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insensible thereof; for in the year 1579, Mr. Patrick Hamilton, of an ancient and honourable family, and called Abbot of Fern, left Scotland and went into Germany, where conversing with Luther and Melancthon, he greatly increased in godly knowledge and learning, and returning home he publicly preached concerning faith and good works, and against the superstitions and idolatry of the Papists.
This so enraged James Beaton, Archbishop of St. Andrews, that in the absence of the King, Mr. Hamilton was seized upon by the Bishop's officers, and carried to the castle, and the next day he was brought forth to judgment, and condemned to be burned for the testimony of God. The articles charged against him, were about Pilgrimage, Purgatory, Praying to Saints, and for the Dead.
After dinner the fire was prepared, which some thought was only to terrify him, but it pleased God to strengthen him against the fear of death, and so he was tied to the stake. Giving his garments to his servant, and saying thus to him; These will not profit in the fire, they will profit thee; after this thou canst receive no benefit by me, except the example of my death, which I pray thee to remember; for though it be bitter to the flesh, and fearful before men, yet it is the entrance into eternal life, which none shall possess who deny Jesus Christ before this wicked generation. And the fire being kindled, he cried with a loud voice, Lord Jesus receive my spirit. How long shall darkness overwhelm this realm? And how long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of these men? A friar troubling him by crying out,
