hile the
French and Scots besieged it in the year 1548. This was the last sermon
which he preached, in which, as had for some time been usual with him,
he spoke of his death as near at hand; and after it was over, he bade
his acquaintance farewel, as if it had been for ever. He went to
Ormiston, accompanied by the lairds of Brunston and Ormiston, and Sir
John Sandilands, the younger of Calder. Mr. Knox was also desirous to
have gone with him, but Mr. Wishart desired him to return, saying, "One
is enough for a sacrifice at this time."

Being come to Ormiston, he entered into some spiritual conversation in
the family, particularly concerning the happy state of God's children,
appointed the 51st psalm, according to an old version then in use, to be
sung, and then recommended the company to God; he went to bed some time
sooner than ordinary; about midnight the earl of Bothwel beset the
house, so as none could escape, and then called upon the laird,
declaring the design to him, and intreating him not to hold out, for it
would be to no purpose, because the cardinal and governor were coming
with all their train; but if he would deliver Mr. Wishart up, Bothwel
promised upon his honour that no evil should befal him. Being inveigled
with this, and consulting with Mr. Wishart who requested that the gates
should be opened, saying, "God's will be done," the laird complied. The
earl of Bothwel entered, with some gentlemen, who solemnly protested,
That Mr. Wishart should receive no harm, but that he, _viz._ Bothwel,
would either carry him to his own house, or return him again to Ormiston
in safety: Upon this promise hands were stricken, and Mr. Wishart went
along with him to Elphiston where the cardinal was, after which he was
first carried to Edinburgh, then to the earl of Bothwel's house (perhaps
upon pretence of fulfilling the engagement which Bothwel had come under
to him) after which he was re-conducted to Edinburgh, where the cardinal
had now assembled a convocation of prelates for reforming some abuses,
but without effect. Buchanan says, that he was apprehended by a party of
horse detached by the cardinal for that purpose; that at first the laird
of Ormiston refused to deliver him up, upon which the cardinal and
regent both posted thither, but could not prevail until the earl of
Bothwel was sent for, who succeeded by flattery and fair promises, not
one of which were fulfilled.

Mr. Wishart remained at Edinburgh only a few days