The Archbishop’s Demand for Recantation
Finally Oliphant, the archbishop’s priest, faced the feeble old man. “Will you recant? If not, I will sentence you.” Walter Milne replied, “I am accused of my life. I know I must die once and therefore, as Christ said to Judas, what thou doest, do quickly. I will not recant the truth. I am corn, not chaff; I will not be blown away with the wind or burst by the flail. I will survive both.” Walter Milne, once a parish priest, heard the Gospel and was converted. He was put in prison for his beliefs, but he escaped.
Years in Hiding and Courage at Trial
He hid for a while and then began to preach again. He was forced into hiding a second time, but was finally captured and tried for heresy at the age of eighty-two. At his trial he was so feeble – both because of his age and the mistreatment he suffered in prison – that he couldn’t climb the platform. Nevertheless, when he began to speak, he made the courtroom ring with such courage and power that the Christians who were present rejoiced.
The Unjust Sentence and Public Outcry
One by one his beliefs were examined, and he did not give in. Oliphant sentenced Milne to be burned as a heretic, but his boldness and faith had so moved the heart of the mayor that he refused to be his judge. In fact, the whole town was so offended with Milne’s unfair sentence that they refused to sell the bishop a single rope or tar barrel. After much delay, everything was ready.
When Oliphant ordered him to climb up to the stake, he refused. “No! By the law of God, I am forbidden to kill myself. But if you will put me up there and take part in my death, I will go up gladly.” Oliphant lifted the old man up to the stake. Milne prayed, then addressed the people: “Dear friends, I do not suffer today for any crime, but only for the defense of the faith of Jesus Christ, as set forth in the Old and New Testament. As other faithful martyrs have offered themselves gladly, knowing that they will receive eternal joy, I praise God today, that He has called me also, to seal up His truth with my life. “I have received this life from Him, and I willingly offer it for His glory.
His Final Appeal to the People
If you too would escape eternal death, depend only on Jesus Christ and His mercy, that you may be delivered from eternal judgment.” While Milne spoke, there was great mourning in the crowd. As the fire was lit, he cried, “Lord, have mercy on me! Pray, people, while there is time!” The crowd was greatly stirred and moved by his words and prayers. Their hearts were so inflamed by his death that thousands joined him in his faith. So many declared themselves willing to die for their beliefs that the Scottish government re-examined their views on executing “heretics.”
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:4
Date: 29th October 2022
Title: The Last Scottish Martyr
Martyr: Walter Milne (82 years old)
Location: Scotland 1551
Source: Jesus Freaks
Author: DC Talk, Voice of Martyrs
Suffering Saturday 015
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