Publisher's Synopsis
Excerpt from A History of the Scottish People From the Earliest Times, Vol. 3
This was enough for the accuser; the crown ing proof of his charge was in the court - nay, it was within his reach. He sprang upon the culprit, plucked the Bible from its hiding-place, and held it aloft that all might see it. Behold, sirs, he cried triumphantly, he has the book of heresy in his sleeve that makes all the din and plea in our kirk! God forgive you, brother, said Dean Forrest; you could say better if you pleased than to call the book of the evangel of Jesus Christ the book of heresy! I assure you, dear brother, that there is nothing in this book but the life, latter will, and testa ment of our Master and Saviour Jesus Christ, penned by the four Evangelists for our whole some instruction and comfort. This was no thing to Lawder the accuser. Knowest thou not, heretic, he sharply demanded, that it is contrary to our acts and express commands to have a New Testament or Bible in English, which is enough to burn thee for? There was no need of further trial: the culprit himself had not only carried into their presence the unmistakable symbol of his guilt, but had quoted from it, justified it, and gloried in the offence; and he was sentenced to be burned on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh along with the other offenders.
When Forrest was brought to the place of execution a certain friar named Arbuckle was in attendance to convert the condemned at their last moments. Say after me, 'i believe in God, ' said the friar to Forrest. I believe in God, repeated the latter. And in our Lady, added the friar. I believe as our Lady be lieves, said Forrest. The friar persisted, but was gently answered with, Cease, tempt me not; I know what I should say as well as you, thanks be to God. Forrest then turned to the people and said, I never administered the sacraments without saying, 'as the bread enter eth into your mouth so shall Christ dwell by lively faith in your Here a jackman rudely stopped him with the cry, Away, away! We will have no preaching here! Another, plucking out the Bible which Forrest carried in his bosom and holding it up to the people, exclaimed, Heresy, heresy! At which they vociferated, Burn him, burn him! Finding that all attempts to address the people would be defeated, the martyr first in Latin and then in English cried with a loud voice, God be merciful to me a sinner! Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! After which he recited the 5lst Psalm in Latin. With the amiable simplicity of his character and unconquerable zeal there was blended a keen perception of the ludicrous.
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