not be so unwise as to let the advantage I now have, slip out of my hand." The Legate regarding this answer as contemptuous, inter dicted the kingdom and departed: but King Robert paying little re gard to such proceedings, followed hard after the Legate, and entering England, wasted all the adjacent counties with fire and sword.

Great, therefore, and almost boundless as was the influence gradnally and at last attained by the See of Rome, over Europe in general, and in particular over Scotland, there were every where, and at all times, to be found a few who discerned, and either secretly or avowedly dissented from, the prevailing errors and corruptions of the church. So early as the twelfth century, the Waldenses, and Albigenses, who held, among other things, that marriage was allowable to all, and that the Old and New Testaments were the only rule of faith, had spread their tenets to a considerable extent over the south of Europe. During the thirteenth century, the minds of men in many places, seem to have been deeply impressed with a sense of the absurdities and abuses inseparable from Popery. And about the middle of the fourteenth, the illustrious Wickliffe, by showing their inconsistency with the word of God, and inculcating the duty of examining and rejecting them, may be said to have begun the Reformation in England. What were all the tenets he promulgated, it is now difficult exactly to ascertain. Certain it is, however, that they struck at the very root of Papal despotism, and were rapidly circulated, and cordially embraced. Nor were the effects of his labours confined to England alone. Among the numerous students who attended him at Oxford, where he had been Rector of a College, there were some who carried his opinions into Germany. There they attracted the attention of John Huss, who, already disgusted by the vices of the clergy, readily embraced such of them as were most hostile to the priesthood; and who, with his friend and associate, Jerome of Prague, was, for his zeal in asserting them, condemned o be burnt, and suffered that horrible death in the beginning of the fifteenth century.

The martyrdom of these innocent men, so far from stopping the march of truth, produced a deep impression in its favour throughout Europe. Numbers every where imbibed the doctrines for which they suffered. And the frequent struggles for the Popedom, and the divisions which, from that and other causes, now prevailed in the Church, afforded at once opportunity and incitement for their explicit avowal. About this time, too, the light of reformation, from the same source, seems to have dawned in Scotland. Many encouraged by the circumstances of the times, began to speak openly against the heresy tyranny, and immorality of the clergy. In particular, James Resby an Englishman by birth, and a scholar of Wickliffe, having come into Scotland so early as 1407, continued to propagate his opinions till 1422, when he was accused of denying the Pope's supremacy, and condemned to the fire; a fate which he endured with great constancy. In like manner, about ten years afterwards, Paul Craw, a Bohemian, and a follower of Huss, was seized in St. Andrews, and cited for heresy, before the Doctors of Theology. The principal articles of accusation against him were, his following Huss and Wickliffe in his opinion of the Sacrament, and denying that the substance of bread and

wine were changed, by virtue of words, and, that auricular confession and praying to departed saints were proper. He was committed to the secular judge, condemned to the flames at St. Andrews, and there suffered; being gagged when led to the stake, that he might not have an opportunity of making his confession. Both the above-mentioned martyrs suffered under Henry Wardlaw, Bishop of St. Andrews, who, in 1412, founded the University of that place; an act which might have done him honour, had he not imbrued his hands in innocent blood.

These returnings of Gospel light were not confined to St. Andrews. Kyle, Carrick, Cunningham, and other districts in the west of Scotland, were in like manner highly favoured. During the two succeeding reigns, indeed, there was little or no movement in regard to religion: but in the time of James IV. the spirit of reformation seems to have revived. We find, that in 1494, Robert Blackatter, the first Archbishop of Glasgow, caused to be summoned before the King and his great Council held there, about thirty individuals in all, and mostly persons of distinction, accused of reformation principles. Among these, were George Campbell of Cessnock, Adam Reid of Barskimming, John Campbell of New-mills, Andrew Shaw of Polkemmet, Lady Pokellie, and Lady Stair. They were opprobriously called the Lollards of Kyle, from Lollard, an eminent preacher among the Waldenses, and were charged under thirty-four articles, with maintaining that images ought not to be worshipped, that the relics of saints should not be adored, and such like obnoxious tenets. But to these accusations, they answered with such boldness, constancy, and effect, that the Archbishop and his associates were at length constrained to drop the proceedings; and it was judged most prudent to dismiss them with the simple admonitiou, to content themselves with the faith of the Church, and to beware of new doctrines.

Thus have we brought down this summary of Church affairs in Scotland, to the period at which it may be regarded as taken up in the following Biography. For, from the conclusion of the abovementioned diet, till the time of Patrick Hamilton, whose life stands first in this collection, there occurred no sufferer on account of opposition to Romish tyranny and superstition, in this our country.

PATRICK HAMILTON.*

THIS eminent individual was born about the year of our Lord, 1503; was nephew to the Earl of Arran by his father, and to the

"We have been accustomed," says Dr. M'Crie, "to suppose that Patrick Hamilton was the first who introduced the reformed opinions into Scotland, that he acquired them abroad, and that they were embraced by very few of his countrymen, previously to his martyrdom. This opinion, requires to be corrected. Before that youthful and zealous reformer made his appearance, the errors and corruptions of Popery had been detected by others, who were ready to co-operate with him in his measures of reform. The more the subject is investigated, the mare clearly, I am persuaded, it will appear, that the opinions of Wickliffe had

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Duke of Albany by his mother, and was also related to King James V. of Scotland. He was early educated with a view to future high preferment, and had the abbacy of Ferne given him, for his maintenance whilst prosecuting his studies, which he did with great assiduity.

In order to complete this laudable object, he resolved to travel into Germany. The fame of the University of Wittemberg was then very high, and drew to it from distant places many, among whom Hamilton was one. He was the first who introduced public disputations upon theological questions, into the University of Marpurg, in which he was assisted by Francis Lambert, by whose conversation he profited not a little. Here, also, he became acquainted with these eminent reformers, Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon, besides other learned men of their society. By these distinguished masters he was instructed in the knowledge of the true religion, which he had little opportunity to become acquainted with in his own country, the small remains of it which were in Scotland at this time, being under the yoke of oppression, as we have already shown in the close of the Introduction. In this most important study he made an amazing proficiency, and soon became as zealous in the profession of the true faith, as he had been diligent to attain the knowledge of it. This drew the eyes of many upon him; and while they were waiting with impatience to see what part he would act, he came to the resolution to return to his native country, and there, in the face of all dangers, to communicate to its inhabitants the light which he had received. Accordingly, being as yet a youth, and not much past twenty-three years of age, he began to sow the seed of God's word wherever he came, exposing the corruptions of the Romish church, and pointing out the errors which had crept into the Christian religion as professed in Scotland. He was favourably received and followed by many, to whom he readily "showed the way of God more perfectly;" his reputation as a scholar, and his courteous demeanour, contributing not a little to his usefulness in the good work.

The city of St. Andrews was at this time the grand rendezvous of the Romish clergy, and might with no impropriety be called the metropolis of the kingdom of darkness. There were to be found in it, James Beaton the archbishop; Hugh Spence, dean of divinity; John

the most powerful and extensive influence upon the Reformation. Even in Scotland they contributed greatly to predispose the minds of men to the Protestant doctrine. We can trace the existence of the Lollards, in Ayrshire, from the time of Wickliffe to the days of George Wishart. And in Fife they were so numerous, as to have formed the design of rescuing Patrick Hamilton by force, on the day of his execution."-Life of Melville, Vol. i. p. 8.

The same judicious writer corrects another pretty common mistake, into which even Dr. Robertson has fallen, that the first who received the reformed doctrines were chiefly in the lower or middle ranks of life. The preachers themselves, euch as Hamilton, Wishart, and Knox, were men of good family; and they had many of the nobility and gentry among their regular hearers. "The reformation of religion," says Dr. M., "was preceded by the revival of letters throughout Europe: the principal reformers were men of superior talents and education: and their cause was espoused, and essentially promoted by persons who possessed secular authority and influence."-Ibid, p. 9. W. M.G.

Waddel, rector; James Simson, official; Thomas Ramsay, canon and dean of the abbey; with the several superiors of the different orders of monks and friars.-It could not be expected that Mr. Hamilton's conduct should be long concealed from such a body as this. Their resentment against him soon rose to the utmost height of persecuting rage. In particular the Archbishop, who was Chancellor of the kingdom, and otherwise very powerful, became his inveterate enemy; but being not less politic than cruel, he concealed his wicked design against him, until he had drawn him into the ambush he had prepared, by prevailing on him to attend a conference at St. Andrews. -Being come thither, Alexander Campbell, prior of the black friars, who had been appointed to exert his powers in reclaiming him, had several private interviews with him, and seemed to acknowledge the force of Mr. Hamilton's objections against the prevailing conduct of the clergy, and the errors of the Romish church. Such persuasions, however, as were used to bring him back to Popery, had rather the tendency to confirm him in the truth. The archbishop, too, and the inferior clergy, appeared to make concessions to him, allowing that many things stood in need of reformation, which they could wish had been brought about. But whether they were sincere in these acknowledgments, or only intended to conceal their bloody designs, and render the innocent and unsuspecting victim of their rage more secure, is a question to which this answer may be returned, That had they been sincere, the consciousness that Mr. Hamilton spoke the truth, would at least have warded off the blow for some time longer, or divided their counsels and measures against him.-That neither of these was the case, will now appear. He was apprehend ed under night, and committed prisoner to the castle. At the same time, the young king, at the earnest solicitation of the clergy, was prevailed upon to undertake a pilgrimage to St. Dothess, in Rossshire, that he might be out of the way of any applications that might be made to him for Mr. Hamilton's life, which there was reason to believe would be granted. This measure affords full proof, that notwithstanding the friendly conferences which they kept up with him for a time, they had resolved on his ruin from the beginning; but such instances of Popish dissembling were not new, even in the period of which we are treating.

The day after his imprisonment, he was brought before the Archbishop and his convention, and charged with maintaining and propagating sundry heretical opinions; and though articles of the utmost importance had been debated betwixt him and them, they restricted their charge to such trifles as pilgrimage, purgatory, praying to saints, and for the dead; perhaps because these were the grand pillars upon which Antichrist built his empire, being the most lucrative doctrines ever invented by men. We must, however, take notice, that Spottiswood, afterwards Archbishop of St. Andrew's, assigns the following as the tenets for which he suffered: "that the corruption of sin remains in children after their baptism; that no man by the power of his free-will can do any good; that no man is without sin as long as he liveth; that every true Christian may know himself to be in a

Duke of Albany by his mother, and was also related to King James V. of Scotland. He was early educated with a view to future high preferment, and had the abbacy of Ferne given him, for his maintenance whilst prosecuting his studies, which he did with great assiduity.

In order to complete this laudable object, he resolved to travel into Germany. The fame of the University of Wittemberg was then very high, and drew to it from distant places many, among whom Hamilton was one. He was the first who introduced public disputations upon theological questions, into the University of Marpurg, in which he was assisted by Francis Lambert, by whose conversation he profited not a little. Here, also, he became acquainted with these eminent reformers, Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon, besides other learned men of their society. By these distinguished masters he was instructed in the knowledge of the true religion, which he had little opportunity to become acquainted with in his own country, the small remains of it which were in Scotland at this time, being under the yoke of oppression, as we have already shown in the close of the Introduction. In this most important study he made an amazing proficiency, and soon became as zealous in the profession of the true faith, as he had been diligent to attain the knowledge of it.-This drew the eyes of many upon him; and while they were waiting with impatience to see what part he would act, he came to the resolution o return to his native country, and there, in the face of all dangers, to communicate to its inhabitants the light which he had received.

Accordingly, being as yet a youth, and not much past twenty-three years of age, he began to sow the seed of God's word wherever he came, exposing the corruptions of the Romish church, and pointing out the errors which had crept into the Christian religion as professed in Scotland. He was favourably received and followed by many, to whom he readily "showed the way of God more perfectly;" his reputation as a scholar, and his courteous demeanour, contributing not a little to his usefulness in the good work.

The city of St. Andrews was at this time the grand rendezvous of the Romish clergy, and might with no impropriety be called the metropolis of the kingdom of darkness. There were to be found in it, James Beaton the archbishop; Hugh Spence, dean of divinity; John

the most powerful and extensive influence upon te Reformation. Even in Scotland they contributed greatly to predispose the minds of men to the Protestant doctrine. We can trace the existence of the Lollards, in Ayrshire, from the time of Wickliffe to the days of George Wishart. And in Fife they were so numerous, as to have formed the design of rescuing Patrick Hamilton by force, on the day of his execution."-Life of Melville, Vol. i. p. 8.

The same judicious writer corrects another pretty cominon mistake, into which even Dr. Robertson has fallen, that the first who received the reformed doctrines were chiefly in the lower or middle ranks of life. The preachers themselves, euch as Hamilton, Wishart, and Knox, were men of good family; and they had many of the nobility and gentry among their regular hearers. "The reformation of religion," says Dr. M., "was preceded by the revival of letters throughout Europe: the principal reformers were men of superior talents and education: and their cause was espoused, and essentially promoted by persons who possessed secular authority and influence."-Ibid, p. 9. W. M.G.