Hamilton, Patrick

Hamilton, Patrick the first Scotch reformer, nephew to James, earl of Arran, was born in 1503, and was educated at St. Andrew's, after which he went to Germany, where he imbibed the opinions of Luther, and became professor at Marburg. On his return home he was made abbot of Ferne, in the shire of Ross, where he promulgated the doctrines of the Reformation with so much zeal as to excite the wrath of the clergy, who caused him to be apprehended and sent to Beaton, archbishop of St. Andrew's. After a long examination he was burnt at the stake, opposite St. Salvador's College, Mar. 1,1527, in his 24th year. At the place of execution he gave his servant his garments, saying, "These are the last things you can receive of me, nor have I anything now to leave you but the example of my death, which I pray you to bear in mind; for though it be bitter to the flesh, and fearful before men, yet it is the entrance into eternal life, which none shall inherit who deny Jesus Christ before this wicked generation." The fire burning slowly, his sufferings were long and dreadful, but his patience and piety were only more fully displayed thereby, insomuch that many were led to inquire into his principles, and to abjure the errors of popery. "The smoke of Mr. Patrick Hamilton," said a papist, "infected as many as it blew upon." His writings called Patrick's Places may be found in Richmond's Fathers of the English Church, 1, 475. See Robertson, History of Scotland, bk. 2; Fox, Book of Martyrs, bk. 8; Burnet, History of the Reformation, 1, 490 sq.; Hetherington, History of the Church of Scotland, 1, 36 sq.