Page:Trial of john lilburne (IA trial john lilburne).djvu/16



Yes made, All persons that were adjourned to the Court required to make their appearance.

The Lieutenant of the Tower of London Col. Francis West called, to bring forth his prisoner according to the precept.

Whereupon Col. West Lieut. of the Tower, brought up the prisoner out of the Irish Chamber, where he had been some time before the sitting of the Court, and was guarded by the said Lieutenant, and a speciall Guard of Souldiers besides. And being brought to the Barre, the Sheriffs of London were directed to take the prisoner into their Custody.

Cryer. John Lilburne, hold up thy hand.

Lieut. Col. Lilburne Directed himself to Mr. Keble one of the Keepers of the great Seal as the President of the Court, and said to this purpose, Sir will it please you to hear me, and if so, By your favour thus. All the priviledge for my part that I shall crave this day at your hands is no more, but that which is properly, and singly the Liberty of every Free-borne Englishman; viz. The benifit of the Lawes and Liberties thereof, which by my Birth-right and Inheritance, is due unto me; the which I have fought for as well as others have done, with a single and upright heart; and if I cannot have and injoy this, I shall leave this Testimony behind me, that I dyed for the Lawes and Liberties of this Nation; and upon this score I stand, and if I perish I perish. And if the fact that I have done, cannot be justified by the Law of England, let me perish; I mention none of this for the gaining of mercy, or by way of merit, no I scotnescorne [sic] it; for mercy I crave from none but from the hands of my God alone, with whom I hope, and am assured one day to rest; whom I have set before my eyes, and so walked, as believing I am alwaies in his presence, in whose power my confidence is fixed, whom I take and own to be my stay, my stafe, my strength and support, and in whom I rest as the life of my life, and whom I hope to meet with joy, when this fading and uncertaine life shall have an end, to live with him in glory and blessednesse for evermore. And therefore, because I would not willingly trouble you with many words, to cause you to spend your time impertinently; therefore Sir, in reference to the Court, I shall crave but so much liberty from you as was given to Paul, when he pleaded for his life before the Heathen Roman Judges, which was free liberty of speech to speak for himself, the which I now humbly crave