There, being called upon to explain his innuendos, he fell into much trepidation, and gave the names of several English captains, whom he supposed to be at that time in England.

"For if I had denied the whole matter," said he, "they would have given me the lie, and used me according to their evil mind." Upon this they relented, and released their prisoner, but, the next day they made another attack upon him, hunted him from house to house, through the whole city of Delft, and at last drove him to earth in his own lodgings, where they kept him besieged several hours.

Through the intercession of Wilkes and the authority of the council of state, to which body he succeeded in conveying information of his dangerous predicament, he was, in his own language, "miraculously preserved," although remaining still in daily danger of his life.

"I pray God keep me hereafter from the anger of a woman," he exclaimed, "quia non est ira supra iram mulieris." He was immediately examined before the council, and succeeded in clearing and justifying himself to the satisfaction of his friends.

His part was afterwards taken by the councillors, by all the preachers and godly men, and by the university of Leyden.