After that we returned to Presburg where the Donow devided it self , and it meets at Comora where we were taken , which happened as followeth ; we finding a Boat going with Meale to the Garrison at New-hausell , which lies in the way to Pattock , we went along in her , and when we came near unto the place , the Boat-men asked me whether I had acquaintance there , I said no ; or whether we had a Pass , I said no ; then said they it is dangerous going thither , because they would be suspitious of us ; and to travel further in that Land , they being Tributaries to the Turk , we should be in danger of being killed either by the Countrey men , or by some of the Turks ; and at that Garrison they did use to put men to cruell deaths which have been found without leave on the Tributary ground , yet John was desirous to be at that Village which was near there , but said the Boatmen , he will not take counsell before ye shall remember our words , and repent it when you cannot help it , &c. and their words had the more impression upon me , because I had seen a night or two before in my sleep , that which afterwards came to passe at Comora , where we arrived , and were brought into an Hungarians Lodging but could not understand one another , but the next night they sent for a Student from the Colledge who asked me in Latine , whence we were , and whither we intended ? I told him we came from Great Britain , and desired to be at Pattock , afterwards we entered into discourse about Religion , and when we parted , he said he wished us well , though there was a vast difference in our judgement , &c.

The next day we endeavoured to get over the River , and made signes to a Countrey man with some money , who began to make his Boat ready to help us ; but an old Dutch woman came forth , and said , what doe ye ? and told me the Governour will presently cause him to be hanged , if he set us over ; so we let it rest , and returned to our former Lodging : and the next day I went over the water on the Southside of the Town , where I heard there were many Dutch people and Souldiers , hoping to find some Countrey men to speak with , and some Books I took with me which I would willingly have sent to Pattock , and coming by the Souldiers , asked for Countrey men , but finding none , I asked leave of the Guard , and walked out into the field , where a Trooper sat Centinel , discoursed a little with him , and passed on farther where some were a Plowing , and as I returned back there did meet me a Souldier of Captain Fuchses Company with two other , and having a Book in my hand called A Paper sent forth into the world , to shew the ground and reasons why we denied the Priests of the World ; he looked on the Title , and began voluntarily to tell me , that such a place was in Turky , and if a man went thither he might have good daies there , &c. but I said , I will goe from whence I came , and intending to return to John to the other side of the water again , the aforesaid Souldier came to me again at the water side , and told me I must come to the Captain , and when I came before him , he asked for the Book , and looking on it , asked if I was a Quaker , I said yea , and he being in a rage , said , These Rogues shew no respect , and said I was a young John Hus come forth to seduce people and make uproars , &c. and he caused the Souldiers to pull off my clothes , and search me for Letters , and take my money from me , and I spake something to them to give them to understand that they would not be so done by , but he said , when you get clear you shall have your money again , but he did not think that that should be , so he sent me to the Guard a while , and sent for me again and searched me more narrowly , and found the Books which were inclosed between the Lynings and my Breeches , then was I sent to the Guard again , and the Marshal was to put Iron Shackles with a Chain upon my foot and hand , and there was a talk as if I should in a short time be stuck upon a wooden Spit , as some have been who had but gone to the next Village without their order , but I turned my mind inward , and was pretty well resigned up to the Lord : so they having sent over to the chiefe Officer to inform him , there were Souldiers sent with their burning matches to fetch me , and I little expecting lesse then present death had told some Souldiers , I had a Companion in the Inn on the other side , and he would marvel what was become of me if he did not hear ; afterwards I was carried to the aforesaid Officer , who asked me , if Mary had continued alwaies a Virgin ? to which when I had answered , thou Rogue ( said he ) if I had but power over thee , I would presently drown thee in this water ; afterwards they went to our Lodging , and apprehended John also , howbeit free of that crime which they imputed to me , which was for going over , and in the Garrison I was put in the Dutch Prison called the Stock-house , and John into the Hungarians Vault which was twenty foot long , where they wrack people , and there was a private Gallows , a pair of Stocks , and a filthy tub of Excrements ; and the the aforesaid Officer took our Port-mantle , but afterwards it was given to the Marshal , who took what pleased him out of it with the Bible and Papers , and left the rest to another Officer , who feignedly after our commitment seemed to be troubled that we had no bread , and asked me whether John had not some money , which I could not deny , and then he went to the other Prison and threatned him to give it him , so John gave him a Duccate , which he got changed and brought us the money , and desired we would give him some of it , and he would be worth it at our hands ; John afterward● expecting they would search him for Gold , did afterwards hide some , and kept some by him .

The day following we were first examined by the Inquisitor , whence we were ? whither we intended ? & how old we were ? and who was the Authour of our coming forth ? what money we had taken up ? and John was searched and the Gold found which he had left by him ; and I was examined concerning the Books , and told it was a Capital Crime , and it would cost my life , but I said what I had done therein , I had done it in simplicity , &c. and he asked who had spoke with us in our Lodging , I told him a Student ; with many more words .

And after the first examination one Collonel Fuchs , desired to have me brought forth before him , and he asked me several questions concerning the Books , and who was the first bringer up of this Doctrine ? I told him George Fox was one of the first Preachers of it in this Generation , and because I owned the Books aforesaid to be written by the motion of the spirit of God , he was very bitter against me , and several cunning questions he did ask me , as thereby to ensnare me , but it did not avail ; something he read in one of the Books concerning their Steeple-houses , as advice to people that they should goe no more to them , &c. which seemed to be very odious to him , and he told one how he caused or would cause all them Books and writings to be Copyed and sent to his Prince at Mentz , and when he could spare them the Inquisitor should have them . Afterwards I was taken to the Deputy Governour a ( cruell old Fox ) who asked me several Questions , & said he would send me with a Message to the Devil , and he said I had done worse then if I had killed a hundred men ; and because I would not take of my hat , he judged that to be a Turkish principle ; and I not being free at that time to drink wine , he asked me why ? I said because I would bring my body into subjection ; how long ( said he ) will you abstain ? I said till night at least ; that , said he , is another Turkish point , to fast till night : he had also sent for the Hungarian student , and commanded him to tell him in Latine all what had passed between us in our Lodging , which the Inquisitour afterwards took to read when we were examined ; but he would not read it openly , le●st the sitters by should have heard , and owned the Truth thereof . Afterwards they brought our attempting to go over the water as a mighty crime against us , and the aforesaid souldier was called to testifie against me , whose Testimony being false , I withstood him , and told the Inquisitour ( who did much seek an occasion against me ) that he should beware what he did , for if he should cause my Bloud to be shed under such a pretence , it would cry to the Lord for Vengeance , and thereby he might draw the wrath of God upon him and others . And I desired the other souldiers might be examined , who also had heard what I had said , which after some time was granted , and I was put forth , and my Adversary and accuser he was kept within , and one of the other was called : And then I thought , Now if the Lord do not assist me , they may perswade him to speak the same thing ; but when he came forth , he told me he did not speak as the other , for that which the other had affirmed was not true ; then I thanked the Lord that this pretence failed them .

But afterwards the Inquisitour told me , the Books were enough , though there were nothing else , and asked me whether I knew not , that the Catholicks had Lawes to burn and torment Hereticks , and such as carried such Books . I said , I should not have expected such Dealing among good Christians , and so did not tell him , howbeit I knew well , that they were Cruel and bloudie enough .

Then he opened a book of the corrupt Popish Lawes , and read therein , how that such persons as do carry such Books & papers are to be racked , &c. And about this time was John searched yet further for Gold by the command of the Inquisitour , and having taken off so far as one of his shoes and stockings , he was slow in taking off that where the Gold was , and the Marshal thinking it tedious , and thinking there had been no more , bid him put them on again , and upon a certain time he gave it me , in half a little white loaf when we stood with the souldiers waiting to be called . — And they seeing the Book called The way to the Kingdome , that it was printed at Amsterdam , asked me what Books I brought from thence to the Palz , and how many , &c. and one morning having sent for one of the Priests , he got that written Book of G. Foxes of the Apostacie of Christendome , who looking on it , begun to be hot and wrathfull , saying , How are we ( meaning the Papists ) Apostatized ? and how could that be proved ? I said , Friend , it becometh not a spiritual man to be so furious , but gentle , meek , peaceable , &c. then was his countenance dashed , and had little more to say . The Inquisitour asked me further concerning the Sacraments , &c. And I told him how Christ said , the Flesh profited little , it was the Spirit which quickned , &c. which seemed strange to him , and he asked the Priest , Sir Father how is that ? who bethought himself , and said he did remember there was such a saying , and more words passed between us , which would be now too long to relate : further the Inquisitour asked me , if I would be a Catholick ? I said if I should be so for fear or favour of them , the Lord not requiring it of me , I should not have peace in my Conscience , and the displeasure of the Lord would be more intolerable then theirs . And as for compelling people , that did but make them Hypocrites , and doth not truly change the heart ; which the Priest could not deny but that it was true . And notwithstanding our Innocencie , we heard the Governour would have us Racked , which seemed to me according to relation to be a cruel Torment ; and in these dayes I often poured forth my supplications unto the Lord with teares : And being almost every day examined till the eighth day , they made ready Benches to sit on , lighted the Candle , and put John out of his room , and sent for me , and the Inquisitour sitting there with two more Officers , and the Marshal and Hangman by them . The Inquisitour said , William , that you may not think that we will deal with you as Tyrants , we will lay it before you , that you may tell what you know in time , for if you be Racked you will be but a miserable man , and must have your head cut of besides , but I told him I know no evil , nor had had no such thing in my heart against them ; then did he read a few lines to this purpose , We Leopoldus , &c. Emperour of , &c. having understoood of two suspected persons , John Philly and William Moor , found by our frontier Garrisons , our desire is they should be Racked to know their Intent . And then the Hangman according to order put an Iron Skrew hard on my Thumbs , and bid me , Tell out ; then slacked them , and skrewed them harder again , but that not availing , he was commanded to proceed further , and so he tyed a small Cord about my Wrists behind my back , and drew me up some degrees on the Ladder , and tyed my hands to one of them , and another Cord about the Ancles of of my Legs , and with a big battle of wood between my feet , lifted up my body quite from the Ladder , and at the first pull my left Arm gave a pretty loud crack out of joint , being shorter tied above that wrist-bone : then he was bid put it in joint again , so he slacked ; and they asked me ( having three things especially to ask ) 1. why I did ask the Student , If one should come to them , and say he intended to buy somewhat of them , If they would then kill him ? 2. Why we had desired to be set over the water at the Town , and who was the Authour ? 3. Why had I written up some of the names of their Garrisons and other places notwithstanding I had them in the Map ?

And though he mentioned but three questions at the first , yet he would have forced me to have told wheth●r J. Philly was an Ingenier , a Gunner , or a Minister ? Now this suspition of being a Minister , had an Irish man ( it seems ) put in their heads , who had almost an irreconcileable hatred or malice in him against English men , as I after out of his own mouth plainly unde●stood , especially against Ministers , as Authours of their ruine and exile , and this man was Interpreter between him and them ; but I answered and kept to this that he was a Husband-man and Malt-Man , and I knew him not till he came to Amsterdam , &c. He asked me if I had a mind to goe to the Turk and to be one ? I said I had rather die then be one ; in the mean time I was so wracked , that my chin went so close to my breast and closed my mouth , that I was almost choaked , and could not well speak any longer ; and I should not wish any to experience how painfull it was , and yet they would be questioning of me ; then I asked them , where is now the Christian love ? and do you now do as you would be done unto ? and I cryed the louder that them people that were without might hear & bear witness what they were a doing to me , for the door was shut and guarded , and sometimes when I was slacked , it was almost as painfull as the pulling , but something they would have out of me , and I told them how that they might by such means force one ( as I believed many had been ) to say more then they knew , to be put out of pain , for I had rather they had proceeded to have beheaded me , according to their threatnings , then so to have tormented me , but yet that they would not do then , for he said they would have me say yea to it , which ( its like ) would have been enough to them , though they had known us to have confessed a Lye , howbeit finally I confessed , It was for love to our Religion that we were come to them places ; then they left off thinking there was crime enough , yet he spoke as if I should be wracked again on the third day .

Then they fetcht John , who not seeing me , but hav●ng heard me crying out before , he thought I had been hanged on the private Gallows , and put out of the way , but he was given up , being confident in the Lord who had sealed to him ( he said ) he should have his life for a prey before he came forth , so they laid four things before him chiefly to answer , & his thumbs were skrewed , & he was drawn on the Ladder twice , & he cryed Innocent , & asking the Interpreter what that was , he said they were smitten in their consciences , and they left off , I judge the sooner , because if there had been any evil they would have got it out of me , with whom they had more delight to meddle , being they could understand me & I them , & then it was afternoon , & they hungry ( it s like ) for they had begun early with me ; & when all was done . and they could find no contradiction , they invented a lye , and the Marshal came to me , and said , John had said , I have no money by me but what was his , and bid me tell how it was , which I knew to be otherwise , but they sought occasion against us that they might yet have tormented us more , but I kept to truth , which he also had spoken , and their expectation failed them .

Afterwards a Priest with the Marshal came and felt my ears , to see whether I had been a Rogue , or some one of account , which they would have concluded if they had been either cut or bored .

When all this had passed , they told me there would be 24 , or 30. men of Note appointed out of the Quarters round about , to hold a Court of Justice upon us , and to determine what death we should die , and to make new Lawes for our sakes , but in the mean time the Inquisitor came and would have me first write some of the heads of my Religion , so I did write many particulars which I cannot now set down word by word , at some of which he raged very much .

About that time J. Philly feeling much of the wickednesse of the Inquisitour and Priests , and being sensible how they plotted to take away our lives , did once cry out to the Governour when he was in his Coach , and he sent to know what he would , which was to acquaint him with those particulars laid before him in his wracking , and what his answers were , and how that there was no contradiction found in our Answers , for he was jealous that the Inquisitour and Priests would pervert our words to the Governour ; and afterwards he got pen and ink and wrote to the Governour , but afterwards the Inquisitour got it , and sought to keep it from the Governour , for it 's like he was convicted in his Conscience of his his dealing so evilly with us ; but John perceiving he would smother it , called to the Governour again , who commanded him to give me it to translate for him , which was done ; so not long after came the Inquisitour to me having been sick three dayes upon his bed , and told me he was sent by the Governour , that we might go forth and fill a little earth in the wheel-barrowes with the Slaves , whereby we might earn near two pence a day to buy us Bread , for said he , that which remains in my hands of the money is little for my pains , and the Marshal and Hangman will have some for their pains . This was about five weeks after our coming to Comora . And we were willing to accept of the Governour's proffer , that we might thereby have the benefit of the fresh air , and that our bonds might be manifest to such as might somewhat take it to heart : For there were both Lutherans and Calvinists , who partly did commiserate our condition , but durst not venture to come to see us in the Castle , and sometimes was some small thing given us by some , and the Papists marvelled , and others were glad we had obtained the favour as to be suffered to work ; yet sometimes the Marshal would not suffer us to go out , and sometimes he kept back of our Wages ; and on Saints dayes ( so called ) and on rainy dayes we had no Wages , howbeit the Lord provided for us ; for there were some Women that remembred us on them dayes , and pretty much we could have gotten if we had spoken to rich people and Officers , but we were not free to beg of any , whereupon the Marshal was angry : and as for that Gold which John had hid in the Prison wall , some had found it , and taken it away . And when we had been about seven weeks asunder , John obtained that favour as to be with me , but one night he was in danger of being Murthered by a Student , who privately got to him when he was asleep , and got him by the neck , and might have choaked him , had not the Lord prevented him .

After that John wrote again to the Governour , and commended his wisdome in forbearing to proceed so severely against us , as some would gladly have had him , but that paper the Inquisitour did also in●… ercept , and he sent for me , and threatned how he would now help us to the Gallows himself , howbeit I have spared and helped you before said he ; and about that time I did eat little , that I might be the better prepared for to die the sooner , if they should have been suffered to have hung me upon a Hook by the Ribbs , as it was their manner with some , who lived in a most miserable pain for three or four dayes .

After that I wrote something to the Governour , but the Inquisitour did also intercept that , and I spoke with the Governour's Secretary and with his Chamberlain , who were two pretty discreet young men ; and one of them told me how the Inquisitour was made to give his lord our Papers which he had intercepted , and it appeared to us that he was come in disfavour with the Governour , and the Chief Priest ( our great Adversary ) was in danger of being punished , but for what cause we did not certainly know ; however that evening the Chain was taken off each of us , and but a little left upon one Leg .

After that came down the General President with the Deputie Chancellour of the Empire and others to view the Garrison , and they came riding by us where we were at work , and one looking out of the Coach , and seeing us not take off our Hats , cryed saying , These are the Quakers .

And the same day was a new Gallows made , and we were called in , and by the way the Marshal said , we were to go before a General , and if we did not take off our hats , we should see what would become of us , for the Gallows was ready .

And coming before them , there sate a Priest at the Table , who said we had forfeited our lives , by desiring to get over the River , &c. But I told him , they thirsted after bloud , and the Potentates of the earth harkned unto them ; and as for us , we had no man , but God to plead for us : and many Sophistical Arguments he produced , as thereby to ensnare me : but some of the rest desiring to speak with me , I regarded what he said the less , and with much boldness I spake unto them . And as for the President , who seemed to be the wisest amongst them , he called John to him , and spake French with him , and afterwards called me and spake with me . The Deputy Chancellour asked me whether I would rather turn Papist , or be hanged ? I said I did not desire to have them put it to my choice . The President asked me whether I would not that all people were as I was ? I answered and said , Whatsoever was good in me , I wish them like me in that : But whether I would not they were all of my Religion ? I said I wished that all might be faithfull to that which they knew already to be good : then he caused them to bring us our Hats again , which some had thrown off . And when they had dined , they desired us to write for Certificates , and so went their way .

And upon a certain time Colonel Fusch came riding by ( where we were at work ) and some Italian lords with him , who were intended for Rome , and he proffered to send me with them if I pleased , or if I would be a Papist or Calvinist ( i.e. Presbyterian , ) he would procure my Liberty , &c. and many more temptations we had daily , which would be too long here to relate . And often there came Officers and asked us , What saith the Spirit now ? hath the Spirit set you at work ? and , had he not done better to have counselled you to have stayed at home ? and , doth he not yet tell you , that you must be Catholicks ? &c. and when I had spoken to them , and they not knowing how to defend themselves , then they would say , Such Hereticks ought to be burned , with more bad wicked words to the same purpose .

And when 16. weeks were expired of our imprisonment the Hungarian Deputie Governour ( a bitter old man ) came where we were at work and said he must send us to Caesar , for John had before in his Paper appealed to him .

Then we went into the Garrison untill four Souldiers , & an Interpreter and Letters were ready that went along with us , and there were Iron Boults put on our feet , and we put in a Wagon . And the Inquisitor told us how he had heard the Letter which was come concerning us , but neverthelesse he said we should not come into England ; so that whole night we rid , and arrived the third day at the house of one called His Excellency Earl Francis of Nadasti , &c. Judex Curiae Hungariae , the Emperours Majesties active Privie Counsellour , and Lord Chamberlain , &c. To whom the Governour of Comora had given us over , it was supposed partly to make friendship with him , for they had been formerly at variance ; and when he came from his worship he caused us to be called ; and he asked me if we were Quakers ? I said yea ; he said very well , very well ; and in the afternoon his Wife looked out at a window , and called to me , and asked me several questions , and I had much freedome to answer her , which she interpreted to some Hungarians that were with her ; and the next morning we were taken to the Vice King's Parlour , where the Lords of that Kingdome and of other Dominions were set about the Table , and John was ordered to goe to one end by the Secretary , who seemed to be an understanding man , and he was partly reached by John's answer , and he was forward to repeat them aloud to the Arch-Bishop and the rest ; and Nadasty asked me severel questions ( but hastily ) about our Religion , of which we gave friends an account formerly .

And though they had little or nothing to say against our Answers , yet they passed the sentence on us , that we should be burned if we would not be instructed , and imbrace their Religion , for they had a Law ( said they ) which tolerated but three Religions , viz. Theirs , the Lutherans , and the Calvinists , and whosoever brought a new Religion there , was ( according to their Law ) to be burned , if he did not turn , and upon that we were sent away ; and John told me , the power of the Lord would divide them in their Counsel , as an Irish Priest did afterwards tell him , who was sent to require an account of our Religion in writing ; and when it was done , the Irish man got an English Copy of it , and said he would tell them the Contents thereof , and help us what he could : but we thought it would be the best that I translated it , which accordingly I did , and John gave it Nadasty in his hand .

Afterwards they sent the Priests to Convert us , and there he read out of his Catechism , and asked John concerning the Creed , Paternoster , Seven Sacraments , Mass , Faith , Hope , Love , Patience , and more such like things ; to which John answered him , ( which is to be seen in John's Memorial , if it be to be had . ) After that came some Priests and asked us , If we were come forth to sow our seed ? Oh , said the Irish Priest , they cannot speak Latine , yet he and others knew that I could . And seeing they could not prevail with us there , we were sent to another place five Dutch miles from Wien ( the Emperour's Seat ) with two Souldiers by Nadastie's command , and when we were come thither , the Priests gave order to put us in the Hole with the Turks , because they suspected us to be Preachers ; and by their instigation , and with consent of the Court-Master ( who told me that there should be Wood and Straw fetcht to burn us ) did the Souldiers take off our Coats , and searched our Pockets , and took our Books and Papers : and the next day , because we would not speak Latine , nor take off our Hats to their Images in their Church ( so called , ) they set others upon us to ensnare us in words , and strove to do it themselves , that they might have occasion to take away our lives , which they often threatned to do ; and when they could not prevail with all their cunning baits , nor make us bow to their Worship , they manifested their cruelty further in causing Iron Shackles to be put upon our Hands , and though they were so little , that I was even forced to cry out by reason of the extremity of the pain , yet with force they thrust on the Lock , and beheld it with joy .

And in the Hole we had scarce room to put forth our feet , without touching the Turks , whose feet were in the Stocks , & hands in Irons , & necks and feet in Iron bands tyed to the with strong Iron Chains . Afterwards the Priests being drunk at their Feast , sent for us to examine us further , and they said they could not believe but John was a Preacher ; for a Husbandman could not answer so readily . And one of the chief of them told us , they had several Instruments of Cruelty , which they could also let us taste of , and that they could burn men under the Armes , & put hot Iron or Copper plates upon their Breasts , and he also told us that we should be sent down into Hungaria to be burned , &c. I spoke to one of the Priests , and desired of him we might be dealt withal as men or Christians , and might have a little straw or hay to lye upon , for we were worse used then the Turks ; yea , said he , we prefer them before you . And about that time they proffered us a drink in an urging manner , which it was supposed was made to poison us , & Iohn refusing to take it , then said one of the Priests , Suspectum est nos . One of the Priests asked me if I had a wife , I , said , I never Knew Woman-kind ; he said , the Hereticks had not that grace of Chastity , neither had I any grace from God ; the Turks had some grace ( said he ) they were good Souldiers , and somewhat else he said of them . Another Priest asked me how I had lain in the Hole ? and how the Iron Shackles pleased me , and threatned how we should be put in the miery Dungeon in the Tower , and called me filthy names in the Hungarian Tongue before the people : howbeit , blessed be the Lord , we had slept well in the Shackles upon the Beesoms in a corner , yea better then could be expected , though at the first my Wrist-band pained me much : and when the Priests and others were seeking much to discourage us , I was upon a time sitting musing on a Bench , and thinking , Lord help us , and what will be the end of this ? and whether shall they have power to murther us here , where few may know of it , being in this place here are no other Sects to be witnesses , as at Comora & Presburg , & then was my mind turned inwards , and I was as if I had slept ; and on a sudden , it was as if I had seen a man all cloathed in white , sitting on a milk-white horse , coming riding in post-hast to me wards , as if he were hastning to rescue , then I looked up , and was pretty much Comforted , thinking it was from the Lord to encourage me , lest I should be too much cast down . And the very same day there came tidings from the Earl , that he was displeased at what they had done , as he had told his Barber , to whom he had shewed the Papers which Iohn had writ , & hearing of us together , with his perusing the aforesaid Papers , the witness of God was reached in him , which had stirred much in him in the time of his youth , by which he was stirred up to declare against the darkness & deadness of the Brethrens forms before mentioned , among whom he had been educated , neither could he be well satisfied in himself until he came to see , and after some discourse with us , was yet more Convinced , and he told us , how the Earl did judge the Priests had been drunk , which was true , both with rage & wine : then did the streams begin to turn , and some desired our favour , and both the Officer & Priest begun to flatter us with others , who had been high against us , & then they had no more power to put us into the Hole , nor to exercise their Cruelty upon us , as they had done before , which was no small cross to their wills .