Page:Trial of john lilburne (IA trial john lilburne).djvu/74

 pretence of Right, which if he come not in by conquest, by the hands of forraigners (the bare attempting of which, may apparently hazard him the loss of all at once) by glewing together the now divided people, to joyne as one man against him, but by the hands of English-men, by contract upon the premisses aforesaid (which is ealyeasy [sic] to be done) the people will easily see, that presently thereupon they will enjoy this transcendent benefit (he being at peace with all farraign Nations, and having no Regall pretended competitor) viz. The immediatly disbanding of all Armies, and Garisons, saving the old Cinque-ports, and so those three grand plagues of the people will cease, viz. Free-quarter, Taxations, and Excise, by meanes of which, the people may once againe really say, they enjoy something they can in good earnest call their owne; whereas for the present Army to set up the pretended false Saint Oliver, (or any other) as their elected King, there will be nothing thereby from the beginning of the Chapter, to the end thereof, but Wars, and the cutting of throats, year after year; yea, and the absolute keeping up of a perpetuall and everlasting Army, under which the people are absolute and perfect slaves and vassals, as by wofull and lamentable experience they now see they perfectly are, which slavery and absolute bondage is like dayly to increase, under the present Tyrannicall, and Arbitrary new erected, robbing Government, and therefore rouse up your spirits before it be too late, to a vigorous promotion, and setling of the principles of the foresaid Agrement, as the only absolute and perfect meanes to carry you off ll your maladies and distempers.

Here Lieutenant Collonel Lilburne in the first dayes reading the Indictment, taking notice of the Judge Thorpe, and Mr Prideaux to whisper together, cryed out and said to this effect.

L. Col: Lilburne, Hold a while, Hold a while, Let there be no discourse but openly, for my adversaries or persecutors whispering with the Judges, is contrary to the Law of England, And extreame foule and dishonest play, and therefore I pray let me have no more of that injustice.

Mr Atturney, It is nothing concerning you (let me give him satisfaction) it is nothing concerning you Mr Lilburne.