THE Last Will & Testament OF Lieutenant Col. John Lilburn: With his Speech to some Friends in Jersey a little before his Death: Also certain Legacies given to divers persons of Note.
Together with his ELEGY and EPITAPH.
First taken in Short-hand by Sister Abigail Lemmon, and since published by Ruth Dox.
Printed in the Year, 1654.
The Last Will and Testimony, &c.
I Iohn Lilburn of the County of Esquire, being in perfect memory, and good health of body (only something factiously disposed) Do make this my Last Will and Testament, in manner and form following; revoking all former Wills, Deeds, or Claims whatsoever.
Inprimis, I give and bequeath my soul into his hands to whom it is due, hoping however though it hath been turbulent on earth, yet it may live and reign peacefully in Heaven.
2. I give and bequeath my Body to the Earth, whereof it was first made; desiring my Friends that it may be carefully imbalmed, and afterwards decently wrapped in a double sheet of Lead, and laid in some place where no Worm may eat thereof; nor that it be covered with earth; lest it cause either mutiny in the Creatures, or Earthquakes; it yet never being quier in life, it may now rest in death, and all Creatures receive no prejudice by it.
3. J bequeath my Brains and Scull, to my old Friend [Page 4] Mr. William Pryn, and the rest of his honored Tribe and men at Law, and though we (like Samsons Foxes) have been tyed together, and drawn several ways, yet now that we bury all differences in the silent grave of forgetfulness: provided he manage my said Head-piece to the best advantage in pleading of Magna Charta, without taking any unlawfull Bribes, or Angelicall Fees, upon pain of forfeiture of both his Ears: Also I bequeath unto my said old Friend Mr. Pryn, one Statute Book at large, one Littleton, one Poulten, Dr. Bastwicks Let any, Mr. Burtons Appeal to Caesar, Martin Marprelates works in Quarto; News from I swich, Nativity of Presbyterie, by Nick Culpepper. A Looking glass for proud Prelates, by W. P. together with my own works in Folio, by what names or titles soever distinguished: so that they make not use of any Treatise more then my own: it being a common use with me (to gain the affection of the People) to father other mens Works, which error or failing I now disclaim, wishing all people to shun the vain applause of men, or people, that like a broken Reed runs into that hand that thinks he trusts to be supported by it, of which too late, I finde sad experience.
4. I bequeath my lips to sister P. to imploy them in holy salutations, not after the flesh, but Spirit, and so to be communicated to all the Saints of the Femininine: no Masculine, after that salutation or impression, to presume to deface the same in two hours space, upon pain of being excommunicated out of the Congregation of the Saints.
5. I give my Eyes to Argus to be mended, that they may never more squint after the applause of people, [Page 5] nor the pomp, riches and glory of a transitory and fading world.
6. I give and bequeath my burch of Tallyes to the next Brewers Clerk, that can learn the Art of keeping within compass, and so be free from breaking.
7. I give my Needle and Thimble to the next Cloth-drawer, that is resolved to follow his Trade and Calling, without intermedling with other mens occasions, or State affairs.
8. I give and bequeath my means and estate unto my beloved wife, to have and hold the same to she and her Heirs for ever.
9. For my State policy, I leave it to the discretion of C. S. that it may be by him cancelled, and turned into true obedience, and submission to higher powers.
10. For my Trade of Soap-boyling, I leave to all those variable Mechanicks, that being weary of one Trade resolve to try another, though it be never so much to their loss or prejudice.
11. I give and bequeath my Gratitude to all those that have supplyed my necessity during my Banishment, or since my imprisonment.
Lastly, I give my good Counsel to all men, to be carefull, and rest content in their Callings, without medling or intermedling with that which belongs not to them, or is too high for them, or beyond their proper spheare or element, to shun popularity, or vain applause of men, to hate covetousness & fraud, and to envy none that are in authority, but to live peaceably and quietly with all men, to fear God above all things, and next him [Page 6] his Ministers, and the Peoples Magistrates, acknowledging the necessity of a diversity and preheminence in degrees to be amongst men, for the necessary direction and preservation of them in conformity of living: even Nature her self in Bees, Birds and Beasts, teaching the same: Wherefore I desire all my Friends to learn that short, but hard lesson, ‘Know thy Self,’ Which is the way to know thy Duty to Magistrates, and the excellence of Iustice, and how needfull it is: which that you may seriously consider, is the humble desires of your Cordial departing
The Speech of Lieutenant Colonel Iohn Lilburn before his Departure.
WE are all debters to Nature, & know not how soon we are to Cancel that Obligation we owe: sometimes our own selves hastning on our own ends: sometimes our ends coming by one accident, sometimes by another: however our time is full of danger, short and uncertain; and therefore it behoves us all to prepare for our desolution: You know as tha Tree falls, so it lyeth, yet before the Fall, it was subject to the wind, or other means or accident, that was the cause thereof: I trust I have a good Conscience towards God and man; I fear not death, nor the means to it, not mistrusting, but I shall have more valour in patient suffering what ever is inflicted on me for my sins, then the dread of such punishment can be unto me. And seriously I am as ready and willing to leave the World, as you can be to fancy me dead before my time: For preparing our selves thereto, and in expectation thereof, desiring the same from your selves.