Page:Trial of john lilburne (IA trial john lilburne).djvu/58

 Common-wealth will spue you up and destroy you.

L. Col. Lilb. I desire nothing but Councell, and a little time to consult with them, and to produce my Witnesses, and a Copy of my Indictment; if not, I am willing to die as the object of your Indignation and malice, do your will and pleasure.

L. Keble. We are willing to die too.

Mr. Attorney. What is agreeable to the Law of England, the constant setled practice of trying Prisoners, will not be denyed Mr. Lilburne; but as for that priviledge that was granted unto him at Oxford, is no tye in Law to us, neither was it ever heard of in England, that any that did understand the Law, did ever as Mr. Lilburne now desires, allow Councell to a Prisoner for such an Act as this is, or had the Copy of the Indictment, it shall not be denyed Mr. Lilburne, which is his right by Law in its due place: But to make new Presidents and new Lawes, which my Lord when done by such a Bench as this is, most of the Judges in England being present, runs to all crimminall cases whatsoever, whether in treason, murther, or other fellonies; its true, Mr. Lilburn'' is now onely concerned in it, but if granted to him, it would be a president to all future times, by meanes of which, there would never be an end of Tryalls in crimminall Cases. And it is a wonderfull strange thing to me, That when the Prisoner hath pleaded the usuall way, you proceed not immediately to tryall, its true Mr. Lilburne hath pleaded his own ignorance, and therefore desires longer time; but my Lord, to make a President of this nature that never was known by the Lawes of England is very dangerous, very perilous. My Lord, the things that I presse is not in relation to time, but in relation to the publique Justice; for by the same reason its granted him, it ought not to be denyed to any man that asketh it, neither for Treason or Fellony, and of what evill consequence it would be, I leave your Lordship and the Court to judge.''

My Lords, I do humbly desire that Mr. Lilburn'' may be dealt with all legall, just, and faire proceedings from the Court. My Lord, I do desire accordingly, that proceedings may for the Common-wealth be so too, and that Mr. Lilburn may be without delay according to Law, proceeded against for his notorious treasons.''

L. Col. Lilb. Sir, with your favour I shall crave but one word, this Gentleman declares unto you what an evill President it would be to give me a little time to consult with Councell, to frame a Plea for my life, and yet that Judge was pleased to say the Law of England is founded upon the Law of God, and the Lawes of Reason, unspotted, uncorrupted, or undefiled, I am sure the Law of God, and the Law of uncorrupted Reason is to do as you would be done to, and not to lay snares for your Neighbours life, I am sure the Law of God would have all Tryalls indif-