Page:History of the Scottish martyrs.pdf/10

10 bishop, but for my part, I thank God I have lived comfortably for many years, and never knew one word either of the old or now Testament. I content me with my pontress (prayer Hook) and pontifical, (a book of ceremonies) and, if you leave not these fantasies, you will repent when you cannot mend it." To this concluling remark Forrest replied, in the true spirit of a martyr, "I thought it my duty to do as I did, and laid my account with any danger that night follow"

Victims to the embryo doctrines of the reformed religion and ecclesiastical persecution began now to follow each other with quick succession. Jerome sed, a grey friar, and Thomas Kennedy, a young man from Ayr, not 18 years of age, was accused al Glasgow of heresy. Kennedy, as was natural to his years, overcome with terror at the prospect of the dreadful punishment which awaited him, was, in the hour of trial, disposed to recant, and to save his life by denying the points laid to his charge. When, however, he heard the intrepid answers of Russel, his companion in misfortune, who scorned to shun danger by apostasy, he became calm and resolute. Throwing himself upon his knees, he exclaimed in the tone and manner of rapturous enthusiasm, "Wonderful, O Lord, is thy love and mercy to me, a miserable wretch, for even now I would have denied thee, and thy Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, my only Saviour. Thon, by this own hand, hast pulled me back from the bottom of hell, and given me to feel more heavenly comfort, which hath removed the ungodly tear that he fore oppressed my mind. Now. I defy death," he added, addressing his judges, “do what you please, I praise God I am ready". Whilst the fire was preparing in which these heroic victims of papal persecution were to