heresy; namely, Jerom Russel, and Alexan-| MARTYRDOM OF SIX PERSONS. der Kennedy, a youth about eighteen years of age. In 1543, the archbishop of St. Andrew's, These two persons, after being some time making a visitation into various parts of his confined in prison, were brought before the diocese, several persons were accused at archbishop for examination. Kennedy's ten- Perth of heresy. Among these the six folder years inclining him to pusillanimity, he lowing were condemned to die: William would at first have recanted; but being sud- Anderson, Robert Lamb, James Finlayson, denly refreshed by divine inspiration, and James Hunter, James Raveleson, and Helen feeling himself, as it were, a new creature, Stark.

his mind was changed, and falling on his The accusations laid against them were knees, he with a cheerful countenance, thus to the following effect: expressed himself:

The four first were accused of having hung up the image of St. Francis, nailing ram's horns on his head, and fastening a cow's tail to his rump; but the principal matter on which they were condemned was, having regaled themselves with a goose or Allhallows eve, a fast day, according to the Romish superstition.

"O eternal God! how wonderful is that love and mercy thou bearest unto mankind, and to me, a miserable wretch, above all others! for even now, when I would have denied thee, and thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ, my only Savior, and so have cast myself into everlasting damnation, thou, by thine own hand, hast pulled me from the James Raveleson was accused of having very bottom of hell, and made me to feel ornamented his house with the three-crownthat heavenly comfort which has taken from ed diadem of Peter, carved in wood, which me that ungodly fear wherewith I was be- the archbishop conceived to be done in mockfore oppressed. Now I defy death." Then ery to his cardinal's hat.

rising, he cried to his persecutors, "Do with Helen Stark was accused of not having me as you please; I praise God I am ready." accustomed herself to pray to the Virgin In the course of their examination, Rus- Mary, more especially during the time she sel, being a very sensible man, reasoned was in child-bed.

learnedly against his accusers. They, in On these accusations they were all found return, made use of very opprobrious lan- guilty, and immediately received sentence guage; to which Russel replied, "This is of death; the four men for eating the goose, your hour and power of darkness: now ye to be hanged; James Raveleson to be burnt; sit as judges, and we stand wrongfully ac- and the woman, with her sucking infant, to cused, and more wrongfully to be condemned; be put into a sack, and drowned. but the day will come when our innocence will appear, and ye shall see your own blindness, to your everlasting confusion. Go on, and fill the measure of your iniquity."

The four men, with the woman and child, suffered at the same time; but James Rav eleson was not executed till some days after. On the day appointed for the execution of The examination being over, and both of the former, they were all conducted, under them declared heretics, the archbishop pro- a proper guard, to the place where they were nounced the dreadful sentence of death, and to suffer, and were attended by a prodigious they were immediately delivered over to the number of spectators. secular power for execution.

As soon as they arrived at the place of The next day they were led to the place execution, they all fervently prayed for some appointed for them to suffer; in their way to time; after which Robert Lamb addressed which Russel, observing that his fellow-suf- himself to the spectators, exhorting them to ferer had the appearance of timidity in his fear God, and to quit the practice of papistcountenance, thus addressed him: "Brother, ical abominations. fear not; greater is he that is in us, than he The four men were all hanged on the that is in the world. The pain that we are same gibbet; and the woman, with her suckto suffer is short, and shall be light; but our ing child, were conducted to a river adjoinjoy and consolation shall never have an end. ing, when, being fastened in a large sack, Let us, therefore, strive to enter into our they were thrown into it, and drowned. Master and Savior's joy, by the same strait They all suffered their fate with becoming way which he hath taken before us. Death fortitude and resignation, committing their cannot hurt us, for it is already destroyed by departing spirits to that Redeemer who was him, for whose sake we are now going to to be their final judge, and who, they had suffer." reason to hope, would usher them into the realms of everlasting bliss.

When they arrived at the fatal spot, they both kneeled down and prayed for some time; When we reflect on the sufferings of after which, being fastened to the stake, and these unhappy persons, we are naturally inthe fagots lighted, they cheerfully resigned duced, both as men and Christians, to lament their souls into the hands of him who gave their fate, and to express our feelings by them, in full hopes of an everlasting reward dropping the tear of commiseration. The in the heavenly mansions. putting to death four men, for little other

eason than that of satisfying nature with an Idle put out and all quiet) he used to bathe article sent by Providence for that very pur- himself, as I being very young, being assured, pose, merely because it was on a day pro- often heard him, and in one light night disaibited by ridiculous bigotry and supersti- cerned him. He loved me tenderly, and I tion, is shocking indeed; but the fate of the him, for my age, as effectually. He taught innocent woman, and her still more harm-with great modesty and gravity, so that less infant, makes human nature tremble at some of his people thought him severe, and the contemplation of what mankind may be- would have slain him, but the Lord was his come, when incited by bigotry to the grati- defence. And he, after due correction for fication of the most diabolical cruelty. their malice, by good exhortation amended

Besides the above-mentioned persons, them and went his way. O that the Lord many others were cruelly persecuted during had left him to me his poor boy, that he the archbishop's stay at Perth, some being might have finished that he had begun! for banished, and others confined in lothesome in his religion he was as you see here in the dungeons. In particular, John Rogers, a rest of his life, when he went into Scotland pious and learned man, was, by the arch- with divers of the nobility, that came for a bishop's orders, murdered in prison, and his treaty to king Henry the Eighth. His learnbody thrown over the walls into the street; ing was no less sufficient than his desire; after which the archbishop caused a report always pressed and ready to do good in that to be spread, that he had met with his death he was able, both in the house privately, and in an attempt to make his escape. in the school publicly, professing and reading divers authors.

LIFE, SUFFERINGS, AND MARTYRDOM OF
GEORGE WISHART.

Mr. George Wishart was born in Scotland, and after receiving a grammatical education at a private school, he left that place, and finished his studies at the university of Cambridge.

The following character of him, during his residence in that university, was written by one of his scholars, and contains so just a picture of this excellent man, that we give it at length.

"If I should declare his love to me, and all men, his charity to the poor, in giving, relieving, caring, helping, providing, yea, infinitely studying how to do good unto all, and hurt to none, I should sooner want words than just cause to commend him.

"All this I testify with my whole heart and truth, of this godly man. He that made all, governeth all, and shall judge all, knoweth that I speak the truth, that the simple may be satisfied, the arrogant confounded, the hypocrite disclosed.

"EMERY TYLNEY."

"About the year of our Lord 1543, there was, in the university of Cambridge, one Mr. George Wishart, commonly called Mr. In order to improve himself as much as George of Bennet's college, who was a man possible in the knowledge of literature, he of tall stature, bald-headed, and on the same travelled into various foreign countries, wore a round French cap; judged to be of where he distinguished himself for his great melancholy complexion by his physiognomy, learning and abilities, both in philosophy and black-haired, long-bearded, comely of per- divinity. His desire to promote true knowsonage, well spoken after his country of ledge and science among men, accompanied Scotland, courteous, lowly, lovely, glad to the profession of it himself. He was very teach, desirous to learn, and was well trav-ready to communicate what he knew to elled having on him for his habit or cloth-others, and frequently read various authors, ing, never but a mantle or frieze gown to both in his own chamber, and in the public the shoes, a black millian fustian doublet, schools. and plain black hose, coarse new canvas for After being some time abroad, he returnhis shirts, and white falling bands and cuffs ed to England, and took up his residence at at his hands. All the which apparel he gave Cambridge, where he was admitted a memto the poor, some weekly, some monthly, ber of Bennet college. Having taken his some quarterly, as he liked, saving his French degrees, he entered into holy orders, and excap, which he kept the whole year of my pounded the gospel in so clear and intelligibeing with him. ble a manner, as highly to delight his nu"He was a man, modest, temperate, fear-merous auditors. ing God, hating covetousness; for his chari- Being desirous of propagating the true ty had never end, night, noon, nor day; he gospel in his own country, he left Cambridge forbare one meal in three, one day in four, in 1544, and in his way to Scotland preachfor the most part, except something to com- ed in most of the principal towns, to the fort nature. He lay hard upon a puff of great satisfaction of his hearers. straw, and coarse new canvas sheets, which, On his arrival in his native land, he first when he changed, he gave away. He had preached at Montrose, and afterwards at commonly by his bed-side a tub of water, in Dundee. In this last place he made a public the which (his people being in bed, the can- exposition of the epistle to the Romans,

which he went through with so much grace, A short time after this, Mr. Wishart reeloquence, and freedom, as delighted the re-ceived intelligence, that the plague was formers, and alarmed the papists.

In consequence of this exposition, one Robert Miln, a principal man of Dundee, went, by command of cardinal Beaton, to the church, where Wishart preached, and in the midst of his discourse publicly told him "not to trouble the town any more, for he was determined not to suffer it."

broke out in Dundee. It began four days after he was prohibited from preaching there, and raged so extremely, that incredible numbers died in the space of twenty-four hours. This being related to him, he, notwithstanding the persuasions of his friends, determined to go thither, saying, "They are now in troubles, and need comfort. Perhaps this This treatment greatly surprised Wishart, hand of God will make them now to magnify who, after a short pause, looking sorrowfully and reverence the word of God, which beon the speaker and the audience, said, "God fore they lightly esteemed."

is my witness, that I never intended your Here he was with joy, received by the trouble, but your comfort; yea, your trouble godly. He chose the East-gate for the place is more grievous to me, than it is to your of his preaching; so that the healthy were selves; but I am assured, to refuse God's within, and the sick without the gate. He word, and to chase from you his messenger, took his text from these words, "He sent shall not preserve you from trouble, but his word and healed them," &c. In this bring you into it; for God shall send you sermon he chiefly dwelt upon the advantage ministers that shall neither fear burning nor and comfort of God's word, the judgments banishment. I have offered you the word of that ensue upon the contempt or rejection of salvation. With the hazard of my life I have it, the freedom of God's grace to all his peoremained among you: now ye yourselves ple, and the happiness of those of his elect, refuse me; and I must leave my innocence whom he takes to himself out of this miserto be declared by my God. If it be long able world. The hearts of his hearers were prosperous with you, I am not led by the so raised by the divine force of this disspirit of truth; but if unlooked-for trouble course, as not to regard death, but to judge come upon you, acknowledge the cause, and turn to God, who is gracious and merciful. But if you turn not at the first warning, he will visit you with fire and sword." At the close of this speech he left the pulpit, and retired.

them the more happy who should then be called, not knowing whether they might have such a comforter again with them.

After this the plague abated; though, in the midst of it, Wishart constantly visited those that lay in the greatest extremity, and comforted them by his exhortations.

When he took his leave of the people of Dundee, he said, "That God had almost put an end to that plague, and that he was now called to another place."

After this, he went into the west of Scotland, where he preached God's word, which was gladly received by many; till the archbishop of Glasgow, at the instigation of cardinal Beaton, came, with his train, to the town of Ayre, to suppress Wishart, and in- He went from thence to Montrose, where sisted on having the church to preach in he sometimes preached, but spent most of himself. Some opposed this; but Wishart his time in private meditation and prayer. said, "Let him alone, his sermon will not do It is said, that before he left Dundee, and much hurt; let us go to the market-cross." while he was engaged in the labors of love This was agreed to, and Wishart preached to the bodies, as well as to the souls, of those a sermon that gave universal satisfaction to poor afflicted people, cardinal Beaton enhis hearers, and at the same time confounded gaged a desperate popish priest, called John his enemies. Weighton, to kill him; the attempt to exeHe continued to propagate the gospel with cute which was as follows: one day, after the greatest alacrity, preaching sometimes Wishart had finished his sermon, and the in one place, and sometimes in another; but people departed, the priest stood waiting at coming to Macklene, he was, by force, kept the bottom of the stairs, with a naked dagger out of the church. Some of his followers in his hand under his gown. But Mr. Wishwould have broken in; upon which he said art, having a sharp, piercing eye, and seeto one of them," Brother, Jesus Christ is as ing the priest as he came from the pulpit, mighty in the fields as in the church; and said to him, "My friend, what would you himself often preached in the desert, at the have?" And immediately clapping his hand sea-side, and other places. The like word of upon the dagger, took it from him. The peace God sends by me: the blood of none priest, being terrified, fell on his knees, conshall be shed this day for preaching it." fessed his intention, and craved pardon. A He then went into the fields, where he noise being hereupon raised, and it coming preached to the people for above three hours; to the ears of those who were sick, they and such an impression did his sermon make cried, "Deliver the traitor to us, we will on the minds of his hearers, that many of the take him by force;" and they burst in at the most wicked men in the country became gate. But Wishart, taking the priest in his converts to the truth of the gospel. arms, said, "Whosoever hurts him, shall

hurt me; for he hath done me no mischief, accomplished. Many shall not suffer after but much good, by teaching me more heed- me, before the Glory of God shall appear, fulness for the time to come." By this con- and triumph in despite of Satan. But, alas, duct he appeased the people, and saved the if the people afterwards shall prove unthanklife of the wicked priest. ful, then fearful and terrible will be the

Soon after his return to Montrose, the plague that shall follow." cardinal again conspired his death, causing The next day he proceeded on his joura letter to be sent to him as if it had been ney, and when he arrived at Leith, not from his familiar friend, the laird of Kinnier, meeting with those he expected, he kept in which he was desired, with all possible himself retired for a day or two. He then speed, to come to him, because he was taken grew pensive, and being asked the reason, with a sudden sickness. In the mean time he answered, "What do I differ from a dead the cardinal had provided sixty armed men, man? Hitherto God hath used my labors to lie in wait within a mile and a half of for the instruction of others, and to the disMontrose, in order to murder, him as he closing of darkness; and now I lurk as a man passed that way. ashamed to show his face." His friends perThe letter coming to Wishart's hand by a ceived that his desire was to preach, whereboy, who also brought him a horse for the upon they said to him, "It is most comfortajourney, Wishart, accompanied by some of ble for us to hear you, but because we know his friends, set forward; but something par- the danger wherein you stand, we dare not ticular striking his mind by the way, he re- desire it." He replied, "If you dare hear, turned back, which they wondering at, asked let God provide for me as best pleaseth him;" him the cause; to whom he said, "I will after which it was concluded, that the next not go; I am forbidden of God; I am assured day he should preach in Leith. His text there is treason. Let some of you go to was from the parable of the sower, Matt. yonder place, and tell me what you find." xiii. The sermon ended, the gentlemen of They accordingly went, discovered the as- Lothian, who were earnest professors of Je. sassins, and hastily returning, they told Mr. sus Christ, would not suffer him to stay at Wishart: whereupon he said, "I know I Leith, because the governor and cardinal shall end my life by that bloodthirsty man's were shortly to come to Edinburgh; but took hands, but it will not be in this manner." him along with them; and he preached at A short time after this he left Montrose, Branstone, Longniddry, and Ormistone. He and proceeded to Edinburgh, in order to also preached at Inveresk, near Muselburg: propagate the gospel in that city. By the he had a great concourse of people, and way he lodged with a faithful brother, called amongst them Sir George Douglas, who after James Watson, of Inner-Goury. In the mid- sermon said publicly, "I know that the govdle of the night he got up, and went into the ernor and cardinal will hear that I have been yard, which two men hearing, they privately followed him.

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."

While in the yard he fell on his knees, and prayed for some time with the greatest fervency; after which he arose, and returned Among others that came to hear him to his bed. Those who attended him, ap- preach, there were two gray-friars, who, pearing as though they were ignorant of all, standing at the church door, whispered to came and asked him where he had been such as came in; which Wishart observing, But he would not answer them. The next said to the people, "I pray you make room day they importuned him to tell them, say- for these two men, it may be they come to ing. "Be plain with us, for we heard your learn;" and turning to them, he said, “Come mourning, and saw your gestures." near, for I assure you you shall hear the

On this he, with a dejected countenance, word of truth, which this day shall seal up said, "I had rather you had been in your to you either your salvation or damnation:" beds." But they still pressing upon him to after which he proceeded in his sermon, supknow something, he said, "I will tell you; posing that they would be quiet; but when I am assured that my warfare is near at an he perceived that they still continued to disend, and therefore pray to God with me, that turb the people that stood near them, he I shrink not when the battle waxeth most said to them the second time, with an angry hot." countenance, "O ministers of Satan, and When they heard this they wept, saying, deceivers of the souls of men, will ye neither This is small comfort to us."-" Then," hear God's truth yourselves, nor suffer others said he, “God shall send you comfort after to hear it? Depart, and take this for your

me.

This realm shall be illuminated with portion; God shall shortly confound and disthe light of Christ's gospel, as clearly as any close your hypocrisy within this kingdom; realm since the days of the apostles. The ye shall be abominable to men, and your house of God shall be built in it; yea, it shall places and habitations shall be desolate." not lack, in despite of all enemies, the top- He spoke this with much vehemency; then stone; neither will it be long before this be turning to the people, said, "These men

have provoked the spirit of God to anger;" which, after great persuasion, and much after which he proceeded in his sermon, against his will, he complied. highly to the satisfaction of his hearers. The earl accordingly went, with proper From hence he went and preached at attendants, to the house of Mr. Cockburn, Branstone, Languedine, Ormistone, and In-which he beset about midnight. The master yeresk, where he was followed by a great of the house being greatly alarmed, put himconcourse of people. He preached also in self in a posture of defence, when the earl many other places, the people flocking after told him that it was in vain to resist, for the him; and in all his sermons he foretold the governor and cardinal were within a mile, shortness of the time he had to travel, and with a great power; but if he would deliver the near approach of his death. When he Wishart to him, he would promise upon his came to Haddington, his auditory began honor, that he should be safe, and that the much to decrease, which was thought to cardinal should not hurt him. Wishart said, happen through the influence of the earl of "Open the gates, the will of God be done;" Bothwell, who was moved to oppose him at and Bothwell coming in, Wishart said to the instigation of the cardinal. Soon after him, "I praise my God, that so honorable a this, as he was going to church, he received man as you, my lord, receive me this night, a letter from the west country gentlemen, for I am persuaded that for your honor's sake which having read, he called John Knox, you will suffer nothing to be done to me but who had diligently waited upon him since by order of law: I less fear to die openly, his arrival at Lothian; to whom he said, than secretly to be murdered." Bothwell "He was weary of the world, because he replied, "I will not only preserve your body saw that men began to be weary of God: from all violence that shall be intended for," said he, "the gentlemen of the west against you without order or law; but I also have sent me word, that they cannot keep promise, in the presence of these gentlemen, their meeting at Edinburgh." that neither the governor nor cardinal shall Knox, wondering he should enter into have their will of you; but I will keep you conference about these things, immediately in my own house, till I either set you free, before his sermon, contrary to his usual cus- or restore you to the same place where I re tom, said to him, "Sir, sermon-time ap-ceive you." "Then said Mr. Cockburn, "My proaches; I will leave you for the present to lord, if you make good your promise, which your meditations.”

we presume you will, we ourselves will not only serve you, but we will procure all the professors in Lothian to do the same."

This agreement being made, Mr. Wishart was delivered into the hands of the earl, who immediately conducted him to Edinburgh.

Wishart's sad countenance declared the grief of his mind. At length he went into the pulpit, and his auditory being very small, he introduced his sermon with the following exclamation: "O Lord! how long shall it be, that thy holy word shall be despised, and men shall not regard their own salvation? I As soon as the earl arrived at that place, have heard of thee, O Haddington, that in he was sent for by the queen, who being an thee there used to be two or three thousand inveterate enemy to Wishart, prevailed on persons at a vain and wicked play: and now, the earl (notwithstanding the promises he to hear the messenger of the eternal God, of had made) to commit him a prisoner to the all the parish can scarce be numbered one castle. hundred present. Sore and fearful shall be The cardinal being informed of Wishart's the plagues that shall ensue upon this thy situation, went to Edinburgh, and immedicontempt. With fire and sword shalt thou ately caused him to be removed from thence be plagued; yea, thou Haddington in spe- to the castle of St. Andrew's. cial, strangers shall possess thee; and ye, the present inhabitants, shall either in bond- having now got our martyr fully at his own age serve your enemies, or else ye shall be disposal, resolved to proceed immediately to chased from your own habitations; and that try him as a heretic: for which purpose he because you have not known, nor will know, assembled the prelates at St. Andrew's the time of your visitation." church on the 27th of February, 1546. This prediction was, in a great measure, At this meeting the archbishop of Glas accomplished not long after, when the Eng-gow gave it as his opinion, that application lish took Haddington, made it a garrison, and should be made to the regent, to grant a forced many of the inhabitants to flee. Soon commission to some nobleman to try the after this, a dreadful plague broke out in the prisoner, that all the odium of putting so town, of which such numbers died, that the popular a man to death might not lie on the place became almost depopulated. clergy.

The inveterate and persecuting prelate,

Cardinal Beaton, being informed that To this the cardinal readily agreed; but Wishart was at the house of Mr. Cockburn, upon sending to the regent, he received the of Ormistone, in East-Lothian, applied to the following answer: "That he would do well regent to cause him to be apprehended; with not to precipitate this man's trial, but delay