Life of George Wishart, the Scottish Martyr - With His Translation of the Helvetian Confession and a Genealogical History of the Family of Wishart #271321

AN inquiry into the life of George Wishart presented few attractions. Believing that he claimed the gift of prophecy, Mr Hill Burton describes him as a visionary. Mr Froude'f' charges him with preaching without authority and with illegally assuming the priestly office. Professor Lorimeri alleges that, in his early ministry, he denied the doctrine of the Atonement. Mr Tytler§ has sought to prove that he intended murder, by conspiring against the life of Cardinal Beaton. Having ventured on the elucidation of his history, I have investigated the charges brought against him, with care and, I trust, impartiality. The result will be found in these pages. Meanwhile I may summarise my deductions, and say that the martyr has, from the inquiry, come forth unstained. He did not claim prophetic powers he preached with canonical sanction he did not act as a priest or ordained clergyman he taught the doctrine of the Atonement through out his whole ministry; he did not conspire against Beaton, and if he knew of the conspiracy he condemned it.