The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And if they will not convert themselves from their wicked error, there shall hastily come upon them the wrath of God, which they shall not eschew. Many faithful words said he in the mean time, taking no heed or care of the cruel torments which were then prepared for him. Then the Executioner that was his tormentor, sate down upon his knees, and said, Sir, I pray you forgive me, for I am not guilty of your death. To whom he answered, Come hither to me: When he was come to him, he kissed his cheek, and said, Lo here is a token that I forgive thee, my heart, do thy Office: And then by and by the Trumpet sounding, he was tied to the stake, and the fire kindled. The Captain of the Castle, for the love he bore to M. Wischarde, drew so near to the fire, that the flame thereof did him harm; he wished M. Wischarde to be of good courage, and to beg from God the forgiveness of his sins; to whom M. Wischarde answered thus; This fire torments my body, but no ways abates my spirit. Then M. Wischarde looking towards the Cardinal, said, He who in such state, from that high place, feedeth his eyes with my torments, within few days shall be hanged out at the same window, to be seen with us much ignominy, as he now leaneth there in pride. Then with this, the Executioner drawing the Cord, stopped his breath; presently after, the fire being great, he was consumed to powder. The Prelates would not suffer any prayers to be made for him, according to their Custom. After the death of Master Wischarde, the Cardinal was cried up by his flatterers, and all the rabble of the corrupt Clergy, as the only Defender of the Catholic Church, and punisher of heretics, neglecting the authority of the sluggish Governor: And it was said by them, That if the great Prelates of latter days, both at home and abroad, had been so stout and zealous of the credit of the Catholic Church, they had not only suppressed all heretics, but also kept under the Lay-men, who were so froward and stubborn. On the other side, when that the people beheld the great tormenting of that innocent, they could not withhold from piteous mourning, and complaining of the innocent lambs slaughter. After the death of this blessed Martyr of God, began the people in plain speaking, to damn and detest the cruelty that was used;

And if they will not convert themselves from their wicked errour, there shall hastily come upon them the wrath of God, which they shall not eschew. Many faithfull words said he in the meane time, taking no heed or care of the cruell torments which were then prepared for him. Then the Executioner that was his tormentor, sate down upon his knees, and said, Sir, I pray you forgive me, for I am not guilty of your death. To whom he answered, Come hither to me: When he was come to him, he kissed his cheek, and said, Lo here is a token that I forgive thee, my heart, do thy Office: And then by and by the Trumpet sounding, he was tyed to the stake, and the fire kindled. The Captain of the Castle, for the love he bore to M. Wischarde, drew so neer to the fire, that the flame thereof did him harme; he wished M. Wischarde to be of good courage, and to beg from God the forgivenesse of his sins; to whom M. Wischarde answered thus; This fire torments my body, but no wayes abates my spirit. Then M. Wischarde looking towards the Cardinall, said, He who in such state, from that high place, feedeth his eyes with my torments, within few dayes shall be hanged out at the same window, to be seen with us much ignominy, as he now leaneth there in pride. Then with this, the Executioner drawing the Cord, stopt his breath; presently after, the fire being great, he was consumed to powder. The Prelats would not suffer any prayers to be made for him, according to their Custome. After the death of Master Wischarde, the Cardinall was cryed up by his flatterers, and all the rabble of the corrupt Clergie, as the onely Defender of the Catholike Church, and punisher of hereticks, neglecting the authority of the sluggish Governour: And it was said by them, That if the great Prelates of latter dayes, both at home and abroad, had been so stout and zealous of the credit of the Catholike Church, they had not onely suppressed all hereticks, but also kept under the Lay-men, who were so froward and stubborne. On the other side, when that the people beheld the great tormenting of that innocent, they could not withhold from piteous mourning, and complaining of the innocent lambs slaughter. After the death of this blessed Martyr of God, began the people in plaine speaking, to damne and detest the cruelty that was used;