JONAHS' Cry out of the Whale's belly: Or, Certain Epistles writ by Lieu. Coll. john Lilburne, unto Lieu. General Cromwell, and Mr. John Goodwin: Complaining of the tyranny of the Houses of Lords and Commons at Westminster; and the unworthy dealing of divers (of those with him that are called) his Friends.  Jonah. 2.2, 3, 4. 
I cried, by reason of mine affliction, unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.  
For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.  
Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight, yet I will look again towards thy holy Temple.  Jer. 20 10, 11, 12. 
For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, say they, and we will report it: all my familiars watched for my halting, saying, peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.  
But the Lord is with me, as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecuters shall stumble, and they shall not prevail, they shall be greatly ashamed, for they shall not prosper, their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.  
But, O Lord of hosts, that triest the righteous, and seest the reins and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee I have opened my cause.  Micah. 7.5. 
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide.  Esay 63.9. 
In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his presence saved them, in his love, and in his pity he redeemed them.  

TO THE MAN WHOM GOD HATH honoured, and will further honour, if he continue honouring him, Lieu. General Cromwell at his house in Drury Lane, near the red-Lion this present.  
Much honoured Sir,  
IT is the saying of the wise man, That he that rewardeth evil for good, evil shall never departed from his house, the justness of which divine sentence engraven in nature, hath even engaged moral Heathens to a grateful acknowledgement of favours received, and hath been a sufficient obligation conscientiously to tie them, to acts of retribution to those for whom they have received them; and therefore (not only below a Christian, but a very moral Heathen, and Pagan should I judge myself if I should be forgetful of your seasonable favours, much more if I should return contrary effects unto you, which with all thankfulness I must acknowledge, took compassion ●● me in my bonds and chains even when I was at death's door, and was principally instrumental in delivering me from the very gates of death, in Anno 1640. and setting me free from the long and heavy Tyranny of the Bishops and Starchamber, even at that time when I was almost spent, which to me is so large an Obligation that I think while I live it will be engraven upon my heart as with the point of a Diamond, many particular respects since then, I must ingeniously confess I have caus● to take notice of from you; and one large one of late since I came into present capti●ies, which was for that large token you sent me, for which now in writing I return you many thanks.  
Sir I dare not now by way of boasting take upon me to enumerate my hazardous actions, which hath flowed from the truth of my affections to you in doing you real and faithful service, in maintaining the honour of your person, and your just interest, which was all the retrabution, that I in my poor condition, could answer all your kindnesses with, and truly if I be not mistaken I think I have been faithful, cordial, hearty, sincere and hazardious, in dischaging my engaged affection and duty to you, and the more high hath my thoughts been towards you, for that I have apprehended in you, in your service abroad, an affectionate, cordial, and free hearted spirit to the poor people of God: unto whom in times by past you have been as a Sanctuary, and hiding place, and God hath honoured you sufficiently for it, not only in giving you extraordinary large ●oome in the affections of thousands, and ten thousands of his chosen ones, but in hanging upon your ba●k the glory of all their achievements, by means of which you have been made mighty and great, formidable and dreadful in the eyes of the great ones of the world, and truly myself and all others of my mind that I could speak with, have looked upon you as the most absolute single hearted great man in England, untainted or unbiased with ends of your own. But dear Sir, give him leave that presumeth to say and that without flattery, he honoureth you as he doth his own life and being, that looking as a diligent spectator upon your actions and carriages, for this many months together, It hath struck him into an amaze, and filled his spirit as full of boilings and turmoilings as ever jeremiah's was, when he said thy word is within me like a burning fire, shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I could not stay Jer. 20.9. and truly Sir I was in pains and travel how to behave myself towards you, and feign I would have writ my mind freely and plainly unto you, but truly unto my own shame I must really acknowledge, I have been like Jonah who fled from the presence of God and the Errand he had to employ him upon. Jonah, 1.3. etc. and I have withstood those many pricking motitions, which I believe flowed from his spirit, and have either too much preferred my own ends, or my base carnal reasons, before the Dictates of God, but now am not able for all the world to forbear any longer, being lately forced, nolens volens, without rest or sleep, most seriously to meditate upon these following sayings of God, Exodus 23.6.7.8. Thou shalt not wrest the judgement of the poor in his cause. Keep thee fare from a false matter, and the innocent and the righteous slay thou not: For I will not justify the wicked. Thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. O dear Cromwell, the Lord open thy eyes, and make thy heart sensible of those snares that are laid for thee in that vote of the House of Commons of two thousand five hundred pounds per annum.  
And Deut. 16.19. God saith expressly, Thou shalt not wrest judgement, thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: For a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. And truly being very fearful and jealous in my own soul, that some of my true friends, with whom I have talked of yourself very freely of late, should shortly hit me in the teeth by reason of my silence to you, and too justly upbraid me with that saying of Ecclesiasticus, chap. 20 verse, 29. Presents and gifts bl●nd the eyes of the wise, and stop his mouth that he cannot reprove. And therefore, Sir, give me leave to say unto you in the wards of job, chap 32.21, 22. Let me not, pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man, for I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away. Now dear Sir, knowing that you cannot but know, that it is a saying of the Spirit of God, That faithful are the wounds of a Friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an Enemy. I come now downright to unbowel my mind unto you and truly to tell you, that in my thoughts I look upon the redeemed one's of jesus Christ in England, in as low and sad a condition, almost as the jews were in the third of Esther, when Haman upon this false suggestion to K Hashuerosh, [That there is a certain people scattered abroad, and dispersed amongst the people in all the provinces of the Kingdom, and their laws are divers from all people, neither keep they the King's laws, therefore it is not for the King's profit to suffer them] had obtained a Decree to destroy them all; and therefore as poor Mordicai in the bitterness of his spirit in the fourth chapter, said unto Queen Esther, so say I to thee, thou great man Cromwell, Think not with thyself, that thou shalt escape in the Parliament House, more than all the rest of the Lambs poor despised redeemed one's, and therefore, O Cromwell, if thou altogether holdest thy peace, (or stoppest or underminest as thou dost, our and the Armies petitions) at this time than shall enlargement and deliverance arise to us poor afflicted ones, (that have hitherto doted too much upon thee, O Cromwell) from another place then from you silken Independents, the broken reeds of Egypt in the House and Army) but thou and thy Father's House shall be destroyed: but who knoweth whether thou art come out of thy sickness, and to such a height in the kingdom, for such a time as this▪  
And therefore if thou wilt pluck up thy resolutions, like a man that will persevere to be a man for God, and go on bravely in the fear and name of God, and say with Esther, If I perish I perish; but if thou would not, know that here before God I arraign thee at his dreadful Bar, and there accuse thee of delusions and fair words, deceitfully, for betraying us, our wives and children into the Haman-like tyrannical clutches of Ho●●is and Stapleton (both now impeached): and the rest of that bloody and devouring faction, that hath designed us to utter ruin and destruction, and this land and kingdom to vassalage and slavery against whom we are sufficiently able to persevere ourselves, if it were nor for thee, O Cromwell, that art led by the nose by two unworthy covetous earthworms, Vain and St. john (I mean young Sir Henry Vain, and Solicitor St. john) whose baseness I sufficiently anatomised unto thee in thy bed above a year ago in Colonel Mountagues house in the Pears, as thou canst not but very well remember, and which I am resolved to the purpose shortly to print. 
* See the last page of the Outcries of the oppressed Commons, and the Resolved man's Resolution. p. 6. 7, 8 9, 10.  O Cromwell, I am informed this day by an Officer out of the Army, and by another knowing man yesterday, that came a purpose to me out of the Army, That you and your Agents are likely to dash in pieces the hopes of our outward preservation, Their petition to the House, and will not suffer them to petition till they have laid down their Arms, because forsooth you have engaged to the House they shall lay down their Arms whensoever they shall command them, although I say no credit can be given to the Houses Oaths and engagements, to make good what they have promised. And if this be true, as I am too much afraid it is; then I say, Accursed be the day that ever you had that influence among them; and accursed be the day that ever the House of Commons bribed you with a vote of 2500. l. per annum, to betray and destroy us. Sir, I am jealous over you with the height of godly jealousy, that you like Ephesus have forsaken your first love and zeal 
* Which is very probable: for Peter to save himself forswore and denied his Master, Matth. 26.72.73. yea, and for fear played also the hypocrite and dissembler, for which Paul reproved, and blamed him to his face, Galat. 2. , for which I am most hearty sorry, and should be very glad I were mistaken, and upon manifestation of which from you, I should very gladly cry you peccavi for my present heat: But Sir, if these Army news be true, I must bid you for ever Farewell, and must hereby declare myself an avowed enemy to your self-pecuniary interest, and all your copartners, and shall with more zeal bend all my abilities against you all, and unmask you to my friends, than my adversaries the tyrannical and arbitrary Lords, do the worst you can to my throat, which you used jestingly to say, you would cut so soon as ever I fell out with you.  
Sir, I have but a life to lose, and know that to die to me is gain, being now crucified to the world and it to me, and being now sufficiently able to trust God with my Wife and Children; but by the strength of God I am resolved Samson like, to sell my life at as dear a rate as I can, to my Philistine Adversaries, that shall either by force without law, endeavour to destroy me, or by treachery to undo me. And if the Army do disband before they petition, I, and all such as I am, must truly lay the whole blame upon you, and truly declare the House of Commons bribe Cromwell to betray the liberties of England into their tyrannical finger's Sir, is it not the General's Commission to preserve the laws and liberties of England? And how can he & those with him, without being esteemed by all men (that are not bribed, or prefer their own base interest before the common safety) the basest of men, to lay down their Arms upon any conditions in the world, before they see the laws and universal well known liberties of England firmly settled; especially seeing, as I will undertake publicly, and I hope shortly to prove, the Parliament tyrannizeth ten times more over us then ever the King did 
* See my printed Epistle to Colonel Martin, of the 31. of May, 1647. page 6, 7, 8, 36, 37, 38, & 48, 49, to 56. And see the first part of the justification of the King's Government against the Parliament, page 3, 4, 5, to the end. And Mr. Richard overton's Appeal, dated july 1647. : and I will maintain it, that by the law of this Kingdom, it is ten times easier to prove it lawful for us to take up Arms against them in the ways they now go, than it was for them to take up Arms when they did, against the King. And I profess I would do it, if I were rationably able to do it to morrow. For, if, as they have often said, That tyranny be resistable, than it is resistable in a Parliament as well as a King. Sir, I am not mad, nor out of my wits, but full of apprehensions of slavish consequences, reason and zeal, and should be glad it could speedily and justly be cooled by you, before it flame too high, which you will further understand I have grounded cause to make it, if you seriously read and ponder this enclosed Letter sent to Mr. john Goodwin, which with this, I have sent by the gravest, wisest, and fittest messenger I could think of, and though a Feminine, yet of a gallant and true masculine Spirit.  
And so I commit you to the wisest disposing of our wise God, and shall rest till I hear from you.  
From my soule-contented captivity in the Tower of London, for the Laws and liberties of England, against the tyranny of the house of Lords, and their associates, Lords would be, this 25 March, 16●7. Yours in much jealousy of you, john Lilburne.   

To his much honoured and much respected friend, Mr. John Goodwin, at his House in Swan-Alley, in Colemanstreet, these.  
Honoured and worthy Sir,  
I Am necessitated to write a few lines unto you, about a business that doth very much concern me, but in the first place, I desire to make my engaged acknowledgement unto you, and your congregation for your large kindnesses manifested unto me in this my present imprisonment in supplying my necessities: in which particular I must ingeniously confess I am more obliged to you singly, then to all the Congregations in and about London, and yet notwithstanding, have in some other things just cause to think myself more injured by some of your congregation then by all the avowed and professed adversaries I have in England; for against them I have a defence, but against a secret adversary (being a pretended friend) I have none, but am thereby subject to an unapprehended destruction. That which I have to lay to the charge of some of your members, is, That they have improved all their power, interest, and ability, to hinder all effectual means (whatsoever) that tended to procure my deliverance from a tyrannical captivity, and not only mine, but all the rest of my afflicted fellow-Commoners that are in the same affliction with me, (as Mr Richard Overton, his wife and brother, Mr. john Musgrave, Mr. Larners servant, etc.) for besides what they have done in London to crush all Petitions that tended to my just deliverance, they have improved their interest to destroy the Petition of Buckingham shire, and Hartford Shire, which was principally intended for the good of the prerogative Prisoners, myself, Mr. Overton, etc. for upon Monday last Lieut. Colonel Sadler came to the Rendezvous at Saint Alban's, and therein the name of divers knowing men of Mr. John Goodwines Congregation, improved all his interest utterly to destroy the Petitioner, so that what he did then, and Mr. Fe●ke an Independent Minister, who lives at or about Hartford, who being lately at London, brought down such discouraging news, that some of eminent quality of the Petitioners told me in these words, That if it had not been for the base, unworthy, undermining dealing of some of Mr. John goodwin's Congregation, they had had a thousand subscriptions for an hundred they have now, and a thousand to have come in person with the Petitioner for every hundred they had.  
Sir, I cannot but stand amazed to think with myself, what should be the ground and reason of these men's preposterous actings, point blank destructive to the welfare of every honest man in the Kingdom, and particularly the destruction of 
* Who hath never been out of the clutches of tyrants this ten years, who have several times made me spend myself to my very shirt.  me and my poor distressed Family and truly in my own thoughts, I think I could easily fix upon those worldly wise prudential men in the Parliament, 
* The chief of which I conceived to be you & Sir Hen. Van● and Solicitor St. John, whose aims I conceived are to be Lord Treasurer & Lord Keeper, or if they miss of the titles, yet to enjoy the power and profit thereof, or else to be as near it as may be.  that set them at work on purpose to keep the people from seeking for their own liberties and freedoms, that so they may not be disturbed in the enjoyment of their great and rich places, which I am afraid they prize above the welfare of all the godly men in England, and the Laws, liberties and freedoms thereof for all their great and g●lded professions, and truly as much cause have I administered to me, particularly and publicly to fall foul upon them, and their proud, imperious, unjust; and self interests, as they underhand have fallen upon me, my liberty and welfare, but by reason of those many engagements, by which I stand obliged to yourself, for your so stout & deep engagement for the public welfare of all those that thirst after either moral, or religious righteousness: I could do no less but write these lines unto you, before I put my necessitated resolution unto real action, and earnestly to entreat you to spare so much time from your weighty employments, as to do me the favour to let me speak a few words with you, and if you please to bring Mr. Price along with you  
So with my truest respect presented to you, I commit you to the protection of the most High, and rest,  
Your true and real friend to serve you, JO. LILBURNE From the Tower this 13. of Feb. 1646.   

A second letter to Leiu. General Cromwell, to press home the former.  
Honoured Sir;  
I writ a large letter to you of late, and by the bearer of it I received a verbal answer from you, & by an other friend of Bristol at a distance I understood a little from you, but neither of them satisfactory to me, nor any thing else that I have lately heard from you, or any of your over wise friends, that are not able to trust God with three half pen●e; so that my spirit is as high as it was when I last writ to you, and altogether unsatisfied. But in regard my soul earns towards you I cannot but once again by this true friend write two lines unto you, to tell you that I cannot sit still though I die for it, and see you that are reputed honest conscientious men be the betrayers and destroyers of your poor native Country, and the laws and liberties thereof 
* 
For while you sit in the House in silence, and publish nothing to the public view, of your dislike of the base things that are continually Acted in the House, you are in the sight of men approvers of them all, yea, and treacherous betrayers of your Friends and Country. Who think all is well, because that you are reputed honest men sit there, and they see nothing of your dislike of any thing done there, and therefore are subject to be held asleep with security till destruction be even at their doors, and ready to seal upon them, whereas if ye played the faithful watchmen to your native Country as you ought to do, to warn them betimes of the danger they are in, by the tyrannical treacherous vilians amongst you, they would easily be awakened and provide for their own safety, by the speedy destruction of those that would destroy them which is but just and reasonable. 1 part book Declarations page 150.    
I can now say no more at present, but that I was yours, and still am England's Cordial Friend,  
John Lilburne. April 10. 1647.   

For the Honourable Lieutenant General CROMWELL, this present at St. Albon.  
Honoured Sir,  
NOthing indears my heart so much to any man, or men in the world, as honesty, integrity, and justice: the contrary of which makes me abhor those in whom I find it, although never so great and potent Sir, I shall without much compliment, return you many and hearty thanks for your active pains, and upon those representations I have of your present courage, I do assure you I would willingly be a Pioneer with you, and hazard, if I had them, a million of lives for you: But never was I so afraid of all mine enemies, as of divers of those great ones I have looked upon as your chieife Councillors. Sir, your delay hath given extraordinary heart to your adversaries (who under hand make large preparations against you) and unexpressible sadding of spirit to all your cordial friends, insomuch that I for my part, have even despaired of any good from you: the which hath not in the least quenched my resolutions, but more fully fixed me with magnanimity flowing from the God of valour and courage, to die upon my own and my old principles: I am very confident that if you delay a few days longer, you unavoidably involve thi● k●ngdome in a large effusion of blood 
† For your adversaries in Parliament being so false and faithless, as by their constant actions they have declared themselves to be, they will give you good words, & their faith and promises, to lull you asleep, that so underhand in the time of your Treaty, they may themselves to be able to cut your throats; which is the daily work they secretly go about: And then have at you with a vengeance. . What I have to beg and entreat of you as for my life, is First, immediately to march with a Declaration of peace and love to the body of the City; the doing of which will enable your friends here, I confidently hope, to do your work for you in sequestering the ●●. Members. As for justice at present you nor any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cannot expect it. For the judges at Westminste H●●l by Law are no judges See the 27 H. 8. 2●. and 〈◊〉 Ordinance of Parliament by law can take away ●o 〈◊〉 life, I am sure of it. See the 2 part. instit. fol. 41 48. & ● part. fol. 22. & 4. part. fol. 23 25. 48 ●0 〈…〉 Declaration. But if you should say, it is but just that an Ordinance should take away the lives of those that have made them take away the lives of others, yet I say the most of the members are so guilty, that they will never condemn thee.  
The second thing I beg of you, is, That with all candour you endeavour to understand the King, and let him understand you, and deal with him as becomes honest men that play above board, and do their actions as in the sight of God, for the good of all. I have in th●s particular fully by word of mouth, communicated my mind to Tim Trevers, to be communicated to you: And this if I were with you, upon my life I durst despair against you all, that as things stand, both in point of policy, honesty, and conscience, you must apply to the King, without which the peace of the Kingdom can never be settled: and by Parliament having so tyrannised, that they are grown as hateful to just man, as the Devil. And do confidently believe he will grant any thing that is rational, that you or the Kingdom can desire at his hands, for their future good, security and preservation.  
Now one thing I shall propound to your consideration, That you be not deceived by your Scout-master general, Watson who I am apt confidently to believe, will never honestly and uprightly adventure the ●aking of his finger either for God, his Country, or the Army, further than he may be thereby of the stronger side, and be a gainer. As for Dr. Stanes, whatever you think of him, I aver he is a juggling knave, the which I told you above two years ago at Ilchester, and I will justify it, and am confident, will deceive you in the day of trial. And as for Nath Rich, you yourself know him to be a juggling paltry base fellow: Remember what you told him to his face in his own Chambers in Fleetstreet before me and my wife, and two more, at the time Manchesters' treason was upon examination. And besides, his own Captain Lieutenant in my chamber, some weeks since, shown me such letters of his to him, under his own hand, that gives me cause to judge him fully to be a juggling, dissembling, treacherous, Hen-hearted base fellow, which I desire you and all the honest men in the Army to beware of, as of a plague and pest. And if he shall find himself aggrieved at it, I say, tell him I will to his teeth, with my sword in my hand in any ground in England, justify what I say 
* And this I say to you, that it is but just and fit that those that pretend to be reformers, reform first at home, lest they render them ridiculous to all that setiously look upon their actions. ,  
Sir, in the way of justice, and single-hearted righteousness, in the midst of all miseries, I am  
22. june, 1647, Yours until death, john Lilburne.  
The Bearer by word of mouth hath from me more to say to you.   

For Lieutenant General Cromwell this with speed, present at Wickham.  
Honoured Sir,  
MY thoughts about the proceedings of some of your great ones in the Army, have been exceedingly perplexed, which hath set my brains upon an unwearied study, which in an Epistle would be too large to express unto you, only I cannot (for former engagements sake, and the common good) but acquaint you with the 〈…〉 of them before I print them.  
You cannot but know that you several times, in a forcible manner kept me in Manchesters' Army, when I would (for that baseness and treachery acted there) have deserted it, and have betaken myself to travels; Remember our discourse at Banbury, etc.  
And you know when he and you came to contest, I stood close to you, and to truth and Justice then on your side, without fear or double ends: Although both Watson, your Scout-master General, and Staines your Muster-master General, with Coll. Nat. Rich, your darling, played the paltry Knaves, and juggled with you, of which in part you complained before me and my wife, to Rich his face, in your own chamber at Dillinghams' house, and called him before us, base Rascal, and cowardly and perfidious fellow, with much more I very well remember.  
You cannot but know that all my present sorrows are come upon me by Manchesters' means and his creatures, for my zeal to truth and justice, against him and all his treacherous confederates, who had (as I conceive) ear now got the gallows, if you had followed him with as much vigour and strength as you should, and I was made believe you would. But you plucked your head out of the 
* Accursed be the vote of the House of Commons, which voted you 2500 l per annum, which vote and nothing else hath kept Manchesters' head upon his shoulders.  collar, and I was catched in the briers, and have been exposed to a thousand deaths by my imprisonment, etc. most illegally, barbarously and tyrannically, and the House of Commons would do me no justice; though I turned (I think) as many stones to procure it, as any man whatsoever in England could. But was betrayed and unworthily disserted, both by yourself, Henry Martin, 
† Read my late Epistle to him, page 1, 2, 3. 4, 5, 6, etc. now in Print. Dated 31. of May. 1647  and all my friends there, whose actions to me are nothing else but declarations of yourself seekings, without purely eyeing either Trust or Justice: for which God undoubtedly will lash and scourge you. And when I saw that they wou●d not hear, regard, or receive, but burnt, or slighted all those just Petitions; I set underhand on foot, for Justice and my liberty, I applied myself vagarously unto the honest blades, the private Soldiers, I mean, of the Army, though I have nothing to speak of your gallant General (to me in a manner a stranger) but praises.  
And when by much industry with much of position from yourself and others of your fellow Grandees in the Army, I had been instrumental with the expense of a great deal of money▪ and with all the interest and industry I had in the world; acted both night and day to settle the Soldiers in a complete and just posture, by their faithful agitators chosen out by common consent from amongst themselves, as resolute, s●●, and just instruments to effect my Liberty, to give a check to tyranny, and settle the peace and justice of the Kingdom, not looking for any good at all from yourself, and the rest of your fellow great ones, that truly in my apprehension are transendently degenerated, & have bought and sold, (and intent visibly more fully to do it) the Laws, Liberties and Justice of the Kingdom for your own ends and greatnesses, which opinion is every day confirmed and strengthened in me, in that you have not only done it already, but go on still and intent more fully to do it, in that in a manner you have robbed, by your unjust subtlety, and shifting tricks the honest and gallant agitators, of all their power and authority, and solely placed 〈◊〉 in a thing called a Counsel of War, or rather a Cabenet Junio of seven or eight proud self ended fellows, that so you may without control make up your own ends; for I know your practices of old, which I am credibly informed is lately renewed, and the chiefest of them before mentioned, whom I &c. have experience sufficiently of, are as base as base can be; And will sell Christ, their Country, friends, relations, and a good conscience for a little money or worldly honour. And yet some of them must be the chief and only men to place and displace all Officers in the Army.  
And the aforesaid two general Officers were as I am confidently informed from a good hand moved for by yourself at a Council of War, to be the managers of the charge against the eleven Members, although yourself, I dare aver it, believes, That put them both together, they have not so much courage as to encounter with a weasel or a Poulecat, much less with such sons of Anak, as the eleven Members are, and I am sure both of them put together hath not so much honesty, as will fill a Tailor's thimble, much less so much as will make them deny their lives, liberties and interests; which of necessity they must have that resolutely and faithfully undertake that employment, yet, as I am told, they had been the men, if your wise son Ireton had not been apprehensive that the Council of war had lost all their brains at their departure.  
Sir, in short, what I hear not once, twice, thrice, nor a dozen times from you hath so perplexed my spirit, and filled me with amazement, that thereby I must as a faithful plain dealer tell you, that I am necessitated wholly to withdraw my present good thoughts from you and others with you, and must and will print my conceptions to the view of the world, that so you may delude, and destroy honest simple hearted, plain dealing men no longer, cost it what it will, I value it not, being necessitively compelled either to remove every stone that lies in my way, that hinders me, from obtaining my just ends, Justice and my just liberty; or else to power out my bowels upon them with lifting them, and I sufficiently hear of the Jeers, plottings and contrivings, of your favourites against me and all such as I am.  
Therefore do you and they look to yourselves as well as you can, for the uttermost of my strength and interest shall speedily be amongst you publicly, unless you speedily and effectually, without compliment take some speedy course, that I face to face may speak my mind to yourself, of which I desire a positive and satisfactory answer within four days at the farthest: I desire no favour from Lords or Commons etc. but if I have transgressed the Law: let me fully be punished by the Law, 
* And by the Law of this Kingdom (which by all your oaths you yourself have sworn to maintain) there ought to be Gaol deliveries three times a year, and more oftener if need required, 4. Ed. 3. 2. see the oppressed man's expressions declared. pag. 3. & 4. part. justit. cap. 30. pag. 168. 169. And all this is for that end, that the prisoner may have (according to the 29. chap. of Magna Charta, & the King's Coronation oath) speedy Justice, & not be destroyed by a long lingering imprisonment, which the Law abhors, and therefore the late impeached members in their own case, lately in their petition to the House, tells them, That delays of justice is equally forbidden with the denial of justice, and yet I have above a whole year been imprisoned by the Lords, and can come to no trial, though I have with earnestness sought it, neither have I any accusation or crime laid unto my charge, or so much as any witness or informer to appear against me, to the transcendent violation of all the laws of the land, and contrary to all Rules of proceed in the way of Justice, as the foresaid petitioners aver, who although they be impeached of treason in the highest nature, and the particulars of their impeachment declared, and prosecuters with witnesses upon oath ready avowedly to make it good, yet are they suffered to walk at liberty by the Parliament, contrary to the declared and known law of the land, and the universal practice of the laws of the Kingdom in all Ages; yea and their own in the case of the Earl of Strafford, Bishop of Canterbury, Judge Battlet, with many others, who they required and caused immediately to be secured and imprisoned upon a general impeachment, without declaring any particulars in the least. O brave judging Parliament, who have forgot to be just, and visibly mind and practice nothing but playing at Hocus Pocus, and the protecting of treason, cheating, knavery and roguery in each other, for which they deserve the most transcendent punishment that ever amongst men was inflicted upon Villains, Tyrants, and Traitors, to their trust.  but not destroyed in prison without and against Law, which if I can help it, I will not be without a witness; or if I have done no evil, which my adversaries declare I have not, in that as yet they have laid nothing to my charge: then I require immediately to be delivered with just reparations, and this I know lies in your power to effect in three days if you please▪ And so desiring the God of Council to direct you, I rest,  
From my causeless captivity in the Tower of London, this first of July, 1647. Your true friend in the ways of Justice and Truth till death, john Lilburne.   

I shall conclude with the Copy of a letter I sent Lieutenant General Cromwell into the West, Decemb. 9 1645.  
Dear and Honourable Sir:  
THe endearednesse of my affections towards You, for those excellencies that I have seen in you, and for those real respects that I have enjoyed from you (but especially in that God hath honoured you and counted you worthy to be a Patron to his people) ties me to have high and honourable thoughts of you, and by how much the more my esteem is of you, by so much the more do I judge it my duty to speak my mind freely and plainly to you (although in the eye of the world, yea by thousands of degrees below you) and I hope you will make no other constructions of my words, then that they are the clear demonstrations of the cordial affections of a real, plain and single hearted friend of yours, who you very well know was never skilful in the wicked art of flattery, colloging or dissimulation.  
From my Brother have I by two letters received an invitation (as coming from yourself) to come down into the Army, but I beseech you give me leave to inform you that the foils, affronts, and undermining usages that I met with (not from you but others of more quality than honesty, when I was last in the Army, hath stuck in my stomach ever since, & could never yet be digested by me & though I do protest, I highly honour yourself, and could willingly (if I know my own heart) lay down my life for you, your honour and reputation, as soon as for my father that begot me, or the dearest friend I have upon the face of the earth: Yet so deep impression hath the deal with myself, and others of my dear friends, that I have taken notice of both before that time, and since, (from one and the same parties) taken upon my spirit that I have many times, and still do in a manner scorn to take employment under those persons, where the son or sons of Machevell hath such sway, power, and authority, by advice, policies and counsels, as the party or parties that I know abused me hath in your Army, and give me leave without passion, to tell you, that I say you yourself harbour in your breast a Snake or Snakes, although you will not know it, you, and I say, there are those that have no small influence into you, that if the wheel of honour and profit shall turn round every day in the week, they are able to carry themselves so that they shall be no losers by it, yea, and are able (and have principals to do it) to give the t●●est words in the world to you, or any other honest man they deal with, when they intent to cut your throat, and supplant and undermine you, and this I am able to make good: Sir you may remember what you used to say, That it was the greatest honour and glory that my Lord of Manchester ever had in the world, that he was a Commander of so many of God's people: and give me leave to say the same to you, and also give me leave to tell you, that, that which lost my Lord's estimation amongst God's people was the harkening to the evil advice of those that had as specious pretences as those I mean above you, and I wish that your harkening to theirs may not eclipse (though I hope it will never lose) that respect that flows from God's people towards you: Sir I run not at random, but speak upon grounds from something lately come unto my knowledge and observation, and I have now discharged my duty and my conscience, take it as you please, and when you and I meet I shall clearly lay down my grounds unto you, if you please to give me leave, which I shall take for a greater honour, then if I had been one in the new Model of Dukes & Barons, lately so made by vote; for my part I will not take upon me now to give you advice, but shall leave you to the wise Counsellor of all his, who tells me honesty is the best policy, and uprightness begets boldness, neither have I any thing now to desire of you for myself, or any of my friends, being resolved by the goodness of God patiently to be content with my portion, though it be but bread and water, with the enjoiment of the cordial affections of the simple and contemned people of God, and rather here hazard myself in seeking for justice and right which is my due, then to go abroad to venture my life again in fight I know not wherefore, as I have done hitherto, unless it be to set up tyranny, violence, injustice, and all manner and kind of baseness. So craving pardon for my boldness (and it may be too plain lines) I commit you to the protection of the most High, with as much sincerity and uprightness as I do my own soul.  
And shall ever remain, London this 9 Decemb. 1645. Your faithful, plain and truth-telling friend and servant, John Lilburne.    

The Postscript.  
It may be divers may demand to know the reason wherefore I writ, and caused to be printed, the foregoing Epistles; unto whom at present I return this answer, That because the Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax, is not now an Army acting by a Commission, either from the King, or the two Houses: for although they were raised by an Ordinance of the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster, for the defence of the King and Parliament, the true Protestant Religion (not the Scotch, jewish, Antichristian enslaving Presbytery) and the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom (not the Arbitrary wills of the Houses) as appears by the Ordinance of the 15. Feb. 1644. 2. part. book Declar. fol. 599. which positively commands Sir Thomas Fairfax from time to time, to submit to, and obey all such orders and directions as he shall receive from both Houses of Parliament, or from the Committee of both Kingdoms. Yet now he and his Army apprehending and believing, that the wicked and swaying Faction in both Houses, would destroy them, and enslave the whole Kingdom, do not only dispute the two Houses orders and commands, but also positively disobey them, as unjust, tyrannical, and unrighteous: And being now thereby dissolved into the original law of Nature, hold their swords in their hands for their own preservation and safety, which both Nature, and the two Houses practices and 
* See the ●. part. bo, declare p. 44. 93, 94, 150, 202, 205, 307, 382, 277, 269, 279, 446, 496, 637, 690, 700, 7●7, 722, 723, 726, 728  Declarations teaches them to do, and justifies them in, and now act according to the principles of Saifety, flowing from Nature, Reason, and Justice, agreed on by common consent and mutual agreement amongst themselves; in which every individual private Soldier, whether, Horse or Foot, ought freely to have their vote, to choose the transactors of their affairs, or else in the fight of God, and all rational men, are discharged from obeying, stooping, or submitting to what is done by them  
And that they do now act upon the foresaid Principles, is clear by their printed engagement of the 5. of July 1647. called, A solemn engagement of the Army under the command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, read, assented unto, and subscribed by all Officers and Soldiers of the several Regiments at the general Randezvouz near Newmarket, In which agreement, or solemn engagement, they say, That the Soldiers of this Army (finding themselves so stopped (as before they there declare) in their due & regular way of making known their just grievances, and desires to, and by their Officers) were enforced to an unusual (but in that case necessary) way of correspondency and agreement amongst themselves, to choose out of the several Troops & Companies, several men, and those out of their whole number, to choose two or more for each Regiment, to act in the name and behalf of the whole Souldery of the respective Regiments, Troops, and Companies.  
And a little further they express themselves thus: We the Officers and Soldiers of several Regiments hereafter named, are now met at a general Rendezvouz, have subsubscribed unto the said solemn engagement, and do hereby declare, agree, and promise, to and with each other, and to and with the Parliament, and Kingdom, as followeth.  
First, that we shall cheerfully and readily disband, etc. having first such satisfaction and security in these things, as shall be agreed unto BY A COUNCIL TO CONSIST OF THOSE GENERAL OFFIGERS OF THE ARMY (who have concurred with the Army in the premises) WITH TWO COMMISSION OFFICERS, AND TWO SOLDIERS TO BE CHOSEN FOR EACH REGIMENT, who have concurred, and shall concur with us in the premises, and in this agreement. And by the Major part of such of them who shall meet in Council for that purpose, when they shall be thereunto called by the General. Secondly, that without such satisfaction and security as aforesaid, we shall not willingly disband nor divide, nor suffer ourselves to be disbanded or divided.  
So that by these words in their agreement, you see the foresaid position proved, that they act by mutual consent, or agreement. Now to have this agreement, or solemn engagement invaded or broken, either by the subtlety, fraud, or power of the Officers, and a power assumed by themselves, to act all their chief business contrary to this Agreement, is an action that merits a kicking (if not worse) out of the Army, to all those Officers (be they what they will be) that were chief actors and contrivers of it.  
For the most Devilish, subtle, undermining and destroying way that can be taken by the greatest haters of the Army, Stapleton, Hollis, or the Assembly, to destroy and overthrow them, and to have their wills not only of them, but also of all that wish them well, is by their pecuniary charms, flatteries, gifts, bribes, promises, or delusions, to put the officers by their, agents upon the invading and infringing the essential and common rights of the Army before expressed, which within a little while will beget such pride, scorn and contempt in the Officers against the Soldiers (who to their eternal praises be it spoken, did the work to their hands, and acted at the beginning like prudent and resolved men, when all or most of the Officers sat still like so many Drones and Snekes) as will breed unquenchable heart-burnings in the Soldiers against them, which will speedily draw them into discontents and factions against them, which of necessity will speedily break out into civil broils amongst them, & so undoubtedly destroy them: for what occasions all the wars in the world, but invading of rights? And what occasioned all the late broils betwixt the King and the two Houses, but the invasion of rights? And what hath occasioned the present difference betwixt the two Houses and the Army, but the two Houses invading their rights, and endeavouring to make them slaves, by arbitrary Lording over them, by proclaiming them traitors, for endeavouring to acquaint them with their grievances, and invasion of the common and agreed of rights before mentioned of the private Soldiers of the Army by the Council of War, etc. will evedently and apparently occasion the same betwixt the Officers and Soldiers of the Army: And therefore accursed be he that is the causer or contriver of it. For if it be treason in a Kingdom (as Str●fford and Canterbury found it to be) to endeavour the subversion of the fundamental Laws and Rights of the Kingdom; can it be less than treason in the Army for any of their Officers to endeavour the subversion of their essential, fundamental Laws, Rights, and agreements expressed in their foresaid solemn Engagements. And truly, being more than jealous, that it was the study, labour and practice of some Officers in the Army, to invade the foresaid rights of the private Soldiers of the Army, which if continued in, will destroy them, and so by consequence the whole Kingdom and myself: For if they do not deliver us from vassalage, we are perfect slaves, and so made by the treachery of our Servants, our trusties in Parliament. And therefore out of love and affection to my native country, and my own Being, I could do no less then by my writing, etc. endeavour the prevention of it, and also give a hint of those that my often intelligence told me again and again, were like to be the most pernicious instruments in it, which is before named. And seeing my writing was to no purpose, nor took not any such effect as I hoped it would, but rather procured me menaces and threats, which I value no more than the wind that blows, fearing no man in the world, nor caring for the favour or friendship of any in the world whatsoever he be, no further than I find him just and honest, at least morally so: And therefore in mercy to my own Being, and the well-being of my native country, I can do no less then publish the foregoing Letters as an Alarm to all the private Soldiers in the Army, and to all their honest Officers, that really, cordially, and hearty desire the settlement of all men's just interest in England, whose principles are not destructive to cohabitation and humane neighbourhood and society, that they may awake out of their sluggish dreams, before their and the Kingdom's enemies surprise them, beat up and destroy them in their quarters; which I am confident will speedily and unavoidably be their portion, unless they have extraordinary watchful eyes over Nich. Machiavils chief sons amongst them, and preserve their  agreement entire, and do what they intent to do quickly and resolvedly, their delays already having amongst thousands that honoured them, shaken their reputation: And if any guilded or varnished Scribe or Pharisee, as tithe monging Noy or Marshal ' who were principal instruments to bring the Scotch, and the Devil's Fetters (the Covenant) into this Kingdom, almost to the ruin (I am sure to the perjury) thereof find themselves aggrieved, I desire to let them know, that Fiat justitia ruat Celum is my Motto, and if I perish, it shall be in the following of justice for justice sake.  
16. of July 1647. John Lilburne.   

A Copy of a Letter written to Coll. Henry Martin, a Member of the House of Commons, by Leiu. Col. john Lilburn july. 20. 1647.  
SIR,  
YOur Delitory and unjust delaying to make my Report to your House according to your duty, hath so hastened forward the ruin & destruction of me, my wife & tender infants, and riveted the House of Lords fast in their tyrannical domination, That I cannot now style you either a friend to me, the Commonwealth, or to justice truth, or honesty, and of all men in the world I should least have dreamt to have found such unworthy and unjust dealing from you; But yet notwithstanding, by reason of a Paper come from the Army, a copy of which I have even now seen, (which desires of the House of Commons that I, etc. may immediately, and legally be tried, or if the great Affairs of the Kingdom will not suffer them to debate my business at present, that then I may be bailed,) I therefore desire you to acquaint the House, that the Law of the Land is clear and plain, that the Lords in the case in controversy betwixt me and them, have no Jurisdiction at all over me, or any Commoner of England whatsoever, and I have justly protested against them, and legally appealed 
* Which Appeal you may read in the Free man's Freedom vindicated, pag 9, 10, 11.  above a year ago to your House for justice against their insufferable usurpations and incrochments; (the enjoyment of which is principally hindered by yourself) and therefore I require according to Law, justice equity, conscience and reason; either to be justified or condemned by your House, which is done in an hour there being nothing wanting but your Report of it, and their Judgement upon it. And as for bail, I will by the goodness of God be cut in a thousand pieces, before I will in this case stoop the breadth of one heir, or do any act that in my own understanding shall declare my owning of their jurisdiction in the least over me, which my giving bail, or so much as my Parroule would do, which in my apprehension would be a granting that their most devilish tyrannical illegal sentensing of me, to pay 4000 l', and to be seven years in prison, and for ever to be d●●sranchised of the Liberties of an English man, were just and legal: And therefore if you will discharge your duty after above a years unjust delay in making my Report to your House, I shall yet thank you but if you will not the blood, and ruin of me and mine, be upon the head of you and your posterity, and the righteous and just God of heaven and earth, either incline your heart to make my Report for me now at last (let the issue be what it will be, I care not, as I fully told you in my last large Epistle to you of the 31. of May 1647. now in print pag 4, 5, 6.) or else speedily avenge my cruel sufferings (by your means) without mercy or compassion upon you and yours. Sir in short, if your House will (as they ought) give me my Liberty, without entanglements, I will take it, if not, I am resolved to stick so close to my just cause, till I be forced to eat my own flesh for want of bread, which in the eye of human reason cannot be long before I be forced to do it, but assure yourself that if the putting forth all the resolution in a man that for this ten years, never feared death, tortures, nor torments; (no, nor yet knew what belonged to base fear,) will save me or do me good, I will by the strength of God leave no means whatsoever unattempted or unassaid, though it lose me all the earthly props and relations I have in the world; and I advise you, as a friend, to look well to yourself, & do not continue such insupportable burdens upon me by your delay of justice, after suffering shipwreck of my estate and fortunes, by the grand tyrannical Tyrants of England, for above ten years together, as I am not able longer to bear without evident destruction to me & mine, & so at present I rest, & wish I could subscribe myself:  
Your Servant John Lilburne.  
From my causeless and most unjust Captivity in the Tower of London, the place of my fixed and resolved resolution, to spend the last drop of my heart blood against the House of Lords Usurpations over the legal rights and freedoms of all the Commons of England, july 20 1647.