Page:The Leveller movement; a study in the history and political theory of the English Great Civil War (IA levellermovement01peas).djvu/144

 their Power, as to inable you alone, to doe all things whatsoever for their weale, safety, peace, and prosperity, the end of all Government. Thus he read the Lords out of the government altogether.

A few days later Lilburne published a book that plunged him deeper into trouble. This was The Free-mans Freedome Vindicated. In it he made a few remarks on Manchester that were really worthy the Lords’ attention. Accordingly, on June 22 they issued a writ to the keeper of Newgate commanding that Lilburne be brought before them next day. Lilburne refused to obey the order except under force. When he was forbidden to talk to his friends as he waited in the Painted Chamber, he fiercely retorted that he would talk until the Lords, exceeding the cruelty he had found in the bishops, saw fit to cut out his tongue, and sew up his mouth. Contumacious conduct was all that the Lords could have expected of him. Nor were they disappointed. By declining to kneel at their bar, he refused to acknowledge their authority over him, and they could only recommit him to Newgate.

The Lords proceeded with his trial July 10.