my own accuser." The treasurer-depute said, He had the devil's
logic, and sophisticated like him: ask him whether that be his
subscription. Mr. Mitchel replied, I acknowledge no such thing; and he
was sent back to prison.

Upon the 24th, they assembled in their robes in the inner parliament
house, and the boots and executioner were presented. Mr. Mitchel was
again interrogated, as above, but still persisting, he was ordered to
the torture. And he, knowing that, after the manner of the Spanish
inquisition, the more he confessed, either concerning himself or others,
the more severe the torture would be, to make him confess the more,
delivered himself in this manner:--"My lord, I have been now these two
full years in prison, and more than one of them in bolts and fetters,
which hath been more intolerable to me than many deaths, if I had been
capable thereof; and it is well known, that some in a shorter time have
been tempted to make away with themselves; but respect and obedience to
the express law and command of God hath made me to undergo all these
hardships, and I hope this torture with patience also, _viz._ that for
the preservation of my own life and the life of others, as far as lies
in my power; and to keep innocent blood off your lordships persons and
families, which, by shedding of mine, you would doubtless bring upon
yourselves and posterity, and wrath from the Lord to the consuming
thereof, till there should be no escaping; and now again I protest,
&c. as above: When you please, call for the man appointed for the
work." The executioner being called, he was tied in a two armed chair,
and the boot brought; the executioner asked which of the legs he should
take; the lords bade him take any of them; the executioner laying the
left in the boot, Mr. Mitchel, lifting it out again, said, "Since the
judges have not determined, take the best of the two, for I freely
bestow it in the cause;" and so laid his right leg into the engine.
After which the advocate asked leave to speak but one word, but
notwithstanding, insisted at a great length; to which Mr. Mitchel
answered, "The advocate's word or two hath multiplied to so many, that
my memory cannot serve, in the condition wherein I am (the torture
being begun) to resume them in particular; but I shall essay to answer
the scope of his discourse; whereas he hath been speaking of the
sovereignty of the magistrate, I shall go somewhat further than he hath
done, and own that the