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Carolus Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotia, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ rex, fidei defensor, &c. vic' com nostri Bucks, qui fuer' inter quartum diem Augusti anno regni nostri undecimo, et primum diem Martii tunc proxime sequent,' ball' burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et major et ball' burg' de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, in dicto com' Bucks, qui fuer' inter tempus prædict', salutem. Per breve nostrum sub magno sigillo nostro Angliæ confect' geren' dat pradict' quarto die Augusti, anno undecimo supradict' pro defensione regni, tuitione maris, securitate subditor' nostr', ac salva conductione navium et merchandizarum ad regn' nostr' Anglia venien', et de eodem ad partes exteras transeun', vic' com' nostri Bucks, ball' burgi et paroch' de Buckingham, necnon Burgens' ejusd' burgi, major' et ball' de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, necnon burgens' ejusd' burgi, et probis hominibus in eisdem burgis et paroch' et membris corund' et in villis de Agmondesham, Wendover, et Marlow magna, ae in omnibus aliis villis, burgis, villat,' hamlet', et aliis locis in dicto com' Bucks, mandavimus, quod unam navem de guerra portagii quadrin gent' et quinquagint' dolior', cum hominibus tam magistris peritis, quam marinar' valentioribus et expertis centum et octogint' ad minus, ac etiam tormentis tam majoribus quam minoribus, pulvere tormentario, ac hastis et telis, aliisque armaturis necessar' pro guerra, sufficien', et cum duplici eskippamento, necnon cum victualibus ad certum diem (in eod' brevi content') ad tot homines competen', et ab inde in vigint et sex septiman', ad custag hominum et terr' tenen' burg', paroch', vill', villat', et al' locor' supra mentionat' in dicto com' Bucks, tam in victualibus, quam in hominum salariis, et al' ad guerr' necessar' per tempus

terr' tenentes, in eisdem navem vel partem na- | prædict' brevi de sciri facias mentionat, et ei vis prædict' non habentes, vel in eadem non Similiter legitur. deservientes, ad contribuend' expensis circa provision' præmissor' necessar'; et super prædict' burgum et paroch', cum membris ejusd' (sicut præfertur) assidend' et ponend', viz. quemlibet eor' juxta statum suum et facultates suas et portiones suas ipsis assessat' per districtiones, aliosve modos debitos levand' et collectores in hac parte nominand' et constituend', et omnes eos, quos rebelles et contrarios inveneris in præmissis carcere mancipand', in eodem moratur' quousque pro eod' deliberatione ulte.ius duxerimus ordinand'. Assignavimus etiam te præfat' major' burgi de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, ad assidend' omnes homines in eod' burgo et membris ejusdum, et ter' tenentes, in eisd' navem vel partem navis præd' non habentes, vel in eadem non deservientes, ad contribuend' expensis circa provision' præmissor' necessar'; et super prædict' burg', cum membris ejusd' (sicut præfertur) assidend' et ponend', viz. quemlibet eorum juxta statum suum et facultates suas, et portiones super ipsos assess' per districtiones, aliosve modos debitos levand', et collectores in hac parte nominand' et constituend' et omnes eos, quos rebelles et contrarios inveneris in præmissis in carcere mancipand', in eod' moratur', quousque pro eor' deliberatione ulterius duxerimus ordinand'. Et ulterius assignavimus te præfat' vicecomitem com' nostr' Bucks ad assidend' omnes homines in præd' viilis de Agmondesham, Wendover, et Marlow magna, et in membris eorund', et in omnibus aliis villis, villat', burgis, hamlet', et aliis locis in prædict' com' Bucks, et terr' tenentes in eisdem, navem vel partem navis præed' non habentes, vel in eadem non deservientes, ad contribuend' expensis circa provisionem præmissor' necessar, et super prædict' villas, villat', burgos, hamlet' et locos, cum membris eorund' (sicut præfertur) assi-illud, super defensionem maris moratur' parari, dend' et ponend', viz. quemlibet eor' juxta et ad portum de Portsmouth citra tempus in statum suum, et facultates suas, et portiones eod' brevi limitat' duci faceretis. Cumque super ipsos assessat per districtiones, aliosve etiam per idem breve assignaverimus vic' com' modos debitos levand' et collectores in hac nostri Bucks præd', ball' burgi et paroch' de parte nominand' et constituend', et omnes quos Buckingham præd', et major' burgi de Chiprebelles et contrarios inveneris in præmissis ping-Wiccombe præd', aut aliquos duos vel carcere mancipand', in eod' moratur', quousque plures eorum, quor vic' dicti com' nostri pro eor' deliberatione ulterius duxerimus ordi- Bucks unum esse volumus, infra certum termi nand'. Et ulterius vobis mandamus, quod circa num proxim' post receptionem brevis illius, ad præmissa diligenter intendatis, et ea faciatis, et assidend' quantum de custag' præd' super præd exequamini cum effectu sub periculo incum-burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et super præd' bente. Nolumus autem quod colore prædict' mandat' nostr', plus de eisd', hominibus levari faciatis, quam ad præmissor' sufficiet expensas necessar', aut quod quisquam, qui pecuniam de contributionibus ad prædict' custag' faciend' levaverit, eam, vel partem inde aliquam penes se detineat, vel ad al' usus quovis quæsito colore appropriare præsumat, volentes, quod si plus quam sufficiat collect' fuerit, hoc inter solventes pro rata portionis ipsis contingen' exsolvatur. Teste me ipso apud Westm' quarto die Augusti, anno regni nostri undecimo. Petit etiam audit' prædict' brevis geren' dat' nono die Martii, anno regni dicti domini regis xii, in

burg' de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, cum nembris eorund', separatim poni seu assideri deberet. Cumque etiam per præd' breve nostrum assignaverimus ball' burgi et paroch' de Bucking,' et Majorem de burgo de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, separatim et respective, ad assidend' omnes homines in eisd' separal' burg' et paroch', et membi eorund', et terr' tenentes in eisdem, navem vel partem navis præd' non habentes, vel in eadem non deservientes, ad contribuend' ad expens' ci ca provisionem præmissor' necessar'; et super præed' burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et super præd' burg' de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wic

combe, cum membris eorund', sicut præfertur, ad tunc separatim et distinctive ponend', viz. quemlibet eorum juxta statum suum et facultates suas, et portiones super ipsos assessat', per districtiones aliosve modos debitos levand', et collectores in ea parte nominand' et constituend, modo et forma prout in eodem brevi præcept' fuit. Cumque per idem breve nostrum ulterius assignaverimus vic' dicti com' nostri Bucks ad assidend' omnes homines in præd' villis de Agmondesham, Wendover, Marlow magna, et in membris eorund', ac in omnibus aliis villis, villat', burgis, hamlet', et aliis locis in præd' com' Bucks, et terr' tenentes in eisd', ad contribuend' expensis circa provisionem præmissor' necessar' et ad cætera faciend' et exequend' modo et forma, quibus per breve illud præceptum fuit. Et quia nonnulli homines et terr' tenentes in prædict' com' burg' | paroch', vill', villat' hamlet', et aliis locis, per separal' taxationes et denar' summas, per vos super ipsos respective erga contribution' oneris præd, juxta exigen' brevis præd' posit' et assessat', nondum solveriut nec satisfacerint, sed eas solvere recusaver', et adhuc contradicunt, prout informamur: Cumq; nos nuper voluimus certiorari, tam de nominibus hominum et terr' tenent,' qui ad contribuend' expensis supradict' assess fuissent, ac denar' sic assess' non solvissent, quam de separal' portionibus vel denar' summis super ipsos imposit', vos tamen nihil in return' ejusdem brevis nostri misistis, in nostrum contemptum: Vobis igitur præfat' nuper vic' com' nostri Bucks mandainus, sicut al' mandaverimus, quod tam de nomini bus hominum et ter' tenen' in com' præd' per vos respective virtute dicti brevis nostri assessat', quas denar' summis super ipsos ɛic assessat', quam nondum solver' nec satisfec', sed eas solvere recusant, quas de separal' portionibus et denar' summis per vos præfat' nuper vic' com' nostri Bucks super ipsos assessat', in script' reduct' cum omnibus ill' tangen,' nos in cancellar' nostram sub sigillis vestris distincte et aperte, sine delatione, vel ad ultimum ante vicesimum sextum diem April' proxime futuro, ubicunque tunc fuerit', reddat' certiores, una cum hoc brevi. Ac vobis præfat' nuper ball' burgi et paroch' de Bucking' et major' burg' de Chipping-Wiccombe, al' Wiccombe, mandamus, sicut aliis mandaverimus, quod tam de nominibus præd' hominum et terr' tenen' in burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et burg' de Chipping-Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, per vos respective virtute dicti brevis nostri superius primo mentionat' assess', quam de separal' denar' summis super ipsos assess', quas nondum solver' nec satisfecer', sed eas solvere recusant, quam de separal' portionibus et denar summis per vos super ipsos respective assess' in scriptis fideliter reduct', cum omnibus illis tangen', nos in cancellariam nostr' præd' sub sigillo nostro distincte et aperte, sine delatione, vel ad ultim' ante prædict' vicesimum diem Aprilis proxime futur', ubicunque tunc fuerit', separatin reddatis certiores, una cum hoc brevi. Teste meipso apud Westm' nono

die Martii, anno regni nostri duodecimo.— EYRE.

Ad quem diem Petrus Temple et Heneagius Proby return' brev' præd' dors' sic: ss. Executio hujus brevis patet in quibusd' schedul’ huic brevi annexat', quarum quidem schedul teuor, quoad præfat' Johan' Hampden per præfat' Petrum Temple retornat', sequitur in hæc verba: ss. Ego Petrus Temple mit' et ba ronet' qui fui vic' com' Bucks, viz. inter quar tum diem Augusti, anno regni domini nostri Caroli nunc regis Angliæ, &c. undecimo, et vicesimum secundum diem Feb. tunc proxime sequen', quo die exivi ab officio meo vic' com' præd', dicto domino regi in cancellar' suam, virtute brevis ejusdem domini regis huic schedul anex', certifico, quod virtute et secundum exigen' brevis ipsius domini regis e cancellar' sua emanat', et ibidem de record' irrotulať, et vic' dicti com' Bucks inter al' direct', geren' dat' quarto die Augusti, anno undecimo supradict', assessavi, Anglice have assessed,' super separal' homines et ter' tenentes com' Bucks præd', quorum nomina subscribuntur, separal' portiones et denar' summas ad eor' particular inferius posit' ad contribuend' expensis circa provisio nem navigii in eod' brevi mentionat'; quas quidem portiones et denar' summas, sive aliquam inde parcell', ante exitum ab officio meo vic' com' prædict', ad manus meas, vel ad ma nus collector' in ea parte, virtute brevis ult mentionat' per me constitut', præd' homines et ter' tenentes, aut eor' aliquis, quor' nomina subscribuntur, non solverunt, sed eas solvere recusaver', viz. Stoake Mandivile, ss. John Hampden esq. et tenor al' schedul' per præfat Heneag' Proby fidelit' return', et eid' brevi annex,' sequitur etiam in hæc verba: viz "There is to be accounted upon by the assessors, high constables, petty constables within the said county in general, which 'cannot be accounted for by sir Peter Temple, being, as it is conceived, short four pounds.'

Ego Heneagius Proby arm', qui fui vic' com' Bucks inter vicesimum secundum diem Februar', anno regni dom' nostri Caroli nunc reg Angliæ, &c. undecimo, et ab eodem die et ande usque primum diem Martii tunc proxime sequen', dicto domini regi in Cancellar' suam virtute brevis ejusden domino reg' huic sche dul' annex', certifico, quod homines et ter tenentes com' Bucks præd', aut eor' aliquis, quor' nomina in quibusd' schedul' huic brevi annex' exprimuntur, qui assess' fuer' per Pe trum Temple mil' et baronet' nuper vic' com Bucks præd', dum in officio vic' ejusd' com' steterit, in separal' denar' portionibus, et denar' summis ad eor' separal' nomina superius possit, ad contribuend' expensis circa provisi onem navigi, virtute et secundum exigen brevis ipsius domini regis e cancell' sua emanat', et ibidem de record' irrot', vic' dicti com' Bucks inter alios direct' geren' dat' quarto die Augusti, anno undecimo supradict', Heneag' Proby existen' vic' predict' com' Bucks proxime post exitum dicti Petri Temple mil' et baronet' ab officio vic' ejusd' com', vel ad inanus collector'

in ea parte virtute brevis ultimo mentionat' constitut', non solver', sed eas solvere,' recusaverunt. Et ulterius præfat' Johannes Hampden petit similiter audit' præd' brevis de Mitumus, de quo in brevi de Sciri Facias præd' fit mentio, et ei legitor in hæc verba.

qui de mandato nostro præd' ad contribuend' erga provision' præmissor' assess' fuerint, ac denar' super ipsos sic asses' non solver', quam de separaľ portionibus et denar' summis super homines et terræ tenen' illos sic onerat' et imposit', necnon certificationes quasdam in scriptis, virtute brevis illius reduct', et in dictam cancellar' nostram miss'. Vobis etiam mittimus præsentibus interclaus', mandantes, quod inspectis brevibus et certificat' præd', ulterius inde pro levatione, collectione, et receptione omnium et singularum præd' denar' summar' de præd' contributionibus adhuc non solut', fieri fac', prout de jure et secundum legem et consuetudinem regui nostr' Angliæ fuerit faciend'. Teste meipso apud Westm' quinto die Maii, anno regni nostri tertio decimo. EYRE. Sicut in eisdem brevibus, et schedul' eisd' annex' in Scaccar' dicti don' regis certificat', et ibidem in custod' Rememorator' ejusd' dom' regis de record' remanen' plenius continetur. Quibus lectis, auditis, et per ipsum intellectis, idem Johannes queritur, se colore separal' brev', return' eorund', et schedul' eisd' annexat', graviter vexat' fore et inquietat', et hoc minus juste; quia dicit, quod

turn' eorund', et schedul' eisdem annexat', materia in eisd' content,' minus sufficien' in lege existunt ad onerand' ipsum Johannem Hampden de aut cum solutione præd' summ' vigint solid' super ipsum in schedul' præd, modo et forma præd', taxat' et assessat', aut alicujus inde parcell', ad quæ ipse necesse non habet, nec per legem terr' tenetur respondere. Unde ob insufficien' præd' separal' brevium superius mentionat', return' eorund', schedul' eisdem annex', ac materiæ in eisdem brevibus ac schedul' content', ipse idem Johannes Hampden petit judicium, si dictus dominus rex nunc ipsuni de præd vigit' solid', aut aliqua inde parcell', ulterius impetere, seu onerare debeat aut velit.

ss. Carolus Dei gratia Angliæ, Scotia, Franciæ, et Hiberniæ Rex, fidei defens r, &c. The saur' et baronibus de Scaccario suo, salutem, Tenore cujusdam brevis nostri sub magno sigillo nostro Angliæ confect', geren' dat' quarto die A gusti, anno regni nostri undecimo, in rotulis Cancellar' nostræ irrotulat', per quod vic' com' nostri Bucks, ball' et burgen' burgi et paroch' de Buckingham, major', ball', et burgens' burgi de Chipping Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, ac probis hominibus in eisd' burgis et paroch', et membris eorund', et in villis de Agmondesham, Wendover, et Marlow magna, et in omnibus aliis burgis, villis, villatis, hamlet', et aliis locis in dicto com' Bucks, mandavimos, quod pro defensione regni, tuitione maris, securitate subditorum nostrorum, ac salva conductione navium et merchandizarum ad reguum nostrum Angliæ venien', et de eod' ad partes exteras transeun', pararent unam navem de guerra portagii quad-præd' separal' brevia superius mentionat', reringent' et quinquagint' dolior', cum hominibus tam magistris peritis, quam marinariis valentioribus et expertis centum et octogint' ad minus, ac etiam tormentis tam majoribus quam minoribus, pulvere tormentario, ac hastis et telis, aliisque armaturis necessar' pro guerra sufficien', et cum duplici eskippamento, necnon cum vic. tualibus ad certum diem, in eod' brevi content', ad tot homines competen', et abinde in vigint' et sex septiman', ad custag' hominum et terr' tenen' burgor', vill', villat', hamlet', et al' locor' supra mentionat' in dicto com' Bucks, tam in victualibus, quam in hominum salar', et al' ad guerram necessar' per tempus illud super defensionem maris in obsequio nostro, in comitiva custod' maris moratur', et ad portum de Portsm', circa tempus in eod' brevi limitat', duci facerent. Quodque respective assiderent omnes homines in præd' burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et burg de Chipping Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, et cæteris burgis, villis, villat', hamlet' et aliis locis in dicto com' Bucks, et membris eorund', et ter' tenentes in eisd', ad contribuend' expensis circa provisionem præmissor, et ad cætera faciend' et exequend', modo et forma prout per idem breve præcept' fuit; vobis mittimus præsentibus inter claus' breve, pro eo quod salus regni nostri Angliæ, et populi nostri ejusdem periclitabatur, quod e dicta cancellar' nostra emanari narravimus, inter al' brevia ad hujusmodi provisionem et assessament' faciend' per singulos com', civitat', burg', vill' villat', hamlet', et locos regni nostri Angliæ et Walliæ, et membris eorund', e cancellar' nostr' præd' nuper emanat', et ibidem similiter irrot'; ac etiam quod dictum al' breve nostrum ad certificand' nobis in eand' cancellar', tam de nominibus hominum et terr' tenend' in præd' burg' et paroch' de Buckingham, et burg' de Chipping Wiccombe, alias Wiccombe, et in cæteris burgis, vil lis, villat', hamlet' et locis dicti com' Bucks,

VOL. III.

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ROBERT HOLBORNE.

Et Johannes Banks mil' Attorn' dom' regis nunc general', qui pro eodem domino rege sequitur, præsens hic in cur' ad eund' diem in propria persona sua, dicit, quod præd' separal' brevia, et return' eorund', ac schedul' præd' eisdem annex', materiaq; in eisdem content', sufficien' in lege existunt ad præd' Johan' Hampden de præd' vigint' solid' super ipsum in forma et ex causa præd' assessat' onerand': quam quidem materiam ipse dictus Attornat' dicti dom regis general', pro eodem dom' rege paratus est verificare; quamq; materiam præd' Johannes Hampden non didicit, nec ad eam aliqualiter respondit, sed verificationem illam adimittere omnino recusat: pro eodem dom' rege idcirco petit judicium, et quod præd' Johannes Hampden de eisd' vigint' solid' oneretur, et inde satisfaciat, &c. JOHANNES BANKS.

A

Copy of the JUDGMENT, as it is entered upon Kecord, in pursuance of the said motion, and according to the major votes.

Et quia barones hic se advisare volunt de et super præmissis, priusq' judicium inde reddant

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dies dat est præfat' Johanni Hampden eod' sta- ad largum ct summat' argumentari quidq' inde tu quo nunc hic in octab' sancti Michaelis, ut Ex utraq' parte dicere potuissent aut voluer', dicti barones se interim de iisdem præmissis ad- palam et singulatim audit' fuer'. Et præd' Atvisare possint, ac cum justiciar' de utroq' banco tornat et Solicitator general' diversa et quaminde deliberent, eo quod iidem barones hic inde plurima record', brevia, commission', et præcenondum, &c. Et super hoc concordat' est inter den' tam bujus Scaccarii, quam cur' Cancellar', barones hic, tam ex assensu dict' Attornat' dict' cur' de Banco Reg', ac de Commu' Banco', domini reg' general', quod dict' Attornat' præd' mater' in lege, et cætera præmissa in separal' Johannes Hampden, et consiliarior' in lege pe- brevibus return', et schedui:s præd' content', ex ritor' ejusdem Johannis Hampden, quod aliqui parte dict' domini reg' proban', confirman', et legis periti, tam de consilio ct parte dict' domi- manutenen', ad tunc et ibid' produser', ostenni reg', quum de consilio et parte dict' Johan- ser', et exposuer'; et ad præd' octabas sancti nis Hampden, de præd' materia in lege, et ca- Hilar' præd' Johannes Hampden venit hic ut teris præmissis in camera hojus Scaccarii, vul- prius, et quia barones hic ulterius se advisare gariter nuncupat' The Exchequer Chamber, co-volunt de et super præmissis priusquam judiram iisd' baronibus, assidentibus eis justiciar'ciun inde reddant, dies ulterius dat' est præfat' de utroque banco, argumentari interim publice Johanni Hampden, eod' statu quo nunc hic, usq' audiantur. Ad quas quid' octabas sancti Mi-a die Pascha in quindecim dies, ut dicti barones chaelis præd' Johannes Hampden venit hic ut interim, cum præfat' justiciar' de utroq' banco prius. Et quia barones hic ulterius se advisare ulterius deliberent, eo quod iidem barones hic volunt de et super præmissis, priusq' judicium inde nondum, &c. Ad quem diem præd' Joinde reddant, dies ulterius dat' est præfat' Jo-hannes Hampden venit hic ut prius, et quia bahanni Hampden, eod' statu quo nunc hic usq'rones hic ulterius se advisare volunt de et super in octab' sancti filarii, ut aliqui leges periti, præmissis priusquam judicium inde reddant, tam de consilio et parte dict' domini reg', quam dies ulterius dat' est eid' Johanni, eod' statu quo de consilio et parte dict' Johannis Hampden, de nunc hic, usq' in cro' sanctæ Trin', et dict' bapræed' materia in lege, et cæteris præmissis, in rones interim cum præfat' justiciar de utroq præd' camer' hujus Scaccarii, coram baronibus banco ulterius inde deliberent, eo quod iidem præd', assidentibus eis præd' justiciar' de utro-justiciar' hic inde nondum, &c. Ad quem que banco, argumentari interim publice audiantur; ac id' barones, cum iisd' justiciar' inde deliberent, eo quod nullus in lege peritus, vel de consilio ipsius domini reg', vel de consilio dict' Johannis Hampden adhuc auditur, et baroues hic inde non advisantur, &c. Posteaq' medio tempore in præe l'octab' sancti Michaels, et præd' octab' sancti Hilarii, tum Attornat' et Solicitator ipsius domini reg', quam duo legis periti de consilio præd' Johannis Hampden, indulæ præd' eisd' annex', ac mater' in eisd' conpræmissis existen' ex parte ejusd' Jobannis Hampden, duodecim separal' diebus in præd' camer' Scaccarii, coram baronibus hujus Seaccarii, assidentibus eis tanc ibid' præd' justiciar' de utroq' banco, de præd' mater' in lege et cæteris præmissis (recitato tunc ibid' record' præd')

diem

præd' Johannes Hampden venit hic ut prius, et super hoc visis præmissis, et per barones hic plene intellectis, habitaque inde matura deliberatione cum præd' justiciar' de utroqne banco, ac post argumenta tam per eosd' justiciar', quam per præd' barones singulatim in præed' camer Scaccarii publice inde fact', videtur inde baronibus, ex advisamento justiciar' præd', quod separal' brevia præed', et return' eorund', ac sche

tent', sufficien' in lege existunt ad præfat' Johannem Hampden de præd' vigint, solid,' super ipsum in forma et ex causa præd' assessať' onerand'. Ideo considerat' est per eosd' barones, quod præd' Johannes Hampden de eisd' vigint solid' oneretur, et exinde satisfaciet, &c.

148. The Trial of JonN LILBURN and JOIN WHARTON, for Printing and Publishing Seditious Books. In the Star-Chamber: 13 CHARLES I. A. D. 1637. [Written by John Lilburn.]

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BEFORE the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; the Lord-Keeper, lord Coventry; the LordTreasurer, bishop of London; the lord PrivySeal, earl of Manchester; the Earl-Marshal, earl of Arundel; the earl of Salisbury; the earl of Dorset; lord Cottington; lord Newburgh; Lord Chief Justice Bramston; sir Henry Vane; Mr. Secretary Cooke; Mr. Secretary Windebank; Judge Jones, and others.

Upon Tuesday the 11th or 12th Dec. 1637, I was treacherously and Judasly betrayed (by one that I supposed to be my friend) into the hands of the pursuivant, with four of his assistants, as I was walking in Soperlane with one

John Chilburne, servant

to old Mr. John Wharton, in Bow-lane, a hot-presser. And about twelve of the clock the next day, I was committed to the Gate-house, by sir John Lamb, the prelate of Canterbury's chancellor, with others, without any examination at all, for sending of factious and scandalous Books out of Holland into England. And having not been at the foresaid prison above three days, I was removed, by a warrant from the Lords of the Council, to the Fleet, where I now remain. And after my being there some time, I drew a Petition to the Lords of the Council for my liberty; and their Answer to it was, that I

should be examined before sir John Banks, the king's Attorney: The copy of which Examina

tion thus follows.

Chillington, do you know such a one? Yes.-How long have you been acquainted with him? A little before I went away, but how long, I do not certainly know.-Do you know one John Wharton? No.-Do you not? he is a hotpresser.-I know him, but I do not well re-How long have you member his other name.been acquainted with him, and how came you acquainted? I cannot well tell you.-How long do you think? I do not know.-What speeches had you with Chillington since you came to town? I am not bound to tell you: but sir (as I said before) why do you ask me all these questions? these are nothing pertinent to my imprisonment, for I am not imprisoned for know ing and talking with such and such men, but for sending over Books; and therefore I am not willing to answer you to any more of these questions, because I see you go about by this Examination to ensnare me: for seeing the things for which I am imprisoned cannot be proved against me, you will get other matter out of my examination: and therefore if you will not ask me about the thing laid to my charge, I shall answer no more; but if you will | ask of that, I shall then answer you, and do answer that for the thing for which I am im prisoned, which is for sending over books, I am clear, for I sent none; and of that you have to accuse me of, I know it is warrantable by the law of God, and I think by the law of the land, that I may stand upon my just defence, and not answer to your interrogas tories; and that my accusers ought to be brought face to face, to justify what they ac

any

other matter

Upon Tuesday the 14th Jan. 1637, I was had to sir John Banks the Attorney-General's chamber, (now Lord Chief-Justice of the Court of Pleas) and was referred to be examined by Mr. Cocksbey his chief clerk; and at our first coming together, he did kindly intreat me, and made me sit down by him, and put on my hat, and began with me after this manner; Mr. Lilburn, what is your Christian name? I said John. Did you live in London before you went into Holland? Yes, that I did.-Where? Near London-stone.-With whom there? With Mr. Thomas Hewson.-What trade is he? A dealer in cloth, I told him.-How long did you serve him? About five years.-How came you to part? After this manner: I perceiving my master had an intention to leave off his trade, I often moved him that I might have my liberty, to provide for myself, and at the last he condescended unto it: and so I went into the country, to have the consent of my friends; and after that went into Holland.-Where were you there? At Rotterdam.-And from thence you went to Amsterdam? Yes, I was at Amsterdam. What books did you see in Holland? Great store of books, tor in every bookseller's shop as I came in, there were great store of books. I know that, but I ask you, if you did see Dr. Bastwick's Answer to my master's Information, and a Book called his Litany? Yes, I saw them there; and if you please to go thither, you may buy an hundred of them at the booksellers, if you have a mind to them.—cuse me of. And this is all the answer that for Have you seen the "Unbishoping of Timothy the present I am willing to make: and if you and Titus," the "Looking-glass," and a " Bre- ask me of any more things, I shall answer you viate of the Bishop's late Proceedings"? Yes, I with silence.-At this he was exceeding angry, have, and those also you may have there, if and said, there would be a course taken with ine to make me answer. I told him, I did not you please to send for them.-Who printed all those books? I do not know.-Who was at the regard what course they would take with me; charges of printing them? Of that I am igno- only this I desire you to take notice of, that I rant. But did you not send over some of these do not refuse to answer out of any contempt, books? I sent not any of them over.-Do you but only because I am ignorant of what belongs to an Examination, (for this is the first time know one largust there? Yes, I did see such a man. Where did you see him? I met with that ever I was examined;) and therefore I am him one day accidentally at Amsterdam.-How unwilling to answer to any impertinent ques oft did you see him there? Twice upon one tions, for fear that with my answer I may do day. But did not he send over books? If he myself hurt.-This is not the way to get liberty: did, it is nothing to me, for his doings are un-I had thought you would have answered puncknown to me.-But he wrote a letter, by your directions, did he not? What he writ over I know no more than you.-But did you see hin no where else there? Yes, I saw him at Rotterdam.-What conference had you with him? Very little: but why do you ask me all these questions? these are beside the matter of my imprisonment; I pray come to the thing for which I am accused, and imprisoned.-No, these are not beside the business, but do belong to the thing for which you are imprisoned.

But do you know of any that sent over any books? What other men did, doth not belong to me to know or search into; sufficient it is for me to look well to my own occasions. Well, here is the Examination of one Edmund

tually, that so you might have been dispatched as shortly as might be. I have answered punctually to the thing for which I an imprisoned and more I am not bound to answer, and for my liberty I must wait God's time.-You had better answer, for I have two Examinations wherein you are accused. Of what am I accused?-Chillington hath accused you for print ing ten or twelve thousand of books in Holland, and that they stand you in about 80!, and that you had a chamber at Mr. John Foot's at Delft, where he thinks the books were kept, and that you would have printed the "Unmasking of the Mystery of Iniquity," if you could have got a true copy of it. I do not believe that Chillington said any such things; and if he did, I know

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