Editorial by W. A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1914

Editorial

By W. A. Spicer

Wishart, of Scotland, Providentially Forewarned

THE Bible had entered Scotland, and the Reformation going forward in England and on the Continent was breaking day among the Scots. George Wishart, scholar of Cambridge, and earnest believer in the reform, came to his native Scotland and began to preach. He was a burning and shining light. The multitudes thronged his preaching. He was forbidden the churches, but it is said that his congregations were so large as to forbid the use of churches at any rate. In streets, and at market crosses, and in the fields, he preached the message of salvation. At last the papal ecclesiastics brought him to the martyr's stake, at St. Andrews, in 1546.

Enemies had sought to check his witness many times before, but in vain. John Knox, then a youth, had been his companion and pupil. In his "History of the Reformation in Scotland," Knox tells how again and again the Lord delivered Wishart from his foes. On one occasion, the Reformer was preaching in Montrose. Cardinal Beaton laid a plan to lure him to his death. Knox says:—

He caused to write unto him a letter, as it had been from his most familiar friend, the laird of Kinneir, desiring him with all possible diligence to come unto him, for he was stricken with a sudden illness. In the meantime had the traitor provided sixty men with jacks and spears to lie in wait within a mile and a half of the town of Montrose for his dispatch.

The letter coming to his hand, he made haste at 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, returned back; whereat, they wondering, he said: "I will not go; I am forbidden of God. I am assured there is treason. Let some of you," saith he, "go to yonder place, and tell me what ye find."

Diligence made, they found the treason as it was, which being shown to Master George, he answered, "I know that I shall end my life in that blood-thirsty man's hands; but it will not be on this manner."

The Lord preserved his servant from all the power of the enemy until his work was done.

John Knox believed with all assurance that the Lord gave to Wishart at times in these crises direct counsel by the Holy Spirit, guiding him in bearing his witness for the Word of God in those perilous times. Knox says in his history:—

He was so clearly illuminated with the spirit of prophecy that he saw not only things pertaining to himself, but also such things as some towns and the whole realm afterward felt, which he forespake not in secret, but in the audience of many.

This was well along toward the end of the days of the predicted period of papal supremacy, and the Lord was raising up in every part of Europe the witnesses to the blessed Word of light whose shining was to shorten the days of persecution for the elect's sake. These witnesses often sealed their testimony with their blood; but wherever we read the history, we see evidence that the living God fulfilled his promise and stood by them and sent his angels to deliver and to comfort or to sustain to the end, even as in ancient Bible times.