On a plot of ground to the west of the castle and not far from the priory, men were already busily engaged, some in preparing the pile, others erecting the gallows. The place of execution was surrounded by soldiers, and the gunners had their cannon in position and stood beside them ready to fire. One would have thought that preparations were making for a siege. The cardinal had ordered these measures fearing lest Wishart’s many friends should take him away, and perhaps still more for the sake of making a display of his own power. Meanwhile the windows in the castle-yard were adorned with hangings, silken draperies, and velvet cushions, that the cardinal and the prelates might enjoy at their ease the spectacle of the pile and of the tortures which they were going to inflict on that righteous man.[354] When all was ready, two of the deathsmen entered Wishart’s prison. One of them brought and put on him a coat of black cloth, the other tied small bags of powder to various parts of his body. Next they bound his hands firmly behind him, put a rope round his neck and a chain about his waist, and led him forth in the midst of a party of soldiers. When he came to the pile he knelt down and prayed. Then he rose and said to the people--‘Christian brethren and sisters, be not offended in the Word of God for the affliction and torments which ye see already prepared for me; but I exhort you that you love the Word of God, and suffer patiently and with a comfortable heart, for the Word’s sake which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort. My doctrine was no old wives’ fable after the constitutions made by men. But for the true evangely, which was 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. This grim fire I fear not. Some have said of me that I taught that the soul of man should sleep until the last day. But I know surely and my faith is such that my soul shall sup with my Saviour Christ this night (ere it be six hours), for whom I suffer this.’[355] Then he prayed--‘I beseech thee, Father of heaven! to forgive them that have of any ignorance or else have of any evil mind forged any lies upon me: I forgive them with all my heart. I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me to death this day ignorantly.’ The hangman fell on his knees before him and said, ‘I pray you forgive me.’ ‘Come hither to me,’ replied Wishart; and he kissed him, and added, ‘Lo, here is a token that I forgive thee. My heart, do thine office.’ He was then bound with ropes to the stake, and said, ‘Saviour of the world, have mercy on me! Father of heaven, into thy hands I commit my spirit.’ The executioner lighted the fire. The cardinal and his accomplices beheld from the windows the martyr and the fire which was consuming him. The governor of the castle watching the flames exclaimed, ‘Take courage.’