THE EXAMINATION, and CORRECTION of a Paper lately Printed Entitled A Relation of the Discourse, between Mr. Hugh Peter and Lieut. Colonel john Lilborn in the Tower of London, May 25.  
Whereunto is added for the satisfaction of all that desire it; and the just Vindication of Mr Peter, from the Scandal the Relator would insinuate against him by his imperfect, false, and misapplyed Relation; a perfect true and impartial Relation of the whole discourse that passed between them.  
By ROBERT MASSEY, Doctor in Physic, who was present thereat, and an Ear Witness thereof.  Nunquam sera venit veritas. 
LONDON, Printed by Gartrude Dawson, May the 5. 1649.   

The examination and correction of a Paper lately printed, and entitled a Relation of the Discourse between Mr. Hugh Peter, and Lieut. Coll. John Lilborne in the Tower of London, May the 25.  
HAVing perused a Paper passing up and down intituling itself the relation of a Discourse that passed between Mr. Hugh Peter and Leiutenant Colonel John Lilborne Prisoner in the Tower. And perceiving the evil Spirit and intention of the Relator, though in his front seems to carry the pretention of public benefit; and being sensible how exceedingly he hath wrested and tentered the discourse, to make some thing at least seem to speak in it to the slander and scandal of that reverend, and the Gospels, and his Country's faithful friend and servant, Mr. Hugh Peter's: I thought myself obliged in honesty, being present at the discourse, and an earwitnes of the same; to give the world a true, impartial, perfect relation thereof; and then leave the impartial well-affected reader to judge of the Relator, and his relation accordingly.  
But before I come to give you the Relation, of the Conference between them; I shall take leave to premise to the Readers observation, some few particulars; whereby he shall easily observe the Malignant and evil genius of the relator, and relation published, as it appears to insinuate into the people, suspicions and jealousy of the Parliament, General, Leiut. General, and the whole Army; and on all the Faithful and worthy Patriots of the Common wealth: thus as it were adding more fuel to incense, and inflame the malignant, discontented, hotspur, hair-braind Spirits of the times, unto such actings, as may effectuate their mischivous, malignant designs, for the ruin and destruction, of the Commonwealth, and Free-State, thus newly by God's blessing, and their uncessant endeavours settled and established, as the harvest and reward of our long and tedious labours and sufferings or at least vent their personal and private malice and spleen, in that they cannot be esteemed and preferred, according to that value and worth that their pride and self-conceipt hath exalted them in their own thoughts to aspire unto: and all this they would colour over under the pretence of standing for the Laws and the People's Liberties, although these men will account or esteem nothing to be Law, Justice, or Freedom, longer than it stands with their private ends and pleasures; thus to bear them out and justify them in their heady, rash, and inconsiderate enterprises, they will stand for, and cry up any rotten, oppressive, slavish, absolet law, though the very selfsame laws have been by them exclaimed again, as unjust and unrighteous: And all because it warrants their malignant, sinful, reasonless proceed and actions in the accomplished of one or both their evil ends and designs forementioned; and this reader 〈…〉 find to be the intent and purpose of the false Relator, in his relation of the conference between Mr. Peter's and Lieut, Coll. John Lilborne, for thou shalt in the ensuing true relation observe, that he hath not only omitted some things and words that were spoken; but also added many other some that were not: and what he hath related of truth, he hath wholly perverted, misapplyed to his evil and malicious purpose; and so I leave him, and his friend and friends, to the conviction of their own conscience.  
And now gentle Reader, I proceed to give thee (according to my promise,) a full, true, and impartial relation of the discourse, that passed between them, not adding or detracting any one word, or syllable as near as my memory shall enable me, which was thus:  
Mr. Peter, myself, and one Captain Smith of the Army, coming to the Custom House about some business, and walking in the walk there, Mr. Peter was shamefully and basely abused and vilified in slanderous words and execrations by the Malignant Porters, and Frock-men there, so as if he had not withdrawn in probability, they would have fallen on his person, 
Re 〈…〉 ha●●…●●…tion that 〈…〉 n● 〈…〉 ●● 〈…〉 Mr 〈…〉 ha' 〈…〉 sit 〈…〉 Lie 〈…〉 Jo●●●●●bu●●…  for their carriages and countenances did evidently speak forth their mallitious purposes; Mr. Peter thereupon resolved to go to the Tower, where, said he to me, I shall find some of Colonel Pride's men, who through the Lieutenant of the Tower's assistance, he being my very good friend, I shall procure some of them, to seize some one or other of those uncivil rude fellows. Thus we went to the Tower together, and as we were entering in at the gate, we had some discourse of Lieutenant Colonel Lilburnes being there, the place only administering the occasion thereof, in that we had formerly known Lieutenant Colonel Lilburne: So Mr. Peter's coming to the Lieutenant of the Tower, after some salutes, and that he had informed him of his abuse at the Custom House, partly of his own mind, and partly, at the instance of myself and one friend more; he desired the Lieutenant of the Tower that he might see Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne: the Lieutenant of the Tower replied, Sir, I am very strict and careful who I permit to visit him but I shall suffer you, seeing it is your desire; Mr. Peter replied, I have been acquainted with him formerly and seeing I am come hither so accidentally, I desire to give him some good counsel, if he be in a disposition to embrace it; as also to hear from his own mouth what he hath to say for himself in reference to his rash counsels of late: So the Lieutenant of the Tower, Mr. Peter, myself and another friend being also desirous in friendship to see him, went to his lodging, where we found him at dinner, with wholesome fare, though mean, which (after salutes passed) occasioned as I supposed the Lieutenant of the Tower to say to him, I perceive Lieutenant Colonel your fare is suitable to your allowance.  
Yea Sir, replied the Lieutenant Colonel, the fare is good will you please to sit down Gentlemen and eat with us; so we sat down and eat with him and his wife, she being then at dinner with him.  
Mr. Peter give me leave to be plain with you, said L. Coll. Lilborn, I doubt you are come on some design, you are sent a fishing by your great Masters:  
Mr. Peter replied, I have no other design in the world, but to give you a friendly visit L. Coll. as these Gentl. can testify; my coming hither being merely accidental.  
You have no design now, no more than you had the last year when you came hither to lie in the Tower, whilst the Aldermen were here?  
I profess said Mr. Peter's, in the presence of God, I have not now, nor had then any design, but coming with some of the Parliament soldiers that were to quarter in the Tower, I liked Coll Whites house so well, for the pleasantness, air, and conveniency thereof in my opinion, that I took up my abode there for a while, for my health sake: but you speak of designs, as if all men were on designs? I protest, I know no design myself, the Parliament or any in the Army have, other then to advance the glory of God, and the good of his people.  
You know in a Play, every one acts his part, and so you only act yours, and another his, I will not trust any of your or their fair words, or protestations; I know not what designs they have, but I am sure they would take away my life if they could.  
Why, said Mr. Peter's, who goes about to take away your life, I know no man that seeks your life? you may live long enough for me or for any other for aught I know.  
I care not for my life replied L. Col. Lilborn not this, if they should take it away as they dare not: but they were as good take it away, as keep me here and take away my livelihood, by which myself, wife and family should subsist.  
Why, hath he on allowance from the State, said Mr. Peter's to the Lieut. of the Tower, hath he not?  
Yes said the Lieut. of the Tower; the State allows him twenty shillings a week, if he would accept of it, as the rest do.  
Why, will you not accept of it, said Mr. Peter?  
No replied, Lieut. Coll. Lilborne; I scorn to undervalue myself so much as to accept of it, I had rather make a shift and be without it: I am sure the King that they have put to death for a Tyrant allowed more than it to the meanest Prisoner that ever came hither.  
Why? what hath been accustomed to be allowed said Mr. Peter's?  
The meanest prisoner that ever came hither said he had three pound a week: the very Smith that the Bishop of Canterbury sent hither, whose head is now on London bridge, had so much while he was here.  
Is it possible? said Mr. Peter's: yea but you know L. Coll. Lilborne, that the State now hath many more uses and occasions for money then the King had.  
I deny that said L. Coll. Lilborne, how can that be? they have all the King's Revenues; and many other ways that bring in money, that he had not: and therefore may as well allow it as he could.  
No, but indeed the State is very bare of money notwithstanding, in that these troubles have occasioned the experce of much more than was needful in a time of peace:  
No, said Lieut. Coll. Lilborne that cannot be that such vast sums of money as they have had and have, should be thus expended: what with a mischief should become of it? do we not see that Ireton and Cromwell, and your great Masters the Parliament men as you call them, give away to one another thousand, of it at a clap: that is the way the Commonwealth's money goes.  
Indeed replied Mr. Peter's, they have given money among them heretofore; but I pray you, what hath been given of late? and because you speak of Ireton, what hath he got, that you mention him? I am sure I heard a near friend of his aver, that to his knowledge, that service for the State had impaired and hindered him in his own estate at least 3000 l.  
No replied L. Coll. Lilborne, what need hath he, his father hath enough given him for himself and Ireton too; and they piss both in one Glass, and know well enough how to share it i●le warrant you:  
Because you mention Cromwell so much; what hath he had given him, that he hath not deserved, by his many great and indefatigable services for the Commonwealth? and therefore what hath been given him he may in justice, honesty, and honour accept: but let us leave this discourse, L. Coll. Lilborne, wilt thou never leave thyself free from trouble? what is the occasion of your being here?  
Do you not know, replied L. Coll. Lilborne, ask your great Masters, they can best inform you.  
But do you hear of the blood that hath been shed of late; they say your bustle hath been the occasion of it. I was at Sandwish, and there I met with some of their Letters, signed with C. Y. S. C.  
You did not find my hand there, did you, said L. Coll. Lilborne?  
No replied Mr. Peter's; but yet they say, our are much the occasion of the late stir. Is it wisdom, because you cannot have all done presently, according to your minds; therefore to run out to such courses as will tear all to pieces, and undo both yourselves and the whole kingdom?  
I the occasion thereof, replied Lieut. Coll. Lilborne? it they deal with others as they deal with me, there will be occasion enough ere long i●le warrant you; for I have been here this three months or upwards, and have not as yet seen accusation, Accuser, or Judge, and is this according to the Laws and Petition of Right, which they have professed and promised so often to maintain? I tell you, they are worse tyrants than the King, whose head they have taken off.  
You talk of Laws and the Petition of right, replied Mr. Peter's, when as you will have nothing to be law but what pleases yourself, and serves your own turn, and that no longer neither. Hath not you yourself exclaimed more than any man against the Laws, Lawyers, and their Courts in the King's time, as wicked, cruel, absolute oppressive and slavish? yet now you seem to cry up those laws again to serve your own turn.  
I tell you, said Mr. Peter (taking up Cook's reports) these Law Books Lieutenant Colonel, do undo thee, thou wast of another mind to my knowledge not long since.  
Law Books undo me? No, they do or should keep us all from undoing.  
I tell you, said Mr. Peter, there is no Law in thee, for do you not see by daily experience and as yourself have formerly observed, that Cooks and Littleton's opinions, and the opinions of the Judges pass for Law? notwithstanding you shall not find three of them in one mind in many cases, now Law truly so called is not the opinion of this or that man.  
But what say you then to the Petition of right and Magna Charta, are not those Law? our Predecessors called them Laws and if they be no Laws we are in a miserable condition.  
I have said there is no Law in England, I tell you this is my own private opinion and I know not three more in England of my mind in this particular, it is my opinion only I say, for the reason's .  
No Law in England! If this be their Tenent and yours, that are a leading man amongst them, the Lord deliver us: you are all of you a company of the very arrantest Traitors, Rogues, and Villains in the world: did not you fight for the Laws of the land? I am sure you told the people you did, if you did not? you have deceived the people: and you have no other way or shift in the world, that I know of to save yourselves from being Traitors, in taking of the King's head, but that he endeavoured the destruction of the Laws, and therefore for the people's safety, you were bound to destroy him.  
Why, This is true, said Mr. Peter's, this is it indeed that made his execution just and righteous before God and Man; but yet the Laws were, and are some of them, evil, wicked, and slavish, that had by him and his predecessors from the Conquest, been forcibly and tyrannously imposed on us, and we nor you did not fight for the continuation or preservation of them I hope, but to be freed from them. But I pray you, L. Col. give me your definition of Law; for it may be else you may mistake and wrest my words.  
I will not give it you in my own sense, the Parliament shall give it you in their own Declaration. So turning to their Declaration, Mr. Peter read it, and said, Why, is this a definition of Law? This is only a description of the benefit, and good effects thereof; and all these good things here spoken, do we not now enjoy in England? This is no definition, it wants the Genus and the other ingredients that make a true definition: the definition of Law is rather some such thing as this, viz, Reason deduced and collected from particular events: For necessity, you know was, and is the mother of Law, evil manners are the occasion of Laws, and I know no Commonwealth this day in the world, that can show me a Body of law that will hold to all changes that may and will happen in a State: and therefore the daily Placats and Proclamations, or Edicts of the States of Holland, pleased me very well when I lived there.  
So than it seems all must be according to the will of your Parliament and Army, it seems the Sword must give us Laws.  
Why what Law hath there been in this land heretofore, that was not imposed by the Sword? Did not the Norman thus impose his slavish Laws on us? And what Law have we now that we have not gotten and preserved by the Sword. I tell you, the sword must be in some hand or other, to enforce the observation of Laws, or what were you the better for Law? It is honest an good Governors as much as laws, that bring all these benefits on a people you read of in the Parliaments declaration: for if wicked debauched persons be in place of power, be the Laws never so many or good, the people will be miserable; but now if good men be in place, if the Laws be evil or defective, there is some presumption and ground of hope that they will make them better.  
I tell you (replied L. Col. Lilburne) I had rather live under wicked Devils with good Laws, then under the best men in the world with bad or none at all.  
But I am not of your mind, nor many reasonable men else, I think.  
Why then, said (L. Col, Lilburne,) if the sword must give Law, if six Thiefs meet three honest men and because they are stronger, rob them, and take away their money, therefore the act is justifiable in them, because they had the stronger sword.  
No, replied I: but if three honest men should met six thiefs that had rob them, and being stronger than they, should take away their own again from them, is not the act lawful, because they used force to cause the thiefs to deliver them what was their own again? But L. Col. Lilburne, said Mr. Peter's, because you cry up Law, & are for Law so much, what do you think of the Decalogue, or ten Commandments, are they no laws for us in England, or what do you think of the Parliaments Acts and Orders, are these no laws? I tell you, our wound at present lies mainly in the laws of the land, and in the Administrators and administration thereof, there being no less● by computation then 50000. Lawyers in the land, enough to set ten Kingdoms together by the ears the process of law being as tedious and vexatious as ever, and the Courts as numerous, some few only excepted, I hope the Parliament will take this into their consideration in time, and rectify this grievance to the Nation.  
Sir, said L. Col. Lilburne, I thought myself safe whilst I squared my actions by the Rules of those laws which the Parliament hath so often sworn and declared to maintain, as the Petition of Right, etc. and so you may, and every man else, that walks so by them, as he walks not beside them.  
I shall let you see your mistake (L Col. Lilburn) in that particular, and that you●s and the Commonwealth's safety lies not in the Petition of Right, or Magna Charta, or any other thing commonly called Law in the land, For Necessity, you know, is the mother of all Laws, and therefore laws do and must change and alter, in that no law by man can be made so absolute and perfect, but that time and many other circumstances may alter the reason of it, which indeed is only the law, and then it ceases to be a law any longer. And as for Magna Charta, and the Petition of ●●●ht, what are they but some poor dull fragments and pieces of reason and freedom that our forefathers scrabled for, and wrested by force out of the hands of their cruel tyrants? And because we have obtained a little of what was our right, must we be bound up to it so, as never to endeavour more to make ourselves absolute free men, when God gives in our power so to do. Sir, I am very sorry for you, and do wish the Spirit of glory may rest upon you: for I assure you in many things of your Discourse, especially in the violence of it, your spirit seems to me very unhumbled and unchristian. And so L Col. I bid you far well, if I can do you any good, I shall be ready to serve you.  
Thus, Reader, have I given thee to the best of my remembrance, and of theirs also that were with ●e, and were ear-witnesses as well as myself, a true, full, and impartial Rela●ion of the Conference that passed between them: Now I leave thee impartially to judge, whether the Relator in his Relation intended it for the public good, and not rather to vent and insinuare a slander on Mr. Peter's, and to prejudice him, and the whole State in him, in the thoughts of the people.  
Vale.  
FINIS.