the vehement heate of the Sunne from my head Alsoe hee many times spake to the Cart man to driue softly Soe that the heate of the Sunne exceedingly peirced my head and made me somwhat faint But yet my God vpheld me vvith courage and made me vndergoe it vvith a joyfull heart And vvhen J came to Chearing Crosse some Christian friends spake to me and bid me be of good cheere Soe I am said I for I rest not in my ovvne strength but J fight vnder the Banner of my great and mightie Captaine the Lord Jesus Christ who hath conquered all his Enemies and I doubt not but through his strength I shall conquer and over come all my sufferings for his power upholdes mee his strength enables mee his presence cheeres mee and his Spirit comforts mee and I looke for an immortall Crowne which never shall fade nor decay the assured hope and expectation where of makes mee to contemne my sufferings and count them as nothing ffor my momentany affliction will worke for me a farre more exceeding Crowne and weight of glory And as I went by the Kings pallace a great Multitude of people came to looke vpon me And passing through the gate vnto Westminster Many demanded what was the matter To whom I replied my Brethren against the Law of God against the law of the Land against the King or State haue J not committed the least offence that deserves this punishment but only J suffer as an object of the Prelates cruelty and malice and hereupon one of the Warden of the Fleets-officers beganne to interrupt me and tells mee my suffering was just and therefore I should hold my tongue Whom J bidd meddle with his owne businesse for I would speake come what would for my cause was good for which I suffered and here I was ready to shâ—…d my dearest blood for it And as we went through Kings street many encouraged me and bidd me be cheerefull Others whose faces to my knwoledge I never sawe before and who J verilie thinke knew not the cause of my suffering but seeing my cheerefullnes vnder it beseeched the Lord to blesse me and strenthen mee At the last wee came to the Pillary where I was unloosed from the Cart and having put one some of my cloathes wee went to the Taverne vvhere J staid a prittie vvhile vvaiting for my Surgeon vvhoe vvas not yet come to dresse mee Where vvere many of my Friends whoe exceedingly rejoyced to see my courage that the Lord had enabled me to vndergoe my punishment soe willingly Whoe asked me how I did I tould them as well as ever I was in my life I blesse my God for it for I felt such inward joy and comfort chearing vp my soule that I lightly esteemed my sufferings And this I counted my weding day in which I was married to the Lord Iesus Christ for now I knowe he loues me in that he hath bestowed soe rich apparrell this day upon me and counted me worthie to suffer for his sake I hauing a desire to retire into a private roome from the multitude of people that were about me which made me like to faint I had not been ther long but Mr. Lightburne the Tibstasse of the Star-Chamber came to me saying the Lords sent him to me to knowe if I would acknowledge my selfe to be in a
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
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
Booke till I came back againe into England And for my having a Chamber in Mr. John Foot 's house at Delfe where he thinkes the Bookes were kept J was soe farre from having a Chamber there as I never lay in his house but twice or thrice at the most and upon the last Friday of the last Tearme I was brought to the Star-Chamber Barre where before mee was read the said Edmond Chillingtons Affidavit vpon Oath against Mr. John Wharton and my selfe The Summe of which Oath was That hee and I had Printed at Rotterdam in Holland Dr. Bastwicks Answer and his Letany with divers other scandalous Bookes Now here againe I speake it in the presence of God all you that heare mee that Mr. Wharton and I never joyned together in printing either these or any other Bookes whatsoever Neither did I receive any mony from him toward the printing any Withall in his first Oath hee peremtorilie swore that wee had printed them at Rotterdam Vnto which I likewise say That hee hath in this particular forsworne himselfe for my owne part I never in all my daies either printed or caused to be printed either for my selfe or Mr. Wharton any Bookes at Rotterdam Neither did I come into any Printing house there all the time I was in the Citty And then vpon the Twesday after he swore against both of us againe The summe of which Oaths was that I had confessed to him which is most false that I had Printed Dr. Bastwicks Answer to Sr. John Banks his Information and his Letany another Booke called Certaine answers to certaine Objections And another Booke called The vanity impiety of the old Letany that J had divers other Bookes of the said Dr. Bastwicks in Printing that Mr. Wharton had beene at the charges of Printing a Booke called A Breviat of the Bishops late proceeding and another Booke called 16. new Queries and in this his Oath hath sworne they were Printed at Rotterdam or some where else in Holland that on James Oldam a Turner keping Shop at Westminster-hall-gate disperced divers of these bookes Now in this Oath he hath againe forsworne himselfe in a high degree for wheras he took his Oath that I had printed the Booke called The Vanitie and impiety of the old Letany I here speake it before you all that I never in all my daies did see one of them in print but I must confess I haue seen read it in written hand before the Dr. was censured as for other books of which he saith I haue diverse in printing To that I answer that for mine owne perticuler I never read nor saw any of the Drs. Bookes but the forenamed foure in English and one little thing more of about two sheetes of paper which is annexed to the Vanity of the Old Letany And as for his Lattine Bookes J never saw any but two Namely his Flagellum for which he was first censured in the High Commission Court and his Apologeticus which were both in print long before J knew the Dr. But it is true there is a second edition of his Flagellum but that was at the presse aboue two yeares agoe namly Anno 1634. And some of this impression was in England before J came out of Holland And these are the maine things for which I was Censured and Condemned Being two Oaths in which the said Chillington hath palpably forsworne himselfe And if hee had not forsworne himselfe Yet by the law as I am given to vnderstand I might have excepted against him being a guilty person himselfe and a Prisoner and did that which hee did against mee for pvrchasing his owne liberty which hee hath by such Iudasly meanes gott and obtained Who is also knowne to bee a lying fellow as J told the Lords I was able to proue and make good But besides all this there was an inquisition-Oath-tendered vnto mee which J refused to take on foure severall daies the summe of which Oath is thus much You shall sweare that you shall make true answer to all things that shall be asked of you So helpe you God Now this Oath I refused as a sinfull and vnlawfull Oath it being the High-Commission Oath with which the Prelates euer haue and still do so butcherly torment afflict and vndoe the deare Saints and Servants of God It is also an Oath against the Law of the Land As Mr. Nicholas Fuller in his Argument doth proue And olso it is expressly against the Petition of Right an Act of Parlament Enacted in the second yeare of our King Againe it is absolutely against the Law of God for that law requires noe man to accuse himselfe but if any thing be laid to his charge there must come two or three witnesses at the least to proue it It is also against the practise of Christ himselfe who in all his examinations before the High Priest would not accuse himselfe but vpon their demands returned this answer Why aske yea mee go to them that heard mee With all this Oath is against the uery law of nature for nature is alwaies a preserver of it selfe and not a distroyer But if a man takes this wicked Oath he distroyes and vndoes himselfe as daily experience doth witnesse Nay it is worse then the Law of the Heathen Romans as we may reade Act. 25.16 For when Paull stood before the Pagan Governours and the laws required Judgement against him the Governour replyed it is not the manner of the Romans to condemne any man before his accusers hee were brought face to face to justify their accusation But for my owne part if I had beene proceeded against by a Bill J would haue answered justified all that they coulde have proved against me by the strength of my God would have sealed whatsoever I have don with my bloud for I am privy to mine own actions my conscience beares me witnes that I have laboured ever since the Lord in mercy made the riches of his grace known to my Soule to keep a good conscience and to walke inoffensably both towards God man But as for that Oath that was put unto me I did refuse to take it as a sinfull and unlawfull Oath by the strength of my God enabling me I wil never take it though I be puâ—d in peices with wilde horses as the ancient Chritians were by the bloudy Tirants in the Primitive Church neither shall I thinke that man a faithfull Subject of Christs Kingdome that shall at any time hereafter take it seeing the wickednes of it hath been so apparently laid open by so many for the refusall wherof many doe suffer cruell persecution to this day Thus have J as briefly as I could declared unto you the whole cause of my standing here this day I being upon these grounds censured by the Lords at the Starr-chamber on the last Court day of the last tearme to pay 500. poÌ„ to the King and to receive the punishment which
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
your selves from these vile men and every Popish toy And (n) Matth. 10.37.38.39 naked Christ be willing still and ready to embrace Though for the same you suffer shame and wicked mens (o) Mark 13.13 Joh. 15.9 16.2.3 disgrace Because in him is more content more full and (p) Ioh. 14 16.17.18.27 16.33 sweeter blesse Then can be found in any (q) Psal 37.16 thing that in the world now is And this I have by (r) Psal 119.67.71.75 triall found what here I doe declare That to the comforts of our God the Earthly nothing are And he that will not (s) Mat. 19.21 22 23 16.24 25. Luke 14 26.27 quite denie all things for Iesus sake The joyes of Christ he neither heare nor (t) Mat. 10 23. Luke 12 8 9. after shall partake Therefore my freinds if you your Soules will Reallie preserve (v) Jsa 5 2.11 1 Cor. 6.17 Revel 14 Reject their Antichristian Lawes and from Christ never swerve Because the Lord hath said on those his (x) Revol 14 9 10 11 17 8 19 20. wrath shall surely come His sorest ire his greatest stroakes his deepest plagues and doome That doe on hand or head receive the Hell-marke of the Houre Or doe the Beast and his image not cease for to adore Thus and much more on Pillarie there openlie I saide Till at the last my mouth was gagd and by them baselie staide And threatened there once againe that my backe should be wipt If that my tongue but one word more against Romes Preists let slipt Thus with a straight Gagg in my mouth about an houre stood I Having my God to comfort mee in all my miserie And having stood a long time there J was at length downe brought Most sweetly cheered with (y) Heb. 6 1. Io. 1 7. Rev. 1 5. his blood that had my poore soul bought And when I was come downe J cheerefully did say I am more then a Conquerer (z) Rom. 8 37. through Christ that is my stay Hallelujah (a) Rev. 19 1 4. all blessing glorie honour laud and praise Be rendered to thee my God of mee (b) Psa 34 1 2 3 4 103 1 2 and thine alwaies For though that I was in my selfe a Creature poore and (c) Psal 119 141. weake Yet was J made through thy great strength with boldnes for to speake It was (d) Isa 4 1 3 26 4 5. thou Lord that didst uphold with mercie and thy grace My feeble (e) Psal 27 13. flesh so that I did rejoyce in my disgrace Thou fildst my soule so full of joy and inward feeling peace As that my tongue thy praise to tell no time shall ever cease And now O Lord keepe thou my (g) Psal â—1 5 119 94. soule most humblie I thee pray That from thy just (h) Psal 119 80 66 34. Commandements I never runne a stray But unto thee and to thy Truth my heart may still be fast And not offend in any (i) 119 112 118 157. thing so long as life doth last And as thou hast in mee k begunne the saving worke of grace So grant that I thy poore servant may still therein increase And when I shall lay downe this House of fraile mortalitie Then let thy Angels bring my soule sweet Iesus unto thee (i) Philip. 1.6 These Verses were my Meditation the next day after the ExecutioÌ„ of my Censure after the Warden of the Fleet had been with me from the Lords of the Counsell and had searched my Chamber it being after noone and I being not well writ them in my bedd By me JOHN LILBVRNE FINIS
with rejoicing I haue undergon vnto whose censure I do with willingnes cheerefulnes â—ubmit my selfe But seeing I now stand here at this present I intend the Lord assisting me with his power and guiding me by his spirit to declare my minde unto you I haue nothing to say to any mans person and therefore will not meddle with that Onlie the things that I have to say in the first place are concerning the Bishops their calling They challeng their callings â—o be Iure Divino for the oppugning of which those three renovvned living marters of the Lord Dr. Bastwick M. Burton M. Prinne did suffer in this place and they have sufficientlie proved that their Calling is not from God which men I love and honour and doe perswade my selfe their soules are deere and precious in the sight of God though they were so cruellie and butcherlie dealt with by the Prelates and as for Mr. Burton and Mr. Prynne they are worthie and learned men but yet did not in manie things write so fullie as the Dr. did who hath sufficientlie plentifullie set forth the wickednes both of the Prelates themselves of their callings as you may reade in his Bookes that they are not Jure Divino which noble and reverend Dr. I love with my Soule and as he is a man that stands for the truth and Glorie of God my verie life and hart blood I will lay downe for his honour and the maintaining of his cause for which he Suffered it being Gods cause As for the Bishops they vsed in former times to challeng their jurisdiction Callings and power from the King But they haue now openly in the High Commission Court renounced that as was heard by many at the Censure of that Noble Dr. And as you may fullie read in his Apollogeticus And in his Answer to Sr. Iohn Bankes his Jnformation Novv J will here mantaine it before them all That their Calling is so farre from being Iure Diuino as they say they are that they are rather Iure Diabollico Which if I be not able to proue let me be hanged vp at the Hall Gate But my Brethren for your better satisfaction read the 9. 13. Chapters of the Reuelation and there you shall see that there came Locust out of the Bottomlesse Pitt part of vvhom they are and they are ther liuely discirbed Also you shall there finde that the Beast which is the Pope or Roman State and Goverment hath given to him by the Dâ—agon the Devill his Power and Seate and great authoritie Soe that the Popes authoritie comes from the Devill and the Prelates and their Creatures in their printed Bookes do challenge their authoritie jurisdiction and Power that they exercise over all sorts of people is from Rome And for proving of the Church of England to be a true Church their best strongest argument is that the Bb. are lineally discended from his Holines or impiousnes of Rome as you may read in Pocklingtons Booke called Sunday no Sabboth So that by their own confession they stand by that same power and authoritie that they haue receaved from the Pope Soe that their calling is not from God but from the Divill For the Pope cannot give a better authoritie or calling to them then he himselfe hath But his Authoritie and Calling is from the Devill Therefore the Prelates Calling and authoritie is from the Devill alfoe Revel 9.3 And there came out of the smoake Locusts upon the earth and unto them was given power as the Scorpions of the earth haue power to hurt and vndoe men as the Prelates dailie doe And also Revel 13.2 And the Beast which I sawe saith S. Iohn was like unto a Leopard and his feete were as the feete of a Beare and his mouth as the mouth of a Lion and the Dragon that is to say the Devill gaue him his power his seat and great authority and ver 15.16.17 And whether the Prelates as well as the Pope do not daily the same things let every man that hath but common reason judge For do not their daily practises and cruell burdens imposed on all sorts of people high and low rich and poore witnesse that their discent is from the Beast part of his state and kingdome Soe also Revel 16.13.14 All which places do declare that their Power and authority being from the Pope as they themselues confesse Therefore it must needes originally come from the Devill For their power callings must of necessitie proceede either from God or else from the Divill But it proceeds not from God as the Scriptures sufficiently declares Therefore there calling and power proceeds from the Devill as both Scripture and there owne daily practises doe demonstrate and prove And as for that last place cited Rev. 16.13.14 Jf you please to reade the Second and third parts of Dr. Bastwicks Letany you shall finde he their proves that the Prelates practises doe every way suite with and make good that portion of Scripture to the vtmost For in their Sermons that they preach before his Majestie how doe they incense the King nobles against the people of God labouring to make them odious in his sight stirring him up to execute vengance vpon them though they be the most harmelesse generation of all others And as for all these officers that are vnder them made by them for mine own particular I cannot se but that their callings are as unlawfull as the Bishops themselves and in particular for the callings of the ministers J do not nor will not speake against their persons for I know some of them to be very able men and men of excellent guiftes and quallifications and I perswade my selfe their souls are very deare and pretious in the sight of God Yet not withstanding this proves not their Callings to be ever the better As it is in civill government If the King whom God hath made a lawfull Majestrate make a wicked man an officer hee is as true an officer and as well to be obeyed comming in the Kings name as the best man in the world comming with the same atthoritie for in such a case he that is a wicked man hath his calling from as good authority as the godliest man hath And therefore his calling is as good as the others But on the other side if he that hath noe authoritie make officers though the men themselues be never so good and holie Yet their holines maks their calling never a whitt the truer but still is a false a calling in regard his authority was not good nor lawful that made theÌ„ eveÌ„ so the ministers be they never so holy meÌ„ yet they haue one and the same calling with the wickedest that is amongest them their holines proues not their callings to be ever the truer seeing their authority that made them ministers is false and therefore they haue more to answer for then any of the rest by how much the more God hath