The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

when the Bishops and Clergy had fully understood the mind and judgement of the said Master Patrick, and fearing that by him their kingdom should be endamaged, they travailed with the King, who then was young,¹ and altogether addict to their commandment, that he should pass in Pilgrimage to Saint Dothesse in Rosse, to the end that no intercession should be made for the life of the innocent servant of God, who suspecting no such cruelty as in their hearts was conceived, remained still, (a lamb amongst the wolves) till that upon a night he was intercepted in his chamber, and by the Bishops Band was carried to the Castle, where that night he was kept, and upon the morrow after brought forth to Judgement, he was condemned to die by fire for the testimony of Gods Truth. The Articles for the which he suffered, were but of Pilgrimage, Purgatory, prayer to Saints, and for the dead, and such trifles. Albeit that matters of greater importance had been in question, as his Treatise which in the end we have added, may witness. Now that the condemnation of the said M. Patrick should have greater Authority, they caused the same to be subscribed by all those of any estimation that with them were present; and to make their number great, they took the subscription of children, if they were of the Nobility; for the Earle of Cassilles, which last deceased in France, then being but twelve or thirteen years of age, was compelled to subscribe his death, as himself did confess. Immediately after dinner the fire was prepared before the old College, and he led to the place of Execution, and yet men supposed that all was done but to give nnto him terror, and to have caused him to have recanted, and have become recreant to those bloody beasts; but God for his own glory; for the comfort of his servant, and for manifestation of their beastly tyranny, had otherwise decreed; for he •o strengthened his faithful Witness, that neither the love of life, nor yet the fear of that cruel death, could move him a jot to swerve from the truth once professed. At the place of execution, he gave to his servant who had been chamberlain to him of a long time, his Gown, his Coat, Bonnet, and such like garments, saying, These will not profit in the fire, they will profit thee;

when the Bishops and Clergie had fully understood the minde and judgement of the said Master Patrick, and fearing that by him their kingdom should be endamaged, they travailed with the King, who then was young,