ENGLAND'S weeping spectacle: OR, The sad condition of Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne: Crying to all who have any conscience or compassion, for assistance and deliverance from his unjust, long and cruel sufferings.  
Wherein (as in a glass) all Englishmen may see the slavish condition, unto which (after so much blood, time and treasure spent) they are yet by perfidious men (who vowed and promised to deliver them from all tyranny and oppression) still most woefully subjected.  Prov. 11.26. Matth. 26.44, 45, 46. 
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them, but transgressors shall be taken in their own wickedness.  
Then shall they also answer him, saying, when saw we thee an hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?  
Then shall he answer them, and say, verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  
And these shall go into everlasting pain, and the righteous unto life etenrall.  
Printed in the Year 1648.   

England's weeping Spectacle, or the sad condition of Lieutenant-colonell JOHN LILBURNE; Crying to all who have any conscience or compassion, for assistance and deliverance from his unjust, long and cruel sufferings.  
CErtainly in itself, and to a sound and virtuous mind, nothing is so sad, so irksome and grievous, as the unjust sufferings of an honest and faithful man, who for his hatred to oppression, and love to the just Liberty of his Country, is made a prey to Tyrants, and the subject of their scorn, pride, and malice.  
And if this be so, as it must needs be, Paul testifying, that for a good man some would even dare to die, thereby signifying his excessive grief, (when virtue and goodness suffers) and in this respect, who can forbear to weep, that considers the long and cruel sufferings of M. Lilburn, which were not for any unjust action, nor for obtaining some particular good to himself, but in the constant pursuance of the general good of this long-betrayed and enslaved Nation.  
When first he began to understand himself, had he been like unto most young men of his age and time, who either waist their abilities on vain fantastic pleasures, or hunt after the sordid rewards of ambition and covetousness, minding little else but the pride, vanity, and luxury of a sinful life, mixed at best, only with a form of Godliness, without the power or life thereof, no doubt but he might soon have come to have been a man of this world, to have been some body in the City and place where he was bred; and have enjoyed those contents, which most men seek either in honour or profit.  
But it seems his conscience was soon awakened upon his Masters call, God to whose service he had dedicated himself, made him to know betimes, that he had other work for him to do, and being called, he neither suffered the motions of God in his conscience to be choked with the cares of this world, nor the deceitfulness of riches, nor consult with flesh and blood, but (as Moses) he choosed rather to suffer affliction in pursuance of a just cause, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.  
Hereupon, he finding all Authority corrupted and perverted from the true end, (the preservation and freedom of the people) to its contrary, the ruin, vexation, and bondage of the people: his conscience presently sets him a-work, waving all self-respects to the discovery thereof, by printing and publishing of books whereby to open the understandings of men, and stirring them up to a timely prevention of that intolerable bondage, which he perceived to be coming fast upon them.  
Whilst he was thus employed, the Lordly Bishops and corrupt Statesmen (whose wickedness was laid open through his endeavours) did by the craft of their officious instruments and treachery of feigned friends, lay hold of him, and proceed against him in Star-Chamber, where after most corrupt proceed, he is put to that vile Oath Ex Officio, enjoining him to answer to all such questions as they should demand, even to Articles against himself, which being contrary to nature, reason, Law and Religion, he absolutely refuses to answer, insists upon his right, and declares the illegality and abominable wickedness of such proceed.  
For refusing whereof, they sentence him to be whipped at a Cart, from the Fleet-prison, to Westminster-hall, and there to be set on the Pillory for many hours, to be a wonder to all men, and with what malice this cruelty was executed, how bloodily he was whipped, how cruelly gagged, and after that, how barbarously he was used in his imprisonment in the Fleet, would be no less sad, then tedious to rehearse, yea and is of itself sufficient, had his sufferings ended there, even to make every truehearted Englishman, with the Prophet Jeremy, to wish that his head were a well of water, and his eyes fountains of tears, that he might weep day and night, that any government pretending Christianity should be so inhuman, or any people professing the knowledge of God, or common equity, should be so sottish as to stand by, observe and suffer such inhuman cruelty, whereof the particulars have been so fully and frequently related, that it is needless here to repeat them; these are times wherein Christians are not Children in knowledge, but rather in conscience and practice, or else this weeping Spectacle would make their heats to bleed, and burn within them, till they had found out some way of deliverance for him.  
But did his sorrow's end here? No; but as the injustice and cruelty of his adversaries abated not his courage, (as they supposed and expected) but rather increased and heightened his resolution, according to the nature of true Christian fortitude, so hath the same ever since, moved him with undaunted courage, to stand in opposition to the oppression and injustice of the times, and by that means begotten him more and greater affliction, even principally from the Parliament itself, who pretended not only to deliver him, but all England out of all kind of bondage, and oppression.  
It's confessed, they began well, like true Christians indeed, in delivering the captive, and setting the oppressed free, whereof he was one, and it was well for them he was so, for he was no unthankful one, but immediately (occasion so requiring) ventured his life for their preservation, against Lunsford and his crew of Ruffians at Westminster, where the Parliament of England that had preserved him, was by his special means (under God) preserved; the greatest number that were there, even Sir Richard Wiseman, himself, being there by his incitement, who notwithstanding is since too much forgotten, and where this our weeping Spectacle was then a bleeding Spectacle to all beholders, and for which and much more both before and since, all true lovers of England's Liberties, are beholding to him: and had not things then as well as since, been done by halves and deceitfully, our troubles had then ended, or at least not half so long endured.  
And how sensible did the Parliament then seem to be of his sufferings and service? What could be desired, that was not then voted in his behalf, whether in condemnation of his tyrannous adversaries, or in justification and reparation of his sufferings and losses, even as far, and as fair, as the wits of men could devise, which is evident by their Votes then manifested? And this at that time gained them abundance of friends, for he was exceedingly beloved and pitied throughout the Land: Oh that all their proceed since had been agreeable to this, he is not a changer with the times, though they in their actions be much changed: For it had not then appeared, that this they did to him, was not for justice sake, but rather to advance a party whereby to compass their own ends, and not the public good.  
But so really thankful is this good man, for their seeming good to him, and to the public in him, (for he and the public are but one, as time will prove effectually) that no sooner did their necessities declare for War, but he engages himself, and all the friends he had, one way or other to engage for them, and for their sakes, (supposing then they minded really the Commons Liberties, and the redress of all grievances) forsakes his calling wherein he lived comfortably, and leaves his wife, dearer to him then himself, as she well deserved, honouring and comforting him before she was so, even when he was more like Job upon the dunghill by his sufferings, than a man at that time for her society: And at Kenton-field ventured his life freely for them, and his Country, so that he gained very much respect from all who observed his faithfulness and valour.  
Nor does he desist here, though by what he had seen both at Worcester and at this fight, he had cause to doubt, that there was no intention of a speedy end to the war, or of liberty to the people, but occasion at Branford again requiring his service, he there for many hours with an inconsiderable party of men that can never be too much honoured, holds all the Enemy's Forces at a bay, and enforces them to a stand till London was provided, which otherwise in probability had been surprised on a sudden, and where he lost himself to redeem his Country, being in a worse condition than those many worthy men there slain; for he was led in a most despicable manner from thence to Oxford, where he underwent a long and loathsome imprisonment, with most barbarous usage from Smith the cruel Jailor, and a most dangerous trial for his life before Judge Heath: and though he daily expected certain death, yet stood he firm against all kinds of temptations and promises, whether of honour, or profit, or deliverance from his present misery, firm as built upon a Rock, even the Rock Christ Jesus, and a cause (as his conscience had digested it) just as justice itself.  
And for defence whereof, he had certainly and suddenly died the most shameful death, if the faithfulness of his wife had not even in the very instant prevented the judgement and execution, for she knowing his danger, ceased not to solicit the House of Commons daily and hourly to interpose their power for his preservation, and when by ordinary solicitation she could not prevail, necessity so much enforcing, she took the boldness to present herself at the Commons Bar, there begging and importuning their care of her husband's life, and was (by divine providence) so happy as to obtain their Order and Letter to Judge Heath, requiring a forbearance of his execution, and withal, threatening the death of two of their friends (being then prisoners here) in case they took his life.  
With which letter (big with child as she was) she undergoes a task through all the strong Courts of Guard, which none else (as things then stood) durst undertake; in performance whereof, she met with so many sad and difficult accidents, to a woman in her condition, as would force tears from the hardest heart, to hear them related, but they are too large for this place, though those that know them, cannot but remember them to her perpetual commendation, who by wisdom, patience and diligence overcame them all, and for her reward both saved her husband's life, and after a season obtained his liberty.  
Neither was he wearied by these his sufferings, nor unthankful for the respects showed unto him by the Parliament, as witness his speedy engagement under the Earl of Manchester, in which service it is well known, he was so faithful, resolute, and successful, that he became the darling and bosom-friend to the now Lieutenant-generall Cromwell, through whose unhappy intimacy he had so great an inspection into the actions of the Earl himself, and likewise of Col. King, that when Cromwell impeached the said Earl upon many dangerous articles, he had not so material a witness (or that durst so effectually appear) as his trusty friend Lievetenant-Colonell Lilburne, who (not knowing what belonged to fear or distrust) boldly discovers upon examination, all that he knew or could testify, and which made up so much as the house of Commons, upon report of the Committee, voted the charge to be fully proved.  
But here endeth the charge, (to Mr. Lilburne and all true hearted English men's great grief, which otherwise if it had been prosecuted, might then have made an end of all these wars, troubles and oppressions) and here began Mr. Lilburne and all other honest men's overthrow, by means of those deceitful instruments unto this day:  
For instantly upon this cessation and alteration, divers unworthy officious men were set a-work both upon him and all that loved him and his cause, even by printed, railing & lying pamphlets, to abuse, vex and provoke him, unto which he answering & replying in way of justifying himself and his friends, is hastily complained on to the Parliament, his person summoned by Warrants from the Committee of Examinations, where (as before in Starchamber) he is demanded questions against himself, which he refusing to answer, they make no longer debate, but immediately send him to Newgate, purposely to disparage and provoke him more and more, wherein Mr. Miles Corbet and Mr. Whitaker were very forward.  
And though they had no Commission so to do, yet the house of Commons, both justifies the Committee, and directs the Recorder of London, to prepare for his trial at Sessions for his life, as if there had been some capital crime or dangerous matter against him, and in this base prison he lieth almost three months, and of what slanders were reported and Plots divised against him, all this time not only his and his friends sad experience at present, but the accusing conscience of his enemies will in due time bear witness: And then upon his own motion to Newgate Sessions, and upon their hearing him in open Court by a public speech (defying all his accusers and all their accusations) was by proclamation set free, without any legal crime laid to his charge, either by Parliament or any other; whereby he gained the more credit and honour, & all his enemies the more shame & contempt ever since.  
Well, all this he puts up (there being no way of remedy yet found our, for any injustice of the House of Commons, nor of their Committees) and employs his industry to get his due arrears, & the damages Voted him formerly for his cruel sufferings in the Star-chamber, and having with continual pains early and late, at length prevailed so fare, as that the House of Lords assigned him two thousand pounds, upon due trial and proof of the business, and he being in good hopes of a speedy issue, Col. King is put upon him to bring him to further troubles, and frustrate all his endeavours, and for a beginning arrests him upon an action for Slanderous words, which he pretended to be spoken against him, whereas the words indeed were in way of proving King an offender, upon Articles exhibited against him in Parliament, and King aid this purposely to take away his Testimony.  
Here you are to mind, that Mr. Lilburne had left the service of the Wars, upon a just dislike of the corrupt managing thereof, and being here about London, had discovered the perverse proceeding of the Parliament, & now hateful all sorts of conscientious people (whatever they formerly pretended) were unto them; and thereupon invited others, and joined with them by Petitions to induce them to a better temper. And this his forwardness for public good, occasioned all men who had any public greevances to discover, to come to him and to ask his advice, which brought some trouble, and more fear upon divers that yet bear their heads full high, and wrought him more enmity, then that either of the Earl of Manchester, or of Colonel King, for all that had any guilt upon them new or old were greatly afraid of him; so that King gained abundance of friends, as Prynne and Bastwicke had done before, by thus abusing Mr. Lilburne.  
But being arrested by King in the Court of Common Pleas, and put to his defence, having in all this time received no part of his damages, nor but a hundred Pounds of all his arrears, (which was spent (in these his sufferings) before he had it) and finding the precedings in law, full of intricacy and perplexity both irrational and destructive to himself and the people, he thence takes occasion to Petition the House of Commons, that the Charge and Articles against King might be tried by a Counsel of War, before King should be permitted to proceed against him; this Petition he could never get to be delivered, or read in the House; then after long and tedious attendance, to save himself, and for the good of the people, (who are ever one) he writes a discourse to Judge Reeves, and Prints it, and calls it, The just man's justification wherein he lays open the great corruption and unreasonableness of the Laws and proceed therein, which are now yet in force (notwithstanding this long lasting Parliament) and entreats him to lay those things to heart, and in due sense thereof, that he would endeavour to free, not only him, but all the people from so great and grievous a bondage which was brought into this Nation, at the will and pleasure of the Norman conqueror, by force and violence of the Sword, or to this effect was the scope, tenor, and end of his Letter.  
The unjust Judge finding that this book tended mainly to discover the juggling of Judges and Lawyers, to spoil their Trade and Mystery of in●quity, whereby they both heap up riches, and in effect sway the whole Nation instead of doing what a good Conscience would have bound him to, he (like himself) by way of complaint, presents the book to the House of Lords, where not only Monchester his deadlyest enemy is Speaker, but some of those wicked m●n also, who sentenced Mr. Lilburn in the Star-chamber, are now again his Judges, with the rest, against whose legislative power and jurisdiction over Commoners, he is generally known to be a just and professed opposite.  
And is he not here now in a sad condition, summoned he is before these Lords, and boldly appears; is he not where all the Judges, Lawyer's Oppressors, Projectors, and Committeemen could wish him? Is it not now come to pass as King would have it? For the Lords very well know whom they have before them, & how to handle him, they first (trading the ordinary path of Tyrants) put him to answer to questions against himself concerning the book, he in short, disclaims their jurisdiction over him, and presents to them his appeal to the Commons as a Commoners for which they judge him to be worthy of no better place than Newgate, where he continued ten days, and was sent for again, and then for refusing to kpeele before them, they return him again to Newgate, to be kept close Prisoner without Pen, Ink, and Paper, and none to have access to him, but only his Keeper, during their pleasure.  
But all those things are better known then considered, and how he after this refused (till he was forced) to come any more before them, and being forced, what his behaviour was, how he refused again to kneel, and how he stopped his ears against their Articles, as utterly renouncing their Authority over him, and how for this, he was sentenced Two thousand pound to the King, and seven year's imprisonment in the Tower, where he continued without hope of deliverance, until the Army pretended to insist for the general Liberty and Freedom of the Nation, as well from the new contracted, as from the old inveterate bondage thereof.  
In all which time, it is not unknown how diligent he was, to make the House of Commons sensible of the unjustice done unto him, and to all the people of England in him, but all in vain, their long continuance having changed their interest from that of the peoples, to this of the Lords; so that in effect they joined (hand in hand) with them in oppressing him; which unjust dealing also, as he had done other men's before, he spares neither pains nor charges to publish to the world; whereby at length not only the people did gain so much understanding, but the honest soldiers of the Army began to be sensible, that tyranny and oppression was come to a height, as well in the Parliament, as in the King, and therefore could see no reason, but the same aught to be resisted in them, as it was in him.  
Whereupon, as for other things, so in particular for deliverance of him, or to procure him a legal trial, the whole Army begin to insist, and whilst they were in motion from Newmarket towards London, how many and great respects were manifested by them to him, is not unknown to thousands, nor was it ever imagined that he should have remained prisoner in the Tower, when once the Army were Masters of it.  
But it clearly appears, the greatest number that really thought so were much mistaken; for the great ones of the Army, what ever they pretended, are of nearer relation, and more strongly contracted to the Lords and great ones of the Nation, then to the Commons or such faithful patriots as Mr. Lilburn; which being discerned by him sooner than by other men, and that their practices tended not to a common good, he spares neither pains, cost nor hazard, forthwith to discover their delusion (as well as he had done other men's formerly) to the world, and finding his old friend Cromwell, to have been a chief instrument in destroying the ends of their engagement, he neither flatters nor spares him nor any other, but lays all their actions naked to the view of the world, foreshowing that which since is come to pass, and which now every man sees and many feels, though then few or none would believe. Yet through the policy of those arch-deceivers, Cromwell, Ireton, and their apostate instruments, in stead of amending their faults, turn this his honest, plain and impartial dealing, to his ruin; for they possessed all his lovers and friends in City, Country and Army, that the man was frantic, little better than one at Bedlam, that he really drives on the King's design, and to others, upon whom such speeches could not work, they give out, that he was a rash inconsiderate man, and that nothing would satisfy him, but only to bring all this Nation to Anarchy and confusion.  
By all which their subtle workings, they blinded the eyes of those that had them in admiration for their specious shows of devotion and Religion, under which veil they deceived most men, and securely went through with destroying the ends of the Armies engagements, declarations, remonstrances, yea vows and protestations to God and man, and whereby they have made the most honest and well meaning Army that ever was in the world, and the most valiant, best beloved and most hopeful of all the people, to be accounted the greatest deceiver and oppressor, and so the greatest object of all scorn, contempt, and hatred.  
And this the Army and all good people got, by believing those great men's false reports and unjust censures of Mr. Lilburn, and exchanging his faithful and timely advices for their delusions, and as this brought extreme evil upon all honest men, so especially upon him, for those men having thus by their Arts and sophistry overcome his reputation, they by slanders and reproaches in all places, so alienated the hearts of those who formerly had comforted him in his sufferings, and supported his necessities, that himself his wife and children, have been many times since in such eatremities as is incredible to all, except those only who know how vile their slanderous reproaches had made him in the eyes of most men.  
And when (notwithstanding all their malice) by his invincible diligence, he had lately procured so much liberty, as to follow his own business, and sometimes to go out of his prison, how soon did they pick occasion, in stead of being prisoner to the Lords (from which he might justly and rationally expect to be delivered speedily by the Commons) to make him the prisoner of the Commons; and for what cause, even for promoting a petition for the universal good of the whole nation as any honest man will easily discern at the first reading thereof; yea such a petition, as unto which whosoever is an enemy, is not, nor cannot be England's friend.  
Being thus a prisoner again, and hereby losing more friends (as who that suffers, and hath necessities are not subject unto) doth he now faint and sink under this addition of weight and sorrow to his former affliction? No, he ceases not day and night, to make this injustice and cruelty known to the deceived world, still writes, prints, and publishes both his own just cause, and their malicious and cruel deal, so plainly, so powerfully, and courageously, that some who formerly had been his enemies, now are so fare convinced of his integrity, that they both love and honour him, to the shame of his backsliding friends, and are by his faithful council preserved from a snare, unjustly laid for their destruction.  
Certainly, if any man in the world, hath the unvaluable comfort of an impartial, public, active, sincere, persevering Conscience, this man hath, and yet of all men in this Nation, whether under the former or present Government, is not this he that is designed to live perpetually in prison? For what way possible is there for his enlargement? when the King, Bishops, Privy Council, Starr-chamber, and High Commission ruled all, then who more than he was judged worthy of whips, torture, imprisonment, and death?  
Those Lords that first pretended to stand for the liberties of the people, judge him most worthy of bonds, and the House of Commons who pretended more good to the people, than ever their predecessors did, yea, and both of them were preserved by his means (under God) in their greatest danger, and had fewest to take their parts, yet it plainly here appeareth, that never any one man hath received more hurt from them, more palpable wrong than he hath.  
The present Clergyman that thrust out the former, even for their cruel persecuting of him, and such as he is, do not afford him so much as one good word; nay, they rail on him, and persecute no man more; those Lawyers that formerly suffered in opposition to some kinds of oppression, having forsaken their first love, and with Demas embraced the honours and profits of these times, make sport at his sufferings, and use their utmost power to continue, heighten, and increase them.  
Those Judges that sit in place of such as were removed for Injustice, and who are bound by Oath, Law, and Conscience, either to see him delivered, or brought to a legal Trial, by 12. sworn men of his Neighbours, by whomsoever he is imprisoned, yet seem to think it neither perjury in themselves, injustice to him, nor robbery to the people, to deny him this, which was never denied to the veriest Villain, Rogue, Malefactor, Thief, or Traitor, in Newgate, and which since this Parliament began, was granted to Maquier, and Machmahoone the Irish Rebels, which he hath set forth at large, (in his book called the Law-Funerall) to the eternal infamy of those Parliamentary Judges.  
And this hath been his portion, for no other thing, but for being the most constant, vigorous, unwearied friend to England's liberty, and the deadliest enemy to its bondage and slavery of any man whatsoever? Nor will any person, Authority, or State ever prove a true friend to this Nation, that continues an Enemy to him, or otherwise then Tyrants and Oppressors, that still domineer and tyrannize over him, as their Predecessors in oppression, the Bishops, and Starr-Chamber-men did before them.  
He is thy true touchstone, O England, thou needest no other to try either thy Gold or dross, though any man appear or glister never so fair, if such a one but speak against him, or insist only on some harsh (and yet true) expressions in his Books, or any natural infirmities, as is the manner of those hypocrites that do him most mischief, thou mayst certainly resolve upon it, that that man (whosoever he be) doth thereby show himself but a counterfeit, and is not to be trusted in the day of thy necessity: Instance but one (if thou canst, O thou officious flatterer, who hath stood firm for England's true freedom, that hath despised him: thy Patron Cromwell himself stumbling at this stone, he is fallen like Lucifer, yea, and all that steer his unsteedy course, do they not stagger and reel up and down like so many drunken men, and find no certain path wherein to walk, or set their feet, since they forsook the straight way of this just and impartial man, Mr. Lilburne.  
O England, (or rather thou true part of England, that knowest best what just freedom is) when thou wouldst know whether thou art bond or free, whether those thou trustest with thy freedom, power, and authority, deal well or ill with thee, or whether they be just, or unjust, thou needest not run to the King nor Parliament, neither to the House of the King's Lords, nor to House of the People's Commons, neither inquire of thy Lawyers, nor of thy Priests or Judges, but look only on him, consider his just cause, peruse his Writings, and defer not to give judgement, that they are altogether become abominable, and reprobate to every good work, that there is none of them that doth good, no not one, their throat is an open Sepulchre, not only in swallowing up thy good men greedily like a Whale, and devouring thy goods insatiably like Bell, or rather like hell: but with their tongues they speak nothing but lies of him, and the cause for which he suffereth, and yet promoteth for thy peace and freedom.  
Look, look upon him, all ye that pass by, yea, stand still, (I say) and look steadfastly on him, his wife and children; Is it not a weeping spectacle, and are there no tears yet in thine eyes, Whilst thou beholdest it? Look steedily on his bloody stripes, terrible gagging, cruel imprisonment, and barbarous usage, and likewise upon his actions and sufferings since; Were these unparallelled sufferings not at all, because most of them were some years, months, or weeks ago?  
Surely, O friends, ye seem (by your practice) to think so; if it were otherwise, whence comes so great an alteration in you, though there be both a constant and courageous progress in him.  
For no sooner entered he into any one of his afflictions formerly, but ye flocked about him like so many Bees at a hive, like friends and true comforters indeed, so that every one thought well or ill of themselves, as they comforted or neglected him.  
And seeing ye have found them all as stepmother's that have weaned you from him, O then return, return, revive in love, there being no oppression, nor burden, nor affliction so great, as the neglect of friends to one oppressed, burdened, and afflicted for a just cause, in prison; Be not you therefore after all the greatest, but lend him your societies, your comforts, your counsels, and assistance, as at the first, whenevery one was ready to run, ride, petition, or do any just thing for his encouragement, or enlargement.  
And never look that England shall be free, or that any good is really intended to this Nation, till this worthy man be set at liberty, with full reparations for his foul injurious and unjust sufferings; and be sure ye neither neglect, nor delay your endeavours to effect it, whatever it cost you, as he accounteth nothing too dear or precious for you; for if any one suffer, all aught to suffer with him, nor think yourselves religious either in your Fasts or Feasts, or any thing else, as in using all lawful means, which possibly may deliver the Captive, and set the oppressed free. Isai. 586.  
This indeed may cost you something, for ye are like to go through many difficulties to obtain it, but for these and the like ends, have ye your abilities; and without aiming at such, think not your religious exercises enough which costs you little or nothing: O! therefore, never cease, till ye procure him either free enlargement with reparations, or a Legal trial, that England may cease to mourn any more over this weeping spectacle.  
FINIS.