A General Martyrology, Chapter 39
CHAP. XXXIX. The Life of Master George Wiseheart, or Wischard, who died, Anno Christi, 1546.
GEorge Wiseheart was born in Scotland, and brought up first at School, from whence he went to the University; after which he travelled into several Countries, and at last came to Cambridge, where he was admitted into Bennet Colledge; He was tall of stature,His Character. and of a melancholy constitution; He had black haire, a long beard, comely of personage, and well-spoken, courteous, lowly, lovely, willing to teach, desirous to learn; for his habit, he wore a Frize gowne, a black fuftian doublet, plaine hose, course Canvas for his shirts, falling bands, &c. all which apparel he gave to the poor, some weekly, some monethly, some quarterly; saving a French Cap that he wore, which he kept a twelvemoneth. He was modest, temperate, fearing God, hating covetousnesse. His charity was extraordinary,His charity. he forbore his food one meale in three, one day in foure, that he might the better relieve the poor. His lodging was upon stravv, and he had course nevv Canvas sheets, vvhichwhich vvhen once foule, he gave avvay; He had by his bed-side a tub of vvater, in vvhichwhich in the dark night he bathed himself; He taught vvith great modesty and gravity, so that some about him thought him severe, and vvould have slain him, but the Lord vvas his deliverer; and he;A special providence. after due correction for their malice, by good exhortation amended them; His learning vvas no lesse sufficient than his desire of it; he vvas alvvayes ready to do good to his ability; both in his private Chamber and publick Schools, he read divers Authors, yea he alvvayes studied hovv to do good to all.
Anno 1544. Some of the Nobility of Scotland, coming to treat with King Henry the eighth, about the marriage between his sonne Prince Edward, and their young Queen Mary, at their return, Master Wischard went with them into Scotland, being a man of admirable graces, and singularly learned both in Divine and humane sciences; He first preached in Rosse, and then in Dundee, where with great admiration of all that heard him, he went over the Epistlle to the Romans, till at the instigation of the Cardinal, one Robert Misle, a principal man there,Popis… malice. and formerly a Professor of Religion, inhibited him from preaching, requiring him that he should trouble their Town no more, for he would not suffer it; and this was spoken to him in the publick place; whereupon he mused a space, with his eyes bent unto heaven, and afterwards looking sorrowfully upon the speaker and people, he said, God is witnesse that I never minded your trouble, but your comfort; yea your trouble is more dolorous to me then it is to your selves: A Prophesie.But I am assured that to refuse Gods Word, and to chase from you his Messenger, shall not preserve you from trouble, but shall bring you into it: for God shall send you Ministers that shall neither feare burning nor banishment. I have offered you the word of salvation; with the hazard of my life I have remained amongst you: Now ye your selves refuse me, and I must leave my innocency to be declared by my God; If it be long prosperous with you, I am not led by the spirit of truth: But if unlookt for trouble come upon you, acknowledge the cause, and turn to God who is gracious and mercifull; but if you turn not at the first warning, he will visit you with fire and sword; and so he came down from the Pulpit. Some Noble men being present, would have perswaded him to stay, or to have gone with them into the Countrey, but by no means would he stay till he had past the River Tay.
Then went he into the West-countrey, where he made offers of Gods Word,He goeth into the West. which was gladly received by many, till the Bishop of Glasgow, by the instigation of the Cardinal, came with his Traine to the town of Ayre to resist Wischard; The Earl of Glencarne and some other Gentlemen hearing of it, came thither also with their retinue, and when they were all come together, the Bishop would needs have the Church himself to preach in. Some opposed, but Wischard said, Let him alone, his Sermon will not do much hurt, let us go to the Market-Crosse, and so they did,He is opposed by the Bishop. where he made so notable a Sermon, that his very enemies themselves were confounded.
Wischard remained with the Gentlemen in Kyle, preaching sometime in one place, sometimes in another, but coming to Machlene, he was perforce kept out of the Church; Some would have broken in, but he said to one of them, Brother, Jesus Christ is as mighty in the fields as in the Church, and himself often preached in the Desert, at the Sea-side and, other places. Its the Word of Peace God sends by me: the blood of none shall be shed this day for the preaching of it; and so going into the fields, he stood upon a bank, were he continued in preaching to the people above three houres; and God wought so wonderfully by that Sermon,The power of the Word. that one of the wickedst men in all the Country, the Laird of Sheld was converted by it, and his eyes ran down with such abundance of tears, that all men wondred at it. Presently news was brought to Wischard that the plague was broke out in Dundee, which began within four dayes after he was prohibited preaching there, and raged so extreamly,His Prohesie accomplished. that its almost beyond credit how many died in twenty foure houres space; This being related to him, notwithstanding the importunity of his friends, he would needs go thither, saying, They are now in trouble, and need comfort; Perhaps this hand of God will make them now to magnifie and reverence that Word of God, which before they lightly esteemed.
Coming to Dundee, the joy of the faithful was exceeding great, and without delay he signified that the next day he would preach;His second▪ coming to Dundee. and because most of the inhabitants were either sick, or imployed about the sick, he chose the East-gate for the place of his preaching, so that the whole were within, and the sick without the gate; His text was Psal. 107. He sent his Word and healed them, &c. wherein he comfortably intreated of the profit and comfort of Gods Word, the punishment that comes by the contempt of it, the readinesse of Gods mercy to such as truly turn to him, and the happinesse of those whom God takes from this misery, &c. By which Sermon he so raised up the hearts of those that heard him, that they regarded no death, but judged them more happy that should then depart, rather than such as should remain behind; considering that they knew not whether they should have such a Comforter with them. He spared not to visit them that lay in the greatest extremity, and to comfort them.Charity. He provided all things necessary for such as could take food, the Town being very bountiful to them, through his instigation. But whilst he was thus busying himself for the comfort of the afflicted, the Devil stirred up the Cardinal, who corrupted a desperate Popish Priest, called John Weighton, to slay him. And on a day the Sermon being ended, and the people departed, suspecting no danger,He is in danger of being murthered. the Priest stood waiting at the bottome of the stairs with a naked dagger in his hand, under his gown, but Master VVischard being of a sharp piercing eye, seeing the Priest as he came down, said to him, My friend what would you have? Gods Providence.and withal clapping his hand upon the dagger, took it from him; The Priest herewith being terrified, fell down upon his knees, confessed his intention, and craved pardon; A noise being hereupon raised, and it coming to the ears of those which were sick, they cryed, Deliver the Traytor to us, or we will take him by force, and so they burst in at the gate, but VVischard taking him in his armes, said, VVhosoever hurts him shall hurt me, for he hath done me no mischief, He preserves the murtherer.but much good, by teaching me more heedfulnesse for the time to come; and so he appeased them, and saved the Priests life.
When the plague was almost quite ceased, he took his leave of them, saying, that God had almost put an end to the battel, and that he was now called to another place; for the Gentlemen of the West had written to him to meet them in Edinburgh, where he should dispute with the Bishops, and should be publickly heard, which he willingly assented to: but first he went to Montrosse, to salute the Church there, where he sometimes preached,He goes to Montrosse. but spent most of his time in private meditation, in which he was so earnest, that night and day he continued in it; during which time, the Cardinal again conspired his death, causing a letter to be sent to him, as if it been from his familiar friend,Meditation. the Laird of Kinnur, Popish malice▪desiring him with all possible speed to come to him, for that he was taken with a sudden sicknesse; In the mean time he had provided sixty men armed to lie in wait within a mile and na hall of Montrosse to murther him as he passed by that way, The letter coming to his hands by a boy, who also brought him an horse to ride on; accompanied with some honest men his friends, he set forwards; but suddenly stopping and musing a space, he returned back again, which they wondring at,A Prophesie. asked him the cause; to whom he said; I will not go, I am forbidden of God, I am assured there is treason: Let some of you go to yonder place and tell me what you finde; which they doing, found out the treason, and hastily returning back, they told master Wischard of it, whereupon he said; I know that I shall end my life by that blood-thirsty mans hands▪ but it will not be on this manner.
The time approaching wherein he should meet the Gentlemen at Edinburgh, he took his leave and departed; by the way he lodged with a faithful brother called James Watson of Inner Gowry; in the night time he gat up and went into a yard; which two men hearing, privily followed him; There he walked in an Alley for some space, breathing forth many sobs and deep grones, then he fell upon his knees, and his grones increased; Then he fell upon his face; Those that watched him, hearing him weeping and praying, in which posture he continued near an hour;His fervent Prayer in the night. then getting up he came to his bed again; Those which attended him, making as though they were ignorant of all, came and asked him where he had been? but he would not answer them; the next day they importuned him again, saying, Be plain with us, for we heard your mourning, and saw your gestures; then he with a dejected countenance, said, I had rather you had been in your beds; but they still pressing upon him to know something; he said, I will tell you; I am assured that my warfare is near at an end, and therefore pray to God with me that now I shrink not when the battel waxeth most hot; When they heard this, they fell a weeping, saying, This is small comfort to us; Then said he, God shall send you comfort after me. This Realme shall be illuminated with the light of Christs Gospel as clearly as any Realme since the dayes of the Apostles; A Prophesie.The house of God shall be built in it, yea it shall not lack, in despite of all enemies, the top-stone; Neither will it be long before this be accomplished; Many shall not suffer after me, till the glory of God shall appear and triumph in despight of Satan: But alasse! If the people shall afterwards prove unthankful, then fearful and terrible shall the plagues be that shall follow.
He comes to Leith.Then went he forward on his journey, and came to Leith, but hearing nothing of those Gentlemen that were to meet him, he kept himself private a day or two: then did he grow very pensive, and being asked the reason of it; he said, What do I differ from a dead man, but that I eat and drink? Hitherto God hath used my labours for the instruction of others, and to the disclosing of darknesse, and now I lurk as a man ashamed that dare not shew his face: hereby they perceived that his desire was to preach, whereupon they said to him,Faith, and Courage. It's most comfortable to us to hear …ou, but because we know the danger wherein you stand, we dare not desire it; But said he, if you dare hear, let God provide for me as best pleaseth him; and so it was concluded that the next day he should preach in Leith; his text was of the Parable of the Sower, Mat. 13. The Sermon ended, the Gentlemen of Louth…, who were earnest Professors of Jesus Christ, would not suffer him to stay at Leith, Hi… departvre from Leith.because the Governour and Cardinal were shortly to come to Edinburgh, but took him along with them, and so he preached at Brunstone, Languedine, and Ormstone; then was he requested to preach at Eneresk neer Muscelbrugh, where he had a great confluence of people, and amongst them Sir George Dowglas, who after Sermon, said publickly, I know that the Governour and Cardinal will hear that I have been at this Sermon: but let them know that I will avow it, and will maintain both the doctrine, and the Preacher to the uttermost of my power; This much rejoyced those that were present.
Amongst others that came to hear him preach, there were two Gray-friars, who, standing at the Church door,Popish malice. whispered to such as came in: which Wischard observing, said to the people, I pray you make roome for these two men, it may be they come to learn; and turning to them, he said, Come neer, for I assure you, you shall hear the Word of truth, which this day shall seale up to you either your salvation or damnation; and so he proceeded in his Sermon, supposing that they would be quiet; but when he perceived that they still continued to disturb all the people that stood near them, he said to them the second time with an angry countenance; O Ministers of Satan, and deceivers of the souls of men; will ye neither hear Gods truth your selves, nor suffer others to hear it? Depart and take this for your portion; A Prophesie.God shall shortly confound and disclose your hypocrisie within this Kingdom; ye shall be abominable to men, and your places and habitations shall be desolate. This he spake with much vehemency, and turning to the people, he said, These men have provoked the Spirit of God to anger; and then he proceeded to the end of his Sermon.
Afterwards he preached in divers other places, the people much flocking after him; In all his Sermons foretelling the shortnesse of time that he had to travel, and the near approaching of his death.
Coming to Haddington, his auditory began much to decrease;He goes to Haddington. the cause, as it was conceived, was this, The Earle Bothwell, who had great observance in those parts, by the instigation of the Cardinal, had inhibited both those of the Town and Countrey from hearing him. Presently after, as he was going to Church, he received a letter from the West-countrey Gentlemen, and having read it, he called John Knox, John Knox: See his li…e in my first part.who had diligently waited upon him since he came into Lothaine, to whom he said that he was a weary of the world, because he saw that men began to be weary of God; for saith he, the Gentlemen of the West have sent me word, that they cannot keep their meeting at Edinburgh; John Knox wondring that he should enter into conference about these things so immediately before his Sermon, contrary to …his custome, said to him; Sir, Sermon-time approaches, I will leave you for the present to your meditations. Then did Master Wischard walk up … down about half an hour, his sad countenance declaring the grief of his mind: at last he went into the Pulpit, and his Auditory being very small, he began on this manner: O Lord, how long shall it be that thy holie Word shall be despised, and men shall not regard their own salvation? I have heard of thee, O Haddington, that in thee there used to be two or three thousand persons at a vain and wicked play: A Prophesie.and now to hear the Messenger of the eternal God, of all the Parish can scarce be numbred one hundred present. Sore and fearful shall be the plagues that shall ensue upon this thy contempt; with fire and sword shalt thou be plagued; yea thou Haddington in special, strangers shall possesse thee; and you the present inhabitants shall either in bondage serve your enemies, or else you shall be chased from your own habitations, and that because ye have not known, nor will know the time of your visitation.
This Prophesie was accomplished not long after, when the English took Haddington, made it a garrison, enforced many of the inhabitants to flie: oppressed others; and after awhile, a great plague breaking forth in the Town, whereof multitudes died, the English were at last forced to quit it, who at their departure burnt and spoiled great part of it, leaving it to be possessed by such as could first seize upon it, which were the French that came as Auxiliaries to Scotland, with a few of the ancient inhabitants, so that Haddington to this day never recovered her former beauty, nor yet men of such wisdome and ability as did formerly inhabit it.
That night was Master Wiseheart apprehended in the house of Ormeston, His apprehension by Bothwell.by the Earle Bothwel, suborned thereunto by the Cardinal. The manner was thus; After Sermon he took his last farewel of all his friends in Haddington; John Knox would faine have gone with him; but he said, Return to your children, and God blesse you; One is sufficient for one sacrifice; Then went he the Laird of Ormestons with some others that accompanied him. After Supper he held a comfortable discourse of Gods love to his children, then he appointed the 51. Psalm to be sung, and so retired to his chamber.
Before midnight the house was beset: and the Earle Bothwell called for the Laird of the house, and told him that it was in vain to resist, for the Governour and Cardinal were within a mile with a great power; but if he would deliver Master Wischard to him, he would promise upon his honour that he should be safe, and that the Cardinal should not hurt him; Master Wischard said, Open the gates, the Will of God be done; and Bothwell coming in, Wischard said to him, I praise my God that so honourable a man as you, my Lord, receive me this night; for I am perswaded that for your honours sake you will suffer nothing to be done to me but by order of Law? I lesse feare to die openly, than secretly to be murthered: Then said Bothwel, I will not only preserve your body from all violence that shall be intended against you without order of Law, Bothwels promise.but I also promise in the presence of these Gentlemen, that neither the Governour, nor Cardinal shall have their will of you, but I will keep you in mine own house, till I either set you free, or restore you to the same place where I receive you; Then said the Lairds, My Lord, if you make good your promise, which we presume you will, we our selves will not only serve you, but we will procure all the Professors in Lothain to do the same, &c. These promises being made in the presence of God, and hands being stricken by both parties, the Earle took Master Wischard and so departed.
Master Wischard was carried to Edenburgh; But gold and women easily corrupt fleshly men; for the Cardinal gave Bothwel gold;He is carried to Edenburgh. and the Queen, that was too familiar with him, promised him her favour, if he would deliver Master Wischard into Edenburgh Castle, which he did;Bothwel falsifies his promise and shortly after he was delivered to the blood-thirsty Cardinal: who, seeing that it was forbidden by their Cannon Law for a Priest to sit as a Judge upon life and death; he sent to the Governour, requesting him to appoint some Lay-Judge to passe sentence of death upon Master Wischard.
The Governour would easily have yielded to his request, but that David Hamilton, a godly man told him, that he could expect no better an end than Saul, if he persecuted the truth which formerly he had professed, &c. Hereupon the Governour sent the Cardinal word, that he would have no hand in shedding the blood of that good man; The Cardinal being angry, returned this answer, that he had sent to him of meer Civility, and that he would proceed without him, and so to the great grief of the godly, the Cardinal carried Master Wiseheart to Saint Andrews, and put him into the Tower there;He is carried to St. Andrews. and without any long delay he caused all the Bishops, and other great Clergy-men to be called together to Saint Andrews.
Feb. ult. 1546. Master Wischard was sent for to appear before them, to give an account of his seditious and Heretical doctrine, as they called it; The Cardinal caused all his retinue to come armed to the place of their sitting, which was the Abby-church, whither when Master Wischard was brought, there was a poor man lying at the door, that asked his almes, to whom he flung his purse; when he came before the Cardinal, there was a Dean appointed to preach; whose Sermon being ended, Wischard was put up into the Pulpit to hear his charge: and one Lawder, a Priest, stood over against him, and read a scrowle full of bitter accusations and curses, so that the ignorant people thought that the earth would have opened and swallowed up Wischard quick:His accusation▪ but he stood with great patience without moving, or once changing his countenance; The Priest having ended his curses, spat at Master Wischards face, saying, VVhat answerest thou? thou Runnagate, Traytor, Thief, &c. His patience.Then did Master VVischard fall upon his knees, making his prayer unto God; after which he said, Many and horrible sayings unto me a Christian man, many words abominable for to hear, have ye spoken here this day, which not onelyonly to teach, but even to think, I ever thought it a great abomination, &c. Then did he give them an account of his doctrine. Answering every Article as farre as they would give him leave to speak.
But they without having any regard to his sober and godly answers, presently condemned him to be burnt. After which sentence he falling upon his knees, said,
O immortal God, how long wilt thou suffer the rage, and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants, which do further thy Word in this world,His Prayer. whereas they on the contrary seek to destroy the truth, whereby thou hast revealed thy self to the world, &c. O Lord, we know certainly that thy true servants must needs suffer for thy names sake persecutions, afflictions, and troubles in this present world; yet we desire that thou wouldest preserve and defend thy Church which thou hast chosen before the foundations of the world, and give thy people grace to hear thy Word, and to be thy true servants in this present life.
Popish subtiltyThen were the common people put out, the Bishops not desiring that they should hear the innocent man speak, and so they sent him again to the Castle, till the fire should be made ready; In the Castle came two Friars to him, requiring him to make his Confession to them, to whom he said, I will make no confession to you, but fetch me that man who preached even now, and I will speak with him; Then was the Sub-Prior with whom he conferred a pretty while, till the Sub-prior wept, who going to the Cardinal, told him that he came not to intercede for Master Wischards life, but to make known his innocency to all men; at which words the Cardinal was very angry, saying: We knew long ago what you were.
The Captain of the Castle with some friends coming to Master Wischard, asked him if he would break his fast with them: yea, said he, very willingly, for I know you be honest men; In the mean time he desired them to hear him a little; and so he discoursed to them about the Lords Supper,He administreth the Sacrament. his sufferings and death for us, exhorting them to love one another, laying aside all rancor and malice as becomes the members of Jesus Christ, who continually intercedes for us to his Father. Afterwards he gave thanks, and blessing the bread and wine, he took the bread and brake it, giving it to every one, saying, eate this, remember that Christ died for us, and feed on it spiritually; so taking the Cup, he bade them remember that Christs blood was shed for them, &c. Then he gave thanks and prayed for them, and so retired into his chamber.
Presently came two Executioners to him from the Cardinal, one put on him a black linnen coat, the other brought him bags of powder, which they tied about several parts of his body, and so they brought him forth to the place of execution; over against which place, the Castle windows were hung with rich hangings, and Velvet Cushions laid for the Cardinal and Prelates, who from thence fed their eyes with the torments of this innocent man; The Cardinal fearing lest Wiseheart should be rescued by his friends, caused all the Ordnance in the Castle to be bent against the place of his execution,The Cardinals feare. and commanded his gunners to stand ready all the time of his burning; Then were his hands bound behind his back, & so he was carried forth; In the way some beggars met him, asking his alms for Gods sake: To whom he said, My hands are bound wherewith I was wont to give you almes: but the merciful Lord, who of his bounty and abundant grace feeds all men, vouchsafe to give you necessaries both for your bodies and souls. Then two Friars met him, perswading him to pray to our Lady to mediate for him; to whom he meekly said, Cease, tempt me not, I entreat you: and so with a rope about his neck, and a chaine about his middle, he was led to the fire: then falling upon his knees, he thrice repeated; O thou Saviour of the world have mercy upon me; Father of heaven, His Prayer at death.I commend my spirit into thy holy hands: Then turning to the people, he said: Christian brethren and sisters, I beseech you be not offended at the Word of God for the torments which you see prepared for me; but I exhort you that ye love the Word of God for your salvation,His exhortation to the People. and suffer patiently, and with a comfortable heart for the Words sake, which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort; I pray you also shew my brethren and sisters which have often heard me, that they cease not to learne the Word of God which I taught them, according to the measure of grace given to me, for no persecution or trouble in this world whatsoever; and shew them that the doctrine was no old wives fables, but the truth of God; for if I had taught mens doctrine, I had had greater thanks from men: but for the Word of Gods sake I now suffer, not sorrowfully, but with a glad heart and minde: For this cause I was sent that I should suffer this fire for Christs sake; behold my face, you shall not see me change my countenance: I feare not the fire; and if persecution come to you for the Words sake, I pray you fear not them that can kill the body, and have no power to hurt the soul, &c. Then he prayed for them which accused him, saying, I beseech thee father of heaven, forgive them that have of ignorance, or of an evil mind, forged lies of me: He prayes for his PersecutorsI forgive them with all my heart; I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me this day ignorantly: Then turning to the people again, he said, I beseech you brethren, exhort your Prelates to learn the Word of God, that they may be ashamed to do evil, and learn to do good, or else there shall shortly come upon them the wrath of God which they shall not eschew; Then the Executioner upon his knees, said, Sir, I pray you forgive me, for I am not the cause of your death; and he calling him to him, kissed his cheeks, saying, Lo here is a token that I forgive thee; My heart, do thine office; and so he was tied to the stake, and the fire kindled.
The Captain of the Castle coming near him, bade him be of good courage, and to beg for him the pardon of his sin; to whom Master Wischard said, This fire torments my body, but no whit abates my spirits; then looking towards the Cardinal, he said, He who in such state from that high place, feeds his eyes with my torments, within few dayes shall be hanged out at the same window to be seen with as much ignominie as he now leans there with pride; and so his breath being stopped,A Prophesie. he was consumed by the fire.
This Prophesie was fulfilled, when after the Cardinal was slain, the Provost raising the Town, came to the Castle gates, crying, What have you done with my Lord Cardinal? Where is my Lord Cardinal? To whom they within answered, Return to your houses, for he hath received his reward, and will trouble the world no more: But they still cryed, We will never depart till we see him; Then did the Leslies hang him out at that window to shew that he was dead, and so the people departed.
But God left not the death of this holy man long unrevenged: for the people did generally cry out of the cruelty used against him, especially John Lesley, brother to the Earle of Rothes, and Norman Lesley his Cousin, fell foul upon the Cardinal for it: but he thought himself strong enough for all Scotland, The Cardinals pride, and carnal confidence.saying, Tush, a fig for the fools, and a button for the bragging of Hereticks. Is not the Lord Governour mine, witnesse his eldest sonne for a pledge at my table? Have I not the Queen at my devotion? Is not France my friend? why should I fear any danger? yet he had laid a designe to cut off such as he feared and hated, which was discovered after his death by letters and memorials found about him. He kept himself for his greater security in his Castle; and on a Friday night there came to the Town of Saint Andrews, Norman Lesley, William Kircaldy, John Leslley, and some others; and on the Saturday morning they met together not far from the Castle, waiting till the gate was opened,The Castle surprized. and the draw-bridge let down, for the receiving in some lime and sand, to repair some decays about the Castle, which being done, Kircaldy, with six more, went to the Porter, falling into discourse with him, till the Leslies came also with some other company: the Porter seeing them, would have drawn up the Bridge, but he was prevented, and whilst he endeavoured to keep them out at the gate, his head was broken, and the Keys taken from him; The Cardinal was asleep in bed, for all night he had for his bedfellow, Mistris Mary Ogleby, who was a little before gone from him out at the Postern gate,Popish uncleannesse. and therefore the Cardinal was gone to his rest.
There were about one hundred workmen in the Castle, which seeing what was done, cried out, but, without hurt, they were turned out at the wicket gate; Then VVilliam Kircaldy went to secure the Postern lest the Cardinal should make an escape that way: The rest going to the Gentlemens chambers, who were above fifty, without hurting them, they turned them all out at the gate; They which undertook this enterprise were but eighteen men. The Cardinal being awaked with the noise, asked out at the window what was the matter? Answer was made, that Norman Lesley had taken his Castle: Then did he attempt to have escaped by the Posterne, but finding that to be kept, he returned to his chamber: and with the help of his Chamberlain fell to barrica-doing up the door with chests, and such things: Then came up John Lesley and bids open the door: The Cardinal asked, who was there? He answered John Lesley: The Cardinal said, I will have Norman, for he is my friend: Content your self, said the other, with those that are here: and so they fell to breaking open the door; in the mean time the Cardinal hid a box of gold under some coales in a secret corner. Then he said to them, Will ye save my life? John Lesley answered, It may be that we will. Nay, said the Cardinal, sweare unto me by Gods wounds that you will, and then I will open the door; then said John, that which was said, is unsaid, and so he called for fire to burn down the door, whereupon the door was opened, and the Cardinal sate him down in his chair, crying, I am a Priest, I am a Priest, ye will not slay me? Then John Lesley and another struck him once or twice; But Master James Melvin, a man that had been very familiar with Wischard, and of a modest and gentle nature, perceiving them both to be in choler, plucked them back, saying, This work and judgement of God although it be secret, ought to be done with great gravity: And so presenting him the point of his sword, he said, Repent thee of thy former wicked life, but especially of sheding the blood of that notable Instrument of God, Master George Wisheart, who though he was consumed by the fire before men, The Cardinal slain.yet cries it for vengeance upon thee, and we from God are sent to revenge it; for here, before my God I protest, that neither the hatred of thy person, the love of thy riches, nor the feare of any hurt thou couldst have done me, moveth me to strike thee; but onelyonly because thou hast been, and still remainest an obstinate enemie against Jesus Christ and his holy Gospel; and so he thrust him through the body, who falling down, spake never a word, but I am a Priest, I am a Priest: Fie, Fie, all is gone.
The death of this Tyrant was grievous to the Queen Mother, with whom he had two much familiarity, as with many other women; as also to the Romanists, though the people of God were freed from their fears in a great measure thereby.
Anno 1550. There was one Adam Wallace, Adam Wallace.a man that had no great learning, but was zealous in Godlinesse, and of an upright life; him the Bishop of Saint Andrews caused to be apprehended, and carried to Edenburgh, where after a while he was brought to judgement before Duke Hamilton, Huntly, and divers others; The Bishops and their instruments accused him: First,His accusation. that he took upon him to preach; to which he answered, that he never judged himself worthy of so excellent a Vocation, and therefore never took on him to preach; yet he denyed not, that in private places he used to read the Word, and out of it to exhort such as were willing to hear him. Knave, quoth one, What have you to do to meddle with the Scriptures? I think, said he, its every ones duty to labour to know the will of God, and to get assurance of his salvation, which is to be found in the Old and New Testament. What then, said another, shall we leave to the Church-men to do? To whom he answered, their work is publickly to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ,The Ministers work. and to feed the flock which he hath redeemed with his own blood, as all true Pastors are commanded to do, &c. The Bishops being angry hereat, caused his charge further to be read; as that he denyed Purgatory, praying to Saints, and for the dead, &c. To which he answered, that he had oft read over the Bible, and yet found no mention of Purgatory, nor command to pray to the Saints, or for the dead; Therefore I believe, said he, they are but meer inventions of men, devised for covetousnesse sake. Then did they ask him what he thought of the Masse? He answered, I say as my Lord Jesus Christ said, That which is greatly esteemed before men, is abomination before God; Then cryed they all out,His Martyrdome. Heresie, Heresie, and so and so adjudged him to the fire, which he patiently underwent the same day upon the Castle-hill.
Henry Forrest.Anno 1553. Henry Forrest was accused of Heresie, but when they brought him to trial, nothing could be proved against him, whereupon they sent him to Friar Langius to be confessed. The Friar amongst other questions, asked him what he thought of Patrick Hamilton, who had been formerly burned for Religion? He answered, that he was a good man, and that his Articles were to be maintained. This wicked Friar discovered his Confession, which was taken as a sufficient proof against the poor man, who thereupon was condemned to be burnt.Popish perfidiousnesse. As he went to the place of execution, he complained of the Friar who had betrayed him, saying, Let no man trust the false Friars after me; They are despisers of God, and deceivers of men; and so in the flames he resigned up his spirit unto God.His Martyrdome.
Anno 1558. Andrew Oliphant accused one Walter Mill, formerly a Priest;Walter Mill. who being at Prayer, Oliphant said to him, Rise up Sir VValter; But when he had ended his prayers, he said, My name is VValter: I have been too long one of the Popes Knights. Then said Oliphant, Thou keepest my Lords too long here, therefore make an end. He answered, I must obey God rather than men: When he was brought forth to judgement, they asked him concerning Priests marriage: he answered, It is Gods Ordinance, that they which cannot abstain, Popish uncleanness.should marry. But you abhor it, vowing chastity, which you cannot keep, but take other mens wives and daughters; Then they asked him if there were not seven Sacraments? he answered, Give me two, and take you the rest; after other questions they asked him if he would recant? He answered, I am corn and not chaffe, I will not recant the truth: Then they commanded him to go to the stake; but he said, By the law of God I am forbidden to lay hands on my own self, therefore do you put me into the fire, and you shall see my resolution. Having made his Prayer to God, he said to the people; Although I have been a great sinner, yet it is not for that, but for Gods truth contained in his VVord of the Old and New Testament that I now suffer; His speech at death.and God out of his abundant mercy doth honour me so farre, as to make me amongst other of his servants, seale his truth with my blood; Dear friends, as you would escape eternal death, His Martyrdome.be no more seduced with lyes of Archbishop, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, &c. but only trust in God, and so he quietly slept in the Lord; and was the last man that died for Religion in Scotland.
Collected out of the History of the Reformation in Scotland.