Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies): A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots WorthiesHowie, John
History
Biographia Scoticana (Scots Worthies): A Brief Historical Account of the Lives, Characters, and Memorable Transactions of the Most Eminent Scots Worthies
Howie, John
Church of Scotland -- Biography; Scotland -- Biography
Mr. Wishart being now in St. Andrews, the cardinal without delay caused
summon the bishops and superior clergy to meet at that place on the 27th
of February 1546, to deliberate upon a question about which he was
already resolved. The next day after this convocation, Mr. Wishart
received a summons in prison, by the dean of the town, to answer
to-morrow, for his heretical doctrine, before the judges. The next day,
the cardinal went to the place of judgement, in the abbey church, with a
train of armed men marching in warlike order; immediately Mr. Wishart
was sent for from the sea-tower, which was his prison, and being about
to enter the door of the church, a poor man asked alms of him, to whom
he threw his purse. When he came before the cardinal, John Wirnam the
sub-prior went up into the pulpit by appointment, and made a discourse
upon the nature of heresy from Matth. xiii. which he did with great
caution, and yet in such a way as applied more justly to the accusers,
for he was a secret favourer of the truth. After him came up one John
Lander, a most virulent enemy of religion, who acted the part of Mr.
Wishart's accuser, he pulled out a long roll of maledictory charges
against Mr. Wishart, and dealt out the Romish thunder so liberally as
terrified the ignorant by-standers, but did not in the least discompose
this meek servant of Christ; he was accused of disobedience to the
governor's authority, for teaching that man had no free-will, and for
contemning fasting, (all which he absolutely refused) and for denying
that there are seven sacraments; that auricular confession, extreme
unction, and the sacrament of the altar, so called, are sacraments; that
we should pray to saints; and for saying, That it was necessary for
every man to know and understand his baptism; that the pope hath no more
power than another man; that it is as lawful to eat flesh upon Friday as
upon Sunday; that there is no purgatory, and that it is vain to build
costly churches to the honour of God, and for condemning conjuration,
the vows of single life, the cursings of the holy church, &c. While
Lauder was reading these accusations, he had put himself into a most
violent sweat, frothing at the mouth and calling Mr. Wishart a runagate
traitor, and demanded an answer, which he made in a short and modest
oration: At which they cried out with one content against him in a most
tumultuous manner; by which he saw, they were resolved to proceed
against him to the utmost extremity, he therefore appealed to a more
equitable and impartial judge. Upon which Lauder (repeating the several
titles of the cardinal) asked him, "If my lord cardinal was not an
equitable judge?" Mr. Wishart replied, "I do not refuse him, but I
desire the word of God to be my judge, the temporal estates, with some
of your lordships, because I am my lord governor's prisoner." After some
scornful language thrown out both against him and the governor, they
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account