ery of ministers, and their
dreadful hypocrisy and double dealing in the matters of God before that
time, and I could never love them after that; for they made many a one
to rack their conscience in taking that bond. I was brought out of the
yard, Oct. 25th, with a guard of soldiers; when coming out, one Mr.
White asked, if I would take the bond? I, smiling, said, No. He, in way
of jeer, said, I had a face to glorify God in the Salt market. So I bade
farewel to all my neighbours who were sorry; and White bade me take
goodnight with them, for I should never see them more. But I said, Lads,
take good heart; for we may yet meet again for all this.--So I was
brought before their council-court. They asked, if I would take the
bond? I said, No.--Some of them said, May be he does not know it; but
Halton said, he knows it well enough. So one of them read it. I asked,
if they would have me subscribe a lie to take away my life; for I never
was in rebellion, nor intended to be so. They said, they would make
another bond for me. I answered they needed not trouble themselves; for
I was not designed to subscribe any bond at this time.

"_Quest._ Will ye rise in rebellion against the king?

"_Answ._ I was not rising in rebellion against the king.

"_Q._ Will ye take the bond never to rise against the king and his
authority?

"_A._ What is the thing ye call authority? They said, If they, the
soldiers or any other subject, should kill me, I was bound not to
resist. I answered, That I will never do.

"_Q._ Is the bishop's death murder?

"_A._ I am a prisoner; and so no judge.

"_Q._ Is Bothwel-bridge rebellion?

"_A._ I am not bound to give my judgment in that.

"Then one of them said, I told you what the rebel rascal would say: you
will be hanged, Sir. I answered, you must first convict me of a crime.
They said, you did excommunicate prisoners for taking the bond. I said,
that was not in my power; and moreover, I was now before them, and prove
it if they were able. They said, they would hang me for rebellion. I
said, you cannot: for if you walk according to your own laws, I should
have my liberty. They said, Should we give a rebellious knave, like you,
your liberty? you should be hanged immediately. I answered, That lies
not yet in your power: so they caused quickly to take me away, and put
me in the iron-house tolbooth. Much more passed that I must not spend
time to notice.

"So they brought me to the iron-house to fifteen