Some Through The Fire

Tertullian said, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church." Many are the heroic stories of men and women of faith who entered into their eternal reward through gates of splendour and gates of martyrdom. Consider the death of Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna ( Parables, Etc. Oct, 1981, Volume 1, Number 8) and the list of heroes in Hebrews 11. Following is the account of the Scottish Reformer, George Wishart, from Thunder Over Scotland. Then there was a heavy hand at the latch. It was time to prepare the prisoner for his execution. As trumpeters sounded the signal, the executioners arrayed Wishart in a vestment of black linen. One tied small bags of gunpowder to various parts of the reformer's body. Then they conducted him to the stake. His guards surrounded him as they marched from the room, not in fear of his escape, but almost in a gesture of protection. Each one whispered words of encouragement as they passed by. Into this fellowship had come a spirit of love and support that no one could have considered possible. Sustained by this feeling, Wishart walked through the courtyard of the castle, out the gate, and across the drawbridge to the street beyond where a large crowd of the curious and supporters and opponents alike had gathered to witness the execution. The stake was surrounded by faggots which would soon be burning to consume his body. There Wishart fell to his knees and exclaimed, “Saviour of the world, have mercy upon me. Heavenly Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." Rising from his knees, Wishart turned to the crowd surrounding him. He spoke clearly. “Christian brothers and sisters, be not offended at the word of God on account of the tortures you see prepared for me. Love the word which publisheth salvation, and suffer patiently for the gospel's sake. For preaching that gospel I am now to suffer. And I suffer gladly for the redeemer's sake. Should any of you be called on to endure persecution, fear not those who can destroy the body, for they cannot slay the soul. Most falsely have I been accused of teaching that the soul shall sleep after death till the last day. I believe my soul shall sup with my Saviour this night." After a brief pause, as his words sank in upon his hearers, he continued, “I beseech you, brothers and sisters, exhort your prelates to acquaint themselves with the word of God, so that they may be ashamed to do evil, and learn to do good; for if they will not turn from their sinful way, the wrath of God shall fall upon them suddenly and they shall not escape." “Sir, I pray you to forgive me," cried the man who was to light the faggots. “I am not guilty of your death." Wishart kissed him on the cheek and replied, “Lo, here is a token that I forgive thee; my heart, do your office." A torch was touched to the dried faggots at the feet of the reformer. Quickly the hungry fingers of flame reached for his clothing and his body. The bags of gunpowder attached to him flashed as the fire reached them. Within minutes the life of the young man ceased, and his body was reduced to ashes . . . Among those who watched the tragic scene from the depths of the crowd was the friend and confidant of Wishart, John Knox. Tears streamed down his cheeks and his hand clenched and unclenched, wishing for that two-handed sword. He wanted to cry out in protest against what he had seen. Instead, this priest whom Wishart had led to Christ vowed that the cause for which his friend had given his life would not be lost. The Bible which Wishart had held high throughout his ministry would be the cornerstone of Knox's witness for Christ.

James Baird, Thunder Over Scotland (Green Leaf Press, 1982) pages 185-188.