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
Having mounted a scaffold prepared on purpose, he turned towards the
people and declared that "he felt much joy within himself in offering
up his life for the name of Christ, and told them that they ought not to
be offended with the good word of God, because of the afflictions I have
endured, or the torments which ye now see prepared for me; but I intreat
you, that you love the word of God for your salvation, and suffer
patiently and with a comfortable heart for the word's sake, which is
your everlasting comfort; but for the true gospel which was given me by
the grace of God, I suffer this day with a glad heart. Behold, and
consider my visage, ye shall not see me change my colour; I fear not
this fire, and I pray that you may not fear them that slay the body, but
have no power to slay the soul. Some have said that I taught that the
soul shall sleep till the last day, but I know surely, and my faith is
such, that my soul shall sup with my Saviour this night." Then he prayed
for his accusers, that they might be forgiven, if, through ignorance or
evil design, they had forged lies upon him. After this the executioner
asked his forgiveness, to whom he replied, "Come hither to me;" and when
he came, he kissed his cheek, and said, "Lo, here is a token that I
forgive thee, do thine office." Being raised up from his knees, he was
bound to the stake, crying with a loud voice _O Saviour of the world,
have mercy upon me; Father of heaven, I commend my spirit into thy holy
hands_: whereupon the executioner kindled the fire, and the powder that
was fastened to his body blew up. The captain of the castle perceiving
that he was still alive, drew near, and bid him be of good courage,
whereupon Mr. Wishart said, "This flame hath scorched my body, yet it
hath not daunted my spirit; but he who, from yonder place beholdeth us
with such pride, shall within a few days lie in the same as
ignominiously as he is now seen proudly to rest himself." But as he was
thus speaking, the executioner drew the cord that was about his neck so
strait that he spoke no more; and thus, like another Elijah, he took his
flight by a fiery chariot into heaven, and obtained the martyr's crown
on the 1st of March, 1546.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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