Part 9

9. Thou, false heretic and runagate, hast said that every layman is a priest; and thou sayest that the Pope hath no more power than any other man.--My Lords, I taught nothing but the Word of God. I remember that I have read in some places in St. John and St. Peter, of whom one sayeth, "He hath made us kings and priests;" the other sayeth, "He hath made us the kingly priesthood." Wherefore, I have affirmed that any man, being cunning and perfect in the Word of God and the true faith of Jesus Christ, has his power given him from God, and that not by the power or violence of men, but by the virtue of the Word of God--the Word which is called the power of God, as St. Paul witnesseth evidently enough. And again I say that any unlearned man, not exercised in the Word of God, nor yet constant in his faith, of whatsoever estate or order he be, hath no power to bind or loose, seeing he lacketh the instrument by the which he bindeth or looseth, that is to say, the Word of God.

After he had said these words all the bishops laughed, and mocked him. When he beheld their laughing, "Laugh ye," saith he, "my Lords? Though these my sayings appear scornful and worthy of derision to your Lordships, they are nevertheless very weighty to me, and of a great value; because they stand not only upon my life, but also the honour and glory of God."

In the meantime many godly men, beholding the wodness[88] and great cruelty of the bishops, and the invincible patience of the said Master George, did greatly mourn and lament.

[88] Fury.

10. Thou, false heretic, saidst that a man hath no free will, but is like to the Stoics, who say that it is not in man's will to do anything, but that concupiscence and desire cometh of God, of whatsoever kind it be.--My Lords, I said not so, truly: I say that unto as many as believe in Christ firmly is given liberty, conformable to the saying of St. John, "If the Son make you free, then shall ye verily be free." Of the contrary, as many as believe not in Christ Jesus, they are bound servants of sin: "He that sinneth is bound to sin."

11. Thou, false heretic, sayest it is as lawful to eat flesh upon Friday, as on Sunday.--May it please your Lordships, I have read in the Epistles of St. Paul that "to the clean, all things are clean." Of the contrary, "To filthy men, all things are unclean." A faithful man, clean and holy, sanctifieth by the Word the creature of God; but the creature maketh no man acceptable unto God: so that a creature may not sanctify any impure and unfaithful man. But to the faithful man, all things are sanctified by the prayer of the Word of God.

After these sayings of Master George, all the bishops, with their accomplices, said, "What witness need we against him: hath he not openly here spoken blasphemy?"

12. Thou, false heretic, dost say that we should not pray to saints, but to God only. Say whether thou hast said this or no: say shortly.--For the weakness and the infirmity of the hearers, without doubt, plainly, saints should not be honoured or called upon. My Lords, there are two things worthy of note: the one is certain and the other uncertain. It is found plainly and certain in Scriptures that we should worship and honour one God, according to the saying of the first commandment, "Thou shall only worship and honour thy Lord God with all thy heart." But as to praying to and honouring of saints, there is great doubt among many, whether or no they hear invocation made unto them. Therefore, I exhorted all men equally in my doctrine that they should leave the unsure way, and follow the way which was taught us by our Master Christ: He only is our Mediator, and maketh intercession for us to God, His Father: He is the door, by which we must enter in: He that entereth not in by this door, but climbeth another way, is a thief and a murderer: He is the truth and life. There is no doubt but he that goeth out of this way shall fall into the mire; yea, verily, he is fallen into it already. This is the fashion of my doctrine, which I have ever followed. Verily, that which I have heard and read in the Word of God I taught openly and in no corners, and now ye shall witness the same, if your Lordships will hear me. I dare not be so bold as affirm anything unless it agree with the Word of God.

These sayings he rehearsed divers times.

13. Thou, false heretic, hast preached plainly that there is no purgatory, and that it is a feigned thing that any man, after this life, will be punished in purgatory.--My Lords, as I have oftentimes said heretofore, without express witness and testimony of Scripture, I dare affirm nothing. I have oft and divers times read over the Bible, and yet such a term found I never, nor yet any place of Scripture applicable thereto. Therefore, I was ashamed ever to teach of that which I could not find in Scripture.

Then said he to Master John Lauder, his accuser, "If you have any testimony of the Scripture, by the which ye may prove any such place, show it now before this audience." But that dolt had not a word to say for himself, but was as dumb as a beetle in that matter.

14. Thou, false heretic, hast taught plainly against the vows of monks, friars, nuns, and priests, saying that whosoever was bound by such vows did vow themselves to the state of damnation. Moreover, thou hast taught that it was lawful for priests to marry wives, and not to live sole.--Of sooth, my Lords, I have read in the Evangel that there are three kinds of chaste men: some are gelded from their mother's womb; some are gelded by men; and some have gelded themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake: verily, I say, these men are blessed by the Scripture of God. But as many as have not the gift of chastity, nor yet for the Evangel have overcome the concupiscence of the flesh, and have vowed chastity, ye have experience, although I should hold my tongue, to what inconvenience they have vowed themselves.

When he had said these words, they were all dumb, thinking it better to have ten concubines, than one married wife.

15. Thou, false heretic and runagate, sayest that thou wilt not obey our General or Provincial Councils.--My Lords, I know not what your General Councils are. I never studied that matter; but gave my labours to the pure Word of God. Read here your General Councils, or else give me a book wherein they are contained, that I may read of them. If they agree with the Word of God, I will not disagree.

Then the ravening wolves became mad, and said, "Whereunto do we let him speak any further? Read forth the rest of the articles, and stay not upon them." Amongst these cruel tigers there was one false hypocrite, a seducer of the people, called John Scott, who, standing behind John Lauder's back, hasted him to read the rest of the articles, and not to tarry for Master George's witty and godly answers; "For we may not abide them," quoth he, "no more than the Devil may abide the sign of the Cross when it is named."

16. Thou, heretic, sayest, that it is vain to build to the honour of God costly churches, seeing that God remaineth not in churches made by men's hands, nor yet can God be in so little space, as betwixt the priest's hands.--My Lords, Solomon saith, "If the heaven of heavens cannot comprehend Thee, how much less this house that I have builded." And Job consenteth to the same sentence, saying, "Seeing that He is higher than the heavens, what canst thou build unto Him? He is deeper than the hell, then how shalt thou know Him? He is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." God cannot be comprehended into one space, because He is infinite. These sayings notwithstanding, I never said that churches should be destroyed; but, on the contrary, I ever affirmed that churches should be sustained and upholden, and that the people should be congregated in them to hear the Word of God preached. Moreover, wheresoever there is the true preaching of the Word of God and the lawful use of the Sacraments, undoubtedly God is there Himself. Thus, both these sayings are true together. God cannot be comprehended into any one place: and, "Wheresoever there are two or three gathered in His name, there is He present in the midst of them."

Then said he to his accuser, "If thou thinkest any otherwise, then I say, show further thy reasons before this audience." He, without all reason, was dumb, and could not answer a word.

17. Thou, false heretic, contemnest fasting, and sayest thou shouldest not fast.--My Lords, I find that fasting is commanded in the Scripture; therefore I were a slanderer of the Gospel if I contemned fasting. Not only so, I have learned by experience that fasting is good for the health and conservation of the body. But God knoweth only who fasteth the true fast.

18. Thou, false heretic, hast preached openly, saying, that the souls of men shall sleep to the latter day of judgment, and shall not obtain life immortal until that day.--God, full of mercy and goodness, forgive him that sayeth such things of me. I wot and know surely, by the Word of God, that the soul of him that hath begun to have the faith of Jesus Christ and believeth firmly in Him, shall never sleep, but ever shall live an immortal life. That life is renewed in grace from day to day and augmented; nor shall it ever perish or have an end, but shall ever live immortal with Christ its Head. To this life, all that believe in Him shall come, and then shall remain in eternal glory. Amen.

When the bishops, with their accomplices, had accused this innocent man, in manner and form aforesaid, they incontinently condemned him to be burned as a heretic, not having respect to his godly answers and the true reasons which he alleged, nor yet to their own consciences. They thought, verily, that they should do to God good sacrifice, conformably to the sayings of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of St. John, chapter sixteen: "They shall excommunicate you; yea, and the time shall come that he which killeth you shall think that he hath done to God good service."

The following is the prayer of Master George. "O immortal God! how long shalt Thou suffer the wodness and great credulity of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon Thy servants, who do further Thy Word in this world. They desire to do the contrary, to choke and destroy the true doctrine and truth, whereby Thou hast showed Thee unto the world, which was all drowned in blindness and misknowledge of Thy name. O Lord, we know surely that Thy true servants must needs suffer, for Thy name's sake, persecution, affliction, and troubles in this present life, which is but a shadow, as Thou hast showed to us by Thy prophets and apostles. But yet we desire Thee, merciful Father, that Thou wouldest preserve, defend, and help Thy congregation, which Thou hast chosen before the beginning of the world, and give them Thy grace to hear Thy word, and to be true servants in this present life."

Then, by and by, the common people were removed (for their desire was always to hear that innocent speak) and the sons of darkness pronounced their sentence definitive, not having respect to the judgment of God. When all this was done and said, my Lord Cardinal caused his tormentors to pass again with the meek lamb unto the Castle, until such time as the fire was made ready. When he was come into the Castle, there came two Grey fiends, Friar Scott and his mate, saying, "Sir, ye must make your confession unto us." He answered and said, "I will make no confession unto you. Go fetch me yonder man that preached this day, and I will make my confession unto him." Then they sent for the Sub-prior of the Abbey, who came to him with all diligence; but what he said in this confession I cannot show.

When the fire and the gallows were made ready at the west part of the Castle, near to the Priory, my Lord Cardinal, dreading that Master George should have been taken away by his friends, commanded his men to bend all the ordnance of the Castle against the place of execution, and commanded all his gunners to be ready, and stand beside their guns, until such time as he was burned. All this being done, they bound Master George's hands behind his back, and led him forth from the Castle with their soldiers, to the place of their cruel and wicked execution. As he came forth from the Castle gate, there met him certain beggars asking his alms, for God's sake. To these he answered, "I want my hands, wherewith I was wont to give you alms. But may the merciful Lord, who feedeth all men, vouchsafe of His benignity and abundant grace to give you necessaries, both for your bodies and souls." Then met him two false fiends--I should say, Friars--saying, "Master George, pray to our Lady that she may be a mediatrix for you to her Son." To them he answered meekly, "Cease: tempt me not, my brethren." After this he was led to the fire, with a rope about his neck, and a chain of iron about his middle.

[Sidenote: Master George Wishart is brought to the Stake.]

When he came to the fire he sat down upon his knees, and rose again; and thrice he said these words, "O Thou Saviour of the world, have mercy upon me: Father of heaven, I commend my spirit into Thy holy hands." When he had made this prayer, he turned him to the people, and said these words: "I beseech you, Christian brethren and sisters, that ye be not offended at the Word of God because of the affliction and torments which ye see already prepared for me. I exhort you that ye love the Word of God, your salvation, and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart, for the Word's sake, which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort. Moreover, I pray you, urge upon those of my brethren and sisters who have heard me oft before that they cease not nor leave off to learn that Word of God which I taught them, according to the grace given unto me--not for my persecution or troubles in this world, which lasteth not. And show unto them that my doctrine was no wives' fables, after the constitution made by men; if I had taught men's doctrine, I should have gotten greater thanks from men. But, for the Word's sake, and for the true Evangel, given to me by the grace of God, I suffer this day by men, not sorrowfully, but with a glad heart and mind. For this cause I was sent, that I should suffer this fire for Christ's sake. Consider and behold my visage; ye shall not see me change my colour. This grim fire I fear not; and so I pray you to do, if any persecution come unto you for the Word's sake. Do not fear them that slay the body, and afterwards have no power to slay the soul. Some have said of me that I taught that the soul of man should sleep until the last day; but I know surely that this night, before six o'clock, my soul shall sup with my Saviour, for whom I suffer this."

Then Master George prayed for them that accused him, saying, "I beseech Thee, Father of Heaven, to forgive them that have of any ignorance, or else of any evil mind, forged lies upon me; I forgive them with all mine heart: I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me to death this day, ignorantly." And last of all, he said to the people on this manner, "I beseech you, brethren and sisters, to exhort your prelates to the learning of the Word of God, that they at least may be ashamed to do evil and learn to do good; and if they will not convert themselves from their wicked error, there shall hastily come upon them the wrath of God, and that they shall not eschew."

Many faithful words said he in the meantime, taking no heed or care of the cruel torments which were then prepared for him. Then, last of all, the hangman that was his tormentor, sat down upon his knees, and said, "Sir, I pray you, forgive me, for I am not guilty of your death." To whom he answered, "Come hither to me." When he was come to him, he kissed his cheek, and said, "Lo! here is a token that I forgive thee. My heart, do thine office." And then by and by he was put upon the gibbet, and hanged, and there burned to powder. When the people beheld the great tormenting of that innocent, they could not refrain from piteous mourning and complaining of the innocent lamb's slaughter.

[Sidenote: Vengeance on the Cardinal is vowed.]

After the death of this blessed martyr of God, the people began, in plain speaking, to damn and detest the cruelty that was used. Yea, men of great birth, estimation, and honour, avowed at open tables that the blood of the said Master George should be revenged, or else it should cost life for life. Amongst these John Leslie, brother to the Earl of Rothes, was the chief; for he spared not to say in all companies, "This same whinger," drawing his dagger, "and this same hand, shall be priests to the Cardinal." These bruits came to the Cardinal's ears; but he thought himself stout enough for all Scotland; for in Babylon, that is, in his new block-house, he was secure, as he thought; and upon the field he was able to match all his enemies. To write the truth, the most part of the nobility of Scotland had either given unto him their bonds of manrent, or else were in confederacy, and promised amity with him....

After Easter, the Cardinal came to Edinburgh to hold the seinye,[89] as the Papists term their unhappy assembly of Baal's shaven sort. It was bruited that something was purposed against him at that time by the Earl of Angus and his friends, whom he mortally hated, and whose destruction he sought. But it failed, and so returned he to his strength; yea, to his god and only comfort, as well in heaven as in earth. And there he remained without the least fear of death, promising unto himself no less pleasure than did the rich man of whom mention is made by our Master in the Evangel. He did not only rejoice and say, "Eat and be glad, my soul, for thou hast great riches laid up in store for many days;" but also, "Tush, a fig for the feud, and a button for the bragging of all the heretics and their assistants in Scotland. Is not my Lord Governor mine? Witness his eldest son there in pledge at my table? Have I not the Queen at my own devotion? (He alluded to the mother of Mary that now mischievously reigns.) Is not France my friend, and am not I friend to France? What danger should I fear?" Thus, in vanity, the carnal Cardinal delighted himself a little before his death....

[89] Synod; consistory.

Early upon Saturday morning, the twenty-ninth of May 1546, there were sundry companies in the Abbey kirk-yard, in St. Andrews, not far distant from the Castle. The gates of the Castle being opened, and the draw-bridge let down for admission of lime and stones and other things necessary for building, for Babylon was almost finished, William Kirkaldy of Grange, younger, and with him six persons, got entrance, and held purpose with the porter, inquiring "If my Lord was walking?" He answered, "No." While the said William and the porter talked, and his servants pretended to look at the work and the workmen, Norman Leslie approached with his company; and, because they were in no great number, they easily got entrance. They directed their course to the very middle of the close, and immediately thereafter came John Leslie, somewhat rudely, and four persons with him. The porter, taking fright, would have drawn the bridge; but the said John, being entered thereon, stayed and leapt in. When the porter made for his defence, his head was broken, the keys were taken from him, and he cast into the fosse; and so the place was seized.

Shouts arose; the workmen, to the number of more than a hundred, ran off the walls, and were without hurt put forth at the wicket gate. The first thing, William Kirkaldy took the guard of the privy postern, fearing that the fox should escape. Then went the rest to the gentlemen's chambers, and without violence done to any man, put more than fifty persons to the gate. The number that enterprised and did this was but sixteen persons. The Cardinal, awakened with the shouts, asked from his window what that noise meant. It was answered that Norman Leslie had taken his Castle. This understood, he ran for his postern; but, perceiving the passage to be guarded, he returned quickly to his chamber, took his two-handed sword, and gart[90] his chamber-child move chests and other impediments to the door.

[90] Caused.

In the meantime came John Leslie and bade the door be opened. The Cardinal asking, "Who calls?" he answered, "My name is Leslie." He again asked, "Is that Norman?" The other said, "Nay; my name is John." "I will have Norman," said the Cardinal; "for he is my friend." "Content yourself with such as are here; ye shall get none other." With the said John were James Melvin, a man familiarly acquainted with Master George Wishart, and Peter Carmichael, a stout[91] gentleman. While they forced at the door, the Cardinal hid a box of gold under coals that were laid in a secret corner. At length he asked, "Will ye save my life?" The said John answered, "It may be that we will." "Nay," said the Cardinal, "Swear unto me by God's wounds, and I will open unto you." Then answered the said John, "It that was said, is unsaid;" and cried, "Fire, Fire," for the door was very stark.[92] Then was brought a chimley[93] full of burning coals. This perceived, the Cardinal or his chamber-child opened the door, and the Cardinal sat down in a chair and cried, "I am a priest, I am a priest; ye will not slay me."

[91] Staunch.

[92] Strong.

[93] Fire-basket.

[Sidenote: Assassination of Cardinal Beaton: 29th May 1546.]

John Leslie, according to his former vows, struck the Cardinal once or twice, and so did the said Peter. But James Melvin, a man of nature most gentle and most modest, perceiving that they were both in choler, withdrew them, and said, "This work and judgment of God, although it be secret, ought to be done with greater gravity." Presenting the point of his sword at the Cardinal, he said, "Repent thee of thy former wicked life, but especially of the shedding of the blood of that notable instrument of God, Master George Wishart, which, albeit the flame of fire consumed it before men, yet cries a vengeance upon thee. We are sent from God to revenge it: for here, before my God, I protest that neither the hatred of thy person, nor the love of thy riches, nor the fear of any trouble thou couldst have brought on me in particular, doth move me to strike thee, I do so only because thou hast been and remainest an obstinate enemy against Christ Jesus and His holy Evangel." And so he struck him twice or thrice through with a stog sword;[94] and so the Cardinal fell, never word heard out of his mouth, but "I am a priest, I am a priest: fie, fie: all is gone."

[94] Long small sword.

The death of this tyrant was dolorous to the priests, dolorous to the Governor, most dolorous to the Queen Dowager; for in him perished faithfulness to France, and comfort to all gentlewomen, especially to wanton widows: his death must be revenged.... The Archbishop, to declare the zeal that he had to revenge the death of him that was his predecessor (and yet he would not have had him living again) still blew the coals. And first, he caused to be summoned, then denounced, accursed, and last, proclaimed rebels, not only the first enterprisers, but all such as did accompany them. And last of all, the siege of the Castle was decided upon.

[Sidenote: The Reforming Party is besieged in the Castle of St. Andrews.]

The siege began in the end of August; for on the twenty-third day thereof the soldiers departed from Edinburgh, and it continued until near the end of January. At that time, they had no other hope of winning it but by hunger; and of that they were despaired, for those within had broken through the east wall, and made a plain passage by an iron gate to the sea. This greatly relieved the besieged, and abased the besiegers; for they could not stop them of victuals, unless they should be masters of the sea, and that they clearly understood they could not be.