AN ALARVM To the House of LORDS: Against their insolent Usurpation of the COMMON LIBERTIES, AND Rights of this Nation.  
Manifested by them, in their present Tyrannicall Attempts against that Worthy COMMONER, Lieutenant Col. JOHN LILBURNE, defemder of the Faith, And of his Countries Freedoms, both by his Words, Deeds and Sufferings, against all Tyrants in the kingdom; Whether Black-coats, Papists, Kings, Lords, &c.  
Printed in the year. 1646.   

AN ALARUM To the House of LORDS: Against their Insolent Usurpation of the Common Liberties and Rights of this Nation.  
IN the first place Wee demand a Reason of you, to know; Why you( which are such arrogaters of Titles of Honour, should of all others,) slight Him so far, as to style him onely John Lilburne, and neither Mr. John Lilburne, though you know him to be a true born Gentleman, Nor Lieutenant colonel, though you know him to be a Valiant and faithful soldier for his Countreys Liberties.  
Wee cannot suppose you do it because you know him to be a true and real Christian: with whom the vanity of Titles and Honours, are not regarded: No certainly, Wee have no such Pious thoughts of you, Wee suppose you esteem those marks of the Gentiles too much, to do it out of that true respect; We may be bold to style them marks of Gentiles, Wee have our Saviours own Warrant for it, who saith, The Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, &c. But it shall not be so among you: Whosoever will be chief among you,( Christians,) let him be your servant: Gracious LORDS, or Favourable LORDS, titles that could not be pro[er amongst Christians; with whom there was no Ruler, nor Government, but by common Election and consent, agreeable to Our House of Commons; every Ruler had his Rule; Which he was to observe out of duty: and could not be gracious or favourable, which necessary implies a Power assumed above the Rule, and denominates those that exercise such a Power, to be Lords in an overruling sense, a thing which stands neither with Justice nor Christianity.  
But if Titles were of any value, or Honour of any esteem, he deserveth the Title of Lieutenant colonel, and the honor he hath gotten in the field in defence of his Countreys Liberties, as well as any of you, your Titles or Honours, if not better and more Worthily; for by what means some of you came by yours, is very uncertain, but this is certain, that most of you gained no part of it yourselves: and the common ways your ancestors gained it for you, was generally by adhering to Kings, in subduing and oppressing the Commons, or by pleasing their Lusts, malice, Revenge, or covetousness; for so Histories manifest, and those that have been made Lords in our times, have been advanced by the same occasions;  
As for Example, What was Sir lionel Cranfield advanced for, but for betraying the secrets of the City, and devising ways to shark the People; being now earl of Middlesex? What was Coventry advanced for, but for his great abilities in deceivings, and various ways to oppress the People, heaping up Masses of wealth by extremity of Bribery, Extortion,( and Cruelty, which Mr. Norton and Wiseman full dearly felt:) for which virtues, his son, and sons son forsooth, must be Lords for ever? How came montague to be Lord Privie-Seale, and earl of Manchester, but by the most palpable corruption that ever was; and his son must now remain an earl, and Speaker in the House of peers; Wee need not enlarge; for yourselves know very well how, and by what means you came to be Lords; and for what ends; and cannot deny, if honour were the Reward of true virtue; but that Lilburne deserveth more, then what you would, or can take from him.  
And therefore, in the Charge you bring against him,( if yet you will persist,) afford him his Title, or lay down your own titles; use him not altogether like a slave, though you have made New-gate his habitation, and from thence have removed him to the Tower of London; Whether to murder him privately from the Peoples Knowledge, We cannot tell; but We judge little less.  
Times may alter, and when you have done your uttermost, he will be proved, both by his Life and Death, an honest and faithful man to his long enslaved Country; for freeing whereof, he hath suffered and done more then all your Lordships.  
You have but ill counsel, and abuse yourselves grossly, in using him in this Tyrannous manner; What gain you by sending him from one prison to another, but a worse Name and Repute then the Star-chamber, that sent him but to the Fleet; you plainly show, you intend to take away his Life, which that Tyrannous Court never pretended; and for his Close Imprisonment, and to keep him from pen ink and Paper; from the comfort of his Friends; yea from the very sight of him at his Prison-window, or of their administering any refreshment of food or the like unto him, though earnestly desired, and endeavoured by divers of his and the kingdoms friends, even since his coming into the Tower; and now forsooth his friends may speak with him, but it must be in the presence of his Keeper, but not with any sense of his, and our national Rights and Freedoms, but rather as a Gin or a Trap to catch some of his, and the Nations best friends into your Prerogative Clutches; for none must be permitted to see him, but must first give in his Name, and the place of his habitation; a pratty device, could your Lordships but catch old Birds with chaff!  
But by this We may discern your most insufferable encroachments upon our Common Rights, daily increasing upon us; which in time, if not prevented, will wholly enslave and vassalage us all; for it is come to this already;  
That the FREEE-MEN of ENGLAND cannot go to see their fellow COMMONER, without hazard of their Freedoms.  
An act so unreasonable, and destructive to us, that Wee cannot but take notice of it; and let you know, That Wee cannot, neither will WEE suffer such intolerable Affronts at your hands.  
If timely Cautions will not avail with you, you must expect to be bridled, for Wee are resolved upon our natural Rights and Freedoms, and to be enslaved to none, how Magnificent soever, with Rotten Titles of Honour. For do you imagine there is none abroad of his mind, who though he were dead and destroyed by you, would prosecute those works and Discoveries of the Peoples Rights, which he hath begun; Yes, more then you are ware of, that can, nay, & are resolved to paint forth your Interest to the Life, if you will not content yourselves the sooner with whats your own; and leave the Commonners to the Commons.  
But let Us see, what you have against this Worthy Christian.  
1. For his high contempt against your House: In Protesting, that( he being a Commoner,) you had no jurisdiction over him: and this is so evidently just, and agreeable to Magna Charta,( that little Remainder of Light,) that all sorts of judicious men agree with him herein: and the Opinion of all the Judges will be as soon credited for the legallity of shipmoney, as for The Lords jurisdiction over the Commons:  
And for refusing to kneel at your bar, as his Reason would not permit him in so submiss a way to own the Authority he had disclaimed, so his Conscience ought to be satisfied out of Scripture, of the lawfulness of such Ceremonies.  
2. For two scandulous, seditious, and most dangerous Pamphlets, tending to raise Sedition in this realm: and to subvert the fundamental laws and Government of this kingdom.  
A most high Charge, and pretended to be proved out of two Pamphlets, one whereof is entitled, The Just mans Justification: and this Tueatise affords,( for a great part of it,) onely a Relation of colonel Kings abuse of his trust, and that a Charge depended against him for the same, unto which Mr. Lilburne was a material witness: by Occasion whereof King Arrests, and sues him upon pretence of being called traitor by him: this svit occasions Mr. Lilburne, to look into the Proceedings of the Law: finds it full of tricks and quillets, snares, forms and puntillians, irrational, and tending to his ruin, and the perpetual vexation of the People: and for safe-guard of himself, Petitions the Honourable 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, as being confident, King would be proved a traitor thereby: This Petition he could never get delivered, or red in the House: then, to save himself, he writes this Discourse to Judge Reeves; and therein lays open the unreasonableness of the laws, and Proceedings in Law, now in force in this Nation: And in true Love and Zeal to his abused Country; falls afterwards upon the extreme want of public Justice, complains of partiality, and respect of Persons, shows it to be against the mind and will of God, in whose sight there is no difference at all; but he that sheddeth,( or causeth to be  shed,) mans blood, by man shall his blood be  shed, wherein he useth a comparison, which to squeamish stomacks is somewhat offensive, but true enough; for God judgeth not as man judgeth: the poor Tradesman, and the Rich; the Noble and Ignoble, are all one in his sight: that soul that sinneth, it shall die.  
But such Comparrisons( it is to be feared,) are more odious to you, then Injustice, Tteachery, Cruelty, or Tyranny: else you would have been as forward to have called Persons of all qualities to justice,( without sparing the highest) as you have been to sand him to New-gate: But this your corrupt dealing makes most men believe, That your safety and Interest is in preserving the guilty, and in condemning the just and Innocent:  
Is it scandalous to set forth the Justice of the Lord of heaven? by making true Comparisons with Lords on earth; certainly, true Christian Doctrine is not for these Lordly times.  
Is it seditious, for a Free-man unjustly imprisoned, to publish the same to all the World? It was not so judged in the beginning of this Parliament; but then was the beginning of freedom, and it seems, Wee are at the end thereof: and at the beginning of a new bondage: otherwise neither his first, nor his second discourse, entitled, The free-mans freedom Vindicated: could possibly be interpnted either scandalous, seditious or dangerous.  
Indeed all his Writings have been dangerous to all corrupt Interests in the Common-wealth; as First, to all Arbitrary Power, in King, or Lords, or any other.  
Secondly, To the Power and delusion of the Clergy; and their oppression of Conscionable Religious People.  
Thirdly, to the most prejudicial ways of Our legal trials in all Courts, and to the burdensome Society of Lawyers: that live upon the impoverishing of the industrious and laborious People; things which he proveth to have been forced upon this nation by Conquest, and continued against Reason, and the weal of the People.  
Fourthly, To all Monopolists, and engrossers of trade: as the Merchant Adventurers, and the like: all which he hath( as others,) proved to the ruin of the People: and because of this his love to Truth, Justice, and his country; and his opening of these things; and his opposition thereof to the uttermost of his Power: all these mighty Parties, put all their policy and strength in one, utterly to destroy him.  
But he hath got a good Cause; and all good People,( that desire not to live by the Oppression of others,) on his side; and that your Lordships will find; for all these things will be laid open as the sun, and every man will see wherefore it is you call his books scandalous, seditious, dangerous Pamphlets, and why the Clergy, the Judges, Lawyers, and Monopolists, are his deadly adversaries, even because he deals plainly betwixt you all; and the people, whom you labour by all means jointly to keep in bondage; and vassalage to your wills.  
This is the Reason, why you say his books tend to raise sediton in this realm; this being Coventries and Canterburies old language, to any that discovered their oppressions and corruptions: it tended to mere Anarchy, and( as you now say,) to subvert the fundamental laws of this kingdom.  
Doth not every one see the unreasonableness of our Laws and Government? and doth the Parliament fit for Remedy of the Grievances of the People, and for their safety and weal in all things? and is it now seditious and dangerous for any man to publish his mind concerning the same? tends it to the subverting of the fundamental laws and Government, for any to appeal to the House of Commons for altering of laws or Government evidently appearing prejudicial to the safety and weal of the People, the end of all laws and Government? certainly they fit not to confirm this kingdoms long contract●d bondage; and that wee trust your Lordships and all the rest will find.  
Doth Mr. Lilburne endeavour to bring in any Arbitrary o● Tyrannicall Power? Doth he allow, or argue it to be lawful for men to be put to oaths Ex Officio, or to be examined upon Interrogatories against themselves or others, against their wills in Crimminall Causes? Doth he justify Imprisonment for refusal to Answer? Doth he aclowledge your Lordships Authority over the Commons? If he doth any of these, or the like things, then indeed he is guilty of the Charge you lay against him: for this were indeed to subvert the very fundamental Government; which is Right Reason; and to destroy the end of Government; the safety and weal of the People; and therefore it will be good for your Lordships in this Charge, to reflect upon yourselves; the People are now quick-sighted, and not easily deluded: If it were not so, Mr. Lilburne were in a sad Case, for here is no less then the whole House of Peers his Accusers, provoked and set against him by all the Judges, Lawyers, Clergy, and great men of the City, and the Case standing thus on his day of trial; What hope can he have, when these, besides all those of the Presbyterian judgement are his resolved Adversaries, who in their Common Discourses openly condemn him, and wish him worse then hanged, and so do all Royalists: and doubtless those that shall be trusted with managing the business, and such as know well how to form a Jury for the purpose: Where then is hope? In God, in the Parliament, in the People? God will provide, above hope: out of the thicket shall come a ransom for this his beloved Isaac: The House of Commons have not their Trust and Power in vain, but will use it in so urgent a necessity; If they now defer, their Account with God will be heavy; and deliverance will yet come; for God cannot suffer so abominable wickedness: He can turn the hearts of a whole Presbyterian Jury,( if it should come to that,) in an Instant, and make them to see their own Liberties burning at the stake in him; That his Sufferings are but a Preface to their Tragedy, when your Lordships please, if they in any thing oppose your Wills: but the House of Commons is wise, and God is just; and wee cannot fear the safety of this our Brother.  
You will find you are not yet LORDS over the Parliament, you have not the least Power to dispose of the moneys of the Common-wealth, much less to imprison mens Persons at your pleasure, every man sees with what prejudice to the public affairs, the House of Commons have observed you? How often they have been enforced to tell you, That they must defend and preserve the People without your concurrence; every man sees how you daily obstruct and delay Proceedings, and by devices pervert the end of good Motions; how you adhere to any that would hold the People in bondage; How you abhor all men that Understand their Liberties, and that you hate this good man Mr. Lilburne, for nothing but his great judgement and affection to the Common-Wealth.  
Therefore whilst you may possess your Honours, and great Estates quietly, without placing your felicity in vexing meaner men, ( all covet, all loose,) for the People cannot bear it; and you will do yourselves and Posterities great injury, if you believe they will; their divisions, in which you trust, will deceive you; they will unite, though not totally; yet sufficiently for prevention of so eminent bondage; be not transported with seeming affronts; he truly honoureth you for your faire demeanour towards him in his Reparations; he intended you no affront at all, you have been instigated too much by the Judges and Lawyers against him; your Honours nor greatness need not be twisted with theirs; Further you the good and quiet of the People, and abandon but that kind of Power which hath ruined the Bishops, and as many as ever have used it,) and you will be beloved and honoured of all good men; for it is real goodness that is the best support of greatness.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
IF thou that readest, be impartial and judicious, then mayst easily perceive by the scope of this little Treatise, but more especially by the late great Remonstrance,( not the city Remonstrance:) the pearl in a Dunghill; and the Just man in bonds, since Lieutenant colonel Lilburne was last committed; as well as his Justification and Vindication of Free-mens Liberties, immediately before; or Englands Birth-right; Musgrave and Larners books; in what a pitiful, lamentable and tottering condition this distressed and perplexed nation is,  
And thereby be occasioned to set thy thoughts, meditations and affections at work, chiefly by earnest Prayers to God, that he would be pleased to open a door of Mercy unto us, whereby wee may escape these deceivable snares, leading to worse then Egyptian slavery; wherein we, our poor Infants on their Mothers breasts, and others, who know not the right hand from the left; yea, and our whole Posterity, are most pitifully catched and involved, even as Gods own particular People the Jews were in the dayes of Haman, except there come such a happy and speedy Remedy, as it pleased him in mercy then to sand, beyond the expectation of man.  
Our present Condition is so much the more lamentable uncomfortable and unsupportable, that Our own voluntary Contributions, both of our Lives and Estates, to free in from cruel Persecutions, Opressions and Taxations, have made most of us so poor, that wee are not able to help or relieve one another; so that Our present misery, and the hardness of rich mens hearts for any common good works, so long as they themselves are spared, as an Ox, yet ordained for slaughter, are a most special means to make both them and us capable of slavery.  
Which in our prosperous dayes, when ●●e● did bake Cakes to the Queen of Heaven Wee altogether mocked and scorned you, and still did put the evil day far off; but as the wild ass, whilst shee is light and speedy to run, mocketh at all the assaults of the hunters, who pursue for her life, yet when shee is heavy with young, and not so able to fly, shee is easily catched; so is this sinful and idolatrous Nation, now in the midst of her sins and abominations, who because shee would not, nor will not hear the cries of the poor, the Widow, the fatherless, nor the Prisoners, shee shall cry, and not be heard.  
Though formerly, when shee abounded as much in her Idolatrous and illegal feasts, as now shee doth in her hypocritticall and unlawful F●asts, even in her pride, vain-glory, abused Peace, and fullness of bread, shee waxed so wanton, and grew so secure, and frozen in her dregs of Popery, that shee s●te down to eat and drink, and rose, up to play, even until the LORD sent his Servant Nebuchadnezar, in her ripeness, when all her regions were white unto the harvest, and thrust in the sickle of these his fearful Judgements, to reap her, which yet are but begun, except shee repent; Only shee still reserveth a remnant, who mourn in secret, in all his Visitations; whom he preserveth to serve both in and after his most fearful judgements, which he powereth forth upon others. Farewell.  
FINIS.