The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

1558.

One Andrew Oliphant accused with heat Walter Mill, an ancient man, and formerly a Priest, and said to him, being at his devotion, Rise up, Sir Walter. He answered, when he had ended his prayer, My name is Walter: I have been too long one of the Popes Knights (for all Priests are Sirs.) Andrew Oliphant said to him, Thou keepest my Lords too long here, therefore haste. He answered, I must obey God before men. ⟨image 42⟩Being questioned by Oliphant concerning Priests Marriage, he answered, It was Gods Ordinance, That every man that had not the gift of chastity, should marry: but you abhor it, vowing chastity, which you cannot keep, but take other mens wives and daughters. Then, being asked if there were not seven Sacraments, he answered, Let me have two, take you the rest to your selves. Being asked about the Mass, he answered, A Lord sendeth, and calleth many to his dinner; and when all is ready, he causeth ring the Bell, the guests come into the hall; but he turning his back upon them, eateth all himself: And so do you. Then he added, The Scripture is not to be understood carnally; Christ hath put an end to all carnal Sacrifices, by offering once for all his body upon the Cross. Many other Queries were put to him, to which he answered stoutly. Being desired to recant, he told them, That he was corn, and not chaff. I will, said he, neither be blown by the wind, nor bruised with the Flail, but I will abide both: I will not recant the Truth. Being commanded to go to the stake by Oliphant, he answered, By the Law of God I am forbidden to put hand on my self, therefore put thou me to it with thy hands, and then thou shalt see my resolution. After he had said his Prayer, he gat leave, with difficulty, to speak to the people standing by: In his Speech he told them, That although he was a great sinner, yet it was for Gods Truth, contained in his Word of the Old and New Testament, that he suffered, and that God, in the abundance of his mercy towards him, did honour him so far, as to make him seal his Truth with his life, among other of his Servants. He added, Dear friends, as you would escape eternal death, be no more seduced with lies of Arch-bishops, Bishops, Abbots, Priors, Priests, Monks, Friars, and the rest of the Antichristian rabble, but only trust in God. This was the last man that died for Religion in Scotland: