His diocesan, the bishop of Dunkel, enjoined him, when he met with a good epistle or good gospel, which favored the liberties of holy church, to preach on it, and let the rest alone.

Forrest replied, that he had read both Old and New Testament, and had not found an ill epistle or ill gospel in any part of them.

The extreme attachment to the Scriptures was regarded, in those days, as a sure characteristic of heresy; and Forrest was soon after brought to trial, and condemned to the flames.

While the priests were deliberating on the place of his execution, a bystander advised them to burn him in a cellar; for that the smoke of Mr.Patrick Hamilton had infected all those on whom it blew.[**] * Spotswood's Hist.

of the Church of Scotland, p.