Bilney passed through the streets of Norwich in the midst of a dense crowd; his demeanor was grave, his features calm. His head had been shaved, and he wore a layman’s gown. Dr. Warner, one of his friends, accompanied him; another distributed liberal alms all along the route. The procession descended into the Lollards’ pit, while the spectators covered the surrounding hills. On arriving at the place of punishment, Bilney fell on his knees and prayed, and then rising up, warmly embraced the stake and kissed it.[157] Turning his eyes towards heaven, he next repeated the Apostles’ Creed, and when he confessed the incarnation and crucifixion of the Saviour his emotion was such that even the spectators were moved. Recovering himself, he took off his gown, and ascended the pile, reciting the hundred and forty-third psalm. Thrice he repeated the second verse: ‘_Enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified_.’ And then he added: ‘_I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul thirsteth after thee_.’ Turning towards the executioner, he said: ‘Are you ready?’—‘Yes,’ was the reply. Bilney placed himself against the post, and held up the chain which bound him to it. His friend Warner, with eyes filled with tears, took a last farewell. Bilney smiled kindly at him and said: ‘Doctor, _pasce gregem tuum_; feed your flock, that when the Lord cometh he may find you so doing.’ Several monks who had given evidence against him, perceiving the emotion of the spectators, began to tremble, and whispered to the martyr: ‘These people will believe that we are the cause of your death, and will withhold their alms,’ Upon which Bilney said to them: ‘Good folks, be not angry against these men for my sake; even should they be the authors of my death, _it is not they_.’[158] He knew that his death proceeded from the will of God. The torch was applied to the pile: the fire smouldered for a few minutes, and then suddenly burning up fiercely, the martyr was heard to utter the name of Jesus several times. A strong wind which blew the flames on one side prolonged his agony; thrice they seemed to retire from him, and thrice they returned, until at length, the whole pile being kindled, he expired. [Sidenote: Revolution In Men’s Mind.] A strange revolution took place in men’s minds after this death: they praised Bilney, and even his persecutors acknowledged his virtues. ‘Mother of Christ,’ exclaimed the Bishop of Norwich (it was his usual oath), ‘I fear I have burnt Abel and let Cain go.’ Latimer was inconsolable; twenty years later he still lamented his friend, and one day (preaching before Edward VI.) he called to mind that Bilney was always doing good, even to his enemies, and styled him ‘that blessed martyr of God.’[159]