On December 25th, 1647, the House of Commons referred to the Committee of Complaints to enquire who was the author and printer of this "scandalous libellous pamphlet."[134] A copy exists in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains sixteen pages.

On December 25th, 1647, the House of Commons referred to the Committee of Complaints to enquire who was the author and printer of this pamphlet.[135]

On January 12th, 1647/8, the House of Commons referred this broadside to the Committee for Complaints, to enquire after the printers, publishers, divulgers, and abettors of it, and of the affront done to an officer that pulled it down from a post or some other public place where it was fixed in Cheapside.[136] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.

A single sheet containing a parody on the Commandments, commencing thus:—"1. Thou shalt have no other Gods but US the LORDS and COMMONS assembled at Westminster;" a parody on the Lord's Prayer commencing thus, "Our Fathers, which think your Houses of Parliament to be Heaven;" and a parody on the Apostles' Creed commencing thus, "I beleeve in Cromwell, the Father of all Schisme, Sedition, Heresy, and Rebellion." A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.

On February 19th, 1647/8, the House of Commons resolved that a reward of £100 should be bestowed on the discoverer of the author or printer of this "vile blasphemous pamphlet;" and a few days afterwards it was further ordered that all the copies should be collected together and be burnt by the Common Hangman in three of the most public places of London and Westminster, upon a market day.[137]

A Parody upon the commencement of the Gospel of St. Matthew, commencing thus:—

"The Booke of the Generation of John Pim, the sonne of Judas, the sonne of Belzebub," &c.; and it concludes with this:—

This pamphlet was condemned to be burnt under the vote of the House of Commons which consigned the Parliament's Ten Commandments to the flames. (See last article.) A copy exists in the British Museum Library.

On June 27th, 1648, the House of Commons resolved that this "scandalous and seditious paper" should be referred to the Committee for suppressing of libels, with power to examine who printed and published the same, and who set up the same, or advised the knocking down of Lieut. Col. Bellamy; and it was further ordered that the said Committee should draw up something and present to the house for vindication of the honour of Major General Skippon. On the 10th July, upon Mr. Challoner's report from the Committee, it was resolved that this paper, wherein Major General Skippon was slanderously charged with notorious falsities "was a malicious and scandalous Libel: and also this House doth declare, That it doth appear to them, that Captain Rolfe, charged by Mr. Osborne to conspire the Taking away of his Majesty's Life is not Son-in-law to Major General Skippon; neither hath any Relation unto him, as is falsly charged in the said Paper. Also, that it doth appear to this House, That Mr. Rolfe who is Son-in-Law to Major General Skippon, hath no Command in this Army, or hath, or ever had, any Command in the Isle of Wight. Also, that the foul aspersions in the said Libel, cast upon Major General Skippon, tended to blast him in his Reputation, to raise Mutiny and Sedition, and to stir up the Hatred of the People against him, thereby to render him useless in these distracted Times, he being a Person of such eminent Worth." And it was finally resolved that these Votes should be forthwith printed, and set up in the most publick Places of the City, "to discover to the People the wicked Designs of these Libels; and to vindicate Major General Skippon in his Honour, from the false Calumnies thereby cast upon him."[138]

On January 6th, 1647/8, the House of Commons ordered that this pamphlet should be referred to the Committee for printing unlicensed pamphlets.[139]

A folio sheet, signed "As much a Christian and an Englishman as ever, John Lilburne. From my Chamber in the Tower of London, this 14. of Sept., 1649." A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.

For writing and printing this and the four following pamphlets, Lilburne was prosecuted and tried in October, 1649, but was acquitted. The proceedings are given at great length in Howell's State Trials.

A copy of this pamphlet is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 66 pages.

A quarto pamphlet of 12 pages, of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library.

A tract of 75 pages, of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library. It was written by Lilburn, while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and is thus dated by him:—

"From my close, unjust, and causelesse captivity without allowance (the legall right of all men in my case) in the Tower of London this 8. of June 1649. The first yeer of England's declared Freedom, by the lying and false pretended Conservators thereof, that never intended it." At the end is this note.

A copy of this pamphlet is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 40 pages.

On January 5th, 1648/49, the House of Commons ordered that Mr. Humphrey Edwards and Mr. Fry should repair to Mr. Prynne and show him this "scandalous book or pamphlet," and to know of him if he would own and avow the same book. The next day Mr. Edwards reported Mr. Prynne's answer touching his owning this pamphlet, which was a characteristic one, viz.: "I will give no answer until I am commanded by a lawful authority." On January 10th, it was resolved that Mr. Prynne by this answer had disowned the authority of that House, and that he should therefore be forthwith sent for in safe custody by the Serjeant at Arms. But Prynne refused his attendance, for the next day the servant to the Serjeant at Arms who was sent to take Mr. Prynne gave the following information to the House; that he repaired to Mr. Prynne, and served the warrant upon him, that Mr. Prynne thereupon gave him this answer, viz. that upon the sixth of December last as he was coming to do his duty in the House of Commons, he was taken by Colonel Pryde and Sir Hardres Waller, and by them imprisoned he knew not for what cause; that he yet remained under that restraint and was not yet discharged from that imprisonment; and that therefore he would not come upon that warrant.[140]

A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 16 pages.

On February 3rd, 1648/9, the House of Commons ordered that this book should be taken into consideration, and that the authors, publishers, printers, and subscribers to the same should be examined; and that a Committee should take information of such as had already preached, published, or printed seditiously the proceedings in bringing the King to justice; and also that they should prepare and bring in an ordinance to restrain public preaching and printing anything against the proceedings of the House of Commons and the High Court of Justice in relation to bringing the King to justice.[141] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 11 pages.

On March 19th, 1648/9, Captain Bray appeared before the House of Commons, and being demanded whether this was his book or not, and whether it was an appeal of all those in whose name it was made, he answered that it was his book, but it was done without the consent or knowledge of any of the soldiery or people on their behalf, and he doubted not that they would justify and engage for it. Being again asked why he did it, and by whose licence it was printed, he answered that "although it be a declared principle by the army, that it is contrary to the privilege of the nation, to answer to any interrogatories at all; but he having formerly prepared an appeal, which he laid aside, expecting the proceedings of the army would have been according to justice and equity, he engaged himself freely for the public, and for execution of justice; but finding himself to be dealt with as he hath remonstrated, and the case being thus, he appealed to this supreme authority: wherein he expects relief according to justice and righteousness; and shall sit down in such sentence: and saith, it was printed by the authority of reason and justice; which is declared to be supreme to all men." And being demanded by whose commission he was made a captain; he answered, by the General's Commission in Colonel Lilburne's regiment, in one case remonstrated in the Petition, and in another case by the Committee of Kent; but that he had not the punctilio of a commission in the last business; but his engagement with Colonel Reynolds, for maintenance of truth and righteousness, far above any punctilio of commission "according to right, reason, justice, and righteousness."

It was thereupon resolved that this book was "scandalous as to the General and Council of War; and tending to stir up sedition in the people and mutiny in the army," and that Captain Bray should be committed to Windsor Castle during the pleasure of the House.[142] A copy of this pamphlet is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 19 pages.

On March 19th, 1648/9, the House of Commons ordered that this book, which was then in the press, should be seized, and the printer taken into custody, and subsequently the Council of State was directed to suppress all the books, and the further imprinting of the same.[143]

A pamphlet of 36 pages, of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library. On March 21st, 1648/9, the House of Commons referred to the Committee of plundered Ministers to consider of this book; to examine the business and to send for the printer, and to report it to the House.[144]

On March 27th, 1649, the House of Commons resolved that this printed paper contained "much false, scandalous, and reproachful matter; and was highly seditious and destructive to the present Government; as it is now declared and settled by Parliament; tends to Division and mutiny in the army, and the raising of a new war in the Commonwealth, and to hinder the present relief of Ireland; and to the continuing of Free Quarter." And it was further declared that the authors, contrivers, and Framers of the said paper were guilty of High Treason; and should be proceeded against as Traitors: and that all persons assisting them should be esteemed as traitors to the Commonwealth; and be proceeded against accordingly. And it was referred to the Council of State to examine and find out the authors, contrivers, and framers, printers and publishers of the said paper; and to proceed therein as they should find just and necessary, for preventing tumults, and for preservation of the peace of the Commonwealth, and thereof to give an account speedily to the House. On April 11th, 1649, the House of Commons ordered that the Attorney General should prosecute Lieut. Col. Lilburne, Mr. William Walwyn, Mr. Richard Overton, and Mr. Thomas Prince, in the Upper Bench, touching the publication of this book.[145] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 18 pages.

On August 14th, 1649, the House of Commons ordered that the printer of this pamphlet should be sent for, and, if necessary, committed.[146] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 16 pages.

On August 14th, 1649, the House of Commons ordered that the author of this pamphlet, and the licenser of it should be sent for, and, if necessary, committed.[147] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 12 pages.

On October 24th, 1649, the House of Commons ordered the Council of State to use all diligent endeavour to find out the authors, printers, and publishers of this book, and to examine the whole business, and report the same to the House.[148] The author was Clement Walker, who was born at Cliffe in Dorsetshire; he became M.P. for Wells in 1640, and was a zealous Covenanter. He was imprisoned in the Tower for writing the Anarchia, and died there in 1651. "This work," says Bishop Warburton, "gives an admirable idea of the character of the times, parties, and persons."

On February 1st, 1649/50, the House of Commons resolved that this book contained "many horrid blasphemies and damnable and detestable opinions, to be abhorred by all good and godly people;" and that all the printed copies thereof should be burnt by the Hangman at the New Palace Yard, Westminster, the Exchange in Cheapside, and the Market Place in Southwark. On the 27th September following, it was also ordered that Abiezer Copp, the reputed author of this book, should be examined, and that the author and publisher thereof should be discovered.[149] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 15 pages.

On March 1st, 1649/50, a letter from the Mayor of Sarum, dated February 27th, enclosing one of these books, was read before the House of Commons, and it was referred to the Committee of plundered ministers to peruse the same, and report to the House thereon. On March 8th, the House resolved that this book "ascertaining the observation of the Jewish Sabbath, and condemning the observation of the Lord's Day as the Christian Sabbath," was "erroneous, scandalous, and profane, contrary to the practice of the apostles and of all the Christian Churches;" and all the printed copies of the same were to be burnt, and the author was to be apprehended and imprisoned.[150]

This "traiterous cursed writing in parchment" was read by the House of Commons on May 27th, 1661, and ordered to be burnt on the following day in Westminster Hall by the Common Hangman.[151]

This "treasonable parchment in writing" was read by the House of Commons on May 27th, 1661, and was ordered to be burnt on the following day at the Old Exchange, London, by the Common Hangman, at full Exchange time, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock.[152] A printed copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio.

After the Restoration of King Charles the Second, this book was called in by proclamation, and burnt by the Common Hangman. John Goodwin, the author, was chaplain to Oliver Cromwell, and a Nonconformist, but of a different stamp to the generality of them. He had a clear head, a fluent tongue, a penetrating spirit, and a marvellous faculty in descanting on scripture, and must be owned to have been a very considerable man.[153] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 146 pages, and a postscript of one page.

Thomas Bayly was the author of this work, and for writing the same he was committed to Newgate. A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in octavo, and contains 144 pages.

This "traiterous writing in parchment" was read by the House of Commons on May 27th, 1661, and ordered to be burnt on the following day by the Common Hangman at the Old Exchange in London, at full Exchange time, between the hours of twelve and one o'clock.[154] The burning of this and other Acts was witnessed by Samuel Pepys, as appears from the following passage in his Diary: "1661. 28th May. With Mr. Shipley to the Exchange, and there saw the hangman burn, by vote of Parliament, two old Acts; the one for constituting us a Commonwealth, and the other I have forgot; which still do make me think of the greatness of this late turne, and what people will do to-morrow, against what they all, through profit or fear, did promise and practise this day."[155] A printed copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in folio.

On June 16th, 1660, the House of Commons ordered that these books should be burnt by the Common Hangman; and a proclamation was issued for calling in and suppressing them.

An octavo pamphlet of 68 pages, of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library.

A quarto pamphlet of 23 pages, of which there is a copy in the British Museum Library.

On January 31st, 1650/51, the House of Commons referred these books to the Committee of plundered ministers, to state the exceptions against them and to report the same to the House; and also ordered that their author, Mr. John Fry, a member of Parliament, should attend the House. On February 20th following, the Committee made their report to the House, in which are contained particulars of the various blasphemous and irreligious opinions contained in these books, and two days afterwards the House of Commons ordered that both the books should be burnt by the Common Hangman.[156]

On June 21st, 1650, the House of Commons ordered that search should be made for the author, printer, and publisher of this pamphlet, and on the 27th September following, the confession of Laurence Clarkson "touching the making and publishing of this impious and blasphemous book" was reported to the House; and it was resolved that Clarkson should be forthwith sent to the House of Correction for one month, and from that time "to be banished out of the Commonwealth and the territories thereof, and not to return upon pain of death."

The book itself was to be burnt by the Common Hangman in the New Palace at Westminster, and upon the Exchange.[157] A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library. It is in quarto, and contains 16 pages.

A folio broadside, of which the following is a copy:—

"To the Supream Authority of this Nation, the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England.

"The humble petition and appeal of Josiah Prymat of London, Leatherseller, sheweth,

"That your Petitioner, by his under-tenants, George Lilburn Esquire, and George Gray the younger, Gentleman, both of the County of Durham, being in the years 1647, 1648, and 1649, in a just and quiet possession of the Collieries, or Seams of Cole, in Harraton, in the County aforesaid, called the Five-quarter and Nine-quarter Cole, (and having spent near £2000 to win the same), which lay drowned and lost, from 1642 to 1647; Sir Arthur Haslerig, in September, 1649, procuring Colonel Francis Wren, one of the Committee of that County, and Colonel George Fenwick, to joyn with him, made an Order, (against which the rest of the said Committee present protested) to sequester the said Collieries, under colour of an untrue suggestion that Sir Wm. Armyn had sequestred the same in 1644, as belonging to one Thomas Wray, a Papist Delinquent: and thereupon the said Sir Arthur violently dispossessed your Petitioner's tenants, and seized their goods; and lett the said Collieries to Colonel Francis Hacker, and several of the Officers of his own Regiment.

"That your Petitioner hath petitioned to the Commissioners for compounding for relief; but, by the power and influence of the said Sir Arthur, upon most of the said Commissioners, your Petitioner hath been delayed, and denied the ordinary course of proceedings in all Courts of Justice: and at last, coming to hearing, the said Sir Arthur appeared every Day of the hearing; and took upon him, not only to plead against your Petitioner (which is humbly conceived to be contrary to Law, he being a Member of the Supream Authority) but also Authoritatively to prejudge your Petitioner's case, and to direct the said Commissioners what to judge therein; and by his power and influence upon the said Commissioners, he over-awed most of them, and after full hearing, judgment being respited from day to day, the said Sir Arthur kept private correspondence with some of the said Commissioners, about finding some new colour or pretences to detain your petitioner's possession from him, whereupon he produced new pretended evidence after full hearing; and thereupon the major part of the said Commissioners, not daring (as is humbly conceived) to oppose the will and pleasure of the said Sir Arthur, have contrary to clear evidence before them for your petitioner, refused to relieve him; and have punctually pursued in their Judgment, the directions publickly given by the said Sir Arthur.

"That the said Commissioners being the onely persons authorized by the Parliament to hear and determine all cases about sequestred estates, your Petitioner cannot be relieved from the oppression and tyranny of the said Sir Arthur, save by the Parliament or their special Order and Directions: And your Petitioner hath been kept from his Possession above two years, and the said Sir Arthur hath declared the said Collieries to be worth, at least, £5000 per annum.

"May it therefore please the Parliament, in respect
to the Public Justice of the Commonwealth, to cause
the truth of the Premises to be speedily examined,
and to provide for your Petitioner's relief from the
oppression and Tyranny of the said Sir Arthur Haslerigg,
and for the dispensation of Justice, without fear
or favour; as to your Wisdoms shall seem most just.

"And your Petitioner shall pray, &c.

"Joseph Primatt."

On January 15th, 1651/52, the Parliament approved and affirmed the judgment and resolutions of the Commissioners for compounding in the case of Josiah Prymate, and after having proceeded with the matter of crime charged in the petition, it was resolved that this petition was false, malicious, and scandalous, and that the printing, publishing, and dispersing of the same was a high breach of privilege of Parliament; and also that all the printed copies should be burned by the Common Hangman at the Old Exchange, London, and in the New Palace, Westminster, on Tuesday and Wednesday next, also that Prymate should be fined £3000, to be paid to the use of the Commonwealth; also £2000 more, to be paid to Sir Arthur Haslerig; also £2000 more to be paid to James Russells, Edward Winslow, William Molins, and Arthur Squibb, Esquires, four of the Commissioners for compounding. It was then ordered that Prymat should be committed to the Fleet till the aforesaid sums were paid. The House then proceeded against Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne, who confessed that he had dispersed several of the printed copies of this petition, and similar fines were imposed upon him, as well as perpetual banishment from the Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.[158]

A copy is preserved in the British Museum Library.