the assisting of that poor afflicted party.--Being of a
tender constitution, by the toil, fatigue, and continual marching in
tempestuous weather, he was so disabled and weakened, that he could no
longer endure; and upon the 27th of the said month, he was obliged to
leave them near Cramond water; and, in his way to Libberton parish,
passing through Braid's craigs, he was taken without any resistance,
(having only a small ordinary sword) by some of the countrymen who were
sent out to view the fields[144].--And here it is observable, that his
former escape was no more miraculous than his present taking was fatal;
for the least caution might have prevented him this inconveniency; but
God who gave him the full experience of his turning all things to the
good of them that love him, did thus, by his simplicity, prepare the way
for his own glory, and his servant's joy and victory.

He was brought to Edinburgh, first to the town-council house, and there
searched for letters; but none being found, he was committed prisoner to
the tolbooth. Upon wednesday the 28, he was, by order of the secret
council, brought before the earl of Dumfries, lord Sinclair, Sir Robert
Murray of Priest-field, and others, in order to his examination; where,
being interrogate, concerning his joining the west-land forces, he,
conceiving himself not obliged by any law or reason, to be his own
accuser, did decline the question. After some reasoning, he was desired
to subscribe his name, but refused; which, when reported to the council,
gave great offence, and brought him under some suspicion of a
dissembler. On the 29, he was again called before them, where, for
allaying the council's prejudice, he gave in a declaration under his own
hand, testifying that he had been with the west land forces, &c.
Though it was certainly known, that he had both formed and subscribed
this acknowledgment the night before, yet they still persisted in their
jealousy, suspecting him to have been privy to all the designs of that
party, and dealt with him, with the greater importunity, to declare an
account of the whole business, and upon Dec. 3, the boots (a most
terrible instrument of torture) were laid on the council-house table
before him, and he was certified, that if he would not confess, he
should be tortured to-morrow; accordingly he was called before them, and
being urged to confess, he solemnly declared, that he knew no more than
what he had already confessed; whereupon t