DEarely beloued Brethren , and fellow heires of the same Kingdome and Crowne of Glory with mee . I am at this present constrained to declare vnto (a) (a) If we will be like vnto God we must haue our eares open to heare the cry of the oppressed , and our hands ready to releeve them in what we are able . you , and truely to say with the Prophet Jeremiah , in the third of his Lamentations , that I am the man that haue seene & felt afflictions , by the rod of Gods wrath . Also I am aboue measure forced to send forth vnto you , and cry out aloud , to make my grievous deplorable & lamentable complant , knowne vnto you , of the barberous cruelty & tiranies , that Prelates and Iaylors haue for a long time together , and still do , exercise vpon mee , labouring by vnheard of cruelty , to take away my life privatly (b) (b) This hath been constantly their practice , barberously to murder the Saints in secret : knowing their cause to be so wicked , that if it should come to be openly discouered all good men would detest it & them . in a hole and corner , that so it might be noysed abroad , not daring in regard of my vnspotted innocency , to bring me againe into the publique view of the Kingdome , and therefore doe they tortour my poore weake body , with vnparaleld Paganish and Heathenish cruelty . (c) (c) Howsoever wee cannot but greeve to heare of such cruell sufferings : yet wee maie herein rejoyce , that we se these marked slaves of Antich . so farre to fulfill the scriptures , as that we may infallibly conclude , that they are the Locusts which came out of the bottomlesse pit .

A breife Relation of part of which , you may read after these lines , in my Humble Petition to the Noble Lords for meantenance , which J sent the last week to the Wardens of the Fleete , having leave of them for a Scribe to write it , and they kept it all night , and Warden Jugram sent me this word back againe : that he would deliuer no Petition vnles I would recant and submitt . (d) (d) That is , turne Papist and see he might be sure to haue liberty enough , and preferment also . J answered him back again , that if any of my adversaries would shew mee wherein I had broken any of my Soveraignes Lawes , J would submit without any conditions , to all that they wovld desire of mee . Or if they see that I am erronious in my Iudgment , J would dispute it with them , and if they could groundedly , by the authority of the word of God , shew and proue , that I hold one errour . I will be bound publiquely to recant , in every Citty of the Kingdome . And I said to my Keeper at severall times , and so I do still , I desire no favour at his hands , nor any Bishop in the Kingdome , for if I be an offender , I desire the extreamity of the law may be inflicted vpon me to the vtmost , for J had rather ( I professe vnto you ) chuse to morrow to dy at Tyburne or (e) (e) It is no marvaile that the Scotsmen will haue no Bishops among them . Considering that it is better , that aman were put to the cruelst death that could be devised , then to be vnder their hands . Smithfield , then to bee still induring of my Constant Extraordinarie bodily paines and torments , which haue been so great , that I do assure you many times , they haue almost distracted me of my sences . And if they will not do this , then seeing my owne estate is spent , and all my kindred hath from the beginning left mee : (f) (f) Gods people when they suffered vnder the pagans , had this favour shewed them : that ther friends might come freely to them : & supply their wants . But the Prelates for cruelty are far worse then the Heathens , for when they once get a man into their prison , they will not suffer any body to visit him , but rather do seeke by some secret way to murder him . & my weake condition is so exceeding chargable vnto me , standing mee in more in one week now , then would keep me fiue weekes if I were wel , And also seing that any that will take compassion of my low estate , are not suffered to come at me , to releeue mee , I desired the Warden ( having none at all to do it for me besides him ) that hee according to his place & office , would truly make my miserable condition known to to the LORDS , that J may haue a competant allowance from them to sustaine nature , that so I may not perish in this deplorable & weake condition , and this ( said I ) hee being my chiefe Keeper , hee is bound to do it , at his & your perrell be it , for I know if my innocent blood should this night by cruelty be taken awaie , the Lord would raise vp some , that will require of you & him , a strict account how it was shed : & though you keep me so close , that there be but few at my death , yet you knowe not what great troupes may com to my burial : (g) (g) Who shall accompany thy body to the grave I know not : But this J know Angels shall accompany thy soule to Heaven . But as for that blood s●cker Laud : J verily beleeve ( except he repent ) the Devill will accompany him to hell torment . remember but the late great multitude (h) (h) Such a company would follow Laud and his crew If they knew when the king & state would hang them at Tiburne . that came to the Fleet , & attended M , Burton & M. Prinne out of the Cittie , and if any thing but good follow vpon this , you & hee are the sole cause of it , therfore as you wil answer it before King and State , look to it , for I am my Soveaignes faithfull and leige subject (i) (i) Let it be observe that it was never yee seene ( nor I hope shall be ) that ther was any man of his profession iustly tainted for a Traitor to the King & cuntry , whereas the Prelates in all ages since the Devill erected them haue been proved the most notorious traitors that ever were in the world , & might iusttice take place , it would bee proved that they who are now aliue are notorious ones . yea one as faithfull to his Crowne as any whatsoever that breathes in all his Dominions , for if it can be proued that ever I broke any of his lawes , I will submit vnto , and suffer whatsoever authoritie wil laie vpon mee : therefore be not you & hee the Bishops Agents to take awaie my life in my close imprisonment , for you vse me worse & more tiranically , then ever any traitour in England was vsed , yea worse then the Gun-powder traitours were vsed . I haue read a great part of the Booke of Martyrs , with some Histories of the like kinde : and J will meantaine it , that such an vnparaleld Act of crueltie and barborous tiranie , as haue been exercised vpon mee , is not to be found in them all . Yea wicked bloodie Bonner (k) (k) Seing thier wick ednes is come to such a height , & fulnesse , and they doe go beyond in cruelty the crelst Tirants that ever were : My hope is that their destruction & ruin is at hand . and that hee will cause the land to spue them out , and so s●nd them packing to their owne place . Amen Amen . himselfe , never did the like to any of the Saints as haue been done vnto mee , for while they lived , he would either suffer their friends to come at them , to releeue them , or else he would allow them meantenance to preserue life in them , but neither of these can I enjoy , also hee would dispute with them himselfe , and send for others likewise to do it , and vse all meanes to winne them to himselfe , but none of these haue I yet found , though J haue often desired it : and promised to recant , if it could be shewed that I held any errors . Againe hee would take away their lines , (l) (l) Without doubt the Prelates would do so too , but are restrained : Now it is humlby desired , that they who thinke it not fit that the Bishops should haue their will in taking our lines away : that they suffer them not in the meane time to use us worse . if they broke any of the lawes or would not submit vnto them , but though I haue not broken any of the Kings lawes , and haue offered so faire as I haue done , and haue desired & longed to meet with death , yet can I not be rid of my misery , but you keep me in a tormenting (m) (m) When these Tormentours feele hell torments , then they will know what it is to torment others , condition , full of extreamitie and bodiliepaine , that I can neither get ease sitting nor lying , being vnable to go without great miserie , being alwaies as it were in the panges of death , & yet cannot meet with it . But said I to M. Iohn Murry & M. Morgan a Papist , tell the Warden from mee , that vnlesse the Bishopps , by the law of the land , and the word (a) (a) They can shew as much word of God for what they doe ; as they doe shew mercy and goodnesse in their actions : and that is in both none at all . of God , will shew me my offence , I will never submit , nor recant , in the least , while breath is in my body , and therefore it is but in vaine to h●pe for it , for if he and I should liue together as longe as Methusalah did , which was almost a thousand yeares , yet he should never get mee to goe against the sweet peace of a good conscience , or recant that which J am perswaded is a truth , yea if hee should exercise all the cruelty in the world upon mee , though he should locke mee in an Iron chest , that I could neither stirre hand nor foote , and feede me with channell water , and with bread made of saw dust , hee might well take away my life and beeing from the earth , but he should never make me goe , against my conscience , for I am kept by the power of God , through faith vnto salvation , and Crowne of glory that is so rich in my eyes , that I dare not deny Christ , nor his truth , though all the crueltie in the world should be inflicted upon mee , least he deny mee before his father , which is in heaven : Yet most miserable it is , that I should perish by cruelty , in my close condition , being a faithfull subject to the King , & neuer broke any of his lawes . And let my tormentors looke to it , as they will answer it , for I haue heard that the Honorable Lords , (b) (b) Howsoever the Bishops do cause the Godly to be cruelly vsed in Preson . Yet I am perswaded that neither the King nor the Temporall Lords of his majesties council , do know of it . For it is not possible if they did that they would suffer it , considering how much it is against nature to exercise cruelty vpon any creature : much lesse on man who carries Gods owne image . which haue beene made acquainted with my cruell vsage , protested they would not beleeue , that the Warden dealt so with mee : this with much more that then I said , with some prisoners taking notice of my condition , but especially Sr. Richard Gravenner , a worshipfull Knight , (c) (c) J do not marvaile that the knight would not receive it for atruth . For the truth is : such is their cruelty shewed to such as are against their places , that vnles it were seen with the eyes , one would scarce beleeve it . For this I do affirme & will make it good : that no Rogue in any Iayle of the Land , is so basely & barberously handled . Not that the Keepers desire to vse them so , but are charged secretly by the Bb. so to do , & threatened to loose their places if they shew favour to them . who sent to the Warden about it , which I think put him in some feare , that he durst not well denie my reasonable request , in delivering my petition , so hee sent a scribe to me , to draw it oner a gaine , and to leave out the most of it , especiallie about my lying in Irons in my sicknesse , which I would not leave out , (d) (d) This shewes that their cruelty is exercised only by the Bishops meanes . only I omitted this clause , who suffers for his conscience sake , which was most accepted against , and the old women that tends mee , delivered the petition againe to him vpon tuesday last , tobedeliuered it to the Lords the next day , but he put me of with delaies , that neither vpon wednesdaie at night , nor yet vpon thursdaie could I not in the least know , what was done in it , vntill this present Frydaie morning , that my keeper after many sendings for him , befor he would come at me , told me the Warden had deliuered it to the Clarke of the counsell , but it was not yet answered , yea but ( said I ) was it deliuered to the Lords , and read before them or no , for it may be deliuered to the Clarke of the counsell , and yet never come to their eares , or hands , that I know not saith hee , I pray you then tell the Warden , that I desire to know of him , whither it were delivered to the Lords , yea , or no , or whither hee will deliuer it , which if he refuse to doe , I having none to do any thing about it for mee , as hee , and you verie well know , for all my kindred hath left mee , in regard the Bishop of Canterburie , (a) (a) Was there ever such a Tiran● heard o● : that seekes to undo whole families , for the mallace which he beares to some perticular persons . If there were nothing else to stirre up the hearts of people against him this were enough . in reveng , hath fallen upon my Father , about his outward estate , hauing now for a longe time together , beene in suit , for all his land , which suit hath cost him many a thousand pound , and hath beene heard before the King , and Nobles , and all the Iudges of the land , and the Bishop (b) (b) I know not how that Judge did answer the Caterpillar J should say Kan kerbury : But if I had heard him speak it . J should haue set my eyes upon him , and said unto him as Paul did to his Brother E●imas the sorcerer , O full of all suttilty , and all mischiefe , thou child of the Divell , thou enimy of all righteousnes , wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord . in priuate , hath spoken to the Iudges of the Circuit , against my Father , for my sake , which one of them told my eldest Brother of , and this hath bred mee a sore affliction , from all my kindred , but especiallie from my Father (c) (c) This is on of their common practises : to set the father against the sonne , the King against the Subject . But Christ will set himselfe against them one day . , which hath made him write to my youngest Brother , here in London , to beware of mee , and my stepps , for I haue beene the greatest griefe vnto him , that ever came to him , soe that I haue noe friend left that I know of , to follow it for mee .

Therefore in regard the Warden deales so with me , J shall be forced to proclaime abroad & make the Kingdome ring (d) (d) The Kingdome rings enough already with the Prelates cruelty , for they are minded by all sorts of people good & had , a most bloody generation : insomuch as the nation is weary of them : & desire to he rid of them , as of their sorest & greatest plague , , with his and the Prelaes cruelty towards mee , seing they still do , as formerly they haue done ; by all meanes possible , that my Iust and murnefull complaint , might not come vnto the Honorable Lords (a) (a) This hath beene their constant practise : to keepe from the King and State their secret & bloody acts : for they wel know that if it should be known how many they make away in Prison , by hard vsage : they wold smart for it . eares , and therefore I must be constrained to condeavour to get one delivered whether he will or no , and make him it may be , smart for his vnwarrantable cruelty , that hee inhumanly hath exercised vpon mee , not only since I came into your custody , but also before : who kept me close prisoner , well nigh foure monthes together , before my cruell publique suffering , and would not suffer me to take the ayre , the space of one houre : though J haue often sent to him and desired it . For which close imprisonment , hee himselfe told me , hee had no order from the Lords , (b) (b) Hee meanes the Temporall Lords . for doubtles he knew that it was the Prelates desire , that he should vse him as Cruellie as could be : besides I do beleeve , that were it not to giue them content , no keeper in the Land would shew soe much inhumanity & barberousnes as some doe . neither would he shew me any , but said all my punishment was little enough for me : because I was so refractory and stubborne , when before his face J desired to know wherin , & this J will depose vpon my oath before King & State . For ( hee ) I verily beleeue kept me vp at the Bishops private instagation , (c) (c) Thou mayst be sure of that . for is there any basensse vsed towards Gods people : but they are cheife causers of it . but coloured it over with another pretence : because J was not able to procure two Aldermens fellows , according to his demande , of two thousand pouud bond , for my safe imprisonment , when he had me vnder many locks , & I being as peaceable a prisoner as any in the Fleete .

This and much more of his cruelty exerised vpon me from time to time , as J am able larglie to particular , which I thinke he will not be able to answer , & therfore he dares nor let my miserable estate be made known vnto the Lords , for feare he himselfe smart soundly for it , being a maine cause of it .

But tell him from mee , that I am almost murdered with cruelty , my strength being gone and my life euen at deaths doore . therefore J do protest in the presence of God , if I haue not speedy redresse one way or another , I will proclaime aloude his & the Prelates wickednes & barberous tyrany . (d) (d) And know this for thy comfort that many thousands of vs , do cry aloud in thy behalfe ; & for many other sufferers with thee , vnto the Lord , that he would avenge himselfe on his enimies . And J beleeve Gods wrath is not farre from them . & I dovbt not but to make him and them smart for it : seeing he will not according to his place ( the Lords having sent to him & my Doctour : to know how it is with mee ) make them truely acquainted how submissiue I am to any reasonable demande , as I declared to his face when I was last before him , but seekes by cruelty to take away my life : hoping in regard of my great weaknes and paine , that J will suddenly die , and there wil be an end of me . And then may saie [a] [a] This hath beene anciently their practice when they murdered the Saints in prison by barbarous usage ; to devise notorious lyes for their excuse , but the Lord who sees their wickednesse will bring them forth one day for it , to their shame before men and Angels . I dyed of long sicknes and weaknesse , and so colour over their tyrany and crueltie , for he dares not let his and the Bishops crueltie be knowne , but seeks by all means to hide it from the Noble Lords (b) (b) No doubt the noble Lords & Peeres doe know a great deal of their treachery , & villany : yet not halfe of it , for it is one of their speciall imployments to keep from the King and state the knowledge of their base actions , and hence it is that they striue soe much to suppresse al books that are writen in the discouery of their actions , for they wel known , should the land know what they doe it would spue them out . & Peeres of the Land , whom I know haue more Humanity , Nobilitie and mercie in their heroycall breast : then for nothing & without any just offence , to take awaie a poore young mans life in a corner . Now the very speaking of these things ( to some of my compassionate friends , that came vp to my lodging to se me , who would receiue no wrong of my Keeper ) hath struck him to the very heart , and made him looke soe paile as if he would haue fallen down dead at my bed side , & it so affrighted him : that now he will not let any come to me , but hath refused to let many come at me , that haue desired to communicate to my necessities , neither can I now scarce get himselfe to come vp to mee . But ( saith hee ) that which you set your hand too , ( before Sr. John Bankes ) hath vndone you , well if it haue ( said I ) yet I am sure there is nothing in it , either against the King or his lawes Its true I accused the Bishops of High Treason , [c] [c] So much hath beene from time to time offered to bee proued , in the chiefest Courts of the Land , yea if some parliament had stood they would haue been ere this time censured & executed for Traytors , & this they know well enough , insomuch as a Parliament ; to them , is as Drake was to the Spaniard . & mentioned the Parliament lawes of the Land for proofe of it . Also their publique renouncing of the King and State , in the Censure of Noble Doctor Bastwick , in the High Commission Court . And J offered vpon my life to make it good , and this I spake . also before many Prisoners through the grates of my window , desiring them beare wittnesse of this : and much more which I then spake , and now againe to you my Brethren ; vnderstanding well what I say , and J will affirme it : that all the Bishops in England that had a hand in the Censuring of Dr. Bastwick in the High Commission Court , are Traytours to the King & State , as I will proue by severall Acts of Parliamet , vpon paine of loosing my head ; if I may haue a legall proceeding against them . Therefore make it knowne : (a) (a) Jt is made known to the whole nation , and proved clearely in many Bookes , as the Abreviate Syons Plea , &c. Besides the people generally take them no otherwise . for hee that conceales Treason , ( by the lawes of the Land ) is guilty of punishment , as well as the Traitour himselfe , therefore looke to it , for J am able to proue what J say . But as for my Petition , J am out of all hopes of any releefe by it , in regard it is not yet , neither do I think it wil ever be delivered to the Lords by the Warden . And also I do verily thinke it will be found , that hee and the Bishops as J haue accused them before mauy witnesses : even the same day fell sicke , and as J haue formerly said , they haue conspired together , by tiranicall cruelty , of set purpose to take awaie my life and blood , which is almost spent alreadie that so I might not liue to make ( their Pagan like wickednes and barberous tirnanie ) knowne . And therefore was I laid in Irones for a long time together , even in my sicknesse , in which I laid night and day , with my hands and feet fast in the Fetters , my Bootes & stockens being on my legs for many nights together , Without ( I verilie thinke , ) the least order from the Honorable , Lords , they hoping by this meanes , to put an end to my daies , which they haue almost done . For as I then tould my Doctor , the coldnesse of my Irones , they being verie straite vpon the wrists of my Armes , which struck an ague soe to my heart , that J thought I should haue dyed in a sudden fitt of paine . when none was with mee , and I verily thinke it had killed me ere this , if I had not followed my Doctours advise , in being at charges to get a wider made , which sent for to the Smiths , my Keeper delaying to do it for mee , though I much desired it of him : that so I might haue wrapped cloaths enough about it , to keep awaie the peircing cold , which proceeded from the coldnesse of the Irones . (b) (b) It is a thing which the Prelates doe much labour about , namely to perswade the King and his Councill that the Puritants in writings against their cruelty do greatly disgrace the Government of the Land . But if the thing were truly considered ; that which hath made the English nation Contemptible in the eyes of the world , is the inhumane practises of Bishoppes , for where shall a man heare of so vile and bloody a practice as this .

O yee Heavens and earth , that is to say : you true Churches & Christian Common wealths , ( as you are called ) stand amazed and wonder : at the barberous and savadge crueltie , ( of bloody Bishops & Iaylours ) exercised vpon mee , a poore weake and young stripling , without any just cause at al , only because I love the Lord Iesus Christ & am a faithfull subject to my Prince , (a) (a) Were thou not a faithfull subject to thy Prince , the Prelates would never hate thee , for what Priest or Iesuit haue they ever so handled . & Country , and wil not suffer ( as much as in me lies ) to be ruinated by Ambitious , Treacheros popish Prelats . For if my strength of bodie ( which is now exceeding weake ) would serue , and a fit oppertunity , I could write a large & Lamentable complaint vnto you , that one would hardly beleeue : (b) (b) Yes ? many would beleeve it . For it is certain , & I here report it of knowledg ; that in all the Popish countries where I haue beene , there is not that cruelty now exercised by Bis. any where , as there is in England . The Prelates in Poland , Spaine , France , are not halfe so vile . Much lesse sinne as those doe against knowledge and conscience . that ever such barberous crueltie should ( be in England ) vpon a poor weak and innocent young man . Now this may make your spirits within you to faile : in rememberance of your great sinne & want of courage , (c) (c) It is iust with God , that he should keepe these Canaanites amongst us : as pricks in our side , in regard wee shew not our selves more zealous of his glory in the releefe of our Brethren . in looking to me in my great & sore sicknesse , that you laboured not for some redresse for mee ; who haue suffered al that I haue done , for the glorie of God , and your good and welfare , to free you from bloody tiranicall Lordly Prelates . Oh therefore remember what the Angell of the Lord said , Iudgs 5. Curse ye Meroze with a bitter curse , because the inhabiants thereof came not out to the help of the Lord against the mighty . And the spirit of God in Jeremiah 48. saith , Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord negligently & carelesly . Now you being the Lords people , you are bound to do his worke : and to second those that do it , (d) (d) ●● they who haue brauely fought against the Bish. had beene followed my minde giues me they had been down ere this time , I do not meane any fighting with carnall Weapons , but professing openly and boldly the truth , and suffering chearfully for it . to the vtmost of your power . But how you haue failed in doing this duty of loue to mee , judg yee , for I am now in Pauls condition when hee first answered before Nero , had none to stand by him , but all forsooke him . Ah my Brethren if at the last there be any couraige in you for Christ and his truth , or any bowels of mercie and compassion in you towards mee , his faithfull and innocent servant that suffers for his truth , I humblie beseech & intreate you to looke with loue and a fauourable eye vpon my low estate , and suffer me not to loose my life in a hole and corner , and so perish in my deplorable condition . Which if you do not looke the better to mee , to make mee some speedy helpe , otherwise I am like shortly to loose my life , for I do protest in the presence of my God from my verie soule , that I am dailie affraid , that I shall privatelie be murdered , (a) (a) There be many that do think so too ; and haue an eye at thy condition . Now if things fall not out wel ; we do not doubt but justice will yet take place amongst us , if not the Lord will right the poore mans case . by secret cruel practises from William Laud the great Prelate and traytour of Canterburie , & Iames Jugram the cruell tinannicall corrupt Machavillion warden of the Freete . And therefore once more for our Christ his sake J earnestlie desire you , that some of you would by all faire & peaceable meanes , labour for some redresse for mee , by taking this my following petition , to deliuer to the King , (b) (b) Oh , that it would please his Majestie but to here once the case of his poor subjects , and to take information what they suffer at the hands of the Prelates . I am perswaded , were he rightly possessed of their doings , hee would be so farre from putting forth his little singer to estathem in Scotland , as that he would soone with both hands cast them out of England . or to the Lords , and acquaint them if it bee possible trulie and throughly with my deplorable miserie and lamentable condition , and to the shame of England , & all true hearted English men , I am like for my innocencie to be murdered in my close , cruell imprisonment , hauing to my knowledge , never broken any of my Soveraignes lawes ; or disobeied anie , that are in lawfull autoritie , which if it can be proued against mee , I promise to submit , to whatsoever they will desire of me . I know they haue used much meanes , that my petitions should not haue audience , therefore I praie you , be not repulsed at the first deniall , but let your importunitie giue them no rest , and I doubt not , but to haue redresse , to the confusion of my capicall enemies the Prelates , which if you out of base , & fearfull cowardlines refuse (c) (c) The cowardlines and fainthartednesse of our nation , is that which hath made the Prelats to domineer so ouer us , now what slaue would not take authority vpon him , if his Mr. giue way to it . to do , it it is your great sin , for saith the spirit of God . Cursed is he that is affraid of the face of man : and I know , If I perish in this my forsaken condition , my innocent bloud will lie heavie upon your heads , who haue neglected your dutie towards mee , In this particular , all that I desire at the King , (d) (d) J hope if the King and counsell be made acquainted with it , they will see to it as that the blood of this young man may not ly upon the Land . & Nobles hands is , but the one of these 3. things , which yet in England was never denied to anie traitour .

First , Jf I be an offender , and deserued death , I refuse not to dy , but desire that it may be inflicted upon mee , in a legal way to the utmost , without any mercy at all . (a) (a) Were a man a murderer a Trayter a Witch , &c. What could the magistrate doe more then proceed by law : Now consider the cruelty of the Prelates , who seek to haue the people o● God proceeded against in a more cruell way .

Secondly , If not this , then that my friends that would take compassion on me , might be suffered with freedome to come at me , to relieve mee . (b) (b) It is such a cruelty , as was never heard of in the world to be practised by any Tirants but the Prelates . Namly , to shut men up in noysome Dungeons , & forbid all people to bring them any releefe . It were unmercifull to shut up any bruit beast & not giue it food , for a man would rather kill it out of the way , then tiranise ouer it in such a sort .

Thirdly , if this neither , then seeing I am at extraordinarie charges , in regard of my sicknesse , and weaknesse ; and my estate is spent , my humble desire is , that they would allow me a competent allowance , to sustaine nature , & preserue life . (c) (c) No doubt if either the King or the Councill , vnderstand what is here desired , but they will grant it , for vnlesse they be Bishops , an English man is mercifull by nature . Jt may be the answere to my petition , may by the cunning of the suttle fox of Lambeth , who hitherto hath stopped and intercepted all meanes , that haue beene used for my redresse , both to the King , and Nobles . Therefore I earnestly desire of you , that so me of you would dailie come to my pittifull Purgatorie & inquire how 't is with me , & whether I be devoured in the flames thereof or no , for the Bishops tirannicall crueltie , and inveterate hatred against me , and my jaylors doggednesse , and savagenesse is such , that I do assure you upon the word of a true and faithfull souldier of Jesus Christ , that I feare , if you neglect me , as you haue done , and do not looke well after mee , in hauing a daily vigilant eye , to the fleete , I shall shortly by one meanes or other , haue my life taken from me , in a corner , therefore as you loue my Maister Christ , haue brotherly care of me , his faithfull servant .

I shall not neede ( I hope ) in this my exceeding great weaknesse , hauing gone alreadie beyond my present strength , in a halfe blinde condition , to write these lines my selfe , without Inke unto you , being aboue measure pressed in my spirit to do it , inregard I am so exceeding tormented with bodilie Paine , especially in my head by reason of my long closenesse , and the crueltie that I under went in the daie of my publicke suffering , that my soule is not able to containe it selfe , in silence any longer , least I become guiltie of my owne blood . To laie down any more arguments vnto you ; but desire you to read two late printed bookes , the one is called The Beast is Wounded . Or the Scots Newes , and put forth by Iohu Bastwicks Younger Brother , [a] [a] It is pitty that young Bastwick puts not forth more bookes , but it may be he hopes their ruin is at hand , & in that regard thinkes it not necessary to write . & the other is Called A Light for the ignorant . And in them you shal find your dutie punctually laid down how to detest the wicked Lordlie Bb. as the Divel himself whose officers they are , & with all lawfull power , to keep , & assist those that groan under their tirannie , & in a lawful & right waie seeke deliuerance from them . So remembring my brotherly loue vnto you , and returning my humblest thankes vnto you for your loue alreadie manifested vnto mee ; and bestowed vpon mee , for which the Lord hath a recompence in store . My soule now lying a bleeding before my God , (b) (b) That which giues us case to think that their cursed Kingdome is comming down : It is in regard of the many effectuall prayers which are dayly put up to God against them , and it is obserued how the Lord doth in a speciall manner now moue the harts of his Children this way to seek him , as if he meant to prepare away by their prayers for to bring in his judgments upon the Kingdom of the Beast . earnestlie , and uncessantlie crying vnto him with manie teares proceeding from a too too much burdened and wounded spirit , and his Sion , and the downfall of all Gods enimies , which he for his mercies sake hasten and accomplish .

Now vnto Iehovah , the Lord of Hosts , and our faithfull and powerfull God , I committ and commend you , & rest .

HVmbly sheweth , that your Petitioner hath beene about ten moneths close prisoner , the greatest part whereof hath been in the wards of the Fleete , where hee hath beene so closely kept , that no friends haue beene suffered to come at him , to reliefe him ; to speake with him . And alsoe for a great time together , hath layen in letters of Iron , vpon both handes and legs , and so it hath pleased God , inregard of the exceeding greatnesse of his sore punishment , and misery which he hath layen under , to bring bodily weaknesse upon him , and a heavy and dangerous sicknesse , which he hath laid many moneths together , which hath brought him many times even to deaths doore , which yet with weaknesse and patience , hee hath undergone , though hee rather hath desired to haue chosen present death , then to haue felt the constant bitternes , of those bodily torments , & paines ; which in this miserable condition , he hath groned vnder .