r had he
knew not; but from the word of God, that ought to be the rule of all
laws, or from the ancient laws of the kingdom, it could not be shewen
that he had or ever could have any right." The next question was, If he
owned and had taught it to be unlawful to pay cesses and taxations to
his majesty? He answered, "For the present cess enacted for the present
usurper, I hold it unlawful to pay it, both in regard it is oppressive
to the subject, for the maintenance of tyranny, and because it is
imposed for suppressing the gospel. Would it have been thought lawful
for the Jews in the days of Nebuchadnezzar to have brought every one a
coal to augment the flame of the furnace to devour the three children,
if so they had been required by that tyrant, &c.?"

Next they moved the question, If he owned he had taught his hearers to
come armed to their meetings, and in case of opposition to resist? He
answered, "It were inconsistent with reason and religion both to do
otherwise; you yourselves would do it in the like circumstances. I own
that I taught them to carry arms to defend themselves, and resist your
unjust violence." Further they asked if he owned the note-book and the
two sermons written therein, and that he had preached them? He said, "If
ye have added nothing I will own it, and am ready to seal all the truths
contained therein with my blood."--All his confession being read over,
he was required to subscribe it. He said, "He would not do it, since he
looked on it as a partial owning of their authority." After refusing
several times, he said, "With protestation I will subscribe the paper as
it is my testimony, but not in obedience to you."

Then the assizers were called in by fives and sworn, against whom he
objected nothing; but protested, "That none might sit on his assize,
that professed Protestant or Presbyterian principles, or an adherence to
the covenanted work of reformation[238]." He was brought in guilty, and
sentence passed, That he should be executed in the grass-market on the
Friday following. Lord Linlithgow justice-general asked, If he desired
longer time? He answered, "It was all one to him, if it was protracted,
it was welcome; if it was shortened, it was welcome; his Master's time
was the best:"--Then he was returned to prison. Without his knowledge,
and against his will, yea, after open refusing to the advocate to desire
it, he was reprieved to the 17th day; which gave occasion to severals to
renew thei