We replied: That our conscience did likewise not allow it, because Christ, in Matthew, had said: “Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.”
Then we kept silence. The bishop said that our crimes therein were very great, so that we should not inherit the kingdom of God. O Lord, do not avenge it!
The bishop then said to us all, that they should conduct us back into the Mersey, whence we had come out, and keep us confined there.
A young brother, who being questioned first, boldly declared the truth, was severely accused for it, and taken from us to Westminster, where he was confined by himself, which grieved us greatly.
While we were thus imprisoned, Mr. George came, and said: That if we would adhere to the Church, he would release us, and free us from our bonds, to which end, he said, he had orders from the bishop. But we adhered valiantly to the truth of Jesus Christ; he is our Captain, and no other; yea, in him is all our trust.
My dear brethren and beloved sisters, let us courageously persevere, till we are taken hence. The Lord shall give us to drink of the new wine. O Lord, strengthen our faith! As we have received the Lord Jesus Christ, so let us go on, valiantly trusting in him.
When we thought that the conflict was almost over, it was only the beginning of it. We were put in irons, and each separately confined, with fetters on our legs. This lasted a little more than three weeks.
In the mean time we had to appear before the lords again, when we were told that we should be burnt, which was grievous for the flesh; but we called to God in our distress, that he would strengthen us, as he had strengthened Israel.
On the morning of the day before Whitsuntide we were two and two coupled together, and brought before the lords (which was the fourth time), and we remembered the word of the Lord: “When ye are brought before lords and princes, fear not what ye shall speak, for it shall be given you in that hour.” Hence we trusted in the Lord.
When we had been brought there, the lords again presented to us the aforementioned four questions, and urged us to sign them. But we said, we would adhere to the word of the Lord.