An Epitome, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
NOw to come to that Radamanthean Cenſure (the terrour whereof made my friend that write (as he ſaid) to ſhudder; but he hoped it ſhould never be executed, and ſo did many more. A Knight moving one of the Lords, with the fearfulneſſe of it; and how it opened a gappe to the Prelates, to inflict ſuch diſgracefull Tortures upon men of quality; the Lord repſyed, that it was but in terrorem, and that he would not have any think that the Cenſure ſhould ever be executed. But as the Prelate deſired that Honourable Court to put the higheſt Cenſure that could be put: So his thirſt could not be quenched, untill his hand was as deep in ſhedding of Blood, as his tongue and heart were in cenſuring. I cannot tell whether I may ſay of him as it was ſaid of Tyberi…; who though he loved wine, yet in reſpect of his thirſt of Bloud he was ſaid to loath it, faſtidit vinum quia jam ſitit iſt… …ru…r…m.
My weak diſtreſſed wife was ſent for, by Iames the Jaylor of Newgate, and a Tipſtaſte, to be at the Tryall, who carryed with her a Certificate under four Phyſitians hands of my extream weakneſſe, and ſickneſſe unto death, in the Eye of Man: to the ſame purpoſe an Attorney made affidavit into the Court, to whom my wife delivered a Petition to ſuperſede the hearing, but having no good anſwer, ſhe went away, and haſtned homeward in regard of my weakneſſe; but they called her back by a Tipſtaffe, that the dreadfulneſſe of the Cenſure as it ſeemes) might overwhelm her ſpirit: but the God of our ſtrength upheld her marvellouſly, that ſhe was not ſo much as danted, but ſpake freely in the Court, yet with modeſty enough. The Cenſure was, to …ut my …ares, to ſ…it my noſe, to brand me in the face, to whip me at a p…ſt, to ſtand on the Pillory, ten thouſand pounds fin…, and perpetuall impriſonment; and all theſe upon a dying man, by appearance.
— Inſtant morientibus urſa.
The Cenſure thus paſt, the Prelate off with his Cap, and holding up his hands, gave thanks to God, who had given him the victory over his Enemies.
— O curva interris anima!
*Ambroſ. de Offic.Non eſt glorioſa victoria, vbi non eſt glorioſum certamen.
There is no glory in that victory that wants the glorious fight of faith. But this was a fight againſt the faith, for the ſaid cenſure was againſt all Law, Equitie and Humanity, as I could make it appear from theſe grounds following firſt from the matter of my Accuſation. Secondly. from their maner of proceeding. Thirdly, from the Nature of the cenſure. Fourthly from the Party cenſured. For the firſt; namly the Booke; Is any of the Poſitions falſe? have I not punctually proved them; are any of them diſproved; have I in any paſſage of uſe or explanation broken any Law of God or man? have I Wronged any man; and where there is noe law broken there is no trangreſſion? for ſin is the tranſgreſſion, of the Law. As I have ſaid in Effect it is a received Maxime in all Lawes*Judicium debet precedere deliberatio & cauſa cognitio idque ſecundum legem. that mature del…heration and triall of the Cauſe and that according to Law ſhould precede Indgment. As the great judg of Heaven and Earth unaccountable to any, leadeth on his deputyes to this by his owne practiſe and precept. The ſecond ground of di…proving of the proceedings is from the …aner of it, which was illegall as the matter it ſelfe; good things ſhould be well done, or elſe they loſe the grace; an evill thinge ill done is a double evill; God loves the well doing of an action better then the good action it ſelfe, becauſe the former is from an internall Principle reſembling God himſelf: The latter is from an external Principle and is dead without the other. Juſtice unjuſtly done, i… injuſtice, and injuſtice with unjuſt Proceedings is Injuſticia arm…ta, Armed injuſtice, as Plato and others call Judgment and Juſtice, Ʋirginem in corruptant.*De lege 120.
So in jupging any matter, there ſhould be an uncorrupt proceeding.
4 Things ſpoile the form of proceeding in judgment;Sect. namely Prejudgment better ſpeeches of the Party, Racking or torturing of the Matter, and condemning without hearing. Of every of which, but a word: All theſe did concurre, though it may be not in all, to the choaking of the Divine Rod of Juſtice.
For the firſt; namely, Prejudgment which makes the Judgment rather wrath, then judgment, the indignation wherewith the Prelates were filled, doth prove it ful…y.
The ſecond thing that made the proceeding unformall. in mouthing of which, I. R. firſt ran foule, whom the Prelats followed; ſo that the houſe did reſound foreign, as Suydas hath it, with many coatumelious and reviling Threatnings. To theſe I have replyed ſomething in my Anſwer to the Judges particulars; and though ſuch a courſe damnifieth exceedingly the accuſed, and indignifieth the Judge; yet paſſe.
The third Deformity in proceeding is to wreſt words, beyond either the Letter, or intent of the Speaker, or Writer. This (as the Apoſtle ſpeaketh) is to take things in the worſer part, and not to find a party guilty by the Law, and ſo to cenſure him; but to put, or inforce guilt upon him that they may cenſure him.
The fourth and laſt point, but not the leaſt, wherein the forme of proceeding failed, was the condemning and cenſuring of me without hearing; a courſe indeed againſt Nature, againſt all Lawes Divine, and Humane, Civill, Common and Canon-Laws, againſt the Law of Nations, againſt the practice of God himſelf as I have ſhewed, againſt the practice of Chriſt, and the priviledge of all men.
Our Saviour Chriſt, the Judge of Quick and Dead, whoſe practice every Judge ſhould follow, keepes this order of judging, as he teſtifieth of himſelf. I can do nothing of my ſelf (ſaith he) as I hear, I judge, and my Judgment is juſt; becauſe I ſeek not mine own will, but the will of the Father, who hath ſent me. *John 5.30.He that neglecte…h this, croſſeth that common truth of that foreign. Do not give judgment before thou heareſt both parties, *Plato in Demon.Alexander ever referred one eare to the party no… heard. What ſhould demonſtrate the light but againſt all thoſe reaſons and proofes; they dealt with me worſe then with a Traytor, condemning me without ſight of Judge or Accuſer; & that not through my default for I deſired as heartily to make my appearance as to live; but the danger of my ſickneſſe could not admit the removing of me from my bed. That current Maxime in all Laws was my ſufficient excuſe, neceſſitas inducit privilegium neceſſity carryeth a priviledge in it ſelfe; eſpecially it it be neceſſit as actus Dei, a neceſſity of the A…t of God, ſuch as mine was, and could not be avoyded. Upon this; humble Petition was made to the Court, that they would ſuperſede either untill God had made an end, or that upon recovery, I might as well be heard▪ as judged. which could be no prejudice to the State, no damage to the Cauſe no way: yea, I deſired nothing, but that to which they were tyed both in Law and Conſcience, according to that of Magna Charta. nulli negabimus, rectum vel judicium, we ſhall deny Right, or Juſtice to no man. If it be objected, that the Matter in Controverſie was confeſſed. I anſwer, it is true, but with cum confeſſione facts, I there was to prove defenſi… non… Iuris, a defence by Law, that the actions, fact, or words, do not condemn, but the Anomie or Evill of Actions: otherwiſe, the Jewes had a good plea in condemning Chriſt for his good Actions: But, ſay the Act confeſſed, had been evil; yet it excuſeth not condemning, without hearing, as I have proved at large, except it be the delinquents fault. Yea, I may confidently affirme, that Judges condemning a Delinquent without hearing, doe often become the greater Delinquents, both in regard of the Perſon and of the Act: The more conſpicuous the perſon is the greater is the blemiſh; and a corrupt Act in Juſtice is farre worſe then an exemplary evill in the Judges life. Becauſe the former corrupteth the Publique Founrain; the other but a Draw-well in a mans own ground. If it be further objected, that my anſwer was read in the Court. To this I reply, that was beſides my intention, becauſe it was but an abridgment of that which I could and would have ſaid in defence of my Cauſe. Secondly, though the Anſwer being preſented to the then Lord Keeper, was acknowledged by him to be as ſufficient as ever any Anſwer that was put into the Starre-Chamber. Yet all reaſon required, that I ſhould have had perſonall audience: Firſt, that I might anſwer to that which might be further objected: and further, ſince they gave me order for putting in my own Anſwer, becauſe Councell durſt not plead, and the Law did allot me twice as much time for my Defence, as the At…orney ſhould take to accuſe, though he was to ſpeak laſt, the very Law of Nature and Reaſon did plead the neceſſity of my Perſonall preſence.
I will ſhut up this Point with that teſtimony of Nicodemus. Doth our Law condemn a man before he be heard.
The third ground of my Exception againſt their Proceeding is from the Nature of the Cenſure, being the Higheſt (as I. R. ſaid) the Court could Put. it was high indeede and with great rigour; but as undeſerued as ever any Cenſure was put ſince it was a Court all circumſtances conſidered. Fuit gravis et in audita Cenſura, a heavie & unh…ard of Cenſure. Polititians, and Lawyers, in their d…ſcoveries of C…nſures concur all in this, that Magiſtrates ſhould be very wary in Cenſuring, eſpecially to Bodily puniſhment, to looke to their grounds, the matter, the manner, the preparation of the puniſhment, and how they ſhould be effected, when they are forced to puniſh.
The 4 and laſt ground whence their proceedings is diſproved, is from the perſon Cenſured, whoſe degrees (to let other things paſſe) did exempt him from any ſuch puniſhment, beſides inbred genoorſity, a maſter in arts, I commenced alſo Docter; for my capabillity in theſe degrees, I have the ſeales of two Ʋniverſities St. Andrews, and L…yden, with more then Ordinary aprobation as may appear, Imitatu jan… exiſtimen omnes. Paenas impons ad hibita ratione qualitatum earum, I hold it worthy the obſerving, that in the impoſition of puniſhment; there muſt be a conſideration had of the Perſo… and qualities thereof, * knighthood cannot ſuffer any ignominious puniſhment,lib. aut facta, &c. no more can a Docter*Doctoratus privilegia, &c. the priveledges of Doctor all degrees, are the very ſame by Aſſignment of Law, that belong to Equeſtrall dignity. With prejudgment, rather then Iudgment they ſet on the higheſt cenſure that ever was given upon the greateſt Malefactor: not once making knowne what Law I had broken, or what crime I was guilty off. Alſo thus Cenſured▪ I lay under the hand of God and under their Cenſure at mine owne owne houſe. Whence the under Iaylor of Newgate would needs carry me in my ſick-bed; but that my friends entred in ten thowſand pound bond for mee. Notwithſtanding the ſaid Iaylor all the time of my ſickneſſe, plaid the Lord-dane over my houſe challenging it to be his, and ſet theeviſh fellowes over me upon my charges, beſides the monies he had of me and of my friends; at length before full recovery he carried me to the fleet, where upon promiſe of liberty to retire unto my owne houſe for my health, my friends entred ten thouſand pound bond for me; but fayling of that liberty▪ I took in my bond: So, thus in much weakneſſe of body, I remained during the time of the Plague, by which the Tearm was adjourned, and the Execution of the Cenſure deferred. But the Plague ceaſing they began to ſit, I was carryed before the Hi…rarchy at Lambeth, where I ſpake in defence of the Truth as it was given me of GOD, and that to this effect as far as I can remember.
Firſt, I diſclaimed their …udicature, giving them Reaſons for it and that it was not out of contempt of their Perſons, is diſ-eſteeme of their Guifts; but becauſe (as I had clee…ed in my Book,) they were not of God, and ſo had no power given: ſo they did intrude upon the Eſtate, Body and Bloud of me▪ and other Subjects, contrary to the Lawes of God and the Kings Majeſty, as the Book ſheweth at large. And if they could bring one title for their Calling and aforeſaid Practice, either from the Law of God, or Law of the Land, I ſhould lay down the Buckler, one replyed that I was not brought before them, tanquau… ſub judice alieujus fac…i, but that they might degrade me; for …rwife the cenſure could not be executed. I replyed in effect, that it was a rotten Antichriſtian courſe: for if a Miniſter tranſgreſſe, ſhall he not be ſubject to the power of the Law … imo qua, Miniſter as well as any other.
Secondly, they had no power to degrade, becauſe they could give no d…gree of Ministr…e.
Thirdly, and laſtly, I told them I had no Degrees from them, and if I had, I would diſclaime them. But ſure I am. that my Degrees, by the Law of Nations, ſhould have exempted me from ſuch a cruell, and reproachfull Cenſure: but ſince it is ſo, with Moſes I eſteem the reproaches of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt. Further, I offered there (as formerly in other place) to maintain my Book againſt all Gain-ſayers; but none oppoſed it. As I was thus ſpeaking, one told me, that the King had paſſed by Treaſon in me and had changed the Penalty into this cenſure. To whom I replyed (as I remember) that no honeſt Subject had a face to charge me with Treaſon; for my heart (was conſcious to its own Loyalty; and that my Innocency in that might appear, I offered before all the People, that if that man that ſate before me meaning Dr. Land) who had his hand in my bloud, would move his Majeſty to paſſe that Cenſure and to give me my tryall at the Common-Law, if I ſhould be found guilty of the breach of his Majeſties Lawes, I ſhould deſire no favour, but humbly thank his Majeſty for ſo faire and legall a Tryall. Other things paſſed, which I omit; only in the cloſure, when they bid take me away. I told them, I had one meſſage to them; namely, if my bloud were ſhed, the Lord would require it of them. And I did ſummon ſome of them, ere long, to appear before that great Tribunal of God, to give an account for it, and ſo ſome have made their appearance. From Lambeth I was brought back to the Fleet, where I remained ſome ſive dayes, expecting the execution of that dreadfull Cenſure; yet to Gods glory be it ſpoken (the Spirit bearing me record) without the leaſt touch of any dauting terrour, but with m…h comfort and courage the Lord …a…ryed me on in humiliation and prayer, the People of God aſſiſting me, all this time betwixt recourſes to God. As formerly for my abode in the Fleet, as occaſion was given, I did traverſe with ſo me learned and judicious, the lawfulneſſe of eſcape; yet ever with an upright indifferency to ſubmit to the Will of God, and motion of his Spirit: and I ſpeak the truth, and lye not, that all the learned and judicious that ever converſed with me, concluded abſolutely the lawfulneſſe of my eſcape, being well qualified, only the expediencie, or inexpediencie in me, they left to the particular inſtinct of the Spirit which was, it ſhall appear, by the unanimous conſent of the Learned, carryeth the main ſway in this Caſe …f or my judgment not without ſedulous ſcanning, and mature deliberation, it was fully poſſeſſed of the lawfulneſſe of the thing; only my Aſſertion ſtood in relat…on to the thing, as God ſhould offer or deny the meanes: at length God did not only preſent the meanes, but alſo opened the mouth of one of the Inſtruments, to tell me in plain tearms, that if I anſwered not the Opportunity, it was a tempting of God, and to my bloud-ſhed I ſhould bee acceſſary; which thing, as I had formerly pondered, ſo it preſently gave me to lay hold on the occaſion; and as the good hand of God made the way cleer for me, and ſo I went out of Priſon; the lawfuneſſe of which Act being a piece of Chriſtian liberty I have proved in a Treatiſe by it ſelf, from good grounds, good ends lawfull meanes, and due Qualifications. I have ſatisfied all that come to me and ſome with tears have beg…d pardon for cenſuring of me. The Antients have ſet forth whole Treatiſes for the lawfulneſſe of flight, as Athanſ Ambroſ Seneca, Aquinas. But I hope few or none will doubt of it, a main motive to me, was the diverting Blood from the Land: but nothing could ſerve the Prelate but Blood: and ſo with Ʋriah I was brought to the ſtake, he had his deſire. The aforeſaid Cenſure was executed in every particular in a moſt cruell manner, and meaſure: the Executioner was made drink in the Fleet the night before, and alſo was hardened the very ſame day with ſtrong water being threatned to do it with all rigour: and ſo he did by Knife, Whip, Brand, and Fire, inſomuch, that never a laſh he gave with a treble-cord, but hee brought away the fleſh, which I ſhall feel to my dying day. I being put thereafter on the Pillory an hour and a half in Froſt and Snow, they inflicted the reſt, and would not let me have a Coach of my own charge, to carry me to the Fleet: but I was forced to be carried by water, for I was not able to go. The Officers of the Fleet ſent me up into the common Jayle, by forty ſeven dark ſteps, to a wofull dog-hole; in my aſſent I was divers times like to fall backwards, and break my neck; if Mr. Weale the Apothecary following me up with a Cordial had not kept me, as he witneſſed to the honourable Committee of Parliament. I fell into a ſtrong Feavor, my caſe was very dangerous, and my recovery very doubtfull; as my Chyrurgion and others did witneſſe at large to the aforeſaid Committee: after that I was kept ſtraight Priſoner within the Fleet Walls the ſpace of nine years and a quarter, having been priſoner three quarters of a yeare before that. I was never ſuffered to breath abroad, nor all that time to ſee my Family in my houſe, it being leſſe then a Bowes draught of the Fleet; much hardſhip I endured and many rough affronts put upon me and mine, by the Officers of the Fleet, notwithſtanding of my inoftenſive demeanours, even themſelves being Witneſſes. But when all this would not ſerve to cut the threed of my weariſome life, a maſter-piece of cruelty was deviſed and followed by four parties, whoſe names are known; namely, to caſt me into the common Jayle, for the effecting whereof, they ſet eight ſtrong fellowes upon me, who with violence bruiſed my body, and did through me into a loathſome lowſie place, forty ſeven dark ſteps up, amongſt ſome ſixteen or more of wicked and debaſed ones, for the moſt part▪ as the earth had not: the fall of the houſe endangered my life. I lay ten weekes under the Canopy of Heaven, in the dirt and mire of the rubbiſh, having nothing to ſhelter me from the Rain and Snow in a very cold Seaſon. I had many aſſaults made upon me to take away my life, yea even then, when I lay very weake under the hand of God; All thoſe paſſages, and many more, concerning the company, place, and cruell uſage, were proved ſufficiently to the honourable Committee: And for the further evidence, Warden Ingram told the Counſell (as hee ſaid that it was not a place to put any man in, that was fit to converſe with an honeſt man. A Member of the honourable houſe laying my deplorable caſe much to heart (as they all did) ſaid that he had rather have ſuffered all my former inflictions, and have loſt his right hand too, (which he would not for a Kingdome) than have undergone thoſe Common-Iayle ſufferings, which were a ſn…re unto my very ſoule, and I confeſſe it was the very finger of God that upheld me; there I was ſhut up cloſe, twenty and two months, notwithſtanding the Kings command again, and again, to replace me in my former Chamber. I have a Treatiſe by it ſelf of this inhumane practiſe to be publiſhed; the reading whereof, I am perſwaded will make the Bowels to earne. At length, in great weakneſſe, with much adoe, under Ten thouſand pound Bay, I recovered my Priſon-pallace (I may ſay) having been there a while, and gotten ſome recovery, it pleaſed the Lord, to move his Majeſty, to call this preſent Parliament, who was graciouſly pleaſed to call for my Petition, as the firſt work; which when I came abroad to preſent, I could neither goe, hear, nor ſee, though my Petition was larger, then I thought the Houſe would admit: yet out of ſence of my diſtreſſe, it was twice read, and my cauſe much regrated with tears of compaſſion: the Petition it ſelf, I have here inſerted.
TO THE HONOURABLE, And High Court of PARLJAMENT. The humble Petition of Alexander Leighton, Priſoner in the Fleet.
HUMBLY SHEWETH,
HOw your much and long diſtreſſed Petitioner on the 17 of February gone ten yeares, was apprehended in Black-Friers, coming from the Sermon, by a high Commiſſion Warrant (to which no Subjects body is lyable) and thence with a multitude of ſtaffes and Bills, was dragged along (and all the way reproached by the name of Jeſuit and Traytor) till they brought him to London houſe, where he was ſhut up, and by a ſtrong guard kept (without food) till ſeven of the clock at night, till Dr. Lawd then Prelate of London, and Dr. Corbet, then of Oxford, returned in Coach from Pullam houſe, with a Troop attending. The Gaoler of Newgate was ſent for, who came with Irous, and with a ſtrong power of Halberts and Staves they carryed your Petitioner through a blind hollow way, without pretence or examination, and opening up a Gate into the ſtreet (which ſome ſay, had not been opened ſince Q. Maries dayes) they thruſt him into a loathſome and ruinous dog-hole, full of Rats and Mice, which had no light, but a little grate; and the Roofe being uncovered, the Snow and Rain beat in upon him, having no Bedding, nor place to make fire, but the ruines of an old ſmoaky Chimney, where he had neither meat nor drink, from the Tueſday at night, till the Thurſday at Noon. In this wofull place and doleful plight, they kept him cloſe, with two doors ſhut upon him, for the ſpace of fifteen weekes, ſuffering none to come at him, till at length, his wife was only admitted.
The fourth day after his commitment, the high Commiſſion Purſevants came (under the conduct of the Sheriffs of London) to your Petitioners houſe, and a mighty multitude with them, giving out, that they came to ſearch for Jeſuites Bookes. There thoſe violent Fellowes of prey, laid violent hands upon your Petitioners diſtreſſed wife, with ſuch barbarous inhumanity, as he is aſhamed to expreſſe, and ſo rifled every ſoule in the houſe, holding a bent Piſtoll to a childs breaſt of five years old, threatning to kill him, if he would not tell where the bookes were, through which, the child was ſo affrighted that he never caſt it. They broke up Preſſes, Cheſts, Boxes, the Boards of the Houſe, and every thing they found in the way, though they were willing to open all. They and ſome of the Sheriffs men ſpoyled, robbed, and carryed away all the Books and Manuſcripts they found, with Houſhold-ſtuffe, your Petitioners Apparell, Armes, and other things; ſo that they left nothing that liked them: notwithſtanding, your Petitioners wife told the Sheriffs, they might come to reckon for it. They carried alſo a great number of divers of your Petitioners Bookes, and other things from one Mr Archers houſe as he will reſtifie. Further, your Petitioner being denyed the Copy of his Commitment by the Gaoler of Newgate, his wife with ſome friends, repaired to the Sheriffe, offering him Bayle, according to the Statute in that behalf▪ which being ſhewed by an Attorney at Law▪ the Sheriffe replyed, That he wiſhed the Lawes of the Land, and Priviledges of the Subject had never been named in the Parliament, &c. Your Petitioner (having thus ſuffered in Body, Liberty, Family, Eſtate, and Name) at the end of fifteen weeks was ſerved with a Subpaena, and an Information laid againſt him by Sir Robert Heath, then his Majeſties Attorney-Generall, whoſe dealing with your Petitioner was full of cruelty, and deceit. In the mean time it did more then appear to four Phyſitians▪ that poyſon had been given him in New-gate; for his hair and skin came off in a ſickneſſe (deadly to the Eye) in the height whereof, as he did lye, Cenſure was paſt againſt him in the Star-Chamber, without hearing (which hath not bin heard of) notwithſtanding of a Certificate from four Phyſitians, and Aſt davit made by an Attorney of the deſperateneſſe of the Diſeaſe. But nothing would ſerve D. Lawd, but the higheſt Cenſure that ever was paſt in that Court to be put upon him; and ſo it was to be inflicted with Knife, Fire, and Whip, at, and upon the Pillory, with ter thouſand pound Tine; which ſome of the Lords conceived (as he expreſt himſelf to a man of note) ſhould never be inflicted: OnelyOnly it was impoſed (as on a dying man) to terrifie others. But the ſaid Doctor and his Combinants cauſed the ſaid Cenſure to be executed the 26. day of November, following (with a Witneſſe) for the Hang-man was armed with ſtrong drink all the night before in Priſon, and with threatning words to do it cruelly. Your Petitioners hands being tyed to a ſtake (beſides all other torments) he received thirty ſix ſtripes with a terrible Cord. After which, he ſtood almoſt two houres on the Pillory, in cold Froſt and Snow and ſuffered the reſt; as cutting off the E…e, firing the Face, and ſlitting of the Noſe; ſo that he was made a Theater of Miſery, to Men and Angels. And being ſo broken with his Sufferings▪ that he was not able to goe, the Warden of the Fleet would not ſuffer him to be carried in a Coach; but he was forced to go by water, to the further indangering of his life. Returning to the Gaole, after much harſh and cruell uſage for the ſpace of eight years, paying more for a chamber than thrice the worth of it (having not a bit of bread, nor drop of water al…owed.) The Clerk of the Fleet to top up your Petitioners ſufferings, ſent for him to his Office and without Warrant, or cauſe given by your Petitioner, ſet eight ſtrong Fellowes upon him, who tore his cloaths, buiſed his body; ſo that ſince, he was never well, and carryed him by head and heeles to that loathſome common Gaole▪ where beſides the filthineſſe of the place, and vildneſſe of the company, divers contrivements were laid for taking away your Petitioners life, as ſhall manifeſtly appear▪ if your Honours will be pleaſed to receive and peruſe a Schedule of that ſubject.
Now the cauſe of all this harſh cruell, and continued ill uſage (unparallel'd yet upon any one, ſince Brittain was Chriſtian) was nothing but a Book written by your Petitioner, called Si…us Plea againſt the Pre…aeo…e, and that by the call of divers and many good Chriſtians in the Parliament time…; after divers refuſals given by your Petitioner who would not publiſh it, being done, till it had the view, and approbation of the beſt in City, Country Univerſity, and of ſome of the Parliament it ſelfe. In witneſſe whereof he had about 500 hands: for revealing of whoſe names he was promiſed more favours by Sir Robert Heath then he will ſpeake of; But denying to turne accuſer of his brethren, he was threatned within ſtorme, which he felt to the full, wherein (through Gods mercy) he hath lived; though but lived▪ chuſing rather to lay his neck to the yoke for others then to releaſe himſelfe by others ſufferings.
Further▪ the Petitioner was robbed of divers goods by one Lightborn, H…es, Grave… and others, Officers and Servants of the Fleet, amounting towards the value of 30. l. for which Lightborn offered compoſition (by a ſecondhand) upon the hearing of the approach of a Parliament: but your Petitioner (notwithſtanding his neceſſity) refuſed to hearken to any ſuch illegall and dangerous way. To innumerate the reſt of your Petitioners heavie preſſures would take up a Volumn, with which he will not burthen your Honours, till further opportunity.
And therefore he humbly and heartily intreateth, that you would be graciouſly pleaſed to take this his Petition into your ſerious thoughts, and to command deliverance, that he may plead his own cauſe, or rather Chriſts, and the States; As alſo to afford ſuch coſts and dammages, as he hath ſuffered in Body, Eſtate, and Family, having been priſoner (and that many times) in the moſt naſty Priſons, eleven yeares not ſuffered to breath in the open Aire. To which, give him leave to add his great ſufferings in all thoſe particulars, ſome 16 years agoe, for publiſhing a Book, called, The Looking-Glaſſe of Holy Warre.
Further, as the Cauſe is Chriſts, and the States; So your Petitioner conceiveth (under correction) that the ſubject of the Book, will be the prime and main matter of your Agitation: to whoſe wiſdome, he hopeth the Book ſhall approve it ſelf.
Alſo, your Petitioners wearing Age going now in the ſeventy two yeare, together with his ſickneſſe, and weakneſſe of his long diſtreſſed wife, require a ſpeedy deliverance.
Laſtly, the Sons of death, the Jeſui…, and Jeſuited have ſo long inſulted in their owne licentious liberty, and over the miſeries of your ſervant and others; who forbearing more motives, craves pardon for his plolixity being neceſſitated therto from the depth and length of his miſeries: In all which, he ceaſeth not to pray, &c. and.
K…ſſath your hands.
PROV. 24.11.
Will thou not deliver them that are drawn up to Death, and thoſe that are ready to bee ſlaine.
But notwithſtanding of my inability, the Houſe could not prevaile by intreaty with Warden I…grano, to let mee take a Lodging at Ʋ Ʋeſtminſter, though he had ten thouſand pound Bayle for mee, as good as London afforded: through which deniall, I was almoſt killed with a Coach, being on horſeback, towards the Fleet in the dark, I received a dangerous wound in the fore-part of my Leg; by the neglect whereof in following my Cauſe, my life was indangered, and ſo I lay by it ten Weekes not able to ſtirre abroad.
But before I took my Bed, my wrongs were recognized and adjudged, my Cauſe cleered and juſtified, and that by as noble, judicious, juſt, and impartiall a Committee, as any State could afford. The Inquiry was exact the Examination punctuall, the Cenſure juſt, the Report intirely faithfull, the Order of the Honourable Houſe anſwerable to the Premiſes, and the Tranſmiſſion to the Lords very juſt and equall.
Laſtly they cauſed the Warden of the Fleet (with much adoe) to deliver up my Bayle: So that after twelve yeares hard impriſonment, I was delivered out of the Pit. wherein there was no water; for all which, I humbly thank the great God of Heaven, and do acknowledg my dutifull obleigement to the Honourable, and High Court of Parliament; expecting Execution, which is the Life of Judgment.
FINIS.
Imprimatur,
JAMES CRANFORD. May 22. 1646.
End of the text · Alexander Leighton, An Epitome (1646)