the said Hugh aside, and said unto him, "Brother, Christ Jesus is as potent upon the fields as in the kirk; and I find that He Himself preached in the desert, at the sea side, and other places judged profane, more often than He did in the Temple of Jerusalem. It is the word of peace that God sends by me; the blood of no man shall be shed this day for the preaching of it." And so, withdrawing the whole people, he came to a dyke at the side of a moor, upon the south-west side of Mauchline, and upon this he climbed. The whole multitude stood and sat about him, God giving a pleasing and hot day. He continued in preaching more than three hours. In that sermon, God wrought so wonderfully with him that one of the most wicked men that was in that country, Lawrence Rankin, Laird of Sheill, was converted. The tears ran from his eyes in such abundance that all men wondered. His conversion was without hypocrisy, for his life and conversation witnessed it in all after-times.
The Plague comes to Dundee: Wishart returns.
While this faithful servant of God was thus occupied in Kyle, word came that the plague of pestilence had arisen in Dundee. This had begun within four days after Master George was inhibited from preaching, and was so vehement that it almost passed credibility to hear what number died every four-and-twenty hours. This certainly understood, Master George took his leave of Kyle, with the regret of many. No request could make him remain. "They are now in trouble," he said, "and they need comfort. Perchance this hand of God will make them now to magnify and reverence that Word, which before, for the fear of men, they set at light price." On his coming to Dundee, the joy of the faithful was exceeding great. He delayed no time, but even upon the morrow gave signification that he would preach. The most part were either sick or were in company with those that were sick, and for this reason he chose the head of the East Port of the town for his preaching place. Those who were whole sat or stood within the Port, the sick and suspected without. The text of his first sermon was taken from the hundred-and-seventh Psalm, "He sent His Word and healed them;" joining therewith these words, "It is neither herb nor plaster, O Lord, but Thy Word healeth all." In this sermon he most comfortingly treated of the dignity and utility of God's Word; the punishment that comes for contempt of the same; the promptitude of God's mercy to such as truly turn to Him; yea, the great happiness of them whom God takes from this misery, even in His own gentle visitation, a happiness that the malice of man can neither eke nor pare.[68]
By this sermon Master George so raised up the hearts of all that heard him that they regarded not death, but judged those more happy that should depart, than such as should remain behind; considering that they knew not if they should have such a comforter with them at all times. Master George did not hesitate to visit them that lay in the very extremity of sickness. Them he comforted as well as he might in such a multitude. He also caused that all things necessary for those that could use meat or drink should be ministered; and in that respect the town was wondrously benefited; for the poor were no more neglected than were the rich.
The Cardinal attempts to assassinate Wishart at Dundee.
While Master George Wishart was spending his life to comfort the afflicted, the Devil ceased not to stir up his own son the Cardinal again. He, by money, corrupted a desperate priest named Sir John Wighton to slay the said Master George, who did not look to himself in all things so circumspectly as worldly men would have wished. One day, the sermon ended, and the people departing, suspecting no danger and therefore not heeding the said Master George, the priest that was corrupted stood waiting at the foot of the steps, his gown loose, and his drawn whinger in his hand under his gown. The said Master George, who was most sharp of eye and judgment, marked him, and as he came near said, "My friend, what would ye do?" Therewith he clapped his hand upon the priest's hand wherein the whinger was, and took this from him. The priest, abashed, fell down at his feet and openly confessed the truth. The noise coming to the ears of the sick, they cried, "Deliver the traitor to us, or else we will take him by force;" and burst in at the gate. But Master George took him in his arms and said, "Whosoever troubles him shall trouble me. He has hurt me in nothing, but has done great comfort both to you and me, he has let us understand what we may fear in times to come. We will watch better." Thus he appeased both the one part and the other, and saved the life of him that sought his.
When the plague was so ceased that there were almost none sick, Master George took his leave of the people of Dundee; saying that God had almost put end to that battle, and he found himself called to another. The gentlemen of the west had written unto him that he should meet them at Edinburgh; for they would demand disputation with the bishops, and he should be publicly heard. Thereto he willingly agreed; but first he passed to Montrose to salute the kirk there. There he remained, occupied sometimes in preaching but for the most part in secret meditation, in which he was so earnest that he would continue in it night and day.
Further Treachery of the Cardinal.
While Master George was so occupied with his God, the Cardinal drew a secret draught for his slaughter. He caused to be written unto him a letter, purporting to be from his most familiar friend, the Laird of Kynneir, desiring him to come unto him with all possible diligence, for he was stricken with a sudden sickness. In the meantime the traitor had provided threescore men, with jacks[69] and spears, to lie in wait within a mile and a half of the town of Montrose, for his despatch. The letter coming to his hand, he made haste at the first, for the boy had brought a horse; and so with some honest men, he passed forth of the town. But suddenly he stayed and, musing a space, turned back. "I will not go," he said; "I am forbidden by God. I am assured there is treason. Let some of you go to yonder place, and tell me what ye find." Diligence made, they found the treason, as it was; and this being shown with expedition to Master George, he answered, "I know that I shall finish my life in that bloodthirsty man's hands; but it will not be in this manner."
The Agony of Master George Wishart.
When the time at which he had appointed to meet the gentlemen at Edinburgh approached, Master George took his leave of Montrose, and, sorely against the judgment of the Laird of Dun, entered on his journey. He returned to Dundee, but did not remain, going on to the house of a faithful brother named James Watson, who dwelt in Invergowrie, two miles distant from the said town. That night, according to information given to us by William Spadin and John Watson, both men of good credit, he passed forth into a yard, a little before day. The said William and John followed privily, and took heed what he did. When he had gone up and down in an alley for some time, with many sobs and deep groans, he platt upon his knees, and remaining thus, his groans increased. From his knees, he fell upon his face; and then the persons forenamed heard weeping, and an indistinct sound, as it were of prayers. In this agony he continued for nearly an hour, and afterwards began to be quiet, when he arose and came in to his bed.
They that had watched got in before Master George, as if they had been ignorant of his absence until he came in; and then they began to ask where he had been. But that night he would answer nothing. Upon the morrow they urged him again; and, when he dissimulated, they said, "Master George, be plain with us; we heard your groans; yea, we heard your bitter mourning, and saw you both upon your knees and upon your face." With dejected visage, he said, "I had rather ye had been in your beds. It would have been more profitable for you, for I was scarcely well employed." They insistently urged him to let them know something for their comfort, and he then said, "I will tell you that I am assured that my travail is near an end. Therefore call to God with me, that now I shrink not, when the battle waxes most hot." When they wept, and said, that was "small comfort unto them;" he answered, "God shall send you comfort after me. This realm shall be illuminated with the light of Christ's Evangel, as clearly as ever was any realm since the days of the Apostles. The house of God shall be builded in it. Yea, it shall not lack the very copestone, whatsoever the enemy imagine to the contrary." Neither shall this be long; there shall not many suffer after me, before the glory of God shall evidently appear, and shall once triumph in despite of Satan. But, alas! if the people shall thereafter be unthankful, fearful and terrible shall the plagues be that shall follow." With these words he marched forward in his journey towards Perth; and so to Fife, and then to Leith.
Master George arrives in Leith.
Arrived in Leith, and hearing no word of those that had appointed to meet him, to wit, the Earl of Cassillis and the gentlemen of Kyle and Cunningham, Master George kept himself secret for a day or two. But beginning to wax sorrowful in spirit, and being asked the cause,