certaine characters and essayes of prison and prisoners. compiled by nouus homo a prisoner in the kings bench g. m. (geffray minshull), ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) certaine characters and essayes of prison and prisoners. compiled by nouus homo a prisoner in the kings bench g. m. (geffray minshull), ?- . [ ] p. printed by william iones dwelling in red crosse streete, london : . novus homo = geffray minshull; dedication signed yarffeg lluhsnym, an anagram of the author's name. running title reads: essayes and characters of prison, and prisoners. another edition was published the same year with title: essayes and characters of a prison and prisoners. signatures: a ² a-c d⁴ (-d , blank?). reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english 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england -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion certaine characters and essayes of prison and prisoners . compiled by novvs homo a prisoner in the kings bench. experientia est optimus magister . london printed by william iones , dwelling in red-crosse streete . . to his most kind and ever respective kind vnckle , m. mathew mainwaring of namptwitch in chesshire . since my coming into prison , what with the strangnes of the place , and strictnesse of my liberty , i am so transported that i could not follow that study wherein i tooke great delight and cheife pleasure , and to spend my time idly would but add more discontentments to my troubled breast , & bring in this chaos of discontentments , fantasies must arise , which wil bring forth the fruites of an idle brayne , for è malis minimum . it is far better to giue some account of time though to little purpose then none at all . to which end i gathered a handfull of essayes , & few characters of such things as by my owne experience , i could say probatum est : not that thereby i should either please the reader , or shew exquisitnes of inuētion , or curious style . seing what i write of , is but the child of sorrow , bred by discontentments and nourisht vp with misfortunes , to whose help melancholly saturne gaue his iudgement . the night bird hir inuention , and the ominous rauen brought a quill taken from his owne wing , dipt in the inke of misery as cheife ayders in this great architect of so row . this child is borne and brought to the font all things ready , onely there wants a patron . hoc difficillimum est . for who will defend sorrow , and misery , who wil giue him entertainment , who will countenance this worke the author being miserable , who will respect the matter , the man being an abiect , who wil cherish the circumstance when the substāce is almost perished ? surely non in his diebus , for friendship is banished , loue extinguished , natural affection gone to trauel , gould is dearer then a friend , treasure is nearer thē a kinsman , and mammon better beloued then a sonne . yet in this famine of true friends i will venter vpon you ( most louing vnckle ) as a god-father to this my first borne though in misery . i can haue but a denyall which if you doe it must dye in obliuion . but why should i feare since you haue alwaies bin my anchor when i haue bin ship-wrackt , and many times saued my poore barque when it was ready to split . why thē shold i doubt of your friendly patronage which haue neuer fayled me ? be bould then , and goe thy way , thou shalt be entertained though not for any worth which is in thee , yet in respect thou dost but shew a willing heart , and dost endeauour to expell ingratitude a thing most odious not onely to man but god , not to christians but heathens , not to heathens but beasts . what then should i giue to you for all your kindnesses which you haue continually bestowed vpon me which are so many that if i should endeauour to recite ( ante diem clauso componet vesper olympo ) but to shew my willingnes to my power though i am not able to requite ( for , vltra posse non est esse ) doe offer vp vnto the oracle of your loue the sacrifice of a louing heart , hoping that what is amisse you will impute it to the slendernes of my iudgement , and the dulnes of my brayne which this place hath made worse ( and not to the lest defect of goodwill . ) & that you would let none but your selfe see my imperfections , which are suficiently divulged by my owne actions , & would be vnwilling to haue a second edition of them by my writing this was the chiefest cause i tooke . this in hand ; another was because that happily some friend of mine ( post mea funera ) by accident may find this paper , & read them & by my example say . foelix sum quem pericula huius authoris faciunt me cautum , for qui non ante cauet post dolebit , & that they may be afraide to enter into debt any further then necessity vrgeth , & if they be forced to borrow to pay as soone as the can ( for vsury & extortion bite deepe ) and credit once crackt is not easily recouered nor all creditors of on mind , for some will in pitty forbeare and others will shew the greatest seuerity . so hoping you will accept non donum sed animum ▪ i rest this . of ianuary anno . from the kings-bench prison in south-warke . your euer-louing nephew yarffeg lluhsnym . to the covrteous reader . courteous reader only to banish melācholy and to wade through tedious time , tedious in respect of this place , i gathered a few essayes & characters , with an intent not to haue thē seen of any , but to him to whom they were sent , being on that i might trulie ground a certainty of , who would excuse my imperfections , and iudge charitably of my slendernes of iudgmēt , this coppy by accident came to some of my friends hands , who hauing perused it wished mee to put it in print , which i altogether refused , because i would not presume of my owne iudgment , or dare to venter to put my selfe to the censure of so many vnderstanding readers into whose hands it is subiect to fall , these perswasions preuailed not , intreaties were laid aside , and i must either divulge them , or else loose their loue this was the first motiue that with an vnwilling willingnes caused me to put my booke to censure . another was in respect some obdurate creditors may reade it , & by reading mollifie their strong harts . the last reason because it may be as a caueat to young gallants , to terrifie them how they run in debt , wherein they may know that imprisonment is of all miseries most lamentable . so hoping that the iudicious will with laudable censure mittigate my many imperfections , and the other iudge fauorably of my intention , which if it take well is better then i can expect , if otherwise they do not iniury mee , giuing desert his reward . essays of a prison . to what end or purpose should i intreat halfe of the muses for the ayd of inuention , or cicero to adorne my phrase with eloquence , or floras deepe iudgment to write iudicially , or implore ayde of martiall to speake mistically , or virgills heroicke stile to please the hearers , since what i write is nothing but of sorrow , the subiect but discontentmēt , and the whole matter but an index of many miseryes , & therefore my phrase shal be altogether vnpollished , being the seruant of my more dull apprehension . vade , sed incultus , qualem decet exulis esse , infoelix habitum temporis huius habe . my purpose is with dim water coulors to lime me out a heart , yea such a heart so discontēted & oppressed , that i need not to be curious in fitting euery coulor to his place , or to chuse the pleasantest chamber to draw it in , because in it i am to lay downe the bounds of those tempestuous seas in which ten thousands are euery day tossed , if not ouerwhelmed , which is so vsuall here amongst vs that euery one is arts maister in this workmanship , & euery minute some thing or other is still added to this distressed picture , whose ponderous waight is so great that the frame is scarce able to beare the effigies . my trauells hither to this infernall iland was but a short voyage , and my abode here as yet but few months , but it was longer to me then an east indian voyage , and i am sure farre more dangerous for if from the indyes of sixty men twenty come home safe it is well , but in this if eighty of a hundred be not cast-ouer board it is a wonder being once arriued , no starre of comfort heere can be seene to sayle by , no hauen of happynesse neere , no anchor of hope to cast out , top-sayle , fore-sayle , spritsayle , mizen , mayne , sheate , bollings and drablers are all torne by the windes , and the barque it selfe so weather-beaten , that there is few can come neere to touch at the cap of bona speranza . being once arriued at , all are not onely stayd , but the in chauntments are so strōg that it transformeth all that come thither . first the greatest courages are here wracked , the fairest reuenewes doe here cōe aground , it maketh a wise mā to loose his witts , a foole to know himselfe , it turnes a rich man into a begger , and leaues a poore man desperate , he whom neither snowes nor alpes can vanquish , but hath a heart as constant as haniball , him can the miseryes of a prison ouercome . the character of a prison . a prison is a graue to bury men aliue , and a place wherein a man for halfe a yeares imprisonment may learne more lawe , then he can at westminster for a hundred pound . it is a microcosmos , a little world of woe , it is a mappe of misery , it is a place that will learne a young man more villany if he be apt to take it in one halfe yeare , thē he can learne at twenty dycing howses , bowling allyes , brothelhouses , or ordinaryes , and an old man more pollicie , then if he had bin pupil to machiauill . it is a place that hath more diseases perdomināt in it , then the pest-house in the plague tyme , and it stinckes more then the lord mayors dogge-house or paris-garden in august . it is a little common wealth , although little wealth be commō there , it is a desart where desert lyes hoodwinckt it is a famous citty wherein are all trades , for here lyes the alchymist that can rather make ex auro non aurum , then ex non auro aurum . it is as intricate a place as rosamunds labyrinth , and is as full of blind meanders ; and crooked turnings that it is vnpossible to find the way out except he be directed by a siluer clue , and can neuer ouercome minotaure without a goulden ball to worke his owne safety . it is as innes of court , for heerin lawyers inhabit , that haue crochets to free other men yet all their quirks & quiddities cannot infranchise them . it is the doctors commons where skilfull physitians frequent , who like aesculapius can cure other mens diseases , yet cannot quintessence out of all their vegetalls and mineralls a balsamum , or elixir to make a soueraigne plaister to heale the surfet the mace hath giuen them . it is the chyrurgions hall where many rare artists liue , that can search other mens wounds yet cannot heale the wound the searieant hath giuen them . it is your bankrupts banqueting house , where he sits feasting with the sweete meates borrowed from other mens tables , hauing a voluntary disposition neuer to repay them againe . it is your prodigalls ( vltimum refugium ) wherein he may see himselfe as in a glasse what his excesse hath brought him to , and least that he should surfet , comes hither to phisicke himselfe with moderate dyet , and least that his bed of downe should breed too many diseases , comes hither to chang his bed where he is scarse able to lye downe . it is a purgatory which doth afflict a man with more miseries then euer he reaped pleasures . it is a pilgrimage to extenuate sin● and absolue offences : for heere be seminaries and masse — priests which doe take downe the pride of their flesh more , then a voyage to the holy land or a hayre shirt in lent. it is an exile which doth banish a man from all contentments , wherein his accounts doe so terrify him , that it makes a man grow desperate . to conclude what is it not ? in a word it is the very idea of all misery and torments , it conuerts ioy into sorrow , riches into pouerty , ease into discontentments , and further , of all the ill that may be thought , imagind or be writ : in prison here a man shall find , which will his owne heart split . of prisoners . i could wish that every one that comes to prison should not be dismayed , but cary it out brauely & with resolution , & to consider that no misery in this world is endlesse . after stormes calms wil arise , & though sorrow be over night yet ioy will come in the morning , & to say as caesar did to the pilott that carried him when he was afraid , ( quoth he ) thou cariest caesar : so every generous minde ought to be arm'd with resolution to meete all stormes of adversitie , and to consider that man was borne to misery , and therefore naturall to him . but thou wilt peradventure say the name of a prisoner is loathsome to thee , is it because thou art cooped vnder locke and key ? is it because thou feelest wants ? is it because thou art barred of freedome ? is it because thy freinds looke strangely on thee or forsake thee ? is it because thou art disgraced and holden in scorne ? is it because thou lodgest hardly and peradventure with an ill bed-fellow : yet let not all these dismay thee , for hadst thou the whole countrey to walke in , yet thy soule is still imprisoned in thy corrupted body . let not want discourage thee , for thy redeemer suffered hunger & cold to fulfil thy wants . let not want of freedome trouble thee , thy sauiour was fettered and manackled to infranchise thee . let not the coy lookes of thy freinds dismay thee , thy lord was scorned of all men to bring thee into favour . let not disgraces molest thee , the king of kings was most disgraced to honour thee , let not thy lodging or forced chamber fellowes afflict thee , the pilot of thy safety was lodged in a manger and made a companion for theeues . but looke into thy owne bosome & learne but a short rule yet very difficult viz : ( nosce te ipsum ) and thou shalt find it is not imprisonment that afflicts thee , but the evill which is in thy selfe , makes thee so distastfull , for hadst thou all things at will , yet still thou wouldst wish for more . the greatest monarch liues not without some discontentment , and comfort thy selfe that one day thou shalt be infranchised and goe to that place and mansion house which is prepared for thee , where all scores shall be payd , all cares banished , and all teares wiped away . varlets and catch-poles arrest thee , fret not at it , if law haue power to whet an axe , she must pick out a hang-man to strike the mace , this doeth but onely put thee in remembrance of that arrest which shal summon thee to appeare at the imperiall court of heauen . thy accounts are many and great which are against thee , yea some of you come to a tormenting execution , greeue not at this , it doth but teach thee that thy accounts must be brought against thee , to draw thee to a reckoning to make thee to knowe that thou owest a reckoning to heauen as well as man , and iustice will execute her power not to driue thee to despaire , but to a mendment . further i perswade my selfe their are many prisoners whose resolution are so noble , and resolute that before they would yeeld to the threats of an insulting creditour , they would cherefully thrust their nekes into the yoake of aduerfity , if no more veines herein were cut but their owne , but here is none so poore which dyes in prison but the last gap doth cracke the heart-strings of a wife , children , father , mother , friends or allies , therefore art thou bound to take pitty of thy selfe , and to hang out the flag of truce to thy bloudy-minded creditor , and seeke or ransome to pay all so that thou maist escape with life , though it be vpon some ignoble tearmes , and much losse to thee , if none of these respects , yet for thy countries sake , to whom thou art a traytor if thou giue thy selfe to thine enimies hand when vpon parley thy peace may be made . come forth of prison , and dye not there , that thou maiest honour thy king , and do seruice to thy countrey , and pay thy dets so farre as thou art able , decause the greatest debt that euer thou didst owe was paid for thee . prisoners of another nature . some there be which haue gotten other mens goods and soe lye here to defraud them , these of all men deserue no pitty , or compassion , which tie their owne hands , and make themselues gally slaues onely to weare golden setters , how canst thou say thy prayers , and expect a blessing should be poured on thee , that so willingly errest from the type of a iust mā which is ( suum cuique attribuere ) i will not speake much of thee , because it must be all gall . in a word the gallowes on which the poore theefe hangeth is most fit for thee , he robbeth one man , thou whole families , he is a felon to man onely , thou art a felon to god and man , if he kill , he doth it sodainly and but one , when thou with a lingring ●eath destroyest father , mother , children , and peraduenture many orphants left to their charge . but looke to it that although thou compound for two shillings or three shillings in the pound , the ouerplus which thou so ill hast got will bring thy soule into such debt that the remainder will not pay the interest to saue the forfaiture of thy soule to the diuell , which will damne thee and thy angells , with him and his angells , and thy issue or allies which shall inioy them shall neuer prosper with them . the character of a prisoner . a prisoner is an impatient patient lingrin● vnder the rough hands of a cruell physition , his creditour hauing cast his water knowes his disease , and hath power to cure him , but takes more pleasure to kill him . he is like tantalus , who hath freedome running by his dore , yet cannot enioy the least benefit thereof , his greatest griefe is that his credit was so good , and now no better his land is drawne within the compasse of a sheepes skin and his owne hand the fortification that bars him of entrance , he is fortunes tossing-ball , an obiect that would make mirth melancholly , to his friends an abiect , and a subiect of nine dayes wonder in euery barbers shoppe , and a mouth-full of pitty ( that he had no better fortune ) to midwiues , and talkeatiue gossips , and all the content that this transitory life can giue him seemes but to flout him , in respect the restraint of liberty barres the true vse . to his familiars he is like a plague , whom they dare scarse come nigh for feare of infection , he is a monument ruined by those which raised him , he speads the day with a hei mihi , vae miserum , & the night with a nulla dolor estmedicabilis herbâ : & to conclud a prisoner is a woefull man , opprest with griefe of mind . and tell his miseries , no man can : which he is sure to finde . of creditors . a creditor hath two payre of hands on of flesh and blood , & that nature gaue him ; another of iron & that the law giues him : but the one is more predominant then the other , for mercy guids the one , & māmon the other . but if he once consider what he goeth about to doe , and that it is the image of god whō he goeth about to deface and oppresse with miseries , & calamities then the softnes of the one doth so operate , that it meets with the hardnes of the other , which neuer cōes to passe but when grace & mercy kiles law & iustice , but such dayes are seldome set downe in our calenders , neither will it serue this iland , but perswade my selfe that for a strange meridian is that almanack calculated in which they are found . i by mine owne experience ( though little , yet too much to learne it heere ) haue knowne of my owne knowledg a hundred creditors which haue laid their debtors in irons as relentles as themselues , and of those hundred , if i should add a hundred more , i thinke i should nominate but one onely , and only on of a mercifull breast , who did not onely greiue to see his debtor opprest with misery , but also layd money out of his purse to free him , he shot a second arrow to finde the first and suppose he shot both away , doe you thinke his quiuer was the emptier ? no , he scattered a handfull of corne & reaped a bushell , he receiued treble interest , he gained by this new securitie , & such as would not faile him at the day ; god became his debtor , and paid him more then his accompt came to . thou that art a creditor wilt not beleeue this : doe not . but in stead of this mans weeping make thy debtor melt into teares , and in stead of his lamentation reioyce hee is in thy hands to vse him cruelly , and flatter thy selfe in saying thou hast no reason to loose so much by him , and i will haue his body , or in perswading thy selfe that his friends will not let him lye for such a debt , and that thou wilt not forgiue him , but nolens volens will be satisfied , or else he shall starue and rot : o thou wicked man , thou neuer dost consider what teares thy sauiour shed to free thee , and when thou wast giuen vp to the prison of hell by the hands of thy cruell creditour the divel to be cruelly tormented , yet christ paid all thy scoares with his pretious bloud , and how canst thou lye downe on thy pillow to pray to god to forgiue thee a million of debts , nay they run into infinitum , which will not forgiue thy brother one debt . and when all thy friends would not redeeme thee thy sauiour freed thee , how canst thou doe these things with a safe cōscience ? post thou not sleepe on the pillow of thy owne damnatiō , thy prayers turne into cursings , and thou dost but mock him that thou prayest vnto . consider what a great scoare thou art to pay , what an accompt thou art to make , and how thou shalt not escape if thou vse such cruelty till thou hast paide the vtmost farthing , thou that art a cruell murtherer whom the reuenge and wronges of a wife , children , parents , and orphants will like the bloud of abell call to heauen for vengeance on thee and thy posterity : doe but consider of this , and then thou wilt be affaid to torment thy brother . but imitate the romaines who builded a temple for the reliefe of those which were fallen into decay & pouerty , then find a prison to starue them in , and follow titus vespacian who hauing omitted but one day to doe iustice caused that day to be put forth of the calender . so that day when thou shalt haue but a thought of tormēting thy poore brother ▪ doe but looke into thy owne consience and it will make thee repent that euer thou hast liued such a day wherein thou hast plaid the tyrant in thy heart . the rockes haue yeelded reliefe to men opprest , but you more harder then they , are the cause of their misery . be thou as great a tyrant ouer thy poore debtor as nero was , as cruell as phalaris , as inhumane as lycaon , & in the end thou doest with thes get a staffe to breake thy owne head , and lay a snare which thou thy selfe shalt fall into , which though thy owne person escape , yet thy posterity shal be sure to feele the punishment . thou that vauntest , and wilt make dice of thy debters bones , be these the words of a man ? no , of a monster ? no , but a diuell , nay worse then a diuill , a thing not worthy name , for these words thou art as infamous , as the iewes hatefull for casting of dice for the lords garments , that garment was but a senceles thing but thou casts dice for a peece of thy redeemers body . thou takest with one clap of a varlets hand , from the courtier his honour , from the lawyer his tongue , from the merchant the seas , from the cittizen his credit , from the scholler his preferment , from the husband man the earth it selfe ( and from all men as much as thou maist ) the brightnes and warmth of the sunne of heauen , in a word if nothing will make thy stony heart relent , thou in being cruell to thy debtor , art worse then the hang man , hee before hee strikes begs pardon , thou takest a pride to condemne where thou maist saue . but it may bee thy estate is sicke , thy credit much ingaged , and to saue thy selfe thou art forced to doe this . in so doing thou dost well , if another weare thy coate and thou goest colde thou maist pluck it from his shoulders . if thou art hungry and another keepeth thy meate , thou maist take it off his table ; if he be able to cure thy wound , which for his sake thou hast made , thou hast reason to seeke thy remedy , but if he which hath borrowed thy coate , hath worne it out , and hath not a ragge to couer him with , wilt thou trample vpon his naked body ? if with the iew of malta in stead of coyne thou requirest a pound of flesh next to thy debtors heart , wilt thou cut him in peeces ? if thy debtor offer thee his bed he lyes in , his chamber hee sleepes in , his dish hee drinkes in , nay all that he hath , so that he leaues himselfe , wife and children as naked as they came into the world , wilt thou for all this suffer him to lye in prison ? if thou be mercifull to thy debtor that cannot pay thee , alas what is it ? no more then if thou shouldst lift vp the head of a sick man vpon his pillow to ease him , he may recouer and doe as much for thee ; in prison pouerty is made beggery , and so thereby thou dost not onely vndoe thy debtor , but loose all , therefore bee mercifull and pittifull , and thou shalt not loose thy rewarde . lycurgus being askt why he made no law for parracides , he answered because he thought there were none so vnnaturall : so if i should haue studied all the dayes of my life , and that my yeares should be doubled , i should neuer haue imagined either to haue inuented , or to haue bin an eye-witnesse of such vnnaturallnes as is heere exemplary , as the sonne who being bound for his father , to free himselfe hath layd his father vp in close prison , and heere hath detayned him seauen yeares neuer yeelding to any composition , but his poore father liues at his mercilesse mercie , and againe the father suffers his sonne to be imprisoned for his owne debt at his owne suit , surely a thing so abhorde , that i tremble to write it , and none can reade it without blushing . what will this world come to , when the mammon of this world shall set father against sonne , sonne against father , and make them more mercilesse then tygers , and more vnnaturall then beasts : for a beast forsakes not his owne , but man respecteth gold before his friend , & the father , coyne before the sonne of his body , flesh of his flesh . and the sonne the god of this world before his father , which gaue him life , and beeing whom he ought to cherish , and vndergoe all troubles to ease him . but looke to it , both fathers and children , least in a moment the iust iudgment of god fall vppon you , and damne them and your gold together , louing it better then those whom you ought to cherish , and the one to be but a thing of the basest esteeme in respect of the other . i could exemplifie it with historyes as well forraine as domestique but that it is not my purpose , for ex paucis plurima concipit ingenium . the character of a creditor . a creditor is a man whose estate is wrapped vp in sheepe-skins , his rising growes by his debtors fall , his credit relyes vpon his debtors performance , and the death of a young gallants father is more pleasing to him thē fasting dayes to a vsurer , or death to a broker , hee growes rich onely by putting forth commodities , which mediately conuerts ▪ to discommodities , hee will not put out money for tenne in the hundred , for vsury is hatefull to him , but hee loues extortion and makes that his summum bonum , for he will marchandize with you , whereby hee will gaine sixty in a hundred , hee is your cities honest man , which is , to speake the truth , more thē a knaue , for a knaue that is crafty needs no broker , but hee cannot liue without one . he is a man composed of all loue , and protesting kindnesse to pleasure the occasions of his gallant debtor , with his much affirmation of his respect , how willing he is to doe his worship a pleasure , whereby the chiefe ayme of his pleasure is to haue a footing vppon some capitall messuage , or else to be fingring some petty lordshippe , or cōely mānor , who hauing no sooner glutted himselfe with the rich banquet of his debtors deere cost , but immediately to physick himselfe he is at the charge of a faire hackney coach with three most absolute lades to draw him ( whither hee most willingly is drawne ) with his curious wife , and two or three of his owne conditioned neighbours , to see this goodly purchase , who prepare themselues some fortnight before hand , and prune themselues vp in their peacocks feathers like the puppets in a lord maior his pageant , and for this his great act he is admired at amongst his neighbours as the owle in the day time amongst other birds , and esteemed of with as much respect as that captaine pigmi was , which was commander in that bloudy warres against the terrible black crowes . a creditor may further be said to bee either , homo , monstrum , or demon . a man when he casts his debtor into prison with a determination to seeke his owne , not to ruin him , and if he bee not able to pay all , to take what he can spare , and giue him day for the rest , and so release him : this man is ( homo homini deus ) that as he doth punish , so he doth preserue . a monster when he hath not onely extended his substance but casts him in prison , and is as deafe as an adder to heare of releafe till he haue paid him the vtmost farthing . a diuell when hee hath ruined him doth reioyce to see him fall , and in stead of coyne will haue his carkasse , but to finde a creditor both homo et angelus , that will release his prisoner when he is not able to pay him , and that will consider that vltra posse non est esse . such a one is rara auis in terris , &c. some creditors are pittifull , and mercy still will show : and some as flint will harder be , which many debters know . of choyce of company in prison . vvouldst thou learne to dispute well , be an excellent sophister , wouldst thou dispute of forraine affaires , and be an excellent linguist , i counsell thee to trauel ? wouldst thou be of a pleasing and affectionate behauiour ? frequent the court. wouldst thou diue into the secret villanies of man ? lye in prison . take heed when thou entrest into this wildernesse of wilde beasts , what path thou takest , some guide is necessary , or else vnawares , thou wilt with the roman emperours steward fall into a pit , where cruell deuouring are intrapped , which will ruine thee . societie is the string at which the life of man hangeth without which is no musicke , two in this maske is but a vnion , adam had his eue , and euery sonne of adam hath his brother whom he loues . no chariot runs with one wheele , two makes it steady , a third is superfluous , foure too cumbersome , thou must choose one and but one , who walkes alone is lame . men of all conditions are forced into prison , as all riuers runne into the sea , therefore it is good to be familiar with all , acquainted with few , and if with any eandem cantilenam cano , but with one , make triall what the vessell will hold before thou powre thy selfe into him , and bee wary what thou sayest or doest , for thou shalt haue the eies of enuy , not of reproofe which will looke vpon thee , to malice thee if thou doest well , and if thou deny to follow them in their humors , or to daunce after their owne pipe , thou shalt be more emulated then the boy was of the two ladies when hee preferred venus before in giuing her the golden bal , and if by accident thou doest any thing amisse , as humanum est errare thou shalt bee more vilified , and with inueterate malice more prosecuted to disgrace thee , then the pharisees did the hugonites . be wary therefore of thy company , for to be a bowle for euery alley , and runne into euery company prooues thy minde to haue no bias . thy comming into prison is like a traueller comming into strange countries , and takes vp seuerall lodgings , hath many welcomes , but they are not to him , but to his money . if thou wilt dwell with thy selfe be not giddy , but composed , for hee that is euery where is no where , therefore be wary whom thou selectest , for here bee of all sorts , for thou shalt as well finde a flattering gnatho , as a dissembling sinon , and if thou haue store of crownes , then thou shalt be sure to be humored and bee beloued with outward respects , and then they wil counsell and aduise thee with protestations of their loue , but looke to such , whose counsell to heare , and not imbrace will do hurt but may much improue thee , but if once taken it will operate as the apple which valentine dutchesse of orleans cast to the young princes which once tasted , will so poyson thee with corruption that thou art vncurable . further heere be vaine glorious & taska iue headed fooles , snch wil more trouble thee , then any action of debt which is laid one thee heere be common drunkards , which wil lie heauier one thee then an execution . but if thou suffer a man to ly long in thy bosome , albeit his conditions be full of flawes , yet labour to peece and seame vp his vices , rather then to cast him off least that it call thy owne iudgment in question . all men haue imperfections , and being in prison wee must not looke to haue them starres , this place is noe orbe for such constellations . let not thy companion be a miserable base minded fellow , for then nigardlinesse will hold her fingers one thy purse stringes , let him not be a prodigall for then he will draw thee to riot , of adultery to lust , of swearers to damned oaths , of pot companions to drunkennesse , acquaint thy selfe therefore not with the most , but best , not the best in cloths or money , but in vertue , if there be none such in prison then keepe company with thy selfe , and in thy chamber keepe company with plutarke and seneca , or rather perkins and greeneham , the one will teach thee to liue well , the other to dy well . the good will teach thee good , the bad will thee defame : the one to vertue thee will bring the other greife and shame . the character of companions in prison . quot homines , tot sententiae . all companies are not alike , neither is there a vnion in their dispositions . i will therefore touch but three kinds of persons which thou shalt be sure to find in prison . viz. a parasite . a iohn indifferent . a true harted titus . the first loueth thee better for thy meanes then merit , thy substance then thy selfe , who will rippe open thy bosome to thy enemy , and when thy money begins to sinke , will fly from thee , and will be the first that will disgrace thee . hee is like a whore who will no longer fawne , then thou wilt feede him . hee is a trencher rascall , which will more hate thee when thou leauest to releeue him , then euer hee did seeme to loue thee . the second is one that will flatter thee , and will neither absolutely loue thee nor hate thee , but when present will be with thee , when absent against thee , hee is hic et vbique , heere and euery where , and in very truth he is no where . the last of these thou maist call the masculine sweete heart , on which may be resembled to truth whose bosome is allwaies bare , and hath a breast of chistall , that thou maist looke through his body to his heart , he is one that will loue thee in aduersity , hee will respect thee in the kitchin as well as in the parlor , he will reuerence thee in the hole as well as in the maisters side hee will looke on thee in raggs as well as in robes , and will acknowledge thee in fetters as in a feather-bed , come stormes , cōe calmes , come tempests , come sun-shine , come what can come , he wil be thine and stick to thee therefore . be carefull that thou keepe alway , a freind in time of neede : that will thee helpe without delay , if that thou stand in neede . of visitants in prison . nullus ad amissas ibit amicus opes . from a ruinous house euery man flies , they that are abroad ask euery day how thou doest , when in prison they protest they are sorrow for thy misfortunes , but neuer come to thee , such are idle passengers pressing about a barbers shoppe , when a man is carried in wounded , who will peepe in ānd climbe about the windowes , but dare not enter into the shoppe , for feare they should fall into a swoond to see him drest , a prisoner is as much beholding to such leape-frogge acquaintance as a man shaken with an ague to euery gossoping woman he meetes who will teach him a hundered medicines and not one worth taking . but if thy abiility be such that thou workest thy liberty then thou shalt haue as many hands imbracing thee as centimanus had , much wine with little loue bestowed vpon thee , with oaths infinite that they were comming forty times to see thee , but this or that occasion hindred them , when indeede they were afraide thou shouldest haue had occasion to vse them , & they had purposed to hath come this day , but they are happy that thy so much desired liberty haue preuented them , to such giue no credit , onely salute them with a salue , and a vale. others will come to thee with weeping and sighthing to cheere thee vp , but such are like robin-redbrests that brings strawes in their charitable bills to couer the deade . others will promisse to lend thee money , but try them before thou haue occasion to vse them , which if they deny thee , when thou art at liberty be then vnto them as a shaddow . but true friends in a prison are like strawberries in a barren countrey , that one can hardly get a handfull in a whole yeare , nay they are like your roses heere in christmas , a thousand to one if in an age , one bee found so in prison it is a great ods if of a thousand kinsmen , allies , and acquaintance i finde but one true freind . donec eris foelix multos numerabis amicos . tempora si fuerint nubila , solus eris . but if in this great dearth of freinds wherein wee liue , vnder what fortunate plannet may i iudge my selfe to be borne , and that the constellations of the starres haue much fauored me , that amongst all my flesh and blood i haue found one true damon or faithfull pylades , and amongst all my acquaintance haue found some faithfull , and more constant in their loue and respect to me in this place , then when i was at liberty they did make shew of , that i may truly say . of visitants some faithfull are , when prisoners them require : and to them nothing will deny , if that they them desire . the character of visitants . visitants for the most part are men composed all of protesting promises , and little or no performance they are like your almanacks , which when they promise faire weather , it is a million to a mite if it proue not contrary , they are like the german clocks which seldome goe right , their tongues runne faster then the clock one shroue-tuesday , the pissing conduit in cheapeside , or an irish mans paire of heeles when he runnes one a wager , he will tyre thy eares more in one hower with his loude protestations , then a scholler , citizen or taylor will a hackney horse in halfe a dayes riding , but in performance will be as slow as a snayle in her pace , and when thy messenger comes to them for money , thē they will be sure to haue the strongullion , or cholick that they cannot speake , and looke as rustily one thy messenger , as a lawyer wil one his clyent which sueth vnder forma pauperis , your letters as acceptable as water into a shippe , the kings priuie seale to a vsurer , a subpoena to a countrey gentleman , or a catchpole amongst the freindly society of gallants . they are like the riches & chaynes bought at saint martynes who were faire for a little time , but shortly after will proue alchamy or rather pure copper . lastly , they are like the apples which growe on the bankes of gomorrah , they haue crimson and beautifull rindes , but when they come to gather them , they crumble all to dust ; and truely can i say : of visitants some deserue the name , and freindly are to some : and some there be that meāe no good , but hurt to them they come of entertainement in prison . as soone as thou commest before the gate of the prison , doe but thinke thou art entring into hell , and it will extenuate somewhat of thy misery , for thou shalt be sure not onely to finde hell , but fiends & vgly monsters , which with continuall torments will afflict thee , for at the gate their stands cerberus a man in shew but a dogge in nature , who at thy entrance will fawne vppon thee , bidding thee welcome in respect of the golden cruse which he must haue cast him , then he opens the dore with all gentlenes , shewing thee the way to misery is very facile , and being once in , he shuts it with such fury , that it makes the foundation shake and the dore & windowes so baracadoed , that a man so looseth himselfe with admiration that he can hardly finde the way out , and be a sound man. now for the most part your porter is either some brokē cittizen , who hath plaide lack of all trades , some pander ▪ broker , or hangman , that hath plaide the knaue with all men , and for the more certainty his emblime is a red beard to which sack hath made his nose cousen ierman . no sooner shall a man passe this fury , but hee is conducted to little ease his chamber , where he no sooner hath entred , but ( hard vsage ) his chamberlaine salutes him , and protests he hath lodged thee with as honest a man as himselfe , when in truth , as a paire of sheeres cannot part the knaue betwixt them , and protesteth thou shalt haue a cleane payre of sheetes , and of the best , who hauing no sooner fingred thy coyne but sends thee a payre of sheetes fitter for a horse then a man who hauing plaide the lade so with thee , then leaues thee . hee no sooner departs but thridbare , and monilesse thy chamber-fellowes , come vpon thee for a garnish , which if thou deny them or hast no money , then exit cloake from thy shoulders , and enters two dousen of pots , and one dousen of pipes , this is the pillowe which shall be giuen thee to sleepe on the first night : now thou must be saluted in the morning , or else peraduenture thou wilt thinke thy selfe not welcome . in the morning at thy vprising , ( pothearbe ) the gardiner appeares in his likenesse , and he wil haue vnguentum arum for the narrowe path thou hast to walke in . then to whet on thy stomach to dinner comes ( cut-throate ) the steward for his crowne , who professeth much kindnesse hee will shewe thee , for thou hast bound him with thy courtesie , to couzen thee , not onely in thy meate but money . next after this comes ( mistresse deceipt ) the head cooke , who protesteth thou shalt commaund her , who hauing no sooner greased her fingers with thy siluer , but euer after she will haue a hand in thy dish what thou canst to preuent it , so on all sides the blood of thy purse must bee powred out to maintaine such merciles blood ▪ hounds and continuall purse-leaches . these furies , as they haue diuers shapes , so haue they seuerall kindes of temptations , for after thou hast beene some fortnight in prison , they will come to thee , to cheere thee least thou shouldest adde melancholy to discontentment , and will tell thee they wish thee well , and thou shalt commaund them , and in their opinion the sight of thee streete wil much content thee , and they will attend thee to the tauerne within the rule , where thou must quench their thirst with sacke , and what is got of thee is well got , being obtained by rule , for he that liues by rule cannot erre . suppose thou either perceiuest these things by others , or by thy owne example , and so refuse this profered courtesie of theirs purchased for their pleasures at thy owne cost . then if at any time vpon iust occasion thou desirest it , then thou must giue them a cup of aurum potabile , or else expect not the least fauour , or smallest courtesie for no penny no paternoster , no gold no friendship . if thou continually bee offered iniuries beare them patiently , or else thou shalt bee laide in yrons for satisfaction . if they perceiue thou art like to continue , and hast good meanes , thou shalt want no content that prison can yeelde , but euery dram of content wil cost thee a pound of siluer . when they heare thou art vpon discharge , then they will bee very sorry and make all the best meanes that possibly they can to detaine thee , but if there be no remedy , but thou must needes depart , then what with their three half-pence apound for action money , and three in the pound for execution , they will make such a large bill , which will bee more vnconscionable then a taylors , for he will abate of the summa totalis , but in this , here is nothing to bee abated , all their speech is legem pone , or else with their ill custome they will detaine thee , for thy deniall is an execution without triall by lawe , for notwithstanding that amongst iust men malus vsus abolendus est , heere conseruandus et preseruandus , and so thy entrance into prison ▪ thy continuance in prison , and thy discharge out of prison will bee nothing but racking the heartstrings of poore prisoners , and exhausting the substance of the distressed , whatsoeuer their wants be , holding it for a maxime , that summa iniuria est summum ius . of keepers which goe abroad with prisoners . hast thou a desire to goe abroad thy argos which attends thee , will be more chargeable then the lord maiors gally foyst on simon & iudes day , or a cittizens wife to her husband when strawberries and cherries are first cryed in the streetes , and will consume thee if thou forbeare not , thou maist better cheaperide one thy foote-cloth , then goe adroade with thy keeper . if thou walkest abroad with thy keeper vse him freindly , but respectiuely , so manage him , that he shall rather thinke himselfe beholding to thee then thou to him , for howsoeuer hee fawnes vppon thee with complements standing bare with officious attendance , yet know hee serues in his place but as the dogge the butcher he is to thee as a curre to a droue of beasts if thou goest one quietly ( be it to thy slaughter amongst griping citzizens , & cruell creditors to worke thy owne freedome , he waits gently and brings thee to the dore , but if thou once off●r to stray he woo●e es thee . remember his eye shootes at two whites , thy person and thy purse , the one is to guard thee the other to feede him , thou art compelled to ptotect thy carcase vnder his shelter , as a sheepe in a terrible storme vnder a bryar , and be sure thy standing there is to hae some of thy woo●… torne off . the character of keepers . your keepers most commonly are insinuating knaues , and mercinary rascalls ▪ wearing their maisters liuery , but their owne badge which is slaue , in full proportion they looke like the picture of enuy , with their hands continually diuing into poore prisoners pockets , with their heads vncouered , still proffering courtesies when their hearts make answere , what kindenesse they doe is ( non tibi sed pecuniae , ) they most commonly feede well , to their maisters creddit , but the tablers charge . now if any take exception of the badge knaue which i haue giuen them , as the olde prouerbe is , touch a gald horse and he wil kick . i wil maintain ( i say ) what out of their owne authors , a bird of their owne nest vet not altogether so ill , who said to me that he was weary of his slauish life , in respect he must be knaue in his place , who said , if he were true to his maister , he must be knaue to prisoners , if true to prisoners , knaue to his maister . so be he honest in his vocation , or dishonest , hee must bee still knaue for mala mens , malus animus . there are abundance of these snakes which lie lurking in this place , whose chiefest felicitie is to talke of so many new prisoners which are committed , and are ready to faint if they but heare of release , and all the dogges at paris-garden keepe not such a bawling as these curres euery morning in the tearme , to goe abroad with poore prisoners , by rule onely to prey and seise vpon their coyne , and they will not abate one peny of their extortion , though the poore prisoner fast a week with bread and water ▪ and they reioyce more for a habeas corpus in the vacation . then the husband man for a plentifull haruest , or the merchant for the safe landing of his ship . for mony they will doe any thing , be it neuer so ill , so thereby they may purchase coyne , holding it a maxime , that siluer is well gotten , if by any meanes obtained , and to vse cruelty to prisoners , is pollicy , and wisedome ; because now is the time or neuer , for being once infranchised they will bee as wary to come in againe as the bird which hath escaped the fowlers net . of iaylors , or the maisters of prisons . vtrum horum mavis accipe , there is not a haire to choose , the olde prouerbe must bee verified , neuer a barrell the better herring , iacke must bee equall to gill , they are all one in nature , in place onely they differ ( nomine tantùm : but learne them as you please , or by what name , they are as origine , but laylors . all laylors are not alike , some are more worthy then other , i onely touch the worst sort of them , and that for the most part , for the basenes of the one cannot any waies impeach the worth of the other , but doeth giue greater splendor to the truly noble , being most contrary , for duo contraria opposita magis elucescunt . for the most part your keepers of prisons are very obdurate , and will shewe no fauour and doe looke to bee spoken to by men of worth to bee fauourable to their prisoners , who will promise faithfully , but the crossing of the water derounes their remēbrance , they put much confidence in the porter , and other officers , and will beleeue the wordes of such insinuating knaues , before the oathes of gentlemen of worth , or other conscionable men their prisoners , they are more griping then an vsurer , for he will be content with securitie , but when a prisoner is vpon discharge they will not take baile or securitie , nay they will not abate one poore twenty shillings , though they haue gained neuer so much by them , but will bee king and keysar hauing the lawes in their owne hands , will iustrfie the detaining of trunkes or cloathes ; if the prisoner haue none , then they by violence will take cloake , or doublet , and turne you out naked . further , they are farre more vnconscionable then a broker , who takes fortie in the hundred , but they will thinke it charitie to take fiftie , i and for a chamber where poore prisoners lye like beasts , not men . for cruelty they exceede nero , for he would kill suddenly , but your laylors doe detaine men of good parts , who haue lyen there seauen yeere , not taking any commiseration , in being content to take what they can spare , and giue day for the rest , but when the cruell creditor hath relented , then the obduratenesse returnes , and penetrates the brest of his keeper not to redeeme him till he haue paide all demaunds . but what are they inriched by it ? it so consumes them , that they are so poore , so compassed about with troubles , that they liue beggerly , and dye poore , and that which they inrich themselues by exhausting their substance out of the very blood of prisoners , their issue liues the worse by it ; and , without godly repentance , they may keepe hell gates to giue his men place , which for their tallent hath beene worse then their maister . the character of iaylors . a iaylor is as cruell to his prisoners , as a dogge-killer in the plague time to a diseased curre , and shewes no more pity to a young gentleman , then the vnconscionable citizen that laide him in : when they meete you in the streetes they shewe themselues more humble to you , then a whore when she is brought before a constable , or a cheater before a iustice , but when you fall into their fingers , they wil be as currish as they seemed kind . they are like bawdes and beadles , , that liue vpon the sins of the people , mens follies fill their purses . but some conflict is , he hath some misery , for his pillowe is more stuft with feates then feathers , and though euery prisoner sinkes vnder the waight of his owne debts , yet his keeper feeles the burthen of all , and if sometimes by escapes ( though against his will ) hee did not pay some poore mens debts , his extortion would be so waightie , that the earth could scarce beare him and to conclude , he deserues the olde prouerbe , as cruell as a laylor . ⸪ finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e loci incommoditas . omnis homo miser . nosee tuipsum . nemo vinit contentus . redde rationem . parentes et liberi sunt chari . fac alijs fieri quod velis ipse tibi . diuiti●… faciunt homines potentiores non . meli ores . bona male parta , male di●abuntur . deus fecit hominem secundum imaginem suam . ironia . homo homini lupus . particides . ex paucis dictis plurima in●endere potes . similis simili gaudet . via perieu losa . humanum eum errare . diuitiae faciunt homines potentiores non meliores . cum bonis bonus . cum bonis bonus , cum malis malus . verus ami , cus optimus thesaurus . shillings per diem cum cerere et baccho . a salva libertate sent to colonell francis west of the tower of london, on fryday the fourteenth of september . by lieutenant collonell john lilburne, vnjustly, and illegally imprisoned, in the said tower, ever since the . of march, . occasioned by the receipt of a verball command (which in law is nothing, nor signefies nothing) whereby the said leiut. was seemingly authorized, to carry the said john lilburne before mr. prideaux the nicknamed, and falsly so called atturney general on fryday . sept. . lilburne, john, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) a salva libertate sent to colonell francis west of the tower of london, on fryday the fourteenth of september . by lieutenant collonell john lilburne, vnjustly, and illegally imprisoned, in the said tower, ever since the . of march, . occasioned by the receipt of a verball command (which in law is nothing, nor signefies nothing) whereby the said leiut. was seemingly authorized, to carry the said john lilburne before mr. prideaux the nicknamed, and falsly so called atturney general on fryday . sept. . lilburne, john, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. dated at end: from my chamber in the tower of london this . of sept. . reproduction of the original in the british library. eng lilburne, john, ?- -- imprisonment -- early works to . detention of persons -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . great britain -- history -- commonwealth and protectorate, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no a salva libertate sent to colonell francis west of the tower of london, on fryday the fourteenth of september . by lieutenant collonell lilburne, john c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a salva libertate , sent to collonell francis west leiutenant of the tower of london , on fryday the fourteenth of september . by leiutenant collonell john lilburne , vnjustly , and illegally imprisoned , in the said tower , ever since the . of march , . occasioned by the receipt of a verball command ( which in law is nothing , nor signefies nothing ) whereby the said leiut. was seemingly authorized , to carry the said john lilburne before mr. prideaux the nicknamed , and falsly so called atturney generall on fryday . sept. sir . betwixt eight and nine a clock last night you sent your servant to me , who desired me in your name to come and speak with you , which i accordingly did , and you told me to his effect , that you being out of town in your absence the atturney generall had sent to you : to bring me up to him to the temple in the morning by eight a clock , which you thought good to acquaint me with ; and to know of me whether i would go or no , and you would go with me your selfe . vnto-which i answered to this effect , alas , sir , go with you ? i must , for i know , if i refuse , you can compell me by your guards and therefore i must ▪ nolens , volens go , which i would not do , were i rationably able to resiist you ; but being i am not i shall go , but this i must tell you aforehand , that i know no such man as mr. atturney generall , neither when i come before him shall i so much as put off my hatt unto him , or give him any reverence or respect ; but slight him , and contemne him with the greatest scorne i can imagine . and withall i gave unto you a new book of mine not then published to the view of the world , though the cheefest part of it was pen'd many weeks agoe , which i read to sir arthur has●eriggs one leiut. collonell paul hobson , at his inne at the bull in bishopsgate-streete divers weeks ago , intituled , a preparative to an hue and cry after sir arthur has●erigge , for his severall waies attempting to murther and by base plots , conspiracyes , and false witnesse to take away the life of leiut. col john lilburn . vvhich book i entreated you seriously to read , because there was somthing in it which did a little concerne you . and in the way as i came from you , i was musing upon the frame of a salva libertate to send to you , in the nature of my quondam fellow prisoners . sir iohn minard , alderman adams , alderman langham , and alderman bunch , their salva libertate in the case of the house of lords unjust dealing with them in summoning them up to their barre , which they sent to your late predecessour col. tichburne , whose said salva's are recorded in sit iohn maynards case truly stated , intituled , the laws subversion . pag. . . and in the aldermans printed and excilent petition presented to the lords , . of aprill . but before i got up into my chamber , i came back and told you , i had forgot to demand of you a sight of the vvarrant by vertue of which you were to carry me up , and you told me , you had received none in writing , but only there was sent unto you a verball command , unto which i answered , that was higher then the kings own practises , and was so vissibly imperious , and arbitrary , that i could not but scorne to be such a scounderill as to stoop unto , or obey any such command , although i apparantly hazarded my life in resisting of it , and therefore told you , if you would have me go upon them tearms , you should carry me by the neck and heeles , for i would find no leggs to go ; but if you would produce unto me a written warrant , which had some more face of legall majestracy in it then verball commands , and according to my right and priviledge let me read it , i would go with you either by land or water as you pleased ; because i was in no capacity to resist you , although i then told you i judged a paper warrant ( although in words never so formall ) coming from any pretended power or authority in england now vissible , to be altogether illegall , because the intruding generall fairfax and his forces , had broak and annhilated all the formall and legall magestracy , of england yea the very parliament it self , and by his will and sword ( absolute conqueror like ) had most tyrannically erected and set up , and imposed upon the free people of this nation , a juncto ●o mock powersitting at westminster , whom he and his associates call a parliament ; who like so many armed theeves , and robbers upon the high-way , assume a power by their own will most traterously to do what they like ; yea , and to fill the land with their mock , or pretended magestrates , amongst the number of which is the pretended atturnney generall , in perfect opposition of whom , to the utmost of my might , power and strength , i am resolved by gods gracious assistance , to spend my blood , and all that in the world is deare unto me , supposing him not really and substantially worth the name of an english free-man , that in some measure in this particular is not of my mind . but upon my fore-going answer to you , you were pleased to tell me , upon a verball command you would not force me ; but you would acquaint the atturny generall with my answer which i intreated you to do , conceiving your practise therein abundantly every way more safe for your self , then to execute verball commands , as is legally illustrarted in the . pag. of my forementioned book i gave unto your hands . and sir , accidentally , seeing you betwixt . and . a clock to day , i desired to know if you heard any more of the busines , and you shewed me a pretended warrant the copy of which thus , followeth . these are to will and requite you to bring before me at my chamber in the inner temple , this present day at . of the clock in the afternoone , the body of col. iohn lilburne , to answer to all such matters as shall be objected against him , and hereof you are not to faile . given under my hand this . day of sept. . to francis vvest esq. leiutenant of the tower of london . edmond prideaux . vvhich said pretended warrant is not only illegall in him that makes it , who is no atturney generall either in law , or reason ; but if he were atturney generall , i am sure he hath no power in law to send his warrant for me , or any man in england , to answer to all such things as shall be objected against me , and therefore i am constrained , to inform you hereby , that my person ought not to be hurried to and fro , or disturbed at the pleasure of any man , neither can i yeeld obedience to the commands of any which are not just and legall ; and therefore in case you disturb me by such an illegall warrant , i doubt not but though i should in a sudden perish ( which as to this life , i doe herby acquaint you , i shortly expect ) but some well wisher to englands freedoms , will hereafter call you to a strict account for your illegall dealings with me ; for i must let you know hereby , i cannot voluntarily go to the inner temple to the pretended atturney generall , but shall suffer you to carry me if you shall send force which i cannot resist ; and be-cause i know not whether ever i shall have opportunity to write another line , by reason of the blody unsatiable rage of my tyrannicall adversaries after the last drop of my bloud . i can not chuse but acquaint you , that i have long since drawn , and published my plea against the present power , in my . edition of my book of the of iune . intituled , the legall fundamentall liberties of the people of england , revived , asserted , and vindicated , which you may in an especiall manner read in the . . . to the . pag. which by the strength of the lord . god omnipotent , my large experienced , help in time of neede i will seale with the last drop of my blood : so being in post hast by reason of the shortnesse of time that i have had knowledg of your pretended warrant , i rest , as much a christian and an englishman as ever , from my chamber in the tower of london this . of sept. . john lilbvrne . to certaine noble and honorable persons of the honorable house of commons assembled in parliament. best, paul, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing b thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) to certaine noble and honorable persons of the honorable house of commons assembled in parliament. best, paul, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] signed at end: paul best. imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "aug: ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- great britain -- early works to . great britain -- history -- civil war, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to certaine noble and honorable persons of the honorable house of commons assembled in parliament. best, paul a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to certaine noble and honorable persons of the honorable house of commons assembled in parliament . right honble : and noble by your birth and breeding ; your profession of pietie and religion ; your imployment and interest , furnishing you with occasion and power of exercising those offices , which your qualities oblieg you to . my hard fortune enforceth me to solicite such friends , & necessitates me thus to seeke unto you , that you would be pleased to take notice that i have suffered about monthes imprisonment , with what impairing of my subsistance , i forbeare . as for my condition , it is such as will soone and certainly destroy me , if divine providence prevent not . but if i be destinate to ruine , i wish i might perish by some other way , rather then you should be accessary . as for my desires , my petition relates , and my request ( right worthie ) to you , is only that you would present this postscript-petition to the house , and but so far to favour it ; as you feele your selves in honour & humanitie concerned . and if any man can object , and convince me of disaffection to your generall good and proceedings ; or that i have in the least receded from what i beleeve honorable and conducible , that i may suffer for it : if not , that my sufferings may have expiated for my diversitie of iudgement in case of conscience . thus being reduced to this ; either to rott in a goale , or thus to importune my libertie ; having no other way left me ; this necessity ( i hope ) will iustifie and excuse the course i have now taken . so being yours both by obligation and purchase , i hope your goodnesse will make me mine owne ; and remaine , your more and more servant , paul best , to the honorable , the commons assembled in parliament . the petition of paul best , prisoner in the gate-house in westminster . humbly sheweth . that your petitioner hath suffered a long and close imprisonment , the cause being sufficiently kowne to your honours . wherefore he makes it his humble suit to this honorable house : that in consideration of his service , and sufferings you would be pleased to release him , or grant him a speedie hearing as your honours shall in charitie think fitting . aug : and your petitioner shall ever pray , &c. the oppressed prisoners complaint of their great oppression: with a loud call to englands magistrates for the exercise of impartial justice, before the wrath of the lamb break forth. with a brief relation of the unparallel'd proceedings of the court, at the old baily, the fifth day of the fifth month, . blackborow, sarah. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b a estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the oppressed prisoners complaint of their great oppression: with a loud call to englands magistrates for the exercise of impartial justice, before the wrath of the lamb break forth. with a brief relation of the unparallel'd proceedings of the court, at the old baily, the fifth day of the fifth month, . blackborow, sarah. sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london? : ] signed at end: written by s.b. a prisoner, i.e. sarah blackborow--wing. imprint from wing. verse - "repent, o england, for what thou hast done". printed in two colomns. reproduction of original in the folger shakespeare library, washington, d.c.. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng society of friends -- doctrines -- early works to . quakers -- persecutions -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- england -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the oppressed prisoners complaint of their great oppression : with a loud call to englands magistrates for the exercise of impartial justice , before the wrath of the lamb break forth . with a brief relation of the unparallel'd proceedings of the court , at the old baily , the fifth day of the fifth month , . repent , o england , for what thou hast done to god's dear lambs , and to the holy one ; oh hearken to the doleful hideous cry of god's dear ones , that in your prisons ly . the fatherless in thee , oh england , cry and groan , because of bonds and cruelty ; for great oppression , it doth much abound , as touching justice , it cannot be found . the widows now , indeed , are made a prey , their bitter cryes are heard , still , day by day ; and in the ears of god their cryes do come , they shall be heard by christ , the holy one. wo unto england then , when god shall plead the righteous cause , of innocents ; indeed if england now should plead , it is not guilty of any crime that now is counted filthy , what mean you then , by halling every day god's worshippers to prison ; yea , i say , what law of god have we indeed offended ? that by your souldiers we are apprehended , and in your filthy goals are fast secur'd , and yet no crime against us is procur'd ; what sin is done ? or law have we offended , that justice stops , and surely is suspended ? if that offenders we , indeed , must be , wherefore in court , our charge , could we not see ? what is the crime that we committed have ? let 's hear we pary , for justice we do crave : for we indeed , as free-born english men , for justice cry , which is our right : agen what charge is laid against us , in this day , save in the matters of our god , i pray ? is liberty of conscience now a sin , tho promised by the word of a king. beware , o rulers , then , how you oppress god's heritage indeed , who do no less than his most royal law strive to obay by meeting in his fear , yea day by day : take heed , oh rulers all , how you oppose the marked one of christ , whom he hath chose . oh tender , as the apple of his eye , are they to him : harm them not least you dye . the day will come that you will howl and cry because of torment and of misery . repent oh then , for what you have now done , ye magistrates , and hearken to the son. in london streets you needs must here a cry of cruelty , and sore captivity ; offenders scape , and just men apprehended , surely for this our god is much offended . nine score prisoners , in newgate now doth ly for justice , justice , there aloud do cry ; besides many goals , in england round about , god's heritage are prisoners without doubt . most poor , and from our wives and children rended , and here abus'd , when we should be defended . and when unto the bar we there did come , looking for justice , but yet finding none , we call'd to see accusers , face to face , but met with violence , to your disgrace : when no accuser in your court was found , a snare , immediately , you did propound . and when in soberness we made our mone , that no such thing , in conscience , we could owne , but justice did there come for to behold : your officers and halberteers were bold to pull and hale poor prisoners at the bar , while we aloud for justice crying were . instead of shewing justice in that day , back to the goal they haled us away . where patiently , through grace , we do abide till god the controversie shall decide . take heed oh rulers all , and now give ear , the coming of our lord is very near : fulfil the righteous law of god , oh then in doing justice to the sons of men : and learn to walk in humbleness of mind , then to god's chosen ones you will be kind . and do them justice , while it 's call'd to day , before grim death doth snatch you quite away : for after death to judgement you must come and give account to god , what you have done . at his tribunal seat , oh you must stand to answer to your charge ; it is at hand . where christ and conscience will be your accuser , right , evidence will be without refuser . oh with the adversary then agree , yea while you find him here now in the way , else dreadful will the day of judgement be to rulers , and all goalers , they shall see . repent therefore before it be to late , and labour to escape the cruel baite , that satan layes to catch your souls therein , and harm no more the children of the king. the judgement day will prove most dreadful sure , repent o england , better fruits procure : for dreadful will the lamb of god be then , to all such rulers , that do rule for men . come let the captives of the lamb go free , to serve there god and king with loyalty . 't is not your prisons , bars , or boults will scare god's children dear , or make them for to feare . the spoiling of their goods , or banishments also will not make such decline the truth i know , that do engage to meet now in god's fear , according to his will , they must appear ; his righteous laws , they must and will obey , and to their meetings go , yea day by day . therefore take heed oh rulers what you do , harm not christs pretious flock , though they are few ; for god himself it is that takes their part , but rather to gamaliel's counsel hark , refrain from these men , and let them alone , for if their counsel be of god , he 'l own what they shall do , and with them he will go , ' gainst rulers all , who seek their overthrow . this remnant of the lord , whom he hath chose , fear then , thus day by day still to oppose , and careful be you fight not against him , least he in pieces tear you for this sin . therefore repent , and hearken to his voice , and set the captives free , that have made choice to follow christ , the lamb of god , indeed for follow him they must , and will with speed . his day of vengeance is now drawing nigh , repent , oh england , and at christ's foot lye . the day is nigh that vengeance it must come , decree'd by god , the father and the son : when the sixth angel with 's vial doth appear , we may conclude , that jesus christ is near . then wo to those that persecuters be , christs dreadful wrath and vengeance they shall see . the vials of god's wrath on such will come for all the violence to zion done . break off your sins by righteousness , i pray , then happy shall you be , as christ doth say , and reign as kings with christ , upon his throne , if ye repent , surely he will you owne . for all the violence to sion done , repent o england , and now kiss the son. written by s. b. a prisoner for the testimony of jesus . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e mat. . . exod. . . isa . . , . dan. . . acts . , . mat. . . deut. . jam. . . mich. . . cor. . . mat. . . luke . . chron. . , . thes . . , . isa . . . luk. . , . heb. . . isa . . . psal . . , , . acts . . acts . . jer. . . rev. . , — . ezek. . , , , . jer. . , , . isa . . , , . rev. . . psal . . last . the humble petition of the prisoners in the fleet: as it was presented to his highness the lord protector, and his honourable councell. the th. day of may, . remonstrating the illegality of outlaries, arrests, and imprisonments, in civill, and personall actions. with an expedient for the satisfaction of all debts for ever, without arrests or imprisonment. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing s thomason e _ this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) the humble petition of the prisoners in the fleet: as it was presented to his highness the lord protector, and his honourable councell. the th. day of may, . remonstrating the illegality of outlaries, arrests, and imprisonments, in civill, and personall actions. with an expedient for the satisfaction of all debts for ever, without arrests or imprisonment. smith, william, fl. . p. printed by t. forcet., [london] : . signed at end by prisoners, the first being: william smith. place of publication from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "june. ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . poor -- law and legislation -- england -- early works to . a (thomason e _ ). civilwar no the humble petition of the prisoners in the fleet:: as it was presented to his highness the lord protector, and his honourable councell. th smith, william c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the humble petition of the prisoners in the fleet : as it was presented to his highness the lord protector , and his honourable councell . the th day of may , . remonstrating the illegality of outlaries , arrests , and imprisonments , in civill and personall actions . with an expedient for the satisfaction of all debts for ever , without arrests or imprisonment . june . royal emblem of scottish thistle, french fleur-de-lis, and tudor rose printed by t. forcet . . to his highness , oliver lord protector of the common-wealth of england , scotland , and ireland , and the dominions thereunto belonging , and to his highness most honourable councell . the humble petition of the prisoners in the fleet , in behalfe of themselves and all honest men , that are willing to pay their debts . remonstrating the illegalitie of outlaries , arrests , and imprisonments , in civill and personall actions . with an expedient for the satisfaction of all debts for ever , without arrests or imprisonment . sheweth : that at the common law ( unlesse in speciall cases ) neither lands nor bodie , were subject to arrest or execution in debt , or damages recovered , but the several proceedings was by summons and distress infinite , and after judgment , a fieri facias & levari facies , upon the goods and chattels , and the profits growing upon the lands were the remedies , and writs of executions the law being so tender & savouring of liberty , that all had freedome not only to follow their own affaires but also to serve their country when need required , neither did it permit the taking away the possession of any lands , least the following of husbandry and tillage ; which is so beneficiall to the common-wealth should bee thereby hindred . that the first innovation upon this law , was upon the statute of marlebridge , which gave a monstravit de compote , against fugitive accomptants , only to attach their bodies , to bring them to accompt , and afterwards by the statute of westm. the . chap. . process of outlary was given in accompt , and if the accomptant was found in arreares by the auditors assigned , then hee was to be committed to the next gaole , and their to live of his owne . that afterwards , by the statute of westm. cap. . an elegit was given for the recovery of debt or dammage to extend halfe of such lands , as the debtors had at the time of the iudgement obtained , if the chattels were not sufficient to pay the debt , ( and of all the chattels ) except the oxen , and the horses belonging to the plough , which was the first statute that subjected lands to execution . that by the statute of . edw. . chap. . such process was given in debt and detinue as in accompt , but by the statute of .th of the same king , cap. . all lawes made contrary to the great charter were repealed , as appeares by the lord cooke in his proeme to the d . part of his institutes , and by his comment ▪ upon the .th chap. of magna carta . so as in good construction that statute of . edw. . which first gave the capias in debt and detinue was repealed , as being contrary to the great charter , though the contrary practice hath beene since used , to the destruction of millions of prisoners and their families . that afterward by the statute of hen. . like process was given in actions upon the case , as in action of trespasse and debt , and by the statute of hen. . like process was given in a writ of anuity , as in an action of debt ; all which statutes are as voyd , as that of the . of edw. . to which they have relation , in right construction of law ; for they are not positive lawes , but relative to those former statutes repealed by that generall law of . of ed. . as being contrary to the great charter , and how can that law stand whose foundation faileth . now concerning the arrests and imprisonment of the body , and extent of all the debtors lands and goods for satisfaction of debt ; acknowledged according to the statute of acton burnell , and the other statute de mercatoribus made only between marchant and marchant ; as also the statute of hen. .th of the penalty of such as shall acknowledge a recognizance , in the nature of the statute staple for marchandize ; it is true , that they who doe enter into such recognizance , doe grant that the penalty in that case provided , shall runne upon them ; and give away their liberty , by their owne consent , and are willing to be enslaved and ruined by the creditor , in which case the maxime of volenti non fit injuria , is a proper answer . but for such as at this day are out-lawed , arrested , and imprisoned for debt by capias vtlegatum ; the capias in corporate cities , and boroughs , or by bill of midalesex , or latitat , before any debt or damage is recovered , there being no positive law now extant , to warrant the same ; seemes to be utterly against the common law , and an incroachment upon the liberty of the free-born people of england by ill custome and use , which ought to be abolished . and although it be regulary true ; that where a capias lyes in process , there a capias ad satisfaciendum lyes in execution ; yet that is intended in actions , vi et armis only ; for there a capias did lye at the common law , before and after judgment , but not in debt and detinue , before the statute of edw. . so as it is manifest , that the capias ad satisfaciendum in debt , was never given by any statute-law to take the body in execution , upon a recovery in any meer personall action , contrary to the common-law . that the statute of bankrupts were made against marchants , and such as got their living by buying and selling only , as may appeare by all cases adjudged upon those statutes ; yet of late times , there was a particular temporary-law intituled an act for reliefe of creditors and poore prisoners ; that subjected all debtors that were in prison , at or before the th of october , . and should not pay their debts before the first of aprill following , to be bankrupts , and their lands and estates were to be sold by the judges , in the said act nominated for the satisfaction of their creditors ; which act for weighty reasons moving your highness , was seasonably suspended by your highness and your councell , and since by the late parliament , to the great comfort of all prisoners ; for the proceedings of the late judges therein , were so arbitrary and destructive to the prisoners & their estates ; that if the said act should have continued , or if any ordinance of the like nature should hereafter be established ( as some projecting creditors are now busie and active to obtaine ) it would bee of such sad consequence , that all prisoners now being , and all debtors which hereafter may be prisoners , would be utterly ruined with their posterity also ? for the particular aime and ends , of some cruell and implacable creditors only ( who have gone as farre as the common practice will permit , and that against their owne election ; for after the body is charged in execution , the creditor cannot resort to the goods or lands of the debtor ( while he liveth ) but the prisoner is to enjoy what estate hee hath without farther molestation of the creditor , at whose sute he is imprisoned , and as it is of sad consequence to the prisoner , so it may in time prove to all the free people of the nation ; for that which befalls one may happen to all , and the course of out-lawing , and arresting , being continued for debt and detinue , and other personall actions against the common law , and personall liberty of the people ; there is scarce any that lives but may be brought to the same condition and catigorie , who yet ( though free ) upon a bare pretence of debt , may be out-lawed , arrested , and undone ( as too many of us now are ) upon meer vexatious and feyned actions ; for which abuse hee can have no reparation , although hee remaines three termes in prison , unlesse he can find sufficient baile beyond exception of the adverse party . now if that long expected yeare of jubile to the oppress●d captives be come , that they may be at last delivered out of their more then aegyptian slavery and bondage , and restored to their ancient lawes , and precious liberty ; wee humbly hope your highness will manifest your selfe the vindicator of the ancient lawes and liberties of the people in generall , and conservator of the great charter ; and will be pleased to answer all and whatsoever innovators , with that memorable negative , of a nolumus mutáre leges angliae ; and restore the ancient law and proceedings for recovery of debts , and take away the capias in all civill causes , which will be a most honourable and just ordinance , and prejudiciall to none ; for the ancient and laudable proceedings were more remediall to creditors then that barbarous imprisonment of the debtor is or can bee ; for if the debtor be worth nothing , it is against the law of god , nature , and nations , that he should live all his dayes in the grave of a prison ; whereby he is deprived of friends , and disabled for ever by any industry in his calling to attaine to any estate , wherewith to make satisfaction to his creditors or prosecute for his owne , but is forced to spend his time most unprofitably in prison , and waste what ever he hath or can come by for his necessary subsistance ( in a very wofull condition ) which is well hoped , will not only be pittied but remedied by the mercy and justice of your highness . and for a further expedient , to take away this publique grievance occasioned by the moderne practice of outlawries , arrests , and imprisonment of the body , in civill causes , and to prevent the vast expence of debtors under the custody of sheriffs , bayliffs , serjeants at mace , and prison-keepers , by excessive fees , usually extorted from poor prisoners in gaoles and places ( anciently provided for malefactors and criminous persons , and not for debtors ) many times amounting to more then would pay the debt , for which the prisoner is arrested ; as also for a more speedy , safe and legall way , for the recovery of all just debts and damages for the future , without outlary , arrest , baile , or imprisonment of the body ; as also , to ease the creditors of those vast charges and expences they are forced unto , before they can have their debtors person arrested , their lands extended , or their goods levied in execution , and their monies raised by the same out of the sheriffs hands . may it please your highness , and honorable councell , to reflect upon these proposals humbly offered to your honorable and prudent considerations , in order to the restoration of the ancient law , and proceedings for recovery of debt and damages , only aimed at by your petitioners . . in the first place to take away outlawries , and the capias , both before and after judgment in civill causes , and to discharge all such prisoners from their present imprisonment ; except such as shall be justly indebted to the common-wealth , and have wherewith to pay . . and to indemnifie all sheriffs , the warden of the fleet , the martiall of the vpper-bench , and other officers and keepers of prisons from any escapes in that behalfe . . that all benevolenees , pensions , and annuities , formerly given towards the reliefe of any prisoners for debt , may be disposed of towards the reliefe of maimed souldiers . . that in case the great circumspection of your highness and councell shall thinke fit , to alter the course in the point of meum & tuum ; then to impower the learned and reverend iudges of the foure courts of westminster , both in terme-time , and vacation ; and also all iustices of assise , and nisi prius in their severall circuits ; and all iudges of courts of record within their severall corporations . and that for the ease of the said judges , and more speedy execution of their said commissions , that in every county , city , and corporation , there may be some persons of fidelity , honour , and quality nominated , to bee ayding and assisting unto them , to heare and determine all differences between all creditors , and debtors in a summary way , within their severall jurisdictions . . that the said iudges upon all petitions to them presented , either for debt or other personall actions whatsoever , may have power to call all parties before them by summons , and upon due proofe made of any debt or damage , and of the debtors estate , to order payment and satisfaction , within some reasonable time after ; and in default therof to sell either all or so much of the personall estate of the debtor , as shall pay the same ; and if that prove short , then to lease two thirds of the reall estate of the debtor at the uttermost value ( except the mansion house ) as will satisfie the debt , for any tearme at such a rate as is ordinary for the time being , between buyer and seller ; so it exceed not xxi . yeares , which may be granted upon the estate of all debtors , who have any estates for life in fee , fee-taile , or by coppy-hold ; as also of all estates past in trust , or to uses , wherein the debtor hath any equitable right , or otherwise ; which lease may be good against him and his heyres ; unless he pay his debt , or agree with his creditor within six moneths after the making of any such lease , and that this course be universall in all causes , without circuit of action or respect of infants ; and the like power for such damages , as by a iury of twelve men shall be given before the said iudge , in all other personall actions whatsoever . . that these judges may be also impowred to examine and review the obtaining of all decrees , judgments , recognizances , statutes , and morgages , and the originall debt or contracts upon the same , and to vacat and reverse the same , upon payment of what shall appeare to be justly due thereupon in law or equity , unto the parties interessed therein . and also to try any fradulent settlement of any lands or goods made to defeat the creditor , by a iury of twelve men , and may be directed ( if your highness and councell think fit ) to satisfie creditors their principall debt , with inte rest according to the priority of their debts , and of their securities ; which by law are to be first satisfied , and also to have power to qualifie or take off interest ( with respect had to the late warre ) as occasion shall require , and to give damages to such who have been wrongfully imprisoned , or unlawfully vexed , either for debts formerly satisfied , or where men have layne in prison three termes , and no declaration filed against them . . that it may be ordained , that every petitioner ( except paupers ) doe pay in every cause . s. . d. to the chiefe clerk of every court where any suite is exhibited against the debtor , before he have the summons of the court against the defendant , in full of all fees and salaries to the end of the causes , to be devided amongst the judges and officers of the said court , in recompence of the fees usually taken by them upon tryals of personall actions . by this course the creditor will be sure of his just debt in a short time , with little expence ; also the debtors wife , and children , of a house , and some subsistance out of the third part , the debtors themselves of their liberty , to follow their businesse and to serve the common-wealth in their severall stations , as occasion shall require ; so shall peace and much quiet redound to the publique , when the power of oppression , and the sting of the law , which is the capias shall be taken away ; so may the sheriffes serve the common-wealth with much safety , being not subject to pay for escapes of prisoners , blood-shed , and murther avoyded ; which often happens by arresting of debtors , who many times rather hazard their lives upon a rescue , then they will loose their precious liberty , and indure the miseries of a prison . also much money will be saved , which is commonly wasted in unnecessary and vexatious outlawries , arrests , and imprisonments , by malicious and male volent creditors ; and every man will have their due from each other . also by this course , iustice can be no looser , when there is a generall and equitable law , for the mutuall good of creditor and debtor , now and hereafter . and the memoriall of this ordinance , under your highness government in a case of such publique concerment , will be honourable to future ages . and the petitioners shall pray , &c. the names of such prisoners in the fleet as subscribed the petition . william smith . walter roberts ▪ william roberts . william rudyerd . edward rumsey , robert rowe , william gregory , robert whitwell , morris tuke , thomas stevenson , walter salmon , ambrose fulsham , thomas nash , henry carverth , william carverth robert becket , thomas buck , thomas tracy , edmund hastings , francis eure , thomas hyghton , william bowyer , iohn littlebury , william pitts , william peacock , richard niclets , william coles , thomas iohnson , roger raven , thomas walton , william browne , lyst●r blu●e . m. mary rogers . dorothy arundell . cum multis aliis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- sir william norberts case . cooks instit. . par● . fol. . . hen. , c●p . . westm . cap. . . edw. . cap. . . edw . cap. . cooks instit. . part . hen . cap. . . hen . cap . magna carta , cap . . edw. . . edw. . ed. cap . hen. cap. . an improvement of imprisonment, disgrace, poverty, into real freedom, honest reputation, perdurable riches evidenced in a few crums & scraps lately found in a prisoners-basket at newgate, and saved together, by a visitant of oppressed prisoners, for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse prison or (who loathing the dainties of the flesh) hunger and thrist after righteousness / by george wither. wither, george, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) an improvement of imprisonment, disgrace, poverty, into real freedom, honest reputation, perdurable riches evidenced in a few crums & scraps lately found in a prisoners-basket at newgate, and saved together, by a visitant of oppressed prisoners, for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse prison or (who loathing the dainties of the flesh) hunger and thrist after righteousness / by george wither. wither, george, - . , [ ] p. [s.n.], london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. caption title: captivity improved into freedom by the grace of god. in verse. table of contents: p. - . errata: p. 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prisoners -- great britain. great britain -- history -- restoration, - -- poetry. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an improvement of imprisonment , into real freedom ; of disgrace , into honest reputation ; of poverty , into perdurable riches ; evidenced in a few crums & scraps lately found in a prisoners-basket at nevvgate ; and saved together , by a visitant of oppressed prisoners , for the refreshing of himself and those who are either in a worse prison , or ( who loathing the dainties of the flesh ) hunger and thirst after righteousness . he , who , five thousand hungry souls had fed with two small fishes , and five loaves of bread , would have the fragments sav'd ; for , that is sweet to some , which others trample under feet ; this prisoners late experiments may be , of use to them , who know much more than he : for , men to credit those , are soonest mov'd ; whose words to be sincere , by deeds , are prov'd . by george wither . london , printed in the year , . the author of these fragments , to the humble , the poor in spirit , and to all those afflicted-ones , who disdain not these crumms . experience , though to fools it mistris be oft , makes men wise ; for , some effects on me to that end it hath had : & though with mocks most entertain my triple-paradox , it will , by what ensues ( i hope ) appear that , truths , by me , therein averred were ; and , that , whatever shall succeed thereon , my words , and actions , do concurr in one. those few , who did here visit me , in love , seem'd , with so much contentment to approve their homely entertainment with these scraps , that , they were pocketed ; and some , perhaps , them , will communicate : which if they do , so let it be , and much good do 't them too : i wish , for their sakes , that they better were , but , if , as they did mine , their hearts they cheere , i , may to constancy , encouraged be by their example , more than they by me at present are : and mutual ayd's , ere long , shall make the weakest of us , to grow strong ; for , by god's providence , ( not seldom ) springs noblest effects , from most contemned things . " let , all , who of these fragments , coppies had " these lines ( to be perfixt before them ) add . captivity improved into freedom by the grace of god. george wither , to his friends , who have inquired after him , since the late seizure of his person , books and papers . where i now am , you much desire to hear , what , i am blam'd for ; what , i want , or fear ; which , this will briefly tell you : i am well , ( in purgatory , between heaven and hell. ) my fact , ( which i acknowledge , in good sooth , may some offend ) is only writing truth ; and , that is , in prevaricating times , much more offensive , then some hainous crimes . i nothing want , that 's truly needful , save , due thankfulness to god , for what i have , who hitherto , in an unusual wise , without my care , vouchsafeth me supplies ; which hereby , i acknowledge , to this end , that , others may in straits , on him depend . all , i need now to fear , is , that before i shall be freed , , i way be made so poor the messenger , will hardly get his fees , or , , that the remnant of a loaf and cheese , which at my now forsaken chamber lies , will mouldy be , or eaten by the mise . i do not fear , that what i have exprest or published , will not abide the test , unless my judges , do , by looking back the gen'ral-pardon , ineffectual make : for , that , which i last wrote , was but fruit torn out of the mothers womb before 't was born , which , whether life , or death receive it should , no man with certainty , determine could ; and , if ( according unto my appeals ) that , which i purpos'd for the publick-weal , and honor of the king , may be perused intirely , and not palpably abused , by taking from , or adding thereunto , i do defie the worst , this world can do ; well knowing , that , if she conceal what 's done , from publick view , yet passeth doomes thereon which may be to my wrong , 't will be reveal'd and judg'd by god , to whom i have appeal'd . though now there be not left with me , one line of what i last wrote , i no whit repine : for , providence will further my intent , thereby , much better , than the course i meant ; or , else will raise up , if that be calcin'd , a sprightlier product of the self-same kind , which to obliterate , none shall presume , nor time abolish , nor the flame consume , till it hath took effect to that good end , for which i did at first , the same intend ; and , joseph-like , when i shall tried be , either the king , or god , will set me free , to whose free-mercies only , i appeal ev'n in those things , which i intended well : for , extream justice , is a dreadful thing , whether pronounc'd by god , or by a king : and , otherwhile , men of an upright-way , permitted are , in somethings to mis-say , that spirits may be tri'd , and those things known which are of god , from that , which is our own . i have not purposely , one paper hid to cloake the worst , that er'e i said or did ; and if men would but at my frailties wink , i 'le tell them , when they please , ev'n all i think , although against my life it might offend so , their demands to publick wellfare tend : for , to that purpose , if it needful were , i dare say more , than many dare to hear , ( as would be known by what is now surpriz'd , might it be read in publick , undisguis'd ) yet , not exceed my limits ne'r-theless , or , bounds of reason , or of soberness . i have discharg'd my conscience , as i thought the present times required that i ought , considering , that otherwise , such tools may be of use ; and , men reputed fools speak things , as pertinently in some cases as they , who are imployd in wise mens places . i am not ignorant , with what disdain our pantaloons my poems entertain ; nor ought displeased , that what i have writ seem'd frothy-stuffe , unto a flashy-wit , my sowr herbs are as pleasing to some pallats as apricocks , muskmillions , or sweet sallets to wanton appetites ; and wholsomer than that , wherein they more delighted are . my verse , to them , seems vanity to be ; so seem they , and all earthly things to me . by them , i numbred with phanaticks am , and they , by me , reputed are the same . my muse , harsh sounds unto their ears applies , their manners do as much offend mine eyes ; and , if i merit punishment , who chid them for things misdone , what merit they who did them ? should none reprove , but persons wholly free from sinfulness , no sin reprov'd should be ; and where our general reproofs offend , few men , their private errors will amend . all that is in my thoughts , my words or deeds approvable , from god's free grace proceeds , and none deserveth blame , but i alone ( if i do ) for what now is thought misdone . yet , come not at me , till you may be sure your visits may no detriment procure unto your selves ; for ( though that i am zealous of publick safety ) many are so jealous of our sincerity , whom they shall find from them , in some things , of a diff'ring mind , that they , who walk by gospel and by law , may chance to suffer like jack fletcher's daw , which taken among pigeons , pies and crowes for whom a net was laid , did speed like those : and , to help keep an innocent from starving may censur'd be , by some an ill-deserving , which paradventure may be now my lot. ( if christian charity prevent it not ) more to their shame than mine , who , now have here been their remembrancer , nigh fifty year . but , for me , take you neither care nor grief ; death , will much more advantage me than life : i walk not blindly , in the paths i tread , and they will make me safe , alive , or dead . i am assured , that his providence which orders things of much less consequence ( whether conceal'd or published ) will make that which i 've written , good effects to take ; and also by their means , perhaps , who be as yet displeas'd , both with my book and me . grant me but nature's freedoms , and let then the priviledge of courts and single-men do what they can : for , i have broke no law whereof , a sober man should stand in aw ; nor need i patrons ; nor ought have i done to make me be afraid , through want of one . i , reverence the powers that are supream , and , know so well , what doth belong to them , that , i cannot offend by libelling either against the parliament , or king as many may suppose ; for , vice may be reprov'd , yet , they kept from aspertions free ; as will appear , when i have open laid what , for my vindication may be said . i love and honour more , a foe , that 's just than him , who saves my life , and breaks his trust : and , will not thank them , who , shall see wherein i merit blame , yet palliate my sin ; or , shall excuse me from due punishment , when i shall know my fault , and not repent . nor will they be excus'd , in future times , ( though yet they may ) who make our duties crimes mine , is ( if any ) no more but omission of somewhat ; or , at worst , but a misprision : and , my case now , may be resembled well , by what , unto a northern lasse befel , who , having been corrected very sore for calling of her younger sister whore , which was indeed untrue ; her mother , said unto the lesser girle , tell truly maid , did she not call thee whore ? she answer'd , no , ( she did not ) but , she thought to call me so . i know there are those , who consider can what use there may be of an honest man who seeketh not for honours , or for pelf ; hates none ; affects his neighbour as himself ; fears nought but god , and his own heart ; his king doth reverence , and can in prison sing : when more desire to be affected thus , it will be better both for them and us : and , he who makes these things his chief ambition though wrongs he feel , can never fear perdition . if less than formerly , i am befriended , i , and my suff'rings , quickly shall be ended . if i find favour , you shall hear that from me which , to acknowledge , it will well become me : till then therefore adew ; and hereby know that i am pleas'd , and well , if you be so . chr. our redeemer liveth . aug. . . from mr. northrops , one of the kings messengers in westminster , where i am civilly used . george wither , his first meditation , upon his commitment to newgate , aug. . for his poem called vox vulgi , neither published nor finished . i. so ; i do now begin to be prefer'd ; and from an owl within an iviebush , advanced am , to be a newgate-bird , as fast incaged , as my foes need wish . my feathers have so pluckt already been that , no more i can lose now , but my skin , and when that 's torn away , i may presume my flesh and bones , in short time , will consume . ii. i was restrain'd before , but , not so strait was my restraint , nor in so close a place ; i had my load , but not such overweight , nor seem'd i , so exposed to disgrace . my friends were overcharg'd with me before , and will , this way , be now oppressed more : for , that whereof my judges me condemn , falls not so much on me , as upon them . iii. but , is this newgate , whereof so afraid offenders are ? is this the dismall place , wherein , before i came , i heard it said there 's nothing , but grief , horrour , and disgrace ? i find it otherwise ; and , doubtless , either it is bely'd ; or , they who are sent hither , within themselves , when to this house they come , bring that , which makes it seem so troublesome . iv. i no worse here , then where i was before accommodated am : for , though confin'd from somethings , which concern my body more then formerly , it hath inlarg'd my mind . here , by degrees , with what the world most fears ( with tormeuts , and their executioners ) i may be so acquainted , if i please , that , things which threaten pain , shall bring me ease . v. here , i can see the bottom of that pit which gapes to swallow me : here , i can view what some , who have more prospect , see not yet , nor will , till they their fears cannot eschew . here , i find objects to prepare me for that , which my flesh and blood , doth most abhor ; and , am assurd , that , to what place soe're i , hence am sent , that god , will meet me there . vi. though here , my outward-being , seems no better , but , in appearance dayly worse to grow , my inward comforts and my hopes are greater , and , will be greatest when they make least show ▪ although my oyl and meal doth not increase since i came hither , 't is no whit the less : yea , though i am at more charge every day , then did of late , a weeks expence defray : vii . for that cost , they supplied have , to whom my life , it seems , is dearer , then to me ; and , they ingaged for me are become ; lord ! whence proceeds this kindness , but from thee ? so is it , that , i now can hardly tell whether , my friends , to save me , shew more zeal or they more malice , who have sought of late to ruine both my person , and estate . viii . i find already , by what i have noted , my best expressions will concealed be . my verses ( as the devil scripture quoted ) produc'd by scrapps , to disadvantage me . i see my self oppos'd by no small odds , frown'd on , by mighty men , and mortal gods who sit so high , that they nor feel , nor know what things are suff'red , by poor-men below . ix . not onely railing foes , on every side , but my acquaintaince also , and meer strangers , unjustly , me defame , jeer , and deride ; threats follow me behind , before , lie dangers . yet to no mortal for support i send , nor make complaints by letter , or by friends ; nor will , except to them , to whom belongs the judging of my actions , and my wrongs . x. my soul , these things consider well , and whence they do proceed : consider why , likewise ; who , puts into thy heart , this confidence ; who , by unknown hands , each dayes want supplies ; who , comforts doth augment as griefs increase ; who , cloathes and feeds thee in this wilderness , and , when terrestrial ayds , are quite bereaven rains on thee , quailes and manna down from heaven . xi . mark , how this realm is here epitomiz'd , as to a blest , and reprobate condition : how mercies , and how judgements are despis'd , by most men , at the brinck of their perdition ; how few , be wrought upon , in either place , by threatnings , or by promises of grace . how many , laugh , sing , swear , curse and blaspheme even when , hell , ready seems to swallow them . xii . here , thou shalt see , that meer stupidity and gracelesness , transporteth many a man to out-face death , with less timidity then some with all their moral vertues can : here , thou shalt learn , that if thy prosecutions , thy zeal , thy courage and thy resolutions spring onely , from a natural estate , thou , with all these , mayst be a reprobate . xiii . let therefore , these experiments , which are be enteraain'd ; and , if henceforth god should ( as he perhaps will ) common helps withdraw , let them quite go , and catch on him fast hold . for , if thou then despaire , or shalt distrust his love , who never was to thee unjust , this , will then prove to be a carnal-boast , and , thou , with all thy vain hopes wilt be lost . xiv . since also , thou dost feel thy heart more prone , by smiles and favours , to be drawn aside , then by harsh usage , to be wrought upon , let thy weak'st bulwarks be most fortifi'd , lest , they , who have not strength enough to win the fort by force , by stratagems get in ; and , thou then ruin'd , be past all repair , as many are , by those , who speak them fair . xv. that spirit , try , which thy resolves begets ; for , other while , as resolute are they who are possessed but with ranting-fits , as any , in whom passion bears no sway . contempt of torment , sometimes springs from madness , stoutness , from anger , or despairing-sadness : martyrs , and men , of reprobated sence , bear suff'rings , with small outward difference . xvi . search thou thy heart , therefore , with prudent care , that , malice , pride , nor vengeance lurk therein : that love of god , and all mankinde be there , linckt with a detestation of all sin ; and , if thou find it so , be not afraid what e're against thee shall be done or said : for , resolutions built upon that rock , will , of all raging stormes , endure the shock . xvii . though princes in their supream councils blame thee , and such as are prophane , fannatick call thee ; they shall not able be , to fright or shame thee , by any consequent which may befall thee : and , if so prudently thou guide , thy pen that , when it strikes at faults it spares the men , the wise will form the fools , themselves devide , and , every just-mans vote , be on thy side . xviii . though it alwayes proves not , do not grieve nor vex thereat : for , what god calls thee to , to put in execution thou shalt live , in spight of all this froward world can do ; and future times , will laugh to scorn the storms and mountains , rais'd by gyants , against worms when they shall see , ( which they will see at last ) the towers of babel on their builders cast . xix . make jesus christ , to be the sole foundation , of thy affection , of thy hope and trust , of thy belief , of thy sanctification , of all thy musings , and of all thou dost : for , nothing justifies , but , doth condemn , that is not , in , for , from , and by him , without respect to any interest , except , what , with his glory , may consist . xx. lord , thou hast , by renewing , in some measure my much depraved will , inclined me , in all things , to submit to thy good pleasure , let what 's defective , now , made perfect be , that , known it may be to this generation , man may attain to such a resignation , that , he shall more delight , thy will to do , then , that , which his own will , provokes him to . xxi . prais'd be thy blessed name , who , as thou didst for joseph ( when he was in prison bound ) for me , in my imprisonment provid'st , and , by thy servants , every where art found : be with me , as to be thou hast begun , until my generation work is done , and , when that 's finish'd , for which i was born , let me with joy , into thine arms return . to the right honourable the lord mayor , and the rest of the commissioners of the peace and jail-delivery , for the city of london , now assembled in a general sessions . the humble petition of george wither . the said petitioner , having six and thiry years now past ( before the great pestilence raged ) lived in this city ( about half that time , after he came to mature age ) did in affection thereunto , make here , his voluntary residence , when hundreds of thousands forsook their habitations , that if god spared his life during that mortality , he might be a remembrancer of his judgements and mercies , both to this city , and the whole nation ; which he performing according to his ability , hath hitherto ( with his life onely , and a good conscience ) escaped the plagues of war , poverty , pestilences , and parliaments ; and is now a prisoner in your jail of newgate , in order to be try'd , by the house of commons , at their next meeting , for intending to offer to the private consideration of the lord chancellor of england , a poem called vox vulgi , surprized ( before it was finished ) in this petitioners hands ; who being lately so totally deprived of a considerable estate as not to be left worth this piece of paper , is in danger through want of necessaries , to perish within your walls , before the time of his tryal will come , unless god ( as he hath lately done ) shall extraordinarily provide him his dayly bread , by the charity of some , who , perhaps are scarce able to provide for themselves and families . the said petitionor therefore , ( conceiving himself obliged by the law of nature , to do what he can to preserve his life ( though there be nothing therein considerable , for its own sake ) humbly prayes your honours that , if he can procure bail , it may be accepted for his appearance , when it shall be required , before the said house of commons ; who being the representative of them , whose welfare he hath preferred before his own , and the court to whose doom he seems to be referred by the warrant for his commitment hither , the said petitioner , will patiently submit thereunto . if it be in your power , and may stand with your good pleasure to vouchsafe him this humble request , the said petioner thankfully acknowledging your justice and compassion , will pray for you as in duty he is bound . george wither . the foregoing petition , being dilivered to the lord mayor at the sessions , and no bail allowed to the petitioner , he forthwith composed this epigram . to the city of london . vvere i , a person , who had power to better thy trade , or make thy priviledges greater , or take away the citizens estates , thy walls dismantle , or break down thy gates , i had been lookt upon , though i had done to thee no kindness , neither meant thee one . but , of his love , there is no value made who nought can to to thy wealth or greatness add , though he his life should hazzard for thy sake , that , thee for ever , he might happy make . baii , will not be vouchsaf'd ; but , i must lie among thy rogues , expos'd to live or die ; to starve or begg ; and wholly be debar'd of liberty , unpitied and unheard for doing what was honestly intended ; and , wherein , i against no law offended . this is , i must confesse , nor less nor more , then , i had reason to expect before : yet , all my labour , is not cast away , for , it occasion gives me , thus to say . i wish'd thee well , and will , what ever shall to me , in my extremities befall ; for , here 's a number yet within this place , who are of those in whom the seeds of grace so fructifie , that god hath superseded for their sakes , that for which his justice pleaded ; and i have in my personal distresse so tasted of their charitableness , that , thereby i , enjoying health , and life ( my self not seeking , but thy peace in chief ) expect that justice only , from thy hands whereon thine honour and thy welfare stands ; which neither is thy riches , or thy power for , these may come to nothing , in one hour ; and , if to them , thou overmuch incline , i will not change my poor estate for thine . among the prodigies , by many seen this year , i , might for one , have numbred been , if i , should all particulars relate which do concern my person and estate : but , they must now phanaticks counted be who , either do believe what they shall see , or dare take notice , of those things that vary from god's proceed , in courses ordinary ; and , therefore , i think fitting to conceal them , till that , which is to follow , doth reveal them , to manifest , without all dubitation , that , god hath spoken to this generation . mean while , i 'le suffer : for , our peace must now not from our actings , but , from suff'rings flow . yet , whether , i deserve respect or blame , know london , since i now thy prisoner am , that , if i have not wherewith to subsist thou art oblig'd , to find me bread , at least , whilst here i shall confinement undergo , though i had alwayes been thine open foe ; and , that 't is tyranny ( what ere they are ) to lay on any , more they can bear . know likewise , that , if here i shall miscarry through lack of what , for life is necessary thou , thereby forfeitest , ( as i conceive ) a better charter , then the king can give : because , through want of charity to foes , much more to friends , our part in christ we lose . what i have been to thee , it hath been shown ; what thou to me art , it will now be known . and , possibly , another creation will heed , that i am somewhat to this nation , deserving better , then that lie i should within a jail , at seventy three years old , for acting and designing nothing worse then , how to save them from a greater curse . look to your selves ; for , whether bond or free i am ; i know , my god , will look to me ; and , i and mine , shall be both cloath'd and fed , when they who slieghted us , want robes & bread . so believeth george wither . another meditation , ( or ballad as the world perhaps , will call it ) composed by the same prisoner since his commitment to newgate . i. my soul , since we are left alone , in our confinement here , where we disturbed are of none , to god , come , draw we near . for , part of his three dreadful woes , are now , so carrying on , that , if to him , we cling not close we may be quite undone . ii. our selves , let us examine so , that though our foes condemn , we may , for what we did misdo , make now our peace with him ; lest , when the world hath fully try'd , how , here we may be vext , we , greater miseries must abide where , she will throw us next . iii. sin , to full ripeness , is not come , nor malice , to her heights ; and , we e're they receive their doom may look for more despights . these , which we have endured yet , have been sustain'd with ease ; but , god , it may he will permit much harder things then these . iv. 't is but the suburbs unto hell , whereto , we now are sent ; and ( for the future ) none can tell what , hereto us is meant . to better men , worse things befall then seem to be our meed ; and , our afflictions are but small , to those , which may succeed . v. we have not that dark dungeon seen wherein , is endless night ; nor in those , lowsie lodgings been which ev'ry sence affright ; we feel not that , which many lack ; nor bolts , nor gives we wear , fit things for belly and for back , as yet , supplyed are . vi. with sickness , we are not opprest , in body , or in mind ; no outward cares disturb our rest no inward fears we find . for , all the suff'rings wherewith we as yet , afflicted seem are onely such as grievous be , in other mens esteem . vii . but , should i , ( being old and poor ) diseased grow within , with aches , have my limbes made sore , or , with an vlcer'd skin be turn'd into the common jail to lie upon the ground , and , all those outward helpes quite fail which i have lately found . viii . should this befall us , where might then our hope and courage be ? this , happens oft to righteous men , and , this , may fall on me . what , but complaints and mournful cryes would then , be in this place ; harts aking , or still weeping eyes , scorns , and despaire of grace ? ix . these will be then the best reliefs , that , flesh and blood can see , to cure or mitigate their griefs where such desertious be . yet , be of nought ( my soul ) afraid , for , by his angels , then , shall god's assistance be convaid when thou art left of men . x. they came unto the rich mans doer at which the lazar dy'd , and , him to rest eternal bore to whom , he crums deny'd ; and when elias had of bread the meanes deprived quite , he by the ravenous fowls was fed at morning , and at night . xi . their god is mine ; and if in him , my trust , i still repose , he , will to me , be as to them , to save me from my foes . or , if of that depriv'd i am which fed me to this day , i know he will supply the same as well , another way . xii . the earth is his , with her increase , and wasted were her store , he hath within a richer place , enough , to send me more ; and , till it comes ; that which doth starve , discomfort and destroy ; my life ( whilst useful ) shall preserve , and more increase my joy. xiii . the plagues , which others to despair , and to blaspheming move , shall stir me up , to praise , and prayer , and fill my heart with love. yea , that which on the kings of earth will dreadful horrors bring , shall make me with triumphant mirth , a hallelvjah sing . xiv . the purging fire , which them doth burn , who , therein raving , lye , thy drosse ( my soul ) to gold shall turn , thy silver , purifie . and , when thy fiery-tryal's past , no loss will come to thee , if thy works fixt on christ , thou hast , though built of straw they be . xv. resolves , which i had not before , these musings do beget ; and though , her furnace seven times more , the world , henceforth shall heat , my soul , return thou to thy rest ; for , god , hath me assur'd , that , where i ten times more opprest , it should be well endur'd . xvi . how blessed is that heav'nly place , where thou , oh christ , doth dwell ! if thou canst bring such joy and peace , into this earthly hell ? he , with whom , thou still present art , what ere on him is laid , if , thee he loves with all his heart , needs , no where be afraid . mewgate , sept. . . a return , in answer to some of them , who sent to know how it fares with me in my imprisonment . god , gave me grace ; by grace i did conceive a saving faith ; by saving faith i live . my life of faith , hath had a preservation , by hearing , acting , and by meditation . by meditation , i reduce to words what my experience in this life affords . by that experience which i have attain'd , a patience in my troubles i have gain'd ; my patience hath such hopefulness begot , that , this disgraceful prison shames me not . though i am poor ( and , as our proverb sayes ) as poor as job ) unto my god be praise , i am no beggar ; for , i have not yet , been forc'd to ask for money , clothes , ot meat ; nor tempted ( having dayly bread ) to borrow through fear of wants , that may befal to morrow : and , well remembring , who was pleas'd to say there 's care enough belonging to each day , i , for a day to which i may not live , will not of what i have , my self deprive . with my condition , i am pleas'd , and merry , of my long-suff'rings i am not grown weary . and wish those who pursue me with most hate no worse , then to enjoy the like estate , except my bands . i have acquir'd this rest , by those means and degrees , afore exprest , and , this , unfeignedly , to you declares how , at this present time , with me it fares . sept. . . from newgate . george wither . a pass-by , in relation to those , who seem offended at my frequent-scriblings , as they call them . me thinks , i hear some say , who look upon these papers ; will this fellow ne'r have done ? which questionists , i , with a smile contemn , supposing , labour lost , in answering them : for , nothing is more pleasing to their ears then scurril pamphlets , bawdy rimes , and jeers . to them alone , therefore , who take delight in wholsome words , i le shew why still i write ; presuming , that my reasons will not seem to merit , altogether , disesteem . although my former poems , and my musings had not until of late dayes , those perusings which i expected , nor now valued be of many , they have much refreshed me ; and , otherwile , for supplements have stood instead of sleep , of rayment , and of food . in troubles , me , they more content have made then wealth , repute , and all the friends i had . they cause me to be fearless of my foes ; when i am vext , my spirit they compose ; when i am poor , they are in stead of wealth . when i am sick , they help repair my health ; when i am well , they are my recreation , when tempted to despair , hopes reparation . thereby , when sadness comes , to mirth i turn it ; when i am slieghted , they do make me scorn it . in prisons , when my body is confin'd they do so many wayes inlarge my mind that , doubting whether will for me prove best , the freedom lost , or that which is possest , i use the means of both ; but , wholly leave the choice to god ; and what he gives receive . they are companions , when i 'm left alone ; they find me work to do , when i have none . by day , me from ill company they keep ; make nights less tedious , when i cannot sleep . they ease me , when i am opprest with wrongs ; when i want musick , they do make me songs . to friends , who like them ( where 's no better cheer ) they , acceptable entertainments are : oft , likewise , i make use of them , instead of charms , when , i of fools would fain be rid ; for , if i read them , but a page or two , they strait , grow weary , and away they go . they fix thoughts , which would quite slip out of mind , and , when writ down , i them , know where to find ; yea , other men , thereby , have oft received refreshments , if their words may be believed : and ( which is more then all this ) to god's praise , they are , and may be useful , sundry wayes . for these respects , whoever shall appear pleas'd or displeas'd , to me my musings are considerable ; and if any one they do offend , them , he may let alone ; for , though they have been tendred unto many , i never , yet , inforced them on any , against their wills ; except perhaps it were to save them , whose destruction i thought near ; and , ( i will not be shie the truth to say ) no men , have worse requited me , then they : but peradventure , if that dead i were , none daring to be their remembrancer , ( as i have been ) they may more mischief'd be through want of one , then troubled now by me . george wither's appollogy for composing the poem called vox vulgi ; being a welcome home from the counties , citties and burroughs , to their prevaricating members ; saving the honour of the house of commons , and of every faithfull and discreet individual member thereof ; which poem was surprised before quite finished . the contents . the author , here makes his defence ; clears his asspersed innocence ; and frees himselfe , from just suspition , of acting ought , without commission . here , i have time to meditate upon , what , i my self , and other men have done , occasioning my suffering , at this time , and , in relation to what 's thought my crime : lest , therefore , i may him offend who gave it , i will improve this leisure , whilst i have it ; for , when my musings , are exprest in words , the better means to scan them it affords ; and to declare , what i shall now expresse , i may hereafter , want both time , and place ; or , being dead , before my tryal-day , my false accusors , to my charge may lay , what they shall please ; and none be certain , why i was committed in this jayl to die . god give me strength , to finish this ; and than , let all my foes , do , and say , what they can . i am not only question'd , for a thing , presum'd misdone , but also , for the spring whence 't is deriv'd ; and pleas'd some are , to say that rending of my whole estate away , had me provok'd unto an angry-fit , which was the cause , of what i lately writ ; and , that i had a scurrulous intent . to cast asspertions on the parliament . to make it so appear , depriv'd i am , of what best proves , that , i deserve no blame . my last conception , ( which , before to light it could be brought , was snatcht out of my sight ) may forced be to speak , what i ne'r thought , or , else , be smother'd , as a birth'worth nought : or , ( that an ill intention may appear ) some verses may be pickt out here and there , ( without those qualifyings , which precede , or follow , to illustrate what they read ) whereby , some inferences may be made , that , on good-manners , i , intrenched had , in summing up , and personating that which i have heard , the common-voice relate : thus much to be intended doth appear , by what , i do already see and hear . which falsehood , if , but barely i deny i shall in words alone , retort the lie ; and , reason may be born down by the noises , arising from plurallity of voices , yeld forth by them , who shall intrude to do , that , which nor god , nor good-men calls them to . i , therefore , will produce a vindication , that may be justifi'd by demonstration ; or , by such reasons as will do me right ; unlesse they shall be kept from open sight , or clipt ; or , i not suffered be to say that , which to clear , my self produce i may : and , if so ; by the consciences of them i shall be quit , whose words will me cendemn . my cause , may for the present , injur'd be ; but , all the world can do no harm to me . though that which is without me , wrong'd hath been and may be still , all shall be safe within , so long as god , assisteth me , by whom i , with this confidence , am arm'd become ; and peradventure , they who think to spoil , this confidence , may give themselves the foile . their scandal , in the first place , i le assay , to wipe off , who suppose my losses may provoke me , or , that my oppressions had prevail'd , to make me grow a little mad ; but , they mistaken are in that surmise ; for , to the world-ward , i am so wise , to be by them distempred , in a mood like those , who trust in riches more than god ; and , by what i am like to undergoe , it will be proved , whether it be so . i am not so in love , as men conceive , with that , whereof the world can me bereave , as to ingage , for such poor interests , my quiet in this life , by those contests which i adventure on , if i saw nought , that much more worth such hazards , i had thought : and , this mind , if my actions did not shew , in former times , those will that shall ensue , when , more undoubtedly those things appear , which of my writings , the chief motives were . and will shew whether , i did ought intend to drive on an ignoble , or self-end . it may he known , by what was heretofore divulg'd , that , nothing now befalls me more then i expected ; that , i did foresee what lately seiz'd on other men and me : that , having been here , in the worlds great school so long a time , i was not so much fool , as not to know , how , friends , and means to make in seasonable time to save my stake and mend my game ; if i unto that end had play'd it , which most other men intend ; or , if i thought those men , who look on me with most contempt , were better then they be . i knew as well as any , how to fawn , and flatter ; what to give , and what to pawn for my advantage , if i could have thought that , worth my seeking , for which most men sought . but though i find it an imperfect light whereby at first , i walk'd , it gave me sight of much more then the world believ'd , i saw , and , kept me of mine own heart so in awe , that , notwithstanding i did for a season oft stagger to and fro , 'twixt faith and reason , ( and stumbled otherwhile , into those things which ruine , unless grace prevention brings ) i , in the main , pursu'd a good design ; ( not , i confess , by any power of mine ) and by some symptoms , at the last , perceiv'd , that , till of my estate , i was bereav'd , my work , would neither well be carryed on ( when that time came , wherein it should be done ) nor , take so good effect , as it would then , upon my self , or upon other men . for , which cause , when i saw it must be so , without reluctancy , i , let all go , and without nourishing , a secret spleen against their persons , who my foes have been . this , future things , much better will display then all which at this present , i can say ; as also , that , they who from me of late , have torn unmercifully , my estate ; by far worse motives thereunto were led , then those , which me inclin'd to what i did . loss to prevent , or to regain what 's lost , i did adventure no more pains or cost , then reason warranted , and obligations which bound me to have care of my relations ; or might , then , by pursuing of that course assure me , how much better'd , or grown worse men , by those judgements and those mercies were , which god , had variously dispensed here ; and , having thereby learned what god meant i , with my losses was as well content as is a christian when by turks pursu'd ( who overpower him by their multitude ) he wracks his vessell on a friendly shore , where , he hath life and freedom , though no more . why , should i angry be to see that gone which if i had not lost , had me undone ? which also , will undo them , who now have it , and ( if good heed he take not ) him that gave it ? or , which will be restor'd again to me , if , for god's glory , and my good it be ? why , should i be displeas'd to be bereft of that , whose loss hath an assurance left of better things ? of that , which , whilst possest , increast my troubles , and disturb'd my rest ? of that , which i must shortly leave ( though mine ) and , know not ( when the same i must resign ) whether , it to their weal or woe , shall tend , to whom , when i am dead , it will descend ? these things considered , all wise men know that , nor these , nor my former musings flow from discontentments , or from wrath that springs from loss of inconsiderable things : and wisemens , good esteems , if keep i may , a rush i care not , what fools think or say , on whom , the less impression it will make , the more i rationally write , or speak . but , that , whereby most blame to me may come , ( and , which will probably be charged home ) is an impeachment for a hainous thing that some are pleas'd to call a lybelling against the commons ; which , if proved true i le ask no favour : for , i think none due ; and , if it be an unjust imputation i for my sufferings claim a reparation , expecting ( which ought not to be refus'd ) that , what is call'd a lybel be produc'd to open view , and sight of ev'ry one who may concerned be , in what is done : and , that , none may usurp a priviledge thereon to passe a sentence as my judge , who shall not read , or hear the same throughout ▪ for , solomon hath freed it so from doubt that , to averr , i shall not be a fear'd , he , that doth censure what he never heard , deserveth shame ; and i shall rather laugh and jeer thereat , then either grieve or chafe ; because , ( at worst ) i , then a doome shall have , much like as if , a fool had call'd me knave . if left to publick view , my poem be , and finisht as intended was by me no worse construction , thereof can be made then this , that , i have call'd a spade a spade ; and , means devis'd , whereby men may appear unto themselves , what others know they are . by fained speakers , i have onely said what was to me by common-fame convey'd and murmur'd in most places , to worse ends then that , wheteto my harmless poem tends : and , if i may presume the truth to tell i am rewarded ill , for doing well : for , thereby , i not onely turn'd aside that general reproach which was apply'd to all the house of commons , and , alone to them confin'd it , who brought blame thereon ; but , likewise , without personally blaming ( or marking any forth ) to their defaming , have sought to bring it to their cognisance , who might thereby , the publick weal advance ; and , who , if it prov'd worthy approbation might useful make it for the reformation of that , which else , will have a cousequence more hurtful , then my innocent-offence , for , though by publication , i had done what might have seem'd a fault ; ( and now is none ) the generality but little more had thereby known , then what most knew before , when to worse ends , and more apparant wrongs 't was tost , upon the rackets of mens tongues ; who , so dissatisfied seem to be by what , they lately feel , and hear and see , that very frequently they are offended ev'n with what for their welfare , seems intended ; because , they having often been deceiv'd suspect , some future mischiefs then conceiv'd : yea , then , are things , when plausibly projected , the lesse believed , and the more suspected ; not by those onely , who now called are phanaticks , but , by those likewise that were distinguish'd by the name of cavalier ; yea , and our jacks indifferent , do begin to be more talkative then they have been , because , they find themselves in danger ( whether they are of this , or that side , or of neither ) so long , as things which reason order might , shall passe by number onely , without weight . to intimate , that , parliaments had been disturb'd , by some of those , who were brought in a surrepticious way ; and , that by them the people were abus ' , d is no great crime ; nor is affirming , that they were deceiv'd unfitting to be spoken , or believ'd , when generally avow'd ; nor to averr a parliament in grosse , may sometimes err , since , neither to be wise , or innocent , is , an inseperable accident of parliaments ; as hath apparant been , by that , which we in our own dayes have seen : for , that , they may with treason , and with murther , be charged , we shall need to look no further then , unto those transactions which have past , both in this parliament , and in the last . what have i then misdone in making known how foolish , mad , or wicked some were grown ? how much opprest men are ; how griev'd ; and how exasperated , more and more , they grow ? what fault commit i , when i hear men say what 's done , and what i see done every day , if i declare ( sedition to prevent ) that i perceive most men are discontent , and froward ? since i neither made them such , nor , therein am concerned half so much as other men ? nor did intend a course thereby , to make what 's evil , to be worse ? and , since , by that , which lately written was by me , no mischief can be brought to passe , unless , by accident befall it may , as when heat melteth wax , and hardens clay . it seems hard usage ( therefore ) to be thrown into a jail ; of all that was mine own , in my old age dispoil'd ; shut up alone , where , sick or well ( attended on by none ) i must in longest nights the hazzards take of what may happen , sleeping or awake ; not impudent enough , to beg or borrow , nor having certainty of bread , to morrow , if charity should fail : which , is a case much worse , then oft befalleth in this place , to thieves and murtherers : yet , this is not here mention'd as repining at my lot ; for , whereas i am onely lodged there , where murtherers and thieves confined are , the son of god , who for my ransome dy'd was twixt a thief and murth'rer crucifi'd : and , in my present suff'rings i am eas'd , by being well assur'd , that god is pleas'd with what befals ; and that i shall at last be fill'd with sweetness , by what had a taste of bitterness at first ; and , that to them who , me and my endeavour now contemn , things may hereafter profitable be , which are at present , mischievous to me . despised instruments will be of use to bring to mind , that which will help reduce confusion into order , when apply'd by meekness , and not spurned at by pride ; and , things which by the world , as much were jeer'd as josuah's rams-horns , when he first appear'd surrounding jericho , will bring about as great a miracle , as then was wrought ; though no examples , yet , nor good advice , nor private admonitions make those wise , who have not eyes to see , what they behold nor ears , to hear a truth , when it is told . the hour is not yet come , which i expect may probably give this a good effect . but , there are times wherein that will content for which , we shall at other times be shent . my poem , stiled opobalsamum , ( though ) more offensive , then my last , to some ) the commons ( named the long parliament ) did winck at , without show of discontent : yea , though in plain terms , i made bold to tell wherein , their faulty-members did not well . i , then ( as in the last ) had so divided the goats from sheep ; and had so well provided to save their honour , who least guilty were that ( though when that first poem , did appear , i was to them a prisoner , for telling what some of them to hear of , were unwilling ) they me inlarged , and vouchsaf'd me more respect in show , then e're they did before . for , prudently observing , that the shame which they in chief deserv'd , who were to blame , was upon all , without distinction flung , ( till , unto those to whom it did belong , i had confin'd it ) not one word was spoken to me , which their displeasure might betoken ; and , some good use was made , ( though i confess not very much ) of what i did express : and , when , by time , that out of mind was wore , i , had as little favour as before . and , so i have had also , ever since ; for , still , some at my writings took offence , and more my wrongs , by one foe , one day , were then all my friends , could right in twenty year . i may have hope , the commons before whom i must be try'd , as prudent will become . the priviledge of waterford affords , the freedom of explaining their own words to all her citizens . if my words are allow'd but that sense onely , which they bear grammatically , i no more desire , so that my poem be preserv'd intire , and perfected with my last thoughts thereon according to my mind when 't was begun . for , no great credit again thereby they shall who weigh a matter , till they hear it all , and , they will much bewray their ignorances , who heed not causes , with their circumstances . there was before my book , as epigram whereby , i wholly vindicated am from that which is pretended ; and , i hear that will not be permitted to appear . if so , i find it , there is mischief meant which i shall find a medium to prevent , unless there be , in some an impudence much more deserving blame then my offence . that epigram did evidently shew my book designed for the private view of clarendon , ( suppos'd so wise and just , that , him , the king is pleased to intrust ev'n with his conscience ) to receive his doom before , that forth in publick it should come : because , that , i was hopeful it might bring by means of him , some notions to the king whereof his wisdom , would have made some use to further , what shall to his weal conduce ; and , if that epigram concealed be it both dishonours him , and injures me . for , lyable it makes him , to suspect that , me , in ill designs , he doth protect ; the wrong to me is without precedent , for , e're i had expressed what i meant with my imperfect poem , i was seiz'd ; accus'd of whatsoever others pleas'd , and here , unto an ignominious jail committed am unheard , and without bail. i hope for better usage , when the ring of suff'rings i have trod , till me it bring before my judges : ( for what e're is thought ) their honour , i have not infring'd in ought . their charge , against me , i , yet know not how may honestly be prov'd ; but , this i know , the house of commons may much honour get by well approving that which i have writ ( considering , i therein have appeal'd , to god , and men ) if , it be not conceal'd . from open view , and mulcts upon me laid for mentioning in private , what was said , in publick by the people ; who , thereby and , therein , are concern'd as much as i ; because , my purpose , in that poem , tends to common good , without sinister ends . and , if we to our selves , may not relate , our thoughts in words , and them communicate to peers intrusted by the supream power , ( for preservarion of their peace and our ) we are in danger , shortly , to become the veriest slaves throughout all christendom . but , ( as i said in that which was surpriz'd ) the prudent commons , will be so advis'd when they with seriousness , have that perused whereby , they are suppos'd by me abused , that , finding none reproved save onely those , who them in their debatings did oppose ; and , that they likewise ( after next october , who were half mad in june ) wise , and grown sober , will mend their former manners , and become as helpful , as they have been troublesome ; both parties then , will , peradventure be thenceforth , as fully , reconcil'd to me as i to all men am ; and , what was not ill-meant , shall be well taken , or forgot . if , it be so ; it will a symptome prove of an abatement , if not of remove , of some oppressions , to prepare the way for what 's reserv'd , untill another day . but , to what end is this apologie ? not meerly , from this place wherein i lie , to free my person ; or , from that , which may to me befall upon my tryal-day . no ; those effects , must from an abler spirit proceed : all i can say , or do , or merit , to add a contribution thereunto , so , little , will to such a purpose do , that , rather , provoke more my foes , i shall and deeper , into their displeasure fall : for , 't is not pleading in the fittest season a righteous cause , with arguments reason ; nor is it our well-doing ; or our saying the truth ; nor preaching ; nor unto them , praying ; nor our long-suff'rings ; nor ( when past they are ) good services to them , how great so e're , that so much moves , as flattery , making friends , large gifts , and serving of their present ends . i , therefore , have but an occasion took thereby , to mention somewhat , yet unspoke a nobler cause concerning then mine own , ( and whereon , words will better be bestown ) wholly to god committing the success make that , the chief aim of what i express . for , hearing what is done , ( by common fame ) and partly knowing , that , oblig'd i am not by my nat'ral faculties alone , on me conferred for that end , ( or none ) but , also , by my christianity , ( and , not a little , by a moral-tie ) to speak , and write , and do the best i may , to bring them who are out , into their way ; and , i le express , what e're to that effect i do believe may tend ; without respect to persons of a high or low degree ; or , any powers on earth , who e're they be . councills and parliaments , and soveraign kings , i do acknowledge to be sacred things , whose reputation , whilst ( at least ) they are in being , ought with conscientious care to be preserv'd ; because on them depends , that , which to publick woe or welfare tends . yet , he , from whom all powers their being had , and they , for whose sakes onely they were made ought so to be preferr'd , that , nought be wav'd whereby their dues , and honours , may be sav'd . we have oft seen and felt , in our own times , that , they of such confusions , and such crimes hath been the cause at least in letting in much more destructive plagues , then all the sin of privare persons ; and , that which we know was heretofore , may be hereafter so . yea , may and will , in every age grow worse unless there be provision of some course to regulate them ; and , a free consession ( to persons qualified with discretion ) to mind them of their duties , who have dar'd when they to publick places were prefer'd , imploy those priviledges as their own which were for publick services bestown ; and , often do abuse them , to the wrong of them , to whom of right , they do belong . 't is now high time , that earthly kings & judges , should wiser grow ; and use their peiviledges , to better purposes then heretofore : for , his great kingdom , now is at the door , which will destroy those empires that begun in nimrod , and through various forms did run until the tyrannies , beginning than shall have an end in that misterious-man , who , by the dragon , scarlet-whore and beast , ( though mystically ) truly is exprest . then , shall those tyrannies , and usurpations whereby he , long time , hath opprest the nations , and therewith , every branch that sprung therefrom , unto an everlasting ruine come ; though some of them are seemingly besainted , and with fair shewes of holiness bepainted . for , i believe ( although it doth appear to few men , yet ) divine records declare aswell the term of nimrod's emperies as of mysterious babels tyrannies , whose time , six hundred sixty six is known to number out : and , which must be ov'rthrown with that , from whence it sprung , when ripe 't is grown . that , to be all in all , god , may be known . ( grown . and ( as i've oft inferr'd ) they , who belong to that new empire , which will then grow strong , shall now way need their persons , to ingage by violent actings ; but , to bear the rage of their opposers with a patient heart ; for , suff'ring onely , will be their chief part . and , he who in the assyrian hoast did smite fourscore five thousand persons , in one night , shall by the pow'r and vertue of his word perform that work , without their hand or sword . the cup of fornication , so bewitches with love of pleasures , honours , and of riches the great men of the earth , that , they think none are sober men , unless they dote upon those vanities , and prosecute those ends to which , their policy and power tends , until they grow as mad or drunk as they ; and , then perhaps , for wise men , pass they may . as david sayes , they will not understand ; they will not heed what god hath now in hand ; but , obstinately still adhere to those who , tempt them on , unto their ov'rthrowes , till ruine comes : for , they are not aware how cheated by those mountebanks they are ; nor how those parasites increase their store , ev'n to excess , by making of them poor : nor heed they , how , these cause them to destroy those men , by whom they safety might enjoy with love and honour , if they did not lend their ears to those , who no good-men befren'd . they shut their eyes , and therefore cannot see into what dangers they approaching be ; and , those as much they hate who cross their will to save them , as if they did come to kill . that , which they call , the reason of the state , too far insisted on , is often that which proves the bane of kingdoms ; & yet still either false prophets , priests , or their self-will therewith besots them ; though they have bin told , what thereon hath ensu'd in times of old when , princes , god's directions had despis'd ; and acted that , which their own hearts devis'd although they by experiments had seen , what , of their policies , the fruits have been . these were of old examples : saul , thereby deprived was of life and soveraignty . king solomon , by something like that knack ( to please his wives ) in honour suff'red wrack . so , jeroboam , though , god promis'd him , and to his seed , a lasting diadem , by that state-policy , whereby he sought to keep the throne , the loss thereof was wrought . jehu , regardless of god's promises the same course following , had the like success . high places , altars , groves , and priests of baal were chief occasions of king ahabs fall , the bringing of the gods of edom home , in hope that they a strengthning might become unto his kingdom , was the overthrow of amaziah , and of many moe . state-policy , made judah's king contemn the prophets counsel , when jerusalem was first destroyed , and the jews inslaved who , might then , from that bondage have been saved ; and , they who truly sought their preservation reputed were ( as now ) foes to their nation , disloyal to their king , seiz'd as supitious , and punished as factious or seditious . state-policy , caus'd breaking of that oath for which god was with zedekiah wroth , and punished in such a signal wise that he lost both his kingdom and his eyes : and , politick enlarging of possessions or power , by loading nations with oppressions , to further state-designs ( until it wracks their loyalties , and then their patience cracks ) hath been , and will be , in all times , and nations , the cause of wars , rebellions , desolations and changing governments : but , now ere long when human policy , hath made most strong the mistris of terrestrial potentates , by counsel , strength , and by confederates , combin'd as they intend ( and when their might hath raised expectation to the height ) then ; she , and they , shall be unto each other a mutual plague , and be destroy'd together , with ev'ry person , family , and nation , which is a member of that corporation : and then , those pedlers who are now so jolly , shall , packing up the tokens of their folly run to seek out where they their heads may hide , from that , whereby , they shall be terrifi'd . let him , that hath an ear to hear this , hear it ; let proud men tremble ; let the mighty fear it ; and let the meek rejoyce ; for , god will turn their sorrows into gladness , who now mourn . it is not only , now , of much behoof , but , necessary too , that sharp reproof advice and admonition , should be given to all estates and princes under heaven , yea , and particularly be apply'd by some , and in some cases , when aside they from the way of safety , stray so far that , to apparant danger , nigh they are ; ( how ere they take it , or what ever shall thereby , to their premomters befall ) because , by states , if wickedly inclin'd , the greatest plagues do fall upon mankind . this made elia's to become so bold when ahab , of his wickedness he told unto his face ; and when , to like intent , a writing , he to king jehoram sent . this , to reprove king asa , without dread , the seer hanani encouraged . this , made the prophet samuel so to school king saul , that in effect , he call'd him fool ; and , john the baptist , speak as plainly too , of herod , as now they term'd quakers do to some with us : this , also , did induce king david , who observed the abuse of courts and councils , to cry out on them to this effect ; how long ! will ye condemn the poor and innocent ? how long ! oppress the man , afflicted , and the fatherless ? how long ! will ye unrighteously neglect the cause that 's just , for personal respect ? do justice , and vouchsafe compassion more hereafter , then ye have done heretofore ; for , ( if it be not ) to you , be it known you walk in darkness ; you have overthrown the worlds foundations ; wilfully inforce , all things to move out of their proper course ; and , that , though god himself hath call'd you gods a difference making ( with no little odds ) twixt you and common men , yet , die you shall like them ; yea , die such death's , as did befall to wicked princes , who , unto their place went down , with greatest horror and disgrace . although such rough reprooss on silken ears grate harshly , and are thought by flatterers to sound like blasphemy : this in old times the language was , in which great princes crimes rebuked were ; this was the usual mode , till slavish men , fear'd mortals more then god. thus , david spake unto the congregations of mighty men ; thus , through all generations to them should truth be told , as need requir'd , by those who , to that purpose are inspir'd : republicks , kings , and councils , objects are of such reproofs , and so reproved were , and , how inrag'd soever they are grown god , will be king ; his pleasure hee 'l make known by whom soever he pleases , that their crimes may now , as well as in preceding times reproved be ; for , states and private men are every whit as guilty , now , as then . the same at this time , or , the like omissions , the like exorbitances , and oppressions in this our generation may be found ; and more and more , are likely to abound if not prevented ; for , the things we should : we neither do , nor suffer those who would , and , if we can but force men to professe as we do , though against their consciences , we think we have secur'd them to our side ; whereas , when such mens truths come to be try'd , who are for fear , or for advantage won to act what is against their conscience done , ( they , being both to god , and men unjust ) in them , there 's of all other , the least trust : for , how long ? or to whom ? or unto what will they be true , who conscience violate ? doubtless , without a speedy reformation , it wholly , will corrupt this generation , fit us for nothing , but , for what is evil , and , to be serviceable to the devil . as therefore 't is unfit that ev'ry one should states , reprove , 't is as unfit that none perform that work , and brutish , to conceive that , god , the worlds last and worst age , should leave without premonitors ; or , that the dayes most wicked grown , requir'd not stranger wayes of admonition , then have been in use when , of god's grace there was much less abuse : for , providence , that nothing doth omit which , either work or season , may befit , ( although , but little heed thereof be took ) hath lately , to this generation spoke by many prodigies : each element hath very plainly preached god's intent : yea , many dispensations , which to us seem to be wicked , or ridiculous , have somewhat in them , which relates unto that , which we have done , or else ought to do or have omitted ; or else to be signs of that , whereto this later age declines : and , that such things as those , in these last ages should be , we have authentical presages . but , visions , revelations , prophesies or such like , now , the common-voice decries as at an end : which i , confesse , is true as they concern revealing doctrines new to saving faith relating : yet , of that , which may concern the temporarie state of christ's church militant , or his elect in actings or in suff'rings to direct ; or , of unfolding prophesies to them , which were seal'd up , till an appointed time , god , hath vouchsaf'd in season , revelations as need required in all generations , by whom he pleas'd ; and frequently , by such as , by the world , were not esteemed much . some think , that nothing meriteth regard save what by ancient prophets , was declar'd , who were immediately inspir'd from heaven , by special warrant and commission given . be not deceiv'd ; the same commission , still , is extant with us , under hand and seal , in execution to be put , by all whom , for time being , god shall please to call to be his prophets ; who , aswell may now as heretofore , be called from the plow , from herds , fruit gathering , fishing , from a trade which , in the world small reputation had , or ( as when christianity began ) from being an extorting pablican ; this , may believed be ; for , what is else the meaning of that scripture which foretells their sons and daughters in the later times , should prophesie ? that , old men should have dreams , and young men visions ? mind too ( if forgot it be ) and know it , if you know it not , that every one , who hath in interest in christ , is now , king , prophet and a priest , ( anointed , at renewing of his birth , to do him services here upon earth ; and stands oblig'd , as he occasion sees to execute all these three offices according to the measure of god's grace bestown , and in his proper time and place ; and , these impower'd by his commissions are to parliaments , and councils to declare ▪ ( at least in general terms ) what may prevent dishonouring god , or common detriment ; and be remembrancers , of such like things , as need requires , unto the greatest kings . kings , also , should have still attending them such seers , as to david in old time the prophet nathan was . but , in the stead of such , baffoons , or jesters do succced , in princes courts ; by whom , they sometimes are inform'd of useless truths , by way of jeer ; and , other while , perhaps , a formallist , so far as it with courtship may consist , will mind them of such duties as they see by them perform'd ; but , such as wholly be neglected , and by whose neglect they may be quite destroy'd , they , not a word will say . on many kings ; their lies a heavy charge ; their kingdoms are both populous and large ; there , likewise , are so many thousand cases which do concern their persons , or their places or other men ; and such a few there are to represent them to a royal ear and , likewise of those few , there are so few who represent unto them what is true , that , whilst a freedom is allow'd to none to shew them what 's destructively misdone , or , what is fam'd ; all their prerogatives may not secure their honours and theit lives : especially , at such a time as this wherein god searcheth after what 's amisse ; and , hath already , both begun to cast into his fiery furnace , and to blast all humane wisdom , pow'r and righteousness ( yea all , wherein their confidence men place ) that , they may know , all evils do from them proceed , and all things , that are good , from him . moreover , that , which long since was foretold , some of this generation shall behold , in differing states , and with as different passions according to their differing inclinations ; and by the men , and means the world despises , in spight of all that hamane wit devises it shall be brought to pass ; and , they who did defend the noblest cause , then , best shall speed . oblig'd , for these respects , is ev'ry one to do , what in his place is to be done , that god's will , so far forth as power is given , may here be done on earth , as 't is in heaven : a safe condition , they are alwayes in who trust not in their merits ; hate their sin ; and their endeavours labour to improve in faith , and meekness , patience , hope and love ; that this may be effected , whatsoever it costs them , in pursuing that endeavour . for , priviledges of the humane nature , more sacred are then those of any creature beneath the godhead ; and , to all mankind he is a traytor , who hath ought design'd . against that interest ; and therefore , i vow , in defence thereof , to live and die . in order thereunto , i now employ , the faculty and talent i enjoy , which , god hath made proportionable to the works , and men , with whom i have to do . that , which i suffer for , on this account was done ; by god's commission i have done 't . if truth i write , i am no whit to blame , if it be false , i an imposter am ; and , let the commons , when that next they meet , deal with me for it , as god shall permit . i have discharg'd my conscience : and , if me , he will not save , i , saved will not be ; nor will i , in this cause plead one word more , then , this , and what i 've written heretofore . i know the world ; she also knows her own and , we shall both ere long be better known : mean while , this my imprisonment to me will my teipsum nosce , prove to be . this also , and what 's formerly exprest of me , and of this age , will be a test . now , i le retire unto my self , and sing to god , be glory ; and god save the king. they , who are wise will observe these things ; and shall understand the loving kindness of the lord . psal . . . another meditation in newgate , somewhat alluding to this old verse in seneca , nunquam non potest , esse virtuti locus . which implies , that no place , or time can disadvantage an honest-man . there 's diff'rence in the self same times and places , as god conferreth , or withdraws his graces ; or , as our cause is ; or , as we shall find our hearts , to be ought more or less inclin'd , to bring the flesh into a due subjection , unto the spirits dictates and direction . for , this place , i perceive to be the same to me , which i unto my self , now am , and , not that , which it is to most of them who are with me confined at this time . by burthens ( though as great ) are made more light , then theirs are unto them ; the day or night , are no whit tedious ; nor unpleasing make my sleep , nor cares renew , when i awake : but , i as well contented am become , in all respects , as ev'r i was at home ; although , as well by my intelligence , i , my afflictions feel , as by my sense : for , ev'n those things , which in themselves are bitter , to cure distempers , prove not onely fitter , but sweeter too , then that which in times past was more defir'd , and did most please my taste . the want of sleep here , and of such like things as else where , and at other seasons , brings pain to the flesh , and to the soul vexations , are either made to me sweet recreations , or give instruction , in another mode , and more effectually , then things abroad . last night , as in my bed i musing lay how time and life , and all things pass away ; how needlesly our selves we vex and pother , destroy , afflict , and persecute each other ; what cost , and pains , and time , we spend to build that , which will in a little while be spoil'd ; and , how , the quiet of our lives we trouble about our structures of wood , straw and stubble ; which , when our several fiery tryals come , will into smoke and ashes , quite consume ; it made me take into consideration what i had built , and upon what foundation , that , i my self , might therein be secure although my works , the flame should not endure . and , thereof , having an assurance got the loss of all my works disturb me not : for , i , a thousand times more pleas'd am grown with his on whom i build , then with mine own . my soul then , ( which in her complantings , flies like an eagle mounted on her wings through wayes , which to no other can appear ) to various objects , scatter'd here and there , her flights directing ; at the last descri'd that flame , whereby the works of men are try'd ; to which , mine eye of contemplation turning , to see each single humane structure burning , it was to me , a much more pleasing sight then bon-fires on a solemn day at night when young and old men round them in a ring do sit and hear a fidler play and sing ; and , ' mongst all things , which to the fire then yielded , the paper works which have been lately builded did make the greatest blaze ; and to mine eyes appear'd to be the best burnt-sacrifice that had been off'red in this age by men , by , at the least , nine and a half in ten ; because , they have a prime occasion been both of our present plagues , and of much sin : and , griev'd i was not , that , some of mine own must into that refining fire be thrown , for , though that useful they might be some way , much of them , have ( i fear ) too much alay . there are among our papers-edifices , some useful , sanctifi'd , and harmless peeces which may be helpful to preserve those notions whereby , our faith , our manners and devotions may be improved , and likewise to clear the lanthorn , which the saving light doth bear , from those bedaubings , which the foggs of time , and mists of ignorance , have made so dim , that , many things , it very dubious makes and doth occasion manifold mistakes : but , they are buried so in heaps of trash , so choakt , with intermixed balderdash , and , so supprest by them who hate the light , ( or , persecute the authors with despight ) that , they are but like here and there a spark , which lies at bopeep , twinckling in the dark ; and , would be quite quencht , if not oft reviv'd . by him , from whom , they were at first deriv'd . yet ( like the fire which in a wat'ry-pit , ( was hid ) although such sparks be clouded , yet they will break forth ; and kindled by the blast of god's out-breathings , raise a flame at last , that shall quite burn up , those huge piles of vain and pestilent contrivements of the brain . for , they are , and have long time , been the tinder of pride and lust , and discord . they , do hinder the publick peace ; the growth of truth and love they do obstruct ; all wickedness promove , and all prophaness ; ignorance they cherish , destructive animosites they nourish : yea , have so fill'd the world with books of lies , patcht up with forged probabilities , that , 't is impossible the time succeeding should know the truth of any thing by reading , without a more then common intellect or , some divine assistance to direct . for , they have put on most things , such disguises , that , vertues , hardly can ▪ be known from vices , or truths from heresies , or wit from folly , or things prophane discern'd from what is holy ; nor cheating sophistries , from soundest reason , nor right from wrong , nor loyalty from treason ; nor reprobates from saints ; nor saints from devils , nor saving doctrines from destroying evils , except some help which hath vouchsafed been from god , shall much improve the light within . this notwithstanding , pleased be to know , ( although there is to them pronounc'd a woe by whom offences come ) it fitting were that , if an evil be , it should appear : and , ( since god doth permit it for probation that good and evil in each generation sholdu manifest it self ) that by the crimes of others , men approv'd may know the times , we with a sanctified heart should heed them and , to those ends improve them when we read them for which they were permitted . thus , from acts that evil are , the prudent man extracts good uses , as physitians when it needs , extracteth physick out of poysonous weeds . thus far , my muse before i was aware had rambled ; but , i le cast the lure up , here . these , & such thoughts as these , me waking kept whilst , many dream'd of other things , and slept . this , of the last nights musings , portion was ; ( which , if you please , may for a vision passe ) and , when the morning came , thus , into words i put , as much as memory affords . newgate , the th . day of the . moneth , . a meditation , occasioned by the same prisoners calling to mind , jeremies prophecie to ebed-melech , the blackmore , jerem. . . i am oblig'd , as much as i am able , to be to other men as comfortable as they have been to me ; and , though ( as john and peter said long since ) gold i have none nor silver ) what i have , i will repay , and , that , perhaps , may useful be some way . what was ebed-melech , but , one of those who , nationally , were esteemed foes , to god , and to his church ? which way , can we by what is writ of him , advantag'd be more then by other common histories , if , from what 's mention'd in such peophesies , we may not with good warranty , apply the same rewards of faith and charity , ( to ev'ry man in every generation ) which was recorded by the jewish nation , both to infuse and warrant , the same hope which was confirmed to this aethiope ? but , doubtlesly we may ; since , for our learning for our direction , comfort and forewarning , all those things , principally , were ordain'd which , in the holy scriptures are contain'd . this person , represents to us , our state by nature , and as men regenerate . the life of jeremiah he preserved , who , else , within a dungeon had been starved : him , forth out of a lothsome pit he drew , when , nor prince , peer , or priest , nor any jew to him vouchsafed mercy : he , alone , did more then any isra'lite had done , although a gentile , and a courtier too , who , seldom , works of charity , will do . and , this , was so accepted of the lord , that by the self same prophet , he sent word ( ev'n whilst that he detain'd in prison was as i am now ) that , when upon the place of his abode , the dreadful doom foretold inflicted was , he should the same behold ; and , that , to him , on their destruction day his life , should be vouchsafed , for a prey . this signal mercy to my mind was brought , in this place , pertinently , ( as i thought ) why , from this patern therefore , may not i who , for declaring truth , imprison'd lie , shew forth that mercy which i have receiv'd and whereby , i am hitherto repriev'd from what to me , might probably have been as bad , as that which jeremy was in ? for , age and poverty , in such a place , might quickly have destroy'd one in my case . my soul , for this compassion , praise thou him who hath vouchsafed it ; and blesse thou them my gracious god , who were the instruments in that , which my destruction here prevents : although , they of a forraign nation are not they , neighbours , kinsmen , or familiars were not but all of them ( except a very few ) such , as untill of late , i neither knew in person , or by name ; some of them be in judgement also , differing from me in some points ; which , infallibly doth prove their faith is true , and perfected by love. their charity . ( this i dare boldly say ) god , will reward , upon their tryal day ; and , in those future dreadful visitations which , likely are , to come upon these nations preserve their lives , to see them , who oppresse , receive their portions with the merciless . as sure , as i yet live , it will be thus ; or , they , at least , when christ calls them , with us , before his judgement-throne ; repaid will be what they have here vouchsafed unto me ; for , mercy , though extended to a beast ( much more to man ) with some reward is blest , and , though i were a more unworthy wretch then was by nature , that ebed-melech , yet , forasmuch , as me they have received as one of christs disciples , and relieved , ( what er'e i am ) he , charity regards , and , they , accordingly shall have rewards . newgate , sept. . . an antidote against fear , composed upon the citizens being unexpectedly in arms , sept. . . at night . god , keep all safe abroad ; i 'm in my bed , and , see no danger yet , or cause of dread . emanuel my protector is become , he , keeps all pannick-fears out of this roome , and , though the devil and my foes together confederated , they can bring none hither . here 's nought , that any way doth me disease , unless , it be a few poor starveling fleas , which , i perceive are more afraid of me , then cause i have of them afraid to be : for , if i do but shrugg , where it doth itch , they skip into a hole , and there they couch . no thief , i think , to rob me dares appear , within these walls , the gallowes are so near ; and , likewise , i believe , 't is known full well , i 've nought to lose , nor ought for them to steal . i no back-biters had , since to this house i my commitment had , except , one louse which now is dead , ( not having left behind a son or daughter , that i yet can find ) and , though i were assaulted with a score ( as here , some are oft-times with many more ) i am assur'd , my landress hath a gift to rid them ; and it is a cleanly shift . i do suspect , that , thus it doth not fare with all men , who rejoyce that i am here ; but , that , although they speak big words and grin , they have more fears without them , or within ; and , that , some thousands who yet walk the street with more , and with worse misadventures meet : for , terrors are abroad , and ev'ry where it doth in language , or in looks appear . i , just now , hear a sound like to alarms ; drums beating , and the ●lattering of arms ; i ( as they pass along , hear souldiers voyces , words of command , and military noises , which , by the time , and darkness of the night , doth many of the neighbour-hood affright , and makes me think ( although i cannot tell what is amiss ) that , all things go not well . what should the matter be ? i hope , the men whom we saw dead , are not alive agen ; for , though i live yet , ( and live longer may ) i did expect to rise , assoon as they . most hoped , they , er'e now should have been free , from that , wherewith disturbed they still be ; but , many see , here 's dayly an increase of what , may more infringe the common-peace . the citizens , i hear , strict watch do keep this night , in arms : i hope , were they asleep we should be safe ; and that , this will hereafter yield much less cause of sorrow , then of laughter : for , all our factions are now of each other so fearful , that they 'l hardly come together , unless affrighted in the dark they are , and fall foul on each other , unaware . men might ( if there withall they could be pleas'd ) of pains and cost and troubles , be much eas'd , ( with much more safety , and more , honour too ) yet , make no night alarms as now they do . he , that 's a pious , and an honest liver , needs not the mores bow , nor the parthians quiver , nor , to be singly , much less double garded : for , innocence is by it self , well warded ; and , when she 's most maliciously surrounded , then , soonest , her oppressors are confounded . of all the foes , that are , or ever were , there 's none so bad , or ●●ngerous as fear : for , it not onely many a man distresses , when plenty , power , and honour , he possesses , ( and all the pleasures of his life destroys , whilst ev'ry thing he seemingly enjoyes ) but , makes plagues also , which will never come to be a greater torment unto some , then they are , or , then they can be , if all whereof they are afraid , should them befall . moreover , it is such a foe as none can easily escape when seiz'd upon . nor power nor policy , nor walls of brasse to keep it out , can strengthen any place ; nor flesh and blood , by sratagem , or ginn expell it can , when it hath broken in . were all the wealth and weapons in the land , and all the people , at one mans command , they could not fortifie his heart from fears ; for , terrours will creep in ev'n at the ears , and passage make through ev'ry other sence , in spight of all resistance and defence . that fear is such a terrour , i well know for i have felt it , though i do not now , save , as a natural passion , which , if well we moderate , is , what a sentinel is to an army ; and by flesh and blood , though , possibly , it cannot be withstood , ( especially , when by a wilful sin , against good conscience acted , it breaks in and growes inraged ) yet , by grace we may subdue it ; and , this , is the only way . take fear and love , well tempered together , ( as much , as may sufficient be of either ) fire quencheth fire ; the oil of scorpions , heals , the scorpions sting ; and , if , of all things else you would be fearless , you must fear god , so as man ought ; do , as to be done unto you would expect , and to that fear , add love ; for , love expelleth ev'ry other fear ( if placed on right objects , and sincere ) plucks up all vices , and plants in their places habitual vertues , and celestial graces . the love of god , with filial fear begins , and with a detestation of all sins . the knowledge of our natural estate , in us , desires to cure it will create . the love of god in christ , then , being known , ( and , what , when we incurable were grown he hath done for us ) will more love beget if we no false suggestions do admit ; that love , will also , dayly stronger grow if we god's nature truly learn to know . and , not as eve did , him suspect of evil ; ascribe to him , what 's proper to the devil ; suspect the promises which he doth give us ; nor think that he intendeth to deceive us . for , if we love him , we will then believe him , in all his attributes due glory give him . we then will do , and not disputing stand , of that which he forbids , or doth command . nor fear , nor stagger , from that resolution ( who ever countermands their execution ) but , love him so , as having understood that all his works , and his commands are good : so love him , that , we love his whole creation , nought hating , but what 's his abomination . we will not then permit humane tradition with his known will , to stand in competition ; lay bonds on them , whom he from bondage frees ; charge him , with ordinances and decrees which he did never make ; but forged were by him , who , layes for ev'ry soul a snare ; or , by his instruments , whose merchandizes and pomp , are much advanc'd by those devises : we will not , when he graciously invites , to penitence , reject him with despights , and , foes implacable , to them appear who zealous of their weal and safety are . these are the well-springs of those many errors distractions , miseries , and pannick terrours which are among us . that , which chiefly here begetteth troubles and augmenteth fear , is , want of such a fear , and such a love , as may become effectual to improve ▪ those judgements & these mercies , which our eyes have seen ; & whereby , ( though we see god tryes these nations to this day ) nor prince , nor peer nor priest nor people , doth as yet appear so mindful as they ought to be of that which , was , for , or against them , done of late : nor see i any fruit which thence proceeds , save thorns & brambles , thistles , tares or weeds . but , they who stop their ears and shut their eyes , against those wonders and those prodigies , which have been lately sent to startle them from that security , wherein they dream ; and they who are not much displeas'd alone with publication of what god hath done , but , also with his word ; shall see and hear , those things , ere long , with trembling & with fear , which will not be concealed ; but , befall so openly , as to be known to all . these , have the causes been , that christendom is lately , an acheldama become ; for , these are those things , which advance the works of antichrist , and make way for the turks . let us repent therefore , whilst we have space , lest fields of blood , be turned to golgotha's . let us , in this our visitation day give ear unto god's voice , whilst yet we may ; not like bruit beasts pursuing one another , but , lincking fast in charity together , be reconcil'd to god , with loving-awe : for , that sums up the gospel , and the law. do this , and if of ought your fearful be , let all , that you can fear , fall upon me . a short excuse , rendering some reasons why this prisoner makes no adresses for his release , to great persons for their favour in his cause . i am inform'd , by men of good report , that , there are noble pers'nages in court who hate injustice , and , are of their tribe , who love not baseness , flattery , or a bribe ; and , that , should i my self to these adresse , i might perhaps obtain a quick release . 't is possible ; but , i may much indanger their quiet ; and , am now grown such a stranger to courtship , that i cannot complement , or , act effectually , to that intent ; nor think it prudence ( were i mov'd that way ) to seek a needle , in a trusse of hay . 't is not my principle ( though other while i have been over-ruled , to beguile my understanding ) that course to endeavour ; and , having found it unsucesful ever resolve now ( be it for my gain or loss ) to signifie my cause , to them in grosse , in open courts , to whom it doth belong , to be my judges of what 's right or wrong : for , if impartially , they will not hear my cause at large , and do me justice there , i will not be oblig'd to any one to do for private ends , what should be done , for justice-sake ; because , where one man shall be so corrupt , it may corrupt them all ; and in each case , by turns , for unjust ends , they may bribe one another for their friends , as heretofore they did , and , as they may hereafter , whatsoever i do or say . not much esteem of any thing i make , which other men , can either give or take . nor safety , wealth , or honour pleaseth me but that which will inseparable be from me ; and which i may attain unto , and , also keep , whether men will or no. vertue 's the fountain whence true honour springs ; not popes , grand segniors , emperors or kings , for , what they give to make men honourable , to me appears to be so dispicable that , though most men , do their chief darling , make it if they would give it me , i would not take it : what , is there likely for me to be done , by those , who such-like baubles dote upon ? i , never hitherto , a kindness had by any friend , which i my self have made ; but , by such onely , as god had inclin'd ( without a by-respect in any kind ) to do me justice , or to shew compassion , mov'd by their own heroick inclination : and , to that end , god , often heretofore , hath from among meer strangers , rais'd me more true friends at need , my cause to undertake , then i deserved , or had pow'r to make ; and , as it me contented much the better so , thereby , was their honour made the greater ▪ most seek the judge ; but , i believe his word , who said , the judgement cometh from the lord ; and , unto me , it seems an indirect aspersion , or a symptom of suspect , a judge , in private to preoccupate , and , him by friends , or gifts to captivate ; for , in great counsels , men should nothing do in love to friends , or hatred to a foe . i have observed , that , judicial courts whether they be of good or bad reports , ( or , whether , what is actually there done , seem just , or to the wrong of any one ) are guided by a spirit , which directs to what is alwayes righteous , in respects unto god's justice , though perhaps it may a humane righteousness infringe some way ; or , though they , to whom judgement is refer'd , through ignorance , or wickedness , have err'd . i le therefore , make no friend , nor fear a foe , but , when the commons call me i will go to hear their charge , for which i have begun to suffer , er'e 't is known what i have done ; that , least i break or die before the time in which i must make payment for my crime , ( if crime it prove ) they , rather , overweight may lay ; then , that , which is a dram too light ; for , punishments are usually well paid , though other debts till dooms day are delay'd : and , innocence , is oft pursued further upon suspect , then real theft or murther . in that , for which unheard , some precondemn my person hither ; i , to god and them whom it may most concern , appeals have made whereon , i ought a tryal to have had before i suff'red . my appeal prefer'd to god , hath betwixt him , and me , been heard within his court of conscience in my heart ; and , there am quit of what may on his part be brought against me for what i have writ . he sees it , though the world concealeth it ; and , read it must be by the commons too , ev'n quite throughout ( if justice they will do ) before they censure it ; needless it were , if just and conscientious men they are , to court them to their duties ; and so strong no charm of mine can be , whereby a wrong may be prevented , if to take that ill they be resolv'd , which flowed from good-will . at all aduenture , wholly to the laws , and to their conscience , i le refer my cause ; alleage for my defence , what i can say , and bear that , which will follow , as i may . a composure , for his private refreshment made by the same prisoner , upon considering the said outward condition of his dearest relations in the flesh : after which is added the narrative of a sudden distemper thereupon ensuing . my contemplation ev'ry hour so travells , in new pursuits , and into all things ravells with so much restlesness , as if she ment the whole world in a mapp to represent . one while she maketh inrodes on my foes , to bring me some intelligence from those ; that , i consid'ring what they go about their malice , may the better weather-out . another while , to me she represents , what mischiefes , troubles , fear and discontents there are abroad ; that , i may thereby see how , they are troubled , who have troubled me ; how 'twixt the two shoars , pharohs army reels ; how , god hath taken off their charret wheels how , he obdures the insolent and proud ; how dreadfully , he looks out of the cloud which he hath placed , betwixt them and those , whom they pursue to their own overthrowes . sometime , she brings to my consideration god's love , and inexpressible compassion , who , in an extraordinary wise , not onely hath vouchsafed me supplies by those who to my person strangers are , but also , with such love and tender care of my safe-being , that i may of them ( as christ did , when his kindred ask'd for him ) say , these my kindred are ; these , are my mothers ; these , are my real sisters and my brothers . my dear'st relations in the flesh , among those friends , this day , appeared in the throng to be consider'd ; and , i must confess my bowels yern'd , to think on their distresse , and , mov'd with pitty , it compel'd my muse , to clothe in words , that , which now next ensues . i. all suff'rings , that have tended to my probation , here , cannot be comprehended in what my words declare ; for , though to help expression i have a knowing-sense , the sum of my condition cannot be gathered in thence . ii. in pleasures , and in sorrows , i have had no small share ; sad nights , and joyful morrowes , my portion often were ; that , which with joy affects me , is far above the skie , and , that , which yet afflicts me as deep as hell doth lie . iii. my near'st , and dear'st relations , unmention'd though they be , among my meditations , are not forgot by me . for , though i would not mind them , my heart , them so retains , that , there , i still shall find them , as long as life remains . iv. lest that might have miscarry'd which , to neglect i fear'd , like one , quite dead and buried , i have to them appear'd : and by my late employments , despairful they are made , of me , and those enjoyments which else , they might have had . v. reciprocal indearments , are by my troubles crost ; the means of their preferments with my estate are lost . these times , have quite bereft them of that which gave content , and , in their power nought left them , new mischiefes to prevent . vi. my blossoms are quite wither'd , my leaves are much decay'd ; my fruits , by those are gather'd who nothing for them paid ; i , from whom ( when they need them ) they should supplies have had , have neither fruits to feed them , nor boughes to give them shade . vii . we could , when we were troubled , each others hearts have eas'd ; converse , our pleasures doubled , when we with ought were pleas'd ; such comforts , now to give them , companion they have none , but , they ( what ere doth grieve them ) must sit , and grieve alone . viii . in mercy , lord , look on them , and pitty their estate ; the wrongs that i have done them , proceeded not from hate ; i did , what i conceived doth to thy work belong , but , that 's thereby bereaved , which is to them a wrong . ix . thereof , be therefore heedful , them , favour not the less , supply with all things needful , in this their great distresse ; and , when thou me shalt gather out of this land of life , be thou my childrens father , a husband to my wife . x. when i with them must never speak more , by tongue or pen , and , they be barr'd for ever , to see my face agen . thy loving kindness show them , lost comforts to receive , instead of what i owe them , and pay not whilst i live . xi . let all my former failings , through frailties , in time past , and , what may cause bewailings , quite out of thought be cast ; and , onely recordation of those things be exprest , whereby their consolation may dayly be increast . xii . preserve them from each folly , which ripening into sin , makes root and branch unholy , and brings destruction in . let not this world bewitch them , with her besotting wine , but , let thy grace inrich them , with faith , and love divine . xiii . and , whilst we live together let us , upon thee call ; help to prepare each other , for what , may yet befall ; so just , so faithful hearted , so constant let us be , that , when we here are parted we may all meet in thee . this being writ , and once or twice sung over , my reason , did sufficient strength recover those passions to repell , which did begin upon my heart at that time to break in : but , ere they were alay'd , an accident fell out , which that good issue did prevent ; i have so much of common manliness , ( which might more profit me if it were less ) that , all the frailties of the humane creature ( co-incident since my depraved nature ) still so attend me , that do what i can i fall into distemper , now and then ; and ere that day was wholly overpast , i , by a sudden accident was cast into a passion , which did give occasion of this ensuing sad ejaculation . lord , help me now ; assist me now , to bear that , unexpected brunt of hope and fear , to which i on a suddain am expos'd , ( whilst other mischiefes have me round inclos'd ) for , great and many , though my troubles be they , hitherto have not distemper'd me . but , now i feel my constancy to shake , my flesh to tremble , my sad heart so ake , that , if thou dost not speedily apply a cordial , i may droop , and faint , and die . my treacherous flesh and blood , how false are you ! to me , and to your own selves , how untrue ! how quickly to revolt do you begin ! how cowardly have you my foe let in at his first summons ? how have you conspir'd to give him that advantage he desir'd ? and whilst i for your safety did prepare joyn to surprize me ere i was aware ? lord , let them not prevail ; but , help me rally my scattered forces , and to make a sally on those who my weak citadel beset : for they have seiz'd but on my out-works yet , and , if but over me , thou please to hover , ( though at a distance ) i shall soon recover . therefore , at this assault , for me appear ; from me , this black cloud , by thy presence , clear ; renew my courage in this day of trouble ; increase my faith , my former hope redouble ; and let thy spirit teach me so to pray , that what i shall request , obtain i may . be likewise pleas'd the chatterings of the swallow , and mournings of the turtle , so to hallow ; that those things which are now express'd by me , may be both acceptable unto thee , and unto those who hear them not in vain , though to my private suff'rings they pertain : for peradventure , that which me oretakes hath partly been permitted for their sakes ; that they , by heeding what on them at length may fall , might by my weakness gather strength ; for , what is in it self a single trouble , by circumstances , may be sometimes double . my best friends peradventure , now will wonder how , i am thus , as with a clap of thunder , struck suddenly ; and my foes , with a scoff will jeer , to see me so soon taken off from my late courage and high resolution , ( whilst i was putting it in execution , ) when they shall know , that , but concerns my wife , which breaks through all the comforts of my life , and thus disorders me : but , when they hear me ev'n some of them , who at the first will jeer me , ( if they have any manhood left in them ) shall me of no such levity condemn , as yet they may , when all the circumstances i have declar'd to cure their ignorances : for , one of god's choice prophets , had a tryal not much unlike this , of his self-denial , when he ( as i do ) in his generation , bore witness of their great abomination : which ( if ought more ) had little more effect , then i may , at this present day , expect . he ( whilst god's work he follow'd ) to the heart , was pierced ( through his wife ) with sorrows dart . she ( as the holy scripture testifies ) was unto him , as precious as his eyes , the comfort of his life , and far more dear ( as i believe ) then all things transcient were . and peradventure he had grieved more then yet i do , had not the day before god , both foretold her death , and charg'd him too , not to bewail the wife he loved so . what , this to me doth intimate , i shall forbear to tell now ; but , if that befall which i may fear , it will have an effect , whose demonstration , i shall not neglect if so long i survive , as to declare that sequell , for which , it will way prepare . mean while ( since hope hath taken race with sorrow ) for some few dayes , that little time i le borrow , to make it known , how , by a pannick dread i am at present , so distempered ; and in such sober language will declare it , without hyperboles , that , if men hear it with like sobriety , it will perchance their edifying in some kind advance . when , i had finished those meditations last mention'd ( which concern my dear'st relations as to the world ) a messenger of sorrow that very day , ( i , looking for , next morrow my wives arrival ) brought , not newes alone that suddain sickness , her had seiz'd upon ; but , that , she likewise in a feaver lies , with which are complicated maladies portending death : and death desired so that , they about her , can with much ado preserve her life . this newes , as soon as told , laid instantly , upon me such fast hold , that , er'e i could into my heart retire i seemed to be wholly set on fire : and ( being for surprizal , the more fit by what , that day , for better use was writ ) instead of that , which might have quencht the same i snatcht up oil , and threw 't into the flame . so frail i am not ( though made of such mettle that i am sometime soft and sometime britle ) as to be shaken meerly with a fear of things which ev'ry day expected are ; but , many sad concomitants attended this message , not till then so apprehended ; for , at that instant every thing prest in which might a doleful tragedy begin , with such confusion , that , what entred first i knew not , neither which disturb'd me worst . so that , i nought could call to mind , but that which my afflictions , did more aggravate . imprisonment , i felt not till that day , wherein i found , that i was kept away , where , i to her could no assistance give , for , whose sake , i did most desire to live ; my fancie represented to my sight in how disconsolate and sad a plight , she there was left , dispoil'd of all she had , excepting , what might make her heart more sad ▪ with foes surrounded , not one to befriend her , not servants in that weakness to attend her , no good physitian living there about , scarce any thing within doors , or without , for food or physick : for , while she had health her courage did supply her want of wealth , and all things else , with help , of what from heaven was by his providence in all wants given , who hath been my support ; by him alone she hath in many straits been carryed on , and all oppressions with such courage bore as if she had been rich by being poor : which her despightful neighbours heeding well ( and , that she far'd like trodden camomel ) words unto this effect , were heard to speak will not , with all this loss , her stout heart break ? god , was , and still , her helper he will be ; but , for all this , what thanks is due to me ? what help am i who should a help hav● been , when such extream affliction she was in ? dear betty , how inhumanly opprest ? art thou ? and oh ! how is my soul distrest now , i here think upon thy high desart , and , how discomfortably left thou art ! if it might comfort thee , would thou , didst know ( else not ) what tears out of mine eyes do flow : for , i , from whom the worlds despights can strain nor sighs , nor tears , from tears cannot restrain . woe 's me ( my dear ) my life i would resign might it accepted be , to ransome thine , and were at my dispose ; for , cause am i of that sad plight , wherein thou now dost lie ; since , what the world hath done , is nothing more , then thou hast alwayes look'd for heretofore . yet , take it not unkindly ; for , to thee no ill was meant , in what was done by me : he , ( as i thought ) to whom my self i owe , ( and , who did thee , and all i had bestow ) requir'd the services that brought upon me that , which to thy undoing , hath undone me ; and he will either back again restore what 's lost , or give us better things , and more this , knowing thou believ'st , and dost confide in him , hath much my passion qualifi'd ; and makes me hopeful , god , will bring thee hither , or , me to thee , that , we once more together may praise his name , and live till we can part , without the least distemp'rature of heart . whilst this hope lasts , lest notice being taken that , i with one small puff of wind am shaken ; lest also , this begets a fear in some , that i may totally be overcome , when the● perceive , that he , who hath profest so much , hath with so little been opprest ; and , lest they also may discourag'd be , ( if i sinck under that which lies on me ) i will , for that cause , hence occasion take , ( aswell , for their , as for mine , and her sake ) so plainly , what befals me to expresse , that , no heart which hath any tenderness , beseeming men , shall think a greater tryal of humane patience , in a self-denial can ever in the flesh be undergone , then this ▪ which they suppose a slender one , i have a just occasion too , by that to render her , that honour in the gate , which is her due ; and whereto i do stand obliged by king lemuels command ; and , from what i expresse , perhaps , likewise , there may some other good effects arise . what could the malice of the devil invent , to make more grievous my imprisonment then at this time , wherein ( for ought i know ) the last , and needful'st duty that i owe unto my dearest friend , ought to be paid , to be unjustly in a prison staid ? were i detained but from such a one , as many have , ( a wife in name alone ) i should be glad perhaps , i now am here , or , though within a far worse place it were : but , if i may with modesty expresse , what i believe , i can affirm no less then this ; though many women have done well , mine , with the best may be a parallel : and , since my pow'r to nothing else extends which may , for what she suffers make amends , in words , at least , i le give her what is due and say no more , then i believe is true . perhaps , when told , it will so far exceed what is according to the common creed , that , many will suspect it ; but , know this there is in that man very much amisse who , of his consort , doth not so believe in some degree , as i of mine conceive . for , if he finds her not a helpful wife , either , for this , or for the other life ; the fault 's his own , though she may faulty prove ; and he ingratefully requites god's love. god gave her not , but , he himself acquir'd her , by some ill means ; or , for those ends desir'd her which make no marriages , but what are evil , and , were made by the world , flesh and the devil . else , he would honour providence divine , by praising of his wife as i do mine . or , by confessing freely , as he ought , that , god is just , in giving what he sought . whether mine live or die , let none who hear them grudge her these praises , for her worth will bear them . at first , i lov'd her , for his sake that gave her ; of him , i sought her , and from him i have her , if she be yet alive , ( which i yet hope , and , that he to my fear will put a stop . ) that , we each other might affect the better , ( and , to be mutual helpers prove the fitter ) as eve from adam , god did , as it were , first , make her out of me ; then , me by her he made more perfect ; and since eve was made no man on earth a fitter helper had . if any woman may charactred be by lemuels pattern , i think this is she : for , having oftentimes compared them , betwixt them , little difference did seem . she is a prize , worth ev'ry precious stone in india , were all their worths in one. my heart in her hath trusted so , that yet i never , since i knew her , felt a fit of jealousie or doubt , in any kinde , which brought the least distemper to my mind . she , at all times , much good to me hath done , but , evil , in her life time , did me none . with courage , her affairs she went about by day ; at night , her candle went not out . she was among the last , who came to bed ; the first , who in the morning rais'd her head ; and , that no duty might be left undone , martha , and mary , she still joyn'd in one. in all domestick business , she was skil'd , both in the house , and likewise in the field : and whilst my time was otherwayes bestown , dispatch'd both my affaires , and her own . she was no prodigal , nor basely sparing ; all things were done without vexatious caring ; she chid those , who ( when chiding was in season ) were to be quickned more with noise , then reason ; and , when to angry words they did provoke , her anger ended , when the words were spoke ; when , also , they were griev'd , who did misdo , she pardon'd , and with them , oft , grieved too . all her affairs , she managing with reason , appointed work and meat , in their due season to ev'ry servant ; and good notice took both of what was well , or ill done , or spoke . she feared god , and honour gave to them who were invested with a pow'r supream ; her life , she squared by god's holy word , according to the light he did afford ; and , had her self so exercis'd therein , that , often she my concordance hath been ; yea , and in humane histories , to me been in the stead of my mnemosyne . a better woman , mistris , mother , wife , i never saw , nor shall see during life . rebecca like , she gave me still to eat aswell most savory , as wholsom meat ; and , when god sent me food , good care she took , the devil should not send me in a cook. to me , to mine , and our poor neighbourhood , she , in the stead of our physitian stood ; she , still according to her power was ready to give what things were needful to the needy ; who did not wilful beggarship professe , that , they might live in sorded idlenese ; and , purchasing her own food with her sweat , abhor'd the bread of idleness to eat : she could speak well , yet readier was to hear ; exceeding pleasant , and yet as severe as cato . though corporeal beauties be worn out with age , she is the same to me she was at first , and t' was no mean perfection , which , in my youth , surprized my affection . this is her character , and in the word of truth , this is thereof , a true record . in her , i did as much contentment find , as if i had enjoy'd all woman-kind : for , though a poor mans consort she hath been , she had a spirit might become a queen ; yet , knowing how to want and to abound , could make it stoop ev'n to the very ground ; and , if she die , i shall but little care for any thing she leaves behind her here , except her children , and that which relates to god , and to our spiritual estates . the deprivation of her company and , of thar joy in her society which i have had , is far a greater loss , then , all those many baubles and that drosse , whereof the world deprives me ; or , of them ( had they heen mine ) which others most esteem . this seperation is the great'st despight that malice could have done me at her height ; and might we live , where we might live alone to talk of that , which god for us hath done , ( and means to do ) my joy would be much more with competence , then with the worlds whole store , were i depriv'd of her ; who , might be here so necessary a remembrancer . now , judge ( if you or i , do this believe ) whether i had not cause enough to grieve , that we were so , divided from each other , left hopeless , we again should meet together . though such in ev'ry point , she may not be , yet , since that she doth such appear to me ; think , if by fear of loosing such a prize , a man who is far stronger , and more wise , might not , when thereby suddenly oretaken as much with like distemp'ratures be shaken : and , whether ( taking to consideration the sense i have of ev'ry humane passion ) ought may befall , as i am flesh and blood , that could more difficultly be withstood . but , notwithstanding what 's exprest , let no man suppose i have forgot she is a woman . i am not so uxorious , or unwise , to think that she hath no infirmities ; or , that to any other she doth seem so worthy as she is in my esteem . the rough hard shells in which rich pearls do lie , shew not their beauty to a strangers eye . and vertues , when that they most perfect are , sometimes , like faulty actions may appear to lookers on , who have not means to know how done , nor to what end , nor whence they flow ; and then especially , when their spectators , are envious , or their foes , or vertue 's haters . the mildest medicine , sore eyes , diseases , a sickly stomack wholsom'st meat , displeases ; and so the best and noblest dispositions , are most dislik'd by men of base conditions ; because their vertues , if they neighbours are , do make their vices greater to appear . her precions balms , have sometimes made me smart , but , i confesse , the cause was on my part , if she administred a bitter pill in love , to make me well , when i was ill. and well she might sometimes occasion find , to give me wholsome physick of that kind , by cautions and remembrances apply'd in season , when my wit was foolifi'd : for , nothing purposely , from her i hid that , in my life , i said , or thought , or did . and ( that she might , at full , be privy to my whole affairs , and all i had to do ) no letter unto me in absence came , but leave i gave her to break ope the same . which freedom ( with such ) mutually bestown made me to her , and her to me so known , that , what the outside of my actions be , my conscience hardly better knowes then she . small use of an affection can be there , or proofs of friendship , where no failings are . there 's hardly possibility of living , with any one , who never needs forgiving ; for , he , who in his consort finds no blame , when he fails , will confounded be with shame . by these expressions , which have shown in part , my passions , i have somewhat eas'd my heart . and , though impertinent , they seem to be to others , they are pertinent to me , in shewing me my weakness , and from whom my helps , in all extremities must come . my passion is the same ; but , this , makes way for reason , to command , which did obey ; and , this divertisment a stop , brings in to that , which else , might have destructive been . yet , instrumental , though my reason was herein , th' efficient is preventing grace : and therefore , him , from whom this mercy came , i , thus petition to compleat the same . my god! my heart , thou hast now touched nearly , and dost in that , which i affect most dearly , begin to try my faith ; that faith of mine which ( if a true faith ) was a gift of thine ; it was by thee , upon my soul begot : into temptation , therefore lead me not beyond my strength ; but lord deliver me from evil , that , i may not foiled be : thy onely son , to thee , taught me to pray in words to this effect , when any way i was opprest ; compassion therefore take on me , ( though not for mine ) lord , for his sake ; and me dismisse not , in this sad condition , without a kind reply to my petition : for , as lot said of zoar , lord , the boone i new request is but a little one ; and , peradventure , should my foes perceive thou dost of every comfort him bereave who hath desir'd to magnifie thy name , it might occasion give them to blaspheme , or , make thy servants to begin to fear that , thou regard'st not how opprest they are . that helper , which thou didst on me bestow , ( and , whose assistance is much needed now ) thou seem'st to call upon me to resign , as one , who must no longer now be mine . be not displeased lord , if i shall say thou tak'st the comfort of my life away ; and that , i do expect thou shouldst not leave me quite comfortless , if thou of her bereave me . why dost thou dictate to my heart this prayer , if thou intend'st , to leave me in despaire ? it cannot be , thou move me shouldst to crave , that , which thou dost not purpose i should have . i do depend on thee , and hazarded both her , and all that in this world i had for thy cause , if my heart be not untrue : though therefore , nothing is by merit due , vouchsafe , ( if with thy will accord it may ) her life with health , and for a longer day , that , we with thankfulness , in praises giving , may shew thy mercies forth , among the living . with tokens of thy favour , make us glad , according to the troubles we have had . and , make thy other servants hopeful be of that salvation , which thou shew'st to me . make it appear unto this generation that , we have the same god , the same salvation in these our dayes , that was in former times , aswell , as such like tyrrannies and crimes . make it appear that thou hast love for us aswell as heretofore for lazarus ; that , thou , who didst hear hagar for a son , and , hannah's prayer , when she beg'd for one , dost not despise my prayer for the life of my beloved and afflicted wife ; or , hast less pitty now then heretofore thou hadst of other some , who did deplore their dead or dying friends ; and when they mourn'd , had them into their bosoms back return'd . let it be known to those who do begin to think , thou art not that which thou hast been , because that this age hath produc'd occasions to shew thy self in other dispensations . though to run back to egypt , we are ready ; as froward , as rebellious , and as giddy . as they whom thou broughtst thence ; though , every way as false , as faithless , and as apt as they to set up golden calves : though , as were then there be among us here , such wicked men as jannes , and as jambres , who resist not moses , but a greater , jesus christ ; and , strive by their inchantments how to bring us back to bondage , and seduce the king by cursed sorceries ; yet , make it known ; that , thou in brittain dost a people own : that as when israel was from pharoh saved ; that , as thou wert with moses and with david , and with thy people who in thraldom were at babel , thou art present with us here . ( lord ! i beseech thee mind thou not the less my private suit , although my zeal to this diverts me from it : for , i le further yet pursue that , though thou me shouldst quite forget ) apparant make it , that , some yet inherit a portion of the self same pow'rful spirit which fill'd elias ; and if need require , that thou hast prophets , who can call down fire , hail , thunder-bolts , and other dreadful things upon the troops and armies of those kings who persecute thy saints ; and heaven constrain either to let fall , or withhold the rain , as to thy service it shall appertain ! for , this , though , hardly yet believ'd of any , will shortly be made manifest to many ; and thy vouchsafeing this request of mine , may make it , to this age , perhaps , a signe that , thou , as heretofore , dost lend an ear at need , to every private sufferer , as well as unto publick grievances , and , that , when ripen'd are iniquities a greater conquest will be got by words , then ever was in any age , by swords . my dear redeemer , if it may be thus , be pleas'd to mediate this boon for us . that suit , for which this prayer was begun i will renew , now this digressions done ; yet , neither this , nor ought else i le require , ( though rather then my life , i this desire ) but , what , with thy good pleasure may consist : and , thou hast nothing openly exprest to make me doubtful that may not be done ; for , then , i therein thus far , had not gone . all , things thou seem'st to will , accord not to that , which thou hast decreed for us to do , as being absolutely necessary : for , some of them are but probationary : things , by us , rather to be will'd , then done , as when , to sacrifice his onely son thou didst command thy servant abraham ; and , when that our obedience is the same , with us , it otherwhile , doth so succeed that , thou the will , acceptest for the deed ; and , mayst another sacrifice , this day accept in her stead , for whom i now pray . this , moveth dust and ashes , now , to do , what natural affection prompts me to : make her and me , so perfectly resign our selves , that our will , may be one with thine ; and , pardon this bold pleading ; for , had we no will , which may be said our own to be , there could be no obedience . good nor ill , can be , in him , that is not free to will. lord ! this my consort , is as dear to me as isaac unto abraham could be ; yet , if thou wilt resume her at this time , ( although with me thou deal not as with him ) as absolutely , as he did intend his sacrifice ; i , her to thee commend . from thee i had her ; up to thee i give her ; i , wholly unto thy disposure leave her ; and , whether thou shalt keep , or give her back , i le wear it as a favour , for thy sake . and , this , is all i le absolutely crave , ( wherein , i know , i may request shall have ) if , with thine honour , it may to her good conduce , to let her make with me abode a little longer time , that time allow ; or else with all my heart , resume her now . for , save to serve thee , and our generation , according to the end of our creation , ( and for thy glory ) neither she , nor i ( if i do know her ) wish to live or die . if , her appointed labour now be done , ( and i must here abide to work alone , ) take her into thine arms before she go ; make her not barely , to believe , but know , that , this our sad and suddain separation is for thy glory , and for our salvation : ( for , from the life and death of greatest kings but seldom so much real honour springs to glorifie thy name , as doth from some who fill on earth , a despicable roome . ) give her an earnest , that she shall possesse thy love , in everlasting happiness ; and , that , we , whom she leaves afflicted here , ( continning in our love to thee sincere ) shall by the mediatorship of him who bought us , meet at thy appointed time , where we shall never part ; where , tyrannies , of others , nor our own infirmities , nor any thing which is to come , or past , deprives , of what for thine , prepar'd thou hast : and , if she live , so let our deeds expresse whilst here we live , what we in words professe ; that others , may , until my dying day believe ther 's truth , in what i write and say , to that end , keep us pleased with our lot ; though little , much , or nothing shall be got of what we had ; my god preserve us too from stumbling , and from reeling to and fro , or stagg'rings in our tryals , whereby they who are in like afflictions , stagger may : but , with true joy , so let thy holy ghost replenish us , that , ( although all be lost belonging to this world ) thy saints may see that , there is all-sufficiency in thee . now , live or die my dear , god's will be done ; he fills my heart , and my distemper's gone . since , god hath freed me from this carnal fear , let world , and devil henceforth do what they dare . the greater weights they shall upon me lay , the sooner , i from them shall scape away . if , me , they shall into a dungeon throw , both dark and deep , that none may come to know what , i say , think or do ; yet , what 's done there , by these my scraps and crums , it will appear , though scribled hastily , yea , help prevent what , peradventure , is the worlds intent ; and hint , that , though close-prisoner me they keep , i shall not wholly spend my time in sleep . for , doubtless , to my god , there , speak i shall like jonas , in the belly of a whale , and ( as the blood of abel did ) speake then , that , which will more prevaile then tongue or pen. isaiah . the living , the living ( o god ) shall praise thee as i do this day . ( yet ) blessed are they who die in the lord ; for they shall rest from their labours , and their works follow them . revel . . . octob. . . another spiritual song composed , by occasion of the last mentioned distemper . i. vvhen in the morn we rise , alas ! how little think we on , what through our ears or eyes , may pierce our hearts , ere that day 's gone ? i , did but borrow from what , next morrow , i hop'd to have enjoy'd ; and that , hath quite the whole delight of both dayes , now destroy'd . ii. my thoughtful heart grew sad , and represented unto me , such things as in the shade of death's approaches use to be : with many a doubt , ( which faith keeps out ) my fancy fills my head ; and clouds are come , which with a gloome this day , have overspread : iii. if , whilst the sun gives light , become so dark , so soon , it may , how black will be the night that shall ensue so dark a day ? my soul , i see betray'd wee 'l be , by our own want of care , to have prepar'd a dayly guard , to keep out carnal fear . iv. no pow'r was in the world whereby a passion like to this , on me could have been hurl'd , had nought , been in my self amisse : by day or night , ( be 't black or bright ) the devil hath no power which can procure distemp'rature , without some fault of our . v. how frail a thing is man , that , lifeless words , aray'd in white , this morn affright him can who , seemed fearless yester night ? dread of ill newes , too plainly shews that , with us all 's not well : for , if it were we need not fear , though storm'd by death and hell. vi. for , if beneath god's wing our safe repose we sought to make , none , such ill newes could bring , that , much our courage it could shake ▪ of , plagues that smite by day or night we need not stand in awe of poysonous things , of serpents stings , nor of the lyons pawe . vii . therefore , my spirit rowze ( our foes , we see , are not asleep ) let us , no longer drowze , but , better watch hereafter keep ; come , courage take , and we shall make these bugg-bears take their flight ▪ for , 't is our fear , no strength of their that now doth us affright . viii . the passions of the mind are but the fumes of flesh and blood , which make the reason blind , by mispresenting ill , or good. if , unto these , we closly presse , and , wistly on them look , they will appear such as they are , and , pass away like smoke . ix . and , yet , my soul , beware thou bring not to assault these foes goliah's shield or spear , nor in his head-piece trust repose . no , nor unto what self can do , but , take thou davids sling , and , what he took out of the brook , of grace , among them fling . a meditation whilst he was taking a pipe of tobbacco . though some , perhaps will think the things i do , much less then idleness , amount unto ; yet , to have no work troubles me , at least , as much , as therewith to be overprest ; and , then to be quite idle , i had rather pick strawes , catch flies , or shells , and pebles gather , or , ( as i sometimes do ) the time to pass , number my steps , or tell the panes of glass , and often when a trifling act is done , make some good use of that , which promis'd none . here , all alone , i by my self have took , an emblem of my self , a pipe of smoke : for , i am but a little piece of clay fill'd with a smoke that quickly fumes away . this vanity , our clymat never knew till near the time , in which , first breath i drew ; and otherwhile , it is of wholsome use ( though , for the most part subject to abuse : ) since first i smookt it , after ( it came hither ) i laid it by , nigh thirty years together , and for my healths sake , then , did reassume that bauble wherewith we tobbacco fume ; ( not hitherto disabled to forgo it , if any way offensive i should know it ) and , that in mind , as well as bodily i might he someway profited thereby , such meditations come into my thought , as these , which now , unto my mind are brought . ev'n as this pipe was formed out of clay , and may be shapeless earth again this day , so may i too . so brittle , that one touch may break it , this is ; i , am also such . when it is broke , made whole it cannot be by humane art ; so will it fare with me when i to dust shall be reduc'd by death , until reviv'd by an eternal breath . this brittle ware , we , oft have strangely seen preserv'd from breaking : and so i have been . when foul it growes , it must be purifi'd , by fire ; i , in like manner must abide those fiery-tryals , which will purge away that filth which is contracted every day . moreover , when therein , this herb's calcin'd , such things as these , it brings into mind ; that custom , by degrees , prevaileth still , to draw us , both to what is good and ill ; for , when this customarily is taken , it can by very few , be quite forsaken , or , heeded , how they turn unto abuse , that , which is otherwise , of some good use ; yea , so it them deludes , that oft they think that , is well scented , which doth alway stink ; yet , me it makes , with thankfulness to heed , how , god wraps up , a blessing in a weed : and , how ( when i have weighed things together ) he makes one vanity to cure another ; turns that to good , which was , perhaps , for evil , at first , sent in among us , by the devil . it minds me too , that , as this herb by fire must be consum'd , so , must all our desire of earthly things ; and , that wherein we took most pleasure , turn to ashes and to smoke . when i had writ thus much , of what i thought , my candle , and tobbacco were burnt out . a hint , of that , which may hereafter ( if not despised ) conduce to the setling of peace and concord in church and state. this scrap , though some will not disgest , is cast in here , among the rest . elia's like , i thought my self alone , a while ago , and of my mind , knew none : but , many i now hope , here living be who , joyn in one faith , and one love with me . my soul , i long time , seemed to possess , as when the baptist in the wilderness was to be disciplin'd , and there prepar'd for , that , which he performed afterward . as when he preach'd repentance , in his dayes , high priests , nor lawyers , scribes nor pharisees , nor of the gay herodians , any one ( nor many , but the vulgar sort alone ) regarded it ; so , likewise , i might say of all my premonitions , to this day ; and may ( for ought i know ) without regard pursue my work , till i have his reward : if so it happen , i am well content to follow such a holy precedent . i , am now ( as it were ) one in exile , like john , when banish'd into pathmos isle ; and , to the seven churches in these nations as he then , to the asian congregations had somewhat to expresse ; so , i from him ( as i believe ) who sent his mind to them by that disciple , have a needful errant , to be delivered , by authentick warrant , which , must lie dormant , until them to hear it god , shall prepare , and fit me to declare it . mean while , i cast in this preoccupation , to be a furtherance to that preparation whereto god's grace will ripen me , and the● ( hereafter , in his own appointed time ; if nothing that shall be co-incedent doth intervene , that purpose to prevent ) thus christ , did to a future time adjourn what , he had then spoke , might it have been born ; and , his example doth instruct my reason , to chuse for every work , a proper season . i have a love for all the whole creation , much more , for every christian congregation : i , for each member of them ( whatsoere infirmities , i see in them appear ) have such a love , and so inlarged , that i can with every church communicate , in all essential duties , though they may be sometimes , much abus'd with an allay : because , what me therein offendeth , i , without offending others , can pass by ; and , at another time , in private , seek to make them understand what i dislike ; and , by a meek compliance in what 's good , bear with a failing , not well understood . their ignorance , or misled consciences , give me no cause of personal offences , so , they the fundamental truths , profess without malicious minds , or wilfulness ; or by approving , or continuing in prophanness , and committing open sin. for , since he that knows most , knows but in part and , hath a cloudy region in his heart , they , of my pitty , rather objects be then of my hate . they , so much hurt not me as damnifie themselves : and , i , thereby have of my meekness , faith and charity , those exercises , for which ( if i have them in true sincerity ) god , chiefly gave them . and , which way can they better be employ'd then , that a common good may be enjoy'd ? and that we to our brethren may extend that mercy , when we think they do offend , which god's long suffering doth vouchsafe to us ? and , since he did command it should be thus ? the church catholick , is a corporation , whereof , the several churches in each nation are bodies corporate , as here we see in london , many corporations be members thereof distinct , govern'd by laws peculiar to themselves , as they found cause to constitute them ; yet , unto all these belong the cities gen'ral priviledges ; and every individual person ; there , conforms unto those lawes which proper are to this whole city ; and they live together in peace , without intruding on each other . what hinders ( but our ignorance , ambition , our avarice , and love to superstition , ) that , christian congregatious may not thus be form'd , and regulated so with us , that , we may live henceforward in true peace , morality and piety increase ? prophanness be supprest ? and , no more , here , affairs divine , and civil interfere ? what hinders this , but , want of that true love and meeknes , which our knowledge might improve ? and , whence flowes discord , but from intermedling with what concerns us not ? fooling , and fidling about those things impertinent , which , whether their tendance be to this , or that , or neither 't is not material , so , that may not be infringed , which to all , ought to be free ? that peace may be preserv'd ; men kept in awe from violating of the morall law , and , god permitted to possesse alone the conscience as ( on earth ) his proper throne ? for , he from none , will an account receive , according to what other men believe , or shall command ; but , answerable to what he commands us to believe and do , according to the light he shall afford , by his assisting spirit , and his word : and , therefore , they , who , out of slavish fear , of those who peaceably inclined are , force innocents , to any hard condition ( thereby to free themselves from their suspition which is incurable ) are tyrannous , and foes to god , unto themselves , and us . in my late tryal , i have had a shake , but , it hath deeper driven in the stake ; and hath , i hope vouchsafed by that fit , an earnest , he so fast will settle it ; that , all the tempests which in future dayes the world , the flesh and devil have pow'r to raise , shall more increase my courage ; and , by mine some other , to the like resolves incline . god , give us grace , with seriousness these things in time , with what else may there is a way , how that , may yet be done which hitherto , is little thought upon ; and , thereof , in what is expressed here , a hint , if well observed , may appear . a hymn of thanksgiving to almighty god ; compos'd by this prisoner , for the gracious restoration of his wives life and health ; who , lying mortally sick ( as was supposed ) at . miles distance during his imprisonment , in a sad disconsolate condition , and reputed to be dead , about the space of an hour , was miraculously restored . to the tune of the . psalm . i. how soon , my gracious god , hast thou my prayer heard ? how just , how kind , how good , hast thou to me appear'd ? blest , be this day : for , what did fright my heart last night , thou dost allay : the clouds , that made , this morning sad , are blown away . ii. as when his moan to thee the good centurian made , though i unworthy be , like favour i have had vouchsaf'd to me ; nay little less , in my distress receiv'd i have , then she , whose son , and onely one , was near his grave . iii. at least , i , so much grace of thee , this day have had , as daign'd to jairus was whose daughter thou foundst dead , upon her bed : for , when my wife , depriv'd of life had long time laine , thou , heeding there , our prayers here gav'st life again . iv. thus she , who first was thine ( and so shall alwayes be ) hath now , been twice made mine , and , is enjoy'd by me ; for which , to thee a double praise , lord , all my dayes , i ought to give ; assist i pray , this due to pay whilst here i live . v. and , let all , who now hear what , thou for me hast done , help me thy praise declare ; for , not to me alone extends this boone ; this act of grace , vouchsafed was that , they thereby might at their need , know where to speed as well as i. vi. lord , i have nought to give for all thou hast bestown , but , what i did receive and was , and is thine own ; oh! now therefore this sacrifice , do not despise for , i am poor ; therewith , i shall give self and all , who can give more ? a penitential hymn , composed by occasion of a dream the th . of octob. . about midnight . i. my god , thou didst awake me , this night out of a sad and fearful dream , that , sensible did make me of sins , which heretofore small sins did seem ; and , ere i perfect heed could take , whether i slept , or was awake , he , that is watching ev'ry hour , whom he may mischief , and devour , sought , how he might thereby advantage make : rebuke him , for my dear redeemer's sake . ii. permit thou no transgression , whereof , i heretofore have guilty been , nor great , nor small omission , which i forgotten have , or overseen , ( either through want of penitence or of confessing my offence ) to rise against me , great or small ; for , lord , i do repent them all : and , likewise , ( be it more or less ) renounce all trust , in my own righteousness . iii. as job complain'd , such visions to me seem'd represented this last night of my falings , and omissions that , sleeping , they did much my heart affright ; me thought a spirit passed by not to be seen with mortal eye ; and , i was minded by a voice ( that , spake unto me without noise ) of things preceding , which ( then quite forgot ) so , as i ought to do , i heeded not . iv. oh god! most kind , most holy , remember not the errours of my life ; call not to minde my folly to add a new affliction , to my grief . world , flesh and devil , my foes are , and , much more then my strength can bear on me , they have already cast , unless , that thou compassion hast ; oh! throw my sins out of thy sight therefore , that , they may not be seen , or heard of more . v. my soul doth now abhor them , thine onely son , hath with his precious blood made satisfaction for them ; thou , didst accept it ; i believe it good : and , therefore , though they somtimes make my heart to tremble and to ake , my soul is confident they pard'ned are as if they ne're committed were ; confirm it so , that , sleeping and awake sweet rest in thee , i may for ever take . vi. dear god , of my salvation , preserve me by thy love and mighty pow'r from perilous temptation , in weal , in woe , and at my dying hour : me , let thy gardian angels keep when i do wake , and while i sleep , from shame without , and fear within ; from evil thoughts , and actual sin , that , friends and foes and every one may see , no man in vain , doth put their trust in thee . a requiem to the soul. i. my soul , vex not thy self at those , who , to all godliness are foes , although they make fair outward showes , and spread and flourish like the bay ; for , deplorable is their case , they , as the scorched summer grasse , shall soon into oblivion passe , and all their beauty fade away . ii. i have been young , and old am grown and , many changes i have known , whereby , it hath to me been shown whereto , their wicked courses tend : with honour i have seen them crown'd , with pow'r and riches to abound , whose place no where can now be found ; for , all their pomp is at an end . iii. with shadows they themselves beguile , and , god , doth at their folly smile ; with patience therefore wait a while , and , grudge them not their portion , here ; destruction , toward them is hasting , their time is short , and dayly wasting , but , thine will be for everlasting , and , griefs , as if they never were . iv. employ thy self in doing well , and , god , with thee shall kindly deal ; thou , in the land shalt safely dwell , well fed and clothed , all thy dayes . and when the glory of their name is blur'd out , with an evil fame , then , shall thy poverty and shame be mention'd unto thy praise . v. let wordlings feed upon their chaff , their cups of fornication quaff , and at thy sufferings grin and laugh ; a midst thy foes lie down and sleep . whilst in their malice , they persist , in god's protection take thy rest , for , though thy body be opprest thee , safe , in spight of them , he 'l keep . he , whosoever he be , that speaks this charm , unto his soul in faith , shall have no harm ; therefore , as a receipt approved , take it : for , for my self alone , i did not make it . a meditation upon the many prodigies and apparitions , which are mentioned by publick writing , or common fame . vve are inform'd , by questionless presages ( vouchsafed to instruct succeeding ages ) that warnings of christ's coming , should be given by signs and wonders manifest from heaven : and , we have seen , in histories recorded , that , providence , in all times hath afforded , some premotions of those desolations which fell on persons , places , states and nations , before they came : for , our most gracious god , ( as doth a loving father ) shewes the rod before he whips , that he thereby may fright to penitence , ere he begins to smite ; and , frequently , prevail , if that means may , us to reclaim , he flings the rod away : which kind indulgence , is in these times , more inlarged then , it hath been heretofore . new prodigies , we hear of ev'ry day , and , likewise hear , how they are puft away as but meer fictions . if we find them so , this , justly , thereupon inferr i do , that , more presumptuous we in these times are then ever any other people were : for , very much corruption it implies to be in those who make and publish lyes . if there be truth , in any of those visions , or extraordinary apparitions , which are affirm'd ; 't is no less wicked daring , so to affront god's visible appearing in signs and wonders , as , both to contemn , and seek by all means , how to smother them : but , it is worst of all , to publish lyes of purpose , to discredit verities , as if we meant , to do the most we can to try the patience both of god , and man. if , we believe the things that are aver'd ; why of god's judgements , are we not afeard ? and , either seek to pacifie his wrath , or , magnfie his mercy , who , so hath forewarn'd , of what is likely to ensue , that , we his indignation may eschew ? if we suspect , what publickly is told , why do not they , who are in pow'r ( and should ) search out the truth , that , by due punishment , they such like provocations may prevent ? for , out of question , to connive at lyes , or smother truths , worse things presignifies , then all the apparitions , that have been these twenty years , in this our climate seen ; ( though nothing doubted of ) and will go nigh at last , to turn all truths into a lye. i must confess , that , though unto my ears there have been brought within these twenty years so many strange reports , of sights and voices , earthquakes and thunders , dreadful storms & noises ; of ebbs and tides , of suns , and moons , and stars , and armies in the clouds , portending wars , with such like , as would have perhaps , amounted unto a hundred , if i them had counted ; not one of those i saw : yet , so unjust i am not , as those good men to distrust who have aver'd them : for , though prodigies and such miraculous appearances , are daign'd in chief , to infidels , and those who in god's word , no confidence repose ; yet , they are likewise , otherwhile , reveal'd to true believers , lest , they be conceal'd from those whom they concern ; or lest , by them quite slieghted , who , the works of god , contemn ; they , also their own welfare so neglect that , they be totally without effect . on trust , i therefore take them : for , if we confirmed by their witness may not be , whose conversations are to us well known ; how , can we any affirmations own for truths , historically writ , by those whose conversation , no man living knowes ? for , my part i have with my carnal eyes , and , otherwise , beheld such prodigies in words and deeds , that , although none of that were true , which i hear other men relate , i ( at the least mysteriously ) discover all those old miracles , new acted over , in my time , which in pharaohs days were wrought , when israel out of servitude was brought ; and , many a such like wonderful proceed , as we recorded in the scriptures read . i 've seen th' inchanter's ( yea , and aarons ) rod , turn'd into serpents ; waters into blood . i have seen froggs sent , and remov'd again , and , yet , we as hard hearted still remain . i have observed , ( at least once or twice ) our dust , to be transformed into lice . plagues , which resembled locusts , flies , and hail , yet not a jot upon our hearts , prevail . the people , ev'n as murrains do our beasts , a sin that 's epidemical , infests ; and , so with blaines and byles we smitten be , that , in a moral sense , meer scabs we be . aegyptian darkness too , hath here , among our other plagues , continu'd very long , with likelihood to be as grosse , as there , unless , the sun of righteousness appear ; yea , i have seen our first-born also slain , yet , still , we in obduracy remain . i , therefore , wonder not , if private visions , prodigeous sights , and dreadful apparitions , ( discern'd but here & there ) have nought effected , since , things more signal , are so much neglected . where , moses and the prophets are not heard , one from the dead , will find but small regard . in vain are dumb-shewes , where , a speaking sign can to no heedfulness , mens hearts incline . when christ's own words , will not with credit pass , in vain , will be the speakings of an asse : yet , speak must , when god shall his tongue untie ; and , whatsoere succeedeth , so will i. a riddle for recreation , not impertinent to this place . into a park , i lately came , wherein are many herds of game , whereof the keepers take no care , and yet , they in abundance are . they are a cattle of strange breed which , on no browse , nor grasse do feed ; are found , before that they are sought ; aswell in sleep , as waking caught : so silently , they hunted are that , neither hound nor horn we hear when chatc't : they , are the onely things , left free for beggars and for kings to hunt at will : and , all that we assur'd of by our charters be . what park is this ? what game are these ? tell me , and hunt there , when you please . a proclamation made by this prisoner , with the advise of his privy counsel , the muses . oh yee's , oh yee's , oh yee's : if any man in country , court or city tell me can where my last poem call'd vox vulgi lies , ( seiz'd lately in my chamber by surprize ) on penalty , of what else follow may , let him produce it , e're my tryal day ; ( which , yet , i am not certain , when , or where it will be , neither do i greatly care . ) he , who to me , the same will timely bring , shall be rewarded : so , god save the king. given , this th . of the th . month , . at my head quarters in newgate , which is , at present , all the places of abode upon earth , which the prince of this world and his prelacie have left me . geo. wither . a concluding epigram . vvith these cards , i , an after-game have play'd , but , there 's one card , by shuffling , so mislaid , that , now my fore-game's lost ; yet , if i may just dealing find , fair gamesters , and fair-play , what ever happens , i no question make but , i at last , may thereby save my stake ; and , when the sett is ended , win much more then ere i got by play , or work before . if any good effects , hereby ensue , a thanks to god , is for my troubles due : for , had he not made way to send me hither , these fragments , had not thus been scrap'd together . those papers , which are hitherto supprest , shall that occasion , which will manifest ( at last ) a more effectual operation then , if they might have had free publication . if , also , god , me , here shall exercise with greater tryals , better fruits then these they will produce : therefore , they shall to me be welcome , when , or whatsoere they be . yet , for the sakes of other men , well pleas'd i should be , from my troubles to be eas'd ; because , until mine shall have some redresse , their suff'rings , are not likely to be lesse . lord , therefore , if thou please , make it a sign , their troubles will soon end , by ending mine . i , thereof , am a little hopeful made , by some foretokens , which i newly had . three likely signs thereof , he daigned hath ; for , my beloved consort , he from death , was pleas'd to raise ( ev'n whilst within this place i have remain'd , exposed to disgrace and poverty ) he , for my children too , whilst this was writing , hath provided so that , without portions , to their good content , they married are , without disparagement ; all parties , christian confidence professing of their dependance on god's future blessing . he , in the presence , and amidst my foes , hath spread my table ; and , such bounty showes , that , these are nothing , but the scraps and crums of that supply , which , dayly , from him comes . appello deum , regem , populum , parliamentum . i do , appeal , to judge of my intent , to god , king , people , and the parliament : for , one of these , i 'm sure , my friend will be , and , i hope well , of all the other three ; but , they know not my heart , so well as he . a post-script to the readers . these pieces , being communicated to several persons in writing , were sent back to me imprinted ; by what printer i know not . two or three large cantles , are thrown in among them ; which , though you would have disliked , in respect of their quantity , i should have made no shorter ; for , i could with more contentment have lengthned them . so much was necessary to exercise my own spirit , and strengthen my faith and patience , during the pressures which lie upon me . therefore , if they begin to seem tedious , give over the perusal : for , they were intended to be communicated to those onely , who were voluntarily desirous of them , to whom i beseech god to sanctifie them in the reading . they were distill'd out of me , by that fiery-tryal , which will extend to many other before it be ended , and which will evidence that they are no counterfeit or sophistical extractions , though they may seem trivial to some , because they relate chiefly to my self ; for , they will be found useful to many of them , who , are or shall be , exercised with like passions and afflictions . that , which tends to the vindication of the poem occasioning my commitment hither , will concern others as well as my self ; so , may also that which expresseth my suddain distemper , at the first hearing of my wives sickness , lying at . miles distance in a very disconsolate condition , as to all outward things : and they who are as truly sensible of a conjugal and paternal affection as i am , will perhaps , think when they read what i have written , that it may be of use to some of them , when they consider well the struglings between my flesh & spirit during that tryal ; and , in regard it is in probability , the strongest temptation whereby the world and the devil shall have power to afflict me . but , whatsoever shall be thought of that , of the rest of these parcels , or of me , i sent them to those in writing , who desired to have copies of them , and to passe further , as god should give leave . to write no more , i long since did intend ; but , none but god knowes now when i shall end , for , still , i find , when i think all is done , as much to write , as when i first begun . your true friend , and brother in the best consanguinity , who thinks it no dishonour , to subscribe himself , george wither , of newgate , in the city of london , prisoner . the th . of the th . moneth , . an appendix in relation to what concerns his wife . my consort , ( who still meanes what ere she sayes ) perusing what 's here mentioned to her praise ; protests , her modesty is so offended , to find her self in such a strain commended , that , she 's asham'd to live ; and , to be dead had rather , then to see it published . to be aveng'd for this dislike , therefore i le to the rest , ad this one vertue more , which had been alse forgot ; and if she do therewith find fault , i le then , ad twenty moe . for , i forbore her praises till i fear'd that , them , she never should have seen , or heard , and , had exposed them to publication before i was quite cured , of my passion . a table of the several things contained in this book . . the epistle of the author . pag. . . a missive to his friends , who enquired for him , after the apprehension of his person and the seizure of his books and papers . pag. . . his first meditation after his commitment to newgate . pag. . . his petition at the sessions , that bail might be accepted . pag. . . an epigram to the city of london . p. . . this prisoners second meditation in newgate . pag. . . answer to some friends who sent to know how it fared with him after his commitment . pag. . . a pass-by , to them who seemed offended with his frequent scriblings ( as they call them ) pag. . . the authors apology , for his writing that book which occasioned his imprisonment . pag. . . another meditation , alluding to this verse in seneca , nusquam non potest esse virtuti locus . p. . . a meditation upon jeremies prophesie to ebedmelech , the aethiopian . pag. . . an antidote against fear . pag. . . a short excuse , why he makes no adresse to great persons for their favour in his cause . pag. . . a meditation upon his considering the sad outward condition of his relations in the flesh . p. . . a passionate expression of a casual and suddain destemper , upon hearing of his wives being mortally sick , as he was credibly informed . pag. . . a spiritual song composed upon the last mentioned distemper . pag. . . a meditation whilst he was taking tobacco . pag. . . a hint , conducing to the settlement of peace and concord in the church and state. pag. . . a thanksgiving for his wives restauration to life and health . pag. . . a penitential hymn . pag. . . a requiem to the soul. pag. . . a meditation upon the late prodigies and apparitions . pag. . . a ridle . pag. . . a proclamation by the muses . pag. . . a concluding epigram . pag. . . a post-script . pag. . the end . the authors dream , the night before the imprinting of this book , and ( as he believes ) the true interpretation thereof . i am awake : god's blessed name be prais'd , that , he to see the light , my eyes hath rais'd : for , sleep , i see , which we repute the best of temporal things pertaining to mans rest , ( next to a quiet conscience ) may become a torment , very near as troublesome , if he , that giveth his beloved sleep , did not , within a bound , nights terrours keep . my soul , so toyl'd , and tired out , hath been with what , this night , in dreamings i have seen , that , peradventure , if i waking , had been so opprest , it might have made me mad : for , from the twelfth hour , to the fourth , well nigh , i have been strugling , in an agonie , with such confusions , that , if i would tell how , i have been turmoyl'd , i , might aswell another world endeavour to create out of a chaos , as the same relate : and , not a littie troubled is my mind , now i am waking , how , i forth may find what it presignifies : for , i believe those notions , i did not in vain receive : and , therefore , ( since no daniel i do know , who , either can to me my vision show , or , what it means ) ile , by god's grace , assay to make the best use of it , that i may ; not doubting , but , that he will condescend to shew some glimpse , of what , he doth intend . it hapned ( which , forget not to remember ) the day before the kalend's of november , the first year ( and may be the last ) wherein i had infranchised in newgate been , for off'ring to record , what i have heard by common fame , and , was by me declar'd to no worse end , then , that , prevent it might such like confusions , as me thought , this night to me were represented . and , who knowes but , that , this dream , a consequent foreshowes to that relating , which , fulfill'd will be either , upon these nations , or on me , or both of us , if god , averts not from the best of us , that , which is like to come ; and , as dreadful our waking dreams may be as this was in my sleep , last night to me . this very day , moreover , ( as i hear ) those musings , which by me composed were since my commitment hither , pass the presse ; and , our confusions , will be more or less , as they shall take effect . god's will be done , ( what ere , he pleaseth shall succeed thereon ) for , he , who wak'd me out of this sad dream , will , when , at their worst , raise me out of them ; or , when the resurrection morning comes , save , me , at least , from all destructive dooms , this , ( though my dream admits no explanation ) i take to be a true interpretation . but if , that any finds me out a better i will approve it , and remain his debter . errata . page . line . read appeal , page . line . for which are , r. with awe , l. . r. entertain'd , p. . l. . r. though so , p. . l. . r. be for he , p. . l. . r. dost for doth , p. . l. . r. not so . p. . last l. r. contriv'd . p. . l. . r. first , that , p. . l. . r. grown wise and sober , l. . r. more provoke , p. . l. . r. of reason , p. . l. . r. of letting , l. . r. concession , l. . for is , r. are , p. . l. . r. extract good . p. . l. . r , revive , p. . l. . for race , r. truce . p. . l. . r. every for very . l. . blot out now , p. . l. . r. we for wee 'l . p. . l. . for their r. them . p. . l. . blot out my , p. . l. . r. his trust . the innocent man's first proffer. or, the proposition of lieutenant collonel john lilburne, prerogative prisoner, in the tower of london, made unto his present adversaries, and to the whole nation of england, octob. . . for william hevenningham esq. of hevenningham, in suffolk, these present. lilburne, john, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) the innocent man's first proffer. or, the proposition of lieutenant collonel john lilburne, prerogative prisoner, in the tower of london, made unto his present adversaries, and to the whole nation of england, octob. . . for william hevenningham esq. of hevenningham, in suffolk, these present. lilburne, john, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. dated at end: from my captivity, & bodily-bondage in the tower of london, octob. , . address to the reader in the right-hand margin. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng lilburne, john, ?- -- imprisonment -- early works to . detention of persons -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . great britain -- history -- commonwealth and protectorate, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no the innocent man's first proffer. or, the proposition of lievtenant collonel john lilburne, prerogative prisoner, in the tower of london, ma lilburne, john f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the innocent man's first proffer . or , the proposition of lievetenant collonel john lilburne , prerogative prisoner , in the tower of london , made unto his present adversaries , and to the whole nation of england , octob. . . for william hevenningham esq . of hevenningham , in suffolk , these present . having somtimes the oportunity to discourse with you , there appeared that in you unto me , that gives mee incouragement to pick you out above all men that now remaine sitting in your house , to write a few lines unto , in as moderate a way , as my condition and my provocations will permit me : i have now within a very few daies been seven mōneths a prisoner , the legallity or illegality of which i shall not now discourse , having already of late said ●o much in my owne defence * grounded upon the law , your owne declarations , and the armies ; which with other things ( it seemes ) hath occasioned your house to passe a speciall commission of oyer and terminer , to try mee ; which whether such a speciall commission , made by never so unquestionable an authority , bee not contrary to the petition of right ( which you have so often sworne , and particularly declared to maintaine inviolably ) i shall for brevities sake not now dispute ; only give me leave ( and i hope without any offence ) to put you in minde of that excellent and printed argument ( in speeches and passages of parliament . . page , , , to ▪ ) of master hides , your quondam fellow-member , before the lords in parliament , as the then mouth of the commons-house , in aprill , upon the speciall commission of oyer and terminer , that was exercised in the five northern counties at yorke , in which argument , besides many excellent and observable passages about the midst of it hee interrogates and saith : what hath the good northern people done , that they only must bee disfranch●zed of all their priviledges by magna charta and the petition of right , for to what purpose serve these statutes if they may bee fined and imprisoned without law , according to the discretion of the said commissioners ( of speciall oyer and terminer ) what have they done ? that they and they alone , of all the people of this ( then ) happy i sland , must be disinherited of their byrth right , of their inheritance ? i sh●●l at present make no application for my selfe , only i shall add a few more of his lines towards the conclusion of hi● argument in page , which i hope cannot bee offensive , being spoke by him that was so eminently authorized thereunto ▪ where hee saith to the lords : truly my lords , these vexed , w●rne , people of the north , are not suitors to you● lordships to regulate this court ( of speciall oyer and terminer ) or to refo●me the judges of it , but for exti●pa●ing th●se judges , and the utter abolishing this court ; they are of catoes minde , who would not submit to caesar for his life ; saying ▪ hee would not bee beholding to a tyrant for injustice ; for , it was injustice in him to take upon him to save a mans life , over whom hee had no power . which court of speciall oyer and terminer was absolutely and totally abolished by that excellent act that abolished the star-chamber being the of the late king an. . but sir , if it shall be objected against me that you are necessitated to take such an extraordinary course with me , as a speciall commission of oyer and terminer is , because i will not own your authority : yea , and i● i so continue , to deale with me as you dealt with the late king . unto which at present i answer , first , the kings case and mine is different , for hee refused to answere to his charge principally out of ●his consideration , because hee had inherent in him an old received principle ( as appeares in his answere to the petition of right anno and in many of his declarations made since the beginning of the late warres , and by his speeches at his death , by virtue of which , hee judged himselfe as not liable o● capable of being judged by any power on earth , but only by god alone : and as being in any sence , not in the least , for any action he did ( though in it selfe never so vile ) subject to the punishing part of the law . now , for my part , i ●oe not in the least , refuse to be tryed out of that consideration , for i acknowledg my selfe but a bare englishman , subiect to the lawes thereof , as well in the penal as in the directive part of them , unto the ordinary rule of which , with all my heart , i am willing to stoope , and wish my adversaries would doe the same , and then i beleeve the controversie would not long last betwixt us . but seeing betwixt my adversaries and my self there is a difference about the legallitie and justices of power , which in some late printed papers and popular discourses , is made use of against mee , as though i had a selfe conviction in my own conscience , of my own guilt , and therefore to avoid , as much as in mee lies , a tryall . to ●ake off which , and to lay my selfe , and my adversaries nakedly , and fully open to the judgement and censure of all ingenious and rationall men in england . i doe hereby , under my hand and seale ( for that end it may be shewed to your house ) proffer you , beside what i lately proffered mr. prideaux , which is contained in the , and , pages of the substance of that discourse now in print , and here inclosed ; that i am willing and ready , if they please , to choose one of your owne twelve judges , that sit in one of the three publique courts at westminster , and all or any of my adversaries shall choose which of the eleven remaining they please , and i will freely and voluntarily , obliege and b●nd my selfe under my hand and seale before witnesses , to stand to their finall and absolute determination ( upon the p●●nciples of law ) for all differences betwix them ( or any of them ) and me , although it reach to bannishmen● , losse of estate , limb , or life , so my adversaries will doe the like : provided , the hearing may bee open , publique , and free , indifferently for both parties , and that the judges give their judgement in writing under their hands , with their reasons for their so doing to every point of their judgement . and , provided i may for my owne benefit , use , or advantage ; choose two ▪ friends , freely to take , as well as their pennes will enable them , all that passeth , pro and con , without danger to their persons , liberties or estates ; or without hazard of having their papers ( by force or authoritie ) taken from them ; and this i thinke is as faire as any rationall man under heaven can desire , and which i cannot believe you can judge to the contrary , especial●y considering it is so consonant to that righteous rule of the sonne of god ( jesus christ ) contained in the scripture ( the volumne of truth ) viz. to doe as you would bee done to , which is the sum of both the law and gospell , and of all righteousnesse amongst men . and i hope this is so faire , that those that most thirst after my blood cannot , nor will not refuse it . but to make it more f●i●e if they judge it inconvenient to fix upon two of your owne judges ( who in interest are positively ingaged against me ) i will bee content they shall choose one sch●●ller , commonly called a clergy man , and i will choose another , or a cittizen , or a countreyman ( which they please ) and i will doe the like . so with my humble service presented to you , craving pardon for my boldnesse in troubling you , with whome i have had so little face to face acquaintance , earnestly intreating your utmost interest speedily in acquainting your house herewith , in the publiquest manner you can : i commit you to the lord my god , my protector and preserver , and rest , yours ( desirous particularly to be engaged to serve you ) john lilburne . from my captivity , & bodily-bondage in the tower of london , octob. . . courteous reader , since i sent the foregoing epistle , i understand that wednesday next being the . of octob. . is positively resolved by my adversaries , to be the day of my triall , and therefore i cannot chuse but publish this in print , and because a late pamphlet-scribler , and pretended vindicator of s. arth haslerig , said to be mr. thomas may , the councell of states pentioner , renders me in his late false and lying book to be an atheist , a denier of god and the scripture , and given up to all licesiousnesse , and an absolute confederate with prince charles , to set up his absolute will and prerogative in this nation ; & therefore not knowing whether my life will bee mine so long till i am able to publish a vindication at large , against his base calumniations , i shall desire you to take this at present , and if i die before more come , let the constant series of my actions and writings bee my future testators ) that if to beleeve constantly all that is contained in the law and the gospell , and to have confident hope of the resurrection of the dead and the life to come , and particularly of my owne , and to live conscientiously in all good conscience , as in the sight of that god that searcheth and knoweth the hearts of all the sons of men , both before god and men , be sufficient cause to be judged an atheist , &c. then i am one . and if to oppose , with all my might and strength , all interests whatsoever , that would set up a single man , or more , to rule and govern by will and pleasure , without bounds , limits , check or controle , be sufficient grounds to be judged a cavaliere , and for prince charles , then must i ingenuously confesse i am such a cavaliere , &c. and i hope so to dy , for which i blesse god i am ready and fitted , let it bee by what butcherly hands it will . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- * see my salva libertate sent to the lievetenant of the tower in september last , and my discourse with master prideaux , intituled , strength out of weakenes●● . a letter from sir arthur hesilrige, to the honorable committee of the councel of state for irish and scotish affairs at white-hall, concerning the scots prisoners. die veneris, novembr. . ordered by the parliament, that this letter be forthwith printed and published. hen: scobell, cleric. parliamenti. hesilrige, arthur, sir, d. . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing h thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) a letter from sir arthur hesilrige, to the honorable committee of the councel of state for irish and scotish affairs at white-hall, concerning the scots prisoners. die veneris, novembr. . ordered by the parliament, that this letter be forthwith printed and published. hen: scobell, cleric. parliamenti. hesilrige, arthur, sir, d. . , [ ] p. printed by edward husband and john field, printers to the parliament of england, london : . reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners of war -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no a letter from sir arthur hesilrige,: to the honorable committee of the councel of state for irish and scotish affairs at white-hall, concer hesilrige, arthur, sir a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a letter from sir arthur hesilrige , to the honorable committee of the councel of state for irish and scotish affairs at white-hall , concerning the scots prisoners . die veneris , novembr. . ordered by the parliament , that this letter be forthwith printed and published . hen : scobell , cleric . parliamenti . london , printed by edward husband and john field , printers to the parliament of england , . gentlemen , i received your letter dated the twenty sixth of october ; in that you desire me , that two thousand three hundred of the scotch prisoners now at durham or elswhere , able and fit for foot service , be selected , and marched thence to chester and liverpool , to be shipped for the south and west of ireland , and that i should take special care not to send any highlanders . i am necessitated upon the receipt of this , to give you a full accompt concerning the prisoners : after the battel at dunbar in scotland , my lord general writ to me , that there was about nine thousand prisoners , and that of them he had set at liberty all those that were wounded , and , as he thought , disabled for future service , and their number was , as mr. downing writ , five thousand one hundred ; the rest the general sent towards newcastle , conducted to berwick by major hobson , and from berwick to newcastle by some foot out of that garison , and the troop of horse ; when they came to morpeth , the prisoners being put into a large walled garden , they eat up raw cabages , leaves and roots , so many , as the very seed and the labor , at four pence a day , was valued by sufficient men at nine pounds ; which cabage , as i conceive , they having fasted , as they themselves said , near eight days , poysoned their bodies ; for as they were coming from thence to newcastle , some dyed by the way-side , and when they came to newcastle , i put them into the greatest church in the town , and the next morning when i sent them to durham , about sevenscore were sick , and not able to march , and three dyed that night , and some fell down in their march from newcastle to durham , and dyed ; and when they came to durham , i having sent my lieutenant colonel and my major , with a strong guard both of horse and foot , and they being there told into the great cathedral church , they could not count them to more then three thousand ; although colonel fenwick writ to me , that there were about three thousand five hundred , but i believe they were not told at berwick , and most of those that were lost , it was in scotland ; for i heard , that the officers that marched with them to berwick , were necessitated to kill about thirty , fearing the loss of them all , for they fell down in great numbers , and said , they were not able to march ; and they brought them far in the night , so that doubtless many ran away . when i sent them first to durham , i writ to the major , and desired him to take care , that they wanted not any thing that was fit for prisoners , and what he should disburse for them , i would repay it . i also sent them a daily supply of bread from newcastle , and an allowance equal to what had been given to former prisoners : but their bodies being infected , the flux encreased amongst them . i sent many officers to look to them , & appointed that those that were sick should be removed out the cathedral church into the bishops castle , which belongs to mistris blakiston , and provided cooks , and they had pottage made with oatmeal , and beef and cabages , a full quart at a meal for every prisoner : they had also coals daily brought to them , as many as made about a hundred fires both day and night , and straw to lie upon ; and i appointed the marshal to see all these things orderly done , and he was allowed eight men to help him to divide the coals , and their meat , bread and pottage equally : they were so unruly , sluttish and nasty , that it is not to be believed ; they acted rather like beasts then men , so that the marshal was allowed forty men to cleanse and sweep them every day : but those men were of the lustiest prisoners , that had some small thing given them extraordinary : and these provisions were for those that were in health ; and for those that were sick , and in the castle , they had very good mutton broth , and sometimes veal broth , and beef and mutton boild together , and old women appointed to look to them in the several rooms : there was also a physitian which let them blood , and dressed such as were wounded , and gave the sick physick , and i dare confidently say , there was never the like care taken for any such number of prisoners that ever were in england . notwithstanding all this , many of them dyed , and few of any other disease but the flux ; some were killed by themselves , for they were exceeding cruel one towards another : if a man was perceived to have any money , it was two to one but he was killed before morning , and robbed ; and if any had good clothes , he that wanted , if he was able , would strangle him , and put on his clothes : and the disease of the flux still encreasing amongst them , i was then forced , for their preservation , if possible it might be , to send to all the next towns to durham , within four or five miles , to command them to bring in their milk , for that was conceived to be the best remedy for stopping of their flux , and i promised them what rates they usually sold it for at the markets , which was accordingly performed by about threescore towns and places , and twenty of the next towns to durham continue still to send daily in their milk , which is boiled , some with water , and some with bean flower , the physitians holding it exceeding good for recovery of their health . gentlemen , you cannot but think strange this long preamble , and to wonder what the matter will be ; in short its this , of the three thousand prisoners that my officers told into the cathedral church at durham , three hundred from thence , and fifty from newcastle of the sevenscore left behinde , were delivered to major clerk by order from the councel , and there are about five hundred sick in the castle , and about six hundred yet in health in the cathedral , the most of which are in probability highlanders , they being hardier then the rest , and other means to distinguish them we have not , and about sixteen hundred are dead and buried , and officers about sixty , that are at the marshals in newcastle . my lord general having released the rest of the officers , and the councel having given me power to take out what i thought fit , i have granted to several well-affected persons that have salt-works at sheels , and want servants , forty , and they have engaged to keep them to work at their salt-pans ; and i have taken out more about twelve weavers , to begin a trade of linnen cloth like unto the scotch-cloth , and about forty laborers . i cannot give you on this sudden a more exact accompt of the prisoners , neither can any accompt hold true long , because they still dye daily , and doubtless so they will , so long as any remain in prison . and for those that are well , if major clerk could have believed that they had been able to have marched on foot , he would have marched them by land ; for we perceive that divers that are seemingly healthy , and have not at all been sick , suddenly dye , and we cannot give any reason of it , onely we apprehend they are all infected , and that the strength of some holds it out till it seize upon their very hearts . now you fully understand the condition and the number of the prisoners , what you please to direct , i shall observe , and intend not to proceed further upon this letter , until i have your answer upon what i have now written . i am , gentlemen , your affectionate servant , art : hesilrige . octob. . . finis . the life, apprehensio[n,] arraignement, and execution of char[les] covrtney, alias hollice, alias worsley, and clement slie fencer with their escapes and breaking of prison: as also the true and hearty repentance of charles courtney w[ith] other passages, worthy the note and reading. life, apprehension, arraignement, and execution of charles courtney, alias hollice, alias worsley, and clement slie fencer. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the life, apprehensio[n,] arraignement, and execution of char[les] covrtney, alias hollice, alias worsley, and clement slie fencer with their escapes and breaking of prison: as also the true and hearty repentance of charles courtney w[ith] other passages, worthy the note and reading. life, apprehension, arraignement, and execution of charles courtney, alias hollice, alias worsley, and clement slie fencer. courtney, charles, d. . [ ], , [ ] p. printed [by w. hall] for edward marchant, and are to bee sold in pau[ls] churceyard [sic] ouer against the crosse, london : . courtney's repentance is in verse. woodcut of courtney's prison break and execution on title page. printer's name from stc. imperfect; title page trimmed affecting text. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of 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author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng courtney, charles, d. . prisoners' writings, english -- early works to . repentance -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - taryn hakala sampled and proofread - taryn hakala text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the life , apprehension arraignement , and execution of charles covrtney , alias hollice , alias worsley , and clement slie fencer : with their escapes and breaking of prison : as also the true and hearty repentance of charles courtney with other passages , worthy the note and reading . depiction of execution london printed for edward marchant , and are to bee sold in pauls churceyard ouer against the crosse . . the apprehension and arraignment of charles covrtney , alias hallice , gentleman , with the forme of his life . he , that as in a glasse , will behold the picture of a wretched life , or the liuely representation of the myseries incident to mankind , the image of both may be séene in this man : here may be discerned , the mutations of fortunes , the inconstancie of things , and the vncertaintie of daies , since sinne hath spred it selfe like a leprosie ouer all flesh , and iniquitie hath so gotten the vpper hand , that a spider is able to choake vs , a haire to stifle vs , and a tyle falling on our heads to extinguish vs , euen in that momēt , when we least suspect so suddaine a calamitie . our life then so momentanie , that in that minute we breath ( if not defended by our maker ) in that minute we are breathlesse . why should any flesh , endowed with that heauenly reason , which god hath onely giuen to men and angels , so forget his vncertaintie ? as for a little gold , which is but the dregges of the earth , for vanitie , the pleasures of the world , or for the world it selfe ; possest with an exterior appearance of goodnesse , and within lined with loathsome corruption , which is but like to réeds , who when they shoot out first , in the spring of the yeare , intice , and with their fresh greene colour , delight the eye for a while ; but if we breake , and looke within them , we find nothing but emptinesse and hollownesse ) neglect his maker , and the dignity of his creation , who being ordained for vertuous dispositions , conducts his whole life to vitious actions ; beeing men but in shew , and like birds in their course , who gréedily flee to pecke vp corne , till they bée caught in the ginne : or like fishes , who earnestly swimme to catch the baite , till they be choaked with the hooke . but why doe i talke of the frensie of others , when no mans madnesse hath beene equall to mine ? or who will receiue a homely counsel from that tongue , whose folly hath brought him to be condemned himselfe ? foelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cautum . then let me forget the world , pittie her infirmities , and with my soules sorrow , and heartie repentance , build me vp a ladder , on the steppes of whose petitions i might climbe toward heauen . yet alas words vttered from mee , are but like birds feathers , who serue their bodies vse to flée withall , whilst they are aliue , and others regardlesse lie downe vpon them , when they are dead . the repetition of my sinnes , is but with the winnowerand the wind , to fanne away the chaffe , and leaue the growth of the graine to liue : with my shame , i may say , i haue sinned , and doe sing i repent , yet the law must haue his power , and the liuing giue their verdict : my griefe is the spring , which my sorrow lets out , and iustice is the pipe , which doth take , and can stoppe , whilst the world , as a spunge that suckes vp the superfluous , is of power to be squéezd forth , as the multitude please : what though i sigh , yet my sinnes must be strucke , the law requires it , and mine iniquities haue deserued it : what though i dying complaine , the liuing must haue their willes , and they haue willes can reprooue whatsoeuer i say ( then since the law , as frō y ● fountaine of my offences , hath had power to draw my life from me , and the world , euen after death , may haue strength to condemne mée , words vttered with teares , but requests of them thus : that since my body shall haue power to blunt the edge of affliction , my vntimely fall may haue force to abate the kéene sharpnes of their rumouring tongues ; and if any thirstie or vnsatisfied spleen , either reioycing at my death , or bemoning my ruine , shall desire to sée vnraueld the whole web of my life , he shall here behold the péece of my trauels : in reading which , i desire him to wash from his memorie the stains of my name : here shall he reade my diurnall transgressions , which i request him to pardon , and not to reprooue ( since no curre is so cruell to bite the dead : ) heere as in a mirror , shall hée looke into my miseries , hand-workes , my sinnes , my sorrow , my life , my death , and the building of mine owne labour , began from the time of my apprehension at dunstable in bedfordshire , from whence i was conuaid to bedford gaole , from thence to newgate ▪ where , after my seueral escapes , it was most vntimely concluded at warwicke lane end , néere newgate to die . for my birth and education , it was fortunate , and commendable . it was a credit to my carefull and louing father , and he was obeyed by me , as a dutifull sonne . in my youth i grewe vp like a straight plant , and was expected of the worthiest , and hoped for of the best of my countrey , to haue prooued the timber of a fruitfull tree : my company to the best of the gentrie was accounted so welcome , that they estéemed mée more for pleasure , then expences ; and the contempt i held to associate with the base , had brought my faire demeanure to bee beloued with the best , that my fellowship entirely desired , and my condition held honest ▪ my father was proud to call mée his happy sonne . in my prime , and fitting yeares , my father endeauoured to ioyne mée in mariage , as well to ioy in the posteritie of his sonne , as a wife by bringing a dowrie with her , should strengthen my estate : which desire of his , was equalled by diuers gentlemen of good worship in our countrey : and to mine owne loue and liking , with the ioy and wishes of our parents , i was ioyned in wedlocke with a vertuous gentlewoman ; with whom , during the liues of our fathers , whose eyes were like carefull sentinels , watchfull of our safeties , i liued decently and orderly , as did befit a sonne , and a husband , and shée louing and dutifull , as should a daughter and a wife . but time , the parent of death , and finisher of all things , calling them our nourishers to their graues , and i entred the gappe of wilfulnesse , and libertie ; the which , before ▪ either their graue discretions had rained mée from , or i had not leisure to find out : i grewe now to be a worser man , and did not séeme in any thing , like that which before i had béene : my ciuilitie was turned to disorder , my temperance to drunkennesse , my thrift to ryot , my honestie to misbehauiour ; and my whole life to those vnséemely acts , that i should blush to record . in which tide of expences , consuming my meanes reserued by my parents to defend my reputation , and vpholde our house , want , the enemie to superfluitie , tauerns , dyce , and whores came on like a greedy purseuant to arrest me , with whose gripe i beeing toucht , and finding my state so infeebled , that i could not continue in the course i had begun : my vndertakings grue desperate , fearelesse to attempt , and carelesse of the headlongst danger that could ensue . to rob i was resolued , not fearing the law , and to persist i grew bolde , not regarding my ruine . to recken vp now all the robberies i haue done , were but to adde griefe to a number , that should heare of the accompt , and little benefit to me , that am going to my graue . a many they are , which particularly to expresse would beget doubt to the readers beleefe , yet thus much reader for thy satisfaction , i haue beene too prosperous in these aduentures , so that i neuer failed in any purchase i went about , i neuer stood vpon the way to watch for any passengers , nor neuer vndertooke any robberie , but what was appoynted and certaine notice giuen vs which way they would passe , and what store of coyne they carried , by some who were trusted , more then mistrusted . i neuer tooke from the néedy , or those whose pouertie might cause them to complaine , but all my aime either at house or highway , were at such curmugions , who care not who starues so themselues bee corne fed . in the effecting of all my robberies and burglaryes , neuer ( to my soules comfort ) did i shed any blood , but still my care was how to preuent that stayne to my soule , onely it was my ill fate to stumble vpon one robberie , for which i heartily wish i had beene taken and receiued the law , according to my deserts , i had then preuented the vntimely end of two worthie gentlemen , whose names i forbeare . for the reputation of their house that were apprehended , endited , arraignd , condemned , iudged and most innocently hanged for a robbery which i did , oh that my cradle had béene my graue , i had not then offended my maker . for the blood of the innocents , for which i doe first most earnestly on the knées of my heart begge forgiuenesse of the lord , hoping through my vnfained and harty repentance to obtaine remission of that grieuous sin , next of those friēds , which were by me made friendlesse of two hopefull gentlemen , which in time might haue prooued fruitfull vines to defend their posteritie , yet thus much reader for thy satisfaction , these gentlemen were apprehended , iudged and dead ere i knew of it , for i protest ( as i thinke ) had i known thereof before their execution , i should haue yéelded , my owne life , and haue thought it chiefe meanes to obtaine remission of god , for my manifold transgressions to saue the innocents . this warning péece should haue chastised me , foreuer vndertaking the like enterprise . my conscience for the time was greeued , complayned on it , yet my wilfulnesse regarded it not , but like a dog , redi●t ad vomitum , i was still the same and persisted . insomuch , that my conscience being clogged with the blood of innocents , i retired my selfe for releefein london . in which denne of acquaintance , i met with many , who had béene my consorts , with whom we reuelled , while we had money , drancke while we had credit , whored whilst we had health , regardles of any good wee applied our selues to all villanies whatsoeuer , but these being weake sinewes to maintaine strength without supplie , and none of vs all hauing meanes to relieue himselfe , in the worst of our credit , we began to consult , our resolue was thus , he that is borne must be kept , we are borne and therefore must be kept , & will find nurses in the world though to other mens charge . briefly we stood not long vpon it , but our conference was , how we might come by a purse on the highway , that was worth the taking , or enter some house that might benefit the breaking . euery man gaue his resolue , some that the highway was the best , hauing ostlers ready to furnish them with horses , and euerie countrie in the whole kingdome for their free escape . others knowing me a better théefe then the rest , swore they would be ruled by me , and desired me to set downe some course what should be done , i neuer paused on it , but finding them all fit fry for the gallowes as my selfe was , i desired to bee heard , and told them this , that there was a gardner in the towne that sowed séede , and gathered the croppe for himselfe . a man , an vsurer , one that would take much in paune , and lend little on it . one that would keepe a house of great vse , yet haue no hospitalitie in it , neere about temple barre was this gardners orchard : one whose fruitewe must plucke for our profit , the course was likte , the plot approued , and my selfe best knowing the conueyance of the house , hauing oftentimes resorted thither , when my pockets were lancke , both to pleasure my selfe , and other of my friends with a good pledge , i must be the mā must bring the matter to act. two seuerall times we had vndertooke this enterprise , and were as often preuented , entending to breake into the house , but finding the house too strong for our weake purposes , hopeles to effect , we were about to giue it ouer , till on the sudden , it came in my minds that this gardner , was so ielous of his substance , and so distrustfull of euery one ( nay euen of his wife ) her selfe , that he would neuer goe abroad , but he would take his key of his doore with him , reseruing to himselfe certaine houres in the day , when he would not faile to be at home , to meete with his customers , and to furnish them with money . so that some certaine meanes must be found out for the getting of his key , or all our labour was lost , and we had vndertooke abooteles attempt . in breefe i hauing by this time so insinuated my selfe into his loue by faire words , and as faire behauiour , that no man was more welcomer to his house then my selfe , neither could any draw him forth sooner then i : still baiting the booke of my plot , with bestowing euery morning a pinte of wine or two on him , as they vse to say , for his first draft , but neuer suffering him to spend a penie , as we satebibling together oftentimes , thus hand to hand turning ouer the cuppes , with no other complement then this , here father gardner , heere 's to you , and sonne courtney to you . i warrant you an oath 〈…〉 ew not out of my mouth for the world , and circumstance was seldome of any thing else but of thrift , and thriuing , how we might get wealth and hoord it vp , being got , i knew now that buttermilke would serue in summer both for meat and drinke , as well as himselfe , that a good sauer might stand chéeke by iole with a great getter , and could now tell how to multiply a hundred to a thousand , with the best of them all , so that i stood in doubt at last he would make me his heire . our familiaritie thus linckte , and the rest of our crue being nine or tenne in number , acquainted , therewith , it was by generall consent agréed vpon that at some tauerne or other , a solemne supper should be prepared , and m. gardner and his wife inuited and brought thither as my guests . i stood not much vpon the vndertaking of it , and the rather , because i knew good chéere , and of frée cost , was both baite and line , and would draw my gudgeon at ease . the time is come , supper ready , the cloath is laid , my gallants in the roome attending for m. gardener his wife , and my selfe , who at the houre appointed , made our appearance , when according to course , to some that were there before , and the worthiest in shew , i must entreate of them to bid these friends welcome , who are especially mine , and what curtesie soeuer they extended towards them , i should euer approue it manifested towards me , whereby the good woman is with al curtesies placed at the vpper end of the table , and a chaire with a soft cushion , prouided for the good man , euery one is ready to carue vnto her , and all are as forward to quaffe vnto him . supper ended and the signe of the wine beganne to shew in his face , a noise of fidlers was prouided to come in , iust in the nicke , and now in the deuils name , we must needs goe daunce , when in protesting of loue , imbracing and hugging of him , one of the crue whose fingers were nimbler then the rest , had daunced the key out of his pocket , intelligence was straight giuen to me of that which was done , and by meas priuately borne to the rest with strickt warning to kéepe him vp in his mirth , for by his wealth we were in hope to be euer made . about then slippe the healthes , more iouiall then before , whilst three of vs on the sudden slunke downe the stares , hast to the house , open the doore , and vp into the chambers , where we found that we came for , and stoode not long a culling out , but like craftie marchants , taking vp our commodities by the great , we were now onely puzled how , and in what , to carry it from thence . but i being my crafts-master puld off a fetherbed , ript vp the ticke , powred out the fethers , and in this case for conueiance , wee put as much plate and iewels as wee could find , and conueniently carry away , onely one bagge of monie of some thirty pound was scattered about the roome , the bagge brooke . it was not farre off but for the instant we had a warehouse prouided for the harbouring of it . my confederates all this while kept them at the tauerne , excusing mine , and the others suddaine departure to some extraordinarie businesse which wee had to doe . when they thought we had our purpose , call for a reckoning , paid it , and so like honest , louing , familiar friends , wee quietly and peaceably departed the tauerne . by this , master gardner with his wife come home to their house , find their doore shut , there was no hurt in that , bids his wife light a candle , there was no hurt in that , but missing his key , was forced to breake the doore open : comming vp into his chamber , espying the feathers scattered all about one roome , and money about another , the windows shut , and walles safe , ( not without cause ) my old friend began to wonder at that : and béeing suddainly affrighted , flées to his counting-house , where , when he saw what ransacke was made , what a pittifull heat was my olde grandfire in , let enery one iudge . it was no time for him to delay , enquiry was made amongst the neighbours , what passengers they had seene goe into his house since his departure , suspition was had of vs ; search euery where was made for vs , hue and crie into all places sent after vs , all ports and hauens laid for vs , our habits and personages described , warning left at all gold-smithes and iewellers , if any such plate came to be sold , to make stay of it : all newgate coniurers set a worke , with promise of great reward , if by their art they could find any of vs out . but wée béeing lodged secure from present danger , began to consult what meanes might be vsed for our frée escape . some were so fearefull ( as it hath bin still my happe to robbe with cowards ) that they would haue giuen one legge , and their shares in the robbery , to haue had the other legge safe in france . i knew my selfe as safe here as in france , but ayming at the full purchase , holding it no sinne to deceiue the deceiuers , perswaded them how dangerous it was to abide here , and told them that i knew the malice of gardner to be such nothing could satisfie him but life , or restitution : this feare infected them all , & they that before thought scorne of my company , now became sutors to mee , to plot their escape . i conueyed them with spéed to an old sea-thiefe , an acquaintance of mine , which dwelt néere the sea coast , that would at any time for a small gratuitie , conuey a fellon , or one in danger , out of this land ; told them he must haue a great reward for his paines , and for the plate & iewels , we would share thē there where hée tooke shippe : for i made them beléeue this sea-thiefe was still full of money , to furnish these occasions . hée béeing acquainted with my purport , perswaded them their securest harbour was on shipboord , till he could prouide me money vpon these pawnes . they béeing all shipt , one night i caused a false alarme to be sent , that they were pursued , my selfe taken , the towne laid for their apprehensions . this newes made them forget what they staied for , preferring their liues before any thing else , cried hoist sayle , away to france : the wind béeing then good , away they went , and left me with my old sea-thiefe , reuelling in the towne . so all the plate and iewels which we tooke from gardner , which amoūted to a good round summe , of which some nine or tenne should haue shared , i shared to my selfe ; onely some money they got from mee , nothing to their expectations , and some charge they put me to , in sending them away . now hauing conueyed them safe away , i must vse a course to protect my selfe : i knew all places where it was knowne i had any acquaintance , was laid for mée , with promise of reward to them that could apprehend mée : so that my safest refuge was where i was least knowne . in one place i would neuer abide long , but coursing the countries , i happened to lodge at dunstable , where i was taken vpon suspition of felonie , béeing knowne by my horse , was committed to bedford gaole : and notice of my apprehension was giuen vnto gardner , who procured authoritie to fetch mée from bedford to london . whither i was safely , and with great care conueyed . and béeing brought to newgate , was lodged on the masters side : where my smooth tongue , ciuill carriage , and friendly courtesie ( not onely to the worthiest and best estéemed on that side , but euen to the worst boy in the house ) had gotten me such a good opinion amongst them , that i was of euery one beloued , and pittied : and euery one behind my backe commended mée to the kéeper , and would often produce me for example to others . but all this was but a curtaine to shadow my villanie : for when i séemed fréest from thought of wrong , i was most busie to worke my escape . my life , i knewe , was forfeit to the law , which at the next sessions i was sure to pay , vnlesse it were ventured by breaking out of prison . i found the gaole to be of that approoued strength , as it was impossible to be broken : besides , being lodged in a chamber with other prisoners , i could not haue time to doe it . yet still persisting in my resolue , and taking hold of any occasion that might further my attempt , i did perceiue a doore which did leade out of a gentlemans chamber , that was a prisoner , into the leades , which doore was continually lockt , this was the doore must leade me to my pardon , i let no time slippe , but by meanes of a déere friend , i had a iacke line conueied vnto me , and a chissell of iron , and that night i purposed to get away , being in the hall at supper , with the rest of the prisoners , i made excuse , to goe vp to my chamber , to write a letter . to worke i went , where without long labour , as it séemed to me , being a cunning workeman , i had opened the doore that led into the leades , and finding an olde doore in the gutter , on the backe of which were fastened barres to kéepe close the boordes , and with the helpe thereof , i climed vp to the battlements , where my eye measuring the way that i held best for my discent , i fastened my cord to the toppe of one battlement , on the west side of the gate , and beganne to slide downe , but see the will of our iust god , that giues preuention to euill , for the prosperitie of honest and good men , ( which i now heartily pray for ) that i that had the contriuing to open the lockes , the cunning how to sort out the time , should not for this which i held my aduantage , haue had the foresight to haue laid some cloath , or other helpe , betwixt the edge of the wall , whereunto i had fastened the cord , and the stay of the rope . so that in my slipping downe , striuing to vntangle the cord being small , it cut my right hand to the bone , and the force of my body , with the sharpenes of the stone cut in sunder the cord , by the breaking of which i fell downe into the gutter , belongiug to a linnen draper adioyning to newgate , lying a quarter of an houre astonied , ere i recouered my selfe . being come to my remembrance , and seeing my hope frustrate , and no helpe for me to be gone , at last i groaped out a garret window , the doore of which opened into the gutter , but being bolted in the inside , i was as much in a maze as i was before , where presently my inuention helping me againe , and by the shaking of the doore , learnt whereabout the staple was fastened , i had in a trice with my nayles scraped out a hole , yet no bigger but where i might thrust two of my fingers , so thrusting backe the boult , i opened the gutter doore , hauing a cord about my middle , wherewith i ment to get out of the gutter ino the stréete . but the maister kéeper whose diligence , and care in his well gouerning of the prison , i must with modestie commend , hauing béene forth with some friends of his , and comming in againe , at the time they vse to locke vp , demaunded if the gaole were safe , and all well with the prisoners , and being answered yes , i knew not by what meanes , but sure god had a hand in it , hauing a strange impression on the sudden in his minde , came vp into the maisters side , and the first he askt for was me , where receiuing a strange answere from euery one , as that he was here euen now , or such like , going into euery roome , still calling , still calling , maister courtney , maister courtney , but maister courtney could not heare . it was perfectly euident , i had wrought my escape . in what a conflict was this gentleman in , the danger i had brought him in , let euen charitie iudge . but it was no time for delay , search round about the house was made , which way i might escape , some perswaded him , i was gone out of the doore in some disguise , some that i had got out at the leades , the leades were viewed , at last they found the cord tied about the battlements . linkes then were sent for , the cunstable and his watch beset euery house on that side , from newgate to pie corner , the leades were likewise beset with linckes . all this i did sée though to my great gréefe , into the garret then i crept , and there hid my selfe vnder a table , couered with a cloake , this drapers house being searcht , as the likeliest place , i should take for my refuge , till the hurry was ouer . in the garret where i lay , they came , and found me not , but god would not suffer me to escape , nor would suffer them to giue ouer their search in that house . into the garret the kéeper came againe , with a cudgel in his hand turning vp the cloake , espied me lying as it were a sleepe waking me without blowes or signe of anger , called to me , come maister courtney , will you goe , when looking heauily vp , and seeing it was he , i fell downe on my knees asking him forgiuenesse , who most mildly without afflicting me gaue me this answere , nay neuer aske forgiuenesse of me , there is no hurt done maister courtney , for i am the gladdest to see you of any man aliue . so from thence being carried vp to the common gaole , and sessions comming on , i was called vp to triall according to my merit . conuict , but by the fauour of the bench , some promises of mine owne to helpe some to their goods , who had béene robbde of a number , and at the especiall sute of my friends , i was for that sessions repreeued without iudgement , the sessions following , i had my sentence of death , but in the distance betwixt my conuiction and sentence , my remaine being still in the common gaole . i had searching eies touching the strength of the prison , the condition and humor of the officers , and where and what hower it was fittest for me to labour my deliuerance , whose pollicie failing , i was certaine of death . in briefe i had found the way , and manner of my conueiance , and had i not beene preuented , by my vnexpected sentence , at the following sessions after my conuiction , and that night according to the custome due to condemned and iudged men , being lodged in a dungeon , which is called the limbord , that instant night , with one clement sli● a fencer by title , and lay condemned for murther , whome i had wrought to bee an agent with me , i had him as forcibly as after i performed , confirmed by escape . now séeing i was preuented , and knowing i must die with the rest of the prisoners , i found now there was no refuge left , but to labour our repreeue , which cunningly , and not ordinarily , i thus brought to effect , there was a gentleman , and at that time a prisoner for debt , whom i had vnderstood his intreats would preuaile with some honourable personages in this land , i commended me to him , to his conference with me , and in this manner solicited him , that i was a gentleman , as himselfe was , and for lacke of meanes , and neglect of friends , compeld to take offending courses , the which himselfe knew the law had taken hold of , to the marke of my life i importune him to consider of me , yet in no kind whereby himselfe , whom i labour , should be brought into danger , neither those whom he should mooue for mee , should receiue discredit but gaine . for when i stoode condemned , for this apparent robbery of gardner , i desired him to be certaine , that i had euer this care in the euill of my life , not so to ouerthrow the state of my being , but in spight of calamitie , i would alwaies some what reserue , should be as a fence to my health , in spight of my sin , namely , that of the same i stand conuicted for , being most of it in plate , i had at that time , as much , the which in one moneth i would make mony of , as should amount to the summe of sixe hundred poundes , foure of which i would assure to any honourable or worshipfull friends should labour my repréeue , and effect my pardon , and the other hundred poundes should be to gratifie him , that should trauel in the cause since himselfe was a prisoner ) till it were fully confirmed . and if within foure daies , after my repreeue , i did not answere my word , i would willingly yeelde to my sentence of death . this made my gentleman labour , this drew a friend of his to question with me , and was satisfied with my promise . so that the vntimely morning i was expected by the gaze of the multitude to haue gone to execution with the rest , i had my repréeue brought in hope of my promise , which indeede was onely coyned for another end . the effect was this , that i being still continued in the gaole , and night coming on , i began to argue with slie of our former plot , whom i found to bee the man , whome i wished to be , namely , to goe forward in the attempt , which before we had enterprised , whom i finding to be confident , and resolute still , that night we made a vow , to confirme our purpose . it is heere to be noted , that in the same ward where we lay , namely the maisters chamber was also lodged one woodward for suspect of coyning , whom wee taking down into the seller , amongst other prisoners , we made so absolutely drunke , that hee was forced vpon mens shoulders to be carried vp staires , this fellow thus drunke , and we were sure now , in a dead sleepe , in the dead of the night , we fell to worke , and preuailed so farre , that we came vp through a seeling , and a planke that was broken in a roome , that is commonly called the high hall , with a rope that vseth to draw vp , and let downe the beere into the taphouse , hauing beene vsed , then time out of minde , and dreadlesse of that , by which we made vse of it , we determined our escape . but being both aboue , and out of the roome where we lay , all the pollicie and actiuitie wee had , could not clime vp to the beame , to vnroofe the house , whereby we were forst to come downe quietly to bed , but the next day , and two or three nights together , hauing conueied to vs a line , and a darke lantorne , by a friend which was sent to vs , which before we wanted , with certaine stickes , which we had priuily conueyed out of the kitchen iaole , we made vs a ladder of roapes , with the helpe of which the satturday night following , being the last of februarie , as before sly climing vp the beame , with my helpe fastened the ladder of roapes , whereon i getting vp into the high hall , got vp to the beame , where being , we vntiled a hole in the toppe , which led into the leades , and the same rope which he had taken from the pullice , we fastened to the battlements , and so slidde downe into the presse yard , and there by meanes of a ladder , which by chaunce we found there , got into the stréete , went downe warricke lane , so to saint giles , from thence into hide-parke , where we lay in a hole , or a hogstie all sunday , without any sustenance . on sunday night , we were directed of a letter sent , vnto me , whilst i was in prison , if we escapte , to come into a gentlemans chamber in the temple , which we should know by a light burning in the window , and by the same letter , we were directed the way , which candle burnt there thrée nights a fore , and should haue done thrée nights longer , if we had not come , to which place we went on sunday night , and there with others plotted to robbe a worshipfull gentleman at layton on munday night , wée tooke water at the temple stares , and landed at saint katterns , where we spent our time , till the night following , and then with some foure or fiue more effected this robberie , and repaired againe to the temple , where , by what meanes , we were betrayed and taken , god knoweth best , for we doe not , but i doe applie it the worke of god to cléere a great many , which were most vniustly accused , for consenting to our escape , of whom i doe aske pardon , there we were taken the thursday night after our escape , and from thence brought bound to newgate , where we temained till the day of our execution . on fryday mourning , being the thirteenth of this instant moneth of march , i was sent for to sir henry mountegues in aldersgate stréete , where being examined of some poyntes concerning the robbery done at layton , after a worthy & zealous exhortation made vnto me to forget the world , & all hope of life , & to spend that litle time i had to liue , in praier . for you are ( quoth he ) appointed to morrow with your companion sly , to yéelde your liues to the law , which so many waies you haue offended , and so sent me backe againe to newgate , where all that after noone , i spent my time onely in praier , being still frequented with diuers good & godly men , who laboured zealously for the good of my soule , and who i hope can testifie to the world , that i died a true penitent & seruant of god. god for his mercie grant vnto at other offenders the like vnfained contrition , and true féeling of his benefits , and vnto me life euerlasting , a men . on satterday morning was two gibbets set vp one within the gate , néere warricke lane end , whereon was hanged charles courtney gentleman , & one other without the gate at the olde baily end , where on was hanged clement slie a fencer , for killing a fencer néere about kentish towne . the body of charles courtney , was begd by the barbar surgeons , for an anatomie . the body of clement slie was buried in christs church in christian burial . courtneis repentance . the silent night that shadoweth euery tree , and phoebus in the west was shrowded low , each hiue had home her busie labouring bee , and birds their nightly harbour gan to know , and all things did from weary labour linne , and i began to weigh my state and sinne . men worne with worke , betooke them to their rest . the sunne had left to shew his glorious beames , titan had fully hid him in the west , to coole the fetlockes of his weary teames , when sunke with sorrow , being captiuate . i shed forth teares lamenting much my state . my head on hand , my elbow on my knee , and teares did trickle downe my countenance then , my countenance as sad , as mans might be , my dumps befitting well a captiue man , fettered in prison , passionate alone , my sighes wrought teares , and thus i gan to mone . i that of late did liue a souldiers life , and spent my seruice in my countries good , now captiue lie , where nought but cares are rife , where is no hope , but losse of dearest blood , this is befallen me , cause i did mis-spend , that time which god to better vse did lend . had i but stopt my eares where syren sung , and bound my selfe vnto vlisses mast , or had i thought , alas i am but young , too much t is all to venture on a cast , i might haue liued from all dangers free , where now i die , for life is not for me . but i doe follow what i knew was vaine , instead of vertue , i did vice imbrace , my former pleasures now procure my paine , and cause i lackt one sparke of timely grace , the poysoned aconite of death and woe resolues to send a fatall ouerthrowe . this makes my eies to gush out floods of teares , my flesh to melt , my eies and arteris rend my soule to seeke redresse , to cure her feares , for now my cause cannot afford one friend , i that of late did number many a friend , now find them fled , and no man comfort lende . the leafelesse tree , with wrath of winters wind , best represents my wretched wasting state , fortune the wind , the leaues my friends i find , my selfe the tree , that thus am erost by fate , and yet in this we greatly differ may , that it reuiues and i still pine away . villaines auaunt , you bastards are by kind , that doe perturbe the countries quiet state , shame to offend , shun a corrupted minde , and learne by me , your former liues to hate , liue of your owne , and braue it not with brags , least law condemne you in your proudest rags . drinke not the haruest of your neighbours sweat , steale not at all , thy god doth thee commaund whose law to keepe your soueraigne doth intreate , thy health it is gods lawe to vnderstand , obeying god , god shall all harmes preuent , keeping kings peace , thy king is well content . like to the woolfe in euery place you range , preying on lambe , that neuer went astray , and like camelions must your suits be strange , who doth by kind change colours euery day , without respect , forgetting what you be , masking in sinne , as if god could not see . abate presumption , sinne is not a i est , though god forbeare , yet he will strike at length , god made thee man , make not thy selfe a beast , but seeke to loue thy god , with soule and strength , ill gotte , ill spent , your hopes ( in theft ) pretended , are griefe and shame , and life in sorrowes ended . might sorrowing sobs , with teares redeeme what 's past or floods of teares suffice for foredone ils , behold my lookes with discontent orecast , whose heart doth rend , whose eies fresh fountaines still , and yet all this , and all that i can doe , is small to that which i haue neede to doe . my soule shall mourne for all my ill done deedes , and i will weepe , sole author of soules woe , repentance shall be my blacke mourning weedes , i le bath my selfe in teares , from top to toe , and while life lasts , which cannot now be long , grant mercie lord , this shall be all my song . my heart through flesh shall issue sweating griefe , and scald my bones with salt and brinish teares , through flesh and bone , my heart shall begge reliefe , on bended knees till bone my flesh out-weares , all that i am i le spend in mourne for sinne , and where i end , afresh i will beginne . if maudlins teares did euer christs feete wet , and sweete her soule with true repentant teares . if peters mourning streames did mercy get for all his sinnes , though he his christ for sweares , my sad laments abounding from my eies , sweete god accept , and heare my mourne fullcries . a wouuded soule a broken contrite heart , creepes in great'st throng , thy mercies throne to touch , the oyle of life , king of my life impart , though sinne be great , thy mercy 's thrice as much , oh thou that art in power and mercy great , send downe thy mercy from thy mercies seat . my coloured suits i now exchange for blacke , till scarlet sinne be all as white as snow , on me sweete time shall neuer turne his backe , nor shall his taske be more , my tares to mow , but with repentance furrow hopes for lorne , till god giue grace , i sheafe vp better corne. this little remnant of my life so poore , i le teach to shun all sinne and vices all , giuer of all grace , grant grace i sinne no more , establish me that i may neuer fall , to thee my heart , my soule and life i giue , who after death eternally may liue . direct my path euen for thy mercies sake , guide thou my steppes to keepe repentant waies , keepe me from sleepe , in thee stil let me wake , to laud thy name during these earthly daies , and when from earth i shall dissolue to dust , grant that my soule may liue among the iust . ch. courtney . finis . the speech and confession of hugh peters, close prisoner in the tower of london; and his horrible expressions and doctrine, when our glorious soveraign was led to martyrdome. with the manner how he was taken on sunday night last in southwark; who to save himself, crept into bed to one mrs. peach a quaker, which had lain in child-bed two days. and afterwards escaped to the house of mrs mun, where he was taken, with divers pieces of gold, and silver medals, sewed in his skirts; and a strange almanack taken out of his pocket. peters, hugh, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing p thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) the speech and confession of hugh peters, close prisoner in the tower of london; and his horrible expressions and doctrine, when our glorious soveraign was led to martyrdome. with the manner how he was taken on sunday night last in southwark; who to save himself, crept into bed to one mrs. peach a quaker, which had lain in child-bed two days. and afterwards escaped to the house of mrs mun, where he was taken, with divers pieces of gold, and silver medals, sewed in his skirts; and a strange almanack taken out of his pocket. peters, hugh, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for george horton, london : . annotation on thomason copy: "sept: :". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng peters, hugh, - -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no the speech and confession of hugh peters,: close prisoner in the tower of london; and his horrible expressions and doctrine, when our glori peters, hugh f the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the f category of texts with or more defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the speech and confession of hugh peters , close prisoner in the tower of london ; and his horrible expressions and doctrine ▪ when our glorious soveraign was led to martyrdome . with the manner how he was taken on sunday night last in southwark ; who to save himself , crept into bed to one mrs. peach a quaker , which had lain in child-bed two days . and afterwards escaped to the house of mrs mun , where he was taken , with divers pieces of gold , and silver medals , sewed in his skirts ; and a strange almanack taken out of his pocket . london , printed for george horton , ● . the speech and confession of hugh peters , close prisoner in the tower of london . it hath seemed good to the divine providence , which we may truly call wonderful , so to over-rule of late , the counsels of our former oppressors , ( who by strange success , and almost incredible dexteritie in villanie , had almost involved both our church and state in unavoidable ruine ; grinding without compassion , these ( once free ) but at length wofully enthralled nations , fastning on their neck , an iron , uneasie yoak of servitude , making them ( with sampson ) basely to grind , and abide captivity and curbing them with rigor , who before repined at , grew weary of , and rejected the milder scepter , and so to ensnare them in their contrivances , that their plots ( like potters vessels ) were broken upon the wheel , nor produced any thing but confusion and distraction to themselves together with unsetlednesse in the nation ; whence arose discontent , losse of trade , and poverty ; and by means of the last of these , the wasted peoples whisperings ▪ murmurings , and repinings on all hands were so many and urgent , that the master-builders of our new babel by their own jealousies , misunderstandings , and animosities , were in short time dispiersed hither and thither , through the good hand of god , blessed be that happy gale . what he●ght of fury , and desperate resolution was on their side , god knew , and took notice of , nor was it unknown to most of those , who desired , and prayed for such a composure , and settlement of affairs , as we now see , through his great goodnesse , & undeserved kindn●sse to us , vvho considering the preparations and contrivances to hinder vvhat we now happily enjoy , could not expect this redemption , but as a purchase , and vvith the losse of the lives of thousands , the shedding much blood , and exposing our hopes to extream hazard . the oppressed city , and groaning countreyes were resolved , either to shake off the arbitrary yo●k of usurpation and tyrannie , or to perish in the attempt . on the other hand , the fatal causers of our long-past calamities , animated with guilt and despair , were resolved to make good their ground , or expire like cateline ; that is , sell their life as dear as possible , and cover the place , they maintained fighting in life , with their breathless carkases after death ; or like zimry , rather than lose ( by surrender ) their power and estates , fire the whole nation first , then se● some cities and castles on flame over their heads , and perish together . yet it pleased the lord of hoasts , to dissipate their armed powers , frustrate their designs , and leave the ring-leaders , stript of all succour , to the scourge of justice . it stood with the honour and wisdome of the most high , to restrain the rage and fury of man ; to glorifie himself , by delivering up these great midianitish oppressors , insulting moabites , philistim lords , ( with other their confederates , who grew like melons out of dunghils ) to the divine hand of justice . amongst the rest , their baalam-like prophet and southsayer hugh peters , is close prisoner in the tower of london . some difficulty there was in the discovery of him ; but upon intelligence , that he privily lurked about southwark , two messengers were sent on friday last to apprehend him ; and entring the house of mr. broad a quaker , in st. thomas parish , whose daughter then lay in , they search'd , but miss'd him , he being ( according to his custom ) crept ▪ into bed to the young woman , where the messengers modesty forbad their search , she having bin delivered b●t two days before ; and while they were searching at one day a cobler , hugh the firebrand escap'd from childbed , leaving behind him his cane with a rapier in it , a bible , and gray cloak . but on sunday night they found him at one mr. muns in the maze , who denyed himself to be peters , and said his name was thompson , threatning the messengers with an action at law for offering to affirm he was hugh peters , and therefore refused to go with them , till at last ( being assisted by the constable and others ) they forced him ; which he perceiving , desired he might speak privatly with mrs. mun , which they denyed , unlesse he would speak in their hearing ; after which he said , i will go , but i beg for the lords sake that you will not call me ●r . peters ; for , said he , if it be known that i am hugh peters , the people in the street will stone me . but forcing him away , there was s●me tugging ; and feeling his skir●s hard , they unript them , & found pieces of gold , some silver medals , and out of his pocket they took his almanack , which he was very much troubled at ▪ after which , they brought him to the tower , & delivered him into the custody of the worthy lieutenant sir john robi●son , still avering his name was thomson ; till at last in private to sir john he confessed who he was . this is st. hugh , who when our glorious sovereign was led to martyrdom , fell so heavy upon his righteous soul , blaspheming him upon his then text , ( psal . to bind their kings in chains &c ) and many other sordid notions ; too wicked and prophane to be here recited . finis . winchester prison the th day of the month, if the measure of my sufferings under the creuel hands of unreasonale men, be finished in this noysome prison by the laying down of my life, ... mellidge, anthony. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing m b). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing m b estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) winchester prison the th day of the month, if the measure of my sufferings under the creuel hands of unreasonale men, be finished in this noysome prison by the laying down of my life, ... mellidge, anthony. sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] signed at end: anthony melledg. title taken from caption title and first lines of text. imprint from wing. at foot of text, a description of two prisoners and a list of "close-prisoners in the common jayl and house of correction at winchester.". reproduction of the original in the friends' house library, london. eng mellidge, anthony -- early works to . prisoners' writings, english -- early works to . quakers -- early works to . a r (wing m b). civilwar no winchester prison the th day of the month, . if the measure of my sufferings under the creuel hands of unreasonale men, be finished in mellidge, anthony c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion winchester prison the th day of the month , . if the measure of my sufferings under the creuel hands of unreasonable men , be finished in this noysome prison by the laying down of my life , ( in obedience to the lord that hath called me out of the way of sinners ) by reason of my tedious , unwholsome , and cruel sufferings this . months in this little filthy hole , which if at large were declared it might appear to be much , that my life , ( and others ) hath been preserved to this day , but if not much longer ; this i declare for truths sake , & desire to have laid before the eies of the chief rulers of this nation , that none hereafter may say , that lb ought these cruel sufferings upon my self , or that by negligence or wilfulness i was the occasion of my own death as it was said of iames parnel ; for i was travelling towards london with goods upon lawful occasions , and forth of an inn about the th . hower of the night , was i taken with a warrant , and no man charged any thing against me but iohn bunkly in his mittimus falsely writ several misdemeanors , but never proved in the least : and at an assises after , by judge windham was i committed to the house of correction , until i engage to go home , whose business then lay from home at london . and a free man born in the nation i am , and also for my liberty in it from such cruel tyranny , have served . years in the late war at sea , who sometime was a captain of a friggot at sea ; and since i was a prisoner thus unjustly here , i have with the rest of my dear brethren with me , declared in print , in a book tituled , the fruits of unrighteousness , brought forth by ioh. bunkly , who unjustly committed . of us into prison , when he was in a passion as he confest : that we are ready to submit to all the lawes of the nation either actively or passively , & desire to know by what law i am kept here , and have not been wanting to use any means lawful in the sight of god , for my liberty out of this stinking place , but nothing hath prevailed upon the hardned hearts of the sons of men ; who though they keep us in close prison , to have us engage to go home , or out of the county , yet wil. bayly born in the county , ( committed in one mittimus with me & also hum. smith ) could not obtain liberty from justice nor jayler to go home , which is out of the county , when his father dyed , & one of his own three small motherless children not well . therefore let all people that fear the lord , take notice how unmercifuly they deal with him & the rest , & with me , who have been sick many dayes ( or weeks ) & am now waxed very weak by reason of the cruel sufferings my body hath here endured , and my soul ( with the rest of my dear friends ) grieved by most barbarous wicked common drunken swearing prisoners , & our bodies dayly abused by them , and condemned persons , and beaten , and like to be murthered by such as one of them said he was for the king so long as he lived , & termed the states service at sea piracie under whose cruel hands it is most unreasonable we should be kept : & a most filthy beastly woman jayler setting them on , and hath also lockt a rude bawling madman into the hoal where we are , on purpose to do me what mischief she could , which man soon devoured what i had to nourish my body when i was sick and weak ; and frinds were lockt up also that they could not get more ●or me ; and the noyse of the madman did me much more hurt , then the want of water or nourishment ; for my body which now lyeth in a filthy hoal , in a weak condition upon the ground with straw , where they were used to put condemned persons , and where we have long wanted room to lie one by another , being a hoal more fit for swine , where the spewing and piss of the drunken prisoners that lie above us , have commonly come down where we lie , and on our faces in the night , and on our food as we were eating : and most noysome stinks and filthy scents have i suffered , by being shut up in it close prisoner ten months , having no place for ayre , but in a smoaky filthy close place , where for four months i cannot see the sun , which place is as a dunghil , or common place of filth for all the prison , and much more the like , or worse may be writ of it . out of which bonds and inhumane sufferings , i do claim my right and freedome in the nation , which i & the rest of my dear suffering friends have so dearly purchased , and also paid tribute , sesements and taxes , & yet of law & liberty we are deprived ; having not in the least spake or done any thing worthy of death or of bonds , if i had , less then . months imprisonment satisfieth the law in many things , though nothing but blood , nor that neither will satisfie the cruel wills of men , under whose tyranny upon the lord i wait to be releast , with the rest of my brethren seven in number , who innocently do suffer , but if not , my life i give up into the will of him whose it is that redeems the soul out of bondage , & let them by whom i thus suffer & them who may release me , & the rest , and will not , take heed of innocent blood . and this is written for me being weak my self upon a little straw , from which i have not been many dayes , to the truth whereof i write my name anthony melledg . iames potter imprisoned and nothing proved against him , was by judge nichols , fined five pound to the late protecto● for wearing his hat , and hath been a prisoner almost years . elizabeth streeter imprisoned from her sucking child , and fined five pound for speaking some words of truth to a priest in the high way , and of her husbands servants imprisoned by rob. reynolds ( who also committed her ) contrary to law and never yet brought to any tryal . close-prisoners in the common jayl and house of correction at winchester . will. bayly . humphery smith . athony melledg . richard baker . iames pottar . will. baker . elizabeth streeter . a second address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall being the humble petition of lieutenant colonell john lilburne. lilburne, john, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) a second address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall being the humble petition of lieutenant colonell john lilburne. lilburne, john, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) printed by tho. newcomb dwelling in thamestreet over against baynards castle, london : [ ] dated at end: from mr sheriff underwoods house in bucklers-bury in london, june . . imprint date from wing. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng lilburne, john, ?- -- exile -- early works to . exile (punishment) -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- civil rights -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no a second address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall lilburne, john c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a second address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell , and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall : being , the humble petition of lieutenant colonell john lilburne . sheweth , that your petitioner hath long suffered a very hard exilement from his dearest christian friends , his nearest relations , his estate , imployments , and native country , by vertue of an act of the late parliament . and your petitioner hath been a very gazing-stock beyond the seas , and in constant peril of his life , only for his love to this commonwealth , and faithfulness to their service . that the late parliament being dissolved , and the present care of the government devolved upon your honours , who profess the fear of the lord , and the design of advancing christs kingdom ; your petitioner believed that he should find mercy and impartial justice from you , and a readiness to loose every heavy yoke , and cut in sunder all wicked bonds , the lord having led you forth to break many of the bonds of men , in order to those ends : and in this confidence the lord perswading your petitioners heart that he had mercy for him and his poor ruined family , in his own country , resolved to depend upon your justice and goodness to protect him , and to admit of a legal examination of the late parliaments sentence of banishment against your petitioner : but having thus cast ▪ himself and his life at your feet , he finds your order to apprehend him , and execute the said sentence ; whereupon he is now a prisoner . that the authority of the late parliament being taken from them for misgovernment , your petitioner hopes you will please to suspend at least the execution of any acts made by them , which shall not clearly and evidently appear to your spirits and consciences to have such justice in them , as god may be truly glorified in your execution of them . and therefore he humbly offers to your considerations these things following concerning the act made by them for his perpetual banishment . . first , that the parliament in the said act did not judge your petitioner an offender according to any law in being ; and unless there were a civil law against what he had done , he was no offender in the least against the laws of man . . secondly , the said act is a law made after a fact is done , to ordain a punishment for that fact which was never ordained or heard of before ; and if that practise be admitted , the very foundations of all government ( which are laws ) are utterly overturned , and every man governing may destroy all or any of the governed at his will , without possibility of account to man ; for that cannot be given or taken , but by a rule between the governours and the governed . . thirdly , that your petitioner was not tryed with liberty of defence , for or against any of the pretended crimes , for which he was banished by the said act ; for nothing was examined by the committee of parliament , upon whose report the said act was made ; but the matter of mr primats petition , for whom your petitioner appeared only as councel ; and if that was scandal , and your petitioner concerned therein , he conceives that he ought then to have been tryed legally for that crime at the common law , and no where else . . fourthly , that if your petitioner were guilty of scandal against sir arthur haslerigg , as the parliament had judged ; yet that sentence of absolute ruine to him and his whole family is not a punishment proportionable to the offence ; and the laws of god , and the fundamentall lawes of this land require a proportion between crimes and punishments . . fifthly , that if the said act he admitted to be just , and to be drawn into president , then no english-man whatsoever can justly or rationally claim from the governors any freedom , right , benefit , or priviledg of being tryed and judged according to the laws , whether he offends or not , or whether his life , liberty , or estate shall be taken from him , or preserved . and your petitioner further offers to your honors , that he hath neither in the least offered , nor intended any contempt unto any authority , in coming into this nation against the said act ; he humbly conceiving , that in this juncture of time , wherein the parliament is dissolved , and right is declared to be universally done to all of this nation , he was capable of making his humble addresse to those who have so declared , as a party much grieved by the said act of the late parliament . therefore the whole premises considered ; he humbly prays your protection , and suspention of any proceedings against him upon the said act , untill the justice of the same , as to the matter and manner of it , be legally examined ; that whatsoever he now suffers , being to be under your power , your consciences may be clearly satisfied , that you do therein glorifie god , and do evident good to the common-wealth . and he shall pray , &c. john lilburne . from mr sheriff underwoods-house in bucklers-bury in london , june . . london , printed by tho. newcomb dwelling in thamestreet over against baynards castle . his majesties most gracious pardon to the poor prisoners in newgate, on friday the th of february, / england and wales. sovereign ( - : james ii) approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing j estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) his majesties most gracious pardon to the poor prisoners in newgate, on friday the th of february, / england and wales. sovereign ( - : james ii) james ii, king of england, - . sheet ([ ] p.). printed by e. mallet for d. mallet ..., london : [ ] "this may be printed, february the th, . r.p." reproduction of original in bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prisoners -- england. great britain -- history -- james ii, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion his majesties most gracious pardon , to the poor prisoners in new gate . on friday the th . of february . / a midst the innumerable virtues and graces that have been inherent in the royal line , of our most gracious prince , and his glorious predicessours , mercy and compassion ( the two cardinal endowments of a good christian profession ) have at all times and seasons , been very obvious and apparent : it was these , and such other prince like qualities and blessings , that have left such an immortal fame , on the venerable memories of many ( if not the most part ) of our most renowned and deceased kings , whose admirable clemencies bear a most laudable eccho , through the farthest bounds of christiandom , this royal inheritance ( in all ages ) has most meritoriously commanded the unfeigned love and cordial allegiance of all good subjects ; 't is this which procures man both reputation and happiness in this world , and is a good step and introduction to that which 〈◊〉 to come , which noble virtue the short space ( but propitious experience ) of the auspitious government , under his most excellent majestie , doth give very satisfactory testimony , that we are ●●ke to suffer no manner of umbrage or ecclipse of that transparent qualification in the person of our present king ; but on the contrary , a superlative lustre to all those blessings we have hitherto enjoyed a sufficient test of whose royal commiserations , intirely is disscovered in this following account . at the sessions of peace , oyer and terminer , and goal-delivery of newgate , held at justice-hall in the old-bayly , on wednesday , thursday , and friday , the th . th . and th . of february . / ; before the right honourable sir robert jefferies kt. lord mayor of the city of london , sir john holt kt. recorder of the aforesaid city , with other of his majesty's justices of the peace , for london and middlesex : the tryals being over , his majesty's most gracious pardon was produced and read ; the persons contain'd in which , were sixty one in number , whereof thirty one came under the free-pardon , and the other thirty order'd to be transported . those in the free-pardon were , jonathan becket , john spencer , thomas draper , catharine banse● , edmund lawson , william rawson , john price , william grubb , john drildell , john muntith , thomas wanckl●● , william vanderh●●rst thomas weal , nathaniel page , john henly , john somerset , francis martin , john fernly , william ring , catharine brown , david hunter , julian pell , anne dye , jane sineklow , daniel mackrow , john hoadly , robert brewell , robert frewen , pascha rose , ellenor steel , alice garret . those to be transported were , john thompson , cassandra widdows , mary fisher , harbert thomson , edward hawley , robert brooks , richard osbern , thomas drew , john dykes , george arwell , samuel anderton , john smith , mary hancock , thomas golesburrow , elizabeth hacker , thomas genister , lionell fenwick , thomas gardner , richard jones , matthew morgan , mary collward , anne davis , richard coy , zachar●ah thompson , leonard beat , ambrose staplin , george smith , sarah warral , isaac smith , david barton , this may be printed , february the th . . r. p. london ; printed by e. mallet , for d. mallet , at the sign of the black-ball near bridwell-bridge . baston's case vindicated, or, a brief account of some evil practices of the present commisioners for sick and wounded, &c. as they were proved before the admiralty ... baston, samuel. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing b estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) baston's case vindicated, or, a brief account of some evil practices of the present commisioners for sick and wounded, &c. as they were proved before the admiralty ... baston, samuel. [ ], p. [s.n.], london : . reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng england and wales. -- admiralty. -- commission for sick and wounded. prisoners of war -- england. great britain -- history -- william and mary, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - ali jakobson sampled and proofread - ali jakobson text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion baston's case vindicated : or , a brief account of some evil practices of the present commissioners for sick and wounded , &c. as they were prov'd : . before the admiralty . . before the council ; and . before the commissioners for stating the publick accounts . london , printed in the year , . to the lords spiritual and temporal , in parliament assembled . may it please your lordships . if the delaying and perverting of justice , supporting the guilty , and persecuting the innocent , and that in matters which concern the publick welfare , be fit for the cognizance of parliaments : then , i humbly conceive , the following matters may not be improper for this most august assembly , which the duty i owe to my king and country , and the impositions and hard usage i have receiv'd , has oblig'd me to lay before this most honourable house ; humbly praying , all due protection and incouragement , against my many powerful adversaries , so far as i have been , or shall be found in the right ; and more especially , because it will appear , i did my duty for the good of the publick , repugnant to my own private interest . i am , with all profound respect , your lordships most obedient servant , samuel baston . baston's case , &c. i was a clerk to the commissioners for sick and wounded , and exchanging prisoners at war , about years ; towards the end of which time i came to understand the following miscarriages ; particularly that of the prisoners at war , which i happened to know after this manner : i being part owner of a vessel imploy'd in transporting prisoners at war , between dover and callais , the capt. of the said vessel was obstructed in getting his money for the freight of the french prisoners , which by the general (a) cartel was to be paid by the commissary of that port in france where they should be landed . but at length the capt. peremptorily demanding the said money of the commissary at callais , according to the cartel ; the commissary told him to this effect , that he own'd the authority of the cartel , but had never paid any money on that account since the war ; and that he could not do it without orders from paris : for that (b) monsieur joseph dulivier , was the man concerned in that affair , and had a part in all the exchange vessels ; after which the said capt. going to france , did write to paris to joseph dulivier , demanding by what power he received , or stopt his money , contrary to the general cartel ; in answer to which the said joseph dulivier , and (a) peter dulivier , his cousin , wrote the said capt. several letters . but soon after this the capt. was turned out , for a pretended crime ; and afterwards the ship was also shuffled out of the service . but the capt. giving me these letters he received from mr. dalivier , and after i had got those translated that were written in french ; and seeing they contain'd matters of dangerous consequence , to my great surprize , i forthwith acquainted the commissioners therewith ; and on the th of october , . i laid all the said dulivier's letters before them , at a full board ; as also a paper of queries relating to the miscarriages of the transport ships , which i recommended to them to enquire into ; upon reading of which , together with the french letters , some of them ( especially mr. addison ) * commended my care and zeal for the publick good , giving it their opinion , that there was an unlawful correspondence held with the french ; otherwise , dr. welwood said , dulivier must be lunatick when he writ them letters ; and mr. kirkby said , that if dulivier had a part in the transport ships , mr. churchil , whom they had intrusted in that affair , was a great villain ; whereupon the commissioners did send for mr. churchil , and one mr. masters , whom dulivier had said in one of his letters , was partner with him ; which said masters had been turn'd out by the queens order , signified to the commissioners by the secretary of state , for actions against the government , and had afterwards gone several voyages to france , incognito , in contempt of her majesties order ; and when mr. churchil and mr. masters attended the board , and had been in with the commissioners a little time , i was also called in ; and dr. wellwood taking up the queries which related to mr. churchil , ask'd him to this effect , whether he was the (a) true owner of the ships he solicited for , or whether he solicited for a gratuity ? to which mr. churchil answered , he had as good ask him , whether he had lain with another man's wife ? upon which mr. addison took the queries out of the doctor 's hand , and said , they were not fair questions . and mr. kirkby said , 't was no matter who were owners , so the king's business was done ; bidding me keep a copy of what i had laid before them , hinting , that i might be fued at law for scandal . some of the commissioners also mov'd , that i might leave my french letters in the custody of * mr. garrard , their secretary ; which i refus'd to do ; answering , that if they trusted me to keep the king's papers , i thought they might easily trust me to keep my own . then they proceeded to examine mr. masters , ( who was present asking him , how he durst go privately several voyages to france , after he had been turned out by the queens order , for actions against the government ? who did not only own the fact , but very confidently answered , that he did the nation no wrong , but good service by it : and mr. churchill ( who was seated at the board with the commissioners ) looking over the back of his chair , told mr. masters , thar he went to france (a) without his knowledge , and that if he was punish'd for it , he could not help it ; and the commissioners said , they would lay his crime before the council ( though i believe 't was the least of their thoughts : ) and mr. addison turning about , as if he was angry , and asking mr. garrard , their present secretary , how these matters came to pass ; mr. garrard answer'd in a passion , that they must not lay the fault upon him , for some of them knew of masters's going as well as he : this unexpected answer drove the commissioners to a full point , for they look'd one upon another , and made no reply . but now the tables are turn'd upon me , and i ( it seems ) am the chief offender ; for mr. masters takes up the diseourse , and tells the commissioners , that the cause of his being turn'd out was by a malicious information , that i had carry'd to my lord nottingham's office ; and mr. churchill back'd him , and said , he had witness that wou'd swear it , and mention'd one mr. armstrong in my lord nottingham's office ( a gentleman that i know not ) upon which , some of the commissioners were angry , and mr. addison said , they would keep no clerks that were informers ; i confess i was surpris'd at this shamming accusation , and offer'd the commissioners to make oath , that neither directly , or indirectly , i never carry'd any such information , or knew any thing of the doing thereof , challenging mr. churchill to prove it , if he was able ; but this silenc'd all the other matters concerning the correspondence with mr. dulivier ; for most of the commissioners rose from the board in a great passion ; and mr. churchill being come out of the office , into scotland-yard , threatned me , that if i would not desist , he would make me run my country ; and mr. masters thought fit to challenge me to meet him out of the verge of the court , and the secretary mr. garrard bid me have a care what i did , for mr. churchill was a man of great interest at court : and i happening , upon this , to meet mr. addison coming down stairs from the office ; i acquainted him of the ill treatment i had had from mr. churchill and masters , who , walking away in hast , very scornfully answer'd , that he could not help me , if i would not rule my tongue ; so i finding much discouragement , and seeing the said miscarriages , and those that acted in them , incourag'd by the commissioners , i resolv'd to lay down my employment , and make a discovery thereof ; and accordingly , about the beginning of feb. / , i acquainted the commissioners , at a full board , that i designed to leave my employment , and desir'd their discharge , at which they seem'd extreamly startled , and contrary to their former method of threats , fell now to good words , useing all manner of perswasions and arguments with me to stay , telling me , i was only in a passion , and desired me to consider of it till the next morning , when i would be in a better humour , which was all the answer i could then get of them . but coming again the next day to the boatd , and persisting in my resolution to leave their office , they all fell to make declarations each man for himself , that he had not cheated the king , and ask'd me , if i believed e'er a man at that board had cheated the king ? i told them it was an insnaring question for me to answer while i was their clerk ; but if they would give me my discharge , i would answer that , or any other question they should ask me ; at which mr. elder , one of the commissioners , lifted up his hands , as it were , in a frighted posture , and said , o , gentlemen , i was ever against that (a) masters's going ▪ to which words none of the commissioners made any answer . but i still press'd for my discharge , and the commissioners continued to offer more arguments for me to stay ; one of them declaring he would go an hundred miles to serve me , saying , that if i would stay till my father in law came to town , they would prevail with him to lay out a considerable sum of mony , and purchase me a place , which i might hold by a deputy , and yet continue in their office . mr. addison also said , mr. baston , suppose we comply with all your demands , what then ? to which i answer'd , that i could not continue in their office ; the commissioners also ask'd me how i design'd to dispose of my self ? and that if i would seek any employment , and let them know what it was , they would go in a body and recommend me ; telling me also , that they would never consent to my leaving the office , without the approbation of my father in law , because if it should prove my ruin , they believ'd my father would blame them as accessory to it : but perceiving they would not give me my discharge , i acquainted them from that day forward , i was no more their clerk ; to which they answer'd , that since no perswasions would preval with me to stay , they could not help it ; and that thay hop'd i was not going to bring any complaint against them , as mr. gibson had formerly done : these and several other arguments of like nature the commissioners for sick and wounded did make use of publickly at their board to prevail with me to stay in their office ; and i have been a little more large in reciting these discourses , because these gentlemen were so shameless as to insert in their answer to my complaint , which they gave in writing under four of their hands , to the council-board , that they turn'd me out of their office for misdemeanour , hoping by the help of that monstrous untruth to have blacken'd my reputation , and extenuated their own miscarriages . but to proceed , finding they would not give me my discharge , i left their office in feb. / , with a considerable sum of mony due to me , for travelling charges and sallary , which i am not paid to this day ; and about the beginning of march following , did lay the miscarriages of these commissioners in writing before the secretary of state , which met with suddain dispatch , being within three days after sent to the lords of the admiralty with the king's order thereupon , to examin into it , and make their report to his majesty ; whereupon their lordships forthwith summon'd the commissioners for sick and wounded , with my self , and several others concern'd , to attend their honourable board ; and after the examination was perfected , their lordships made a report to his majesty , a copy of which i obtain'd about april , . by an order of their lordships , ( the better to enable me to prove the complaint a second time before the council ) which copy i have inserted as followeth . by the commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of england and ireland , &c. admiralty office th . april , . in obedience to your majesties pleasure , signified to this board by letter from my lord shrewsbury , of the th of march last , for our examining into a complaint made against the commissioners for sick and wounded seamen , and exchange of prisoners at war ; of the mismanagement of the business under their care : we having examin'd into it , do humbly make the following report . the first article charges the commissioners , that they were informed , that monsieur peter and jos . dulivier , in france , were concern●d in the transport ships employed in the exchanging prisoners between england and france , and that instead of their taking any care to redress it , they discouraged those that gave them the information . upon the first article . it appeared to this board , that dr. welwood , one of the commissioners for sick and wounded seamen and exchange of prisoners , inform'd the rest of the board , that mr. baston told him that he could make it appear , that the duliviers were concern'd in the transport-ships , employed in exchange of prisoners of war , and the grounds of the suspitions were from a letter from joseph dulivier , to capt. bayley , one of the masters of the vessels , dated at paris the th of february , , wherein dulivier says , he has received his letter from bulloign , adviseing of his coming there with prisoners , and desires to know who employed him ; for that he expects to be half concern'd in the passage of prisoners brought by him , as he is with masters and others . and peter dulivier , by his letter from paris the th july , . to the said capt. bayley , tells him , that he and his cousin jos . dulivier , have been at great charges in setling the (a) manner of exchanging of prisoners , and expects to have the advantage he has already demanded , or to be at half of the charges , and half of the profit or loss of the said passages : and by another letter from jos . dulivier to mr. majet and exquemelin , dated at paris the th september , . he tells them , that he has made the agreement about the exchange of prisoners on both sides , with monsieur delagnii , by the order of the commissioners of england ; and from the beginning of this war has received the payment of all them that are returned ; and informs them , that till this time he has a share in the transport vessels , which was given him by the undertakers of the trades , in consideration of his pains in setling that affair ; and that he was allowed by them about sous for each prisoner brought into france . and by jos . dulivier's letter of the th septemb. . from paris to capt. bayley , ( all which letters were laid before the commissioners by mr. baston ) he seems to be surpriz'd that he and his owners should deny him his small profit , and expects that they should allow him * sous for every prisoners both french and english that they transport ; and says , he has been paid for all their passages ( except the last put on shoar at bulloign ) : and that if they don't think fit to comply with his propositions , they may complain to the commissioners . and by a letter from mr. churchil ( which was produc'd at this board by dr. welwood ) and mr. alston to capt. rutter , master of the ann pink , an exchange vessel , dated at london th feb. / . they desire , and order him to follow the orders of their worthy friend mr. jos . dulivier , in which he will well satisfie them . and joseph dulivier , in his letter from paris of the st march . to rutter , desires him according to the order of mr. churchill and alston , to go to nantz , and there follow the orders of monsieur drake : but , says , he must not load any goods but currans , which port was not in the cartell , nor were the currans ( for which leave was given by an order of council ) to be brought from any place , but st. malo's . mr. kirkby , one of the commissioners , did own to this board , that upon baston's producing dulivier's letters , he did reprimand him , but said , it was for not producing them sooner , which baston said , he could not , because he had them not before . baston said , that at the second time the query's which he laid before the commissioners about mr. churchill , duliviers and masters , were heard , and churchill and masters present . dr. welwood took up the queries , and ask'd churchill whether he was concern'd in any of the ships he solicited for , or sold his interest for a gratuity , which churchil refus'd to answer ; upon which mr. addison taking the queries out of the doctor 's hand , said they were not fair questions ; and mr. kirby said , 't was no matter who were owners , so the king's business was done ; that dr. welwood told mr. kirby , that 't was not fit baston should be discourag'd ; upon which the dr. says , he was ill treated by the board ; and upon the whole matter it appears , that upon what was laid before the commissioners , there was reason to dismiss these ships , where there were such grounds to believe the duliviers were concern'd , giving this board no other reason , than that they had a good opinion of mr. churchil ; and it likewise appear'd that they discourag'd those that gave them the information . the second article complains , that robert masters , commander of one of the transport vessels , went every voyage to france in her , after he had been turn'd out by order of her majesty , for actions against the government , whereby there was opportunity of giving intelligence to the enemy . to which article we refer to our report therein , dated the th of march last , which is as followeth , viz. my lord nottingham writes to the commissioners , the th of november , . that he was inform'd , that masters , the commander of one of the vessels employ'd by them in exchanging prisoners , had brought over a lady from france , without the king's pass , and directed them to enquire into the matter , and to remove him , unless he could give very good reasons for what he had done ; and the commissioners , after an examination taken , remov'd him from his command : sometime after dr. welwood acquainted the board , that mr. baston inform'd him , that masters had been two voyages to france in the ship , since he wat turn'd out , and the pretended master of that vessel was only his servant , upon which he was again discharg'd ; after this mr. churchill acquainting dr. wellwood , that he design'd to employ masters again , the dr. mov'd the board , that he might be no more employ'd , and after some debate 't was so resolv'd at a full board ; but the same afternoon three of the commissioners met , and sign'd an order for bringing over currans , which was left blank for such master as mr. churchill should appoint , which said blank was fill'd up with masters's name , and a pass was likewise drawn to to be sent to the secretary of state , and masters's name inserted therein by one of their clerks , by the direction of mr. garrard secretary to the commissioners ; two or three days after dr. welwood acquainted the board , that masters was commander of the vessel bound for france in their service ; but the board did not revoke their order , and he went commander that voyage . it further appear'd , that when dr. welwood complain'd to the board , that masters had been two voyages in the ship to france , notwithstanding he was discharg'd by their order , and ask'd the secretary , mr. garrard , how it came to pass . garrard answer'd in a passion , that some of the commissioners knew of it as well as he . as to this last point dr. welwood and mr. baston affirm it , but the rest of the commissioners , and the secretary say , that they do not remember it . and since this , dr. welwood has acquainted this board by letter , that mr. masters was examin'd by him , in presence of the rest of the commissioners , and voluntarily confess'd , that about october . he came up the river of thames , near the bridg , with a lading of wine in a transport ship , having landed his prisoners at dover by the way , that the said ship and lading was seiz'd upon by the custom-house officers ; and as he was told afterwards , were both made prizes , or the wine stav'd : that immediately after the seizing the ship , masters was sent master of another transport ship to france , in which he has hitherto continued : and because there was not a new pass in the office , the old pass for the former ship was made use of , by changing the name of the last ship into that of the first : that dulivier , before he went away , carry'd him to mr. churchill , and after they had been together a while alone , he was call'd in and employed by churchil ever afterwards . the third article complains , that several prisoners have made their escape from plymouth , by bribing * nicholas sharrack and wannel the goaler : aad that mr. dickinson , agent to the commissioners , abused the prisoners , and cheated them of their allowance of victuals . upon the third article , it does appear to this board , that several irish prisoners did make their escape from plymouth , and particularly (a) fitz geraldine , an irish captain of a privateer , under the late king's commission : and that the french prisoners were ill used by wannel and sharrack , servants to mr. dickinson ; and wannel was turn'd out by mr. dickinson , wichout any order for it ; but sharrack is still continu'd ; and that when dr. welwood was at plymouth , and weighed the provisions appointed for the prisoners , instead of l. weight , which was allow'd them , there was not full half that weight . the commissioners did write to mr. greenhil , commissioner of the navy at plymouth , to examine the masters that came from france , touching their information of the prisoners being ill us'd in france , who gave them an account , that having examin'd several of the masters , they confirm'd the truth of their (b) information with their oaths : but nothing was done in it by the commissioners , and dickinson was continu'd in his employment . the fourth article complains , that the commissioners stifled the complaints against mr. dickinson for abusing the men in their provisions ; and that they pass'd his accounts without being sworn to . upon the fourth article , it appears , that when dr. welwood and mr. elder , came into the commission , they found many complaints against dickinson ; vpon which mr. elder was sent to plymouth to examin into it : and that when he returned from thence , and made his report , dr. welwood mov'd the board , that dickinson might be turn'd out . but the commissioners refus'd to do it , alledging , that they could find no body else to serve in his room ; and after that , dr. welwood being at plymouth , enquired into several complaints against dickinson ; and finding that he had taken money of a prisoner , who was half an englishman , to give him leave to go into the countrey : and that he had given the prisoners short weight of provisions , he proposed to the board , upon his return to london , that dickinson might be turn'd out : but they refus'd it . it likewise appear'd , that the said dickinson's accounts stand open , and that none of them have been sworn to , as is the constant custom in other ports , where the agent , physician and surgeon , swear to the accounts , to the best of their knowledge , before they receive their money : as also that the commissioners make dickinson debtor for the money they pay him , and creditor on his accounts which he does not swear to , and are not duly examin'd : and that upon baston's finding fault with his accounts , they were taken out of his hands to be inspected by others ; tho he says 't was his business to examine all accounts in that office. and mr. richard gibson certifies , by a writing under his hand to this board , that during the time he served as clerk to the commissioners for sick and wounded , there were instructions sent to their agents at the several ports , sign'd by the commissioners , at least by three of them , and seal'd with the seal of their office ; in which , to the best of his remembrance and belief , they were to (a) swear to the truth of their respective accounts . the fifth article complains , that they keep their accounts in a clandestine manner , and thereby give themselves opportunity to cheat their majesties . which article the complainants (b) could not make out , unless it were in the l. bill to their secretary , which is mentioned in the th article . the sixth article complains , that they give additional allowances to their secretary and their cashier : and that their secretary had not accompted for any of the money imprested to him . upon the sixth article . it appears that they do allow an addition of salary to their cashier for a clerk and office , which the commissioners say they think he deserves ; and it likewise appears that their secretary has not regularly accounted for any mony imprested to him , but passes his own accounts without any other check . the seventh article complains , that when they went down to pay the quarters at plymouth , they deducted d. per pound out of the allowance for advance-mony , and that they took away the power of the disposal of their tallies from their cashier , and gave it to their secretary . upon the seventh article , it appears , the commissioners in . acquainted the treasury , that the tallies could not be dispos'd of , without allowing d. in the pound advance ; that 't was true the commissioners did deduct more than was abated for the selling the first tallies ; but by selling other tallies , they were out of pocket ; so that when they had any tallies to dispose of , they order'd their cashier to beat down the price , without giving him a power to agree ; so that they are generally dispos'd of by their secretary , who had l. in one bill allowed him for brokage , for procuring money upon the talleys ; which their cashier says , they deny'd to him : and that he knew nothing of it : for 't was mention'd in ihe bill to him for advance . that when their cashier dispos'd of l. talleys , without loss , mr. johnson , one of the commissioners clerks told him , he lost l. by it : and the commissioners threatned to complain of their cashier to the treasury , for disposing of them . in addition to the second article of the complainers , 't is set forth , that the commissioners refus'd vvhite's proposals , tho he offer'd to transport the prisoners cheaper than others . that the commission is in effect managed by mr. addison , mr. kirkby and their secretary , who oftentimes sign for the commissioners . that they put the king to too much charge for the sick men near london , by not sending them to the london hospitals . that after the last battle they carry'd down more chyrurgeons to portsmouth , to look after the sick and wounded men than was necessary , thereby putting their majesties to an extravagant charge . it did appear that they refus'd vvhite's proposals , and told him , he went to take the bread from others . that they sent him to dulivier , who acquainted him , he could have had s. per head , but for him . that they made a bargain for s. per head , tho vvhite made a proposal in writing , to do it for s. that there was a certificate laid before us , sign'd by three of the commissioners , which did not appear to be their hands , tho they said , they believed they were : but garrard says , he thinks that he sign'd for mr. kirkby : and johnson , one of the clerks , for mr. addison : collins , another of the clerks , says , that he oft times set the commissioners hands to papers , by mr. garrard's order : and johnson says , he put mr. kirkby's hand to a ticket , by order of mr. addison and mr. shephard , which mr. kirkby afterwards approv'd . dr. vvelwood being ask'd , whether he knew if this was a practice amongst them ? said , he had been told it , but did not believe it : but that looking over the copy-book , he found his letters to several papers , which he don't remember to have sign'd . he further says , that mr. kirkby propos'd to sign for mr. addison , and took the pen in his hand to do it : upon which the dr. went from the board . this was own'd by mr. kirkby . and mr. addison being ask'd the same question , said , he had oftentimes seen the commissioners hands set to tickets , in matters of seamens cloaths : mr. shephard says , he believes it has been done : mr. kirkby says , he believes it has been done for about these two years past ; and mr. elder believes it has been done once or twice . it appear'd , that by the method for taking care of sick men near london , it was in the power of mr. case , the surgeon , to send them to the hospital the next day after he had receiv'd them ; by which he was intitled to s . d . for their cure (a) . that there was a great number of surgeons sent down after the battle , which the commissioners say was for the better taking care of the men . all which is humbly submitted to your majesty . f. j. l. h. p. r. r. the aforesaid report being thus made and sign'd by four of the lords of the admiralty , was carried by their lordships , on a sunday night to kensington , to be read before the king in the cabinet-council ; but according to what the commissioners before threatned , that if they were cast before the admiralty , they could stop any report from coming to the king , by removing the matter to the * council . so indeed it prov'd ; for that night four of the commissioners for sick and wounded , had lodg'd a petition to the king , in the nature of an appeal from the justice of the admiralty : praying to be heard before his majesty in council , touching the crimes whereof they were accus'd : and his majesty was graciously pleased to order , that the matter should be examin'd by a committee of the council on the wednesday following : so that the admiralty's report ( as i was inform'd ) was not read to the king. then were the commissioners and my self , with others concern'd , soon after summon'd before the council : but at the first and second attending , nothing material was done , and so continued till the king was gone for flanders ; and then , after several days examination before the council , their lordships made a report to her late majesty of blessed memory ; a copy of which i have seen : and in the said report , among other things , is contain'd , that the commissioners are guilty of partiality , great mismanagement , and breach of trust . but after this report was made , i found that the sick and wounded office still stood as firm as ever : for i perceiv'd , tho judgment was pass'd against them , that they had obtain'd a celsit executio , for an unlimited time ; by reason of which , execution soon went out against me : for the commissioners , and their emissaries employ'd for that purpose , proclaim'd in all publick places , that they were acquitted like worthy honest gentlemen ; and that i appear'd to be a false accuser ; adding the opprobious names of villain , informer , &c. this soon oblig'd me to look to my self : and in order to put a stop to this horrible scandal , i resolv'd to get a copy of the council's report , and accordingly i petition'd the queen and council for the same , in the words following : to the queen' 's most excellent majesty , in council . the humble petition of samuel baston . sheweth , that your petitioner having been formerly a clerk to the commissioners for sick and wounded seamen , &c. and seeing divers miscarriages in their office , which your petitioner believed to be very prejudicial to your majesty , did advertise the said commissioners thereof ; but finding no redress , your petitioner did , out of pure zeal to your majesty's service , lay down his said employment ; and soon after , viz , about the beginning of march last , did lay the said miscarriages , in writing , before his grace the duke of shrewsbury ; which said miscarriages were , by his majesty's command , examined , first before the lords of the admiralty , and after , before the lords of your majesty's most honourable privy council ; at both which places , your petitioner humbly conceives , he charg'd the said commissioners with nothing but what he made appear . yet , notwithstanding , the said commissioners give out , that what they were accus'd of , has prov'd to be malicious and false , and accordingly they are acquitted thereof ; by which report your petitioner is rendred as one of the worst of men. those who are rightly affected to your majesty , not knowing the true matter of fact , believe your petitioner to be a malicious and ill principled man ; and those disaffected to your majesty , do look upon this as a victory they have obtain'd , and do eagerly lay hold on all opportunities to defame and ruin your petitioner , that all men by his example may be discourag'd from serving your majesty in this kind for the future : so that your petitioner has not only the misfortune to lose all he had to depend upon in the world for a maintenance , but is like to be ruin'd in his reputation also , which is more dear to him than life . for preventing of which , your petitioner does most humbly and earnestly pray your sacred majesty graciously to order him a copy of the report that the lords of the council made to your majesty about the commissioners for sick and wounded , &c. that thereby your petitioner may be enabled to take off the scandal that has and will be cast upon him by the said commissioners , or any disaffected persons : also to enable your petitioner to defend himself against any vexatious suit of law , which the said commissioners may bring against your petitioner for scandal , and which they have not scrupled to threaten : by this means your petitioner will he able to support his reputation with all good men ; otherwise ( without your majesty's gracious protection ) his ruin will soon be accomplished for being so ready and zealous to serve your majesty : and your petitioner shall ever pray , &c. and waiting on the clerk of the council to know the answer to my petition , he told me it was read , and then laid down , and nothing ordered upon it , whether it was granted or rejected ; so that i could never get a copy of the council's report , to justifie my self in the discharge of my duty . this put me much out of heart , being a confirmation of all the scandals cast upon me ; and thus was i left to god and the wide world , being afraid to walk the streets for a considerable time , lest i should be baited to death by the disaffected party , &c. but now i shall relate the examination these miscarriages met with before the commissioners for stating the publick accounts . when i first exhibited this complaint to the secretary of state in the beginning of march . i then also presented a copy thereof to the commissioners of accounts , where it slept quietly about five months sworn to , till the lords of the admiralty and council had gone through with it , as is before related ; and there being one mr. (a) john leckie , who had signed the complaint , being the principal evidence concerning the miscarriages of mr. dickinson at plymouth , in barbarously using the french prisoners and seamen in the hospital , by cheating them of the king's allowance , with many other miscarriages supported by the commissioners , the said mr. leckie having been before the admiralty and council , and having stayed in london a considerable time after all was over , he and i did despair of ever being call'd by the commissioners of accounts . and mr. leckie meeting with an opportunity , went on board the mocho frigat to the east-indies , on his own affairs , about the beginning of july , . not long after , viz. the first of august following , i received an order from the commissioners of accounts , requiring my attendance on them the third instant , and i was also order'd to acquaint mr. leckie that he shou'd likewise attend at the same time . according to this order i did attend the commissioners of accounts at their office in york-buildings , where , after i had acquainted them that mr. leckie was gone to sea , they told me the board had come to a resolution to examine my complaint , and that if i was willing to justifie it , they would appoint a day for the commissioners for sick and wounded , and i to attend : they also told me , that the complaint consisting of seven articles , the first three articles , which chiefly related to a correspondence with the french , did not properly lie before them ; so that they resolved to begin at the fourth article : to which i answer'd , that the fourth article consisted chiefly of the miscarriages of plymouth : to the truth of which mr. leckie had made oath before them when the complaint was first exhibited , and that his name was written in the margin , as the principle witness thereto ; and that i could say little to it , having never been at plymouth in my life . and i further acquainted them , that the correspondence with the french was the chief reason i laid down my employment in order to detect it , which i lookt upon as my duty to do ; and that i conceiv'd , as their honours were members of parliament , it might not be improper for their cognizance to lay before the house of commons at their next meeting ; a correspondence with the enemy being a matter that so much concern'd the safety of their country : i also acquainted them that the fourth article had been twice sufficiently prov'd already by mr. leckie , before the admiralty and council , as would appear by each of their reports , which i thought their honours might receive as evidence of the truth thereof , and that seeing they thought fit to reject the most material part of the complaint , and the principal evidence to the rest being absent ; i prayed to be excus'd any further attendance in regard there could be no full hearing , and that i had been much fatigued already , and pray'd now to have a little rest , designing to lay all these matters before the king , at his majesty's arrival from flanders . but notwithstanding this , and what else i urged ( being twice before them ) the commissioners rejected the first three articles of my complaint that i was a witness to , which related to a correspondence with france , and barbarously using the french prisoners , &c. and on the contrary , would oblige me to stand to that which mr. leckie , had sworn to about five months before , and accordingly they issued their precept for me to attend them at their board , and being come , i found the commissioners for sick and wounded had brought one (a) mr. sharrack to be a witness for them , and his master dickinson ; and when the commissioners of accounts had sent for us up , the fourth article of the complaint was read , which related to mr. dickinson , which mr. sharrack redicul'd , saying , not one word of it was true ; and then one of the commissioners of accounts , who was chairman , in the name of the board , told me , that the commissioners for sick and wounded had brought mr. sharrack to be an evidence in the behalf of mr. dickinson , and that the board was resolv'd to hear what he could say to that matter ; at which being surprized , i answer'd , that i thought he was not a proper evidence , and laid down several reasons for it , to the effect following , first , that mr. sharrack himself stands accused as a criminal in discharge of his duty , while he was mr. dickinson's clerk , and his name is mention'd as such in the third article of this complaint ; and it appears he is a criminal , and has abused the french prisoners by the third article of the lords of the admiraltie's * report ; therefore to admit him a witness upon oath , against that complaint in which he not only stands charged as a criminal , but has been proved so , is to swear him in his own behalf , which i told their honours i thought was contrary to law. secondly , that if their honours shou'd believe what mr. sharrack was about to swear , they must of consequence make mr. leckie perjured , which i thought wou'd appear to be very hard dealings with a man that is absent at sea , who staid so long in london waiting their honours commands , and who so fairly proved these very matters twice before at the admiralty and council , where this mr. saarrack durst not appear to confront him . thirdly , that mr. dickinson being accused ( i conceiv'd ) ought to come up and answer for himself ; for seeing i was forc'd against my will by their honours precept , to attend a matter i knew little of , i thought it was too much favour for mr. dickinson , who had been before proved a criminal , to spare him the trouble , and suffer him thus to answer by proxy to matters of such moment . to which the chairman made answer to this effect , that all these matters in the end should be duly considered by the board . but because mr. sharrack had taken so long a journey on purpose , they were (a) resolved to hear what he could say . to which i replied , that i protested against their proceedings , believing it illegal , and that , if they thought fit , i would submit my self therein to the opinion of the attorney general . at which they were angry , saying , i arraigned the justice of their boord , and stood in contempt of the authority of their board , &c. i answered , that their honours could not reasonably blame me , if they considered what i had gone through already , and how much my reputation lay at stake , for that the commissioners for sick and wounded , and i , could not be all in the right , but punishment must of necessity be due to one side or the other . but notwithstanding the commissioners of accounts would proceed to examine mr. sharrack ; and first he produc'd an affidavit , sworn by himself , which was read at the board , the purport of which was to testifie how long he had serv'd under mr. dickinson , and that he had manag'd all affairs for his master , both relating to the sick wounded seamen , and prisoners at war ; and that he believed nothing was acted by his master , but he was privy to it , &c. which affidavit i suppose was produced to make whatever he should swear , carry the greater face of truth , in reference to his knowledge of matters and things , and as a foundation whereon mr. sharrack was to build the following deposition , the sum and substance of which i shall relate as short as i can . the commissioners of accounts having given mr. sharrack his oath , they read the fourth article of the complaint ; the first particular of which contained these words , viz. that the commissioners * for their own private interest , connive at , and permit those employ'd under them to wrong their majesties , appears by their passing by and stifling all complaints made against mr. dickinson , their agent at plymouth ; all which have been laid before them several times : first , his hard usage to the french prisoners , in allowing them only two pence per diem a man , for the space of fourteen months , with a loaf of bread , which he gave them for a penny , and had himself sixteen of said penny loaves for a shilling ; and upon complaint made he afterwards allowed an half penny per day more : that he abated an half penny per diem from each prisoners allowance , under pretence of finding them water ; which they are supplied with gratis at all other ports ; neither did it cost him any thing here , he obliging one pike a victualler to supply them with water for the liberty of selling them ale. yet the poor men had not a pint of water a day per man ; and those that went not upon the water's first coming to the prison , had none at all , there being several prisoners who perish'd for want of water (a) . thus it appears mr. leckie swore there was about three farthings per diem deducted from the french prisoners , whose whole allowance was but four pence each man a day , except commission'd officers , whose number was very inconsiderable ; but where any such were taken ( that could not handsomly be suffered to run , or else exchang'd for common seamen ) they were not kept to this miserable pittance ; but on the contrary , permitted to ride up and down the countrey , under pretence of recovery of their health , &c. but now comes mr. sharrack to counter-swear what was before sworn by mr. leckie ; and in order thereunto positively depones to this effect , that he was the person that constantly paid the french prisoners their allowance , and that mr. dickinson never deducted above a farthing a day from the prisoners , which was for supplying them with water and straw . and the chairman demanding of me , what i had to object against mr. sharrack's oath , i answered , that tho i knew little of the affairs of plymouth , yet i was much surpriz'd at what he had sworn ; and therefore i pray'd their honours to send for the commissioners letter-book , wherein i would shew them the entry of a letter that the commissioners for sick and wounded writ to mr. dickinson concerning a complaint they received against him about abusing the french prisoners . and that the commissioners in that letter writ to mr. dickinson thus : we hear you deduct three farthings a day from the prisoners : pray let us know how it comes to be ¾ . we know you deducted ½ according to former direction . by which , and mr. dickinson's answer , i told their honours they would surely find that mr. sharrack had not sworn right . but the chairman said , 't would put them out of their method ; and that they would send for the book to morrow . i answered , that i conceiv'd it would not hurt their method , to detect a man in a false oath ; the end of all methods in these cases , being to find out the truth ; and therefore i insisted several times , and pray'd , that in justice to mr. leckie , who was absent , the book might be sent for , and produc'd while the commissioners for sick and wounded , and mr. sharrack , were present , to prevent all tricks in altering the book , &c. that otherwise might be done before the morrow : at which one of the commissioners of accounts was pleas'd to say , that if i insisted to have the book sent for , 't was his opinion they ought to do it ; notwithstanding which i could not (a) prevail . but before i proceed to the next part of mr. sharrack's deposition , i shall pass to the following day when the book was sent for , and so relate what became of this part of his oath . on the morrow the commissioners for sick and wounded , and my self , being again before the commissioners of accounts , according to order , they produc'd their letter-book ; ( but here 't is to be noted mr. sharrack was not present , being discharg'd any further attendance the night before ) and the letter that i mentioned being read , they found in it the words before-mentioned , viz. we hear you deduct ¾ a day from the prisoners : pray let us know how it comes to be ¾ ; we know you deducted ½ according to former direction . but mr. addison , one of the commissioners for sick and wounded , standing up , told the chairman , he was under a little mistake in reading that part of the letter : for them figures which he read for three farthings and an half penny , were not so , but three fourths of a farthing and half a farthing : at which it was demanded , how they made up their accounts with such odd money . very easily , may it please your honour , replied mr. addison . then to trace the matter further , i mov'd that mr. dickinson's original letter might be produc'd , which he writ in answer to the commissioner's letter , which being read , mr. dickinson said in it in his own defence , that he never deducted but a farthing a day from the prisoners , and desiring to see the letter , i found the word farthing was interlined , and the word under it blotted out ; and urging to the chairman that the letter had been altered ; he answered it could not be , seeing mr. dickinson , that wrote the letter , had not been in town for several months ; to which i replied , that mr. sharrack his clerk wrote the body of the letter , and was last night in town to alter it ; but that he was either infatuated , or in haste when he did it , for he had not done it right , so as to bear any coherence with the commissioner's letter : with that mr. addison alledg'd , that mr. dickinson's saying he deducted but a farthing a day from the prisoners was according to what mr. sharrack had sworn ; but one of the commissioners of accounts was pleas'd to speak to the commissioners for sick and wounded in this manner , gentlemen , here is no agreement between your letter and dickinson's answer ; for you write to mr. dickinson to know why he deducted three fourths of a farthing from the prisoners , and he writes you word in his answer , that he never deducted but a farthing , which is four fourths ; so that this won't hang together at all , to which mr. addison answer'd ; may it please your honour , we writ to mr. dickinson to know why he deducted three farthings a day from the prisoners , and he writes us word again in this letter , that he never deducted but a farthing , which is according to what mr. sharrack has sworn . the same gentlemen replied , but sir , you said just now it was three fourths of a farthing . may it please your honour , replied mr. addison , i could not say so , there 's no such money goes in england , i beg your honour not to mistake me , i 'm sure 't is all very right , god forbid we should do an ill thing , may it please your honour , &c. nay sir , says he , either you or i are in a false story , i 'll refer it to the whole board ; i 'll be judg'd by your own brethren if you did not say just now , it was three fourths of a farthing . yes , says mr. * shepherd , mr. addison , you did say 't was three fourths of a farthing , i would not contradict you though i did think you were mistaken . well , says the chairman , which is it three fourths of a farthing , or three farthings ? it is three farthings , may it please your honour , says mr. addison . why then , says the same gentleman again , if you take it that way , there 's still no agreement between your letter and dickinson's answer , for you write to mr. dickinson to know why he deducted three farthings a day from the prisoners , and further you say , you know he deducted a half-penny according to former direction ; and he writes you word in his answer , that he never deducted but a farthing . now no man in his wits can suppose that dickinson deducted less than you all allow'd him to deduct . may it please your honour , says mr. addison , we never allow'd him to deduct any thing ; nay , says he , your own letter-book is a witness to the contrary , wherein you do not only approve of his deducting a half-penny a day , but quote your former order for it , or else what do you mean by them words ; we know you deducted a half-penny a day , according to former direction ? at which mr. addison was quite gravell'd . and then i mov'd the board to give the commissioner's secretary his oath , to shew more plainly that the three fourths of a farthing was only a prevaricating evasion of mr. addison's to cover the crime ; but they were pleas'd to answer there was no need of it ; for the matter was plain enough , and they were very well satisfied how it stood . so they order'd their clerks to take a copy of the commissioner's , and dickinson's letter , and now i shall humbly submit it to better judgment , whether mr. dickinson's letter was not alter'd in reference to the words farthing , a day , and also how true mr. sharrack's oath has been in this part : but here follows more of the same stamp . and now i shall go back to the day before , and proceed upon mr. sharrack's deposition . the commissioners of accounts having refus'd to send for the letter-book , as is before-mention●d , they proceeded to read the next branch of the fourth article , in the complaint , which was in these words , viz. secondly . that mr. dickinson with-held the seamens allowance of meat from them , in the hospital at plymouth , for that in presence of one of the commissioners four mens allowance of meat weighed only one pound , six ounces , whereas it should have weighed four pounds . this mr. leckie had also sworn to . in opposition to to which , mr. sharrack , upon his oath , positively affirm'd to the effect following : (a) that he was the person that always took care of the provisions for the hospital , and that the men , such as could eat flesh , had always full weight of provisions , according to whole allowance , except what small matter might reasonably be supposed to waste in the boyling ; and to shew that there was often such complaints made upon no grounds he continues upon his oath to give the following instances . sir cloudsly shovell ( says he ) coming a shoar one morning , the seamen in the hospital made complaint to him , that they had not full allowance , and that their provisions was not good , upon which sir cloudsley came to the hospital , and order'd me to take some pieces of the beef out of the copper , which were found to be full weight ; with that sir cloudsley call'd for some bread , &c. saying he would taste this beef , of which there was such complaints , which he liked so well , that he eat the best part of two pieces , and blamed the men for complaining , telling them they were well used , and that the beef was as good as any he had at his own table . and mr. sharrack going to proceed , i interrupted , asking him , were they four pound pieces that you swear sir cloudsley shovell tasted of ? he answer'd , yes ; but the chair-man told me , i must not interrupt him and that he swore cautiously . yes gentlemen , replied i , he swears very cautiously , he swears sir cloudsley shovell eat above four pound of beef by way of a taste ; and after mr. sharrack had made several speeches , that perhaps he might be mistaken in the quantity of beef , and he was sure there was all imaginable care taken , and that 't was malice against his naster , &c. the chairman ask'd me , what had i to object ? i answer'd , that when this particular was examined before the admiralty , doctor welwood acknowledged that he was the commissioner that mr. leckie mentions in the complaint before whom the meat was weighed in plymouth hospital , that prov'd so much short of weight , and that seeing doctor welwood did not now attend with the rest of the commissioners , i prayed he might be sent for face to face , with mr. sharrack , to be asked some questions about this matter , the chairman answer'd , that he was order'd to attend with the rest of the commissioners , but that he pretended some earnest business , and prayed their excuse , so they would send for him to morrow . but i continued to pray their honours to send for him face to faee with mr. sharrack , because he was to be discharg'd any further attendance that night , otherwise their honours could not so easily discover the truth , but i could not prevail , for the chairman answer'd , that the next day would do as well , and that they would consider of all these matters in the end. so now i must pass to the next day ( when doctor vvelwood was present , and mr. sharrack gone ) and give an account what became of this part of mr. sharrack's deposition . the next day giving my attendance , and the dr. being ask●d several questions upon oath , did answer to this effect , that when he was at plymouth there was complaint made to him , that the seamen in the hospital had short weight of provisions ; upon which he said he went to the hospital , and causing several pieces of the meat to be taken out of the copper , that should have been four pound peices , he found upon weighing them , that none of them was (a) half that weight : upon which he said , he reprimanded mr. dickinson and sharrack ; and that he hoped it was afterwards mended . upon which i mov'd , that the doctor might be ask'd , upon his oath , who it was that took the beef out of the copper , and weighed it before him ? he answered , it was mr. sharrack , who managed the hospital under mr. dickinson : and then i referred it to their honours to consider what an oath mr. sharrack had yesterday made , who swore , that the men had always full weight of provisions in the hospital ; against whom there is first mr. leckies oath , who was surgeon upon the place , and an eye witness ; and now also dr. welwood swears , that sharrack himself weighed those very provisions that were short of weight , as aforesaid . but now i must be forc'd again to go back to the preceeding day , to proceed upon the last part of mr. sharrack's deposition : and i am oblig'd to take this broken method in relating it , because the examination was not so compact as it might have been , sharrack being suffer'd to swear behind mr. leckies back ; and the evidence against sharrack being sworn behind his back , when they might as well have all been face to face . and the commissioners of accounts , as i have before related , not thinking fit to send for dr. welwood , they proceeded upon the next particular of the fourth article in the complaint , which being read , contain'd these words , viz. thirdly , that mr. dickenson paid the people that quarter the seamen , at five shillings six pence per week , the king's allowance being seven shillings . to this also mr. leckie had sworn . in opposition to which , mr. sharrack positively swears , that he was the person that made up his master's accounts , gave out the tickets for the sick and wounded , and paid the money to the people that quarter'd them ; and that there was never deducted above six pence in the pound , which was for returns of money from london . and the chairman demanding of me what i had to object , i answer'd to this effect : when this article was examin'd before the admiralty , mr. dickenson was there to justifie himself , and (a) mr. sharrack was left at plymouth ; and one of the lords of the admiralty , in my hearing , did examine mr. dickenson , speaking to him in this manner . mr. dickenson , we will not examine you upon oath , because 't is against your self ; but declare upon your honour , as you are a gentleman , what was the most that ever you deducted from the people that quarter'd the seamen . to which mr. dickenson answer'd , i never deducted above twelve pence in the pound , which was for returns of money . upon which his honour turning to my lord faulkland ▪ ( who was chairman ) said , my lord , this matter looks with a very ill face ; for i remember some time ago , when one ben. berry , now surgeon at plymouth , brought a complaint against mr. dickenson , he also accus'd him of the same crime that mr. leckie now do's , of making unreasonable deductions from the people ; and then we would have had mr. dickenson come up to answer for himself ; but he pretending much of the king's business , we excus'd him , and he sent up his man , one nicholas sharrack , to justifie his proceedings : and i remember sharrack , in his master's justification , swore before us , that his master never deducted above eighteen pence in the pound ; and now mr. dickenson declares upon his honour , he never deducted but twelve pence . therefore ( added i ) i pray your honours to send to the admiralty for the minuits of mr. sharrack's deposition before their lordships ; for you will find that in mr. berry's complaint ( which was about february , / ) mr. sharrack then swore , that mr. dickenson never deducted above eighteen pence in the pound . and afterwards , before the admiralty , mr. dickenson himself , about april . says , he never deducted but twelve pence . and now mr. sharrack swears again positively , before your honours , he never deducted but six pence . to which the commissioners answer'd , that there must be perjury either on one side or the other ; and the chairman said , they would take care to send for the minuits of the admiralty that i had desir'd , and consider of all these matters in the end : and accordingly i lest in writing , how they should describe the said minuits in their letter or precept to the lords of the admiralty ; but whether they have got it , or not , i don't know . thus in the beginning of august , . in one day , mr. sharrack finished his deposition , which he came from plymouth to make , and was the same night discharg'd any further attendance , and hurry'd out of town again down to his post , as an honest man fit to serve the king. about this time i had notice that one capt. white was come for england , who is the person mention'd in the lords of the admiralty's report , that in the beginning of the war made a proposal in writing , to the commissioners for sick and wounded , to transport the prisoners at war , for ten shillings per head , and afterwards made a verbal proposal to do it for eight shillings a head ; but he being at sea when this complaint was examin'd before the admiralty , the verbal proposal of eight shillings a head could not be fully prov'd : but now , hearing he was come for england , i acquainted the commissioners of accounts , who at my instance were pleas'd to send for him : and the said capt. vvhite prov'd before their honours , that the commissioners for sick and wounded , refus'd to employ him for eight shillings a head , mr addison telling him at the board , he could not undertake it at so low a rate ; and that he did it to prejudice other men ; raising many other difficulties and objections , &c. and bid him go and talk with mr. peter dulivier , and mr. holder ; and that going to them , each of them told him the said capt. vvhite , he had (a) spoiled the market , and that they could have had twenty , if not thirty shillings for each english passenger , had it not been for him . and the commissioners having quite discourag'd captain white 's , proposal of eight shillings a head , they presented to the admiralty a representation , a copy whereof i shall insert , as followeth . to the right honourable the lords commissioners for executing the office of lord high admiral of england . the commissioners for exchanging prisoners at war , represent , that in pursuance of an order of his majesty in council , dated the st . of this instant november , a copy whereof is hereunto annexed , we have received proposals from several persons for a ship to carry french prisoners at vvar for france , and to bring back the english prisoners from thence , and find the proposals of richard holder * of london , merchant , to be the fairest , * which are , either to have twenty shillings a head for each english prisoner he shall bring from france , or if he may have liberty to carry to france such a quantity of english goods as are not contraband , bringing back only money for them , for which he will give such security as shall be required , that then he will bring all the english prisoners home for nothing . the ship is called the elizabeth of london , burthen eighty tuns , ten men , and six great guns , now lying in the river thames , and ready to launch . we pray your lordship 's speedy directions , which of these proposals we shall agree upon . tho. addison . antho. shepherd . th nov. . there are two commissioners more that signed this representation , whose names i shall omit because they are dead . and the commissioners giving this representation to the admiralty , their lordships refused to give them direction to agree for twenty shillings a head , accounting it an extravagant price , so the commissioners were forced to sink the price to fifteen shillings a head , and then they employed the same captain white , with the same ship , and covenanted for fifteen shillings a head , for the same service he had before offer'd for eight shillings , out of which captain vvhite allow'd gratuities to mr. holder , and dulivier , at the rate of half a crown a head for each prisoner , and at the making up of one account between him and mr. holder , there was about ninety odd pounds of such half-crowns deducted from the said vvhite , out of his freight , which was done by vertue of a collusive agreement , or charter-party made privately between him and the said mr. holder , which the said vvhite was oblig'd to enter into , before he could be admitted into the service . captain vvhite did also upon oath in my hearing relate some other things of moment before the commissioners of accounts . but at present i shall only mention one of them , the substance of which was , that mr. addison * told him not long after the beginning of the war , as a great secret , that he knew that monsieur dulivier paid all the french king's pensions to his spies here in england . this captain white has the reputation of a person of known integrity , and affection to the government , and performed his duty during the time he was employed in transporting the prisoners with great zeal , in reference to discovering the designs of the french ; but met with such unexpected disappointments and obstructions , that he was sometimes in danger of being murther'd by the french , who it seems had an account of his actions , instances of which he has given to the commissioners of accounts . but however in justice to the said captain white , who is now absent at sea , i shall here insert the copy of a memorial , presented by me in his behalf to the commissioners for accounts , in order to stop the mouths of the commissioners for sick and wounded , or any of their party , from blackening him in his reputation , as they have done by me and all others who have opposed their evil practices . to the honourable , the commissioners appointed to take , state , and examine the publick accounts , &c. the memorial of samuell baston , sheweth , that captain john white who was lately before your honours , has acquainted me , that whereas he is suddenly going a long voyage to sea , and not knowing if he shall ever return ; and forasmuch as what he has hitherto said and sworn at your honourable board against the commissioners for sick and wounded , and prisoners at war , has been when the said commissioners have not been present , and that nothing for the future may be alledged by the said commissioners against him the said captain white to prejudice his reputation , when he shall be absent at sea , and not present to justifie himself , he the said capt. white , has therefore desir'd me , in his behalf , to pray your honours precept for him to appear face to face , with the commissioners for sick and wounded , before your honourable board , as soon as your honours think fit , not only to justifie and confirm what he has already said and sworn , but to hear and answer all objections , that the said commissioners can bring against him , and also , to declare some other matters of consequence to the king's service , which as yet he has not discovered . thus far relating to capt. white . london , . nov. . sign'd , samuel baston . according to the request in this memorial , the commissioners for sick and wounded , with capt. white , and my self , were sent for by the commissioners of accounts , and being all present , the memorial was read , and one of the commissioners of accounts , who was chairman , told the commissioners for sick and wounded to this effect , that this was the business they had sent for them upon , and that the request was so reasonable , they could not deny it ; and therefore desired them , if they had any thing to object against capt. vvhite , either to what he had said against them , or to his reputation in general , that they would now declare it . to which mr. addison answer'd , we did not come to accuse capt. vvhite , but thought he had come to accuse us . but the chairman reply'd , that is not the matter , gentlemen , you have heard the memorial read , capt. white is going to sea , and desires that you would now speak what you have to object against him , before he goes , and he is here ready to make answer to it , to prevent all scandals that may be cast upon him in his absence . to which mr. addison answer'd to this effect ; we have nothing to say against capt. white ; we always believed him to be an honest man ; and if he has been hardly us'd , we could not help it ; for what we did in turning him out , was by order . then the chairman was pleas'd to say , captain , you hear that the commissioners have nothing to say against you ; and as for us , i do assure you , there is not the least imputation upon you at this board , but we believe you to be a very honest man , and that you have been greatly abus'd . now this business being ended before the commissioners of accounts , it slept all the time of the parliament , in the year . till the beginning of march , / . the parliament being then sitting , one mr. crosfield came to me , and told me , he design'd to bring a petition into the house of peers , against several corruptions in the government , and among the rest , he design'd to insert the business of the commissioners for sick and wounded ; asking me , if i was willing to appear before the parliament . i told him i was very willing : and thereupon i drew up a short account of the matter , and he plac'd it the first article in his petition , which was presented to the house of peers , the ninth of march , / . and being called in before the house , among other things , i pray'd , that the proceedings before the commissioners of accounts , might be laid before the house ; which their lordships were pleas'd to order accordingly . then was i in great expectation to end this troublesome business , that had lain so long and so heavy upon my shoulders , while the commissioners were supported . for i , and several others , fully concluded , that the afore-mentioned depositions of mr. sharrack , and many other miscarriages of forgery , &c. with all capt. white 's depositions , would have come open and bare-fac'd before the house : but we were all mistaken . for about eleven days after the order , viz. the th . of march , the commissioners of accounts had gotten the examination referred to them , alleadging to the house ( as i was inform'd ) that it was still depending before them and not finish'd ; and produc'd a great bundle of papers , saying , that was not half the examination , &c. and accordingly it was re-committed to them by an order of the house ; and for the better discerning how their lordships order was observ'd , i shall insert it , as followeth , die mercurii . martii . it is order'd by the lords spiritual and temporal , in parliament assembled , that the papers this day deliver'd in , from the commissioners appointed to examine , take , and state the publick accounts of this kingdom , in pursuance of an order of the th . instant ; as also all other papers and informations now before this house , relating to mr. crosfield's complaint , mention'd in , or annex'd to his petition ; and which concern the commissioners for the sick and wounded ; be sent to the said commissioners of accounts , in order to their proceeding in the further examination of that matter now before them : and after such examination perfected , they transmit the informations , and report their observations thereupon , to this house . math. johnson , cler. parliamentor . 't was surprizing to me when i heard the commissioners of accounts had represented , that the complaint was still depending before them , and not perfected : when ( as i have before related ) it had from time to time lain so long dormant in their office , both before and after examination ; which was all gone through long before in the manner aforementioned , except the first three articles , which their honours totally rejected ; saying , them articles did not lie before their board , they being only concern'd for the king's revenue . the getting it thus recommitted towards the end of a session of parliament , procur'd about eight months further delay , to the great encouragement of those accus'd , who well know that old crimes are seldom punish'd . however ; i hop'd for the best ; and mr. crosfield and i , soon after this order , waited upon one of the commissioners of accounts , at his house , praying him to speed the examination , that a report might be made to the house of peers before the breaking up of the parliament ; desiring him also to think of mr. sharrack's deposition , &c. that was past . to which he answered , ( speaking to me ) say you nothing , but keep your tongue within your teeth ; there 's a great difference now ; we have an order of the house of lords ; we know where the shooe pinches better than you ; don't trouble your self ; for we 'll lay our fingers upon the right place , &c. thus i went away with great satisfaction , thinking all things went well ; and having on the d of march waited on the commissioners of accounts , we received their order to atend them the th following , with the commissioners for sick and wounded ; but nothing material was done that day , or the th , till the d of april . april d had another hearing , when the commissioners for sick and wounded had brought their answer in writing to the first article , about the correspondence ; which i pray'd to hear read ; but the commissioners of accounts would not grant it . i also pray'd to have the letter of mr. william churchil and mr. samuel alston , produc'd and read , which is mention'd in the first article of the admiralty's report ; and which i offer'd , as an evidence of the correspondence ; but i receiv'd answer , that it could not be found . then the commissioners of accounts receiv'd an accusation against me from mr. william churchil , who affirm'd , that i had carried an (a) information to my lord nottingham's office , by which robert masters ( mentioned in the d article of the admiralty's report ) was turn'd out ; and produc'd a letter under my hand , as a testimony thereof ; which being read , the commissioners of accounts examin'd me upon it . i answered . that the crime was not great , if true : but if their honours would receive accusations against me that was forreign to the matter before them , i pray'd that mr. churchil might make oath to the truth of his accusation ( it being the custom of their board to receive nothing but upon oath ) , but it was not granted me : yet the next day a discourse of this matter arising , the commissioners administred an oath to me to swear a negative , wherein the affirmative was not sworn , and all about a matter that whoever did it , ought certainly to be commended , and not condemned . but now they came closer upon me , for they made an offer at my life by an accusation , wherein mr. addison pretended to make out , that i was the criminal , and had held the criminal correspondence with dulivier , and produced a paper , which the commissioners of accounts took and read , obliging me to answer for my self . i told their honours , i conceiv'd it was not legal to suffer the commissioners for sick and wounded , to interfere with such pretended accusations against me , before they had answer'd to what was exhibited against them , and when they had done that , then i would answer to any thing they had to alleadge against me ; for that proceeding in this method , tended only to stifle the truth , and discourage all such as appear'd for the same . but all i could say , avail'd nothing , though one of the commissioners of accounts said , they ought to receive no such accusations . but another was of a contrary mind , saying , 't was a criminal correspondence , and that they ought to take notice of it . so then the tables were turn'd upon me , and i was oblig'd to clear my self , lest they should minuit against me pro confesso . april . had another hearing , when robert masters charg'd as a criminal in the complaint , and adjudg'd so by the admiralty , as per second article of their lordships report , was admitted a witness upon oath , in his own behalf , relating to the correspondence with dulivier , in which he himself was concern'd . now i shall give an account of a foul piece of fraud , acted in a parcel of rhubarb , and how it was this day sworn off before the commissioners of accounts . it was sworn at the bar of the house of lords by two drug merchants , who were summon'd , that in january , / . they sold to mr. jonathan leigh , apothecary , at publick sale , about one hundred and a half of rhubarb , at * four pounds eleven shillings per hundred ; and that the said rhubarb was damag'd , and none of it good , or fit for medicine . an apothecary also being summon'd , depos'd , that he was mr. leigh's apprentice , at the time the said rhubarb was bought ; and that a considerable quantity of it , by order of the said mr. leigh , was beaten into powder , and deliver'd into the (a) elaboratory in the savoy , for their majesties use . and being ask'd , he also declar'd upon oath , that his conscience would not give him leave to dispense such rhubarb into medicine : that the said rhubarb cost but after the rate of about nine pence three farthings per pound ; and that good rhubarb , fit for apothecaries use , was at that time worth at least , three or four and twenty shillings per pound (b) . this is the substance of what was sworn at the bar of the house of lords , which was transmitted in writing , sign'd by each person , to the commissioners of accounts , pursuant to their lordships order of reference ; and this day , viz. the third of april , the apothecary and drug-merchants , being summon'd to attend the commissioners of accounts , and being sent for up , the four apothecaries were also call'd up ; and after the former had again declar'd upon oath , according to what has been before related , then the commissioners of accounts admitted the four apothecaries upon oath , to swear a negative in their own behalf ; neither were they examin'd separate , but all suffer'd to be in the room at a time , and when one was upon his oath , the others stood by , and did sometimes direct and help his memory , as they saw occasion . thus they swore off the matter , only one of them made a small trip , which was this . one of the apothecaries ( among other things ) upon his oath declar'd , that not one grain of the rhubarb sent in powder to the savoy , went for the use of the sick and wounded seamen . then i pray'd liberty to ask him some questions , which were these . sir , if that damag'd rhubarb sent into the savoy was not employ'd for the use of the sick and wounded seamen , where then did it go ? was it dispers'd among the army ? but here i was interrupted , and told , i had nothing to do with the army : 't was sufficient he had sworn , that none of it went to the use of the sick and wounded seamen . then i proceeded to ask him , sir , upon your oath , do you keep the medicines for the army , and sick and wounded seamen together ? or , do you distinguish which is for the army , and which for the sick and wounded ? he answer'd no ; there 's no need of it , we keep them all together . then i demanded : sir , upon your oath , are you constantly at the elaboratory in the savoy , when the invoices of medicines sent from the sick and wounded office , are made up to be sent to the sea-ports ? or , who is it that attends that service ? he answer'd , 't is mr. anderson's business to look after that , for i am never there . then , reply'd i , how can you so positively swear , that not one grain of this rhubarb went for the use of the sick and wounded seamen , when the medicines are kept together without distinction , and you are never there at the making up of the invoices ? thus the dark miscarriage of the rhubarb was sworn off by the criminals themselves , and look'd upon as a slight and trivial matter . this part being over , i mov'd to have produc'd the information of one ben. cooke , and about other masters of ships ; and also a letter of mounsieur delagny's , which were both inserted in the list of witnesses given in by me the th . of march , but i could not obtain the same . i mov'd also , that the minuits of the admiralty might be produc'd , concerning what nich. sharrack swore against ben. berry's complaint , which i had pray'd might be sent for in the list of witnesses , of the th . of march , but could not obtain it , though it was to shew the falsity of (a) mr. sharrack's deposition afore-mentioned . saturday , april th had another hearing , and mr. richard gibson attending according to order , to be a witness about the proposal of capt. white , the commissioners of accounts receiv'd an information upon oath , against him and me ( which was forreign to the matter before them ) by three clamorous women , brought up on purpose from deptford . neither were they examined separate , but called up all together , and being upon oath , one was suffered to tell her story , and the rest only ask'd , if what she said was true ? and mr. gibson going to justifie himself , the commissioners were not willing to hear him : to which one of the commissioners of accounts said , that since they had suffered dirt to be thrown in his face , they ought in honour to give him liberty to wipe it off again : so at last the board was prevail'd with to consent to hear mr. gibson's defence the thursday following (a) . april th , thursday , had another hearing , when the commissioners for sick and wounded brought one of their clerks , their messenger , and their door-keeper , to be witnesses for them . i mov'd that they might be ask'd , whether any one had offer'd to tamper with them ? which was refus'd . i mov'd , that mr. gibson , or my self , might be permitted to ask the commissioners for sick and wounded some questions , in order to clear mr. gibson of the information so unjustly charg'd upon him ; but it was refus'd . thus mr. gibson being summon'd as an evidence for the king , met with very scurvy treatment ; against which the same commissioner of accounts , last spoken of , did several times object , declaring they ought not to have received any such information . then i mov'd , that that part of the complaint might be examin'd which sets forth , that the commissioners for sick and wounded , keep their accounts in a clandestine manner , contrary to the practice of the navy , whereby they give themselves opportunity to cheat the * king — receiv'd answer from the chairman , that they nor i had nothing to do , how the commissioners for sick and wounded keep their accounts . and thus i have done with the last examination before the commissioners of accounts . but here it may not be improper to observe , that sir samuel bernadiston left the commissioners of accounts , and sir peter colliton died before this complaint came under examination : neither do i remember that the honourable paul foley was at any of the aforementioned debates , the greatest part of which happen'd in the sitting of the parliament . and this treatment being added to all the hard usage i had before undergone , and seeing my enemies multiply upon me , i was very desirous that a final end might be put to this tedious business , and that the commissioners of accounts might represent me to the house of lords either for a knave or an honest man , as they in their consciences thought i deserv'd ; and to move their honours thereto , i wrote them the following letter . honoured gentlemen , hoping you will suddenly give in a report to the house of lords concerning my complaint against the commissioners for sick and wounded , pursuant to their lordships order of reference , of the th of march last ; but before the said report be given in , i shall humbly beg leave to offer to your consideration the following particulars : . that i laid down my employment to bring this complaint , out of a love to justice , and zeal for the king's service ( tho directly contrary to my own private interest at that time : ) and tho there has been a report made to the king by the lords of the admiralty , and also a report by the lords of the council to the late queen , of blessed memory ; both which reports do ( i conceive ) set forth , that the matter of fact in my complaint , is true ; all which are publick evidences , that what i did , was the duty of a good subject : yet , notwithstanding , my adversaries have been supported , and i , as though i were a criminal , have been to this day , not only kept out of employment , but also left openly exposed , as a sacrifice , to the malice of the numerous train of the corrupt and difaffected party , to the hazard of my life , and damage some hundreds of pounds ; so that my case is become a publick example to deter and affright all faithful subjects from ever daring to do their duty , in discovering any crimes against the king or kingdom for the future ; and of what evil consequence such publick proceedings may be , to the discouraginging vertue and fidelity , and supporting , und establishing vice and treachery , i shall humbly leave your honours to judge ; because your power , wisdom , and duty , to promote the honour and interest of your king and country , is so far superiour to mine . ly . that the complaint exhibited by me against the commissioners for sick and wounded , does , i conceive , contain matters of great consequence to the publick good , which complaint must of necessity be either true or false ; and consequently i do deserve either to be incourag'd , or severely punish'd . therefore my humble request to your honours is , that you will insert your opinions of me in your report to the house of lords ; and if you believe my complaint is true , and that i had a design to promote the interest of my king and country therein , that then you will recommend me to their lordships for incouragement . but because i will be wholly impartial to my self , i also pray , that if your honours can find any just grounds to believe that my complaint is false , that then you will not spare me , but in justice to the commissioners accus'd , represent me in your report , as an impostor , that deserves corporal punishment , in such manner , as to the wisdom of your board , shall seem agreeable to the rules of justice . for , i humbly suppose , any man that brings a false and malicious complaint , ought to be severely punish'd for the same , otherwise no gentleman is safe in his reputation , or in any office , or grant he shall receive from the crown . and now , honoured gentleman , i most humbly pray you to speed your report , and to consider of , and answer , these my just requests ; in doing which , i assure my self , that you will throughly consult the merits of the cause , for the good of your country , according to the rules of down-right justice ( without regard to persons or factions ) so as not to spill innocent blood on either side . for , i conceive , it is morally impossible , that the commissioners accus'd , and i their accuser , can all be honest men. i am your honours most humble and obedient servant , samuel bastno . london , april . . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e (a) or agreement between the two courts for a general exchange of prisoners . (b) a french popish merchant , that formerly liv'd in london , but fled to france at the revolution , there being warrants out against him . (a) also a popish merchant , who being obnoxious to the government , was then newly banish'd by order of the queen and council ; but had a part in all the transport vessels . * from the teeth outwards . (a) note , when any miscarriage happen'd to be committed in the transport ships , mr. churchill us'd to pretend to be owner , that by a pretended check from the commissioners , he might remove all clamour from them , for corresponding with dulivier ; and at other times i have heard him say , he had not a stick in any of the ships , but was paid for soliciting . * doubtless to be burn'd . (a) what mr. churchill denies here , he confess'd at the admiralty ; and to extenuate the crime , pretended he sent mr. masters to france upon secret service , which was known to mr. secretary trenchard : but when the examination came before the council , secretary trenchard stood up , and declar'd to this effect , that he did not know mr. masters , nor of his going ; but found his name had been made use of very unhandsomly and scandalously (a) the same mr. masters , before spoken of ; and these words of mr. elder 's , confirm the truth of what their secretary spoke , that some of the commissioners know of masters's going as well as he . (a) which was a very ill manner , being private exchanges of man for man , and quality for quality , which prov'd very tedious and prejudicial to the poor captives ; when at the same time the dutch had an agreement for setting open the prison-doors on both sides ; and so preserv'd the lives of their men by their speedy releasement ; whereas many english prisoners , by their long imprisonment , and barbarous usage , perish'd , and others went into the french service . * vvhich is about s. in the pound . * clerk to mr george dickinson , the commissioner's agent at plymouth . (a) who was not a prisoner at war to be exchang'd , but a pyrate to be try'd for his life . (b) this information was sent to the commissioners , about the th or th of july , . attested under the hands of one ben. cooke , and about other masters of ships , who had been prisoners in france , and then newly , return'd from st. malo to plymouth , setting forth , that several irish prisoners , &c. escaped from plymouth , in the transport ships , under the notion of french prisoners at war , by bribing nicho. sharrack , and the goaler , and that they had spoke with several irish captains at st. malo , whose names they mention , who assur'd them , that they escaped out of plymouth prison by bribery , and that any one who had mony , might with ease do the like . these masters in their information also affirm , that before the transport ship , ( that brought them over to plymouth ) arriv'd at st. malo , they were well used , and had liberty to walk the town upon bayl ; but the french prisoners . who came over in that transport ship , complaining to the governour how barbarously they were us'd at plymouth ; that they had half their allowance kept from them , and were frequently beaten by vvannell the goaler , and several of their heads were broke by him , which they shew'd the governour ; this with other complaints , ●o incens'd him , that he forthwith confined all the english prisoners to close prison , useing them with much barbarity . there are other things worthy of note , contain'd in this information , for which reason ( after this report ) i often mov'd at several hearings to have it produc'd , but could never obtain the same . (a) and this article about swearing was , to my knowledg , in mr. dickinsons instructions , tho the commissioners always dispenc'd with the performance thereof : (b) if this article was not fully prov'd before the admiralty ; yet it may easily be made appear , not only by the commissioners keeping their books , but their shameful partiality in passing and paying mr. dickinsons accounts of plymouth , without being sworn to , to the great wrong of king and subject ; and i remember when i left the office i saw a quarters account of mr. dickinsons , for a great sum of mony , then about two years old , endors'd upon the back by mr. garrard the commissioners secretary , in these words , this account is yet to be examined , when it had been posted in the leidger , and paid long before . and in like manner , while i was in the office , all accounts that came , were posted in the leidger by mr. garrard before examination , and afterwards , as he thought fit , he gave them out to be examin'd with constant instructions not to alter the total , but to return the objections in writing to him ; but whether he made the just abatements , is best known to his own conscience ; it appears by mr. dickinson's accounts , he did not : also in the th article of this report 't is prov'd , that mr. garrard having the disposal of the king's mony , passes his own accounts , without any other check ; all which i think are demonstrations of keeping their accounts in a clandestine manner , so as to give themselves opportunity to cheat the king. (a) at deptford the king paid d. a day for each man's quarters , and s. d. for his cure ; whereas the whole charge to the king , of the london hospitals , is but d. a day , and the men better taken care of ; by which it appears . that in every l. the king paid at deptford , his majesty-paid above l. thereof in his own wrong . * to purchase delays . (a) the king's surgeon at plymouth , that took care of the sick and wounded seamen , &c. and was an eye-witness to all the miscarriages of mr. dickinson . (a) late clerk to mr. dikinson at plymouth , and now in the same employment under the new agent . * a copy of which i delivered at the board . (a) having from my unwillingness good grounds to believe i was not able to contradict him . * for sick and wounded . (a) the seat of war being most to the westward , caus'd great numbers of french prisoners to be brought into plymouth more than other ports , whose barbarous usage was from time to time represented to the commissioners , not only by the poor prisoners themselves , but also by monsieur delagnii , intendant general of the marine at paris , in several letters , setting forth the inhumane usage the french prisoners had from mr. dickinson and his servants , in defrauding them of their allowance , &c. by reason whereof many of them died , with repeated threats to use the english prisoners with the like cruelty , if it was not redress'd ; which never being done by the commissioners , but rather encouraged , was certainly the true cause of all the misery that the english prisoners suffered in france , in which hundreds perished : and these letters of monsieur delagnii's , i mov'd several times to have produc'd , but could never obtain the same . (a) tho mr. sharrack was to be discharg'd any further attendance that night ; and it would not have taken up above a quarter of an hour to have sent for the book , being no further than from york-buildings to scotland-yard . * one of the commissioners for sick and wounded (a) a very unchristian act to encourage mr. sharrack to proceed upon his oath , when what he had sworn be fore sinel● so strong of perjury . (a) these proceedings were so notorious , that nicholas sharrack was generally known in the fleet to be the man that cheated the seamen of their allowance in plymouth hospital ; and when he was in london , has confessed he durst not go to the navy-office by day-light for fear of being beaten , or kill'd by the seamen : and i have seen a letter to the commissioners , under his own hand , wherein he gives them an account of a mutiny at plymouth by the seamen , and how they threatned to burn the hospital ; and that they assaulted his house , threatning to kill him ; so that he was forc'd to withdraw into the countrey ; and all because of these cheats , which were never redress'd by the commissioners , but his master dickinson and he still protected by them . (a) he being the tool to do all the executive part of these cheats , durst not then appear face to face with mr. leckie , but mr. dickenson was thought fitter to come up , that whatever crimes were prov'd , he might pretend ignorance , and shift them off to his clerk. but so soon as mr. leckie was gone to sea , up comes sharrack , and couragiously swears a direct negative to all that mr. leckie had sworn believing none was able to contradict him . (a) note , mr. holder had then made a proposal , in writing , to the commissioners , for thirty shillings a head ; therefore the sharers therein , had reason to be angry with capt. vvhite , for proposing to do the same thing for eight . i have mr. holder's original proposal of s. ready to produce . * partner with mr. peter dulivier . * untruth , for eight shillings a head is fairer than twenty . * one of the commissioners for sick and wounded . (a) the old accusation spoken of in page . reviv'd . * which is about nine pence farthings per pound . (a) mr. leigh , and three apothecaries more , are appointed to prepare the medicines for the army , and sick and wounded seamen ; and they keep their elaboratory in the savoy , london ; from whence all such medicines issue . (b) concerning this rhubarb , it was the opinion of the president , and several of the colledge of physicians ( whom i waited upon about this matter ) , that whoever took it for any distemper where rhubarb was the proper medicine , must needs die for want thereof , it having no more vertue than so much powder of rotten post . neither is this the only miscarriage of this nature that has come to light . and if such gross errors as these could pass the inspection of all those physicians , apothecaries , &c. that the commissioners for sick and wounded pretend do constantly view all their medicines , then god and the consciences of those concern'd , only knows what other bad medicines have been issued in like manner , for the lucre of gain , and how many poor men have perish'd thereby . (a) vid. the last part of his deposition . (a) the whole business which occasion'd all this dispute , was an accusation for receiving two shillings ( a fee allowed by the commissioners ) about the latter end of the year . when mr. gibson was their secretary ; which now they were not only so shameless to deny the allowing , but also to bring up these women to arraign mr. gibson for receiving it ; and one of the commissioners of accounts was so very eager as to give it the term of levying money upon the subject ; which shews how ready some persons are to lay hold on all little opportunities to defame and blacken the reputations of those that endeavour to detect publick frauds . * vide the note to the th article of the admiralties report . extraordinary newes from colonell iohn barkeer [sic] governour of coventry, to a merchant of london shewing how sir vvilliam brereton hath raised the siege from namptwich in cheshire. barker, john, th cent. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing b thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) extraordinary newes from colonell iohn barkeer [sic] governour of coventry, to a merchant of london shewing how sir vvilliam brereton hath raised the siege from namptwich in cheshire. barker, john, th cent. sheet ([ ] p.) printed by e.g. for john rothwell, london : . [i.e. ] the same item as wing ( nd ed.) e . annotation on thomason copy: "feb. st". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng brereton, william, -- sir, - -- early works to . prisoners of war -- england -- early works to . great britain -- history -- civil war, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no extraordinary newes from colonell iohn barkeer [sic] governour of coventry, to a merchant of london. shewing how sir vvilliam brereton hath barker, john a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - john pas sampled and proofread - john pas text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion extraordinary newes from colonell iohn barkeer governour of coventry , to a merchant of london . shewing how sir william brereton hath raised the siege from namptwich in cheshire . sir , i have sent you the good news which we have in our parts . the messenger being in haste i could not write any larger to you . iohn barker . ianuar. . . prisoners taken at the raising of the siege from namptwich , janu. . sergeant-major-generall gibson . sir michael earnly , col : sir richard fleetwood . col. colonell monks . colonell warren . sir francis butler , lieutenant-colonell . lieutenant-colonell gibs . major hamond . captains . atkins . liddington tinch . disney . fisher . cooke ward deane incas ledcote deetes shotterwood bawbridge willis lieutenants . long norton rowe pawlett goodwin kinerstone dulaton pate morgell strange shipworth ancars billingley custelion milliner bradshaw lionnes golden smith ensignes . browne brewreton batch ihnes wright dampell southwood addise smith vahan reise doreworth musgrave pennycocks dunstermile elliard itlack phillips hewde thomas morgan lewes goodfellow busbey terringham withers . ordnance peeces carriages women with long knives common souldiers gentlemen of companies serjeants drummes corporals priests horse printed according to order . london printed by e. g. for john rothwell . . a salva libertate sent to colonell tichburn lieutenant of the tower, on munday, april . . by sir iohn gayer knight, late lord mayor of london, now prisoner in the tower, &c. being occasioned by the receipt of a paper sent unto him by the said lieutenant, wherein the said lieutenant was seemingly anthorized [sic] to carry him before the lords on wednesday next, being the . of april. gayer, john, sir, d. . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing g thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) a salva libertate sent to colonell tichburn lieutenant of the tower, on munday, april . . by sir iohn gayer knight, late lord mayor of london, now prisoner in the tower, &c. being occasioned by the receipt of a paper sent unto him by the said lieutenant, wherein the said lieutenant was seemingly anthorized [sic] to carry him before the lords on wednesday next, being the . of april. gayer, john, sir, d. . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. includes at end of text: the publisher to the reader. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng detention of persons -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . great britain -- history -- civil war, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no a salva libertate sent to colonell tichburn lieutenant of the tower, on munday, april . . by sir iohn gayer knight, late lord mayor of gayer, john, sir a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a salva libertate sent to colonell tichburn lieutenant of the tower , on munday , april . . by sir iohn gayer knight , late lord mayor of london , now prisoner in the tower , &c. being occasioned by the receipt of a paper sent unto him by the said lieutenant , wherein the said lieutenant was seemingly anthorized to carry him before the lords on wednesday next , being the . of april . to his honored friend colonel tichburn lieutenant of the tower . sir , i received a paper from you , seeming to authorize you to carry my person before the lords , to answer to a charge : i am constrained to inform you hereby , that my person ought not to be hurried to and fro , or disturbed , at the pleasure of any man , neither can i yeeld obedience to the commands of any , which are not legal ; and therefore in case you intend to disturb me on wednesday next , i expect to see a legal warrant from some person or court , which have a jurisdiction over me in case of a real or supposed crime : and i must acquaint you , that the lords have no legal power to summon me to answer to any crime whereof i am accused or suspected ; and therefore you must expect to answer for whatsoever injury you offer to my person , and know hereby , that i shall not voluntarily go from hence to vvestminster by vertue of the paper received , but shall suffer you to carry me , if you shall send force which i cannot resist . from my chamber in the tower of london , the . of april , . your friend and servant , john gayer . the publisher to the reader . friend , i desire thee to consider that this gentleman is now entring the lists , to combate for thy native liberties , and if he suffer in this encounter , not only he , but thou , and every individual englishman , especially the citizens of london , are , and shall be , by the same rule , destroyed , ( contrary to law ) , by the arbitrary decrees of ambitious men in power ; for if the law cannot protect one , it cannot protect another ; and if you suffer the law to be destroyed , lust will become a lawgiver ; and the dictates of the depraved wills of men in power shall be forced as a rule for you to observe , and then you will neither know certainty , nor safety : sir john claims nothing but a legal tryal , by a jury of his equals in the ordinary courts of justice , which ( being a commoner ) he may justly challenge ( by vertue of the great charter , and thirty five other statutes ) as his birth-right ; but contrary to law or equity the lords do assume to themselves a power over him a commoner , and do intend to try him in a criminal case in their house with their doors shut , where he shall neither have judge or jury , but themselves , and they are both accusers and judges ; and in order thereunto have commanded the lieutenant of the tower to carry him before them on wednesday , being the nineteenth of april instant : therefore if thou hast any love to freedom , and wouldst not , by thy silence , become accessary to the destruction of that law , which will , if defended and preserved , protect thee , on the like occasion , from the malice of ambitious men , find out some speedy way , not only to encourage this gentleman by thy appearance for him in this his worthy undertaking , but also by testifying thy dislike of such proceedings , as tending to the utter subversion of all law , and destruction of the liberty and property of every individual englishman . the prisonsers observation by way of complaint. mussell, francis. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing m thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) the prisonsers observation by way of complaint. mussell, francis. sheet ([ ] p.) : ill. printed, [london] : feb. . . signed at foot: by francis mussell. place of publication from wing. in verse -- "stay gentle passenger and take a view,". annotation on thomason copy: " "; the ' ' in the imprint has been crossed out. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- great britain -- poetry -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no the prisonsers observation by way of complaint. mussell, francis a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the prisoners observation by way of complaint . stay gentle passenger and take a view , perhaps of passages you never knew : hoh , looke about you , and pray please to heare , see something like a prison very neere . what say you so ? now i will looke agen , what makes thus peeping all these honest men ? pray , what 's the matter that you here are staid , in these sad times ; for debts , will they be paid with being so restrain'd ? no , for this way , will bring men , wives , and children to decay : kinde friend be not displeas'd , 't is for no ill i speak , reade this , and then doe what you will . are not those men compos'd of cruelty , that crow'd us debtors up in misery ; starving us quite , as much as in them lies , not minding either wife or childrens cries , our times , our money , persons , and estates , wasted unmanly , coopt in iron grates ; our liberty infring'd our trades decay , we lockt in prison yet they still crie pay , a thing so farre beyond mans reach or care , as is to build a castle in the ayre , and to performe it , pris'ners are so farre disabled , as from heaven to pull a starre , can men make this religion thus to doe , which guides them as they would be done unto ? no such beleife have i , for doubtlesse then , their actions would expresse them milder men . but by firce mallice , mischeifes cursed broode , which hath dependance on the devill shoode , so farre transports them , that the evill brought , against some others , their owne losse hath wrought , for such as some mens fortunes have withstood , oft in conclusion doe themselves no good , and that such men are crost it is no wonder , which strive to rend mens livelihoods assunder , but walke they ne're so close , the supreame power , can bring to light their hatred everie houre , and so unmaske them , that at distance farre , men may discrie grym gripe the vserer . harke how the beagle barkes at those that hayle , this helplesse sonne of adam to the iayle , vnmonefi'd and freindlesse stuft with greife , not knowing when or where to have releife , his cloke , his hatt , and band , are drove astray , and all his wit at once another way , his wife and children now must seeke their bread , and everie one whereon to rest his head , caus'd by hard-hearted men , nay , monsters which , forsake all goodnesse to be worldly rich , the officer stands fitted at the doore , to shop him where he never was before , thus being hous'd his adversarie then , may in one quarter wish him forth agen , for why ? his money spends his house lies wast , and now to pay , no meanes , no time , no hast , if this can raise a force , or force a way , to strengthen debters their iust debts to pay , i 'le leave it to the creditors to thinke , whose coine must passe for lodging meat and drinke , empting our purses fills our hearts with paines , ruines our stocks , and brings the prison gaines , all debts unsatisfied , men made so poore , they cannot pay a part , though all before ; marke what imprisonment doth still produce , some greatly pine with greife , some are profuse , for sparkie spirits spend at first most brave , no thought of any future want they have , some doe revive from dulnesse , and say , le ts , be merrie , sorrow never paid mens debts : thus are whole families brought low and poore , being curb'd within a noisome prison doore , which have liv'd bravely , and might doe so still , might not hard-hearted men have all their will , of force the creditor must greatly leese , for ned and dick and will must have their fees , then all is spent the poore man made a slave , guarded with troopes of vermine to his grave , now may his foes whose hearts are hard as stones , for debts receive some dice and all his bones . which if such men as are restrain'd for debt , had but large time and daies of paiment set , their freinds , their means , and all they muster could , to gaine their freedome thus eclipst they would , and might obtaine it too , and in effect , give brave content , as creditors expect , and might with valour truly serve the state , in these sad daies our rights to propagate , not fearing might set forth by fleshly aide , but serving god , why should we be afraide , who will protect his people that indeed , seeke him for succour in a day of need , whose promises are iust , and will indure , in spite of opposition firme and sure , why should we then despaire though here kept in , as men quite dead , in trespasses and sin ; i tell you faint not , for god hath in store , for those that love him , mercie evermore , by francis mussell . finis . printed feb. . . to a gentleman, a member of the honourable house of commons assembled in parliament. l'estrange, roger, sir, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) to a gentleman, a member of the honourable house of commons assembled in parliament. l'estrange, roger, sir, - . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] signed and dated at end of letter: newgate july . . sir, your servant roger l'estrange. includes [after letter]: to the honourable the commons assembled in parliament. the petition of roger l'estrange, prisoner in newgate. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- great britain -- early works to . great britain -- politics and government -- - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to a gentleman, a member of the honourable house of commons assembled in parliament. l'estrange, roger, sir a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to a gentleman , a member of the honourable house of commons assembled in parliament . sir , your birth speakes you capable of honour , and reason ; your profession , of pietie and religion ; your imployment , and interest , they furnish you with occasion , and power of exercising those offices : which your qualitie , and protestations oblige you to . my misfortune wants such a friend , and necessitates me thus to seeke him : having attempted all other modest , and ordinary wayes in vaine . if you be that gallant man , be pleased to know , that i have suffered above twenty months imprisonment ; with what effect , either in order to my subsistence or health , i forbeare ; for sir , i intend only a sober representation of my condition , and desires : no libell , or satyre , as for my condition , it is such , as will speedily , and certainly destroy me , i hope better things ; but if i be destinate to ruine , me thinkes i might perish by some way more worthy of a gentleman . then to languish and expire among whores and theeves . as for my desires , my petition speakes them : and i would not be much impertinent . my request ( sir ) to you , is only that you will present this postscript-petition to the house , and but so far to favour it : as you feele your selfe in honour and humanitie concerned . if any man can object , and prove it , that i have ever abused any liberty , or civility i have received ; or that i have in the least scruple receded , from what i beleeved just and honest , let me dye for it . if not , i hope my sufferings may have expiated for my diversitie of opinion . i doe presage , this paper will heare much of vanity and ostentation . in truth i doe not like any thing of singularity ; but being reduced to this choice , either to rot in a goale , or thus to importune my liberty , having none other way left me ; this necessity ( i hope ) will justifie and excuse the course i have now taken . it is possible , a providence may conveigh this trifle into some kinder hand then i am yet acquainted with . if not , facilis jactura , it is but an essay lost ; if otherwise , this letter is yours . so am i ; both by obligation , and purchase : if you be that kind soule , who will make me , mine owne . newgate july . . sir , your servant roger l'estrange . to the honourable the commons assembled in parliament . the petition of roger l'estrange , prisoner in newgate humbly sheweth , that your petitioner hath suffered a long , chargeable , and harsh confinement ; wherby he is exposed to a certaine , and swift destruction , either by want , sicknesse , or both : without a seasonable redresse . wherefore he makes it his humble suite to this honourable house , that he may either upon his parole , or security , enjoy such liberty : as your honours shall judge proper , and necessary for his preservation , your petitioner standing engaged , not to act , or advise any thing of preiudice , to the parliament . and your petitioner shall ever pray , &c. to the supreme authority of england, assembled in parliament. the humble petition of phillip chetwind, prisoner in newgate. chetwind, philip. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) to the supreme authority of england, assembled in parliament. the humble petition of phillip chetwind, prisoner in newgate. chetwind, philip. england and wales. parliament. sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: " th march ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- england -- early works to . great britain -- history -- commonwealth and protectorate, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to the supreme authority of england, assembled in parliament. the humble petition of phillip chetwind, prisoner in newgate. chetwind, philip. d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to the supreme authority of england , assembled in parliament . the humble petition of phillip chetwind , prisoner in newgate . sheweth , that your petitioner being the . of decemb. last committed prisoner to newgate , by the right honourable the lord mayor and court of aldermen , became an humble suiter by three severall addresses to that honourable court for inlargement ; who expressed a willing readinesse to grant your petitioners desire , but by reason of the votes of this honourable house , professe it was not in their power : in confidence of your honours justice and mercie , your petitioner is emboldened to become an humble su●ter unto this honourable house , and doth pray , that your petitioner may be enlarged upon bayle , to appeare whensoever this honourable house shall call for him : and your petitioner shall pray . to the parlament of the common-wealth of england, scotland and ireland. the humble petition of edward dendy. dendy, edward. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing d thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) to the parlament of the common-wealth of england, scotland and ireland. the humble petition of edward dendy. dendy, edward. sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "decemb: ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- england -- early works to . prisons -- england -- overcrowding -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to the parlament of the common-wealth of england, scotland and ireland. the humble petition of edward dendy. dendy, edward. a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to the parlament of the common-wealth of england , scotland and ireland . the humble petition of edward dendy . sheweth , that upon saturday the . of july . the parlament then sitting they were pleased to order , that your honours petitioner should immediately take care of the prison and prisoners of the upper bench , and have the like charge of , and power over the prisoners and officers there , as the marshal of the said upper bench at any time had or ought to have had . that in obedience to the said order of parlament , your honours petitioner accordingly repaired thither , and the day following , being munday , gave the parlament an account of the condition of the said prison , and particularly of the place called the rules of the upper bench prison , where ( for want of room in the prison houses ) prisoners are lodged , and where your petitioner found that nothing was of force to keep the prisoners there lodged within their bounds , but the securities which they usually gave to the marshall of the said prison ; which securities being refused ro be delivered to your petitioner , your honours petitioner thereupon declared to the parlament , that he had no more power over the prisoners lying in the rules , than he had of the birds in the air ; and therefore besought the parlament , that he might not stand charged with that trust , which your petitioner never sought , and being imposed upon him , was not able to give an accompt of . that the parlament thereupon ( being munday the first of august ) ordered , that the prisoners of the upper bench should continue in the same places as formerly till further order ; by which order your petitioner supposed himself indempnifyed . nevertheless , since the dissolution of the late parlament , your petitioner hath been sued from all points of the compass for the escape of prisoners lying in the rules , though your honours petitioner was not able to secure them for the reason aforesaid ; neither could your petitioner receive so much as a list of the said prisoners names , till about a moneth after your petitioner had been there . that your petitioner for the better looking to the prisoners in the prison houses did ( as impowred by the parlament ) make choice of several servants to the number of twenty ( being fewer than the marshall usually imployed ) who continually attended , often watching whole nights ; and with much faithfulness and diligence discharged the said trust for about the space of eight moneths , during which time these poor men received not one penny of salary , because your petitioner received not the benefit of chamber rents ( the chief profits of the place ) which the prisoners refused to pay till further order of the house , nor any other way so much as your petitioner expended in that service ; although according to the known maxim , qui sentit onus , sentire debet commodum . wherefore your honours petitioner with all humble earnestness prays , that your honors will be pleased to put on bowels of speedy compassion for the relief of your petitioners poor servants , who , maintaining themselves at their own charge for so long time together , in the service of the parlament , have thereby reduced themselves and families to so great need and misery , as your petitioner wants words to express the sadness of their condition . lastly , in as much as your honours petitioner never sought the said place ; and yet hath undergon great charge and trouble in obeying the parlament : your petitioner most humbly prayes , that according to your honours justice he may be relieved from all further troubles , arrests , and suits at law , for the escape of prisoners , which , as your petitioner hath humbly declared , was impossible for him to secure ; and to this end your petitioner humbly prays that your honours will be pleased to grant your petitioner an act of indempnity , and that your honours will permit your petitioner , with the advice of his council to draw the said act ; which your petitioner humbly submits to your honours consideration . and your petitioner ( as in duty bound ) shall pray . edward dendy . a third address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall being the humble petition of lieutenant-colonell john lilburne prisoner in newgate. lilburne, john, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) a third address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall being the humble petition of lieutenant-colonell john lilburne prisoner in newgate. lilburne, john, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) printed by tho. newcomb dwelling in thamestreet over against baynards castle, london : [ ] dated at end: newgate, this present monday, being june the . . date of publication from wing. reproduction of the original in the british library. eng lilburne, john, ?- -- imprisonment -- early works to . detention of persons -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- civil rights -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no a third address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell, and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall: lilburne, john a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a third address directed to his excellency the lord generall cromwell , and the right honourable the councell of state sitting at white-hall : being , the humble petition of lieutenant-colonell john lilburne prisoner in newgate . sheweth , that since your petitioner in the confidence of your goodness and righteousness cast his life at your feet , he hath truly shewed by his humble addresses to your honours , that whilst he lived in banishment , his life was no better then a constant dying unto him , besides other straits and extremities ; his life being daily sought for , and exposed to constant and desperate hazards by his enemies . and upon that account , together with the unwearied importunities and tears of his tender wife , he was induced to come into england , being neither in the least invited nor incouraged thereunto by any other but she alone . only he believed it better and more safe for him to cast his life ( notwithstanding any prejudices of spirit whatsoever against him ) upon the mercy and favour of those , who zealously profess the fear of the lord , and faith in the tender mercies of god in christ , and had engaged in the same publike cause with him against tyrannie and oppression ; then to be at the mercy of his false , cruel , and bloody enemies beyond the seas , who have no such bonds upon their spirits . yet to his grief , he finds no effect of his former addresses but his imprisonment , in the most dishonorable goal ; and as he is informed , an order for his speedy trial upon the act for his banishment ; without any the least notice taken of what he hath humbly offered to your honours in his said former addresses , concerning the illegality of the said act and all the proceedings thereupon . that upon a most serious search into his own actions , and the very intentions of his heart , your petitioner cannot find the least cause why he should be rendred a person so abominable , that he is unfit to live or breath in this commonwealth ; only he feares that his intentions in comming hither in this juncture of time may be misrepresented to your honours . whereas he doth seriously and really profess as in the sight of the lord ( that searcheth all hearts ) that he hath herein truely and in the integrity of his soul , without deceit or guile in the least , clearly declared the occasion of his coming ; and that he had no designe , end , or intention , but meerly to crave the protection of the present power in all humility , and a peaceable and quiet submission to their government , and to endeavour in all peaceable ways , that the justice of the sentence passed against him might be legally and judicially examined , and the judgement revoked , that he might quietly live a private life , and enjoy the fellowship of his christian friends , and the society of his dearest wife , and tender babes : and unto this kind of life he is ready most solemnly to bind and ingage himself , and he believes many of his friends will freely ingage for his truth and integrity of real performance of his promise therein ; and that he shall neither directly nor indirectly disturb , or in the least molest the present power and government . that your petitioner having never in the least been charged nor accused of any capital crime in reference to his banishment , humbly craves your honours seriously to consider , wherein god shall be dishonoured , or the commonwealth damnified , or any honest member thereof prejudiced by his living and breathing in england ; for whose real welfare , and the honest inhabitants thereof , and their true tranquility , he hath for many years together run most real and apparent hazards , and that without eying in the least any mercinary or pecuniary advantagious ends unto himself . and likewise he most humbly intreats you seriously to consider , wherein god shall be glorified , and his people comforted , the commonwealth advantaged , or any capital offenders terrified , by shedding your petitioners innocent bloud , upon the breach of the said act for his banishment . and therefore if god shall so incline your hearts , he humbly prays , that all proceedings against him upon the said act may forthwith be suspended ; and that he may have free liberty to make his humble addresses in a peaceable submissive manner to those that are and shall be intrusted with the supreme authority , for the repealing the said act. and that in the interim he may be freed from his chargeable imprisonment , upon his most solemn engagement and security to live peaceably and quietly with his poor family , in all obedience and submission to the present power and government . newgate , this present monday , being june the . . and he shall pray , &c. john lilburne . london , printed by tho. newcomb dwelling in thamestreet over against baynards castle . the testimony of the everlasting gospel witnessed through sufferings. hubberthorn, richard, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing h thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) the testimony of the everlasting gospel witnessed through sufferings. hubberthorn, richard, - . atkinson, christopher. lancaster, james, d. . tofte, thomas. , [ ] p. s.n., [norwich? : ] caption title. signed on p. : a servant and a witnesse of jesus in the bonds of the gospel of christ, and a prisoner in norwich castle, richard hubberthorn. includes charges by the mayor of norwich, thomas tofte, against james lancaster and christopher atkinson, quakers imprisoned in norwich, and their responses. imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "decemb: ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners' writings, english -- early works to . suffering -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no the testimony of the everlasting gospel witnessed through sufferings.: hubberthorn, richard b the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the b category of texts with fewer than defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the testimony of the everlasting gospel witnessed through sufferings . we the prisoners of the lord who are called and chosen to this work of the ministery of the gospel of ghrist , and to bear testimony to the truth , which freely we have received , and do freely declare ; and do covet no mans gold nor silver , nor meat , nor drink , nor apparell , god is our witnesse , whose honour and glory we seek , and not our own , but do labour in the lords work , being chargeable to no man , but this doth the spirit of god testifie to us dayly , that in them that receive our testimony , and in them that persecute us are we a good savour unto god , both in them that believe , and in them that perish , and that we may finish our testimony and work of the ministry committed unto us , we love not our lives unto death , but are reviled persecuted , and shamefully intreated by this perverse generation , who have no law to act any thing against us by , but their own wils , for the law of god doth witnesse us and our ministery to be of god , and for setting up righteousnesse in the earth our ministery is ; and they who do act against the servants of the living god , do act against god , for the law of god which is perfect , we witnesse to be fulfilled in us , who are come to the ministration of the spirit , and through the law are become dead to the law , and by the spirit we come to know sin , which raigned till the law came which is perfect , which taxes hold upon every transgression ; and christ we witnesse the end of the law , who came to finish transgression , and make an end of sins , and where there is no transgression proved , there can be no law added , and we who suffer here in norwich , there is nothing proved against us that comes under the breach of the law : for as i was moved of the lord , i came to wymondham , and in the meeting house , when the priest had ended , and all the people silent , i spoke the word of the lord to them , in love to their souls , and for the deliverance of the seed of god out of captivity , and for this i was sent to bridwell , and the next day being called before the magistrate , but nothing was proved against me , though he accused me of something which i spoke not , nor none did prove it against me , and he himself confessed that he did not hear me speak that he accused me of , though he himself was in the multitude , and heard as the rest did . then he asked me if i would promise him not to come in the publick meeting house again in the like manner , and i should have my liberty to meet in town , or where i would : i answered , if i was moved of the lord to come thither again , i should come , and when i did transgresse or do any wrong , let him add the law upon me , for there is no law in the nation that doth binde any from coming to the publick meeting house , who come in the same manner as i did , to declare the word of the lord freely to the people , then in his will he made a mittimus , and sent me to prison , and the next day by his own warrant discharged me of all that was laid to my charge in the mittimus , and yet i am kept in prison nothing justly being charged against me , having suffered imprisonment above ten weeks , and since i was committed was called before the magistrates , and the maior , and before the committees who sit as ministers of the law , and nothing they could finde worthy of bonds , nor that i had broken the law , yet did not set me at liberty , but keeps me still in prison , and i being shut up in a hole amongst thieves , and not suffered to have my liberty publickly ; i am moved of the lord to declare it publickly , that all rulers , magistrates and people in the nation may see that in stead of the law , persecution is acted , where three of the servants of the lord is now imprisoned in norwich , one because he would not promise to come in the steeple-house again to declare the word of the lord ; and another is committed by a mittimus , and the substance of that charged against him in it , is , that he said , he came to declare the truth , and another because he declared against him and ungodlinesse openly in the streets : oh , be ashamed all the powers of the earth , who have set your selves against the mighty power of god , who is now coming to discover you , and lay you naked , who by the light of god are seen , and to the children of light are made manifest , though your deceits hath laid hid and covered long , both priests and magistrates : but now are ye discovered by the light , and the life is come to try you , and now you are found to persecute the saints , which you professed your selves to be , till you were proved and tryed by the light , as now you are ; praises eternall be to the lord god for evermore . now these things being acted in the name of the law , and the present government , and lord protector , and rulers and heads of the nation , being ignorant of what tyranny and persecution is acted privately in their names ; therefore i am moved of the lord to declare it publictly , that the heads and rulers of the nation may see and consider whether any such tyranny be protected to be set up in the nation instead of the law of justice ; for the innocent doth cry for equity and justice in their courts and sessions , but in stead thereof tyranny , persecution , and cruelty , so having discharged my duty in clearing my conscience to you before the lord : the sin lyes at your doores , who hath a power put into your hands , if you do not improve it in breaking the bondes of wickednesse , and setting the oppressed free : for the law of justice and equity we own , and have desired to be tryed by , but are denyed it by those called justices of peace : and here to you and all the world we declare the truth , and are not afraid of the faces of men , who would devour us , for we have no mans person in admiration for advantage nor self ends , but in plainnesse and singlenesse of heart declare the truth , respecting no mans person , but do honour all men in the lord , but not with eye service as men pleasers , but in singlenesse of heart do we all things as unto the lord . a servant and a witnesse of jesus in the bonds of the gospel of christ , and a prisoner in norwich castle , richard hubberthorn . norwich , these are to require you to to take into your custody james lancaster herewith sent , who lately came to this city from northseal , in the ●land of walner in lancashire , and can shew no lawfull cause for his coming hither , but onely to declare the truth ( as he cals it ) and did in the publick market place in this city , gather together a great company of rude and idle people , to the disturbance of the peace of this city , and him safe keep untill he shall be delivered from thence according to the law , and hereof fail not : this th of december , to mr edward hunt keeper of the common prison in the said city . thomas tofte maior . ansvver . the cause of my coming i did declare before one of your justices called , and was examined before him ; i told him it was to see a friend in the castle , who was prisoner there , and after i had been there with him was moved to go where their minister of the law , called , was sitting in a house neer the castle , who said little unto me , because it was undenyable that a spoke , who own justice , and reasoned with the people in the same room of the things of god , and so came and was passing out of the city a quarter of a mile , the word of the lord came to me , thou must go back again , and witnesse forth my name in their market among the people , and at his command i was obedient , and went and declared forth that was given me to speak amongst them , which made the people astonished , and many did follow me as you call them , rude , in running to hear the truth declared forth in the market , as the apostle of christ , who reasoned in the markets dayly , and went from city to city , preaching the gospel of the kingdom , and were persecuted from city to city , this is called disturbance now as it was then , and what peace did i break , going on declaring forth the truth , which none could object against that heard it , and by your officers called , as he said , he might know the ground why i spoke so , and shewed him i was commanded of the lord , and being brought by him before one justice called , was examined , and could not find me by his law a transgressor , and bade him carry me to the maior , and he did so , and he did examine me upon the grounds of my faith , and of my outward means , where it was , and what quantity it was , and being not ashamed , declared my self at full to him of both , as it will further appear by an examination before the rulers of this city , and so by the maior , as aforesaid , am here in their bonds and imprisonments doth abide me in obedience to the commands of the same that paul was guided , and so by the same generation of rulers as was in those dayes am i here a sufferer , and to die , if i be called to it , for a testimony of a good conscience , and in the market i cleared my conscience in witnessing forth the truth , christ jesus the light of the world , who hath enlightened every one that comes into the world , and cald people to repentance , and said the mighty day of the lord was coming , let all flesh dread and fear before him , and bade them take heed to the light of christ in them , which shewed sin and evill in them , loving it theere was their teacher ; hating it there was their condemnation ; this was the word of the lord sent by me , which was no peace to earthly hearts and minds , but a sword , as christ saith , and this was disturbance of the peace of the city of norwich called , by the rulers , who now am in their bonds for this declaring , let all judge what peace it is they live in , when the word of the lord disturbs them : but to that of god in all consciences am i sent to speak , which is his own witnesse against transgression in man , and by it man sees his transgression , and acting contrary to that , there is mans condemnation ; but who as loves it , the light of christ in the conscience , their deeds are brought to it to be tryed , that they may be made manifest , and here is the wicked nature disturbed , and judged in the particular , and they are called disturbers , in whom the light of christ doth guide in the generall , and to that which doth disturb the wicked nature do we speak , that sin and unjust dealing may be confounded , and the soul brought from under it , that god alone may be glorified , to whom honour and glory belongs . a servant of the lord to exhort people to the light of christ in them , that they may be turned from their dark wayes they lived in , to serve the living god in spirit and in truth . james lancaster . from norwich the . of the . month . an episte written in the bonds of the gospel , to be published abroad amongst the inhatants of england , rulers , magistrates and people . i a prisoner of the lord jesus christ , doe unto all the world clear my conscience in the presence of the lord , and am free from the bloud of all men , who seek the bloud of the innocent , and by the wickednesse of the deceitful hearts , would insnare the simple , and number them amongst transgressors , who are not found in any transgression , but are set free by the son , and are heirs of the promise , according to the will of god , who hath called me out of the world to testifie against the world , that their deeds are evill ; and for the same am i hailed before the judgement seats , against whom there is no law , for in the law of god , which is according to that in every mans conscience , doe i abide , and am free from all bondages , and lawes without , that are acted in the will of man , and by such a law is the innocent persecuted , and cast into prison , to suffer amongst the transgressors , that the scripture might be fulfilled upon them as christ said , as they have done unto me , so shall they doe unto you , the servant is not greater than the lord , john . , , , . and this we are witnesses of , and are brought to suffer for his name sake , and am not onely willing to suffer , but to die for the testimony of jesus : though all the chief priests and rulers . which are not called by the law of god , as the ministers of god , and of god , were , but doe seek to insnare and bring into bondage that which god hath set at liberty , for it is the same nature that doth imprison the seed within , which doth imprison and persecute the servants of the lord , in whom the seed is raised up without in the saints : and whereas i am sent to the goale of norwich by a mittimus by the hands of the rulers , i am moved of the lord to clear my conscience unto all the world , that i am free and not guilty of what they lay to my charge , though by it they seek to persecute . the mittimus : norvvich . these are to require you to take into your custody the body of christopher atkinson herewith sent , who lately came into this city from kendall in westmerland , and can give no account of his livelihood , nor shew any lawfull cause of his coming hither , but onely to declare the truth , as he calls it . tho. tofte mayor . ansvver . to these things , for which i am accused , and am imprisoned by the rulers of this city , i am bold to declare the truth , that out of countries and kinreds hath the lord redeemed me , and called me forth to declare his name abroad , for which cause i am apprehended as a vagrant , though my habitation and being is known in the earth , and for declaring his name abroad who hath thus called me , am i brought before rulers , and cast into prison for testifying the life and power of that which they themselves professe in words , who thus imprisoneth and persecuteth the righteous seed of god where it is brought forth . and here let the rulers of norwich be witnesses against themselves , that they are of that generation that put our lord jesus christ to death , by a law in their own wills , contrary to the will of god : and what would they have said of christ , who had no habitation in the earth , no not so much as to lay his head , if they had been in his dayes ; by this law he might have been persecuted and imprisoned , and him they doe persecute and imprison , in so much as they doe it unto the least of his , they doe it unto him , as it is made manifest ; and if they had been in the times of the apostles , whose words they doe professe , would they not have persecuted them by this law , who said they had no certain dwelling place , cor. . . and the world was not worthy of them , and such doe they persecute now as are redeemed from the world , and by it suffer continually . cain was a vagabond , who slew his brother , and such as live in anger and envy , such hath no habitation in god , but such actions and beastly nature we deny , and are redeemed from such things , and our habitation is in god ; and here let the rulers of norwich stop their mouthes and be ashamed , who are found persecutors of the saints of the most high god , without the breach or colour of any law , or any transgression said justly to our charge , who are free born english men , whose country and habitation we declared , and yet in their mittimus doth deny it . and whereas i am accused of gathering multitudes of rude people together , it is false , as the city of norwich shall testifie , for i was quietly in a house with them that were my friends , and i did not goe forth into their streets , but the rude multitude came in , which they and the priests call christians , and broke the peace , and this the mayor of the town came in and saw , who said , there was no revelation now , but of the devill , and so denyeth both christ and the scriptures , which saith , no man knoweth the father but the son , and he to whom the son will reveal him ; now let all judge whether he be fit to rule for god , who denyes the covenant of god , who gave him for a covenant and a leader to the people , and the maior coming in to our meeting , where the rude multitude was , as he cals it , had nothing where of to accuse us , but desired me in love to come to him the next day , which i did , and by a warrant without any examination , i was sent to prison for a time , till i was called to examination again , being free from the breach of any law am i here retained in prison for witnessing forth a good conscience before god and man , thus to all the world have i cleared my conscience in the presence of the lord , that what i suffer is for righteousnesses sake , without the breach of any law , and so i remain a sufferer this day for the testimony of jesus who am a servant to the truth , and a friend of israels commonwealth . whose name in the flesh is christopher atkinson , a prisoner of the lord in norwich . from the gaol of norwich . . finis . the distressed merchant. and the prisoners comfort in distresse. when he was a prisoner in london, in chap. . the reader may take notice of, i. his observations of many passages in prison, during his being there. ii. the severall humours and carriages of his fellow prisoners. iii. his advice to them, and to some of his and their kin, and unkind friends. iv. gods singular care and providence over all distressed prisoners, that put their trust in him in all afflictions. / written by william bagwell merchant. merchant distressed w. b. (william bagwell), b. ? this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing b thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) the distressed merchant. and the prisoners comfort in distresse. when he was a prisoner in london, in chap. . the reader may take notice of, i. his observations of many passages in prison, during his being there. ii. the severall humours and carriages of his fellow prisoners. iii. his advice to them, and to some of his and their kin, and unkind friends. iv. gods singular care and providence over all distressed prisoners, that put their trust in him in all afflictions. / written by william bagwell merchant. merchant distressed w. b. (william bagwell), b. ? [ ], , [ ] p. printed for richard wodenothe, at the star under peters church in cornhill., london, : . in verse. the first leaf bears a permission to print. a reissue, with cancel title page, of the edition entitled "the merchant distressed" (b ). annotation on thomason copy: "aug: th". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners' writings, english -- early works to . prisoners -- early works to . debt, imprisonment for -- england -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no the distressed merchant.: and the prisoners comfort in distresse. when he was a prisoner in london, in chap. . the reader may take notice w. b c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - david karczynski sampled and proofread - david karczynski text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion i have read over this booke of fourty nine chapters , entituled , the merchant distressed his observations : and finde the matter honest peacefull truth , the practice such as may serve for premonition and example fit to be publique in print . io: langley . the distressed merchant . and the prisoners comfort in distresse . when he was a prisoner in london , in chap. . the reader may take notice of , i. his observations of many passages in prison , during his being there . ii. the severall humours and carriages of his fellow prisoners . iii. his advice to them , and to some of his and their kin , and unkind friends . iv. gods singular care and providence over all distressed prisoners , that put their trust in him in all afflictions . psal. . . in the multitude of my thoughts within me , thy comforts delight my soule . written by william bagwell merchant . london , printed for richard wodenothe , at the star under peters church in cornhill . . to the vvorshipfull william barkeley , alderman of london , and one of the commissioners for the receipt of customes . worthy sir : i have in my troubles ( among other things ) observed that when the lord a deprives a man of the superfluous things of this life , b and brings him into distresse , c his friends and acquaintance are then wanting unto him , d they stand aloofe , e and leave him to himselfe , being ( in their opinions ) in so miserable a state and condition ; f this is the usuall manner of gods dealing with those whom he loves , for by this means , g though the outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day . but when the lord is graciously pleased to h deliver the party afflicted from his griefe , h he is exceeding glad , and then his i friends and acquaintance rejoyce with him , and expresse their love and affections towards him in a bountifull manner : k this have i ( through gods goodnesse ) knowne by experience , especially these latter times : l for many are the courtesies which i have received from divers friends , m the which i shall ever acknowledge . but the truth is , the continuance of n your great favours , is such a happinesse to me , as i must needs confesse you are to me more like a o father then a friend or master . and therefore an so much the more obliged unto you . p in testimony thereof , and of the true love and service i owe you , i humbly dedicate to you these first fruits of my poore endeavours , gathered in my aforesaid troubles , ( when i was q shut up in a miserable place from the delights of the world ) out of r the spirituall garden of gods word ; wherefore my hope is you will s relish them so much the better , and vouchsafe them your kinde acceptance , though published by so weake an instrument as my selfe , whose further endeavours ( notwithstanding ) shall be to doe somewhat more some other way , that may conduce to the publique welfare , as god ( the t liberal giver of al good gifts ) shall enable me : to whom i commit both you and all yours , and remaine , your worships most humble servant , william bagwell . may . . the epistle to the courteous reader . it is not unknowne to many , how that of late years i a enjoyed the blessings of this life with much comfort , and how i then lived in good credit , being much respected of friends and kindred who b delighted in my company , and many were as glad to receive courtesies from me , as i was willing to bestow them . c but this lasted not long , for after a while d i fell into many troubles , and then e i lost my selfe , f and my friends , i lost my g estate , my h credit , and i trading , and after that to make up the tragedy , i lost my liberty , being k cast into prison for a small debt , which i was not able to pay , and being there a while ( l at the center of all my troubles and miseries ) m destitute of all outward comforts , did then begin to thinke n of the vanities of the world , n and o lifting up my soule to god , p desired him to give me some inward comfort , which was not in vaine , for being q directed by him , i found r patience , s and peace of conscience : i found t contentment , u love and x favour , i found y joy of heart , * and liberty of minde , so that at length moe thought z i found a great deale more then i lost , all which by a diligence a search i found out of gods word the holy bible , which was the onely booke i had ( for in my necessities i was forced to pawne and sell away all my other books ) wherefore b i applying my self wholly thereunto , found therein such c variety of matter ( d wherewith my soule was so delighted ) that i could not be quiet in my mind untill i had set up a new trade , ( for , for want of other imployment i was fain to turne poet ) and although i was very e unskilfull therein , being but a f new beginner ) yet my endeavours were not wanting to give the best content i could to all my customers both at home and abroad . yet notwithstanding all this , in regard i could not procure so much as would discharge my chamber rent , i was threatned by my landlord ( the master of the prison ) to be turned out of my lodging and put into a g worse place in the same prison , which did in some sort trouble my minde , because i knew not how to prevent it . but whilest i was musing with my selfe how i should h be able to endure that misery , i the lord raised me up a friend in another kingdome , k by whose meanes i was forthwith delivered out of that distresse , and set at liberty . since which time till now of late i was not resolved to publish these the first fruits of my poore endeavours : but being thereunto moved by some friends , and considering l the substance thereof drawne from the holy scriptures so agreeable to each circumstance , i could not but conceive them worthy of acceptance , and the rather because people m of all sorts , whether they be young or old , male or female , rich or poore , whether they live in prosperity or adversity , whether they bee sicke or in health , they may observe and sucke some sweetnesse out of them , although they seeme to be never so plaine , i know they are n very plaine , and therefore may peradventure bee by some curious wits the lesse regarded , but those who are of o an humble spirit , will like them never a whit the worse for that , but rather conclude and say ( according to the old proverbe ) that plaine dealing is a jewell , and make good use thereof p to gods glory , and their q owne comfort . to conclude : r the prison was the best schoole that ever i went to , and s he that taught me , the best master that ever taught , the booke i learned in t the best booke that ever was read , the lesson i learned out of that book , u the best lesson that ever i learned , and the time i spent there x the best time that ever i spent . an accompt of all which i have briefly and plainly set downe in the ensuing particular directions contained in this small volume , which i humbly present to all those that y desire the knowledge of z gods word , the onely a refuge for the distressed and afflicted , and chiefest joy and b delight to those that are in prosperity , who count themselves but c strangers in this world , setting little by the things of greatest price ( they enjoy here ) in comparison of those d heavenly treasures above which are not seene . now although it bee but a little e candle ( which i thought not good to keepe secret any longer ) yet it giveth so much light as the reader may thereby see and observe that this worke is none of mine , the maine substance and matter is gods owne word . in the labour of disposing and ordering them , i have used my best skill , and if you please to accept of them , i shall then thinke my time well spent for the good of others as well as my selfe : desiring the lord to blesse and prosper all our good endeavours , that we may f so live in his feare , and g glorifie him in this life , as we may hereafter h dye in his favour , and be i glorified of him in the world to come . amen . yours in all true loving and christian affection , william bagwell . the preface . to all christian people distressed and afflicted in what kinde soever . all men naturally a desire to live peaceably , contentedly , and to be freed from all manner of b troubles , afflictions and distresses ( c which are so grievous to the senses , ) but this happeneth to none , d for every one have their crosses in some kinde or other , or at one time or other , in e body or f mind , or g both , h either in the having of that which they desire not , or in the i want of that which they desire , k all which is common both to the l good and to the m bad , for who can say that his body hath beene alwayes freed from n sicknesse , his soule from o sorrow , his person from p imprisonment or other inconveniences , his state from q poverty , or his name from r contempt , & c ? or what man ( though he s enjoy the outward blessings of this life ) can say t his minde is satisfied and contented therewith , or that he is free from u covetousnesse , x ambition , y vain-glory , z selfe-conceit , z or some other such like a inordinate affections of the minde , with the which he b afflicteth himselfe , c and is an evill disease ? the other ( happening by gods providence to those that d are acquainted with his wayes ) e are evident signes of gods love towards them , which is the reason f they submit themselves so willingly to undergoe them , knowing that g they are the seed , the occasion , the matter of well doing , h and the discoverers of many excellent vertues which are not seene in them i whilest they live in prosperity : and therefore although k adversity be the punishment of sin , yet l god in punishing of men doth not alwayes m respect sinne , wherefore n they judge rashly which either doe not wait for the o end , or doe judge and p esteeme of men according to prosperity or adversity . but when men q that have lived in good reputation and credit r are once fallen into trouble and misery , s then their beloved friends and acquaintance fall away from them , and t the more u heavie gods hand is upon them , the more x they neglect and y despise them , but when they find by experience z the helplesnesse of earthly things , they are then weaned a from the love of the world , and kept from b living carelesly , c they draw the nearer to god , knowing that d they are tokens and pledges of their adoption . and considering with themselves that their e afflictions come not unto them by chance , f but from gods decree and appointment , and that the g continuance and h measure of them is appointed by him , they then never i stand much upon the malice of men , or k rage of divels , but l looke up principally to him with this m assurance , that hee will deliver them n when his measure is full , o in good time . in the meane while , their p faith , q patience , r humility , s obedience , and such like noble t vertues are set a worke , and u god in them x glorified . but few men have this great gift & priviledge to y suffer afflictions patiently . every z hypocrite will serve god whilest he prospereth and blesseth him , a but when he falls into troubles he is then led by the divel to impatiency , b fretting , c murmuring , d grudging , e frowardnesse , f and most painfull pensivenesse , g all which doe vexe him more by many degrees , then the troubles themselves , and when he h cries for helpe , it is either paine or i feare that causeth him so to doe , so that k he cannot rest upon gods word with l peace . the childe of god m may likewise be n very impatient in his afflictions , & utter o dangerous speeches , by which means he may for a time have p no comfort in trouble , but q god leaves him not so to himselfe always comfortlesse , but hath a time to r recover himselfe againe , and s then he praiseth the lord who often times t inflicteth upon his children temporall afflictions , u that hee may deliver them from eternall destruction . and herein doth the wisedome and x goodnesse of god appeare , for y by afflictions we come to the knowledge of our selves , and repose z no confidence in any creature , and likewise wise to the a knowledge of god , reposing all b trust and confidence in him , and thus c affliction begetteth understanding in those that are afflicted , in so much that the d crosse is to the children of god mercy , and e losse is gaine , e afflictions are their schooling , and f adversity their best universitie , by which they learne how to g avoid the dangerous h broad way of the wicked of this i world , which is so k pleasing to flesh and bloud , and are turned into the l right way to heaven , which in regard of its m narrownesse and straitnesse , so few desire to walke therein . this being n considered , there are none able to goe through the o troubles and crosses of this life with comfort , p but such as utterly mistrusting q their owne assurednesse and r all worldly ayd and helpe of man , s doe wholly depend upon t gods defence . but there are some which complaine of the u tediousnesse of their afflictions , because they are afflicted almost x all the dayes of their lives even to the very death . to such y god will testifie his holy presence another , way namely by z giving the distressed parties power and strength to beare their afflictions . but how can we a count our afflictions so tedious and long , b seeing our lives are so short ? howsoever c let them be never so great and tedious , they are d far inferiour to our sinnes ; yet every man by nature e desires gods ready helpe in his necessities and troubles , but few attain unto it , because they f want faith to beleeve it , g prayer to obtaine it , and h patience to wait for it . but on the contrary , if they i endure their afflictions quietly , k trust in gods mercies firmly , l and tarry his good pleasure obediently , then although they seeme to bee m swallowed up in misery , they shall finde n the lord ready at hand to deliver them . now o howsoever the child of god be afflicted he shall finde p many comforts therein , in regard they are like unto a q storme that commeth and goeth . let no man therefore that is afflicted r struggle under gods hand , for then it will be the worse for him , for s there is no striving or wrastling with him t but by u prayer : hee therefore that with x pleasure and joy endures adversity y for christs sake , may thinke he hath found the z kingdome of heaven here on earth , a and god will delight in him . a for as the fish is sweetest that lives in the saltest waters , b so those c soules are most precious unto christ who are most d exercised and e afflicted with his crosse . thine in christ . w. b. authors . the quotations in the margent ( which serve for proofes , reasons , examples , or things pertinent to the sense of each particular ) are taken first out of the bookes of the canonicall scripture , the old and new testament . . the old testament . genesis . exodus . leviticus . numbers . deuteronomie . ioshua . iudges . ruth . samuel . samuel . kings . kings . chronicles . chronicles . ezra . nehemiah . esther . iob. psalmes . proverbs . ecclesiastes . the song of salomon . isaiah . ieremiah . lamentations . ezekiel . daniel . hosea . ioel. amos. obadiab . ionah . micah . nahum . habakkuk . zephaniah . haggal . zechariah . malachy . ii. the new testament . matthew . marke . luke . iohn . acts . romanes . corinthians . corinthians . galatians . ephesians . philippians . colossians . thessalonians . thessalonians . timothy . timothy . titus . phileman . hebrewes . iames . peter . peter . iohn . iohn . iohn . iude. revelations . secondly , out of the bookes called apochrypha . esdras . esdras . tobit . iudeth . the rest of esther . wisedome . ecclesiasticus . baruch . the song of the three children . susanna . the idol bel and the dragon . the prayer of manasseh . maccabees . maccabees . the contents of this booke . the prisoner to his fellow-prisoners . to the comfortlesse prisoner . pag. to the prisoner that lay sick a bed . to the sea man , a prisoner . to the stranger , a prisoner . to the faint-hearted prisoner . to the scholler a prisoner . to an ancient man a prisoner , exceedingly oppressed with sorrow upon sorrow . to the men which were prisoners in the hole . to the prodigall young man , a prisoner . to the prisoners called by the name of rats which are debauched men , taken at unlawfull houres in the night by the watch , and brought into prison . to the carrier , a prisoner . to the card player , a prisoner . to the papist , a prisoner . to the captaine , a prisoner . to the merchant , a prisoner . to the merry man , a prisoner . to an old man , a prisoner . to the women which were prisoners in the hole . to the impatient prisoner . to the unruly young man , a prisoner . to the prisoners called by the name of mice , which are light huswives taken at unlawfull houres in the night , and brought to prison . to the prisoner that was to bee discharged and set at liberty . to the carelesse man , a prisoner . to the rich man , a prisoner . to the idle man , a prisoner . to the dissembling hypocrite , a prisoner . to his chamber fellows and others distressed prisoners of the knights ward , which were there shut up of the plague . to others , not prisoners . to the cruell creditor . pag. to him that betrayed the prisoner into his adversaries hands . to his sonne . to his eldest daughter . to the creditor that domineer'd over his poore debtor in prison . to his youngest daughter . to the master of the tap-house . to his brother . to the mercifull creditor . to the master of the prison . to a worthy charitable knight . to an ancient maid , a true-hearted friend , that was mindfull of him in his troubles . to his intimate friend , a divine lawyer . to a prisoners wife of a refractory condition . to his owne dejected comfortlesse wife . to his maid servant . to his mother . to those that come to visit their friends in prison . to the commissioners appointed by his majestie for the reliefe of poore prisoners . the prisoner at liberty , his thankful remembrance of gods great mercies towards him in his manifold deliverances out of many great dangers and troubles to this present . to his good friend ( beyond sea ) that gave order to his friend to see him set at liberty . to a carefull friend that discharged the trust committed to him ( by his friend ) in seeing the prisoner freed out of prison . the merchant distressed , his observations . chap. i. to the comfortlesse prisoner . be not a dismay'd , thou that art lodged here : what need'st thou care , if thy b conscience be cleer ? b thy c creditors perhaps may be unkinde : what though ? fear not , but bear an d honest minde . d e thy friends and thine acquaintaince may neglect thee : e what though ? be f patient , god will not g forget thee . g h the prison doubtlesse is a place of care : what though ? rejoyce , i for god is with thee there . k use lawfull meanes , l and on god still depend : m hee 'll quickly bring thy troubles to an end . chap. ii. to the cruell creditor . why is thy minde so bent to a crueltie against thy poore debtor , which here doth lie ? a is it thy debt thou would'st have him to pay ? alas , b he can't , the c prison's not the way . what is 't , his d flesh thou then would'st have alone ? the e wormes must needs have that to feed upon . what is it then , his f bones thou would'st faine have ? that cannot be , g they must goe to the grave . what would'st thou doe with them ? make dice to sell ? or with them play away thy soule to hell ? as for his soule , surely thou canst not have it ; for that must needs h returne to god that gave it . i dost thou by this course ever thinke to thrive , k to bury thy poore debtor here alive ? l ten thousand talents to the lord thou ow'st , and yet hee 's m mercifull to thee thou know'st . n and hast thou no pittie on him in thrall , that owes thee but o an hundred pence in all ? p if god should deale with thee , as thou with him , in what great q misery then wouldst thou be in ? what if in this case god should take away r thy soule , and call thee to accompt this day ? ſ thy guilty conscience then would soone accuse thee : t and for thy crueltie christ would refuse thee . u then into hell that x gulfe of miserie , y thou should'st be cast to live eternally , in wofull torments , where z no rest is found , and where all such as thou art , are a fast bound . wherefore if thou those judgements would'st prevent , be b mercifull , kinde , loving , and c repent . d discharge thy poore debtor out of this place , e as thou would'st be discharg'd being in his case . f then god will mollifie thy stony heart . g and likewise blesse thee wheresoe're thou art , chap. iii. to the prisoner that lay sick upon his bed . the a prison of it selfe is tedious to thee , b but sicknesse therewithall may quite undoe thee . where art thou sick , in body or in minde ? or art thou griev'd c because friends are unkinde ? art not thou sick and pained at the d heart , because thou e canst not from this place depart ? thinke with thy selfe , that thy f sins are the cause of thy disease , by the breach of gods lawes . g now is thy soule wounded with mortall sinne ? h oh then 't is high time for thee to begin i to looke into thy selfe , and thy condition , to see what need thou hast of the physition , i meane the great k physition of thy soul , which is thy saviour christ , who doth controll l all things in heaven above , and earth below , m hee 'll cure thy body and thy soule also n of all diseases , if thou him intreat , and likewise give thee o heavenly food to ear , p whereby thy soule shall live , and be quite freed of all diseases ; for 't is so decreed . q earthly physitians will not undertake physick to give , but for thy moneyes sake ; unlesse thou give them angells of pure gold , they 'll not come neere thee , be thou young or old : but when r christ thy physitian takes in hand to cure thy poore sick soule , then understand hee 'll not then only take away thy paine , but cause his (ſ) angells with thee to remaine : though thou restrained art , yet they are t free to come both day and night to visit thee . wherefore receive from god this chastisement with a thankfull heart , and therewith be content . b and then this prison shall not thee annoy , but be a pallace to thee day by day . c out of which place the lord will thee deliver , and take thee up to live with him for ever . chap. iv. to him that betrayed the prisoner into his adversaries hands . what trade art thou , oh traitor ! canst thou tell ? is it thy occupation now to sell thy friend to one that meanes him to oppresse , and lay him up to live in great distresse ? a thou cam'st unto him , and didst speake him faire , which made him often unto thee repaire , b because he did beleeve what thou didst say , not thinking then that thou would'st him betray : c but when thou hadst fit opportunitie , thou him deliver'dst to his enemie : who keepes him fast in prison like a slave , which , thou art to be blam'd for like a knave . d but tell me , traitor , how didst thou him sell ? for a french crown , a noble , or angell ? doubtlesse thy chapman gave thee more for him then ere hee 's like to get of him agin . but why hast thou thy friend sold for a song which to another justly doth belong ? the bargaine thou hast made must needs be voyd , e for christ bought him before , and for him paid . wherefore thy chapman cannot keep him long , although he hath him in a place so strong . a he shall be free , b for christ doth him regard , c and for thy treacherie hee 'll thee reward . take thou example by iudas thy brother , d who for treacherie did exceed all other ; e his master he betray'd , who was a f king , and thou thy friend betray'dst for a small thing . iudas was punisht , and so shalt thou be ; for thou a traitor art as well as he : g yet he confess'd his fault , and did restore the money back , which he receiv'd before , to doe the deed about the which he went ; which having done , he then seem'd to h repent . yet for all that , he being voyd of grace , i dy'd in despaire in a most wofull case . let me advise thee , be like him in this , confesse , restore , repent ; 't is not amisse : but doe not k hang thy selfe , as iudas did , l because such things thou know'st god doth forbid . but give over thy trade of treacherie , m and call to god for grace before thou die , n that thou may'st as an honest man here live , untill thy soule to god thou dost up give . o heaven is the place where faithfull men shall raigne , p which place no lying traitor shall obtaine . chap. v. to the sea-man , a prisoner : thou sea-man , that art subject to the weather , tell me what winde it was that brought thee hither ? who was thy pilot , that had so much skill to bring thee to this port , against thy will ? the serjeants are the pilots for this bay : without the compasse they can finde the way . doubtlesse 't was some of them that did thee guide unto this haven , where thou must abide . thy sailes are down , and now thine anchor's cast , and hence thou canst not budge , thou art so fast . though winde and tide doe serve , yet hast thou lost thy voyage for this time , to thy great cost . now when thou shalt depart , thou dost not know , for till thy peace be made , thou canst not goe . whilst thou art here , i wish thee to consider a who 't is that must thee from this place deliver . it is the lord , whose b wonders thou hast seen , in the c deep sea , where thou hast often been d toss'd with the waves in stormes and tempests great ; which e raging waves against the ship did beat , f insomuch that thou couldst not chuse but thinke the beaten ship would at that instant sinke . and when thou didst approach g neere to the shore , h the danger then thou know'st was more and more : for then the i rocks and sands did thee affright , which could not be discern'd in the darke night . k then thou on god didst call , and he thee heard , and from those greater dangers thee preserv'd . l thus by the lords great power and mighty hand in m safety thou wast brought unto the land : where thou no sooner wast , but didst n neglect to give him thankes that did thee thus protect : o but with rude company didst drinke and p sweare , living q most wickedly without all care : r wherefore 't was just with god to let thee fall into these troubles : therefore on him (ſ) call to give thee grace , that thou t never forget to u praise his name . then though thou art in debt , x thou shalt not in this prison long remaine ; for he will y send thee to the sea againe . chap. vi . to the stranger , a prisoner . thou that a stranger art in prison here , a farre from thy country , friends and parents deare , b be not quite out of heart , for god above c will new friends raise thee here , d if thou him love . e 't is not the distance of the place , that can f his providence keep back from any man . god of the g stranger hath a speciall care , as well in a strange country , as elsewhere : h his goodnesse and his mercy doth appeare throughout the world , to those that doe him feare . what need'st thou then take any thing to heart , i seeing the lord doth love thee where thou art ? now k though thou hast estranged been from him , l yet hee 'll not leave thee to thy selfe to sinne . m when thou his mercies felt , thou then wast glad n but now he thee correcteth , thou art sad . o experience thou hast of his goodnesse by sea and land ; and yet neverthelesse thou didst forget thy selfe , p and went'st astray , as travellers doe , q that are out of the way . r what cam'st thou in this country for to see ? strange (ſ) fashions ? or some other vanitie ? in prison here strange things thou may'st behold , t for here vaine people are , both young and old : u if in such company thou take delight , x they 'll bring thee to a miserable plight . consider with thy selfe what thou hast done , y t' offend ; or how in debt and want th'hast run ; z for which thou art here laid up to remaine , where thou may'st lose , much more then thou canst gaine . wherefore 't is time for thee to looke about , to see if some a good friend will helpe thee out . endeavour what thou canst , b and crave gods ayd , hee 'll stand thy friend , therefore be not dismay'd : and when he thee delivered hath from hence , doe what thou canst c to get experience : and let me now advise thee as a stranger , d thou fall not once againe into such danger : but being free , e spend not thy time in vaine , then thou with credit may'st f go home againe . chap. vii . to the faint-hearted prisoner . be not dejected , thou a faint-hearted man : what ayl'st thou , b that thou look'st so pale and wan ? thou think'st it strange in prison here to lie , and art c afraid thou shalt be sick and die : even as a man at sea thou seem'st to be , sick at the first , distemper'd and queafie : this maladie will not last very long ; d after a while thou wilt againe grow strong . take courage man , and doe not him resemble e that at small things is apt to quake and tremble : the sergeants thou need'st not at all to feare , for they are gone , now they have lodg'd thee here : the docket man , when he doth for thee call , to goe along with him unto guild hall , give him his groat , and pay th'attorneyes fee , or else they 'll not doe any thing for thee : thy creditors , if they doe not declare , non-suit them : for why should'st thou them forbeare ? and if they doe declare , be not afraid , f although this harsh course they take to be paid . what if they have taken a resolution , to charge thee quickly with an execution ? it 's very like , that for a time thereby they may deprive thee of thy libertie . yet though thy bodie in prison they keepe , a doe not forbeare to eate , drink , rest , and sleepe . what need'st thou b feare what men can doe unto thee ? c do'st thinke by this course they mean to undoe thee ? beleeve it , and doe not thy selfe deceive ; d they can no more doe then god gives them leave . what if to malice they are so much bent ? e call on the lord , their designes hee 'le prevent . f the feare of danger which thou hadst , be sure is more then that , which thou do'st now endure . g feare thou not those that may thy bodie spoile , but cannot give unto thy soule the foile . h feare thou the mightie god of israel , that can both soule and bodie cast in hell . i the feare of him which wise men doe enjoy , without all doubt k drives other feares away . l wherefore if thou art wise , doe not give place to slavish feare , t' will bring thee to disgrace . m faint not under the crosse , n cheere up thy heart , o get strength in christ , now thou in prison art . p then though thou hast not things here to content , q yet shalt thou have no just cause to repent . for if with r boldnesse thou repayr'st to him in thy distresse , then shalt thou want nothing . hee 'le give thee s courage , and much t strength to beare thy great afflictions , both here and elsewhere . and they that laid thee here , u shall never have on thee their wills , though they the same doe crave . for let them doe to thee the worst they can , thou need'st not feare , x looke thou up like a man y to him that rules the hearts of men : hee 'le please to rule them so , as thine shall have much ease . a and when god sees it fit thou hence dost goe , make him thy friend , b and thy time well bestow : c that thou no more into this place dost come , which is a place all wise men faine would shun . whilst thou art here , d be not at all dismay'd , e though for a little time thou art here stay'd : f but trust in god , g and let thy sins decrease ; h then god out of this place will thee release . chap. viii . to his sonne . vvhen i in prison was , nine yeares agoe , a thou at that time in prison wast also . i ne're in prison was before that time , no more wast thou , for then thou wast not mine . b i was the sergeant that in prison laid thee , c thy mother was thy gaoler that obey'd me . i , no close prisoner was , though i had foes ; d but thou wast shut up close , thy mother knowes . in prison i could walke , and looke about , but thou in prison then could'st not peepe out : in prison i my sight had to my minde , but thou t' is knowne in prison wast starke blinde : in prison i was cold , and tooke much harme ; but thou in prison wast kept very warme : in prison i hard shift made for my diet ; but thou in prison hadst thy food in quiet : in prison i grew leane for want of feeding ; in prison i know thou hadst thy first breeding : e my flesh in prison did consume away ; but thy flesh then increased every day : in prison i had alwayes company ; but thou alone in prison then didst lye : my keeper in prison did me neglect ; but thy keeper did never thee forget : my keeper was a man that was above me ; thy keeper was a woman that did love thee ; my keeper did at me oft-times repine ; but thy keeper a deare friend was of thine : my keeper often saw me in the light ; but thy keeper depriv'd was of thy sight ; my keeper i was faine to pray and pay ; but thy keeper car'd for thee night and day ; i was nine weekes in prison ; so long try'd ; but thou a nine months in prison did'st abide : when i came out of prison , glad was i ; when thou cam'st out of prison b thou did'st cry : when i came forth i then some cloaths did lack ; c but thou then had'st not a rag to thy back : when i came forth , my friends i went to see ; when thou cam'st forth , thy friends did visit thee : into prison againe i may adventure ; d but thou into thy prison shalt ne're enter : nine yeares have i my liberty enjoy'd , but now in prison am againe annoy'd . five times nine yeares and upwards have i liv'd , sometimes contentedly , but often griev'd . nine yeares in sorrowes hast thou liv'd with me , which with thy tender yeares could not agree . but god , who for his children doth provide , hath rais'd thee friends , with whom thou dost abide , far distant from this naughty place ; and yet they love thee dearly , which i 'le ne're forget ; where thou good breeding hast , and may'st have still , with all things else according to my will ; and where thou willingly shunn'st that that 's naught , e and also learn'st apace what thou art taught . if thou continu'st as thou hast begun , f i then shall have of thee much joy my son . and now to a goodnesse i heare thy minde 's bent , in all my troubles i shall have content . b the hope of comfort which of thee i have , makes me rejoyce in this living mens grave . wherefore c learne now whilst thou art young and tender , then thou hereafter wilt the same remember . thou then may'st be a man of good esteeme , d and my lost credit may'st at last redeeme . e then thou may'st be to me a helpe and stay , when i am old , and ready to decay : f thou then the lord wilt praise , g and thank thy friends , endeavoring how thou may'st make them amends . now though in prison i am here a while , by reason of those that did me beguile ; yet still my hope is , that i shall one day h see thee and all thy friends againe with joy . chap. ix . to the scholler , a prisoner . a vvhen schollers have the truants play'd their fill , they must be b whipp'd , though much against their wil . the truant thou hast plaid , and eke c neglected thy book to learne , for which thou art corrected . this prison is thy schoole now for a time , d christ thy schoolemaster is as well as mine . now seeing thou unto this schoole art brought , e in practice put that which thou hast beene taught . for christ thy master is with thee offended , f because thy life thou hast not yet amended : g and yet thou need'st not be too much afraid , h though thou the truant hast so often plaid . i for if thou dost endeavour to doe well , k and wilt no more against him so rebell ; then he to thee ( i know ) will be as milde , as any a father can be to his childe . b he will not alwaies angry be , nor chide with those that his corrections can abide . c yet thou complain'st , thy punishment is great , and dost with griefe the same oft-times repeat ; d and art disquieted here in this schoole ; yet doe not thou with others play the foole . e for thou should'st rather teach , then learne of those which have no breeding , though they weare good clothes . be thou the usher of this schoole , that so f thou may'st teach others that which they don't know . here are poore schollers , that are apt to learne g much ill : but goodnesse they cannot discerne . thou may'st observe , h how some are still addicted to wickednesse , i though they are here afflicted . some k give their mindes to drinke , others to l sweare , and some m their whoring will not here forbeare . some doe delight at cards and dice to play ; n and thus most of them passe their time away . consider this ; instruct them to be o sober , that they may learne a new lease to turne over . omit no time , p good counsell now to give unto such as in ignorance here live : q for some so ignorant are , that they scarce know so much , as little babes , the christ-crosse-row . r lead thou a godly life , and vertuous be , that they example may here take by thee . (ſ) cheer up thy heart , and be not now so muddy , although thy bookes thou hast not here to study . it may be thou hast pawn'd , or sold away thy bookes to such t as seldome read or pray : yet be not still so u sad as thou hast been , although those bookes thou canst not yet redeeme : for if thou hast one booke amongst the rest , x the bible , which of all bookes is the best , thou hast enough , to study thereupon , a and need'st no other book but that alone . he that doth b study much ( without all doubt ) in other bookes , will soone be wearied out . but he that in c gods word takes great delight , and therein d meditates both e day and f night ; g that man shall flourish , and see happy dayes , for god will prosper him in all his wayes . h god is the author of that holy booke , and therefore thou therein may'st boldly looke . i all holy scripture's given by inspiration , and therefore is in such great k estimation . l search them alone , and thou therein shalt finde eternall life , m which satisfies the minde . n there wisdome thou mayst learne , for thy soules health : o the rich find there much joy , p the poore much wealth . there 's choise of spirituall food ; q feed on it then : r there 's milke for babes , (ſ) and meat for stronger men . it 's like a brooke , that 's large and deep , wherein t the lambe may wade , u and th'elephant may swim . x all , that to our salvation tends , is there penn'd down in holy writ ; and not elsewhere . and yet gods word is to the stubborne jewes a y stumbling block ; which makes them it refuse : and to the self-will'd gentiles it 's likewise a z foolishnesse ; therefore they it despise . to say the truth , a this book 's not understood b by learned schollers , that seeme to be good . c there 's none at all can understand this thing , untill god d open their understanding . now study 't with delight , e call on gods name , so shalt thou rightly understand the same . then shalt thou be in a most happy taking , f when thou a scholler art of gods owne making . whil'st thou art here , g learne something every day , h and teach such as are quite out of the way . a please thy schoole-master , and contented be ; so shalt thou breake up schoole , and be set free : and afterwards b thou having lived well , shalt with thy master christ for ever dwell in heaven above , c where thou shalt see and know more then thou ever heard'st of here below . chap. x. to an ancient man , a prisoner , exceedingly oppressed with griefe , and sorrow upon sorrow . thy a sorrowes , old man , are sorrowes indeed , b which sorrowes doe all others here exceed . c thou art a man dejected in our fight , d and carefull thoughts are with thee day and night . e thy countenance shewes how thy f heart is griev'd , and thy g gray haires shew that thou hast long liv'd . h if thou thy youthfull dayes didst not well spend , i now thou art old , endeavour to amend : k and then although thy body doe decay , thy spirit shall revive and live for aye in heaven with christ , who l heares thy groanes and cryes ; hee 'll m wipe away all thy teares from thine eyes . if thou for debt art to this place committed , n thy case ( if thou art poore ) is to be pitti'd . it was thy o daughter , whom thou lov'st full deare , that was th'occasion of thy being here . thou didst her place with one , that did her keep , p where she no want had of food , cloaths , nor sleep : but therewithall she was not well contented , and therefore she from thence q herselfe absented ; r being by wicked counsell much deluded , so that in danger she her selfe intruded : a and proving false to him , with whom she dwelt , she then the miserie of a prison felt : b and thou having for her truth thy word past , arrested wast , and into prison ●ast : when she came shortly after to be try'd , c she was found guilty ; for which cause she dy'd : then thy poore wife d fell sick , and dy'd for griefe , hearing her childe did suffer as a theefe . e thus was thy griefe and sorrow much increas'd , f as with gods children 't is , when they thinke least . besides all this , now in thy great distresse g thy friends doe not themselves to thee addresse ; h but leave thee comfortlesse here in this place , to muse upon thy daughters great disgrace . i if thou , like old eli , didst e're neglect thy children in their young dayes to correct ; k then thou , like old eli , for that cause art corrected now thy selfe , and feel'st the smart . if thou , like david , ( when thy girle was young ) was fond or'e her , l as he was o're his sonne ; m then thou like david must afflicted be , ( for being then so fond ) as well as he . like eli be , when thou corrected art , n submit to god , and take it in good part . o like david be , who after he had cry'd for his lost sonne , p was then well pacifi'd . now davids sonne , q by his untimely death dy'd in his sins , and so gave up his breath . thy daughter had a time before she dy'de , to call on god : her r sins she did not hide . (ſ) doubtlesse the lord heard her humble request , and that her soule is now with him at rest . t comfort thy selfe in god now she is gone , u and thinke that thou must follow her ere long : thy adversaries x cannot long detaine thee here in this prison , where y they now disdaine thee . a when god his time sees fit , hee 'le thee release : b live therefore well , c so shalt thou dye in peace . d thy soule shall then ascend to god on high , e and live with him in heaven eternally . chap. xi . to his eldest daughter . there was a time , before thy time , in which i was beloved of the a poore and b rich . for in those dayes c i had good things about me , and many could not well subsist without me . i then alone did live , wherefore i sought , d and found her which into the world thee brought . e a burden thou wast to her a long while , when she thee carried then many a mile , into a country which thou could'st not see , where i had f land , that caus'd my misery . g and when from thence she brought thee back againe , after a while h thou put'st her to great paine : for thou so heavy wast , and big also , i that she then could no longer with thee goe . so weake was she , that thou mad'st her to fall , so that for helpe k she did both cry and call . and then betweene you both there was such strife , l that she therewith had almost lost her life . after which combat , though she had the worst , yet she thy best friend was , m for she thee nurst . and though her paines were great , yet shortly after we both rejoyc'd in thee n our elder daughter . i then in credit liv'd , and did enjoy o the pleasures of this life , which seem'd so gay . p but now those dayes are past , my credit 's lost , q my meanes are gone , and my designes are crost . much trouble i of late have undergone , and now at last a am in a prison strong , depriv'd of that which heretofore i had , b t' was never with me as 't is now so bad . so that to say the truth , i may be here compar'd to the foure c seasons of the yeare . the joyfull d spring , the dainty e summer fine , the fruitfull f harvest , and the g winter time . h the spring time of my youth i i liv'd in pleasure , then god gave thee to me , thou wast my treasure . k in those dayes i knew not what troubles meant , for then my country-house i had in kent . the summer time l of my good dayes had i much trading and withall , my girle mary . m in those dayes i got meanes , and lived well , my credit then was good , my friends can tell . i' th harvest time n i gather'd much , and than i lost much , yet , god gave me my girle nan . in those dayes o i much care had to uphold my credit , which i valued more then gold . the winter season , when p i had my fill of troubles , then god sent me my son will . in those dayes i was then , as now i am , in great distresse , q and counted a lost man . great losses i sustain'd that stormy time , r which makes me now to suffer and repine . s the losse of ( nan ) thy sister , was then more grievous to me , then all i lost before . a tedious winter 't is as i suppose , t how long t' will last , the lord above best knowes . thus in this world have i beene u toss'd and tumbl'd , sometimes advanc'd aloft , and sometimes humbl'd . x the day-light of my former dayes are done , the dark-night of my latter dayes are come . yet still i hope t' will not be so with thee , y but that thy best dayes will hereafter be . although thy worst dayes be now for a season , yet doubtlesse thou hast so much wit and reason , to thinke , if thou a serve god , b and thy friends please , that thou hereafter may'st live more at ease . c the more thou art in thy young dayes deprest , the more one day will be thy joy and rest : and if thou live to be a woman growne , d thou wilt rejoyce that thou so much hast knowne . thou now art with e thy friends , who love thee well , give them content , whilst thou with them dost dwell . f give not thy selfe at all to idlenesse , g but be thou doing something , more or lesse : be * modest , loving , and of good behaviour , so shalt thou be esteem'd of , and in favour . h and if to goodnesse thou dost now incline , thou then art gods deere childe , as well as mine : thou then two fathers hast , be of good cheere ; i the one 's in heaven above , k the other's here . l thy earthly father's poore , and weak withall , m thy heavenly father's rich , and liberall . if thou want that which i have not to give thee ; goe to n thy heavenly father , hee 'le releeve thee : make thy case knowne to him , the o truth declare , and p tell no lyes , but thereof have a care : for god will never grant such their desires ; q the devill is the father of all lyers . now if thou learn'st good manners every day , r and carriest thy selfe well , not being coy ; s if thou to godlinesse dost give thy minde , t and wilt live vertuously , then thou shalt finde , u that though thou many things art now deny'd , yet shalt thou be hereafter satisfi'd . in the meane while x consider well these things , that i may from thee heare some good tidings . y it will rejoyce my heart , though i am here in prison , where i want meanes to be cleere . a be thou my comfort now , and thou shalt see , i 'le be thy comforter , when i am free . chap. xii . to the domineering creditor over a poore debtor of his in prison . thou domineering man , a that art so b wise in thy conceit ! c why dost thou so despise d thy debtor , which at thy suit here doth lye , where he for want of food in time may dye ? he hath good friends ( sayst thou ) that will not see him lye in prison long , in misery : but rather will some order take to pay his debts , that he no longer here may stay . alas ! thou art deceiv'd , t' will not appeare , e that they 'le doe any thing whilst he is here . f he rather fares the worse for them , so that he 's like a mouse that 's taken in a trap . g yet thou dost boast and brag what thou hast done , in laying up a poore man in prison . what hast thou gotten now by doing so ? the h devill for thy friend , and i god thy foe . k the devill takes delight in cruelty , l and god rejects him that shewes no mercy : m yet thou thy selfe , having the world at will , n tak'st no pitty on him that is so ill . o thou tak'st thy pleasure , p he grieves at the heart ; q yet he 's gods creature , even as thou art . r yet thou beleev'st thou art better then he , s because thou hast him made subject to thee . yet when all comes to all , one day thou must , as well as he , t be turned into dust . then who shall judge , which of you is the better , whether the creditor , or the poore debtor . a your bodies in the darke grave may be there alike unto the wormes without compare . your soules may differ much , b for they must flie up to the c judge ( of heaven and d earth ) on high : e where that great judge pronounce shall to all men f both g good and h bad , their sentence just ; and then i the soule that hath done well , heav'n shall enjoy ; k the soule that hath done ill , god will destroy . consider this , l thou that do'st domineere o're thy poore debtor whom thou hast lodg'd here : for thou thy selfe m art mightily in debt unto the lord , which thou should'st not forget ; n and if christ will not for thee undertake , thy debts to pay , o for his own mercie sake ; then thy poore soule and body shall at last p be into hell ( that fearefull prison ) cast . q if thou therefore wouldst mercy now obtaine , r be thou to others mercifull againe . (ſ) come to thy poore debtor that 's in distresse ; t give him his libertie , and so expresse u thy love to him , that he hereafter may be able ( with gods helpe ) his debts to pay . thus thou may'st doe him good , and thy selfe too ; x wherefore delay no time this good to doe ; y then doubtlesse thy great creditor will forgive thee all thy debts : z and thou with him shalt live . chap. xiii . to the men , which are prisoners in the hole . a you that are pris'ners in the hole , doe not b despaire of helpe , although it be your lot to be throng'd up together in a hole , a where you each others miserie may condole . experience you have had of b gods goodnesse , which he to you hath shew'd c in your distresse : d the lord your helpe and comfort will be still , e if you obedient are unto his will . f 't is god alone that moves mens hearts to pitty poore pris'ners both in country and in city . g your benefactors he makes liberall , and therefore you h should daily on him call i to blesse and sanctifie the meanes you have k to feed your bodies , l and your soules to save . 't is like in former time that some of you did not fare halfe so well as now you doe : and if againe you had your liberty , it may be you so well could not supply your hungry bellies with such food , as now provided is , which none can disallow . your bodies likewise need endure no cold , for you have fire enough for young and old . many besides you are here in this place , that think they are not in so good a case ; because they often times in great want are of that ( god knowes ) which you sometimes can spare : but if their chamber rent they cannot pay , then in your hole they must be put to stay . consider also how m your soules are fed with gods word , n which to you is daily read . o god by his word to you speakes very plaine ; p and you by prayer speake to him againe . q this exercise you have now twice a day , having occasion just to sing and pray . r if inward mirth you have , sing heartily ; if outward crosses , s pray continually : t if you those godly psalmes of david sing without true knowledge , or understanding , then you sing like the bird that doth rejoyce , the nightingall , that 's nothing but a voyce . a if you to god doe pray , and not regard how you speake to him , b then you are not heard : much like the papists you are , when they pray , who utter words , but know not what they say . c if you gods word doe heare with no delight , d and live like heathen people in our sight ; e you then like heathen shall be cast away , the lord will not your punishment delay . there are amongst you , doubtlesse , that have been in drinke , and otherwise much overseen : at tavernes and ale houses were your meetings , where you with others had your merry greetings : and there , and at worst places you have spent your time away in beastly merriment . in stead of davids psalmes , you have sung out your f drunken songs , and so kept revell rout : in stead of prayer , pratling you have us'd , g and gods most holy name have much abus'd : the fidlers you have heard with more delight then h gods pure word , which is so just and right . thus most of you have done when you were free , but now i' th hole such things you cannot see : i from such lewd courses you are now restrain'd , and to doe better things you are enjoyn'd . thus in your bondage k you exercise more your selves in prayer , then you did before . a happy bondage 't is , you can't deny , if you your sinfull l lusts can mortifie : m but if for all this you will not amend your lives ; then you shall finde , that in the end , although your bellies be with food suppli'de , your backs may want course raggs your skin to hide . your bones in time by lying hard , will ake , your flesh the lice will not at all forsake . untill you die ; and then they 'll turne you over unto the a wormes , which then shall be your mother : and then the b worme of conscience , which ne're dies , shall feed upon your soules with wofull cries : and though your bodies in the c graves remaine , and turne to dust , d yet they shall rise againe to judgement , at which time they must needs dwell e with your poore soules , in the darke hole of hell . how soone that day will be , you doe not know ; but when death comes , you to that place must goe . your state is wretched now , 't will then be worse , for you shall ever be under gods curse . thus 't will be with you , if your mindes are bent f to live and die in sinne , and not repent . wherefore g bethinke your selves what you have done , and be reclaim'd , that you the h race may run of christians pure , who never cease to i walke the way to heaven , k of which they joy to talke . that l race you may now run , and get the gole , though you are stay'd , and shut up in a hole . m gods word is your direction , n heare , and o pray p in faith ; and then the hole will be the way . q through troubles and afflictions you shall finde the readi'st way , if you are not starke blinde . whil'st you therefore are here , r feare god , and (ſ) feed your bodies , t and your soules , that have such need . yet be not like the fox , or like his brood , which loves his hole , if he there can have food . but rather use good meanes to get out hence , that you may have such food without offence , abroad in other places , being free , which to good minds doth best of all agree . then doubtlesse god in his due time will send you libertie , and u comfort in the end . and if the steward of your hole be just , your reader chaste , not given to his lust ; your cooke a cleanly fellow in his place ; your constable well order'd , and not base ; and you that are inferiour to all these , that are so full of lice and biting fleas ; that have no beds to lye on , but must needs lye in your cloathes , where all your vermine breeds ; a if you together in good sort doe live , b the lord will change your lodging , and soone give you such a place to dwell in , as shall be c the place where you for ever shall be free . chap. xiv . to his youngest daughter . when thou into this wretched world a cam'st crying , b ten thousand round about thee lay a dying . many which in the morning had their breath , c before night were depriv'd thereof by death . death in those dayes with his sharp poyson'd dart , d smote thousands weekly through the very heart ; and led them captives to their graves , where they e must needs remaine untill the lords great day . f this domineering death took rich and poore , g and some that liv'd with me were at his doore . he at that dolefull time was fierce and bold , and made more havock of the young then old . great was his priviledge then in the city , h for fooles and wisemen he tooke without pitie . i he then spar'd none at all that were in 's reach , but did amongst all callings make a breach . the belfrees he caus'd to be full of people , who made the bells to ring in every steeple . a dolefull sound there was , k then graves were plenty , l which made the streets of london to be empty . a and then most trades did faile , i knew but one that flourish'd , which were wooden cookes alone . their wooden crust death furnish'd with great store of flesh , b which living people did abhor : and therefore they convey'd were under ground , for c wormes to feed on , which did then abound . the pye-crust which was fram'd and made of wood , they did dislike , yet d th'inside they found good . death was their friend , he daily did provide such food , and yet they were not satisfi'd . e thou then deaths hands escap'dst , as well as i , yet when he comes we cannot from him flye . my country house in those infectious dayes i had , where grew much rosemary and bayes , i' th towne of battersey , where thou didst make thy mothers belly , sides and back to ake , f with struggling over much with her to be discharg'd out of that place where she kept thee as long as e're she could , yet at the last g she let thee goe , because thou wast in haste , now when thou cam'st into the world starke naked , h having thy limbes and members all well shaped , yet thou a name did'st want , i which those did give unto thee then , with whom thou now dost live : thy godfather and godmother are they which thy name gave thee ; and the selfe same day by promise they engag'd themselves for thee , k that thou from satan and his workes should'st flee , and likewise should'st abstaine l from vaine delights , m and sinfull lusts , which gainst the spirit it fights : and that thou should'st n beleeve all in thy creed , o keeping gods holy lawes , and so proceed to p walke therein all the dayes of thy life , q that thou in peace mayst live , and not in strife . all these things they have promised for thee , which thou ought'st to performe , then they are free . they are thy sureties , till th' art of age , and then thy sureties thou should'st disengage . when they that charge first tooke of thee , i then in credit liv'd among all sorts of men . i in that sickly time was forc'd to walke the city streets , a yet with few men did talke . for then was i to them much like a stranger , b because my life i would not then endanger . but afterwards when losses came upon me , c in my first troubles , some friends did bemone me . and when by many men i was undone , i walk'd the streets , yet was i faine to shun the company of many , which to me seem'd officers , d so that i fear'd to be in danger of that , which i now at last am brought unto , e where i am lock'd up fast in a poore prison , where are good and bad , f and where i want that which before i had . yet if thy minde thou now giv'st g to doe well , then comfort i shall have , though here i dwell . h feare god above , and thy i parents obey , so shalt thou k live many a happy day . thy godfather and thy godmother love ; l be thou not wilde , m but gentle as a dove . be rul'd by them , n for they thy best friends are , they love thee well , that art from me so farre . thou art their godchilde , o learne of them , and know some goodnesse now , p and therein daily grow . such godfathers and godmothers as those are much to be respected ( i suppose : ) there are not many such now to be found , whom thou enjoy'st , though i am in lobs pound . wherefore whil'st thou art with them lose no time , q be cleanly , and doe not thy selfe begrime . r reade thy booke often , s let thy needle be alwayes in use , and a delight to thee . a doe willingly such things thou go'st about , b be not at all dogged , frowne not , nor pout . but let thy carriage be now , and alwayes , c such as hereafter may get thee the praise . d if i could now from thee such good newes heare , it would revive me more then wine or beere : for though e i am neglected in this place , if thou doe well , i shall be in good case : my minde will be at ease i make no doubt , f and some good friend at length will get me out : and when my liberty i shall obtaine , i hope to g see thee with much joy againe . chap. xv . to the prodigall young man , a prisoner . thou a that a spend-thrist art , clap'd up for debt in prison ▪ where no goodnesse thou canst get ! thou see'st here are b companions to thy minde , which are like thee to vaine c pleasures inclin'd . though thou now art a pris'ner here depriv'd of liberty ▪ yet being here arriv'd , thou tak'st thy liberty d to drinke e and sweare , f which wicked custome thou should'st here forbeare : g for this a place is of disconsolation , h which ought to worke in thee a reformation . and if this place will not at all thee tame , then must i needs conclude , i thou art past shame ▪ though thou hast money to swagger and roare , when that is spent , how think'st thou to get more ? thy friends and parents , by whom thou had'st meanes , k which thou hast spent amongst base knaves and queans , will now leave thee unto thy selfe to shift , l because thou hast beene such a wilde unthrift . a thy lewd companions now will forsake thee although they were the onely lads that brake thee . b thy wenches , with whom thou didst take delight , will scorne thee now , and not come in thy sight . the truth is , whether thou be rich or poore , a beare is fitter for thee than a whore . thy credit in this place will soone be lost , though thou hast been here long to thy great cost . if thou the tapster shouldst owe but a groat , he would goe neere to pluck 't out of thy throat : though thou should'st spend here forty pound a yeere , yet hee 'll scarce trust thee for a pot of beere . c though thou in want should'st make to him thy mone for bread , drinke , or tobacco , d he hath none for such as have no money ; and therefore hee 'll bid thee get thee gone , for hee 'll not score . now when thou art e brought to so much disgrace , the hole 't is like will be thy dwelling place . many a worse lodging thou hast had , when with harlots thou didst lodge , thou know'st , for then 't was worse with thee , f thou then wast in great danger g to be ensnar'd by satan , that great ranger : h for thou then wast plung'd over head and eares i in sin , which thou should'st here bewaile with teares . thy case was desperate then , and now is like to be worse , if k god give thee not a sight of thy great sinnes , the which thou hast committed against him , l for which thou art here afflicted . m and though much sorrows thou hast , doe not thinke n to mitigate thy sorrowes by much drinke : for if that course thou tak'st , thou may'st be sure o thy sorrowes will increase , and long endure : such seeming remedies have some undone ; wherefore be thou like the prodigall sonne , p who when his substance he had vainely spent , q being in extreame want , r did then repent , a confessing all his faults , and then resolv'd to goe to his father to be absolv'd ; b his father , when he saw him in that ●ase , tooke pitty on him , and did him embrace : c he did not with him chide , although he were a naughty childe , such was his love and care , and joy withall , when he his d lost sonne saw return'd , and found obedient to his law ; then he receiv'd him , and him entertain'd , although before e he was so much disdain'd : f he cloath'd him bravely then from top to toe , g and feasted him most sumptuously also : besides all that , this loving father had h musick and dancing , to make his heart glad . now if this prodigall thou wilt resemble , i and at gods fearfull judgements quake and tremble : if thou thy wicked wayes wilt leave , and k turne unto thy heavenly father , and so spurne at thy l companions , m that would thee entice to leave all goodnesse , n and to follow vice . o if thou with patience canst a while abide this chastisement , p and not be terrifi'd , q but thereby brought to goodnesse , and so love thy father , r whose dwelling 's in heaven above ; s thou then all sinfull pleasures wilt detest , and t long to be with him in heav'n at rest : u a portion there hee 'll give thee to content , x of such good things as never shall be spent : nay furthermore , hee 'll likewise give to thee y a crown of glory , and there thou shalt be z co-heire with his sonne christ , a thy elder brother , b with the triumphant church c his spouse , thy mother . d angels and saints shall be thy company ( in that most glorious place ) continually . e all earthly pleasures , and the chiefest joyes are to those heavenly pleasures but meere toyes . a thinke on those heavenly things , and let thy b heart be there , although in this place now thou art . c thou then shalt finde , that this affliction shall the best thing prove , as ere did thee befall : for god hereby hath brought thee in the way to heav'n : wherefore d thou shalt not long here stay . thou art still going , though thou stirre not hence ; e keep on thy way , f god will be thy defence : and though in prison thou art now so fast , hee 'll bring thee safely g to that place at last . chap. xvi . to the prisoners called by the name of rats , which are debauched men , taken at unlawfull houres in the night by the watch , and brought into prison . a you that the black prince are forc'd to obey , ( i meane the b prince of darknesse ) night and day : c the end of your obedience is damnation , which shall begin in his d darke habitation . e how soon you know not , too soone you shall know f to your eternall shame , miserie and woe . the places you tick out g to drinke and rore , h are doubtlesse the suburbes of hell ; therefore i you rather chuse to be there then elsewhere k with your base whores , with whom you drink & swear . l the longest night i' th yeare you thinke too short to spend like wicked wretches in that sort . m seeing therefore the night you love so well you shall have night enough , being in hell : n for there the night shall never have an end , which loathsome night you shall be forc'd to spend a with devils , and with all their damned crew , b from which place none shall ever you rescue ; c you by no meanes those judgements can escape , because d hell for such wicked men doth gape . e the devill , he 's alwayes ready to take your soules away , if you doe not forsake f your grievous sinnes , which to the lord on high for vengeance daily doe both call and cry . g you little thinke on this , it doth appeare ; for if you did , you would not now be here . h but you those secret places doe frequent , i where you your time have oftentimes mis-spent : k in drinking , dicing , whoring , and such like l you take your pleasure , and in the darke night you m walke the streets , where watchmen then , like cats , seize on you , as you are , like drunken rats ; n and hither they you bring , where you are mad untill the o morning , and then you grow sad , because th'officious constable so witty , that 's never out of office in this citty , p who finding you disguis'd and voyd of wit , could doe no lesse but speedily commit you to this prison , from whence you must goe along with him , like sodden sheep ; and so you bring before the next justice of peace , who will out of this prison you release , when you have payd for swearing , and likewise your fees discharg'd , then you will soone advise what place to goe to , where you may relate to your companions , at what a cheap rate you have escap'd the punishment then due for your foule misdemeanors , which is true : and then your wicked crew , when they heare this , q they 'll doe the like , and thinke it not amisse : for they thinke , if they money have to pay , r they may commit such follies every day . a not knowing what vengeance hangs o're their heads , b whilst they lye sleeping in their drinke on beds . c thinke not though earthly judges doe forbeare to punish vicious fellowes as you are , d that god will spare to execute his just and severe judgement on you for your lust . e he notice takes of all your wayes , therefore f your sinfull wicked courses now abhorre : g his anger then from you hee 'le turne away , so that you shall ne're perish nor decay . goe then from hence , h abstaine from vaine delights , forsake all such i as turne dayes into nights . k behave your selves like men that live in fame , l and not like to bruit beasts , m that have no shame . 't is knowne that you have got by being here the title of base rats , at which men jeere ; and not unfitly are such names impos'd on you , that are within this place inclos'd : for you like rats , in the darke silent night , n more mischiefe doe , then in the day that 's bright . if rats finde food , they i feed on 't all night long , o at which time you drinke most , be 't ne're so strong . i' th night rats are more troublesome then i' th day : and so are you , p that will no lawes obey . rats in the night , when they thinke least , are taken , q and so are you ; you are not then forsaken . rats of themselves goe freely in the trap ; r but you to this trap are brought , 't is your hap . the greatest difference i find between you , is , that they have foure legs , and you but two . i wish your fellow rats which us annoy , would goe with you when you hence goe away . i wish when you from hence are gone , you would s never more be ( as you are now ) befool'd . t drinke ( and tobacco ) taken in excesse , u make wise men fooles , x and fooles come to distresse . a those that delight in harlots shall at length b be full of foule diseases , and want c strength . the rich man that 's a gamester , let him know , whether he win or lose , hee 'le be brought low , the wretched swearer , that may sweare his fill , if he can pay for oathes , the judge then will let him goe free , yet he 's the devils slave , d the curse of god will follo him to his grave . e you that to these vices are now addicted , f shall for the same be one day much afflicted ; g if you your wicked lives doe not amend , h gods judgements shall o'retake you in the end , i which judgements you by no meanes can prevent , k unlesse the lord give you grace to repent , which he will doe , l if you can him intreat , and m pardon all your sins , though ne're so great . oh , what a happy thing will it be then , when you all vice give o're , n and bee new men ! o you 'le then bethinke your selves of better things , p and yeeld obedience to the q king of kings . r your service hee 'le reward here and above , s wherefore above all things doe you him love : t and then all vice and wickednesse you 'le hate , u so that you 'le be in a most blessed state . then x shall the devill away from you flye , y and you in gods favour shall live and dye . chap. xvii . to the carrier , a prisoner . thou that a carrier art , i must thee tell , thou hast not carried thy selfe very well : for if thou had'st , it might be well suppos'd , thou had'st not at this time beene here inclos'd . doubtlesse thou wast very much overseene , to take up this base prison for thine inne . but seeing now thy nest thou hast here built , think not thou canst depart hence when thou wilt : for now thou art here , here thou shalt be stay'd , untill thy reckoning to a doit be payd : and what thy chamberlaine doth say is due , thou must needs pay , be 't ne're so false or true : when thou call'st to thine host out of the grate for food , hee 'le send it thee at his owne rate . yet if thou pay not for it beforehand , for all thy calling hee 'le not understand . i 'le undertake thou shalt be here so yoak'd , that the proud tapster will first see thee choak'd before hee 'le trust thee for a little drinke , though thou intreat him , yet hee 'le from thee slinke . coarse entertainment thou shalt finde and see , the longer thou art here , the worse t' will be ; so well t' will like thee , that i dare maintaine , when thou art gone thou'lt ne're come here againe . yet let me tell thee one thing by the way , if thou should'st be disorder'd every day in drink or otherwise , with knaves or whores , yet will not thine host turne thee out of doores : nay though thy carriage should be ne're so base , thou shalt be kept safe in this lawlesse place . wherefore discharge thy reckoning and be trudging ; doe not delay the time to change thy lodging . but how cam'st thou behind hand , canst thou tell , that thou should'st be constrain'd here now to dwell ? thou must needs say , that a thy ill husbandry hath brought thee to this great calamity . b thou hast beene carelesse , c and too credulous , and therefore it must needs be with thee thus . d for he that will beleeve every tale , and make mad bargaines , e when he 's in his ale , and his calling neglects , which should maintaine his charge so great a by his labour and paine , b he that 's thus drawne away by company , c doubtlesse shall come to extreame poverty . in all which thou canst not thy selfe excuse , though late , yet now , d bad company refuse . where are thy pot-companions , and thy crew of good fellowes ? they bid thee now adieu : e they 'le not come neere thee , now thou art in trouble ▪ because thou hast not meanes with them to fuddle . such f drunkards are by drunkards call'd good fellowes , which rather should be call'd the devils bellowes . for he with them blowes and kindles the fire g of quarrels and debate , which they desire . a good riddance thou hast of them , therefore h desire thou their company no more . and when thou hast thy liberty , doe not count him thy friend that 's given to the pot . for such a one will i cause thee to foreslow . thy businesse , which may cause thy overthrow . thy wise and servants may doe what thy can , k yet 't will not thrive till thou be l a new man . but thou thy freedome hast not yet obtain'd , m 't is god that hath thee hitherto restrain'd , n and if thou unto him dost now repaire in all humility by hearty prayer : confessing all thy sinnes , then make no doubt , o but he will raise thee friends to get thee out . consider how the lord thou hast offended , p and yet thy sinfull life hast not amended : thy carts were ne're charg'd with commoditie , q as thou art laden with iniquity . yet when unto the inne they come , then they unladen are without any delay : so r thou that laden art so much with sin , goe to thy saviour christ , and seeke to win a his love by thy obedience to his will , b and he will ease thee , be thou ne're so ill . thy waggon wheeles , when they want grease , doe cry , and keep a squeeking , till thou them supply . so when thou feel'st the want of grace , c cease not to cry to god , till thou the same hast got : d for wanting that , thou canst not but offend thy gracious god , e for which cause he doth send these troubles , which his rods are to reclaime thee from those sins , f in which thou hast long laine : g that by his chastisement thou may'st be brought to serve god likewise , h as thou hast been taught . thou know'st , thy teeme of horses , though well fed , like pamper'd jades , they care not to be led out of the stable to thy waggons , where they are put to doe service , 't is thy care : yet if sometimes they are not whipp'd and beaten , they 'll doe no service , though thou them dost threaten . if god in like manner should not thee give i correction , then in sin thou wonld'st still live , k and him forget to serve , that hath alwayes l defended thee from danger all thy dayes . wherefore be m thankfull to the lord for this his love to thee , n and doe no more amisse ; then when thy libertie thou shalt obtaine , thou may'st with credit o doe thy worke againe , p and thy calling discharge more faithfully then e're thou didst when thou hadst more plenty . thy waggon wheeles , if thou not'st , when they goe , that part that 's now above , anon's below : then that part that 's below , again 's on high ; thus are all men subject to casualtie : q there 's no man breathing can say he stands fast ; r the rich man that 's up now , is soon down cast : againe (ſ) the poore man that is full of sorrow , may be a poore man now , and rich to morrow . observe thy waggon wheeles on the high way , which never cease turning about , till they by turning , gain the place where thou would'st be of thy lading discharg'd : then thou art free . so likewise should'st thou turne about , untill thou turne not , as the wheeles turne in a mill . a but turning from thy sinnes , thou shalt have rest , b and then the lord will turne all to the best . and if by chance one of thy wheeles should breake upon the way , thou then would'st send to speake unto the wheele-right , to come and repaire that breach , lest thou should'st be forc'd to stay there . c so when thou dost fall into any sin , d doe not at any hand lie long therein ; but quickly e goe to christ , and hee 'll thee give grace to amend , f that thou in no sinne live . observe thy horses , ( which doe stand in awe ) their heavy lading they doe forward draw , so that by drawing thus , it 's often seen , they in due time come safely to their inne : but if one of those horses should draw back , their labour then were lost , and thou shouldst lack . now if thou , with thy wife , and servants all g agree together , then thy businesse shall goe forward , and no doubt but h god will blesse and prosper thy endeavours more or lesse . i but if together you doe not agree , thou canst not thrive , 't will be the worse for thee . wherefore k lift up thy soule to god on hie , for hee 's l the god of peace and unitie : m hee 'll set all straight , and thou shalt quickly finde n a happy change , according to thy minde . chap. xviii . to the master of the tap-house . thou art a so fat , that thou canst hardly run , and halfe as bigi'th middle as a tun : b thou tak'st thine ease , and hast c daily good fare , d thou drink'st good wine , untill thine eyes doe stare . though thou a mighty man art in this place , yet liv'st thou by those that live in disgrace . thou dost e exact on pris'ners that are here , by selling such things as thou hast , too deere . thy beere , though dead and low , yet dost thou thinke it 's for poore pris'ners good enough to drinke : thy ale though small , and measure very little , poore prisoners must have that , or none to tipple . thy bread though not full waight , f and nere so stale , thou think'st it good enough to sop in ale . thy cheese which thou mark'st out so neat and round , at thy rate is almost two groats a pound . thy rich tobacco , which poore fooles are faine to buy at thy deare rate , yeelds thee sweet gaine . thy pretty fine faggots , as green as geese , thou think'st too cheape at seven tokens apeece . thy candles , which are made of kitchin stuffe , are quickly burnt out to a stinking snuffe . thou art so wise , that thou no coales wilt sell to pris'ners which within this house doe dwell ; neither wilt thou suffer their friends to bring them such fuell , though it them cost nothing . what is the reason ? let me tell thee plaine , because by fagots thou so much dost gaine , regarding not g what pris'ners doe endure , so thou get'st meanes to satisfie the brewer : for by thy liquor thou gain'st most of all , and that by drunkards : who doe cry and yall for drinke , though they are full ; yet when they will a have more , their pots thou wilt be sure to fill . then they will drinke till they b reele to and fro , not being able of themselves to goe . these are thy friends , which thou wilt not see lack so long as they have a coat to their back : and if such fellowes were not in this house , thy trading then would scarce be worth a louse . c now when a civill man comes , that can't drinke more then will doe him good , thou then dost thinke hee 's no good customer , let him stand by , for his roome 's better then his company . an honest man , d that 's fallen to decay , if he ask credit of thee for a day , but for a penny loafe , or pot of beere , though he intreat thee , yet thou wilt not heare : nay , if he should be sick , ready to dye , for want thereof , thou wouldst not him supply . if pris'ners have a minde to drinke i' th night , no roome thou l't spare , unlesse they 'll pay for light . such orders thou hast made , which i dare say , may hold a while , which pris'ners must obay : but if thou thus continu'st e to doe wrong , thou may'st thy selfe a prisoner be ere long . chap. xix . to the card-player , a prisoner . all thy delight's here in playing at cards , and usually with those that have a gray beards , old men that dote , b and have one foot i' th grave , although in prison , yet they needs must have a payre of cards , to drive the time away , and then their heads together they will lay : making their matches with such eagernesse , as if they were about great businesse . all which is for tobacco and strong beere , a which they will have , although it cost them deare . and when they doe mistake , they then fall out , and in great choler throw their cards about . but why should'st thou , b that art lustly and strong , c sit at this idle sport all the day long ? before thou cam'st to prison , thou didst spend thy chiefest time in carding most an end . d which idle course of life , i must needs say , hath beene the onely cause of thy decay . but now thou art a pris'ner in this place , me thinks thou should'st not have so little grace as to continue playing in this kinde , e when thou to better things should give thy minde . i wonder of what mettle thou art made , that thou should'st alwayes follow such a trade . but seeing now thou wilt not be reclaim'd from carding , by which thou say'st thou hast gain'd ; know this from me , whether thou lose or win , thou art a loser f by committing sin . when thou the cards dost deale ▪ afraid thou art to lose thy dealing , for 't will vex thy heart . g yet thou thy dealing hast now lost with those by whom thou got'st money , meat , drink , and cloathes . when thou the cards didst cut , thou know'st not where to cut them , yet thereof thou hast a care . h if thou hadst beene cut short of thine owne will , when thou wast free , thou might'st have beene so still . when thou the cards dost shuffle at thine ease , such a game thou mayst have as may thee please . i a shuffling fellow thou hast beene , those say , which oft advis'd thee to give over play . when thou a good game hast , thou bend'st thy wits thy game to play well , to get many trickes : if all be true , i lately understood , a thou hast more tricks then e're will doe thee good . when thou hast store of trumps thou then dost grin , and fleere , because thou then art sure to win . b thou with much trump'ry art stor'd every day , which thou wilt keepe , and never play away . when one a ten doth play , the trick to save , thou that trick winn'st by playing of the knave . c thou hast oft times the knave play'd , and yet hast not got thereby , but greatly lost at last . when thou dost rub , thou then art very glad , because thy game can then be hardly bad . a dangerous d rub thou hast in this place , which will make thee rub and scratch where 't doth not itch . againe , when thou dost rub thou art a getter , the stock thou gain'st , which makes thy game the better . thou had'st in former time a pretty stock , e which thou by play hast lost , like a wood-cocke . if thou renounce , and wilt not follow suit , thou play'st foule play , and causest a dispute . f renounce the devill , and his workes , lest he follow thee close , and never renounce thee . when thou a card discard'st , it is conceiv'd , 't is for the best , yet may'st thou be deceiv'd . those that discarded thee , did play their game exceeding well , g for thou those friends did'st shame . if these the fruits of idle carding be , for shame give 't o're , that thy best friends may see some alteration in thee in this place , h and that thou wilt some goodnesse now imbrace . 't will be a meanes thou mayst once more obtaine their love i and favour , to help thee againe out of this nasty place , where k thou dost lack food for thy belly , and clothes to thy back . and likewise may for thee a way contrive , how in some honest calling a thou mayst thrive . which course of life no doubt but god will blesse , b and keep thee from living in such distresse . chap. xx . to the papist , a prisoner . thou art not here afflicted ( as thou know'st ) for thy religion , but for what thou ow'st . thy creditor a doth not much stand upon religion , so he may but have his owne . for he 's a man that 's rich , and b covetous , which makes him , as thou art , idolatrous . now thou art here , c small comfort thou shalt finde from him , and others , 't will trouble thy minde . for when thou art in want , and otherwise afflicted here , thy friends d will thee despise . then wilt thou in a poore condition be , e if god be not thy friend , to stand by thee . f but thou that hast made god thine enemy , g by trusting gods that are meere vanity : adhering to the h whore of babylon , i the enemy of christ , gods onely sonne , k canst not from that great god true comfort have , l that art to that m great whore such a bondslave . what an erronious church dost thou live in , that to all men n gives liberty to sinne ? the pope , o that man of sin ( who is mis-led by satan ) is of that false church the head . that head that hath on it a triple crowne , p shall one day be by q christ our head pull'd downe . the pope , with his r locusts , his underlings , have power , as thou beleev'st , s to pardon sins . but if such sinners as to them doe goe to have their sinnes forgiven , they must know , if they fall short of money to obtaine their pardons , then their labour 's but in vaine . in what a poore deistressed case art thou , that want'st thy liberty , and know'st now how a little meanes to get , that art in debt , that thou a pardon for thy sinnes may'st get ? what though thou think'st thy sins be ne're so small ? no pardon thou shalt have for them at all , unlesse thy ghostly father thou content with money , then though thou doe not repent , a he 'le pardon them , though they be ne're so great ; b thus doth the devill all such blinde fooles cheat . oh! how are all the members of thy church c deluded , and at last left in the lurch ? that cannot be a true , but false religion ▪ which most wise men thereof have in derision . the religion of the romish church is such , d as is polluted and defiled much : the wickednesse thereof cannot be hid , e for that maintaines that , which gods lawes forbid , f idolatry , g which true christians abhor , h rebellion against princes , and yet more , i adultery , and k fornication , which them permitted is , to poore and rich ; l perjury , m buggery , n incest , and such like o abhominations , of which they make light . those popish clergy doe and will maintaine , because thereby they have much p filthy gaine : this seemes a brave religion to th'unwise , that 's stuft with q base old heresies , and lyes . what good dost thinke from thy religion springs , r that contradicts it selfe in many things ? but when s the word of god , which is so pure , t is thereby cross'd , who can the same endure ? but a truth and falshood we shall never see as long as this world lasts , e're to agree . b thou that in ignorance hast been so long bred , c know'st not the truth , no more then he that 's dead . those d ignorant clergie , e that the truth would smother , say , ignorance of devotion is the mother . what greater ignorance then , can there be found , then in the romish church , f that 's therein drown'd ? how can it otherwise be , when they deny g the scriptures to be read to the laity ? such orders they have made ; and besides this ▪ whatso'ere they doe , be 't ne're so much amisse : yet will they not by gods pure h word be try'd , i because they never could the same abide . it is no marvell then , they are so vile , k whom satan their leader doth thus beguile : for he conducts them cleane l out of the way , m from truth to errours , for they him obey . n such as under the devils banner fight against their maker , the great god of might , o shall lose the battell ▪ and likewise be sure eternall captivitie to endure . p such shall th'estate and the condition be of all idolaters ▪ that from god flee . q for such regard not what sinnes they commit , as dumb idols and images worship . r what devillish plots and practises have been s discover'd here against our king and queen , and all our royall issue , with our state ▪ by all the romish sect , t who scorne and hate all christians , which the gospell doe professe u with all sinceritie : yet ne're the lesse x they would have blowne up all , ( 't was their intent ) when they assembled were in parliament . those that unto their y doctrine will not yeeld , z shall be tormented , scourg'd ▪ and at last kill'd : a such crueltie they use to christs poore members , as if in hell there were no such offenders . this church b ( the mother of harlots ) is knowne to be the church c of ceremonies alone : d organs with other sweet musick , and singing , wax e candles lighted , bookes , and bells oft ringing : rich copes , fine beads , and holy water , which with other rare conceits that some bewitch : f brave images , and pictures of some saints , and angels , which they say , heare their complaints . crosses guilded with gold , beset with stones , and relicks , whereof some are dead mens bones , and some are teeth , heads , armes , and other parts of saints dismembred , which grieves not their hearts to see what monsters they of some saints make , at which the wiser sort their heads doe shake . one saint at severall places had three heads , sixe armes another , and a third foure leggs . there was a saint in england , we are told , that had more teeth then two hogs-heads could hold . g such lying fopperies papists maintaine , h as meerly are devis'd by their owne braine . a man would wonder , in this age , to see what strange disorder'd orders now there be ordained in the church of rome , whereby that church is much enrich'd ; but the country and kingdomes that are subject thereunto , are much impoverish'd , some they quite undoe . so many sects there are , both high and low , of clergie-men , which they themselves scarce know : i the lofty cardinalls , proud and ambitious ; the jesuites , k which are every where seditious ; l the domineering bishops , which have cures ; the lazie [ monks ] m that are meere epicures ▪ the drunken priests , n who eat their breaden gods ; o the lecherous [ friers ] who whip nuns with rods ; the capuchins , who weare to shirts , and goe by two and two , a are hypocrites we know ▪ and divers other orders from rome sent , with unchaste nuns , make up the b rabblement . these popish clergie are c forbid to marry , d and yet from common whores cannot long tarry . e their reines must needs be purg'd by maids or wives , else they 'll be sick , and endanger their lives . it is more lawfull for a priest to have ten concubines , then one wife , ne're so brave . this f devillish doctrine is taught unto those that are apt schollers , whom their master knowes . they likewise doe on certaine dayes g forbid flesh to be eaten ; and yet they instead of flesh may eat of other things their fill , with dainty cakes and sweet-meates , if they will , and sev'rall sorts of wine of pleasant taste ; this is the manner of the popish fast . if thou such fasting dayes could'st here observe , though thou fast often , yet thou need'st not starve . but what a wicked custome have those got , h that in a strange tongue pray , which they know not ? yet ignorant papists pray as they are taught , although their prayers ( god knowes ) are starke naught : for when they understand not what they say , they doe but prate ; a parrat may so pray . i the forme and substance of their prayer 's such as doth the lord dishonour very much : k for to some saints they pray , and cannot tell whether those saints in heav'n be , or in hell . whether true saints , or popish saints , l they faile that to them pray ; 't will nothing them availe : yet when this popish crew want helpe , they then pray to those saints , which were but mortall men . the virgin mary , m she 's more call'd upon then christ n her saviour , the o chiefe corner stone . a angels that are gods servants , as saints be , they worship , for their church doth so agree . b carv'd images and pictures on the wall , crosses , relicks , and other things withall c that have no life , yet d they like beasts doe creepe and crawle to them , sometimes i' th open street : e and when they are thus prostrate , then they cry unto those idols , their wants to supply . so soone as people dye , their f soules doe goe to heaven or hell , the word of god saith so . yet those ungodly papists have invented a place besides hell , where soules are tormented ; that place of purgatory , where they say , the soules must needs be g purg'd before that day . they are deliver'd thence , therefore they make for those soules prayers , which lye in that lake . thus those , that are in thy religion bred , in vaine doe pray for their friends , which are dead . beleeve me , if a purgatory be on earth , 't is here , thou canst not chuse but see . this place will thee so purge , thou need'st not care to be purged againe , thou know'st not where . the romish church , like pharisies and scribes , h preferre mens vaine traditions ▪ ( like i blinde guides ) before the written word of god , which none but such blasphemers k doe despise alone : for they l adde thereunto , and m from it take that which shall make their soules in hell to quake . their great legend of n lyes is more set by then o gods pure word , p that 's full of majesty . the q ten commandements of god , wherein r a masse of treasure 's lockt up to the brim : those clergie have the second cleane left out : and of the last made two : there is no doubt s but god , that gave those lawes , will suddenly t bring them to shame for their idolatry , which sin 's against that great commandement , and that 's the reason the counsell of trent would not have that once mention'd , lest thereby a their people should forbeare idolatry . though in b gods law all sins are comprehended , yet have those out-law'd clergy recommended unto their people five command'ments more then e're the primitive church heard of before . which lawes are so observ'd without excuse , c as gods lawes now are almost out of use . d that man that breakes but one commandement of theirs , must penance doe , though he repent : but if he should at once breake all gods lawes , no penance he should doe : and why ? because e the sins against those lawes are very small , f and some such sins they count but veniall : the priest therefore no penance will enjoyne to such a sinner , though he have no coine . g the lords day all true christians sanctifie an holy rest to god our lord on high : h which day 's appointed to read , heare , and pray , i and no worke to be done upon that day . but those prophane and wretched papists hold , k that wares on that day may be bought and sold . after they have i' th morning beene at masse , l some goe to worke , and some their time doe passe m in wanton sports ; thus they may worke or play on that day more then any holy day . christ only hath n two sacraments ordain'd , which in his church shall ever be maintain'd : the church of rome hath added thereunto five sacraments more , which they ought not to doe . the two which christ ordain'd , these men unwise sophisticate with their ceremonies : the other five they never could maintaine as sacraments to be joyn'd with those twaine . now this corrupted church , with much envie , a adde what they list to gods word wrongfully . the canons of the masse they hold equall unto the b gospel , which is eternall . this hellish doctrine they hold , and so would c have all the world beleeve it , if they could : and to win credit thereunto , we know d they did false miracles devise , and so amaz'd the people , and made some to jarre ; e but now their juggling trickes discover'd are . these are the blinde scribes , and pharisees , that f swallow a camell , and straine at a gnat . and yet these merit-mongers , though they be g such wicked livers , as the world may see : h they thinke to merit heaven by their good workes : such wicked christians are as bad as turkes . nay i these sonnes of their father , that old lyer , say men may doe more then gods lawes require . k such damnable and wicked errours these base antichristians teach , even as they please . l thou art one of their schollers , here despis'd , forget their lessons , m and be well advis'd . it may be god to this schoole hath thee brought , n to learne a lesson which thou ne're wast taught . if thou wilt therefore o gods book take in hand , p and learne the same rightly to understand , q thou wilt abandon all that popish crew , r and be of christs poore flocke , though they be few : s reade then the holy scriptures with delight , t o that will make thee see darknesse from light . u though thou a great idolater hast beene long time , x yet now thy time seeke to redeeme : y and if thou call'st thy grievous sins to minde , z seeking to god for mercy , thou shalt finde a that he his gracious favour will extend unto thee here , b and free thee in the end . a manasseh was a great idolater , as thou and others of thy church now are : b he would not hearken to the lord , untill c he was in great affliction , very ill ; d he being led into captivity , humbled himselfe , and to the lord did cry ; e who heard his voice , that was in such distresse , and did out of that bondage him release ; f be thou like him , now thou afflicted art , g confesse thy sins to god , with all thy heart . h in him alone put all thy confidence ; i embrace the truth , let it be thy defence . k thou being thus converted , god will thy body and soule l preserve continually . then as manasseh was deliver'd , so shalt thou likewise , then m thou the lord wilt know . thou being then n endued with gods grace , o wilt give him thankes that brought thee to this place , where thou shalt not stay long , if thou him love , p for hee 'le remove thee to a place above ; q to which place no idolater shall goe , r for their dwelling shall be in hell below . but those that are s christs members , when they dye , t shall live with him their u head eternally . chap. xxi . to his brother : i must confesse thou art a my elder brother , but if in barkshire there be such another , i am deceiv'd ; yet can i not forbeare in my distresse , b but this to thee declare : five months and upward in this place have i a pris'ner beene , thou canst it not deny ; in all which time a although thou knew'st my griefe , would'st not at all send me the least reliefe . had it not beene for some here , that me cherish'd at certaine times , b i might have starv'd and perish'd c more love have i from these poore strangers found , then from thy selfe , since this world on me frown'd . but now in prison i am , thou know'st where , d whether i sinke or swim , thou tak'st no care . hadst thou a feeling of my misery , e thou could'st not have so little charity f thus to neglect me , now i am in thrall , but that thou art g to me unnaturall . consider therefore , h and doe not forget thy brother , that 's imprisoned for debt . i was thy friend , and am thy brother , tho in prison , i where false friends will not me know . thou art my brother , yet i must thee tell , k a true friend's neerer to me , i know well . let me therefore not onely thee advise l to be my brother , but my friend likewise . m doe as thou would'st be done unto , thou then wilt please the lord , and be belov'd of men . n howsoe're thou deal'st with me , i 'le strive to be o contented , and p pray to the lord for thee : hoping , though i in this extremity have not thy helpe , yet q god will sanctifie these great afflictions to me , and me send helpe and r deliv'rance out of them i' th end . s our father's dead , be not so strange to me , whil'st we have breath t let us not disagree . then though we have no father , hee 'le us blesse , u who is a father of the fatherlesse . chap. xxii . to the mercifull creditour . a poore man thou hast in this prison layd , a who heretofore was by thee well imploy'd . b credit thou gav'st him , and did'st him well use , whil'st he dealt with thee , yet did he refuse c to give thee such content as he was able , and yet without just cause d did with thee brabble : wherefore when thou in him could'st finde no reason , e hither thou sent'st him , which was in due season : for since his being here , f he 's mortifi'd , g that heretofore was stout , and full of pride . h now in his great distresse , when he to thee did make his mone , thou quickly did'st agree , i not onely to release him , but also to set him up againe , that 's brought so low . in all which thou thy 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be k compassionate , loving , courteous and free . l such men are blest that in 〈◊〉 delight : for they shall at gods hands receive the like . thy poore debtor when he 's out of this place , may by thy meanes be in a happy 〈◊〉 m leaving his former folly and betake himselfe to that which may 〈◊〉 make n him feare to run in debt , having a 〈◊〉 to live within his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by degree , o make best use of his time as may appeare to that to be a signe p that he 'le a new man be , and by gods grace q will learne in 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 a pace : then though thy debt he doe discharge , yet still r he 's thy debtor , but not against thy will . for debts of such a high nature are not a to be by honest christians e're forgot : which debtors , though b they may be poore in spirit , will make thee rich , that shalt one day inherit c a kingdome , that 's for all good men prepar'd , which shall be their everlasting reward . such creditors god will preserve and keepe , d though they in troubles are plung'd ne're so deepe . if other creditors were like to thee , this prison which is full , would empty be . the jayler and his underlings might then goe shake their eares , like poore condition'd men . but in these dayes we know it to be true , e the number of such creditors are few . f thou being now thus to thy debtor kinde , g shalt favour from god thy creditor finde . h blesse thou the lord , i for besides him there 's none that moves men to doe good , but him alone . chap. xxiii . to the captaine , a prisoner . when captaines are surpris'd , and lose the field , a they then unto the enemy must yeeld . by thy relation , b thou hast beene upon hot service , which unto thy selfe's best knowne . howso'ere thou hast to danger beene expos'd , c thou now art here , within this sort inclos'd . brought in by d those , whose daily exercise is to endeavour how they may surprise and get into their clutches such brave sparkes , e as study how to run in debt like sharkes : f but take no care their debts to satisfie , untill they are put to extremity . a the sergeants , when they meet with such a one , although he be a valiant blade , well knowne , they 'le venture on him , be it day or night , and make him yeeld , although he raile and fight . and when they have him , they 'le make him to know ( unlesse he bribe them well ) he must needs goe to prison , where hee 'le want his liberty , to spend his youthfull dayes in vanity . b the prison therefore is the fittest place for such a captaine , that runs such a race . in these dayes c that captaine is counted brave and valiant , that 's d unto his lust a slave . which lusts are cause of much e unquietnesse , and unjust quarrels there upon increase , which cannot be appeas'd by friend nor brother , f untill they stab and 〈◊〉 one another . such captaines doe more hurt at home , then they doe good abroad i' th wars , as many say . how many likewise are there at this time g that have no skill in marshall discipline , h and yet they 'le brag , as if they durst to fight with sir iohn old ●●stle , that high flowne knight ? their combat i is with wenches , when they please , who wound them sorely with the french disease . many such youngsters ( as we understand ) that never travell'd yet by sea or land , have by some meanes procur'd themselves k to be made captaines , which can lead a company l of swag'ring fellowes , which doe not regard their king nor countrey's good , and yet hazard their soules and bodies , m by spending their dayes in tavernes , bawdy-houses , and stage-playes . so that at last those souldiers must needs fall n into the devils hands , their generall . who for their service will be sure to give them their due wages , when their soules shall live with him in his a darke kingdome , to remaine both b day and night in everlasting paine . c some captaines are endu'd with excellent parts , d having couragious understanding hearts : e these fight the battle of the lord on high , f who gives them often times the victory over the enemy , though ne're so strong : wherefore g the glory thereof doth belong unto h the lord of hosts , the god of might , i who gives them strength , k and teacheth them to fight . such captaines as are thus guided by him , l shall credit to their king and country win . m and when they from the wars returne , they 'le blesse and praise the lord , n that gave them such successe . o what if in fight they chance to lose their lives ? their losse is nothing p to that glorious prize which they shall gaine in heaven , and keepe for ever , q which prize their captaine christ will them deliver . if thou art such a captaine , then i 'le say , 't is pitty thou should'st in this prison stay : r but rather be in some imployment , where thou may'st have more contentment , and lesse care , such as are out of service , may well be mislead , and so come into misery . how thou cam'st hither , i need not enquire , but here thou art attended like a squire , where thou hast got a company that are a ragged regiment , most fit for war . s distressed men in debt , and in despaire , with discontented mindes to thee repayre , wishing thou wert their captaine , and that they may wait on thee , when thou hence go'st away . i cannot blame them , for thou art so free to them , that they could live and dye with thee . but thou art not yet gone , but here art stay'd , and so shalt be untill thy ransome 's payd . thou now art under the command of those that keepe thee fast , and yet are not thy foes . the turn-keyes , and the book-keepers are they that thou ( although a captaine ) must obey . yet if thou feed them with good drinke and money , they 'le love thee dearly , as the bees love honey . but if thou dost neglect them in that kinde , no favour thou at all shalt from them finde . but what need'st thou care for their love at all , or for their hatred , having wherewithall not only to discharge thy chamber rent , but other things that may yeeld thee content ? yet let me tell thee , if thou stay here long , thou to thy selfe and others may'st doe wrong . but seeing thou art to this place confin'd , whil'st thou art here a have a couragious minde . b for here thou art with enemies beset , as well as in the open field ; and yet thou canst not them discerne with mortall eyes , c because they are thy spirituall enemies . d thy soule they doe besiege , which is within thy earthly e tabernacle f full of sin . ) g which is so weake and brittle , that unlesse h gods holy spirit doe the same possesse and eke defend thee i by his mighty power , k those wicked spirits will thy soule devoure : l for they are powerfull , and diligent , crafty , malicious , and wickedly bent against weak worldlings , which with them accord , because they are not m strong in christ our lord . such though they fight , t' will nothing them availe , n for those strong enemies must needs prevaile . their forces they doe muster up each houre , o to signifie how they are arm'd with power . p it is no worldly strength nor policy that can withstand their cruell tyranny . thou must therefore a take that two-edged sword , b which weapon is gods pure and holy word : with that thou may'st be sure , with good directions , c in time to conquer thy corrupt affections . d which if thou dost , thou then dost such a feat , as never did alexander the great . e so shalt thou be , after this life , renown'd , and with such like captaines f in heav'n be crown'd . where thou shalt triumph g with a company of heavenly souldiers , h with pompe and glory . chap. xxiiii . to the master of the prison . thou art a master of the masterlesse , as also of poore men here in distresse . they never such a master serv'd before , when their time 's out , they will serve thee no more . for thou them keep'st so much within , that they cannot get leave to goe abroad to play . and if they could get leave , i dare maintaine , that some would ne're finde the way back againe . wherefore thou tak'st a course a to keepe them fast , where they may worke , or play , and dye at last . thy courtesies to some are very small , and why ? because they have not wherewithall to gratifie thy love ; which is exprest by thee to them that are in more request . i meane those that are able to requite thy love againe , which thou hold'st just and right . the poorer sort of pris'ners that are here b cut short of meanes , doe often stand in feare of thy displeasure , when they cannot get so much as will them bring out of thy debt . for if their chamber rent they cannot pay , thou them remov'st into the hole , where they have lowsie lodging , yet they live more quiet , because they are provided with good diet . there they also sit rent free : yet before they are releas'd , they must pay their old score . but if in prison they should chance to dye , thou losest all , and hast no remedy . those that lodge on thy side thou dost regard a little more then us of the knights ward . i know no reason for 't , unlesse it be because they pay more for their drinke then we . the rats and mice are thy best guests we know , for after one nights lodging they must goe away from hence , if they their fees can pay , if not , they then are forc'd longer to stay . thou art a master of a a wicked crew , b as well as of some men honest and true . this place a receptacle is for all , both good and bad , the poore , rich , great and small . some for their misdemeanours , some for debt , so that all 's fish that comes into thy net . of which thou mak'st a purchase , and thereby 't is knowne thou c get'st more wealth then honesty . thy servants often times doe take large fees , which they digest , as rats digest old cheese . they care not how men suffer , d so they gaine meanes indirectly , e their pride to maintaine . the master and his men , for ought i know , f are all alike , they may together goe . g gods poorest servant's in a better case h then such a master , that 's in such a place . thou hast within thy selfe unruly guests , and those are i thine affections , which witnesse unto thy k conscience , which one day will be ( when thou think'st least ) a witnesse against thee . if thou therefore seeke not in the meane while a to over-master them , which are so vile , they 'le over-master thee , and suddenly b will bring thy soule into great misery . c by poore men in great want thou hast thy gaine , and liv'st thereby in pleasure , they in paine ; d regarding them no more , nay not so much as dogs and cats , that are unlike to such . thou this one day wilt be forc'd to remember , when 't is too late , e if thou art not more tender over poore pris'ners that are here committed , f which certainly deserve much to be pittied . wherefore if thou gods favour would'st enjoy , g shew favour to these men without delay . then h god thy master i will thee teach , and guide thee in the way to heav'n , k where saints abide . chap. xxv . to the merchant , a prisoner . a merchant when he once begins to faile ▪ is like a ship at sea without a saile , which flotes upon the waters , and is tost and tumbled up and downe , untill she 's lost . in thy declining time thou knew'st not whither to goe ; so that the sergeants brought thee hither . a and now thy trading and thy credit too is lost ; and here thou know'st not what to doe . for in times past , those with whom thou hast walk'd . upon th'exchange , and there of businesse talk'd , perceiving how thou wast oft times molested because of losses , and of bills protested , b doe leave thee now in misery in this place , c as if before they ne're had seene thy face . the friendship of such friends is like a bubble , soone got , soone lost , a and best discern'd in trouble . in former time b thy bus'nesse was so great , c that thou could'st scarce finde time to eate thy meat . d thou then hadst trouble , which did vex thy minde : e thou now hast troubles of another kinde . f thou then wast troubled how to get much wealth ; g thy troubles now may be for thy soules health . h how carefull wast thou then for outward things , i and carelesse how to get inward blessings ? before th'exchange bell rang , thou hadst a care to keepe touch with those that should meet thee there . but when thy parish bels did ring all in , thou mad'st no hast to'th church , to pray or sing , or k heare gods word , l which is that spirituall light m and joy , wherein thy soule should take delight : but with that n heav'nly food o thou wast soone cloy'd ▪ p because thy minde was otherwise imploy'd ; wherefore q god for thy good , without all question , hath brought thee hither , to give thee correction . for he hereby will make thee r understand how thou art out of cash , and behinde hand with him thy heav'nly creditor above ▪ whose s patience thou hast found , out of his love in t sparing thee so long , who might require u in justice , all thou ow'st him , in hell fire . x for when thou hast made up thy great account , the foot or ballance thereof will amount unto y ten thousand talents , which must be z all satisfi'd before thou canst be free . and yet of that great summe thou must needs say , a thou hast not of thy selfe one mite to pay . b the holy'st man that lives must needs confesse his debt to be so much , it can't be lesse . how then is gods great justice satisfi'd , c but by his son , our lord , who for us dy'd ? if thou unto thy soule canst this apply a through faith in christ , b that he for thee did dye . c and that thereby thy sinnes are all remitted ▪ d gods justice satisfi'd , and thou acquitted . e not only from the punishment that 's due unto thee for thy sins , but will renue f his favour to thee , whereby thou mayst know g thou art i' th covenant of grace also . h thy outward carriage then will soone expresse thy inward faith , and joy , in thy distresse . i thy life a comfortable life will be , k when thou the fruits of thy troubles shalt see l thus to produce such rare effects , which will m advance thy knowledge , and teach thee such skill n in heavenly wares , and merchandise so rare as in gods word is found out ev'ry where . o goe to that heav'nly magazine , and see what p rich commodities are there q for thee . r a merchant that found there a pearle by name , sold all that e're he had to buy the same . s such jewels , pearles , and treasures there are , which t are hid from worldlings , be they ne're so rich . u for they had rather trade with that old lyer . x that cheating merchant , whose chiefest desire is to put off y his base commodities to those his chapmen , at too high a prize . z his wares are false , his jewels counterfeit , a yet like a crafty broker , hee 'le soone get b some of his customers with him to trade . whom , when with them a bargaine he hath made , c such base conditions he will tye unto , d as will their soules and bodies quite undoe . e when they are in his debt ▪ hee 'le make them pay to th'utmost farthing , f and just at the day g when he 's in their debt , then will he be sure h to pay them soundly , i which they must endure . a such cruell payments he will make , that they b shall rue the time that they e're knew his way . c that way of sin that causeth death , which is d the second death , e that living death to his unhappy chapmen , who shall be together f with him tormented in hell fire for ever . wherefore , let me advise thee to take heed , g thou trafficke not with him , nor with his seed . h but follow thou that calling which will bring thee in great credit with thy lord and king : i that great accomptant , who will reckon right with his poore debtors , to give them a fight k not only of their sin , l and miserie , m but also of his infinite mercy . n when thou art vers'd thus in this heav'nly way , o thou wilt thy selfe deny , p and him obey . q thy iudgement then will be so rectifi'd , as thou wilt not at all r be terrifi'd s at any thing that may befall thee here , t because thy course t'wards heav'n thou dost now steere . where being once arrived , and ascended , u thy joyes begin , x and thy sorrowes are ended . y thy miseries then thou must here leave behinde , z and gods great mercies there be sure to finde . chap. xxvi . to the merry man , a prisoner . r— emember emember thou , a that art so merry here , b thou doe not in this place any man jeere . i — t c will not well become thee to doe so : d for here thou should'st better things learn and know . c — ivill and honest e mirth i grant i● good , f but foolish mirth belongs to robin-hood . h — ere in prison , a vaine mirth should be abhorr'd : when thou art merry , b be merry in the lord . a — nd c then thy mirth shall not others displease , which being true , thou may'st live more at ease . r— emember emember d how in prison now thou art , which should in some sort touch thee to the heart . d— oe oe not therefore in this place take delight = with those that make e night day , and the day night , l — iving more like f bruit beasts , then civill men , g roaring like lions in their nasty den . a — s for h such company , doe not frequent for they will leave thee when thy money 's spent . n — ecessity may then i quite over-throw thy vaine delights , k and all thy mirth also . e — ndeavour l therefore , whil'st thou art in case , m to be merry and wise n out of this place . chap. xxvii . to a worthy charitable knight . w— hen a god his children brings into distresse , his love to them is ne're a whit the lesse . i — am a man b which in times past have beene of credit good , c though now in no esteeme . l — ittle d did i thinke in those dayes to be e brought to so low an ebbe , as now i see . l— ike ike f iob am i now scorn'd , full well i know , of those whom i have g fed , and cloath'd also . i — ob on the h dunghill did god glorifie , more then he did in his prosperity . a — nd if with i patience god doth me endue , then after crosses comforts will ensue . m — y k soule to god shall have accesse in season , = although the prison of my soule 's in prison . b— efore efore i felt gods hand , a friends i had many : but now b i am in want , i have not any . a— ll those that c courtesies from me receiv'd , d i tooke to be my friends , but was deceiv'd . g — reat e was their shew of love to me , as friends : all which was but to worke on me their ends . w— hen f i occasion have those friends to use in my distresse , they doe me now refuse . e — xceeding glad should i be , if i knew where to change all those old friends g for one new : l — ibertie then should i have to h begin the world againe , and some old debts get in . l — ive should i then , i though with a little store , = more happily than ere i did before . t — he k greatest meanes which god to man hath lent , without his blessing yeelds no true content . o — h , how l happy and blessed is , and shall = that rich man be , that 's m wise , and n liberall ▪ s— ir , i 'le crave no excese , o the truth to tell , you are that p happy man , 't is known full well . i— ts likewise knowne in city and country , your chiefe delight's in workes of q charity . r — eligious r men , the s poore , the blinde , the lame , = the t church , the u common-wealth , witnes the same . p— aul aul , that sweet x chosen vessel of the lord , if he were here your deeds he might record . a— ll y stewards just , as you are , may be sure in heav'n to live with christ and angels pure . v — arietie of z sweet delights , with a pleasure , are there , where you have laid up safe your b treasure . l — arge and exceeding c spacious is that place , = yet is the d gate so strait , that in no case p — roud e men , f and rich worldlings that have no care but of g this life , shall have an entrance there . i — f such men would by you h example take , these worldly i vanities they would forsake . n — o money would they a spend , so much in vaine , nor b spare it from such as in want remaine . d — oubtlesse , the charitable man , that c lends to such as want , d christ will make full amends . a — nd after death , eternall e joyes hee 'll finde leaving a f good , and blessed name g behinde . r — eceive good sir , these poore lines in good part from him that lies here h grieved at the heart . chap. xxviii . to an ancient maid , a true-hearted friend , that was mindfull of him in his troubles . in a my great troubles some great friends b despis'd me , c when little friends , with little things reviv'd me . u — pon the lord d ( my greatest friend ) e i 'le call , f who can me raise up friends both great and small . l — ong g have i been in this place terrifi'd , h where i both great , and little friends have try'd . i — must confesse , i that not one friend of twenty k have their love shew'd to me , though they have plenty . a — l true friend i , thee ever found to be : thy m widowes mite , accepted is by me . n — ever shall such n good christians as thou art , = o want comfort , when they are griev'd at the heart . i — keepe my chamber p in a prison , where i often am q oppress'd with griefe and care : a — nd thou likewise thy chamber art constrain'd oft times to keep , by reason thou art r maym'd . m — any such s pris'ners god hath in his keeping , whom he t preserves , and keeps , u waking & sleeping . e — ndeavour therefore , x whil'st thou art alive , in godly vertues y more and more to thrive . s — o z shalt thou then this world forsake , and love ▪ a to be with thy sweet bridegroome , b christ , above . chap. xxix . to his intimate friend , a divine lawyer . i — uells a exceeding rich , are wondrous rare : which is the onely cause so few them weare . e— very b one that 's wise , may seeke and finde in gods word juels pleasing to his minde . p — recious c juels , which men weare on their clothes , are not at all to be compar'd with those . h — ee d that 's stor'd with such juels , must needs be e himselfe a juell , 't is knowne f thou art he . s — uch g as thy company doe oft frequent , h may learne of thee to be wise and prudent . o — h i that i were thy scholler , but untill k i had learn'd some more of thy divine skill ! n — o l worldly thing should my minde away draw = from that which thou canst teach out of gods law . j — f other m lawyers were like thee in this , so many causes would not goe amisse . u— nto n apollo thou may'st fitly be compar'd , if i am not deceiv'd in thee . e — xercis'd o thou art in a work begun , at which divines will p wonder when 't is done . l — et q nothing hinder thee at all to end it , for when 't is done , i think there 's none can mend it . l — abour r to perfect it , though it be hard ; then god s ( whose worke it is ) t will thee reward . chap. xxx . to the poore old man , a prisoner . i grant , old man , thy case a may be here much lamented : b yet be not thou still out of heart , c but strive to be contented . d to men thou art indebted , e which debts thou canst not pay , f and therefore they detaine thee here , g which grieves thee day by day . consider how h thou hast a long time liv'd in sin , and i yet deferr'st thy repentance . k though late , yet now begin . l thy youthfull time doubtlesse thou hast spent very ill : and yet in these thy latter dayes thou dost m forget god still . n although thou him forget , o yet he doth thee remember ; by laying this p great crosse on thee , that art q a great offender . by which meanes r thou art brought ▪ his will to understand : and that all those s that trust in him ▪ shall have his helping hand . a let then this prison be b thy place of meditation of heav'nly things , that are above , to thy great consolation . c and then thou wilt contemne all worldly things below : d and long to be with christ above , e free'd from all griefe and woe . f wait then upon the lord , g who mighty is and strong . h thou know'st by course of nature , that thou canst not here live long . i and when by death thou art free'd from all misery ; k thou then in heav'n above shalt live with christ eternally . chap. xxxi . to the women which are prisoners in the hole . you of the female kinde , which in the hole doe lye for debt , or for some other cause , a your friends now you may try . b if you ill huswives have beene heretofore , now know that you confin'd are to a place , from which you cannot goe , untill your peace be made with those who laid you in this place , a where you may call to minde how you have liv'd in sin . b for which cause god hath brought you into troubles hither , where you , like pigs , are penn'd up close , all in a sty together . c yet though your lodging be so close , where you together are forc'd upon the ground to lye , d yet need you feare no weather : i meane i' th winter nights , the season being cold , and subject to much e raine and stormes then you are in your hold . where f by a fire warme you sit and chat i' th night , g untill you fall asleepe , and then you rest with small delight . but in the summer time , the weather being hot , h you then are much annoy'd , because contentment you have not . but in both seasons , you throughout the yeare i have diet for you provided , which should make you in your hole k live quiet . you in like manner have for your soules health provided a good spirituall food , to cheere you up , b if you 'le thereby be guided . to which heav'nly repast you are daily invited , and if good guests you are , then you c therewith will be delighted . d but if you cannot well that food disgest , then think your soules are sick , they 'le pine away , then must you needs downe sinke into e the hole that hath no bottome , where are none f but devils and their damned crue , where none shall you bemone . some comfort you have here but none shall you have there ; for g day and night h brimstone and fire shall be your daily fare . i thus 't will then with you be , that now here doe not love to heare , reade , pray , and meditate k on heavenly things above . l thinke on these things , while you are in this place restrain'd m from gossipping with those , which now your company have refrain'd . n and now your mindes give not to idle toyes at all , neither doe you at any hand a with one another brawle . b but shun vaine c babbling , and good d tongues keepe in your heads , that when you goe from hence , you may e lye warme in your owne beds . f be not impatient , as the most part of you are in troubles , for then are you like untun'd strings , which doe jarre . g but take all in good part , h grudge not at any thing , i but whatsoe're the lord now sends , receiv't with k thanksgiving . and if your elder , which is lady of your hole , hath in that place some power o're you , to rule or to controle , l in some sort you must yeeld to her authority , m or else she 'le chide and scold , so that you 'le live unquietly . n much better t' is for you at home to be , then here , for here goodnesse is hardly learn'd which may cause you to feare . now o pray unto the lord , p that he your guide may be , you to direct in such a course , as that you may be free . and when you are hence gone , a take heed you come no more into this place , left you the time be forc'd here to deplore . b but lead an honest life , c and serve god every day , d then after death your soules will he receive to live in joy . chap. xxxii . to the impatient prisoner . thou that into a this place art brought , b though much against thy will , c fret not thy selfe , nor angry be with those that wish thee ill . d raile not against thy creditors , e though cruell they may be , f nor yet against the officers , that first laid hands on thee . g for they are not the onely cause of thy calamity , they are thy h sins against the lord i that for vengeance doe cry . k make then thy peace with god above , l put in security , m or else into a worse prison , thy soule shall carried be . a go then to christ , b there 's none but he , and he will not deny to be thy bayle , and make thee c free of heav'n , that is so high . thus having made thy d peace with god , thy minde will be at rest , e then he will worke thy peace with men , f and turne all to the best . chap. xxxiii . to a prisoners wife of a refractory condition . one a of the chiefest blessings that in this life god doth give unto a man , a good wife is , b with him his time to live . thou art no blessing , but a curse , that art a c froward wife to thy poore husband that here lyes d quite weary of his life . e what greater crosse can happen to an honest quiet minde , then to be match'd to such a wife as proves to him unkinde ? especially here in this jayle , a place of misery , f where he no quietnesse can have , thou art so refractory . g in former time when he had meanes to keepe thee in good fashion , thou then did'st feare and flatter him , and durst not be in passion . a but now the lord hath humbled him , and brought him to distresse , b thy love from him is drawne away , c and thou art growne carelesse . d if thou from him be long absent , he cannot it abide , and when thou com'st to visit him , thou then with him dost e chide . now be thou present or absent , his griefe is not asswag'd , the more he seekes for quietnesse , f the more thou art enrag'd . g so that thou add'st affliction to affliction in this kinde , which is the greatest crosse of all , and troubleth most his minde . h when god permitted satan to afflict iob , that i just man , k his substance first he tooke away , thus with him he began . l then the chaldeans he provok'd his servants all to slay , m and after that likewise did he his children take away . n then with great botches and sore boiles his body he did smite , so that on him he exercis'd his malice and his spite . and yet the devill , for all that , did seeme to favour him , in leaving of his wife behinde , a that might him comfort bring . but that was not that tempters drift , it was his policy to stir her up him to perswade b to blaspheme god and dye . thus iob in his adversity was vex'd and troubled sore , by his untoward c foolish wife , who then d did him abhorre . e such wives there are too many now , there 's one the more for thee , for thy conditions doe not much with iobs wife's disagree . f if thou continu'st in this course g to chide , scold , chafe , and fret , because of these great troubles , then thou dost thy selfe forget ; for thou h a helpe was made to be to thy husband distress'd , and not an instrument to i increase j his griefe , that 's thus oppress'd . wherefore consider with thy selfe , l how thou god dost offend , m by being thus disquieted at that which he doth send . a all crosses , whasoe're they are , god sends , b and takes away : therefore c put thou thy trust in him , and d thy husband obey . then though in prison he now be , where he doth much lament , e yet god will soone deliver him , and give you both content . now when thou hast him home againe , provide him wholsome diet , with all things else to his consent , and with him live in f quiet . chap. xxxiiii . to his owne dejected comfortlesse wife . my a troubles i confesse are great , which i here doe endure , b but thy great discontent withall c makes them almost d past cure . i grant it is out of thy love , thou art thus griev'd for me , e yet if thou lov'st me , be not so , because my griefe 's for thee . f cast not thy selfe downe i thee pray , but g look up with thine eyes to him that 's h just and mercifull , i who reignes above the skies . for he is a all-sufficient , he b helpe will send one day , c when we of it think least , therefore d pine not thy selfe away . e although things fall out ne're so crosse , and breed within thy minde f much griefe and sorrow , yet beleeve g the lord is wondrous kinde . for if with h patience we can both these crosses undergoe , i our enemies he 'le make our friends , which we shall see and know . k god never sends adversities to those whom he doth love , l but for each crosse ten thousand joyes he 'le give to them above . nay m here below we may be sure n the lord will comfort send to such as are in great distresse , o if they their lives amend . p these troubles which we now are in , came not to us by chance , but by the providence of god , q his glory to advance . r why should'st thou then impatient be : dost think'tis for thine ease ? oh no! s thou striv'st against the streame and dost the lord displease . wilt thou be like those t women , which are a ever learning , and although they reade and heare much , yet doe nothing understand ? how can thy b faith and patience be in this life exercis'd ; but in c afflictions which god layes on thee , that art d despis'd . e what if thou art scorn'd and disgrac'd , and not at all esteem'd f of those that have their heav'n on earth ▪ yet g christ hath thee redeem'd . h what if thou want'st apparell now , thy body to keepe warme ? i christ is thy garment , put him on . hee 'le keepe thee from all harme . k what if thou want'st good dyet now , thy belly to supply ? l christ is thy food , feed on him then , m thy soule hee 'le satisfie . n what if thou want'st a dwelling place , o where thou would'st faine abide ? p christ he thy dwelling hath prepar'd , in heaven that 's q large and wide . r what if thou want'st in thy distresse some friends to s comfort thee ? t the holy ghost the comforter , thy comforter will be . what if u thy kindred be unkinde , and doe now quite neglect thee ? a thy kinsman christ is worth them all , heare him , and he 'le respect thee . b what if thy name be scandaliz'd , c which makes thee sad to looke ? d be merry still , rejoyce , because e 't is written in gods booke . f what if thou want'st all other things , g which worldlings doe enjoy ? h if thou hast christ , thou hast all things , i he 's with thee night and day . k what if i want my liberty , and am here l shut up fast ▪ m my heart is free to run abroad , and shall n finde rest at last . o gods dearest children are most crost in this life ev'ry way , p because through troubles they must goe to heav'n , 't is their best way . q the more they suffer in this world , r the more god is their friend , s the more their joy in heav'n shall be , t the which shall never end . u such joyes as never mortall man e're in his heart conceiv'd , x the lord to his afflicted ones . hath certainly bequeath'd . y such as beleeve this to be true , z will not at all regard ▪ a the troubles of this wicked world a considering their reward . nay b if hell were the way to heav'n , such as the lord doth guide , c would passe through all those fiery flames d with him there to reside . e thus god for temporall crosses gives eternall joyes to such , f as cheerfull are under the crosse , g christs love to them is much . h he knowes best what is best for us , i yet some so simple be , k when god corrects them for their good l away from him they flee . m a token of gods love it is , to such as can n endure , all manner of afflictions here , o such are in his eyes pure . now seeing p god so loveth us , q and will so love us still , r why should we not in troubles be s obedient to his will ? t take all things therefore in good part , let not thy minde be griev'd u for nothing but thy sins alone , x so shalt thou be reliev'd . now y godly sorrow bringeth joy unto thy soule , i know , but z worldly sorrow worketh death , 't will be thy overthrow . wherefore take heed , give over quite all a doubtings and distrust of gods assistance in due time , because b he 's sure and just . c but put thy confidence in him , d his holy word beleeve , e and thou e're long shalt finde that thou f shalt have no cause to grieve . g and if on him we doe depend , h we shall not need to feare , i our sorrowes he 'le turne into joy , k which we shall see most cleare . and though in this place now i am where i can get no bayle , l yet christ will soone deliver me out of this noysome jayle . m then shall we have just cause to praise n the lord for his great care , o which he hath had , and still will have of us every where . p and doubt not but we shall againe with comfort live together , q for after the great stormes are past , then commeth the calme weather . r be thou i' th meane time well content , attend , and s wait gods leasure , t so shalt thou have thy hearts desire , u and live alwayes in pleasure . chap. xxxv . to his maid-servant . when thou cam'st first to dwel with me about twelve yeares agoe , when i in fanchurch street did live , a my cup did overflow . since which time b many have thereof dranke freely at their pleasure , so that with that c which hath been spilt , there 's nothing left to measure . d those that the greatest part thereof should have had at that time , had the least share thereof , although i was then in my prime . e the cup although it empty be , yet is it whole and sound , f and may againe replenish'd be , and not fall to the ground . g whatso'ere god now unto me sends , my minde is truly bent it to receive with thanksgiving , h and be therewith content . the troubles which thou know'st i have in thy time long endur'd , i a purge have beene to my sick soule , which is not yet quite cur'd . a this purge doubtlesse will do much good b it hath not yet done working upon some humours ill , which yet in my poore soule lye lurking . c the great physitian of our soules d doth temper with great skill the potions which he gives to those his patients that are ill . e those that he takes in hand to cure , although they feele much paine , f shall have much ease at length , and be g restor'd to health againe . in this great doctors hands have i beene h long , and am so still , i let him doe what he please to me , i 'le submit to his will . when god his scourge laid first on me , k i tooke it so to heart , l that then my senses all from me . did for a time depart . m so irksome 't was unto the flesh , n so tedious to my minde , o so grievous to my soule , that then p no comfort i could finde . a fit of melancholy great , thou know'st i likewise had , q and being then with griefe o'rewhelm'd , r i thereupon grew mad . a the lord then left me for a time , b and gave the devill leave to tempt me in such grievous sort , that i then did conceive c my selfe to be the wretched'st man that e're liv'd on the earth : d and being thus in minde distress'd , e curst the day of my birth . my sins then to my sight were brought by the f prince of the ayre , g who did endeavour what he could to bring me to despaire . i then perswaded was by him h my selfe to make away , i and if god had not me preserv'd , it had beene done that day . such was my k wofull misery , l which seem'd to me past cure , i would not for a thousand worlds the like againe endure . all troubles since , and those which now i have , put all together , m are in comparison of those , n as light as any feather . and yet to o flesh and bloud are they full heavy to be borne , by reason p i am counted as a creature that 's forlorne . the troubles all which i have had , in thy time thou hast seene , and with much discontent hast thou a a fellow feeler beene : b yet would'st thou not from me then goe , thy mistris knowes full well , though thou preferment might'st have had , yet thou with us would'st dwell . thine eyes may see c how poverty hath us now overtaken , yet such hath beene thy love , as yet thou hast not us forsaken . nay though thou seest d the small hope we have to get meanes againe , yet thou so constant art , that still with us thou dost remaine . now what the cause thereof is , must be to thy selfe best knowne , e yet hath thy love herein appear'd , thou hast it truly showne . what canst thou now from us expect ? if longer thou should'st stay , thou must needs think f thy recompence must come some other way . g if it out of thy love be to my children , which are now with thee i' th country with our friends , i then will make a vow , that if the lord e're send me meanes to bring me out of trouble , a i 'le not of thee unmindfull be , but will requite thee double . be kinde and loving still to them thou shalt fare ne're the worse , b and have a care of my sonne will , for thou wast his dry nurse . his favourite thou art i know , thou dost in him delight , and he cannot endure that thou should'st be out of his sight . a faithfull servant thou hast beene , thou need'st not be asham'd c before thy betters to appeare ▪ though i am to be blam'd . d be faithfull to the end , and thou some e change shalt see no doubt , though some f at my misfortunes doe in these dayes g scoffe and flout . and though h the lord hath us dispers'd , and scatt'red to and fro , so as we cannot as we would one to another goe : i yet if in troubles we can put our trust in him alone , k hee 'le us againe together bring , to live in peace at home . if not at home here in this life , a yet hee 'le for us provide in heaven a place farre better , where b we shall be glorifi'd . chap. xxxvi . to the unruly young man , a prisoner ▪ if a thou had'st beene by thy friends rul'd , thou had'st not now beene here ; but seeing thou this course hast run , e're long it will appeare , that those whom thou didst not regard , because b they thee then blam'd , will now for thy unruly tricks leave thee here to be tam'd . if thou art like c the horse , that will not ruled be a whit , d untill into his mouth be put the bridle , or the bit ; then this place shall a bridle be , now for to keepe thee under , e but thou a bit wilt sometimes want , to satisfie thy hunger . if thou here now f unruly art , thou shalt then have the worst ▪ for thou wilt in the hole be put , and there be soundly purs'd . a and if this place will not thee mend , thy friends then may conclude , that thou wilt ne're be good , untill thou like a hawke art mew'd , and shut up close , where thou mayst not b have things at thine owne will , that thou thereby in time may'st leave thy rudenesse , c and be still . d for now the more unquiet thou in prison art , beleeve , e the more will be thy misery , which will thy heart much grieve . these things therefore consider well , f shew not thy selfe so idle , g in giving way to thine owne will , but thine affections bridle . and then thy friends , when they shall heare h and see thee thus reclaim'd , they 'le then beleeve thou hast much lost , by which losse thou hast gain'd . for having lost thy stubborne fits , i which brought thee into trouble , k gods love thou hast obtain'd , so that thy gaine is more then double . l thy liberty likewise shalt thou get , if the lord see 't fit , how e're m rest thou on him , and then e're long thou shalt be quit , and freed out of this place , where thou hast beene curb'd of thy will , a and be at length receiv'd to joyes , b where thou shalt have thy fill . chap. xxxvii . to the prisoners , called by the name of mice , which are light huswives that are taken at unlawfull houres in the night by the watch , and brought to prison . you a that a shame to women are , that modesty have none , b why wander you so late abroad , when you should be at home ? what is your bus'nesse at such houres c i' th night , when you should sleep ? no reason you at all can give , why you such houres keepe . for if you could have satisfi'd the constable , who did examine you about the same , d which you know is forbid , he had not brought you to this place , away you might have gone home to your houses , but here now e you must sing a new song . this prison is no place for you , you must not long here stay , for he that brought you in , is bound to carry you away a before the next justice of peace , b where you your tale must tell , and if he like it not , then he will send you to bridewell : where entertainment you shall have , for when you are let in , c the blew-cotes will take you aside , and whip your tender skin . d now when your parents fond shall heare , how you are thus corrected , e they 'l then bethink themselves with grief how they have you neglected . f for when untoward girles you were , which made them discontented , g if they had whipt you soundly then , this might have beene prevented . but now it is too late for them for this thing to repent , as 't is too soone for you to be h so vile and impudent . yet is it not too late for you i to repent and amend , which if you doe , then certainly k the lord will stand your friend ; l and bring you out of this disgrace , into which you are run , m and likewise give you grace , that you these wicked wayes may shun : but if the lord should suffer you a in sin to live , then know b into the devils trap at length you would be sure to goe . such mice he often times doth catch , c with his deceitfull baites , d and like a cat , both day and night , for such mice hourely waites . the silly mouce you know when he his hole keepes not i' th night , but in a roome s●kes up and downe , although there be no light . the watchfull cat spying this mouse i' th darke , without a candle , doth catch it on a sudden , which it doth cruelly handle , and will not leave this mouse , untill she hath it quite destroy'd ; e thus will the devill deale with you , f that have the wantons playd : and that like owles g will be ▪ abroad , when others are at rest ; and when 't is day , like them you doe repaire unto your nest . the owle and other birds , you know , doe live alwayes asunder , and if i' th day she should be seene , those birds would at her wonder . a the owle and other birds doe not at all agree together , and therefore they divided are , not being of one feather . b so you that so much differ from good wives , that vertuous be , c your company they must needs shun , with you they 'le not agree : d for women that good huswives are , that live in reputation , e will not be gadding , when they should be in their habitation . your houses are your prisons , that this course of life have taken , f a prison dark 's prepar'd for you , that have the g lord forsaken . the devill shall your jaylor be , hee 'le keepe you fast no doubt , h so fast , that all the friends you haev , shall never get you out . in which dark dungeon you then shall live in great miserie ; where i satan with his cursed crew , shall keepe you company . k your pleasures then shall surely end , l your paines shall then begin , and never end , if you resolve m to live and dye in sin . consider this you shamelesse imps , a who young fooles doe entice to wickednesse , for which cause you are hither brought for mice . b be civill , and learne modesty , keepe home , c and quite forsake your former evill wicked wayes , then d god will undertake e to keepe you from those fearfull plagues which you justly deserve ; f and give you joyes in stead of thereof , if you him duly serve . g wherefore delay no time at all , your mindes to goodnesse give , that when your bodies here shall dye , h your soules in heaven may live . chap. xxxviii . to his mother . i a have with griefe of heart beene here five months and more , 't is knowne , and if i here should be a yeare , i scarce know any one b that would of me take pitty , and releeve me in distresse : alas , c no friends will understand how some doe me oppresse . a i am forsaken of all those b that in me tooke delight , when i liv'd well , and wore good clothes , c but now they doe me slight ; d as if a meere stranger i were , they 'le not on me now call , but doe with one consent forbeare e to visit me at all . f friends , kindred , and acquaintance , now no kindnesse will me show , i thinke they have made all a vow g to leave me here in woe . but that 's not all that troubles me , one thing there is moreover , that h grieves my very heart to see , th'unkindnesse of a mother . oh that i had no cause to write , or think to my great griefe , i how you have me neglected quite , as if i were a theefe . yet when i call to minde k the love that god beares to all such , l as looke for comfort from above , my minde is eased much . m though mothers tender may forget their children , captives taken , yet god , our father , will not let his children be forsaken . wherefore a my trust and confidence shall be in him alone , hoping he will bring me out hence , b hee 'le heare my plaint and mone . c when i nine months was shut up fast , in your close wombe , you know the lord he brought me forth at last , d and gave you joy also . i then almost for e three yeares space , your tender breasts did suck , f in those dayes you did me embrace , and call'd me pretty duck . g i am your sonne , deare mother , still , and shall be till i dye , although i am now call'd poore will , being in misery . it is no money that i crave , perhaps you have it not , h it is your blessing i would have , if it could now be got . if you once would but send to me , i know t' would me revive , i then should thinke i your care would be to know how i did thrive . but howsoever 't is with me , k my hope is you are well ; and that one day we shall both be l in heav'n , with christ to dwell . in the meane space whil'st i am here , a let me some comfort finde , from you that are my mother deare , 't will ease my troubled minde . why should such b flatt'ring friends , that are i' th country now about you , c seeke to make you with me to jarre , that here must live without you . i am your sonne , they are your friends , thinke of them as you please : d they were my friends , for their own ends when i liv'd more at ease . i am perswaded in my heart , if'twere not for that e crew , that you would act a mothers part , and your old love renew . your motherly affection then would once againe appeare f to me , that am a scorne to men , now i am shut up here . if i have not with all respect g to you my duty done , then i 'le confesse a great neglect in me , your youngest son . and on my bended knees i 'le crave pardon of god on high , h who will soone bring downe to the grave such as the same deny . a you now are old , and much decay'd in strength , and otherwise , and i in prison being laid , know not how to devise which way to helpe and succour you , 't is not now in my power , the lord knowes b i have much adoe here to subsist an houre . three children i have of mine owne , which i cannot maintaine : c but god who is to mercy prone , d hath eas'd me of that paine . e for he considering my distresse f hath rais'd them friends , with whom they live , and have ( i must confesse ) more then they had at home . g my wife that 's vex'd and sorely griev'd , with me she takes a share , h for scarce one friend hath her releev'd , since we have had this care . judge now , deere mother , what a case at this time i am in , if i should long be in this place , i 't would make my cheekes look thin . k think on me then , and let me heare some newes from you to morrow , by some one of buckinghamshire , 't will mitigate my sorrow . and let me now , good mother , be excus'd , though you may finde in these few lines written by me , some things against your minde . a for out of the abundance of my great complaint and griefe i write , ( though some thereat may scoffe ) to have some poore reliefe . thus to conclude , b i 'le leave all to my father that 's on high , for c hee 'le direct me what to doe in this extremity . beseeching him to d give us grace and favour , so that we e in heav'n may see him face to face , when we there shall be free . chap. xxxix . to the prisoner that was to be discharged , and set at liberty . if a favour thou receiv'st , now thou hast need of b friends or kindred , which thy case doe pitie , c whereby thou may'st out of this place be freed , and take thy pleasure in country or city : d make good use of thy time , e run not in debt , to live out of f danger doe not forget . g for if the sergeants take thee once againe , unto the compter gate they will thee bring , and there thou know'st thou canst not long remaine the turn-key hee 'le be sure to let them in : and then the book-keeper will on ther looke , and aske thy name to enter 't in this booke . the chamberlaine likewise thou then shalt see with his cleane sheets , thee to appoint thy lodging , and when he to thy chamber hath brought thee , thou must needs pay thy garnish without dodging , and when thou art here , thou wilt looke about , and say , god helpe me , when shall i get out ? a thy case may then be worse then ever'twas , and besides that , all thy best friends perhaps , may judge thee to be but an idle asse , b thou being fallen into a relapse : wherefore take heed , c lewd company refraine , lest thou thereby art hither brought againe . chap. xl . to those that come to visit their friends in prison . you that are a come to visit your poore friends , which in this solitary place doe lye , b the lord c which to us all afflictions sends ) d takes notice of your workes of charity , e if you your helping hand will now them lend , your comming then may be to some good end . f 't is hard with them ( god knowes ) now they are here g here they want many things , though you have plenty , h bread and small drink oft times is their best cheere , i and many times they sleepe with belly empty . a wherefore take heed , be free , and not hide-bound , b but let your friendly love to them be found . their debts increase , by being in this place their rent is double , and their charge is great , their liberty they want to their disgrace , c their friends neglect them , d though they them intreat : e if you will undertake among the rest to helpe them now , f doe it at their request . g for here none will about their bus'nesse goe , unlesse before hand they be well rewarded , which pris'ners cannot doe , that are brought low , and therefore are so much the lesse regarded : h if you supply their wants now they have need , you shall performe a charitable deed . helpe them therefore i for helpe here they have none , k abroad they cannot goe their meanes to get , l and being here , they are much wrought upon , so that in time they lose all by neglect . m consider this , you that have liberty , for this your owne case may be e're you dye . now when you from these captives doe depart , n thinke of them though they are out of your sight , then by your meanes they may no longer smart here in this prison , where is no delight : then they without all doubt thankfull will be , o and your love gratifie , when they are free . p he is indeed a true friend , that can take to heart the great afflictions of another , and in his troubles will not him forsake , such a deere q friend is neerer then a brother . if you such friends will be , christ will one day be your chiefe friend , r and you receive with joy . chap. lxi . to the carelesse man , a prisoner . a a carelesse man thou hast beene in thy dayes , for which cause thou unto this place art brought , and wilt thou yet be carelesse here alwayes , it is the way ne're to be worth a groat . for here thou losest time , and may'st at last in great want live , having spent all thou hast , b here thou canst live ( say'st thou ) with meanes as well as in another place , 't is all one to thee , c yet if a minde thou hast here long to dwell , thou dost not know how soone it may undoe thee . he is a foole , or knave , that here will be shut up in prison , when he may be free . d it seemes thy breeding hath not beene so good , that thou should'st not regard thy liberty , but like a novice that ne're understood how to distinguish joy from misery . for if thou pleasure take here day or night , thou know'st not what belongs e to true delight . doubtlesse that man that beares an honest minde , will scorne f to live here longer then needs must , for he elsewhere better content may finde , in things that lawfull are , honest , and just , the carelesse man regardeth not at all what place he lives in , and therefore must fall . what if thou hast a bed to lye upon , with meat and drinke enough here for a time : a what wilt thou doe when all thy money 's gone goe in a corner , and there cry and whine . thus 't will be , if thou doe it not prevent , yet carelesse men are never diligent . if thou thus carelesse art now of thy selfe , dost thinke thy friends a care of thee will have , thou art deceiv'd , for though they have much wealth , b they 'le suffer thee to live here like a slave . if thou these things dost not at all regard , thinke if thou suffer , 't is thy just reward . be thou not like c the sow , or filthy hog , which leaves fresh straw , to wallow in the mire : or like the raven that barkes like a dog , which here abides , although it can flye higher , for if thou here wilt needs set up thy rest , thou may'st then be compar'd unto a beast . the carelesse man that in prison doth lye , regardeth now how things may with him be , d he cares not for his wife and family , the heathen man is not so bad as he : if thou still in this kinde so carelesse art , thou shalt one day for it be sure to smart . wherefore have thou a religious honest care , to thinke before hand how thou should'st provide for thee and thine , such things as needfull are : e but pensive carefulnesse lay thou aside , f let thy chiefe care be for the life to come , then shalt thou no want have , having so done . now seeing thou here art in prison fast , which prison is a place of care , no doubt , be not yet carelesse , g nor thy selfe downe cast , but use thy best endeavours to get out : a be carefull to please god above all things , then he 'le release thee , b and pardon thy sins . chap. xlii . to the rich man , a prisoner . thou a that art rich , and good meanes hast abroad , what need'st thou be penn'd up in this close place ? b why dost not with thy creditors accord ? but shew'st thy selfe in this to be so base . if thou here live , having wherewith to pay , thou shalt for it be sure to smart one day . thy creditors want that which thou canst spare : c why dost thou not in time give them their due ? 't is like that some of them cannot forbeare their debts , d for which they now are forc'd to sue . if thou wilt not them pay , then art thou shamelesse , and they in laying thee up here are blamelesse . e it may be thou ly'st here charges to save , regarding not thy credit in this kinde : in which thou shew'st thy selfe to be a knave , in bearing such a wicked wretched minde . though thou hereby thy creditors dost displease , yet know thou canst not here live long at ease . f what art thou now the better for thy wealth , if thou no better use thereof dost make ? g thou should'st esteeme of liberty and health , and not lye basking here like a poore snake . if thou from men thus keep'st thy meanes away , the lord will not thy punishment delay . for shame doe not thy creditors abuse , but looke about thee , a and them give content : for thou canst not thy selfe in this excuse , and therefore deserv'st to be soundly shent : wherfore thy creditors now satisfie , that thou no longer in this place mayst lye . and when thou art hence gone , b consider what great mis'ry many poore men doe endure , that meat , drink , clothes , and lodging here doe lacke , which they by no meanes know how to procure . c doe them some good , d that art thy selfe a debtor , then thou by being here wilt be the better . e but if thou riches hast , and hast no care of thy poore brethren , who are in distresse , but on the contrary wilt yet forbeare to pay thy due , and live in idlenesse , f thy cank'red money shall a witnesse be against thee , when thou art in misery . g be not a slave to that which should serve thee , h as those are which have meanes without gods blessing : but having meanes be to poore pris'ners free , 't will be to them thou know'st a great refreshing : being thus well dispos'd , god will one day i give thee such riches as will ne're decay . chap. xliii . to the idle man , a prisoner . he a that an idle course of life doth lead , into great danger must needs fall at last , what man will undertake to intercede for such a man when he 's in prison cast ? 't is idlenesse hath brought thee to this place , where thou art like to live in a poore case . a thou now art fallen into poverty , which b idle men cannot at all avoyd , for which cause thou art now here forc'd to lye , and here mayst lye untill thy debts be payd ; and though some may at thee a while connive , yet such an idle fellow cannot thrive . c unworthy thou art of meat , drink , and clothes , d that slothfull art , and labour dost refuse , thy friends in time will turne to be thy foes , that hast a calling , which thou dost abuse : the prison is too good for such a one , that his time spends thus like an idle drone . e the little silly creatures , that are dumbe , are wiser then thou art , and can thee teach f how thou should'st labour , and idlenesse shun : this doctrine others besides them doe preach : if thou of them learne not , thou shalt be sure g to live in want , and misery endure . when god at first our parents did create , he made them not in idlenesse to live , h they labour'd and tooke paines early and late , although the lord the whole world did them give . thus i men are borne to labour , and therefore such idle persons the lord doth abhorre . he that his minde now gives to idlenesse , may fitly be compar'd unto a weed which in it hath no vertue , not goodnesse , therefore should not be let alone to breed , but rather be pluckt up , and cast away , because a the ground it doth so much annoy . but now thou art in prison , thou dost thinke a priviledge thou hast idle to be ; and that thereat b the lord above doth winke : thou art deceiv'd , c for thou like the fig-tree , ( which fruitlesse was ) d shalt be cut down and curs'd ; for idle men of all men are the worst . e if thou a calling hast , thou mayst it use in some sort , or be otherwise imploy'd f in godly vertues , which good men doe chuse to labour in , and therewith are not cloy'd : for god rejects and casts all such away , as only love g to eate , drinke , sleepe , and play . what pleasure canst thou take to fit and drink with others , that no goodnesse have at all ? that take tobacco till their breath doe stinke , h and set no time apart on , god to call . is this a time to spend time in this kinde ? i surely the devill hath made such fooles blinde . k the time will come when thou account shalt give how thou thy time hast spent here and elsewhere , l thou canst not thinke thou hast here long to live , m though thou of thy soules health hast now no care . n the time thou hast , that precious time spend well , and have a care no o ●lle tales thou tell . unto a place thou must goe , where thou shalt p live everlastingly in joy or paine ; q this world 's the through fare , thinke now what a fault r it is in him that thinke not of these twaine ● , s be diligent therefore , t and walke a pace , so shalt thou goe to heaven u that joyfull place . a rowze up thy selfe , and think though thou here art in prison of thy liberty restrain'd , yet if from this place thou would'st soone depart , b shun sloath and idlenesse , and be reclaim'd . in action alwayes be , c spend no time vaine , d and thy lost time seeke to redeeme againe . chap. xliiii . to the dissembling hypocrite , a prisoner . thou a that hast often playd the counterfeit with those whom thou by that meanes hast deceiv'd , art for that cause into the compter let , where many such as thou art are receiv'd : if thou dissembling trickes wilt still here use , men will thee loath , b and god will thee refuse . he cannot live ( say'st thou ) that can't dissemble : c i grant in thee this proverb 's verifi'd , yet have such knaves just cause to quake and tremble ; for certainly god cannot them abide . thou by dissembling may'st think to live well , d yet will that course of life bring thee to hell . e sometimes some friends thou may'st deceive , i grant , f by thy deceitfull , flatt'ring , lying tongue , and afterwards thereof mayst boast and vaunt , yet for the same thy conscience shall be stung . g what inward peace , think'st thou , can in thee be , h when thy smooth tongue and false heart can't agree ? such hypocrites may make most men beleeve i they are religious , honest , and discreet : yet if they doe not now for their sins grieve , the lord ( who a knows their hearts ) will with them meet b and many woes against them hee 'le pronounce , c and their deceitfull soules will soundly trounce . d thy outward carriage may to them appeare to be upright , as thou would'st have them think , e but thou within art full of filthy geere , so that in the f lords nostrils thou dost stinke . the g sinfull publican shall mercy finde sooner then the proud h pharisee that 's blinde . i though thou with men dissemble , yet take heed k with god thou doe not play the hypocrite , for if thou doe , think not thou shalt be freed l from being punish'd in the peoples sight , if thou of these great sins art not afraid , thou wilt ere long in gods prison be laid . satan his children teacheth to deny the truth to god and man , m he is a lyer , n yet he himselfe would not tell god a lye , but told the truth , when he did him require : o the hypocrite whose heart 's inclin'd to evill , in this point farre worse is then is the devill . now what a fearfull case art thou then in , p that in the church visible art now living , and canst not thy heart give to god , being q a false dissembling heart , r not worth the giving , s which heart the devill having once possess'd , will keepe it , for with him 't is in request . consider this , before it be too late , thou in a place art now in t troubles great , where thou should'st u often pray and x meditate : y god heares them which him faithfully z intreat . and then a a new heart hee 'le thee likewise give , b which heart thou mayst returne to him and live . chap. xlv . to the commissioners appointed by his majesty for the reliefe of poore prisoners . you noble lords , knights , gentlemen , and others , that are appointed by our gracious king in these bad times to be commissioners , for the reliefe of prisoners , lamenting , a here are poore men oppress'd , b ready to faint ▪ be pleas'd to heare c their pittifull complaint . d the cruelty of many creditors is such , as heretofore was never knowne , e no pitty they have on their poore debtors , f because their hearts are as hard as a stone : wherefore poore pris'ners g laden here with griefe h appeale to you for succour and reliefe . i the debtor's willing to doe what he can his cruell creditor to satisfie , and though he offer like an honest man , to give him all he hath for 's liberty : k yet will he not at all listen unto him , because he had much rather quite undoe him . a man imprison'd cannot exercise his calling , by which meanes his family at home want food and rayment , and likewise he 's like to perish here without mercy : for his rich creditor l saith he cares not if he in prison lye untill he not . such ill condition'd creditors doe know , the prison's not a place where men e're thriv'd , and yet they take a course to overthrow some that are here of liberty depriv'd : for some well knowne are not asham'd to say , a they 'le have their bones , if they their debts can't pay . these rig'rous courses against pris'ners must be here endur'd by them , unlesse you please to mitigate the same , b which is both just and lawfull , which will be much for their ease : c if mercy be with justice mix'd , then may many poore pris'ners be releas'd each day . wherefore those that have just cause to complaine , referre themselves , d and their distressed cause to you , that have full power to maintaine that good commission , grounded on gods lawes : now you by vertue thereof much good doe to pris'ners that referre themselves to you . although some creditors be obstinate , and very wilfull , which will not obey such orders as you power have to make , for such as their debts can't presently pay : e yet without doubt you have authority to punish those that are refractory . f but by your gentle , sweet , and milde perswasions , such creditors whose hearts are mollifi'd , doe yeeld themselves upon all good occasions , your charitable censures to abide : poore debtors by this meanes may be enlarg'd , and afterwards their debts justly discharg'd . now if you doe procure them certaine dayes of payment , that they may with courage goe abroad to seeke their fortunes , a they will prayse the lord for you , that doe such favour show : b for those that doe the cause of poore men plead , c their lives in heav'n with christ shall ever lead . chap. xlvi . to his chamber-fellowes , and other distressed prisoners of the knights ward , that were there shut up of the plague . we now have cause to look about , and think how soone a we may be call'd unto the barre of gods great justice , from which we can't shrinke : let 's therefore think on 't whil'st we yet here are ; b for when gods sergeant comes , hee 'le make us know c we must be gone whether we will or no . examples to our terrour here we have , d of gods delinquents , how they doe lament when they are smitten , and mark'd for the grave , e because by no meanes they can it prevent . f to this great danger we are all expos'd , that are in this infectious place inclos'd . our chamber-fellow being sick a bed , made us beleeve that he was free and cleere from all infection , but when he was dead , gods tokens on his body did appeare ; which sight increas'd our feare , and suddenly we chang'd our lodging , g and cry'd for mercy . the seventh day after , he that lay with me h dy'd likewise of the same disease , then i began to thinke a that my turne next would be , and did resolve to take it patiently . b but you and i god to this day hath spar'd , let 's yet looke up , and be alwayes prepar'd . c for the sword of the lord ( the pestilence ) is still stretch'd over us , and not yet sheath'd , d to whom shall we repaire for our defence , but to the lord , lest we be much deceiv'd : e he kills , and makes alive , 't is he alone f that wounds , & heals ; g to him let 's make our mone . some of our company h he kills outright , and some i are sorely wounded ev'ry day , and we that are i' th combat day and night , not kill'd nor wounded , yet can't run away . but as the forlorne hope i' th time of war , k are in a desperate case , so we now are . l we now are fallen into the lords hands , as well as into'th hands of cruell men , m loe , mercy now against cruelty stands , and will o'recome it , though we know not when ; let men be what they will , n the lord is just , o then though he kill us , yet let 's in him trust . p our friends and kindred , now , will not come neare us , they have a faire excuse , yet may they send : our creditors whom wee fear'd , q now doe feare us , r more then they feare god , on whom we depend : s let friends and kindred , creditors and all doe what they please , t the lord is our sure wall . u gods pris'ners now we are , x the action 's laid , y our debts are just , and withall are so great , z that by our selves they never can be paid : a wherefore let us our creditor soone intreat , b to be our surety , then no doubt but we c shall mercy finde , d and e're long be set free . chap. xlvii . the prisoner at liberty , his thankfull remembrance of gods great mercies towards him , in his manifold deliverances out of many great dangers and troubles to this present day . to the king of heaven . thou a that the great deliverer art of those , b that seeke to thee for helpe in time of need , c wilt not reject them , d but with them wilt close : o lord , e thou wilt not breake the bruised reed . f when i was weake and faint , g ready to perish , h thou then gav'st strength , i and did'st me likewise cherish . k when i was sicke , and in danger of death , l wanting at that time meanes to get reliefe , m not being able scarce to fetch my breath , n feeling much paine , o and almost kill'd with griefe : p thou then wast my physitian , which did'st cure q and gav'st me health , r the which doth yet endure . s when i had enemies for me too strong , t that sought my ruine , and my overthrow , u that did rejoyce when x they could doe me wrong , y so that i could not tell which way to goe : z thou then didst me defend , and mad'st them faile , a so that against me they could not prevaile . b when i of cruell theeves was in great danger upon the wayes , in c woods and other places , d where i alone then travell'd as a stranger , fearing i should be forc'd to see their faces : a thou then did'st me conduct , and wast my guide , so that i had no hurt of neither side . b when i at sea was , in tempestuous weather , c in perils great , and often times dismay'd , when sands , and rocks , and raging waves together , d caus'd all the mariners to be afraid : e thou then , o lord , did'st cause the stormes to cease , f and brought'st us to the land , to rest in peace . g when i was often times in dangers great , in divers parts , which thou lord best dost know , which severall dangers i cannot repeat , being so many , and fearfull also , h thou then did'st evermore stretch forth thine hand , and me preserv'd as well by sea as land . i when i some friends and deare acquaintance lost , that were to me in their life time a stay , k and when thou took'st them from me , being tost l and tumbled in the world both night and day : m thou then which rul'st the hearts of all good men , n did'st raise me other friends in stead of them . o when i lost all th'estate i had , which thou p did'st give me for my comfort in this life , after which losses great i knew not how to live , q but in great want with my poore wife : r thou then of me took'st pitie , and againe s restor'dst to me that which did us maintaine . t when i my credit lost , and my good name , u being backbited , slaunder'd , and abus'd in words , by those x whose tongues no man could name , y so that it griev'd me to be so ill us'd : a thou then at length did'st bring the truth to light , b and my credit redeemd'st , for all their spight . c when i extreamly was assaulted by d the devill , who e my conscience troubled sore f with reckning then my sins up , so that i g was in despaire , h and did my life abhor , i thou then ( the god of mercy ) did'st restraine k his cruell rage , l and me reviv'dst againe . when i in prison was , m in misery , n wanting all earthly comforts , and also o when i thought the time come that i should dye , p by reason of the plague , which there did grow . thou then q whose mercy doth endure for ever ) r did'st me out of that loathsome place deliver . s when many crosses and troubles i had from time to time , t which troubled much my minde , and yet to those afflictions u some would adde more sorrow , x for they were to me unkinde : then lord , y when i in faith did on thee call , z thou didst deliver me out of them all . a now lord what shall i render unto thee for all these gracious favours , beyond measure , b which thou hast still vouchasafed unto me , according to thy blessed will and pleasure ? c i will thee give all praise , and eke thanksgiving , d as long as in this world i have a being . thy e benefits , thy f love , thy providence , thy g blessings temporall , and h spirituall , i of all which i have had experience , k besides thy care , which is perpetuall , l deserves more thanks and praise , being so rare , then a tongues of men or angels b can declare . i now beseech thee c i may ne're forget d thy wonderfull great mercies showne to me , e but make me truly thankfull , and so let f t'wards me thy loving kindnesse ever be : g and when i goe from hence , lord let me crave h i may in heav'n with thee my dwelling have . chap. xlviii . to his good friend , that gave order to his friend to see him discharged out of prison . r — oan is the place where a my deere friend doth dwel , b thou that deere friend art to thy friend bagwell . i — c was in prison in great misery , where i , ( as i thought ) d did my best friends try . c — raving e their helpe , f yet helplesse they left me , g and therefore i for helpe sent unto thee . h — ere h in mine owne country i could not finde i a friend , as thou hast beene , to me so kinde . a — lthough k a friend to many i have beene , l yet none of me in prison would esteeme . r — eleas'd m am i now out of that distresse , which was by thy meanes , and yet ne'rethelesse d— oe oe not thinke but thine agent i 'le content , = though n god's the author , thou the instrument . l — ong have i laine shut up in that close place , where o friends and kindred left me in disgrace . i — n my more p prosp'rous dayes i could not know how to distinguish my friend from my foe . m — any q of my friends in those dayes were glad kindnesse to shew me , when no need i had . b — ut a when god brought me to adversity , no kindnesse from those friends at all had i. e — xperience b i have had of thy true love , which i must needs confesse c came from above . r — ejoyce should i , d if i could tell which way to recompence thy love without delay . y — et let me tell thee , to avoid all strife , e e're long i 'le see thee , if god spare us life . chap. xlix . to a carefull friend that discharged the trust committed to him by his friend , in seeing of him freed out of prison . l — oving a kind-hearted men , whose mindes are bent b to doe good to such as are almost spent , a — re c rare , i dare say , seeke the kingdome round , d scarce one in forty in these dayes are found . w— retched e worldlings , though they have much to spare , f yet they of gods poore children have no care . r — ich g men that live in pleasure and great fame , h doe famous things to get themselves a name . a — n i honest true religious man indeed , that 's blest with means , k wil help those that have need , n— ot l onely of himselfe , but will likewise m stir others up to that good exercise . c — hrist n his poore members loves , he 's their safeguard , o and those that doe them good he will reward . e— very one that 's poore is not christs member , = p yet he that 's poore in spirit he doth tender . b — etter q is the upright poore man , then he r that 's rich and scornfull , as most rich men be . r — ich and poore that s religious are t and wise , are happy , u and most precious in gods eyes . i — n this last age much a pride and b poverty is in all places , c but small charity . n — ever d were men in times past which liv'd wel e so hard put to it , which they blush to tell . l — ittle doe most men think , f that boast and vaunt , g what 't is to helpe poore house-keepers that want . e — xperience i , and many besides me , h have had of thy religious care so free . y — eeld i unto god all praise and thanksgiving , k for those good things thou hast came all from him . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- a job . . b lam. . . c pro. . . d psal. . . e job . . f deut. . . g cor. . . h jonah . . . h psal. . . i job . . k psal. . , . l psal. . . m cor. . n psal. . . o job . . p pro. . . q jer. . . r cant. . . s psal. . . t jam. . . . notes for div a e- a eccles . . b psal. . . c pro. . . d job . . e psal. . . f job . . g pro. . . h psal. . . i rev. . . k mat. . . l sam . . m psal . n psal. . . n eccles . . o psal. . . p psal. . q pro. . . r rom. . . s cor. . . t heb. . . u and . . x job . . y jam. . . * eph. . . z phil. . . a john . . b acts . . c tim. . . d psal. . ● . . e heb. . . f pet. . . g act. . . h jer. ▪ . i jer. ▪ , . k jer. . . l rom. . . m act. . . n cor. . . o psal . . p cor. . q psal. . r chron. . , . s mat. . . t tim. . . u phil. . . x chron. . , . y pro. . , , . z psal. . a psal . . b psal. . c psal. . heb. . . d luke . . e luke . . f acts . g john . . h rom. . . i rom. . , . notes for div a e- a pro. . . b psal. . . c pro. . . d job . . e psal. . . f gen. . . g job . . h psal. . . i jam. . . k eccles . . l psal. . . m & . . n mat. . . o psal. . . p heb. . . q psal. . . r & . . s eccles . . t eccles . . u jer. . . x esther . . . . y esay . . z tim. . . z pro. . . a col. . . b esth. . . . c eccles . . d psal. . . e heb. . . f sam. . . g psal. . h rom. . , , i deut. . , , . k dan. . . l acts . . m john . . n luke . , , , . o job . . p jam. . , , q job , . r job . . s psal. . t job . . u psal. . . x job . . y psal. . . z psal. . . a joh. . . b zeph. . . c hos. . . d heb. . . e job . , . f thes. . . g rev. . h jer. . . i psal. ● . k rev. . . l psal. . . m dan . . n jer. . . o pet. . . p heb. . . q jam. . . r chr. . . s heb. . . t phil. . , . u john . . x pet. . . y jam. . . z job . , . a sam. . b pro. . c ex. . , d psal. . . e esay . . f sam. . g esay . . h esay . . i fx. . , k jer. . . l jer. . . m job . . . n jer. . . &c o job . . p gen. . . q john . . r psal. . . s psal. . t psal. , u cor. . . x psal. . . y cor. . , . z mic. . . a chr. . b sam. . . nah. . . c psal. . . d mar. . , e mat. . . e phil. . . f psal. . . g pro. . , . h mat . . i john . . k eccles . . l mat. . . pro. . . m mat. . : n psal. . . o psal. . . p mar. . . q cor. . r psal. . . s & . t psal. . . u psal. . . x gen. . . y esay . . z cor. . a cor. . b job . . c neh. . . d ezra . . e psal. . . & . . f mat. . . g mar. . . h king. . i james . . k psal. . l esay . . m psal. . n psal. . . o cor. . . p psal. . . q esay . . r esay . . s jer. ▪ . t exod. . , , . u gen. . , . . x col. . . y rom. . . z luke . . a psal. . . a cant. . . b psal. . . c psal. . . d heb. . . e heb. . . notes for div a e- a esay . b pro. . . b ecclus. . . acts . . c king . . d psal. . . d heb. . . e psal. . . e ecclus. . . f jam. . . g chro. . . g ps. . . h acts . . i gen. . k gen. . l psal. . . m ps . . . luk. . . psal. . . a mat. . . ps. . . pro. . . a a king. . . b mat. . . & c v. . d psal. . . micah . . e job . . f micah . . g josh. . . sam. . . h eccles. . . i mat. . . k psal. . l mat. . m mat. . . n pro. . job . . . o mat. . . p mat. . . q v. . r luk. . ſ rom. . . . t mat . u mat. . . x luk. . . y rev. . . psal. . . z rev. . . a mat. . . rev. . . . b mat. . c rom. . d act. . e heb. . . f luk. . . g ezek. . . a gen. b psal. . . ecclus. . . c ecclus. . , . & . . d pro. . . ecclus. . . psal. . . e esay . . f psal. . , . ecclus. . . g psal. . . psal. . . h hos. . i lam. . . k mat. . . l mat. . . m mat. . . n mat. . . o john . . p joh. . . . psal. . . esay . . . q luk. . . r mar. . . (ſ) ps. . . t psal. . . a ps. . . b act. . . . c jer. . pro. . . a psal. . , . pro. . . b psal. . . c mat. . , . d mat. . e cor. . a gal. . . b ps. . . c psal. . . mat. . . d mat. . , . e mat. . & f . . g mat. . , . h mat. . . i mat. . . acts . . k mat. . . l acts . . m acts . n heb. . o rev. . . tim. . . p rev. . . a ps. . . b psal. . , . c esay . . d psal. . . . acts . . e jonah . . f act. . . g acts . . . . h ecclus. . . i act. . . k ps. . . . l ps . . m act. . n ps. . o pro. . p lev. . . q psal. ● . song of the ch●l . . r ibid. . neht . . . (ſ) sam. . t psal. . . u p● . , & ps. . . x ps. . . y acts. . a jof . . . deut. . . b ps. . . & . . c ruth . . d jos. . . e jer. . . f ps. . . . g ps. . . deut. . wisd. . . h act. . . i deut. . heb. . . k ezek. . . l nehe. . m psal. . . & . . n psal. . . o sam. . . jer. . . p psal. . q rom. . r mat. . . . (ſ) cor. . t gen. . & . . u ecclus. . . x eph. . . . y exo. . . z pro. . . a pro. . . b king. . , , . c wisd. . . d ecclus . . e acts . . f mar. . . a ecclus. . . b ecclus. . . c ecclus. . . d psal. . e lev. . . f mat. . . a sam. . . king. . b psal. . esay . . c ps. . . d joh. . e psal . . f job . . joh , . . g luke . h luke . psal. . . mal. . . pro. . v. i pro. . . ecclus . . k ecclus . . l ecclus . m heb. . n ecclus . o eph. . , and . p psal. . q psal. . r heb. . s psal. . t & . . u sam. . . x esay . . y prov. . & . . a gen. . b thes. . . c jer. . . d deut. . e esa. . . f prov. . . g esd. . . h dan. . . a esd. . . . b gen. . . prov. . . c psal. . . d psal. . . e psal. . . jub . . a esd. . . macch. . b wisd. . . c job . . d joh. . . e ecclus . . . eccles . . f pro. . . & . . . a pro. . . john . b ecclus . c ecclus . tim. . . pro. . , d pro. . e ecclus . f ps. . . g pro. . h thes. . . joh. . a ps. . b pro. . . c ezek. . d mat. . . & . . e tim. . . f mat. . jer. . . g deut. . job . . h ps. . . i deut. . . k esay . . a psal. . . b psal. . . c job . . d psal. . . e tim. . . f esay . g psal. . . h psal. . . chro. , . i gal. . . hag. . . k ecclus. & l . . m hos. . . n pro. . o pet. . . thes. . . p tim. , . q cor. . . r tit. . . . (ſ) acts . t pro. . . u gen. . . x ps. . ● a psal. . . b eccles. . . c psal. . . d ecclus. . . e ps. . . f & . josh. . g psal. . . h esay . i tim. . k job . , psal. . , . l joh. . . acts . . m psal. . . & . . n psal. . . . o pro. . . . p esay . . q psal. . . r cor. . , . (ſ) heb. . , . t ps. . . u esay . x tim. . y cor. . . z cor. . . a mat . b joh. . c luk. . acts . , . d acts . psal. . . e ps. . , . f job . , . psal. . . g pro. . . h rom. . . a pro. . . b tim. . , . c cor. . a lam. . . b psal. , c psal. , . d job . , . e job . . f pro. . . ecclus. . . g ● sam. . h ezek. , . i tit. . . k cor. . . l job . acts . . m rev. . . n psal. . . o ecclus. , . p pro. . . q gen. . . r pro , . . a rom. . . b pro. , , . c pet. . . d psal. . e jer. . . f esay . g ecclus. . . h ecclus. . . i . sam. . k sam. . . l sam. . . m sam. . . n sam. . o sam. . . p sam. . . q sam. . . r psal. . . (ſ) luk. . , . t sam. . . u v. . x job . . y psal. . a jer. . . b tit. . . c king. ● . . d eccles . e joh. . . a job . b pro. . c deut. . d tob. . . e tob. . . f esa. . g jer. . . h rev. . . i jer. . . k esa. . . l gen. . m sam. . . n gen. . o eccles . p job . q tob. . . a act. . . b pro. . . psal. . . c gen. . . d wisd. . e mat. . . f joel . g joh . h cant. . i eccles . k job . . l eccles . m ecclus . n pro. . o luk. . p psal. . . q psal. . . r phil. . . s esay . . t psal. . . u ps. . x job . y pet. . a psal. . . b pro. . c lam. . . pro. . . d cor. . . pro. . . e ecclus . f pro. . g ruth . . * ecclus . . h rom. . i luke . . k gen. . l psal. . m esdr. . . n mat. . . o pro. . . p pro. . ecclus . . q joh. . . r ecclus . s pro. . . titus . . t judith . . u ecclus . . x tim. . ● y pro. . . a ecclus . a pro. . . rom. . . b pro. . c mat. . d jer. . . e ecclus . f ecclus . g psal. . . h psal. . i psal. . . k job . . l jam. . . m ecclus . . n ecclus . . amos . o pro. . . p psal. . . q job . pro ●● . mal. . r luk. . . s 〈◊〉 , . t gen. . . eccles . . a job . . b eccles. . . c psal. . . d & . . e mat. . , . f v. . g v. . h v. . i john . . k john . . l rom. . m amos . . n rom. . . o esa. . . p mat. . q ecclus. . . r eph. . . (ſ) job . t psal. . . u pet. . . x heb. . pro. . . y mat. . . z tim. . a esay . b a cor. . . a pet. . . b psal. . . c ver. . d psal. . . e esa. . . f jer. . . g psal. . h ps. . i ps. . . k mat. . . l jam. . . m cor. . n neh. ● . . o heb. . p dan. . . q tim. . . r jam. . . s thess. . . t cor. . . a cor. . . b john . . c jer. . . d ezek. . . e ezek . . f ps. . . g ezek. . . h psal. . . i ezek. . . k acts . . l col. . . ecclus. . . m rev. . . a job . . b mar. . . c john . . d acts . e mat. . . f rom. . . g chro. . . h heb. . . i pro. . . hos. . . k psal. . . & . . l cor. . m pro. . . n john . . o luke . . p jam. . . q acts . r pet. . . (ſ) ps. . . t cor. . , . u cor. . . a pet. . . b joh. . . c heb. . . a wisd. . . b psal. . c chron. . . d chron. . e john . . f ezek. . rom. . . g j●r . . . ps. . . h eccles . i psal. . k eze. . . l king. . . lam . . a ezek. . . b gen. . . c ecclus . . d job . e psal. . ▪ f gen. . g king. . . h cor. . . . psal. . . i sam. . . k eph. . . l sam. . . m gal. . n rom. . o ps. . p ps. . q rom. . . a job . . b job . . c job . . d job . . e psal. . . f job . & . . g pet. . . h psal. . i & eph. . &c. k eph. . . l ecclus . m hos. . . n ecclus . . . o phil. . . p col. . . q eccles . . r tim. . . s judg. . . a pro. . . b pro. . . c judeth . . d phil. . . tob. . . e gen. . f jer. . . &c. g tim. . a pro. . . b ecclus . . c pro. . . d esa. . . e levit. . f ecclus . . g psal. . . h levit. . . . i zeph. . . k luk. . l luk. . . a acts . . b ecclus. . . c pro. . d luk. . e pro. . f pro. . . g tim. . . h pro. . , . i mi t . . k acts . l micah . . m esd. . . n pro. . . o esd. . . p luk. . q luk. . . r , . a v. . b v. . c psal. . . d luk. . e luk. . f v. . g v. . h v. . i ps. . esay . . heb. . . k hos. . . l psal. . . m pro. . . n pet. . . o psal. . . p job . . q psal. . . r psal. . . s ps. . . t psal. . . u pet. . . x heb. . y pet. . . z rom. . . a mark . b rev. . . c cant. . . d heb. . . e phil. . ▪ , . psal. . . a cor. . . b mat. . . c ps. . hos. . . d heb. . e ps. . . & f . . job . . g pet. . . a eph. . . b eph. . . c mat. . d mat. . jude . e thes. . . f dan. . . jam. . . g esa. . . h rev. . . i wisd. . k heb. . . pro. . . l judg. . m john . . n jude . a mat. . b luk. . c wis . . . nahum . . d esa . . e pet. . . f gen. . g psal. . . h john . , . i joh. . . k eph. . . l eccles. . m ps. . . n psal. . . o joh. . p pro . , . q ecclus. . . r pro. . . a esd. . . b judith . . . . c hab. . . eccles . . d jude . ecclus . . e pro. . . ecclus . . . f ecclus . . & . . g hos. . . jer. . . pet. . . h tim. . . pet. . . i job . . k psal. ● . l jude . m zeph. . . n jer. . . o thes. . p job . jude v. . q esa. . . r job . s pro. . . t ecclus . . . u ecclus . . esdr. . . x ps. . a ecclus . . b ecclus . . c pro. . . d ezek. . . e hos. . . f hos. . . g col. . . . h heb. . pro. . . i psal. . . k acts . . l jam. . . m esa. . . jer. . . n gal. . . eph. . . o phil. . . p psal. . q tim. . r joh. . . s mat. . . tob. . . t ecclus . . . psal. . u ps. . . x jam. . . y rom. . . a pro. . . b exod. . c pro. . . d p●●● ▪ e 〈…〉 a ps. . b job . . pro. . . c pro. . . d cor. . e esa. . . f joel . . g pro. . , . ecclus . . h psal. . . i ecclus . k ecclus . . l cor. . . m lam. . . n chron. . . o jer. . . p amos . . q esay . . r mat. . . a joh. . . b mat. . c heb. . . d heb. . e jer. . . f ezek. . . g psal. hos. . . h col. . ▪ i ps. . . k deut. . l ps. . , . m ps. . . n joh. . o thes. . . p luk. . , , . q cor. . . r sam. . . (ſ) sam. . . a job . . ecclus. . . b rom. . . c john . . d pet. . , . e john , f rom. . . g thes. ▪ , . ps. . . h deut. . i jam. . . gal. . . k psal. . . l heb. . . m psal. . . n job . . a judg. . . psal. . . b luk. , c & . . d amos . : e luk. . . f josh. . . g jer. . . a hab. . . b ps. . . c est . . . d levit. . . e col. . . a pro. ▪ . b zech. . . a tit. . . b pro. . . c pro. . . d pro. . e heb. . . f joh. . . g pro. . . h ps. . ● i tit. . ● . a micah . . b pro. . c psal. . . d chron. . . e job . . f jam. . g pro. . . h psal. . . i pro. . . k psal. . . a deut. . . b ps. . . a rev. . ● . b col. . . c job . . d job . . e num. . . f sam. . . g esa. . . h rev. . . i rev. . . k ezek. . , . l rev. . . m & . . n gal. . . ecclus . . o thes. . p thes q eph. . . r rev. . s mar. . . a esa. . b rev. . . ▪ cor. . . c thess. . . d rev. . . e mar. . . f lev. . . g cor. . . h king. . pet. . . i lev. . . k cor. . . l zach. . . m tim. . . n gen. . . o chron. . . p tim. . q pet. . . r rom ▪ . . s psal. . . t heb. . . a cor. . b acts . . c joh. . d mat. . . e heb. . f hos. . . g acts . h ps. . . i jer. . . pro. . . k thess. . . l pet. . . m joh. . . n rev. . o rev. . p rev. . . . q wild . . , . r psal. . . micah . . s psal. . . t mat. . . u cor. . x king. . . y mat. . . z heb. . . a heb. . b rev. . . c acts . d job . . e baruch . . f ps. . . baruch . . g thes. . . h ps. . . i esay . . k acts . l pet. . . m mat. . psal . n esay . . . o jer. . . a mat. . . b jer. . . c tim. . . d hos. . . e cor. . . f tim. . . g tim. . . h cor. . . i king. . . k luk. . . l jer. . . m jer. . . n luk. . . o mat. . . a rev. . . & , , . col. . . b exo. . . c psal. . , , , . d jer. . . e exo. . . f mat. . . g heb. . . h mar. . . i mat. . . k lev. . ▪ . pro. . . l rev. . . m & . n psal. . . o pro. . . p job . . q exo. . r deut. . col . . s esa. . . t psal. . . a act. . jer. . . b pro. . . c jer. . . , . d luk. . . e ezek. . f john . . . g exod. . . h act. . . i exod. . . k neh. . l neh. . . m esa. . n eph. . . cor. . . a pro. . b rev. . . c heb. . d rev. . e rev. . bell and dra. . . . . f mat. . g psal. . h luk. . i joh. . . k jude . l psal. . . m pro. . . n esa. . . o esa. . . p luk. . q cor. . . r luk. . s act. . . tim. . t joh. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . u the prayer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 x eph. . . y psal. . . z 〈◊〉 . a ● pet. . 〈◊〉 . . b 〈◊〉 . . a king. ▪ . &c. b chron. . . c v. . d v. . e v. . f prayer of manasseh . g psal. . . h joh. . psal. . . i ps. . . k ps. . . l tim. . . m chron. . . n cor. . . o psal. . . p pet. . . q cor. . . r rev. . s eph. . . t joh. . . u col. . . a sam. . . b job . . a chron. , . b psal. . . c ruth . . luke . . d luke . . . e john . . f psal. . . g tim. . h zech. . . i job . . k pro. . l thes. . . m mat. . . n rom. . . o heb. . . p thes. . q thes. . r pet. . . s num. . t psal. . . u psal. ● . . a philem. b king. . c kin. . . d pro. . e psal. . f rom. . . g tit. . . h ecclus . . i jer. . k pet. . . l mat. . m proc . . n pro. . , ▪ o pet. . . p col. . . q pet. . r philem. a cor. . . b jam. . . c mat. . . d psal . . e esa. . . f psal. . g ecclus . , h ps. . . i jam. . . a sam. . . b m●●h . . . c gen ▪ . . d mat. . . e ecclus. . . . f ecclus . a luk. . . b ezek. . . c judith . ▪ . d psal. . . e ecclus . . f ecclus . . g judg. . . h sam. . . i pro. . . k jer. . . l act. . . m eph. . . n tim. . . a rev. . b rev. . c chron. . . d chron. . . e chron. . . f sam. . . g psal. . . h esay . . i psal. . . k & . . l 〈◊〉 . . m mac. . . . n macch. . . o mac. . . p rev. . . q joh. . . r deut. . . s sam. . a josh. . . b gal. . . c eph. . . d pet. . e pet. . f luke . . g job . . h joh. . i eph. . . k rev. . l eph. . . m eph. . n rev. . . o mar. . . p rev. . , . a heb. . . b eph. . . c gal. . . d pro. . . e tim. . , . f pet. . . g heb. . , . h col. . . a acts . b pro. . . a mat. . . b acts . . c pro. . . & . . d jer. . : e psal. . . f esay . . g pro. . . h john . . i col. . . k rom. ● . a gal. . . b tim. . c amos . d jam. . . pro. . . e pro. . . f pro. . . g acts . , . h col. . . i psal. . . k eph. . . a ezek. . b job . . c ecclus . ▪ ▪ a ecclus . . b chron. . . c ecclus . d ecclus . e psal. . . f psal. . . g heb. . , . h mar. . . i luke . , . eph. . . k john . . l & . . . m esay . , . psal. ▪ . n john . o esa. . . ezek. . . p luke . , q pro. . . r job . . psal. . . s rom. . . psal. . . t psal. . u mat. . psal. . . x psal. . y mat. . z deut. . . a mat. . cor. . . b pro. . . tim . . james . . c col . . rom. . . . a rom. . . b ● pet. . c cor. . d col. , . . . e thes. . . f job . g heb. . . h phil. . pet. . . i pro. . , , . k joh. . l cor. . gal. . . . m col. . . n esa. . . o joh. . . p rom. . . q & . . r mat. . , . s job . . . t cor. . . u joh. . . x rev. . . y gal. . , , . z thess. . . a cor. . b cor. . . c mat. . . d mar. . e king . . f rev. . . g acts . . h luke . . i & v. . a mat. . b jude . wis . . , ▪ . c pet. . d rev . e & . . f mat. . g eph. . . h tim. . i mat. . . k job . . l eccles . . m num. . . psal. . . n john . . o mark . p deut. . . q jer. . . r phil. . . pet. . . s psal. . pro. . . t phil. . . . u mat. . . x rev. . . y esd. . . z rom. . psal ▪ . . a eccles . b pro. . . c pro. . . d pet. . e neh. . . eccles . . luke . . f eccles . . eph. . . a pro. . . jam. . . b psal. . . acts . . james . . c gen. . d esay . e job . . f pet. . , . g esay . . h pro. . . i amos . ecclus . . k pro. . esa. . , , . l eccles . . m eccles . . & . . n gen. . . a job . . . pro. . . psal. . . psal. . b job . , . c psal. . , . d job . psal. . . e job . . . f job . . g psal. . . h job . . i jam. . . & . . k eccles . &c . . a pro. . . b ps. . . psal. . . c ps. . . d ecclus. . . e ecclus. . . f gen. . . pro. . . ecclus. . . . g king. . . ecclus. . . h king. . . i tim. . . psal . . pro . . k eccles. . . . l tim. . , , . m ecclus. . . & n . . pro. . . o pro. . . p pro. . : q pro. . . acts . john . r cor. . , . s job . . , . t neh. . . hag . . . ezra . u king . x acts . . y luk. . . & . z rev. . . a psal. . b mat. . . c rev. . . john . . d mat. . e j●m . . . f ma● . . j●m . . g luk. . ▪ , , . h phil . . i eccles. . . gal. . . a luk . . b pro. . c deut. . , . ps. . . d luk . . e job . . f pro. . . g ps. . . ecclus. . . & . . h psal. . . a psal. . ▪ b & . c acts . . d cant. . . e psal. . . f psal. . . g ps. . . h pro. . . i job . . . k john . . l pro. . . m luk. . . n luk. . ▪ . o cor. . . p mat. . . q psal . r sam. . . s psal. . . t thes ▪ . . ps. . . u thes. . ▪ x tit. . . y ● thes. . . z g●l . . . john ▪ . a cant. . . ▪ b phil. . . a mat. . b pro. . . wisd. . . c pro. . . job . , . d pro. . , ▪ e mal. . . f acts . g ecclus . . h pro. . . i ecclus . k ecclus . . l pro. . . m luke . . n acts . . o neh. . . tim. . . p psal. . q esd. . , . r mac. . , . s col. . . t psal. . ● . cor. . . a ecclus . . b ecclus . . c phil. . . d sam. . ▪ pro. . . e pro. . . f mat. . g psal. . . h esa. . . col. . . i ecclus . . k jer. . . l psal. . . m deut. . . n chron. . . o ezek. . . p psal. . . q mat. . r chron. . . hos. . . psal. . s psal. . . & . . a chron. . . b psal. . . act. . . c joh. . d psal. . . phil. . . e esa. . . f psal. . g job . . psal. . . h psal. . i ecclus . & . . k luk. . a ecclus . b pro. . . a col. . , . king. . . b amos . . c job . . d esay . . e esay . . f john . g acts . . h psal. . . i psal. . . k pet. . . a rom. . b luk. . . psal. . . c ps. . . d esay . . e rev. . ● . f rev. . ▪ . g rev. . ▪ h & . . i wisd. . . k col. . . l psal. . m tim. . . n pro. . . a thes. . . b pro. . c eccles . . tim. . . d pro. . . & ▪ . jam. . . e esay . . f heb. . g rom. . h jam. . . i sam. . k psal. . l eccles . m pro. . . n tit. . . o psal. . . p psal. . . a ● p●● . . ● b cor. . ● . c sam. . ●● . d luke . , . a mat. . ● b jer. . . c psal. . . d pro. . , jude . e mat. . . f rom. . g sam . . psal. . ▪ , . h lam. . . & . . ezra . . esay ▪ . m●c . . i gen. . k lam. . rom. . . l cor. . , . rom. . . m rom. . ● . a mat. . b esa ▪ . & . . cor . . c gal. . . & . . john . . acts . . d job . col. . . e deut. . f psal. . . rom. . . a pro. . ecclus . . b ecclus . . c pro. . d job . . & . . e ecclus . . f pro. . g job . , tob. . , . a ecclus . . b cor. . . tob. . . c esa. . . d judg. . e pro. ● . . ecclus . . f pro. . . & . . g ecclus . . h job . . i job . . k job . , . l job . . m job ▪ , . n job . . a ecclus . . b job . . c job . . d job . . e eccles . f ecclus . . g ecclus . . h gen. . . i ecclus . . j pro. ●● . . job ● . . l job . . m ▪ thes. . . a lam. ● . , . b psal. . esay . . c susanna d eph. . , . e psal. . f pet. . . ecclus . . a psal. . . lam. : . b acts . c job . . d jer. . ● e eph. . . f psal. . . pro. . . ecclus . . g psal. . . esay . . cor. . . h tob. . . i esa. . . a gen. . . b psal. . est . . . ecclus . . mac. . . c psal. . . d psal. . pro. . . ezek ) . . e mac. . . f lam. . , . esa. . . g psal. . . ecclus . . h rom. . . thes. . . jam. . , . i pro. . . k baruch . . l thes. . . esay . . m mar. ● . n esa. . . nahum . . o pro. . . esd. . . p joh. . , . q john . r ecclus . . s jer. . . t tim. . . a v. . b jam. . . heb. . . pet. . . c pro. . . d job . . . psal. . . pro. . . cor. . . e job ▪ . . psal. ● . . cor. . . f luk. . . & . , . g tit. . . rev. . . h luke . , . i rom. . . k mat. . . luke . . & . . luke . . & . . l john . , . m rev. . ▪ n cor. . o pro. . . p cor. . . heb. . , . q rev. . . r mar. . . s psal. . t john . , . acts . . u job . a mat. . b esay . . luke . . c pro. . . d pro. . . cor. . . e luk. ▪ phil. . . rev. . . f psal. . . g job . . . h cor. . ▪ . rom. . . col. . . i mat. . k cor. . l psal. ● , . m psal. ● . . n mat. . . esay . . o cor. . . & ● . . & . . &c. tim. . . p acts . ▪ q jam. . . r acts . . s mat. . , . psal. ▪ ▪ t joh. . . u cor. . . x luke ▪ y mar. . . z rom. . ▪ a heb. . a wisd. . ● . b ps. . . . c pet. . . d rev. . . e cor. . . f cor. . gal. . . g gal. . . eph. . . h psal. . pet. . . i heb. . . k psal. . . heb. . . l hos. . . m deut. . . jam. . . heb. . . n jam. . . tim. . . heb. . . o psal. . p pro. . . rev. . . q jer. . . john . . r mat. . s deut. . ▪ . t job . . ecclus . . u ps. . , . x jer. . . y cor. . z cor. . pro. . . ecclus . . & . . a mat. . luke . . b cor. . , . heb. . . c pro. . . susanna . d deut. . . acts . . e susanna f psal. . ecclus . . susanna . g psal. . . h joh. . i esa. . john . . k ● esd. . est . . . l esay . . acts . . m joel . n pet. . . o psal. . p hos. . , q psal. . , . r phil. . . s psal. . t psal. . . pro. . . u psal. . ▪ a psal. . . gen. . . b job . . c tob. . . d ecclus . . e ecclus . . f jer. . . g job . ▪ h phil. . , . i psal. . . a pro. . . b joel . . c psal. . d jer. . . e jer. . . f psal. . g jer. . . h psal. . i sam. . . k pro. . . l psal. . m job . . n thes. . o job . . & . . p joh. . lam. . . q psal. . . r psal. . ●● a chron. . . b job . , mar. . . c rom. . . d pro. . . e job . . f eph. . . g pet. . . h acts . i acts . k job . . l jer. . . m job . , . n cor. . o heb. . p job . . a rev. . . b ruth . . c pro. . . d job . . e pro. . f ruth . . g john . a sam. . b ruth . c pro. . . d rev. . . e job . . f lam. . . g baruth . . ecclus . . h psal. . . i chron. . . k esa. . . a heb. . b rom. . a pro. . b pro. . . c psal. . ● d jam. . . e job . . f thes. . . a jer ▪ . . b ecclus . . c psal. . . d ecclus . . e ecclus . . f pro. . ▪ g col. . . h psal. . i pro. . . k hos. . . l acts . m psal . a psal. . b psal. . a ecclus . . b pro. . , . c pro. . , d tit. . . e esay . . a king. . . b ecclus . . c ezek. . , . d ecclus . . e ecclus . . f ecclus . g pro. . . & . . h pro. . . i acts . . k acts . . john . . l esa. . . m ezek. . . a rom. . . b ● john . . c eph . . d cor. . e pro. . . f jam. . . g pro. . . a ecclus . . b ecclus . . c esd. . . d pro. . . e gen. . . ecclus . . f mat. . . g esay . . h mat. . . i mat. . k pro. . , ▪ l v. . m esd. . . a pro. . . b tit. . , . c esa. . . d esay . e ezra . . f job . g hos. . h joh. . a psal. . b psal. . c job . , . a job . b psal. . c iob . . d psal. . ● . e j●m . . . f job . ▪ g king ▪ . h job . i psal. . k joh. . l esay . m esa. . a psal. . b psal. . . c esd. . . d joh , . . e mac. . f pro. . . g john . h ecclus . . i sam. . . k john . l rev. . . a esa. . ; b pro. . c ecclus . d pro. . . e psal. . . f psal. . g pro. . . h pro. . . a psal. . . b psal. . . c mich. . . d pro. . . e psal. . . f psal . . g sam. . h psal. . . i job . . k heb ▪ . a sam. . b psal. . . c pro. . d jam. . . e cor. . . a pro. . . b pro. . c gal. . . d pet. . e pro. . . f pro. . . g mat. . . a mat. . . b pro. . c pro. . . a mat. . b psal. . c psal. . d acts . . e acts . f jr. . . g ecclus . . h ecclus . . i psal. . a pro. . cor. . . b ecclus . c job . d . pro. . e job . . f jer. . . ecclus . . g esay . . h ecclus . . i esay . . k psal. . . l ecclus . . m ecclus . . n heb. . . o ecclus . p job . . & . . q pro. . r mat. . , . a judg . . b ecclus . c ecclus . . d ecclus e pro. . . f psal. . . a luk. . . b pro. . . c pet. . . d tim. . e mat. . , . f mat. . . g psal. . . a pro. . . b esa. . . a eccles . b king. . . c psal. . d ecclus . . e ecclus . . f luke . pro. . . g ecclus . . a rom. . . b pro. . c pro. . . d mat. . . e joh. . . f jam. . . g ecclus . . h eccles . . i tim. . a pro. . . a pro. . . b pro. . . c thes. . , . d thes. . . e pro. . , . f pro. . . g pro. . . h gen. . . thes. . . i job . . . ecclus . . a luke . . b pro. . . c luke . d luke . . . e acts . . f tim. . , . g cor. . h psal. . . i joh. . . k rom. . . l job . . m pro. . n pet. . . o mat. . p dan. . q joh. . . r pet. . s . pet. . . t pro. . . u rev. . , . a pet. . b heb. . . c psal. . d col. . . a mat. . . b jer. . , . c esay . . d job . . mat. . . e pro. . , . f job . . g job . . h ecclus . tim. . . i mat. . . a acts . . mar. . . b mat. . &c. c psal. . , d mat. . e mat. . f esay . . g luk. . h john . . mat. . i act. . . k act. . , . l act. . . pro. . . m joh. . . n job . . mar. . . o job . p tim. . q act. . . r pro. . . s joh. . . t psal . . u thes. . . x psal. . . y psal. . . z esay . a ezek. . . b pro. . a job . . b lam. . . c psal. . d pro. . e job . . f ezek. . . g psal. . . h pro. . . i mat. . . k mat. . . l pro. . . a mich. . . b psal. . . c hos. . . d job . . e ecclus . f cor. . a psal. . , . b pro. . . c mat. . a rom. . . b eccles . . ecclus . . c rom. . d psal. . . e heb. . f psal. . . g mar. . h chron. . . a esay . b ezra . c chron. . . d v. ▪ . e sam. . . f hos. . . g psal. . . h psal. . ▪ i num. . k cor. . . l chron. . . m esa. . . n neh. . . o job . . p psal. . . q psal. . r psal. . . s psal. . . t cant. . . zech. . . u psal. . x ezek. . y esa. . . job . . z joel . . job . . . a mat. . b gal. . . heb. . . c pet. . . d john . a pet. . . b heb. . . & . . c lam. . . d jam. . e mat. . f psal. . g & . . h esay . . i psal. . . k phil. . . l job . . m ● king . n job . o psal. . p mat. . psal. . . q esay . . r gen. . s psal. . t psal. . . u psal . x & . . y lam. . z psal. . . a psal. . b cor. . . c num. . . d luke . . a josh. . psal. . . b jona . ▪ . c cor. . . d jona . . e mar. . . f psal. . . g cor. . , . h psal. . ▪ i ruth . . k sam. . l job . . m psal. . . n ruth . . o job . , . p ecclus . . eccles. . . q tob. . . r jam. . . s psal. . . t obad. . u sam. . . ecclus . . x jam. . . y ecclus . . a psal. . . b psal. . . c acts . d mat. . e psal. . . f lam. . . g psal. . . h job . . & . . i mat. . . act. . . k pet. . . l psal. . eph. . . m lam. . , . n eccles . o psal. . . p psal. . . q psal. . . r dan. . . s heb. . t psal . . u phil. . . x tim. . . y psal. . z psal. . a psal. . . b esay . . c chron. . . d psal. . e psal. . . f joh. . . g gen. . h eph. . . i gen. . k mat. . . l psal. . . a cor. . . b psal. . c psal. . d psal. . . e psal. . . f psal. . . g luke . . h phil. . . a ecclus . . b ecclus . . c gen. . d ecclus . e gen. . ▪ f & v. . g chron. . . h luke . , . i luk. . . k tob. . . l mat. . m jer. . , . n psal. . o psal. . p ecclus . q job . . a job . . b pro. . c psal. d ecclus . . e phile . . a col. b jam. . . c psal. . . d pro. . . e sam. . . f john . . g jam. . . h gen. . . i jam. . . k acts . . l act. . . m cor. . . n eph. . . . o mat. . . p mat. . . james . . q pro. . . r pro. . . s psal. . t & . . u pet. . . a esay . . hos. . . b neh. . , c mat. . d neh. . . e king , . f ecclus . . . g cor. . . h cor. . , . i psal. . k joh. ▪ . the innocent mans's second-proffer made unto his present adversaries october . . and communicated unto them, by his loving brother, collonell robert lilburne. lilburne, john, ?- . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) the innocent mans's second-proffer made unto his present adversaries october . . and communicated unto them, by his loving brother, collonell robert lilburne. lilburne, john, ?- . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] signed at end of letter: john lilburne. dated: tower, octob. , . imprint from wing. includes list: the names of the severall bookes and papers, written and published by lieutenant collonel john lilburne since his contest with the bishops, in the yeare . reproduction of the original in the british library. eng lilburne, john, ?- -- imprisonment -- early works to . detention of persons -- england -- early works to . prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no the innocent man's second-proffer, made unto his present adversaries october . . and communicated unto them, by his loving brother, co lilburne, john d the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the d category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the innocent man's second-proffer , made unto his present adversaries october . . and communicated unto them , by his loving brother , collonell robert lilburne , brother , in answere to your late letter i can make no other proposition besides what is in my letter to mr. heveningham , of the present , then this : that seeing my selfe , and the principles i professe are a burthen to the men in present power ; therefore ( for peace and quietnesse sake only ) i will engage , ( enjoying my money , and my immediate liberty ) that i will within six moneths time transplant my selfe into some part of the west-indies . provided , that all those that are free , and willing to goe along with me , of what quality soever , may have free liberty , at their pleasure to goe , and provided , seeing many of those i know willing to undertake the journey are made very poore , by reason of their sufferings in the present distractions , may have all such monies , justly paid unto them as is owing them , either upon arreares , for faithfull service already done , or for monies lent to the publique , that so they may be the better , enabled for their journey , they ingaged thereupon to goe . and , provided , that others that are willing to goe , and are so very poore , that they cannot transplant themseles , may have from the publique some reasonable allowance for that end , this being the land of their nativitie , where , by the law of nature , they may challenge a subsistance , and therefore it is but just , seeing their company and principles are a burthen and trouble to the men in present power , that they should make their willingnesse ( for peace sake ) able to transplant themselves into a desart , where , with industry and the blessing of god thereupon , they may expect a livelihood ; and this with the ingagement of the present power , for a peaceable protection while wee stay in england , and for their assistance for a reasonable convoy in some part of our journey , i will ingage in securitie , i will not act against their power during my stay in england , directly nor indirectly ; but for mee to ingage singly to goe alone , seeing i know noe plantation already planted but i would sooner choose to bee cut in peeces in england then ingage to goe to it , therefore particularly i shall not engage without the tearmes above said , come life , come death , to which i shall stand : witnesse my hand ; tower , octob. . . john lilburne . the names of the severall bookes and papers , written and published by lievetenant collonel john lilburne since his first contest with the bishops , in the yeare . & part of the christian mans tryall . come out of her my people , printea anno . an answere to t. b. his arguments . an information for the ignorant . the poore mans cry decemb. . & two epistles , to the lord major , and the apprentices of london . a letter to the wardens of the fleete , since the parliament , nouemb. . a letter to mr. william prynne . reasons for writing thereof . a letter to a friend , july . . innocency and truth justified . the second part of the same . my relation before the lords , feb. . . the just mans justification , with a second edition june . . since my contest with the lords . the free mans freedom vindicated . londons liberty , in chaines , discovered . the charters of london . an anatomy of the lords tyranny . the opressed mans oppressions declared . the out-cries of the oppressed commons , being two editions . the resolved mans resolution . rash oathes unwarrantable . jon●hs cry out of the whales belly . the juglers discovered . two letters to mr. henry marten esq . & his grand and additionall plea , &c. since his contest with commons and lords joyntly , being committed by them both . jan. . the peoples prerogative . a whip for the house of lords . the prisoners plea for a habeas corpus . the oppressed mans cry to bee brought to the barre of justice . the prisoners cry against the judges of the kings bench . the lawes funerall . an epistle to every individuall member of the house of commons . since his contest with the counsell of state march . . two pictures of the councell of state . a discourse with mr. peeters . the legall fundamentall liberties of england revived , being two editions . a manifesto from all the foure prisoners of the . of aprill . an agreement of the free people , of the . of may . an impeachment of high treason against cromwell and ireton . a preparrative to an hue and cry after sir arthur haslerig . strength out of weakenesse , being a discourse with mr. prideaux . salva libertate , sent to the lievetenant of the tower . in all which bookes , papers , &c. the said lievetenant collonel john lilburne hath constantly and fearelessely opposed himselfe against the tyrannie of the times , not in the least , in opposition to a just government , having alwaies ( as now ) had the law o●england on his side , for the just defence whereof , and to satisfie the blood thirsty malice of old sir henry van● , manchester , crumwell , sir arthur haslerig , &c. hee is now exposed to a tryall for life before arbitrary judges , who can no way justifie themselves , but by his condemnation . let therefore angells and men judge wh●●●er they can deserve the benefit of law themselves , which thus wickedly deny it to others ; and if this b●● suff●●●d , what possibilitie of protection can there bee for any since therefore ordinary meanes cannot prevaile , extraordinary must , and if in the use thereof wee perish , wee perish . to the high and mighty states, the knights and burgesses in parliament assembled (englands legall soverainge power) the humble appeale and supplication of richard overton, prisoner in the most contemptible goale of newgate. overton, richard, fl. . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing o thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) to the high and mighty states, the knights and burgesses in parliament assembled (englands legall soverainge power) the humble appeale and supplication of richard overton, prisoner in the most contemptible goale of newgate. overton, richard, fl. . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "ber th ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . detention of persons -- england -- early works to . great britain -- history -- civil war, - -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to the high and mighty states, the knights and burgesses in parliament assembled: (englands legall soverainge power) the humble appeale and overton, richard a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to the high and mighty states , the knights and burgesses in parliament assembled ; ( englands legall soveraigne power ) the humble appeale and supplication of richard overton , prisoner in the most contemptible goale of newgate . humbly sheweth ; that whereas your prisoner under pretence of a criminall fact being in a warlike manner brought before the house of lords to be tried , and by them put to answer to interogatories concerning himselfe , both which your petitioner humbly conceiving to bee illegall , and contrary to the naturall rights , freedomes , and properties of the free commoners of england ; confirmed to them by magna charta , the petition of right , and the act for the abolishment of the star-chamber : hee therefore was imboldened to refuse subjection to the said house , both in the one and the other , expressing his resolution before them , that he would not infringe the private rights and properties of himselfe , or of any one commoner in particular , or the common rights and properties of this nation in generall : for which your petitioner was by them adjudged contemptuous , and by an order from the said house was therefore committed to the goale of newgate , where , from the of august . to this present he hath lyen , and there commanded to be kept till their pleasures shal be further signified ( as a coppy of the said order hereunto annexed doth declare ) which may be perpetuall if they please , and may have their wils ; for your petitioner humbly conceiveth that thereby he is made a prisoner to their wils , not to the law , except their wils may be a law . wherefore your leige petitioner doth make his humble appeale unto this most soveraigne house ( as to the highest court of iudicature in the land , wherein all the appeales thereof are to centure , and beyond which , none can be made ) humbly craving ( both in testimony of this acknowledgment of its legall regality , and of his due submission thereunto ) that your honours therein assembled , would take his cause ( and in his , the cause of all the free commoners of england , whom you represent , and for whom you sit ) into your serious consideration and legall determination , that he may either by the mercy of the law be repossessed of this his just liberty and freedome , and thereby the whole commons of england of their thus unjustly ( as he humbly conceiveth ) usurped and invaded by the house of lords , with due repairations of the damages susstained , or else that he may undergoe what pennalty shall in equitie by the impartiall severity fo the law , be adjudged against him by this honourable house , in case by them he shal be legally found a transgressor herein . and your petitioner ( as in duty bound ) shall ever pray , &c. an office for prisoners for crimes, together with another for prisoners for debt containing both proper directions, and proper prayers and devotions, for each of their needs and circumstances / by john kettlewell ... kettlewell, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing k estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) an office for prisoners for crimes, together with another for prisoners for debt containing both proper directions, and proper prayers and devotions, for each of their needs and circumstances / by john kettlewell ... kettlewell, john, - . [ ], p. printed by a. and j. churchill ..., london : . imperfect: tightly bound with some loss of print; best copy available for photographing. reproduction of original in the huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prayer-books -- early works to . prisoners -- prayer-books and devotions. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - melanie sanders sampled and proofread - melanie sanders text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an office for prisoners for crimes , together with another for prisoners for debt . containing both proper directions , and proper prayers and devotions . for each of their needs and circumstances . by john kettlewell , late a presbyter of the church of england . london , printed by a. and j. churchill , at the black swan in pater-noster-row , . an advertisement to the reader . it is thought necessary to assure the publick , that the following treatise is a genuine piece of that reverend author , whose name it bears ; 't was left finisht under his own hand , and may serve as a fresh proof of that true christian zeal which inflamed his mind , and extended his concern , to the necessities of those miserable wretches , who are confined to prisons for crimes and debt . such afflicting circumstances , naturally incline men to consideration , the want whereof is for the most part the true cause of all their misfortunes ; but since it is as impossible to make that undone , that is once done , as it is to call back time ; the only remedy that is left for the returning sinner , is to make all those reparations to god and man , which his particular case will admit off : now to this purpose he is here furnisht with variety of directions both how to begin and compleat his repentance , and with variety of devotions to implore the assistance of that grace , which is so necessary in order to his recovery . there has been so little writ upon this important subject , that i perswade my self the publication of it ; will be very grateful to all good men , who rejoyce at any means that are used to rescue captives from the slavery of satan : besides the accurate management of the argument , will recommend it to the approbation of the most judicious . composures of devotion , when perfect in their kind , i think may very well be ranked among some of the difficult performances in divinity ; since they require not only propriety and decency of expression , but a mature judgment ; spiritualized affections ; and a most comprehensive knowledge of all christian duties , to render them compleat ; that while the mind is stor'd with rules to make a sound judgment , the will may be determined to the choice of what is just , and all the faculties wing'd to the swiftest prosecution of it . how far this devout office answers that character , must be left to the world to judge , but the talent our pious and learned author had that way is so well known , that i need say no more to satisfie the reader , than to assure him this is of a piece with what he has already published in that kind . god grant that it may attain that end which he aimed at in this and all his other writings , which was the service of his blessed master , and the salvation of those souls which were redeemed by his most precious bloud ; that they may both perceive and know those things which they ought to do , and may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same , amen . th march , / . blackheath . nelson . to the reader . reader , the case of poor prisoners , both for crimes , and also for debt , is very lamentable , and uncomfortable , with relation to their bodies ; but more with relation to their most precious souls . and i think it a good piece of charity to direct them , how in their most dangerous circumstances they may , however , set their souls safe , and also provide for their bodily straights ; making them as easy and advantageous to them , yea , and i add really as safe too , as their case admits to make them . but when such helps are provided for them , these miserable persons are neither like to inquire after them , nor be at any charge to buy them for themselves . and therefore another sort of charity will still be wanting to their releif , and that is , the charity of some pious persons to distribute such helps among prisoners , and put them into their hands . and when compassionate and charitable persons , do not visit prisons themselves , methinks such of them as are of ability , should not think much to send such visitants and companions as these among them . i have prepared this little piece to be sent abroad , both to furnish them with particular directions , and also with particular prayers , for their several needs and hard circumstances . and i hope god will from time to time stir 〈…〉 of some or other of 〈…〉 and charitable servants in several counties , to send some of these pieces ( or others which they like better ) to be distributed some due time before the assizes in their neighbouring prisons . by gods blessing they may help to save many souls by this means ; at least they will greatly benefit , and recommend their own to his mercy , who sets not so much by any charity , as by that of converting sinners , from the error of their ways . brief directions for prisoners for crimes , and for prisoners for debt . i. special directions , for prisoners for crimes . chap. i. how to behave and employ themselves , after commitment , and before the tryal . i. as soon as you are committed to the prison , begin seriously to consider , and resolve within your self , how to spend your time there . do not once fancy , that you must lye shut out there from all business , and condemned to a state of idleness . but set your self with all your might , to mind the one thing necessary , viz. the great work of repentance , and making your peace with almighty god : and know assuredly , that this will cut out work enough for you , and of more comfort and profit to your soul , than any other employments which you have formerly been used to . and do not think of leaving this most necessary and important work for an after-game , and that it will be time enough to fall to it after you have received sentence of condemnation . for this shews , that you do not yet think repentance to be the work of a living , but only of a condemn'd and dying person , and that if you could have any hopes to live on , you would reserve your self and are resolved to sin on . and when you come to it with this mind , you are never like to do much good in the way of repentance ; nor is it like to do much good to you . besides , the review and amendment of a whole life , and making your peace with god and men after a long course of provocations against both , if it be done as it should be , is a work of more time , and difficulty , and thoughtfulness , than you are aware of . and after sentence is once passed upon them , the wretched criminals often times are either so dejected with their misfortunes , or so distracted with terrors , that their minds are not capable , to be any thing near so composed , intent , and thoughtful , as the work of repentance requires ; or to make half so much use as they should of that little time which is left them . not to put them in mind likewise , that considerable parts even of that little time will be snatched away from this grand business , to be taken up in farewel visits , some of business , others of love and kindness , and in other avocations and interruptions , which both the noisy and incommodious state of prisoners , and the condition of persons taking a deliberate leave of this world , must expect to meet with . as soon therefore as you are shut up from others , fall to converse with your self , and call your own heart and ways to remembrance . and apply your self with seriousness to think of leaving this world , and of giving a strict account to the dreadful judge of heaven and earth , of all the good or evil which you did whilst you lived in it , and of the many things which you need to amend , and have to do , to make your peace with god , before you leave it . first , fix your thoughts on heaven and hell , and look upon them as most real and certain things , and as states of utmost joy or greif , and of endless continuance . they who will not believe that there is an hell , shall surely feel it : and when , by feeling the most exquisite pains thereof , they come to be convinced to their cost that there is one ; they shall be for ever incapable , either to bear it , or to get out of it . who can abide the rageing torture of fire and flames , and † dwell with everlasting burnings ? who can endure to be perpetually gnawed , and pierced to the quick , with the worm of conscience , always accusing and tormenting him , and eating through his spirit ? to lye down in a bed of sorrow , yea , and which he has madly chosen , and obstinately sought out for himself : where there is nothing , but anguish without abatement , and horror without hope ; and wherein there neither is , nor can be the least glimps of the divine mercy , but inexorable justice comes armed with power , to heap on such plagues , as an almighty god can inflict , and an immortal sinner can suffer , for evermore . and assure your self , that this will surely be the just wages of the crime for which you are made a prisoner , and the unavoidable end of your mispent life , unless you employ that little space of time , which you have yet remaining , to prevent the same , by true repentance , and making of your peace with god before you dye . being therefore without delay to survey your past life , and to repent of all that needs repentance . read over your baptismal vow in the church-catechism , upon the ingagement and undertaking whereof , god admitted you to the hopes of his mercy and eternal life in christ jesus ; and attently bethink your self how you have kept it . and read over your duty to god and to your neighbour , and at every particular of each of them , propose to your self , and consider how you have performed the same . and this will shew you what commandments you have broken , and what sins you have to bewail and amend , that you may recover gods favour , and prevent the torments of eternal fire . and having thus discover'd what your sins and offences are , which expose you to gods wrath , set your self instantly to humble your soul for them before him , that so you may be fit for his mercy . with hearty self-abasement , and condemnation of your self for the same , acknowledge before him , your own baseness , and abominable unthankfulness , and wretched folly therein . and fix in your heart the firmest purposes of amendment thereof , as seeing assuredly , that there is no other way , either of shewing your duty , your love , or thankfulness to god , or of saving your self from everlasting misery . and having thus considerately , and fully purposed this amendment within your self , and that of all the several sins which you find you have been guilty of , faithfully promise him , that by his help you will amend them . and beg his grace to fix you in this purpose , and to enable you , as occasion is offer'd , to perform it . and then humbly and earnestly beg his pardon for all your sins , for jesus christ's sake . and every day afterwards , as it comes , apply your self with utmost care and diligence , to make good your work , and perform these promises , considering , that it is the honest keepers of promises , who are to claim the benefits of them ; and therefore in all the opportunities you meet with afterwards , you must be strictly mindful according to your promise to do better , in all those points wherein you had done amiss before . and as for all wrong and damage , which you have done to any by your transgressions , especially by this for which you are now a prisoner ; resolve within your self , to make them full satisfaction if you are able ; or else , to make them as much satisfaction as you can , and to beg their pardon , and their prayers to god to pardon you , for the rest. and contrive how to do this , and have things in a readiness , that it may be done effectually and without delay , as soon as ever it may be prudent and convenient to do it ; providing at the same time against casualties , that whatever happens to you , it may not be finally dropt and be undone . and give out such general intimations before , of your true repentance and fixt intentions , of doing justice according to your ability , to all who have suffer'd by you , as may be safe for you , and something of satisfaction to them , in the mean time . and look on this reparation for wrongs , as a thing that must take place of any provisions , which you would desire to make for your self , or your family , out of your worldly goods ; and that it is a necessary course , to prevent gods future wrath , and to clear your conscience . in this great work , of posing , and purging of your conscience , and perfecting the course of your restitution and repentance , and expressing your heart thereupon to almighty god , you will have great need of , and may receive much comfortable assistance and benefit , from godly directions , and forms of prayers fitted for this purpose . and if you are not otherwise provided therewith , your needs herein may be supplyed by a small book , intituled a companion for the penitent , wherein is an office for the penitent to carry on their reconciliation with god : and a tryal or judgment of the soul , to discover the safety of their spiritual estate , &c. lately printed . and during all the time , which god shall spare you after your commitment , to attend this grand business , make pious books your companions , which you may converse with as often , and as much as you please , and always with great comfort and advantage to your self ; and discreet and religious friends likewise , if you have any such who will come at you . for their discourses and devout breathings , will be like gentle blowing on dying embers , and help to kindle any sparks of virtue and goodness that lye dormant in you . they will call forth your penitential relentings , and increase them , and bring you by use to take comfort therein , and direct you how to carry on the same . especially if you have a wise and faithful guide of souls for your friend , prize his visits , and make the most of them , and prepare your self still to receive both direction and warmth from his lips. and be free in opening your self to him , and in begging his judgment and direction , upon all the great passages of your life , and the present conduct of your repentance , how you are to order it so , as that you may be most sure of making your peace with almighty god. and be careful to receive his directions with thankfulness , and to follow them with care. and this way of spending your time , in transacting and perfecting your repentance and peace with god , let me again beseech you to look upon , not only as an incident , to fall in now and then , but as your work and business in prison . and be sure to keep your self to it , as much as your spirit will bear . remembring , that you have a great work to do , and no time to throw away . that if you fail or fall short therein , you are irreparably undone for ever . and that there is great danger of your failing , unless you shew such an early , a watchful , and incessant care , as i advise you to . that you have been desperately foolish , as well as wicked , in throwing away the former days of your life , and therefore should now seek to redeem them , and to be double diligent in the good husbanding and religious improvement of that small shred thereof which still remains . take not therefore more than needs of your precious time , especially not any great portions , from this most necessary and salutary employment , to attend unprofitable visits , or to throw away in idleness . but by no means spend any portions thereof , in that cure and diversion of cares , which alass ! is too often the refuge of imprison'd malefactors , viz. wine , and jollity and prophane and loose conversation . go no more into such society , than you would into an infected room : but shun it as you would do the plague , or as you would do persons who are throwing fire-balls among combustible stuff , and spreading endless ruine . and in this course , wait for the sessions or assizes , and continue thus to employ your self till your tryal comes . chap. ii. how to behave and employ themselves , in order to , and at , their tryal . and then in the next place , as to what concerns your tryal , look up to god as your only deliverer to bring you off there . all tryals in human courts , are of uncertain issue . even the innocent have cause to fear , and the guilty much more . for there men stand or fall , by the understanding and dispositions of judges and juries . and their hearts and minds are in no hand but gods , who turns and governs them as he pleases . their verdicts and sentences in tryals , are influenced and determined , either in favour of the prisoners or against them , according as some things are offer'd in evidence , or others omitted , which are apt most to affect them in their several ways of reasoning and believing , and sway most with them . and tho' these particular suggestions or omissions in evidence , whereon the judgment thereof is like to turn , seem accidents to us , and were not foreseen nor dreamed of by the prisoners ; yet are they all wise orderings and providences in god , so that in the verdict brought in thereupon , we have what he pleases . if you do escape therefore at all , lay down this beforehand within your self , and be both attent and fixt in the belief thereof , that it is he alone who must send you deliverance . and if your deliverance must come from thence , direct your eyes to him from whom your help comes , and place all your confidence in his kind and watchful providence : and when you trust to him for deliverance , seek for it with earnest prayers , and beg a longer respite in this world if he pleases . but withal , seek this with resignation to his holy will , humbly submiting to his justice , if he think fit to bring you to deserved punishment for this offence , for an example to terrifie others ; and praying , that whatever vengeance he exacts for your crimes here , he would by no means extend his wrath further , but for christ jesus ' s sake spare your soul hereafter . and thus you see , that the religious spending of your time , which i have advised you to , is really the best way you can take to prepare for your tryal , and to deliver you from the sentence of death here , as well as of damnation hereafter . for if god , and his most undeserved care and kind providence , must be your deliverer ; these religious exercises , which are the surest way to gain god , must be the surest ways of deliverance , and they have most hope to escape the danger , who have done most and taken the best care to secure his favour . if you have any matters to order relating to this world , do them , as much as you are able , before your trial comes on , and leave them not to be cared after sentence of condemnation is past upon you . for all your time after that , will have care and work enough of its own , and should therefore be kept as free from all other interruptions as it can . when you are going to your trial , go first to you prayers , and put your self into gods hands , and beg his assistance . desire that his grace and holy spirit , may govern all your carriage , and all your answers there , and prepare your heart to express your self with wisdom , and uprightness , and the hearts of judges and juries to receive the same with favour and tenderness . remembring , that both the preparations of the heart in him who needs and asks favour , and the answer of the tongue in those who are either to grant or deny it , is from the lord. prov. . . when you are brought upon your tryal , i think you may safely make the legal plea of not guilty : for tho you are guilty in reality , yet you are not guilty in the eye of the law , till you are legally found to be so . and when the law asks you this , i conceive you may answer , not according to your real , but your legal guiltiness , being innocent in legal estimate till you are convicted . for 't is the humanity and equity of our law , as i take it , not to require criminals , especially in capital cases , to accuse themselves , which would be very unnatural , and casting off all tenderness and due regard to human weakness . but whatever they are in truth , it allows them to put their guilt upon the proof , by pleading not guilty , that where they can not voluntary publish themselves , and glory in a fact as confessors , they may be convicted thereof by due proof as criminals , and brought to suffer punishment for the same , as common humanity allows punishments should be suffered , against their wills. yea , further to manifest its moderation and disposition to clemency in this case , after they have thus put their guiltiness upon the proof , the form and voice of the court is , to pray them a good deliverance . and having put your self upon the tryal of this plea , you may say such things in your own favour , as you can say truly . but seek not for safety in lyes , and falsification of things against your own knowledge ; denying what you know to be true to save your self , or possitively affirming what really you do not know , or perhaps know to be otherwise . much less seek it in mischeivous lyes , to cast your faults on others , and either bring innocent men under suspicion , and into dangers , or make other guilty persons guilty of more than really they are : for this is to give god fresh provocations , and back an old sin by a new one , and to forsake him when you stand in the greatest need of him , which is the readiest way to forfeit both his peace hereafter and his preservation here , and utterly to lose both him and your self too . trust your life therefore in his hands , by keeping your defence thereof within the bounds of truth and justice : this is a great tryal of your faith. but 't is a tryal which you have wickedly brought your self into . and under the same , it is necessary for you thus to approve your faith , in his mercy and care of you . you have no faith in him left , or none that he will accept of , if you forsake him and his ways in this difficult case , and fly to sin to save your self . but if you can trust wholly to his providence and not at all to evil ways , and have faith to contain your self within your duty under the hazard of your life , this noble faith will be a mighty endearment , and of great account in his eyes ; nothing ever recommending poor sinners more to god , than faith doth , when it keeps them innocent and obedient in such hard tryals . and therefore set your self resolutely to act this great , and most concerning part well , and to approve your faith in him when it is tryed . and look upon this trusting of your self to him , to be the wisest way of saving your life , as well as of preserving your innocence . for if you are preserved at all , as i say , you must owe your preservation above all things to his watchful care and kind providence . and if you must receive your life from his hand , seek to him for it , and trust him with it ; and by no means leave him , to seek out other unlawful helps , which will be like to deceive you in this world , and are certainly the way to destroy you afterwards , in that which is to come . and when you have heard your accusers , and have been heard to make as wise a defence as you could make for your self with truth and justice , lift up your heart to god when you are taken from the bar , and humbly and devoutly commit the event of all to him . and pray that he will be pleased to order it in favour to you , waiting with patience and resignation of spirit , to see how he will dispose the hearts of judges and juries to deal with you . if you are acquitted , give him the praise thereof , and receive it with utmost devotion and thankfulness . but if you are brought in guilty and condemn'd , humbly submit your self , and own the justice of your sentence : and give glory to god , by justifying his providence , which has recompenced your high crimes with a deserved vengeance ; and by justifying his lawful ministers , who bear the sword in his place , and use it at any time upon such criminals as you are , confessing freely that 't is used now in your case , for the punishment and terror of evil-doers . chap. iii. how to behave and employ themselves after sentence of condemnation , and at the time of execution . and after you have received sentence , set your self to lose none of those precious moments of time which are left you , but to make the wisest and carefullest use thereof which you can , in preparing for death . you are to discharge this great and last part of dying but once , oh! therefore take care to do it well . you can rectify or amend nothing after , oh! then labour as much as in you lies to make all sure , and set all straight before . finish all your intended acts of restitution , and repeat anew all your former acts of repentance , and add earnestness and vigor to them , and perfect what is defective therein , and send them up to god in continual strains and breathings of devotion , either short and occasional ejaculations , or more set and solemn prayers . and to consummate your repentance , and to comfort up your spirit with the pledges of gods love and peace , take care before you dye to receive the holy communion , after you have endeavoured the best you can to fit your self for it , and to satisfy the holy man who administers it to you , of your fitness for the same . and if you can often have the blessing of a prudent and pious ministers direction in that disconsolate time , prize it highly , and improve it diligently , and take such further ways for the securing of your peace and quieting of your conscience , as in his discretion he shall direct you to . and when you are brought from prison to execution , own the justice of your sentence : profess your abhorence and true repentance of the crime which you dye for , and of all your other sins . declare the satisfaction you have made , or would make , were you able , to all you have wronged . beg all persons to forgive you , who have suffered by you in any kind , and all who have ever learnt any ill from your acquaintance and example . declare that you do from your heart , forgive all persons , and that you bear not the least ill will against any of your prosecutors , or the judges and juries who were concerned in bringing you to justice . and when you make this protestation of forgiveness and good will to them , be sure nothing fall from you , that may bring the sincerity thereof into question . and therefore take diligent care , not to shew uneasie remembrance and resentment , of the evils or injuries which you have suffer'd , but only of those which you your self have done : and to keep your last breath from being an hurtful blast upon any persons , and your dying words from casting out darts and leaving a sting in your enemies , remembring , that you are to leave the world and come to execution , not as a wild beast , fighting with your foes , and pushing and goreing ; but as a lamb , meekly submitting , as your blessed saviour did , tho he had no real guilt but was perfectly innocent , who suffered the worst things without aggravating them or being angry at them , and on the cross spake nothing of his bitter enemies , but to excuse them , and pray for them . and having thus testifyed your godly sorrow for your sins , desire all the by-standers to learn of you repentance ( tho by no means to delay it so long as you have done ) and to be horribly afraid of the sad end of evil doers , and of the vengeance of god , which is oft-times swift , but when 't is most slow , will be sure at last , and utterly insupportable to all those , who will not take care in time to appease him by amendment of life . beg all that need it , to take warning by your punishment , that your most just and lamentable death , may terrifie more from continuing in their sins , than the example of your evil life had lead into sin. likewise , if you can do right to any persons falsly accused , or wrongfully suspected , fail not to do it the best you can , before your breath is stopt . profess also your faith , whereinto you were baptized , devoutly and audibly ; repeating the apostle's creed , and declare the religion , wherein you dye ; and lament the dishonor , which you have brought upon them by your wickedness , and declare your earnest desires to do some right to them now by your repentance . and when by all these ways , you have expressed before them all , how truly penitent you are for your sins , then humbly profess your lowly hope in gods free mercy and most gracious promises , who for the death and merits sake of our most blessed saviour jesus christ is ready to pardon , even the greatest sinners , such as you are , upon their true repentance . after this , beg the prayers of all the beholders , and the prayers of all good people . and then fall to your own private devotions , praying earnestly for your self , and for them . then pray with the minister , who stands ready to perform this last office of charity for dying men ; and desire all present to help you by their affectionate and fervent concurrence therein . then take a kind and decent leave of all the company , and pray god to make them all the better by the sadness of this sight . thank them all heartily for their pity , and their prayers , and desire the continuance thereof to assist you in your last agonies . then turn your self to take a fitting farewell of your particular friends or relations , if any are there present , and after that commit your self to the mercy of god through jesus christ , and with continued and earnest prayers and ejaculations , wait till the executioner or minister of justice stops your breath . to remember all these points at the place of execution , may be thought hard for the poor prisoner . but he may have this little book in his eye , for his remembrancer . and however he may express himself on as many of them , as he can think of ; and then satisfy his own mind , that altho he has not done so much as he desires , yet he has done the best he could do . brief directions for prisoners for debt . ii. special directions for prisoners for debt . when you are made a prisoner for debt , it first concerns you to consider how you came in debt . and if you are made poor and disabled from paying your debts , merely by the hand of providence , you deserve pity from all , and patience and forgiveness from your creditors . they loose nothing by you , that you have squander'd , but only what god has taken away . but if rigorous and unchristian creditors will still be hard upon you , you must do them all the justice you can , and when that is done , bear the rest with resignation , and conform your will to the will of god , who calls you hereby to the patience , religious trust , and dependance of an hard condition , remembring all the while to your comfort , that you have not sought this afflicted state to your self , but may receive it as a state of gods chusing for you , who knows best what is fittest for us all , and as a visitation of his sending . but if you can charge your self with any great wickedness , and have highly offended god , to bring these losses and impoverishment upon you , as a judgment ; or if you have run your self in debt , by riotous and luxurious living , by the expensiveness of riot , pride ▪ gaming , or by idleness and neglect of business ; then you must humble your self , and be heartily sorry for these sins , for which you suffer , and bear the confinement you have brought upon your self patiently , and set your self to learn repentance thereby . and for working this repentance , you may have recourse to the foregoing directions about the same for the prisoner for crimes , chap. . but which way soever your debt comes , when you are their prisoner , be sure to deal candidly and openly with your creditors . if you cannot fully satisfy them , lay your condition truly before them , and shew your self disposed to do right to all as far as you can . do not pretend ways of raising money for them , which are not true ; nor promise payments , which you cannot perform . 't is your duty to be sincere and plain with them , and plain-dealing may mollifie and engage them ; but it will be your sin , and may double their resentment , if you abuse and delude their expectation . and let them be first served out of your estate , so far as it will go ; unless in compassion to your needs , they are willing to allow you some part of it . but think not first of saving maintenance ( whether they will allow of it or no ) for your self , or for your family , and then of letting them take what remains . for your duty is first to be just to all men , and not live your self , nor maintain your dependants , upon other mens goods kept from them against their wills ; which is to live upon with-holding right , and perverting justice . much less think of forcing them to abatements and scanty compositions , to reserve and raise a good estate for your self , or for your heirs , out of their purses nor chuse to endure the tediousness and hardships of a jayl for your life , to supersede all legal remedy against your heir , for your debts , which he cannot be sued for a second time , after you have dyed a prisoner for them . for this is paying very dear for doing wrong , and denying men their own ; and is certainly the way to carry off a very unrighteous and guilty conscience with you , and to leave the curse of ill reserved goods and of unpaid debts , to your heirs who survive you . and seek not to tricks , or any dishonest fetches and misuse of the law , to set aside debts , or put them off and postpone them , instead of paying them . nor spend any of your money , in defrauding , or hindring your creditors of their just right , which is all little enough , it may be too little , towards the honest satisfaction of it . and if by your insolvency , any of your creditors are brought against their wills to abate part rather than lose all , look on that part as respited not remitted , and pay it afterwards ( if god enable you ) in the sum it self , or ( if you cannot do that ) be studious to make it up in good offices and grateful services , and for the rest have recourse to god by prayers in their behalf . and what after-recompences you make them , do the same with good-will , chearfully , and diligently ; and thank them heartily for their patience and kindness , in being content to want it so long as they have done , when you do at last pay them the sum it self , or , when you cannot do that , in accepting your services in lieu thereof . and having first taken this upright care of your creditors , and of their payments , then look to your self , and provide the best you can for your own maintenance . if you have any thing of your own left , after your creditors are satisfied , live frugally and thankfully upon it . if you have not , then you are called to get your livelyhood still as you need it , and in the way of honest industry look up to god to give you day by day your daily bread . if he has enabled you to seek this , by earning it for your self in any lawful labour or business , look on that as the best way , and plie it with diligence and contentedness . but if thro disability , or the numerousness of your family , or otherwise , you need to be helped out by gifts of charity , humble your self to your state , and represent your necessities modestly , and receive an alms with thankfulness . first represent your wants to your near relations , who are more especially bound to relieve the needs of their own house ; and then to any other charitable persons , as your case requires . and whether you live by alms , or by taking pains , bear always in your mind , that you are called to act the part , and discharge the duties , of a poor estate : and let it be your daily study , to bring your mind to it , and to think only of having such accomodations , as are fit for a poor man ; not such as you had whilst you were in a wealthier condition . brief directions for both . iii. general directions for both . but when men are prisoners , whether for debt or for crimes , they will be like to groan especially where they are kept long in prison , under the burden of solitude , or want , or both . they are shut up from their friends and acquaintance ; and are much streightned for conveniences , or it may be for necessaries . and for a conclusion of these advices , i shall give them some brief directions for their due reception thereof , and for their carriage and improvement under each of these bitter ingredients , and sorrowful appendages of the state of poor prisoners . and first as for solitude , that indeed is a punishment as coming to them against their wills , as their imprisonment is ; but nothing is more fit to be their choice , if they will make repentance their business . for he must retire from the world , who would fall in earnest to converse with god , and to look 〈◊〉 himself . the greatest saints fall to this at certain times , as the best means of evening their accounts with god , and perfecting their repentance . and all men have reason enough to wish for some such thing , before their deaths ! especially if these dying persons are but young penitents . for when men at first enter upon the great work of repentance , 't is extremely advisable , and more than ordinarily needful for them , to retire from the noise , and business , and diversions of the world , that they may have little else to do , but to attend it . and that they may keep out of the way , of their former evil courses , till they have unlearnt them ; and of their corrupt acquaintance and companions , till they can withstand and deny their sollicitations ; and of those temptations of the world , which have ordinarily been too hard for them hitherto , till they have considerately formed , and fixed and fortified their holy resolutions to such a degree , as may be able to overcome them . let the prisoners therefore make repentance their work and business in prison , as i have advised them in the foregoing directions , and then they may thank their prosecutors for the benefit of their solitude and melancholly retirement , and make it their own hearty desire and free choice . if they employ it to converse with god , and to know and amend themselves , which they may do if they please , and will do if they are wise to do well for themselves , their confinement will be as good to them in a jayl , as it is to a devoto in his cell , and may be as wellcome to them when put upon them by others , as his is to him when he seeks it for himself . and thus , what god sends to punish your sins , o , ye poor prisoners , by your wise use thereof , you will turn to cure them . and this alone will change that confinement ! which may come upon you as a curse , into the greatest blessing . and to make that confinement easy to you in the practice , which this way will be so blessed and beneficial in the effects , keep your fancy from running out after the noise , the diversions , and busy occupations and entertainments of the world. discontent and roving desires abroad , are the greatest sting in being shut up . but keep your mind at home , and your desires within bounds , and the want of those liberties abroad which you covet not , and which you daily see do hurt to others , and have formerly done very much to your self , will sit light upon you . and consider , that as you are hereby kept out of the injoyment and affairs ; so are you likewise out of the temptations , and , if you please , may be out of the cares of this world. and ordinarily the temptations of liberty have more of danger , and of the cares of trouble and sorrow , than the injoyments thereof can fairly recompence . and if you are shut up from your friends , you are shut up also from your enemies . for a prison is a guard against all other wrongs , and you are safe there in stirrs and tumults , in publick and in private dangers . and though it be hard to be without the company of those that love us , yet is it no despicable recompence , if thereby we are secured from the envious and malicious , and from the further attempts of all that hate us . for ordinarily we are not to promise our selves so great effects from the kindness of our friends , as we have reason to apprehend from the malice of our enemies ; spite and envy being usually more industrious and watchful of opportunities to shew it self , and eager to do it to the full , than love is . perhaps you fancy , that now you are as one taken almost out of the world. but what if you be ? you have seen evil enough , and done too much in it , to be fond of it ; and this recess from the world , affords you great advantages of making your self ten thousand times more happy in another world. and if imprisonment is bidding adieu to the world , consider , that this time of your commitment to prison , is not the first time of your renouncing the world. for every christian doth this , when he is baptized . they all profess to be as persons out of this world , and to keep hearts free and loose from it , and to live above it : and if people are really of this mind , it will not affect them much , wheresoever god calls them to make their abode in it . you are restrained also to one place , and must move but in a narrow compass . but if by gods blessing , you can have your health , and be easy and quiet under this confinement to one place , may you not well be contented not to change whilst you are well , and whilst the will of god is so , rest satisfied without trying new places . and if it please god to send sickness , tho' you were at home , sickness would tye you to your own house , or it may be to your bed , which is a narrower compass than a prison is . 't is worse being prisoner to a disease than to the keepers of common prisons . and diseases , as the worst of jaylors , bring their prisoners into such a close custody , as is much more irksome and afflictive , than any other is . for under others , you are shut up , indeed , but that is to sit at ease and rest. but under a disease , you are shut up too , and likely closer confined , and that to have constant pain and sorrow with it . but whatever restraints you are under in prison , as to your body ; yet remember , that even there your mind is free. your thoughts may go abroad , and run over all the great occurrences of your life , and fetch in matter enough to busy your self withal , even all those things thro all your life , which you should be sensible were done ill , and which you have yet space before you dye , to correct and make better , you have liberty to think as much as you please , of god , and of your self , of the joys of heaven , and the terrors of hell , and the vanity of this world , and of all things else , which may either direct or comfort you , and be of use either to your soul or body . nay , the more your body is restrained , and the less you have left to mind of other ●hings , the more liberty you have for these thoughts . and therefore if spiritual things and employments are your design , instead of being a place of incumbrance and restraint , your prison is a place of leisure and freedom . take away the name of prison , as tertullian advises , and call it a recess ; and that is no let , but the greatest opportunity and advantage to true penitents , and spiritually and heavenly minded persons . and then secondly , as for the other embitterment of want and poverty ; when god is pleased to send it too , be patient under it , and set your selves to gain as much as you can by it . and if you please , you may gain abundance more thereby in spiritual exercises and improvements , than your bearing all its temporal hardships and inconveniences will amount to . when you are brought therefore to a poor estate , be sure you take care to be poor in spirit , or to have no● 〈◊〉 thoughts or desires as i hinted before , after the fineries and satisfactions o● this world , but what are suited to your poverty . do not let your desire run , or your fancy please it self with the thoughts of what table yo● kept , what servants you retain'd , what garments you wore , what conveniences you had , or respects you received once . but look now only for such things , as are fit for a person in your present want , and poor estate , to desire and think of . as a poor man then , be content if you are reduced to a course and frugal dyet , and a mean habit , and an hard bed. be content if you have nothing else but necessaries , which god provides for all his creatures , even the beasts of the field , and the birds of the air , who , as our lord observes , have no contrivance to lay up stores for themselves . nay , esteem and own your self unworthy , even of these necessary provisions , and think it not enough to be contented with them , but be thankful for them . and seek them without solicitude , or mistrusts of providence : but after a chearful care spent in the best ways you have to compass them , quietly rely on god ; and trust him for them . do what you can , to have them of your own ; if that succeeds not , ask of them , who are like to pity and relieve you , and if one denies you , try others ; but if that misses too , god will send it , and put it into the hearts of those to give whom you do not ask , and send it to you , you know not how . and in your poverty , be sure you be humble . be willing and contented to be maintained what way god pleases . and if he brings your state to need an alms , let not your spirit be above it . think not your self too good , to receive , nor if need be modestly to ask it . and be patient where you meet with repulses , and thankful for all that is given you , whether it be little or much ; yea , even for good words and compassionate answers where you receive nothing else . and if under a poor estate , you can , by gods grace , arrive to this true poverty of spirit , you are a very rich poor man ; you are poor in this world , but rich in faith and good works , as our blessed saviour christ , and his apostles , and earliest saints for the most part were ; and may comfortaby hope thro his grace , to have your humble , holy , and obedient poverty rewarded at last together with theirs , with unspeakable riches , honour , and happiness in his heavenly kingdom . and having after this sort received , and improved , both your poverty , and your solitude , look upon them again , with a discerning and impartial eye , and then tell me what cause you have to repine , or complain of them . judge of them , not by the opinions which other people pass , but by the good use which you your self make of them . they are certainly good , exceeding good to you , when you receive and improve them after this manner ; and therefore are things , not only for you to bear , but to bless god , and be heartily thankful unto him for . an office for prisoners for crimes . scriptures for prisoners for crimes . psal. . ezek. . v. . to the end . ps. . v. . to v. . rom. . v. . to chap. . v. . i. they that plow iniquity , and sow wickedness , reap the same . job . . . his own iniquities shall take the wicked himself , and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins : prov. . . bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days . my heart is sore painted within me , and the terrors of death , are fallen upon me . fearfulness and trembling are come upon me , and horror hath overwhelmed me . psal. . , , : what glory is it , if when ye be buffeted for your faults , you shall take it patiently ? pet. . . my son , give , i pray thee , glory to the lord god of israel , and make confession unto him ; and tell me now what thou hast done . and achan answered joshua , and said , indeed i have sinned against the lord god of israel , and thus have i done . josh. . , . we indeed suffer justly , for we receive the due reward of our deeds . luke . . ii. fools , because of their transgression , and becuse of their iniquities , are afflicted . then they cry unto the lord in their trouble , and he delivereth them out of their distresses . psal. . , . oh! let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoner come before thee , according to the greatness of thy power ; preserve thou those that are appointed to dye . psal. . . the lord hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary ; from heaven did he behold the earth . to hear the groaning of the prisoner : to loose those that are appointed to death . psalm . , . iii. if our heart condemn us not ; god is greater than our heart , and knoweth all things . jo. . . the law is not made for a righteous man , but for the lawless and disobedient , for the ungodly and for sinners , for unholy and prophane , for murderers of fathers , and murderers of mothers , for man-slayers . for whore-mongers , for them that defile themselves with mankind , for men-stealers , for lyars , for perjured persons , and if there be any other thing , that is contrary to sound doctrine . tim. . , . without are sorcerers , and whoremongers , and murderers , and idolaters , and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye. rev. . . know ye not , that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of god ? neither fornicators , nor adulterers , nor abusers of themselves with mankind , nor thieves , nor drunkards , shall inherit the kingdom of god. such were some of you : but ye are washed , but ye are sanctified , but ye are justified in the name of the lord jesus , and by the spirit of our god. cor. . , , . the lord hath sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives , and the opening of the prison to them that are bound . isa. . . they that be whole , have no need of the physitian , but the sick . i came not to call the righteous , but sinners to repentance . mar. . . if the wicked restore the pledge , give again that he had robbed , walk in the statutes of life without committing iniquity , he shall surely live , he shall not die . ezek. . . zacheus stood , and said unto the lord , behold ! the half of my goods i give to the poor : and if i have taken any thing from any man by false accusation , i restore him fourfold . luk. . . father , i have sinned against heaven and before thee , and am no more worthy to be called thy son. luke . , . god be merciful , unto me a sinner . luke . . prayers for prisoners for crimes . i. a general prayer for all prisoners , taken out of the companion for the persecuted . pag. . o! almighty and everlasting god , thou seest the streights and sorrows which i endure in this place , and how unable i am to help my self , or to bring about my own deliverance . but the less hope and support i have in my self , the more i look up unto thee , and place my trust in thy mercy . and when my own care can avail the least , let thine , o! thou blessed helper of the helpless , appear the most for me . give me a body , o! my god , fit to bear the inconveniences of this close place , and grace to be content therewith ; whilst i lye up here , let me not want necessary provisions , nor repine at the meaness thereof . suit the lowness of my desires , to the hardship of my circumstances , & let the greatness of my study and care be [ to do † justice ] and shew temperance and selfdenials , not to please my self , or to gratify my own carnal ease and appetites . whilst i am here kept a part from my former acquaintance , grant , o! lord , that i may carefully retire into my self , and call my own ways to remembrance . and , oh! that i may amend ▪ whatsoever is amiss there , and set all so streight with thee , that i may delight to look into my own heart , and to search out my own spirit . lord ! now thou hast left me nothing else to do , make me apply my self to the one thing necessary : to grow in holy reverence and devotion of spirit , in the study of dealing justly and fairly with all , who are any way concerned with me ; in humility and mortified affections , in patience and contentedness , oh! plant and fill my soul with all heavenly virtues , and make bright all the cloudy and dark parts thereof , with the rays of thy divine image . and then , o! my god , i shall see something of thee , as oft as i look into my self , and learn to be pleased with my own company , though others are kept from me . and in whatsoever want i am of other comforts , grant , o! father of mercies , that both here and ever hereafter , i may have the comfort of thy presence . when all else are taken from me , do not thou forsake me . though i dwell in a disconsolate room , let thy spirit dwell with me . let thy law at all times direct me , and let the sense of thy love comfort me . and after thou hast graciously improved this melancholy restraint , to wean me from vain and carnal delights , to set my soul free ; in thy good time , o! my refuge and strength , deliver me out of this prison , and set my body too at liberty , for my dear lord and saviour jesus christ's sake . amen . and for the more particular necessities of imprison'd criminals , they may use these prayers following : a particular prayer for prisoners for crimes . i. for deliverance from his sins and sorrows . o! blessed lord , who art the comforter of all sad and sin-sick souls , comfort me , i humbly intreat thee , in this height of my fears and sorrows . but first convert me , and then comfort me . i am over-laden with sins , which overload me with sorrows . and do thou , o god , rid me of my sins , that i may get rid of my sorrows . nay , rid me of my sins , tho , for my just punishment in this world , thou leavest me under my sorrows . whatever befal my body , for just punishment of my greivous ▪ * crime , for which i am here in custody ; let true repentance set my soul safe , and secure it of thy everlasting mercy , for the merits of thy dear son , and of my sweetest saviour , jesus christ , amen . our father , &c. prayers for prisoners for crimes . ii. the prisoners confession of god's justice in his sad circumstances . i am come into this prison , o! most holy and righteous lord , laden with sins and sorrows ; and am here shut up for the curse and shame of an untimely end , which my heinous wickednesses have most justly deserved . i am terribly affraid of my earthly judge , and of that heavy sentence which my crimes make me justly lyable to receive from him . but infinitely more affraid , of that far more heavy and eternal doom , which i am lyable to receive for the same at thy righteous bar. now fear and trembling have seized upon me , and an horrible dread hath overwhelmed me . without , is the prospect of death and disgrace ; and within , is guilt and anguish . my spirit is broken within me , and i am even at my wits end , and my heart faileth me : and tho my burden is intollerable , yet o! almighty lord , i cannot say , but it is infinitely just . 't is a most reasonable , and righteous return , for my daring provocations of thy justice : and much more , for my vile abuses of thy mercy and patience . i must needs acquit , and justify thee ; and have none to accuse , but mine own self , for all my present fears and misery . i am † taken , o! just lord , in mine own naughtiness , and am only left to lye down in that bed of guilt and sorrow , which i have been long a making for my self . all my life , i have been † sowing wickedness , and am now brought to reap the fruit thereof . i have † drunk up iniquity like water , and tho , to my mad and distempered fancy , it seemed to yield a slight and short pleasure , while it slid along the palate ; yet now i find it leaves an immoveable bitterness , and is nothing but gall and wormwood , when it is got into the belly . i have drunk it up with greediness , and fill'd up the measure of my sins , till i perceive now , alas ! that there is like to be no measure of my sufferings , and i am in danger to be swallowed up , and utterly to sink under the number and weight of them . thus , oh thou righteous avenger of all ungodly and incorrigible wretches , has thy justice at last overtaken me . and altho thy vengeance is oft times slow ; yet to my grief , and thy glory , i find 't is sure , and , when it comes , insupportable . i can in no wise bear my load , tho i have not the least exception against the reasonableness , and justice of it . only my hope is in thy mercy , which thou art wont to remember even when thou takest upon thee to shew judgment . and as thou art the avenger of sinners ; so remember , gracious lord , that thou art also the saviour of them . oh save me , the chiefest , and most wretched of sinners : and shew favor unto me , not according to my deserts , but according to thine own boundless mercyes , for our dearest lord and saviour jesus christ's sake , amen . prayers for prisoners for crimes . iii. his profession of repentance under the same . i have sinned , o almighty lord , and sinned grievously , and have continued irreclaimable in the same for many years . but now , by the alarm of mine own dangers , and by the help of thy grace , i am made sensible of mine iniquities , and am made truly sorry for my sins . i sadly lament , all the wicked wast of my time and strength , and all my long and heinous course of ungodliness , and abuse of thy patience , which has provoked thee to give me up to this great sin , for which i am now most deservedly made a prisoner , and may be called to answer shortly with my blood. i am touched to the quick , and sorely afflicted , o! righteous god , with the trouble and sorrow , which this crime has brought upon my self . but more with the offence , which it has given thee ; and the greatest care i have upon me , is to have thee forgive me . lord ! i do from the bottom of my heart , repent of all my sins , but especially of this great * one. i am greivously troubled for what is past , and am fully bent against falling any more into it for the time to come , and am ready to take shame to my self for the same , i am vile in mine own eyes , and am content to be so in the eyes of other persons . i am truly willing to make any submissions , where i have given just offence , and , as far as i am able , to repair the wrong which i have done thereby . and oh! that thou wouldest ever keep me most ready to do this fully and faithfully ; and then direct me to do it prudently , and in such sort , as may not be more prejudicial than needs to my worldly safety . tho' thou lookest upon me therefore , o! almighty lord , as a sinner , yea , as one of the greatest of sinners : yet for christ's sake , look upon me as a penitent sinner . and tho' my sins are great , my dearest saviour shed his blood for the greatest sins ; and thro the merits of that blood , true repentance is accepted by thee , o! merciful god , from the greatest sinners . oh! for his sake , spare thy sinful , but repenting creature , and tho' justice be exacted of me for my crimes here , yet admit me to some comfortable and well-grounded hopes of thy mercy for the same hereafter , thro' the merits of my dearest saviour and redeemer , jesus christ. amen . our father , &c. prayers for prisoners for crimes . iv. prayers for learning righteousness , and improvement of remaining moments of life . i. thy rod , o! blesse● father , which is lifted u● in justice , to punish our iniqu●ties ; is used also by thy grac● to cure them . oh! let this my most deserved affliction teach m● wisdom . make my goal , my school wherein i may learn righteousness ; and let my chains be preachers of repentance . now i feel the smart and punishment thereof , give me grace to be fully sensible of the wretchedness and folly , of an ungodly and mispent life . let me loath the sin , as well as the sorrow ; and be duly affected with the injurie and dishonor which i have thereby done to thee , as well as with the danger and distress which i have thereby brought upon my self ; that my contrition being truly for my sins against thee , i may be duly qualified for thy most gracious pardon of the same , thro the merits of my blessed lord and saviour jesus christ. amen . ii. and help me , o! gracious god , carefully to improve all my remaining moments , and to employ all the time which i have now to live , in minding the true work and business of life . habituate my heart to thy fear , to humility and patience , temperance and self-denials , fasting and prayers . teach me to prize and set a great value upon all helps and opportunities , of instruction and improvements in the way of godliness . to be desirous above all things of thy grace ; and of the company of good people whose discourse and carriage may affect my heart therewith ; and of their prayers , since i am most unworthy thro the multitude of my heinous offences , to pray unto thee for my self , or to present unto thee any petitions from my polluted lips. let not my corrupt lusts , o! god , run at liberty , whilst my body is under guards and custody . and let me by no means resort to the company of desperate sinners , to keep off remorse for my own guilts ; nor seek to drown the agonies of my mind , in excess of wine , nor to divert them by vain conversation . but what space thou shalt graciously spare me , oh! that i may carefully employ , and lay out with utmost diligence , to make my peace with thee , and to prepare for eternity . lord ! help me to true repentance , that with all my heart i may return unto thee . do thou help me , now i call unto thee . help me , o! god of mercy , for none else can help me . help thou me , or i shall dye eternally . make my repentance true and acceptable in thy sight , that if i dye , i may depart in thy peace ; or , if by thy grace , i be spared to live on still longer , i may return from all my former errors to a life of holiness , and devote all the remainder of my days to thy glory , thro our lord and saviour jesus christ. amen . our father , &c. prayers for prisoners for crimes . v. prayers for acceptance of repentance , tho late , and for the sincerity and integrity thereof . i. these good thoughts of mine , o! most merciful god , i know are late purposes in one drawing towards the end of his days . and purposes , of one affrighted with the near approach of death ; who whilst he was at ease and liberty , was wont most wretchedly to slight thy calls , and to abuse thy grace . but o! father , accept me , tho i return late into thy service ; and † have tarryed till it is the last hour of the day . accept me , tho it is the rod that has given repentance , and affliction that has made me wise. be graciously pleased , o! good lord , with any thing , and at any time , that shall bring me back to thy self . and despise not my repentance , altho it is the repentance of a malefactor in agonies ; more than thou didst despise that , of the penitent theif upon the cross. but make me find that true repentance is wellcome to thee at all times , and that in this world it is never too late to grow wise , nor will ever be in vain to return with our whole heart to thy service , thro jesus christ our lord , amen . ii. and , oh! merciful god , by the power of thy grace , make my repentance true , and my return intire , that it may be acceptable in thy sight thro' the blood of my dearest lord. what good purposes i have begun , through fear of this world ; carry me on to perfect , by the considerations of the next world . improve my horror of pain , into an hatred of sin ; and my sorrow for the dangers , which i have brought upon my self , into a godly sense of the dishonor which i have done to thee . oh! cut me not off from my sins , till thou hast cured me of them , and finish'd the work of grace upon my poor soul. that i may have all my punishment in this life , but peace with thee , and rest after death , in the joys of paradice , for my dear saviours sake , who died to save sinners ; yea , to save such capital offenders , as i am , and as suffer'd with him , when he hung upon the cross between two theeves , amen . our father , &c. prayers for prisoners for crimes . vi. for respite , and longer time in this world ; and against the day of tryal . i. lord ! if it be thy good pleasure , spare me a little longer , and let me escape that untimely end , which my crimes have deserved . i would fain live on some time , to make proof of my good purposes ; and having abused so much time to contract evil habits , i should be most glad and thankful to have a little more , to wear them off again . tho i have many worldly reasons for this respite ; yet o! great and righteous judge , i desire it not so much upon any other account , as of redeeming my former years of vice , and of growing more perfect in thy service , and of being better fitted than alas ! i am at present , to appear before thy judgment seat. hear me , o! lord , for thy mercys , and thy dear son and my only saviour jesus christs sake , amen . ii. oh! thou god of patience and long-sufferance , shew thy accustomed forbearance unto thy wretched servant . save me from that ▪ pit of destructions , which i have digged for my self ; and from the sentence of death , which i am ▪ horribly affraid to hear from the mouth of my earthly judge . but let this deliverance be brought about , o! my god , only by the wise ordering of thy good providence , not by any falshood of mine , or other unlawful arts. i fear death , o! righteous god. but that which makes me most affraid of it , is , because i have sinned . and i desire to fear sining , more than dying . o! therefore , gracious father , suffer me not to yeild to any new wickedness , tho it be to save my life . make me diligent , in all innocent ways , and means , for my preservation , and direct me to the wisest . but let me resort to none that is ill , nor say or do any thing for my own defence at my tryal here , which will rise up against me , and be matter of accusation , when i come to be tryed again at thy dreadful bar. and the less care i may seem capable hereby , to take of my self ; the more do thou care for me , o! my god. and when my cause comes to be heard , so order things by thy mercy , that there may not be a full evidence produced against me ; and that neither the judge , nor jury , may be disposed to stretch things to my prejudice ; that so thy servant may escape . but if in thy justice , thou hast determined , to cut me off untimely for this offence : thy blessed , and most righteous will be done . but then , gracious lord , perfect my repentance , before i go hence , and for the voice and merits of thy dear sons most precious blood , pardon my sins . i am more concerned for thy favor , than how to come off here . i am content to suffer , what thou pleasest in this world ; so thou wilt let me go off in thy peace , and admit me among the meanest of thy servants in the world to come , for our lord jesus-christs sake , amen . our father , &c. ejaculations for the prisoner for crimes , at his tryal . lord , hear the cry of the prisoners , and deliver thou those who are appointed unto death , amen . here the cry of my wants for mercy , not of my sins for justice , amen . help me , o! lord , for i have none but thee to look unto : my defence lies not in my own innocence , but only in thy meer mercy and tender providence , amen . ejaculations after his tryal , if acquitted . lord , thou redeemest me from the grave , and this acquittal of me , is as life from the dead . blessed , yea , for ever blessed be thy most endearing mercy , amen . lord , the life which here thou hast given me , i do most humbly and intirely give back , and devote to thee . oh! accept me , and let me have nothing more to do with sin and vanity , amen . oh! let me never forget this inestimable mercy , nor fail to make the best use of this remainder of life , which out of thine abundant goodness , thou hast now lent me , amen . if condemned . lord , i meekly receive this sentence , as my just punishment : i have the due reward of my deeds . but as my sin brings this untimely and shameful death ; oh! let my true repentance , thro my dear lord and saviours merits , secure the forgiveness of my sins , and bring me to everlasting life , amen . prayers for prisoners for crimes . vii . prayers after sentence of condemnation , or any time before execution , and at execution , only making the changes as they are noted in the margin . o! almighty , and most righteous judge , to thee it belongeth to take vengeance , and to me to suffer it . i must clear thy justice , and confess i have my deserts , and have none but my self to blame for this heavy [ † sentence . ] but now , o! lord , when the sword of vengeance is unsheathed , and is come to the stroke , do thou stand by me , and comfort me . deal not with me , as i have done with thee ; but tho i have basely , and wretchedly forsaken thee all my life ; yet leave me not , i humbly intreat thee , in † my last hour . [ ‡ when ] the justice of man lays my blood upon my own head , let thy mercy , o! blessed jesu , lay thy blood upon it too , to expiate the guilt of mine . let that purge me from all my sins , that altho i dye stained therewith here , i may appear without spot before the tribunal of my heavenly father , amen . ii. sweet jesu ! thou disdainedst not to cast an eye upon the † penitent thief on the cross. oh! despise not me , † [ when i ] suffer in like case , as he did ; and i hope truly repent me of my sins , and fix all my hopes in thee under my distress , as he did in his . thou once hungest upon a tree thy self , for the sins of others . oh! by the blood of thy cross , save me , who [ † stand justly condemned ] to suffer the same for mine own sins . save me , o! lord , a great & wretched , but a penitent contrite sinner . in thy merits , do i trust , † into thy merciful hands do i commend my spirit . i believe , that thou , o! lamb of god , art † the saviour of sinners : oh! save me , who am chief among sinners , and rescue my trembling and departing soul from eternal misery . i freely , and from my heart , forgive all mine enemies ; oh! do thou , in the abundant riches of thy mercy , forgive me . accept of such recompence , as i am able to make to those , who have sufferd by me , and make up the wrongs , which i have done to any , and which now i am no longer able to repair . supply all that to them , and their families , by thy mercy , which they have lost by my wickedness , that they may neither be tempted nor burden'd by the loss , nor i tormented by the punishment accruing thereby . give me strength , o! almighty and most merciful lord , under † my last agonies . help me , to bear all patiently , and to resign my self holy to thy mercy . let the example of my fall , be a warning to others , that the prevention of their crimes may make some reparation for the greivous scandal , which i have given by mine . and tho i tast thy justice in my ignominious death , yet , o! gracious father , let me find the sweetness of thy mercy after it , for my dearest lord and saviour jesus christs sake , amen . iii. lord , save me , for i flee unto thee for safety . save me , or else i perish everlastingly . save me a wretched sinner , o! jesu , thou saviour of sinners . i have been a lost sinner , but thou † camest to seek and save that which was lost . and after all my woful and wretched course of sins , my own most deserved afflictions , and thy most undeserved grace , i hope have brought me now at last to true repentance ; and thou hast order'd * repentance and remission of sins , to be preach'd to all sinners . oh! save me a penitent sinner , and as thou didst with † the theif upon the cross , receive and comfort me in this may last hour , amen . our father , &c. ejaculations for him at the time of execution . into thy hands , o! lord , i commend my spirit , amen . i return thee a spirit , alass ! loaded with sins : but wash'd i humbly hope with the tears and sorrows of true repentance . lord graciously accept my repentance , and pardon my sins , for the merits of that most precious blood , which was shed to wash away the sins of all truly and penitent sinners , amen . prayers for prisoners for crimes . viii . a thanksgiving for deliverance out of prison , whither they had been justly committed for capital crimes . i. o! almighty lord , who art the blessed author of all life & happiness , with a most thankful heart , i humbly adore and praise thy mercy , which hath now lent me my life anew , and rescued me out of the jaws of death . my sins , had set a snare for my own life , and i had digged a pit for mine own soul. yea , my ungodly ways , had most heinously injured thee , at the same time they threaten'd to destroy my self : and yet , neither my own madness in seeking misery ; nor the resentment of the greivous wrongs thereby done to thee , could put by thy love , o! father of mercies , and god of all comforts , from shewing mercy unto me . i called out to thee , and was holpen ; i put my trust in thee , and was not confounded . i sought thee earnestly , and thou wast found of me . the snare is broken , and i am delivered . the pit is cover'd , and to the glory of thy free mercy , and tende● care of me , i have happily escaped : for which all praise an● thanks be ever ascribed to the● thro jesus christ my lord. ame● ii. and lord , keep , the memory of this surpassing mercy always fresh upon my spirit , and let me ever be praising thee for the same , with joyful lips. never suffer me to forget the vows , which i made in my distress ; but let my whole life be one acceptable sacrifice to thee my redeemer , and make all my actions to shew forth thy praise . when i was in trouble , o! blessed lord , it was not so much out of the love of life , as out of the love of innocence , that i desire to be respited . oh! grant me grace now to employ my life , as i then designed to do and to make good now , what i did then pretend . fix me unalterable in all the ways of godliness , which i have begun . preserve me from repeating any of my former wickednesses , especially this great one , which was so like to bring down vengeance on my head for all the rest. tho i am cleared thereof before men , yet i know , o! righteous lord , that i shall ever stand guilty of it before thee , unless i shew true amendment of the same , and make restitution for all the wrongs done to any thereby , in the best sort i can . oh! keep me ever ready to do that fully , whatever it cost me ; and carefully to slip no opportunities of doing the same . and make me so watchful , to spend all the remainder of my days , in all holy and thankful obedience , that i may not only have the purposes and promises of repentance , which , alas ! was a great part of what i had to shew before , but the proofs thereof to produce , and to comfort my heart withal on any new alarm . and then ▪ o! gracious god , when thou shalt bring me to fear death a second time , thy blessed will be done , and by thy grace i shall be able , and in condition to bid it welcome , thro the merits of my blessed lord and saviour jesus christ , amen . iii. once more blessed , yea , for ever blessed be thy great and glorious name , o! almighty father , for bringing me into this distress , as well as for bringing me out of it . i reverence thy justice , for bringing it upon me . but at the same time , i most thankfully own thy mercy , which , when all other ways sailed , would order this to reduce me to thy self , and to make me break off my wicked courses . and ever deal with me , o! blessed lord and saviour , in this manner . distress my body , when thou seest that is necessary to save my soul. my flesh is very desirous of ease ; but my heart , o! my god , thro the help of thy grace , is more desirous of innocence : and whatever else i am given up to feel , let me not lie harden'd and past feeling in my sins . spare not the rod of discipline towards me , when thou seest there is need thereof to make me wise ; and let me pass , tho it be thro present misery , if that alone can keep me in the way to thine eternal mercy . which grant , o! almighty , and most gracious lord , that i may here comfortably hope for , and at last injoy , for our blessed saviour and redeemer jesus christ's sake , amen . our father , &c. an office for prisoners for debt . i. scriptures for prisoners for debt . psal. . lev. . v. . to v. . luk. . v. . to v. . psal. . deut. . v. . to v. . chap. . v. . to v. . i. the lord executeth judgment for the oppressed , the lord looseth the prisoners . psal. . . i have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit , wherein is no water . turn ye to the strong hold , ye prisoners of hope . zech. . , . i give thee for a covenant to the people , that thou mayest say to the prisoners , go forth ; to them that are in darkness , shew your selves . isa. . , . the lord heareth the poor , and despiseth not his prisoners . psal. . . he satisfieth the longing soul , and filleth the hungry soul with goodness . such as sit in darkness , and the shadow of death , being bound in affliction and iron . because they rebelled against the words of god , and contemned the councel of the most high. therefore he brought down their heart with labour , they fell , and there was none to help . then they cryed unto the lord in their trouble ; and he saved them out of their distresses . he brought them out of darkness , and the shadow of death , and brake their bands in sunder . psal. . , , , , , . ii. the wicked borroweth , and payeth not again . psal. . . defraud not one another in any matter . . thes. . . for he that doth wrong , shall receive for the wrong which he hath done , and there is no respect of persons . col. . . render to all their dues . owe no man any thing , but to love one another . rom. . , . have patience with me , and i will pay thee all . mat. . . iii. forgive us our debts , as we forgive our debters . mat. . . a servant was brought unto his lord , who ought him ten thousand talents . and for as much as he had not to pay , he desired forbearance : and the lord was moved with compassion , and loosed him , and forgave him the debt . but the same servant went out to his fellow servant , which ought him an hundred pence . and he would grant him no forbearance , but laid hands on him , and cast him into prison till he should pay the debt . then his lord called him , and said unto him oh! thou wicked servant , i forgave thee all that debt , because thou desiredst me : shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow-servant , even as i had pity on thee ? and his lord was wrath , and delivered him to the tormentors , till he should pay all that was due unto him . so likewise shall my heavenly father do also unto you , if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses . mat. . , to . to whom much is forgiven , the same loveth much . luk. . . iv. hath not god chosen the poor of this world , rich in faith , and heirs of the kingdom , which he hath promised to them that love him ? jam. . . blessed are the poor in spirit , for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . mat. . . i am instructed , both to be full , and to be hungry ; both to abound , and to suffer need . phil. . . as having nothing , and yet possessing all things . cor. . . glory be to the father , &c. prayers for prisoners for debt . i. the general prayers for prisoners , which the prisoner for debt , may find for his use in the foregoing office . and for the more particular necessities of imprison'd debters , these prayers following may be made use of . ii. particular prayers for prisoners for debt . i. the indebted prisoners prayer , for clearing the store of his sins . o! almighty and most righteous lord , my worst debts are my sins , which are many and greivous , and which are all to be accounted for to thy justice . and * who may abide , shouldest thou be extreme to mark what we do amiss ? much less could i abide , who have done amiss extremely , and have [ † brought , not only the fear of thy future wrath , but my present restraint and sorrows upon mine own head , by my own evil doings . ] but o! gracious lord , i am sensible of my wickedness , and am truly contrite and sorry for my sins . and altho this sense of my sin and folly , comes too late to prevent this my uncomfortable restraint , and worldly misery : yet 't is not too late , to move thy pardoning mercy . oh! for christ's sake , strike off these scores , that they may neither sink my soul , nor terrify my conscience . [ * particularly , o! gracious father , strike off the score of all those sins , and expensive vices ; and of all my unlawful , or unwise and self-will'd projects ; and of all my impoverishing neglects , or mismanagements ; which have drawn all these streights and hardships upon my self , and have brought all this dammage and trouble to my creditors . ] cleanse me of all the guilt of these sins , good lord , that my soul may not hereafter be made a prisoner , or arraigned again for the same , at thy dreadful bar. and when once thou hast blotted out thine account against me , i shall the better bear to have mine earthly creditors exact theirs ; and patiently endure their rigors , in hopes of thy free mercy and forgiveness , thro the merits and satisfaction of my blessed lord and saviour , jesus christ , amen . our father , &c. prayers for prisoners for debt . ii. a prayer for mercy from his creditors . o! father of mercies , move the hearts of all , who have sent me hither , and who have it in their power to set me free , to have pity on me . touch their humanity and good nature , with a compassionate feeling of what i suffer . let a sight of my necessity , pierce their souls and move their compassion ; yea , moreover , make their consciences sensible , o! lord , how for their own souls sake , they are indispensably obliged to show charity towards such debters , as are sincerely willing and desirous to pay them what they owe them , but cannot do it . shew them , that all sinners are debters ; and that they are thy debters , as well as i am theirs ; and that for infinitely greater sums than mine is . yea , and that they are no more able to pay thee , o! god , than i am able to pay them . oh! then , that their own necessity may make them wary , and prompt them to shew mercy . that they may have patience with me , till i can raise as much as i am able , towards the discharge of their debt ; and mercifully forgive the rest , when i can raise no more . oh! that they may not be rigorous , in exacting the hundred pence , which i am not able to pay them ; because then thou † declarest , that thou likewise wilt exact the many thousand of talents , which they are as unable to pay thee . and that thus , by mutually shewing mercy , we may all be prepared to receive it at thy hands , for thy dear son , our most blessed lord and saviour , jesus christ's sake , amen . our father ; &c. prayers for prisoners for debt . iii. prayers for an heart , to be honest to his creditors . i. o! almighty lord , who † lovest righteousness , but hatest iniquity ; let me not take up with a prison , as an art of defrauding ; nor chuse to rest thus uncomfortably confined in mine own person , to leave the guilt and curse of ill gotten goods , and of unpaid debts , to my family . make me willing , o! god , to do justice to all who are any way concerned with me , to the utmost of that worldly estate , which i have to dispose of : and ready to give every man what i owe him , tho' i keep nothing to my self , but am left thereby to live upon thy good providence . if want must be my share , oh! let me want the conveniences , or even the necessaries of life , rather than the innocence thereof . and grant good lord , that the place of my wanting , may be here in this world , where my wants will soon have an end ; not hereafter in the next world , where they will know no end , for jesus christ's sake , amen . ii. enable me , o! blessed lord , if thou pleasest , by thy good providence , and put me again into a condition , fully to discharge and clear my accounts with all my creditors . let none of them , o! my god , be losers in the end by me . but bless me in my ways , that i may have enough wherewithal to satisfy all their just demands , and give me an heart to pay it out accordingly , and that with thankfulness for their forbearance , and without unnecessary delays . and dispose them to have patience with me , till this can be done . and suffer not me in the least to abuse that patience ; but make me apply my self diligently , to raise it for them , as fast as i can , and honestly to pay it to them as fast as i can raise it for them . but if i am not able to pay them all that i owe them , grant them the heart to forgive me what i cannot pay . and since what is thus given to me , is given to the poor ; look upon it , o! lord , as † lent to thee , and be thou their pay-master . as they very charitably consider my necessities , do thou carefully prevent theirs : and whatsoever they abate to me of my scores , do thou make up abundantly to them and theirs by thy good providence . and after they have forgiven me , tho i am no longer answerable to them in law , yet make me ever sensible , o! god , that i still owe the same to them in equity . and give me always the heart to repay , whatsoever they acquit , if ever thou shalt put me in a capacity , either by proper payments , or by grateful offices , so to do . and by living always in this inward readiness and preparation of mind , to do them all exact justice ; tho' i can never fully clear my debts , yet by thy grace i shall clear my conscience , and be fit , not only for their charity , but also for thine eternal mercy , thro the merits and mediation of my blessed lord and saviour , jesus christ , amen . prayers for prisoners for debt . iv. a thanksgiving for a prisoner for debt , on his release from prison . i. o! father of mercies , and god of all consolations , † the sighings of the prisoners have come before thee , and thou hast graciously heard my prayer , and set my feet at liberty . to thee , o! blessed lord , do i owe this comfortable freedom , which i have now obtained ; and to thy boundless and undeserved mercy , will i ever thankfully ascribe it . and , oh! that in all my life , and thro the whole course of my conversation , i may ever remember , that i am thy freeman . o! that i may always adore and praise thy goodness , for my deliverance , and walk so humbly , and thankfully , and obediently towards thee , as may shew that i am never unmindful , that thou gracious god , hast given me my liberty , and that i am ever to improve and spend it to thy glory , thro jesus christ my lord , amen . ii. and lord , let me never lose those good thoughts and purposes , nor forget those vows , which i made to thee when i was in trouble . give me a mind suited in all things to my circumstances , and grace to deny my self , and to study to the utmost of my ability to do justice to all my creditors . never suffer me , to forget their kindness in my release , nor to give them any just cause to repent of it : nor do thou ever forget it , o! merciful god , but remember it always for their good . keep me thankfully sensible of all the kindness of my friends and neighbours , of all who did me any good offices , who shew'd me countenance , or supplyed my necessity , in the days of my adversity . oh! do thou make each of them that requital , which i ought to do ; and keep me always willing and ready to requite them , after the best manner i can ; and , when i am able to do no more , to pray earnestly to thee , that thou wouldest make up for me whatever returns of kindness i fall short in . remember also , i humbly intreat thee , o! most merciful father , all those poor prisoners , who are still under their uncomfortable restraints , and in thy good time , do the same for them , which in thy mercy thou hast now done for me . oh! that † having felt the same in my self , i may ever have a most compassionate sence , and tender feeling of their afflictions , and may joyfully embrace all opportunities of recommending them to the pity of others , especially of those persons , from whose charity they are to hope for their release , but above all , o! blessed god , of recommending them to thine everlasting mercy ; which grant , that both they , and i , and all thy faithful people , may ever earnestly seek , and succesfully find , for the sake of our only saviour and redeemer , jesus christ , amen . finis . the contents . of the office for prisoners for crimes . i. directions for prisoners for crimes . chap. i. how to behave and employ themselves , after commitment , and before the tryal . page chap. ii. how to behave and employ themselves , in order , to and at , their tryal p. chap. iii. how to behave and employ themselves after sentence of gondemnation , and at the time of execution . p. ii. special directions for prisoners for debt . p. iii. general directions for both. p. scriptures for prisoners for crimes . p. i. a general prayer for all prisoners , taken out of the companion for the persecuted . particular prayers for prisoners for crimes . i. for deliverance from their sins and sorrows . p. ii. the prisoners confession of god's justice in his sad circumstances . p. iii. his profession of repentance under the same . p. iv. prayers for learning righteousness , and improvement of remaining moments of life . p. v. prayers for acceptance of repentance , tho late , and for the sincerity and integrity thereof . p. vi. for respite , and longer time in this world ; and against the day of tryal . p. ejaculations . ejaculations at his tryal . p. ejaculations after his tryal if acquitted . p. if condemned . p. vii . prayers after sentence of condemnation , or any time before execution , and at execution , only making the changes as they are noted in the margin . p. ejaculations for him at the time of execution . p. viii . a thanksgiving for deliverance out of prison , whither they had been justly committed for capital crimes . p. scriptures for prisoners for debt . p. particular prayers for prisoners for debt . i. the indebted prisoners prayers , for clearing the score of his sins . p. ii. a prayer for mercy from his creditors . p. iii. prayers for an heart to be honest to his creditors . p. iv. a thanksgiving for a prisoner for debt , on his release from prison . p. the end. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e † isa. . . tim. . , . mat. . . notes for div a -e † to indemnify and content my crediter when fo● debt . * or crimes . psal. . . psal. . . . psal. u● . . † prov. . . † job . . . † job . . . * here you may name the sin . † mat. . . luk. , . † at execution instead of sentence , say and shameful death , † add this at execution ‡ now for when at execution . † luk. . . † who am now to for when i at execution . † at execution say a●● now . † luk . † . tim. . . † add these at execut . † luke . . * luk. . . † luk. . . notes for div a -e * ps. . . † this , when the debts are contracted by our own faults , in luxury or mispence . but if thro innocent misfortune , and mere hand of providence ; instead of , brought not only , &c. say , deserved , not only to be made a prisoner for the same , in this uncomfortable place , but to be committed among the lost angels , to chains of everlasting darkness , till the terrible judgment of the great day . * in case of 〈◊〉 contracted by meer hand of providence , omit this within the hooks . † mat. . , &c. † ps. . . & ps. . . † prov. . . † psal. . . † heb. . . a list of abhorrors, or, the names of such persons as were lately under custody of the serjeant at arms for abhorring, and other misdemeanors g. t. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing l estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a list of abhorrors, or, the names of such persons as were lately under custody of the serjeant at arms for abhorring, and other misdemeanors g. t. sheet ([ ] p.) benjamin harris, [london?] : [ ?] broadside. caption title. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- england. broadsides -- england -- london -- th century - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a list of abhorrors : or , the names of such persons as were lately under custody of the serjeant at arms for abhorring , and other misdemeanors . sir robert yeomans . mr. harnage . clerks . mr. joseph pagett , mr. richard thompson mr. edward brett . captain castle . mr. john hutchinson . mr. henry waldron . mr. thomas warre . mr. edward strode . mr. thomas hertbert . mr. thomas staples . sir thomas holt. mr. arthur yeomans . mr. william jordan . mr. john lawes . mr. henry aulnet . these are the contents . the chapter follows . magna charta , cap. . no free-man shall be taken or imprisoned , or be disseised of his free-hold , or liberties , or free-customs , or be out-lawed , exiled , or any otherwise destroyed . nor we will not pass upon him , nor condemn him , but by lawful judgment of his peers , or by the law of the land , &c. edwardi iii. cap. . item , it is enacted , that no man from henceforth shall be attached by any accusation , nor fore-judged of life or limb , nor his lands , tenements , goods nor chattels seized into the kings hands against the form of the great charter , and the law of the land : that is , according to the statute edwardi iii. cap. . by indictment or presentment of good and lawful people of the same neighborhood where such deeds be done in due manner , or by process made by writ original at the common law. edwardi iii. cap. . item , that no man of what estate or condition that he be , shall be put out of land or tenement , nor taken , nor imprisoned , nor disinherited , nor put to death without being brought in answer by due process of the law. fiat justitia & ruat coelum . if any man be dissatisfied with the coherence of the contents and the chapter , let him read the lord chief justice coke's institutes , part . chap. . upon magna charta . this may be printed to prevent false reports , the fact and law being both true . i do appoint mr. benjamin harris to print this , that it may appear to all true english protestants , that he once printed truth . g. t. [t]o the right honourable, [the betrusted knights, citizens, [illegible] i]n the commons house of parliament (englands legall soveraign power) the humble petition of the inhabitants of buckingham-shire, and hartfo[rd]shire, whose names are hereunto subscribed. overton, richard, fl. . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing o thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) [t]o the right honourable, [the betrusted knights, citizens, [illegible] i]n the commons house of parliament (englands legall soveraign power) the humble petition of the inhabitants of buckingham-shire, and hartfo[rd]shire, whose names are hereunto subscribed. overton, richard, fl. . sheet ([ ] p.) s.n., [london : ] signed at end: richard overton. imprint from wing. annotation on thomason copy: "march: st ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng prisoners -- legal status, laws, etc. -- early works to . great britain -- politics and government -- - -- early works to . buckinghamshire (england) -- history -- th century -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no to the right honourable, the betrusted knights, citizens, and burgesses in the commons house of parliament (englands legall soveraign power, overton, richard c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - elspeth healey sampled and proofread - elspeth healey text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion to the right honourable , the 〈…〉 n the commons house of parliament ( englands legall soveraign power the humble petition of the jnhabitants of buckingham-shire , and hartfordshire , whose names are hereunto subscribed . hvmbly sheweth ; that your petitioners , and the rest of the free-men of england , before the beginning of this parliament , being almost destroyed of their lawes , liberties , and freedoms , by the arbitrary machinations , politick designes , and practises of the pattentee-monopolizers , and of other arbitrary supplanters and agents , which laboured to subvert the fundamentall constitutions of this realm , and to set up a tyrannicall government , tending to the utter vassalage and overthrow of all the free people of this kingdome , together with their naturall , nationall , and legall rights and liberties , god putting into our hands , an opportunity to free our selves from those tyrannies and oppressions ; we , for our better weal and happinesse , chose and betrusted your honours for the same end and purpose ; and to that end wee have elected , invested , and betrusted you with our indubitable and naturall power and birth-rights , for the just and legall removall of our nationall evils ; in the expectation whereof , we have waited ever since your first sitting ; continually and cheerfully assisting you with our lives , persons , and estates , being much encouraged thereto by the severall protestations , and declarations , wherein you have solemnly protested before the great god of heaven and earth , and to the whole world declared your upright and wel grounded resolutions , to vindicate the just liberties of every free-born english man without exception . now therefore , our most humble request unto your honours , is , that you would ( according to your duties , and the great trust reposed in you ) take into your consideration , the slavish condition , that we the free people of england are yet subject unto , by reason of those arbitrary practises that are still continued , acted , and perpetrated upon us by some prerogative-men of this kingdom ; whom we humbly conceive , have no power over our bodies or estates , they being not elected thereunto by the free-men of england ; and therefore may not commi● our bodies to prison ( contrary to the fundamentall lawes of this kingdom ) as we suppose hath been done to some free-men of this kingdome without producing any legall authoritie , that your petitioners can hear of ; for what they did . wherefore your petitioners most humble desire is , that you would , according to the respective appeales of the said free subjects unto this supreame house , be pleased to take their cause into the legall judgment , and speedie determination of this house , as the whole matter thereof shall be reported unto you , by the honourable committee , for consideration of the commons liberties , who have their whole manner of the proceedings against them , together with their respective defences ready to represent unto your honours , and to grant unto them your indubitable justice ( according to their late petitionarie , and still constant desires ) whereby they may receive the sentence of this house , either for their present justification , or condemnation ; that they may not be ruined and undone by an arbitrary and injustifiable imprisonment . and if that , through the urgent affaires of the kingdome , your occasions will not afford you so much time , as to consider and expedite their businesse at present : our humble request is , that you would by an order from this house , forthwith set them free out of prison ; they giving legall security for their future forthcoming , until such time as your honours shall be pleased to hand out to them full and effectuall justice . and that you would be pleased , in case the principall informers and actors be found guilty , to grant them full and ample reparations according to the law of the land . and further , that you would take care , for the time to come , to free us and our children from the fear and prejudice of the like arbitrarie and prerogative-proceedings , according to your late promise in your most just declaration of the . of april , . and your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray , &c. instructions agreed upon as the sence of the petitioners of buckingham-shire , and hartfordshire . first , the persons imprisoned , lieutenant collonel iohn lilburne , mr. overton , his wife and brother , mr. larners , brother and maid , &c. secondly , by prerogative-men , we mean such as sit to try commoners , and are not elected by the free choyce of the people . thirdly , by arbitrary practises , we meane such as are contrary to the law of the kingdome . as first , for any persons to try those that are not their peers or equalls : witnesse magna charta . c. , e. . . . sir edward cookes exposition of the . and . chapters of magna charta , &c. ( as the house of lords have done and would have done all the above mentioned . ) secondly , for any to imprison men for not answering to interrogatories in criminall causes . to the reader , this petition was signed with almost ten thousand hands , and was brought to the parliament on the . of febr. . with about . gentlemen and yeomen , who did not find that faire accesse unto the parliament that they expected . in which regard , they went all out of the town , saving six whom they chused out from among themselves , as commissioners . with whom they left the aforesaid instructions to explain somthings in the petition , in case it were demanded of them , and also gave them further order to improve their utmost interest to get the petition read and answered . but , those they had to deale with , bearing ( as it seemes ) a greater affection to the tyranny of the house of lords , then to the liberties and freedoms of those that choose , and trusted them , would not vouchsafe it a reading in their house , though the aforesaid commissioners attended many dayes at the doores of the house , and with all earnestnest , and faithfulnesse pressed to have it read , but could not prevaile , and so were forced in great discontent to returne to their severall dwellings , and truly to acquaint the rest of their fellow-petitioners , what hard dealings they had found from the hands of the peoples great trusties at westminster . but in regard that my selfe and all the commons of the kingdom , are so much concerned in this petition ; i therefore out of an apprehension of a singular duty have published to my selfe , and to the whole nation , to the view of all the commons of england the petition with the instructions , and these few lines , and remain , thy true friend , if thou be true to the liberties of the commons of england . richard overton . prerogative-prisoner in ! newgate , some prison meditations in the th moneth, . being a free-gift sermon mainly touching the religious robbers, or spiritual murtherers, the sermon and prayer-sellers of the the former, later and present times; even to the whole company of mystery-babylons merchants and members a warning. taylor, thomas, - . this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason e _ ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing t thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) some prison meditations in the th moneth, . being a free-gift sermon mainly touching the religious robbers, or spiritual murtherers, the sermon and prayer-sellers of the the former, later and present times; even to the whole company of mystery-babylons merchants and members a warning. taylor, thomas, - . [ ], p. printed for giles calvert, at the black-spread-eagle neer the west end of pauls, london : . pages and signed: thomas taylor. annotation on thomason copy: "no. ". reproduction of the original in the british library. eng society of friends -- apologetic works -- early works to . sermons, english -- th century. prisoners' writings, english -- early works to . a r (thomason e _ ). civilwar no some prison meditations in the th moneth, .: being a free-gift sermon mainly touching the religious robbers, or spiritual murtherers, taylor, thomas c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion some prison meditations in the th moneth , . being a free-gift sermon mainly touching the religious robbers , or spiritual murtherers , the sermon and prayer-sellers of the former , later and present times ; even to the whole company of mystery . babylons merchants and members a warning . hos. chap. vers . the . & . it is written , gilead is a city of them that work iniquitie , and is polluted with blood : and as troops of robbers wait for a man , so the company of priests murther in the way by consent , for they commit leudness . london , printed for giles calvert , at the black-spread-eagle neer the west end of pauls , . some prison-meditations . now all you people and priests of the earth , amongst all your observings and gatherings of doctrine , observe with me , and take diligent notice of these few , short , plain doctrines , or lessons from hence , and tremble , and repent ; to wit , . that workers of iniquity are a filthy and bloody people . . that lewd priests or teachers are murtherers , and layers in wait for blood . where the priests or teachers are nought , such as follow them are not good ; and so like priest , like people , as here . . lewd priests , and murtherous-minded men , ( false teachers ) have in all ages been many a mighty band , fitted to devour . but hosea ! how didst thou escape this bloody people , and these murtherous priests , these lewd workers of iniquity ? did they not murther or imprison thee , or sue thee at their courts for a disturber of their peace , or for a slander ? how didst thou , poor lamb , escape these wolves , these boody murtherous priests and people . thy brother amos , the prophet , was accused by one of these murtherous priests for a conspirer against the king in the midst of the house of israol , and that the land was not able to bear his words , amos . , &c. and thy brother jeremiah was cast into a dirty dungeon , almost unto death , besides the other beatings , and stockings , and imprisonings that he suffered from one of these lewd priests and the sinful princes , for his witness sake in that generation , as it is to be seen in jer. . and other places of that book : and thy brother zacharias , son of barachias was slain by this bloody generation between the temple and the altar for his witness sake , matth. : : and all the rest of thy brethren were evil intreated of this bloody murtherous generation of priests and people for their testimonies sake : and the heir himself christ jesus the head , when he appeared , was cruelly murthered by these bloody priests , and such as followed them , and consented with them ; and that for witnessing forth truth against the wickedness and lewdness of the bloodie city and venemous priests , their teachers , as is all over in the scripture of truth to be read , and is now also in these present daies found true in experience by all thy suffering brethren and sisters , oh prophet ! who are reproached and persecuted of this present evil-generation of the priests ( the teachers ) and the people under them , under the nick-name of quakers . and therefore we having such a cloud of witnesses and fellow-sufferers for the truths sake going before us , we may be comforted and incouraged in all our tribulations knowing that we are hereunto called , not only to believe , but also to suffer for christ his name sake , that so we may fill up the measure of the afflictions of christ in our flesh for his bodies sake , which is his church . further , oh all people ! you may hence observe and take diligent notice for your good , that it hath been an old custome of the worlds teachers , such as are called of men master , matth. . and who preach for hire , mic. . and seek their gain from their quarter , isa. . i say , that it hath been an old custom of such wolves to murther souls and people of god ; for in some scriptures is mention made of the spiritual , and in others of the bodily murther that they had and would be guilty of . and further take notice , that these banding priests are a lewd generation , which in other expressions is all one as to say , thieves , whores , & harlots ; and so indeed are they also in scripture usually said to be , and therefore typed and set forth under the name of painted whorish jezzabel , and the wel-favoured harlot , and here under the similitude of troops of robbers waiting for a man ; and paul calls them ministers of satan , having a form of godliness , denying and resisting the power and truth of godlinesse : and therefore ( oh all people ! ) you are exhorted by the spirit of truth to turn away from them , yea , and commanded to come out from amongst them upon pain of eternal death , jer . throughout . rev . , , , . rev. . throughout . cor. . , , . tim. . , &c. rev. . , &c. read scripture , and see if these things be not so , and fear the living god , and bow to truth , and be exhorted and perswaded all people now at length to learn wisdom , and to understand whom you follow ; for you see the scripture tells of murtherous lewd priests that stood over the people for teachers in former days ; and in christs time there was scribes and pharisees , hypocrites , who were taken by the blind people to be sufficient guides and teachers , whom christ called blind guides , children of the devil , painted sepulchres , whited walls , yea vipers and serpents . and so you people that gather together to the steeple-house , which you call your church , when you hear your teachers , who now-a-daies go under the name of ministers with you , take a scripture , and out of it chuse a verse ( or so ) of a chapter , according to their wills , for filthy lucre , and calls it their text , and from it draws doctrines , and reasons , and uses , as they call them , ask them whether there be any such company of false teachers now-a-daies in england to be found , as this scripture speaks of , who as troops of robbers wait for a man , so wait to murther in the way by consent ; and who they are , and what , and who they murther ; and with what they murther ; and how these murtherers may be knovvn ; vvhat be their fruits , for by their fruits ye shall know them , saith christ . and ask them further , whether these false teachers vvhich the prophet hosea here calls lewd murtherers be not the same in nature with those vvhich isaiah in the . chap. and . v. of his prophesie , calls greedy dumb dogs , that sought their gain from their quarter , and could never have enough : and the same that jeremiah spoke of in ch. . ver. , . & . ch. of his prophesie , throughout , that stole the word from their neighbor , and used their tongues , and said , he saith , when the lord never sent them , and so could not profit the people at all . and vvhether they be not the same that micah the prophet ( mic. ch. . , &c. ) speaks of , who preached for hire , and divined for money , and spake peace to the wicked for the gift sake , but if any put not into their mouths , they prepared war against them , and yet like all hypocrites vvould lean upon the lord in vvords , & say , is not the lord amongst us ? no evil shall come unto us . and whether these murtherous priests vvere not one with those that christ jesus cried vvo against in matth. . who were sayers , and not doers ; who loved to be called of men master , and bound heavy burthens upon the people , and touched them not with one of their own fingers , but shut up the kingdom of heaven against men , and would neither enter in themselves , nor suffer others . and finally , ask them whether such men now as stand over the people for teachers , though under another name , and making another profession in words , yet if they be found in the foresaid steps , doing the foresaid deeds of those forementioned false teachers , are not to receive the same judgement , and to be cried against and denied , and forsaken by all the children of light now , as formerly , yea or nay . and now hosea , thou holy prophet of god , thou hast said and laid down these two doctrines or high charges against the people in general , and against the priests in particular : the first , that the people in general are polluted with blood . the second , that as troops of robbers wait for a man , so the company of priests murther in the way by consent : how dost thou prove and make these good , for the gileadites are deeply concerned in it ; and they will have thee to make it good , or suffer for default ? yea , by the spirit i make it good , thus : gilead is a city polluted with blood , because they are such as work iniquity ; and the priests murther in the way by consent , because they commit iewdnesse : and this is witnessed not only by the scriptures , but also by the same spirit of truth that gave it forth in all the children of light to be so . but hosea , thou must not be tried per pares , that is , them of like condition or quality with thee , to wit , the holy prophets and children of god , who are witnesses with thee against the abominations of their times , and sins that rules in priests and people , for that will not satisfie nor serve the gileadites turn , for so the great men of all sorts in city and countrey would be found faulty : but these priests and people think it fit ( according to their nation-law ) to have a judge , and justices fit upon the bench , and to have a jury of inquest summoned and to have a bill of indictment found against thee , and then if thou plead thy innocency , and say thou art not guilty of doing them any wrong , but only thou spoke as thou was moved by the spirit of god ; then thou must have , as they pretend , a fair trial , ( for thou must know that the gileadites cannot believe thy witness , nor any for thee from that spirit only ) but this fair trial must not be by spiritual men , who only are able to judge of spiritual things , for the gileadites know not their voice no more then thine , oh prophet ! but it must be further , by another company of these men whom thou hast said are workers of iniquity , and polluted with blood , and so are parties ; and these must judge of thee ; and these ( sayes the world ) are a grand jury , a company of substantial men of the country , sworn men ( mark , out of the doctrine of christ , for his yea is yea , and his nay is nay , without an oath . ) and these men ( the grand jury ) must bring in their verdict ( as they call it ) against thee , for they have found thee guilty , ( for thou hast nothing on thy side but plain truth , without mans testimony , or an oath ) and the judge of the court ( one of the chief men among the gileadites that is versed in law matters ) thinks it fit thou should be fined to pay a sum of money for thy offence , ( oh prophet ! thou man of god! ) and be kept in prison ( summer and winter , that matters not ) until thou pay it : but what ( oh prophet ! ) if thou hast neither liberty in thy spirit , nor outward ability to pay thy fine , what course must be taken with thee ? well , for that ( o prophet ! ) gilead matters not , but imprisoned thou must remain , for so gilead will be quiet of thee , and thou cannot come into their synagogues , markets , nor other assemblies , to cry against their sins , and disturb them , for the people and priests would live quietly in their sins , and they would not be disturbed neither in the time of their service , nor otherwise . and hosea , that thou mayest have no occasion to find fault with the jury or the judge , one of these priests whom thou hast by the spirit declared to be murtherers and lewd men , have taken an oath in open court against thee ; and dost thou think that though ded for a witnesse against this generation of cruel hearted men , whom the beast and false prophet hath raised in his defence , and against the kingdom of christ jesus and them that follow him , how full have the most part of the prisons in all this land been with guiltlesse sufferers under cruel bondage , with unjust dealings and false judgments , have gone forth from some of your mouthes , you that have been set to judge over the people , who should have been a terror to the wicked , but have rather strengthened the hands of evil doers , and been a terror to righteousuesse , so much as is possible , the great whore which sits upon the beast , hath made your rulers drunk and stagger with envy and hatred and persecution , and works of wickednesse against the upright ; wo is me for you , what have you brought forth ? even iniquity by decrees , and injustice by ordinances , and false judgment by lawes ; alas , alas , your destruction cometh as an armed man upon you . was ever the like heard , or any president in any generation before you , for imprisoning just men , for declaring against sin and the abominations of the times , as you have done many , and for imprisoning men because they cannot put off their hat to you and respect your persons , and so transgresse the law of god , and because they cannot swear , and so break christs command ? for this you have imprisoned many , and caused them to suffer because of this , may not you fear and tremble before the lord god , and your faces gather blacknesse at this , when you consider it ? did ever any that were set to judge in the earth among men so abuse their power , and subvert it so , quite to another end than wherefore it was committed to them ? may not shame cover you all , to commit men to prison for the exercise of pure conscience towards god , because they cannot swear , or respect mens persons , or maintain idol-shepherds , and idol-temples and worships , which is abomination to the lord ; and for taking peaceable men out of peaceable meetings , and out of their travel on the high-wayes , and first whipping them , and sending them to prison , the example of this which you have done , never went before in any age , and therefore have you exceeded in oppression , in injustice , in cruelty and false judgment ; all your fore-fathers the pope nor bishops , hardly ever brought forth such things ; but the lord will reckon with you , and plead the cause of the oppressed against all you oppressors ; yea , and will give unto you a recompence of reward according to your works ; ye that have exalted your selves against the innocent , shall be brought down to the dust of misery , and the saints shall reign and rejoyce over you , when the kingdom of christ jesus the lamb shall be set up over you all , and your beastly power dashed to pieces as a potters vessel , when he whom you have persecuted and his followers shall rule with a rod of iron , and break you asunder ; and this shall shurely come to passe , therefore consider it , ye that thus deal in your anger against the lord and his chosen , for the lamb shall get the victory over the beast , and over you all that seek to defend him , and that strive under his power ; for they that are with the lamb are called , and faithful , and chosen : o! therefore be awakened , be awakened , ye heads , and judges , and rulers of the people , remember and repent , the lords hand is stretched forth against all oppression and oppressors , and his wrath is kindled against the wicked ones , and his power to overthrow his dominon which long hath reigned in the nations , and now though he seeks to defend himself against the lamb and his followers by injust dealing , yet the out-stretched arme of the lord shall bring deliverance to his chosen , who hath been made havock upon , in their liberties and in their estates ; some cruelly suffering in prison , and others by spoiling of their goods , and none of these for evil doing , but upon false suspitions , and envious jelousies , and secret surmisings , without any ground of occasion given ; but by wickednesse have many of you sought occasion to make offenders , by laying snares for the feet of the harmlesse and innocent ; you have made men offenders for a word , and perverted innocent words and actions , that you might make to your self a ground to persecute , and have sought a cloake to cover your cruelty in the sight of men , but naked and bare are your hearts made manifest in the sight of the lord , who hath looked down from heaven , and considered these things , and hath regarded the unjust sufferings of his people whose liberties , and estates , and good names have been spoiled through injustice , by grievous burthens laid upon some , because they could not pay tythes ( that hainous oppression ) to satisfie the unmercifullnesse of cruel men , and many suffers at this day , unjustly in the sight of god , and illegally also in the sight of men ; and some suffer the spoiling of their goods , rather by way of robery and theft , than by just execution of judgment in proceeding of just law ; this can largely be witnessed , and this is brought forth by subservant officers to you that are set to judge , and you to them are evil examples , and strengtheners of their malitious hands , some of them are not ashamed to take six times the value of what is unjustly claimed for the use of a false teacher and deceitful hireling who rides upon the beast , and make you their servants to oppresse the poor , to uphold them and maintain them in their pride and vanities , but the lord hath considered these things , and he hath numbred the oppressions against you , wherewith the just have been grieved and oppressed under you , he hath counted this cruelty and recorded all your unjust dealing , which you have ( or suffered to be ) brought forth , yea the day of account hastens and the tearm draws near upon you , wherein the just and righteous judge of heaven and earth will call you to account who will plead the cause of the poor , and of the unjust sufferer , and oppressed , against you all , who are oppressors the innocent prosecute against you , and the begging of the poor is heard , which calls for vengeance upon you . in the record of justice , what account will you give to the highest-power , who rules over heaven and earth , for imprisoning just men for crying against sin , and declaring against the wickednesse of this age ; this shall be proved against you in the day of the lord ; is your answer ready , or will not your mouthes be stopped and you speechlesse , when righteousnesse it self pleads against you ? and what can you plead for fining men , and imprisoning them , for not respecting your persons , and bowing with hat and knee , and because they could not swear ; this hath some of you done ; will you have any thing to say in the cause of these things , when christ jesus comes to reign and his saints with him , unto whom the government and the authority , and rule shall be given : though now they are persecuted , and as the refuse of men accounted by you , unto whom they are become a prey , to act your oppression and cruelty upon ; and because they render not evil for evil , therefore is the impudencie of some men the more encreased , and their hardnesse of heart enlarged ; and because judgment is not speedily executed , therefore are the hearts of some men set in them to do evil . o! what a sad reckoning in that day , and what large indictments and verdicts for your oppression , will be read against you , and proved to be just in the sight of god and men ; a sad thing will it be upon you , when laid to your charge by the lord , for causing men to suffer because they could not swear , nor respect persons , nor uphold the deceits of false worships and teachers , nor cease to cry against sin , in your townes and steeple-houses . o! be stirred up out of your security , you heads , and rulers , and judges , and officers , even all you be awakened who have turned your sword against the peaceable , and been a terror to righteousnesse as much as you could , which you ought not to have been , and so your power you have abused , and subverted it to another end than wherefore it was committed to you : instead of defending the upright you have offended him , and instead of being a terror to the wicked , his hand hath been strengthened through your wicked presidents ; this is the truth , as the light in all your consciences shall witnesse in the day of the lord ; o! how hath justice and true judgment been neglected , and oppression and cruelty abounded , the like in generations past hath not been known , but the lord is now arisen , and hath said , i will ease me of my enemies , and take vengeance upon my adversaries , who have done wickedly against him and his people , till the patience of the lord is near an end , and his longe suffering finished , and his judgments will he make known upon his enemies in this generation , that ages to come forever may be warned not to oppresse the innocent , as these have done by false accusations , and unjust judgment , and wicked proceedings , and because of it , the wrath of the lord is kindled , and his viols of indignation shall be poured upon the beast , and upon the false prophet , and all their power shall be smitten in one day . and o what wickednesse hath abounded in the people also , to help up the measure of the rulers sins , that may receive the recompence together ; how have the people of all sorts abused the innocent lambs of christ , whom he hath called ? what beatings , and stonings , and bruisings , and other abuses , in townes , and high-waies , and steeple-houses , its hard to be expressed and large to be declared : some have been wounded nigh unto death , others bruised till blood have gushed out , and others cast down in the dirt and punched with feet and troden upon , and many have been in danger of their lives , some have been knocked down with staves and thir cloaths rent , and their hair torne off their heads , and some have been pursued after with throwing stones and dirt at them , and many halled , and tumulted , and lugged , and hurried up and down in cruel manner , to the danger of life and oppression of the creature , and others have been whipped , and lashed , and put into cruel torment of their bodies , by engins framed of purpose to torment the bodies of the harmlesse , as chester and carlile may witnesse , and others have been halled before rulers , and falsly slandered to the taking away of life if the lord had not prevented , more than mercy of men , and having been unmercifully and unjustly sent to prison , there have they suffered cruelties from the goalers or their servants , by beatings , or punnishings , or threatnings , or cruel words , and casting into dungeons , and great abuses shamefully acted upon them , and other prisoners have made a prey upon them , by t●king away their cloaths and meat , and beating of them , and abusing them divers waies , and murtherers have had more priviledge of freedom in prisons and in tryals , than these who are innocent , and these things thus acted contrary to their own law , hath passed without reproofe from many in authority , though it have been brought to their door , and in this manner have the children of god , the lamb and his followers been persecuted without cause , or any evil works brought forth by them , and legally proved against them ; but for well doing and not for evil , hath the wicked vented their malice against them , that the more the beast and his power hath fullfilled wickednesse , the sooner may be his destruction . and o what scorning , and reviling , and lying , and slandering , and evil speeches , with mockings , and cruel words of envy , and tearms of cruelty against the innocent , hath this generation brought forth in this day , wherein the dragon with his angells hath joyned battel against the prince of righteousnesse , and they that follow him , and whole gog and magog is gathered together , to compasse the camp of the saints about , and to fight against the beloved city , the judges and rulers , with their train of subservant officers , as bayliffs , clarks , goalers , constables , with all that to those belonged , have with a high hand persecuted and laid oppressions by hard-heartednesse , upon the backs of the poor and distressed , and the scorners , and liers , and prophane wretches have bent their tongue against the just , in uttering lies , slanders , reproaches , back-biting , nick-namings , and false-accusing , and all manner of evil speehes , and false reproaches , and the just have been burthened by all this ; and thus they that have been departed from iniquity have been a prey to rulers to act their injustice upon , and to the people to utter their slanders , and to do cruelty against ; and the teeth of evil doers have been set on edge , to bite and devoure , and to satisfie their maliciousnesse upon the sufferings of the upright people , and from the judge upon his throne , to the begger upon the high-way ; all have had their hand dipped in this cause of cruel and unjust persecution , and the lord hath considered and harkened from his holy habitation , and numbered up the summe of all your iniquities that he may repay and recompence upon your heads , wo unto you unjust judges , and corrupt men , who have abused your power . and wo unto all that do oppresse by hard dealing , who have offended the just , and defended the unjust : wo unto all you scorners , liers , back biters , and reproachfull tongues ; the lord is coming to take an account . your sins cry for vengeance against you , and though your hands and tongues have been strengthened to speak and act ungodlinesse , by the evil example of your rulers , yet your own iniquity shall you bear in the day of the lord , and though your rulers and judges have been strengthened in their unjustnesse and mercilessenesse , by the false lying teachers and diviners of false visions , which have seen vanity , yet their own iniquity shall they bear , & every man shall die for his own sin ; wo unto your teachers , they have eaten up the sin of rulers and people , and covered iniquity and transgression , by flattering and lying words ; they have daubed with untempered morter , and healed up the wound deceitfully , and cryed peace , peace , to the wicked , that have walked in the imaginations of their own hearts , when unto such the lord never spake peace . and now whereas the rulers and people have stretched forth their hands to vex the lords people , and have through unjust judgment , and grievous oppressions , and unmercifull dealings , troden the innocent under foot , and made them a prey to their mouth , and divers waies have persecuted in cruel manner the followers of the lamb ; yet also have the wise men of this world , even the priests and teachers , who have led the people , and have caused them to erre , and have set themselves as in battle array against the lord and his way and people ; how have you hardened your hearts and made your forehead as brasse , against the word of the lord , and you have been as the fountain of all this wickednesse acted against the just , and strengtheners of the hands of ungodly men ; the heads and ruler , you have strengthened in their cruelty , of false judgments by your arguments of strife ; in subtiltly you have been as nursers of all this persecution and wickednesse , and have interceded for oppression , to cause the just to groan , whom the lord hath raised to testifie against you ; the judges they have given regard unto you , and the people they have taken you for examples , who have been cursed presidents to the rulers and people , who have followed your cruel steps of malice and envy ; and from the head to the tail , they have drunk in your poisonus doctrines ; and made themselves drunk therewith , and out of reason , in their furious zeal of madnesse , and all have taken council together to slay the harmlesse from off the face of the earth ; some by false judgment and oppression , and others by cruel abusings , as beatings , and stonings , unheard of , or unequalized in generations of late . o ye priests , and teachers , and wise men , and scribes ! how many of you in this nation joyned hand in hand to betray the innocent , by your false doctrines and lying divinations , and have filled ( and sought to do so ) the mind of the people with slanders and false reproaches , and lying imaginations , and many conceptions and jealousies against the people of god ; many of you have made it your study work , to bring forth evil by cunning arguments , to suggest into the hearts of people , that they might not enter the kingdom , and even so have you been shutters of the kingdom of heaven against men , and would not enter your selves , nor suffer others that would . wo unto you , you have taken away the key of knowledge and lost it , and multitudes of false aspersions , and lying assertions have you brought forth without fear , by wicked consequence and lying productions , that you might take away the key of knowledge thereby , and hide it from men , and lay stumbling blocks of iniquity before the people , to stop the way of the upright , and you have travelled to seek occasions of evil against the just , and watched for the halting of the innocent , that you might glory and rejoyce in their fall , and without any occasion by words or actions , you have ded ] five marks , and imprisonment until i should pay it ; and so because i cannot give them money for their unjust proceedings against me , and unchristian dealings with me , i am kept here accordingly in the common goal a prisoner , yet free , and in that everlasting truth of god which cannot be bound , but tramples upon the neck and head of all deceit more then a conqueror . but from hence all that have eyes may see what little liberty truth can yet get in the earth , after so much war and words protested for it : and therefore whoever thou art that reads these things , know , that in england also novv if thou vvilt live godly in christ jesus , thou must suffer persecution ; for the scripture cannot be broken . and this persecution novv in england ariseth mainly from the blind zeal that many have for keeping up their ministers as they call them , from being spoken unto in the assembly , either in , after , or before the time of their preaching , especially on the first day of the vveek , by them called the lords day , and sabbath day , and this the people are prompted unto by the wicked spirit in their teachers , which cannot endure the light that god hath raised up in his people in these islands in these dayes : and so this is the condemnation of all such children of darkness , whether priest or people , that light shines , and they love darkness more then light because their deeds are evil . and so all may see whether the teachers and people that act in such darkness are going ; for in the days of mary the persecutor , the law reached only to a punishing of such as spoke to her priests in the time of their service ; but now the zeal of some for them is so increased , that neither in the time of their speaking , nor in their coming nor going from their steeplehouse , especially on the day aforesaid , must their teachers be spoken unto , but they will impute it to the party for an ofence , without examining whether there be cause for it yea or nay ; but the teacher though he be never so false in doctrine , or vicious in life , yet if he be a parish-teacher , and receive the worlds hire , as tythes , glebe-lands , and augmentations , with the state-allowance , or upon other accompts be allowed for a puklike teacher by the nation-law , he is like to be defended ; and he or she that speaks to them , though such a one be never so deer to god , and speaks truth in that particular never so clearly , is like to be punished as an evil doer : and if this be not a provoking of the wrath and hot displeasure of god against thee , oh england ! then let him that hath understanding declare what more can be : and therefore thou art now in time warned of these things , that thou mayest by repentance be saved from those things that shall assuredly come upon the wicked . but for the present , all poor people every where , who are in the dark minde , unacquainted with the teachings of god in the spirit and light of the holy annoynting , but are following the blind guides that indeavor to get their wickedness established by a law , your misery is great and much to be lamented , and the case of such of you as have any true breathings after god is to be pitied ; and who shall deliver you out of your bondage , but he that delivered israel out of aegypt , and hath in all ages been a present help unto them in the needfull time of trouble , and will still deliver them that fear him out of all adversity : so wait upon him , and the work is done , and be incouraged all that wait upon him , for there is no end of his goodness to us , for his mercy indureth for ever ; and before him goeth a devouring fire to consume the adversaries of his glorious truth round about ; and the day is dawned that will leave them neither root nor branch . and in this rest i am your deer brother , oh all ye free people of god! and in the patience and sufferings of christ your fellow-servant for the imbondaged seeds sake , thomas taylor . to the judges , justices , juries , teachers and people of the nation who profess themselves to be christians , and the scripture to be their rule , and yet account themselves disturbed if any speak unto them and cry against them in their assemblies or streets in the name and word of the lord ( without any authority from man ) a few quaeries . quae. whether was that a disturbance in christ jesus when he went into the temple at jerusalem ( a figure of his body ) and made a whip of smal cords , and with it ( without any authority from man ) whipt out the buyers and sellers , and overthrew the tables of the money-changers , and commanded the merchandize to be taken thence , yea or nay , mat. . . &c. query . whether was it a disturbance in the young prophet of god that was sent to cry against the altar at bethel whereon the king jeroboam sacrificed even in the time of his worship , or the disturbance was not on the kings own part , who put out his hand against gods servant in gods work ; and whether the withering of that hand was not an evident sign on whose part the disturbance was , kings . . &c. yea , or nay . query . whether did jeremiah the prophet disturb the people of israel , when he spoke unto them , and cryed against them terribly in the word of the lord ordinarily in their assemblies and gates of their cities , yea , or nay . or did not they disturb him in puting him in stocks & prison for so doing ? consider well of it , and give judgment accordingly , jer. . and chap. . and chap. . and . query . and whether was it wicked ahab , king of israel , and his house that had sinned against god , or elijah the prophet of god who cryed against their sins , that disturbed israels peace , yea or nay . and whether the wicked kings judgement , or the holy prophets iudgement will you be of in this matter . see kings . . &c. query . and whether amos who prophesied even in the kings court and chappel , the sword upon the kings house , and desolations upon all their sanctuaries , was a disturber in so doing , or so accounted then ( that we read of ) save onely by one wicked priest , as you may read , amos . . &c. and whether ionah preaching repentance in the open streets of niniveh for a whole day together was a disturber or a friend to their city , yea or nay , see ion. . . &c. query . and whether the king and people of nineveh who instead of persecuting him the lords prophet , did repent at his preaching , shall not rise up in judgement with this present generation , and condemn it , yea or nay . query . whether did paul the apostle disturb the iewes and gentiles in their synagogues and markets , when he reasoned of the things of gods kingdom , and disputed as it were daily with them there , as you may read in the acts of the apostles : and whether you who account your selves disturbed with the like things , doing in these dayes , do not allow of the iews persecuting of him for his works sake then , yea or nay . query . and whether the same paul in the corinthians when he said , in the true church all that have any thing reuealed unto them from god , may speake one by one : and when he that is speaking heares such an inspired one begin to speak , he ( to wit , the first ) is to hold his peace , that all things may bee heard , and all edified ; i say whether paul in preaching such doctrine preached disturbing doctrine , yea or nay . and lastly , it is required of those that iudge others for disturbers in such cases as these , that they do set down what is the true and infallible rule of trying doctrines and spirits by in these dayes ; or for ever hereafter that they let the thing alone . these from the lords prisoner , thomas taylor . the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- jer. . , &c. see mat. . , &c. lu. . , &c. & ch. . & . joh. . matth. . the penitent prisoner his character, carriage upon his commitment, letany, proper prayers, serious meditations, sighs, occasional ejaculations, devotion going to execution, and at the place of execution / by a friend to the souls in prison. friend to the souls in prison. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the penitent prisoner his character, carriage upon his commitment, letany, proper prayers, serious meditations, sighs, occasional ejaculations, devotion going to execution, and at the place of execution / by a friend to the souls in prison. friend to the souls in prison. [ ], p. printed for john williams ..., london : . reproduction of original in the cambridge university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and 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bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng prisoners -- england -- prayer-books and devotions. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the penitent prisoner , his character , carriage upon his commitment , letany , proper prayers , serious meditations , sighs , occasional ejaculations , devotion going to execution , and at the place of execution . by a friend to the souls in prison . london , printed for john williams , at the crown , in cross keys court in little brittain , . the penitent prisoner . his character . he is one , who although he confess himself to have been seduc't by his lusts , and intic't by evil company , yet being under restraint ( according to the merit of his crime ) he makes a pulpit of his prison to preach to him repentance ; a sermon of his shackles to teach him his service ; he turns his gaole into a shop to traffick for heaven ; and into an exchange of all devotions that may gain him salvation . for being entred into prison ( after he hath sometime look't about him , and sees nothing but thick walls , strong barrs , a dark room , and no way to escape , ) he begins thus to word it , for conviction he knows must go before conversion . lord ● where am i ? what have i done : ●ow hath the iniquity of my hands and heels hamper'd me ? how have i drunk down iniquity like water , drawn sin as with a cart rope ! how like a wretch have i night and day tug'd at the devils oare , grinded at his mill , dig'd in his mine , run on his errands , not only acted sin , but contrived it , sinned with a high hand , and haughty heart ! oh the bitter fruit of those things whereof i am now ashamed ! what gravel in my stomach do i find that stollen bread to be now , which once went down so sweetly ! into what a labyrinth of misery hath the following of the motions of my vile lusts led me ! how have i by my many and grievous sins , dishonour'd my god , sadded the holy angels , sham'd my christian profession , damag'd my neighbour , wounded my own conscience , troubled my spirit , and given large earnest for my everlasting ruine ! methinks i hear it said in my eares , as if spoken from the battlements of heaven , let no man oppress , or defraud his brother , for the lord is the avenger of all such , thes . . . so rom. . . the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness , and unrighteousness of men ; where then shall i appear , being in so sad , so miserable a condition ? of whom may i seek for 〈◊〉 but of thee , o lord , who for my sin art justly displeased ? yet o god most holy , o lord most mighty , o holy and merciful saviour , deliver me not into the bitter pains of eternal death ; thou knowest , lord , the secrets of my heart , shut not up thy merciful eares to my prayers , but spare me lord , most holy , o god most mighty , o holy and merciful saviour , thou most worthy judge eternal , suffer me not for any pains of death to fall from thee . look upon the wounds in thy hands , and have mercy upon me the work of thy hands . o give me a praying , that thou maist afford me a pittying heart . his letany . o god , the father of heaven have mercy upon me , keep , and defend me from that roaring lion , that goes about seeking whom he may devour . o god the son , redeemer of the world , have mercy upon me , save , and deliver me from the wrath to come . o god the holy ghost , proce●●ing from the father and the son , have mercy upon me , strengthen and comfort me in this my present calamitous condition . o holy , blessed , and glorious trinity , three persons , and one god , have mercy upon , me . remember not , lord , the sins of my youth , nor of my maturer growth , but spare me , good lord , spare thy poor creature ( not worthy to be called thy servant ) and be not angry with me for ever . from sin , from the crafts and assaults of the devil , and from thy wrath , and from everlasting damnation , good lord deliver me . from mispending the few moments i have to live , from hardness of heart , and contempt of good counsel , that shall be given me , good lord deliver me . in the time of this my present distress and tribulation , in the hour of my approaching death , and in the day of judgment , good lord deliver me . i a poor prisoner , and sorrowful sinner , do beseech thee to hear me , o lord , that it may please thee to give me thy grace to condemn my self , that i may not be condemn'd , and to judge my self , that i may not be judged . that i may bring forth fruits worthy of repentance . that i may take a holy revenge on my self , judging my self not worthy of a mouthful of fresh aire , or a morsel of meat , who have abused thy good creatures as i have done . that i may not give sleep to my eyes , nor slumber to my eye lids , nor suffer the temples of my head to take any rest , until i have unfeignedly endeavoured to make my peace with thee . that thou wouldst give me true repentance , which may appear by my making restitution ( as much as in me lyes ) to those whom i have wronged . that thou wouldst forgive all my sins , of what nature and quality soever , and endow me with the grace of thy holy spirit , to make a sanctified use of this sad dispensation of thy providence . son of god i beseech thee to hear me . o thou lamb of god that takest away the sins of the world , have mercy upon me . o thou lamb of god that takest away the sins of the world , grant me thy peace . lord have mercy upon me . christ have mercy upon me . lord have mercy upon me . our father which art in heaven , &c. o lord deal not with me after my sins . neither reward me after my iniquities . o god , merciful father , who despisest not the sighing of a contrite heart , nor the desire of such as be sorrowful , mercifully assist me in these my prayers that i make unto thee in this my present trouble and adversity , and grant that i whose conscience by sin is accused , by thy merciful pardon may be absolv'd , through jesus christ my lord and only saviour . amen . o god whose nature and property is eve● to have mercy , and to forgive , receive m● humble petitions , and though i be tyed and bound with the chains of my sins ( fetters worse than those of iron that ar● upon me ) yet let the pittifulness of th● great mercy loose me , for the honor of jesus christ his sake my mediator and advocate . amen . his sighs . o that my head were waters , and my eyes a fountain of tears , that i might lament day and night , the sins that i have committed against so good , and so great a god , so often , and so hainously as i have done ! oh wretched man that i am , who shall deliver me from this body of death ! i have sinned , what shall i do unto thee , o thou preserver of men ? o that as the hart pants after the water brooks , so my soul might pant after thee o god! o that i could be ten thousand times more contrite , and humble in heart than i am ! his serious meditation . is any gaol like the dungeon of hell ? are any keepers like fiends ? is there any burning like that fire ? any biting like that worm ? any shame of face like to the confusion of face before men and angels ? can any loss on earth equal the loss of heaven ? or banishment from friends , a banishment from god and his holy angels ? to dwell in utter darkness where there is no light , amidst infinite torture , where there is no ease , and that to all eternity . lord , this will be my portion without thy mercy . o lord , have mercy upon me according to thy loving kindness , according to the multitude of thy tender compassions blot out all my transgressions . draw a red streak with the blood of my redeemer over all the foul characters of my sins : especially , forgive ( here he mentions with utmost aggravation the sin or sins that most trouble his conscience . ) one deep calls upon another , the deep of my misery on the deep of thy mercy . o lord , hear , and consider o lord , and do it , for my spirit waxeth faint . his occasional ejaculations . when arraign'd at the barr he thus piously ejaculates ; o the time when we shall all appear before the judgment seat of christ ! upon the sight of a fire or flame of a candle he thus words it : o who amongst us can dwell with devouring fire , who amongst us can dwell with everlasting burnings ! upon the jaylors locking him in . he thinks on the dismalness of being shut out of heaven , and into hell. upon hearing his leud companions to swear and curse . wo is me that i am constrain'd to dwell in this hell upon earth , and to have my habitation among such vile persons . upon the sight of that pittance of meat and drink allotted him . lord , i am not worthy of the leas● crumb that falls from the table of thy bounty , being so great a rebel , as i have been to thee . upon his being bound in the cart. he thinks upon that evil servant to whom it was said , bind him hand and foot , and cast him into utter darkness . when he hears the passing bell go for him . he thinks he hears the sound of the last trump summoning him to arise and come to judgment . his devotion as he is going to execution . o saviour of the world save me , who by thy cross and precious blood hast redeemed me ▪ help me i beseech thee , o god. o let the sorrowful sighing of me a poor prisoner come before thee , and by the greatness of thy power preserve thou me , who am going to die a shameful temporal death lord , preserve me from that death which is eternal . o shew some token upon me for good that the devil , who watcheth for my soul may see it , and be asham'd , because thou lord hast holpen and comforted me . o thou that didst save the penitent thief on the cross , have mercy upon me a miserable malefactor . o deliver me for i am helpless , and poor , and my heart is wounded within me . though my flesh and my heart fail , yet be thou the strength of my heart , and my portion for ever . his devotion at the place of execution . lord be not far from me , now trouble is near at hand . now , now lord jesus , save from eternal death my poor sinful soul which thou didst purchase with thy blood . o god make speed to save me . o lord make haste to help me . save me , dear jesus , by thy merits , and take my trembling departing soul to thy mercy . lord jesus receive my spirit , the prayer of one committed to prison for destroying her child . o almighty god , father of mercy and god of all consolation : have mercy upon me a grievous sinner ; who having not the fear of thee my god before my eyes , have made away with my child ; o blessed saviour , who when thou took'st upon thee to deliver man , did'st not abhor the virgins womb , compassionate me , who have cruelly destroy'd the fruit of my womb : although for this i am afflicted on every side , yet suffer me not to be distrest , though in want of some of thy comforts , yet not of all ; though chastened , yet not forsaken ; though cast down , yet suffer me not utterly to perish . sprinkle me with hysop ▪ dip't in the blood of that immaculate lamb christ jesus , and i shall be clean , wash me , and i shall be whiter than snow . o let the blood of jesus be heard above the cry of my crying sin , spare me good lord spare me a sorrowful sinner and be no● angry with me for ever . amen . the prayer of one committed to prison for murther , and under the sentence of condemnation . almighty god , the aid of all that need , the helper of all that flee to thee for succour ; i the vilest of sinners , and the worst of men , for such have i made my self by my sins , do here passionately beseech thee to have mercy upon me a bloody sinner . o deliver me from blood-guiltiness , o god , thou god of my salvation , so shall my tongue sing aloud of thy righteousness . the remembrance of this my sin is grievous unto me , the burthen of it is intolerable : have mercy upon me o lord , have mercy upon me , who repent with as lowly a spirit , as ever i sinned with a high hand , lord help my unrepentance . and when justice shall lay my blood upon my own head , let the blood of jesus christ be on it too . into thy hands i now commend my soul , into thy hands do thou then receive it , o blessed jesus , be thou then a jesus to me . amen . finis .