Lauder: ‘Thou, false heretic and renegade, hast said that every layman is a priest, and that the pope hath no more power than another man.’
Wishart: ‘I have read in some places of St. John and St. Peter, of the which one sayeth, He hath made us kings and priests; the other sayeth, He hath made us the kingly priesthood. Wherefore I have affirmed any man, being cunning and perfect in the Word of God and the true faith of Jesus Christ, to have his power given him of God. And again I say, any unlearned man, and not exercised in the Word of God, nor yet constant in his faith, whatsoever estate or order he be of, hath no power to bind nor to loose.’[349]
These words greatly amused the assembly; the reverends and the most reverends burst out laughing, mocking Wishart, and calling him an imbecile. The notion that a layman should have a power which the holy father had not seemed to them the very height of madness. ‘Laugh ye, my lords?’ said the messenger of Christ. ‘Though that these my sayings appear scornful and worthy of derision to your lordships, nevertheless they are very weighty unto me and of great value, because they stand not only upon my life but also the honor and glory of God.’
Some pious men who were in the assembly were indignant at the madness of the prelates and affected by the invincible patience of Wishart. But others cried aloud, ‘Wherefore let we him speak any further?’ A man named John Scot, who stood behind Lauder, said to him. ‘Tarry not upon his witty and godly answers, for we may not abide them, no more nor the devil may abide the sign of the cross when it is named.’[350] There was no due form of trial, nor any freedom of discussion, says Buchanan, but a great din of voices, shouts of disapprobation, and hateful speeches. The accuser thundered from his platform, but that was all.[351] The bishops unanimously pronounced that the pious Wishart must be burnt. Falling on his knees, Wishart prayed and said—‘O immortal God, how long shalt thou suffer the wodness [madness] and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants which do further thy Word in this world. O Lord, we know surely that thy true servants must needs suffer persecution for thy name’s sake, affliction and troubles in this present life which is but a shadow; but yet we desire thee, merciful Father, that thou defend thy congregation which thou hast chosen before the beginning of the world.’
THE SENTENCE.
The sentence must be pronounced, but the bishops were afraid to pronounce it before the people. They therefore gave orders to have the church cleared, and this could only be done slowly, as many of the people who had a wish to hear Wishart were removed with difficulty. At length, when the prelates and their colleagues found themselves almost alone, sentence of death was passed on Wishart, and the cardinal ordered his guards to take him back to the castle. Confined in the governor’s room, he spent the greater part of the night in prayer. The next morning the bishops sent to him two friars who asked him if he did not want a confessor. ‘I will make no confession unto you,’ he answered; ‘go and fetch me yonder man that preached yesterday, and I will make my confession unto him.’ When Winryme was come, they talked together for some time. Then the dean said, ‘Have you a wish to receive the sacrament of the supper?’ ‘Assuredly,’ replied Wishart, ‘if it be administered according to the institution of the Lord, with the bread and the wine.’ Winryme then went to the cardinal and declared to him that the man was innocent. Beatoun, inflamed with anger, said, ‘And you, we have long known what you are!’ Winryme having inquired if he might give the sacrament to the prisoner. ‘No,’ replied the cardinal, ‘it is not fitting to grant any of the benefits of the Church to a heretic.’[352]
The next morning at nine o’clock the governor of the castle informed Wishart that the communion was refused him. Then, as he was going to breakfast with his dependents and servants, he invited Wishart to join them at the meal. ‘Right willingly,’ he answered, ‘especially because I know that you and yours are good men and are united with me in the same body of Christ.’[353]
When the table was spread and the members of the household had taken their places, Wishart said to the governor, ‘Give me leave, for the Saviour’s sake, to make a brief exhortation.’ It was to him an opportunity of celebrating the true Supper. He reminded his hearers of the institution of the sacred feast, and of the Lord’s death. He exhorted those who sat at table with him to lay aside all hatred, to love one another and to lead a holy life. After this he gave thanks, and then took the bread and brake it, and gave of it to such as he knew were willing to communicate, and bade them feed spiritually on Christ. Taking a cup, he spoke of the blood shed for the remission of sins, drank of it and gave them to drink. ‘I shall no more drink of this cup,’ said he, ‘no more eat of this bread in this life; a bitterer draught is reserved for me, because I have preached Christ. Pray that I may take that cup with patience, as the Lord’s appointment.’ He concluded with further giving of thanks and then retired to his chamber.
FINAL PREPARATIONS.
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]