and his pertinacity (they being condemned already by the church, general councils, and most famous universities), to be an heretic, and to have an evil opinion of the faith; and therefore to be condemned and punished, like as we condemn, and define him to be punished, by this our sentence definitive, depriving and sentencing him to be deprived of all dignities, orders, offices, and benefices of the church; and therefore do judge and pronounce him to be delivered over unto the secular power, to be punished, and his goods to be confiscate.

"This our sentence definitive was given and read at our metropolitan church of St. Andrew's, the last day of the month of February, 1527, being present the most reverend Fathers in Christ, and Lords, Gawand, bishop of Glasgow; George, bishop of Dunkeldon; John, bishop of Brecham; William, bishop of Dunblane; Patrick, prior of St. Andrew's;" David, abbot of Abirbrothoke;George, abbot of Dumfermling; Alexander, abbot of Caunbuskineth; Henry, abbot of Lendors; John, prior of Peterweme; the dean and subdean of Glasgow; Mr. Hew Spens, Thomas Ramsay, Allane Meldrum, &c. In the presence of the clergy and people +.

That this sentence might have the greater authority, they caused it to be signed by all present of any account, whether clergy or laity; and, in order to make their number appear great, they took the subscription of the very children of the nobility.

"Whatever opinion," observes Dr. Cook, of Laurencekirk, " may be entertained of the points which he believed to be taught in Scripture; however much it may be regretted, that the attention of the Reformers was so early and so much fixed upon dark and disputable subjects, whilst the more

Fox, pp. 947, 948.

obvious and interesting truths of revelation were less strenuously inculcated, it is apparent, that the sentiments, for which Hamilton was accused, contained enough to show, that the Church of Rome was built upon a wrong foundation; that the judges, who were to determine his fate, were the supporters of delusion and superstition. They accordingly paid little regard to what he urged in favour of his principles; but, without hesitation, pronounced the awful sentence; delivering him over to the secular power, that he might suffer the shocking death, which the barbarity of men, professing to be the teachers of a religion of mercy, had destined for all upon whom they could fix the imputation of heresy. The area before the gate of St. Salvator's college, was appointed to be the scene of execution; and, with aggravated cruelty, he was, on the same day upon which he had been condemned, led forth to the stake†."

During the arrangement of the circumstances preparatory to the combustion, he exhibited the same sweetness and courtesy by which he had been constantly characterized. He gave to his faithful servant his gown, coat, cap, and some other articles, articles, saying, "These are the last things you can receive of me; nor have I any thing 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." He was then bound to the stake in the midst of faggots, coal, and other materials, which it was attempted to ignite with gunpowder; but, from negligence, or accident, the explosion failed, and only scorched one side of his body

p. 146.

Hist. of Reform. in Scotland, v. i.

and his face. Messengers were despatched to the castle for more powder and combustibles; and some friars, among whom Campbell was the most importunate, urged him to recant. When the fire was kindled, it burnt so slowly, that he endured extreme suffering. "Turn, thou heretic," said some spectators, prompted by the monks, "pray to the virgin!" "Depart from me," replied the pious martyr," and trouble me not, ye agents of Satan!" He mildly besought Campbell to cease his importunity; and at length, in a solemn manner, addressed this faithless friend: "Wicked man! thou knowest I am not a heretic, and hast confessed the same to me in private; but I appeal to the just tribunal of Jesus Christ, and cite you to appear there to answer for it to Almighty God. Oh Lord! how long shall darkness overwhelm my country? How long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of these unrighteous men?" An increase of fuel now terminated his anguish.

John Andrew Duncan, of Airdrie, a spirited young Laird, who loved and honoured the Abbot, and who had himself been menaced for his attachment to the Reformation, had armed and mounted a score of his tenants and servants, intending to enter the city by night, with the view, as is supposed, of rescuing his friend. But his small party was surrounded, and himself apprehended by a troop of horsemen, commanded by Patrick Duncanson, a gentleman of Angus, who had married his sister*. The execution, however, created great disgust among the people; and even those, who were not enlightened with Protestant sentiments, pitied the youthful and amiable sufferer. The bigoted clergy were disappointed at per

Biog. Brit. v. 492. 2d Edit.

ceiving this effect on the public mind; which was much increased by the fate of Campbell, whose end they contrasted with that of Hamilton. This wretched man became the prey of remorse, and expired at Glasgow in a state of despair in the following twelvemonth.

"After the condemnation and martyrdom of this true saint of God was dispatched by the bishops and doctors of Scotland," says Fox, "the rulers and doctors of the University of Louvaine, hearing thereof, received such joy and consolation at the shedding of that innocent blood, that, for the abundance of heart, they could not stay their pen to utter condign thanks, applauding and triumphing in their letters sent to the foresaid Bishop of St. Andrew's and Doctors of Scotland, at the worthy and famous deservings of their atchieved enterprize in that behalf."

Meritorious, however, as this persecution might appear in the eyes of these foreign theologians, no event of the day had a greater tendency to promote the cause of Reformation at home. Seton, the Dominican confessor of the King, openly inveighed against the existing corruptions; and being denounced as a heretic, effected his retreat to England. Forrest, a young Benedictine, was convicted of entertaining favourable sentiments of Hamilton, and of possessing an English translation of the New Testament. When it was determined to burn him alive, a retainer of the Archbishop, who, probably, dared not declare his opinion in a more unequivocal manner, observed, with considerable point, that "it was advisable to burn him in a low cellar, because the smoke of Patrick Hamilton had infected all upon whom it blew.”

Jonston, a Scotch bard, who wrote a volume of Latin poetry on

Acts, xx. 21.-Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. To address a Christian assembly on their great concerns, is at all times an important and a very responsible undertaking. But there are occasions on which the work becomes particularly important, and calculated to engage the attention, and interest the feelings, in a peculiar manner. The present is one of those occasions. On this day will terminate my labours among you, which have continued now nearly four years. On a review of what is past, I can see many things on account of which shame appertains both to you and to myself. Our privileges have not been improved as they should have been. Means on your part have been too much neglected; the house of God has not been so constantly resorted to as it might have been. On my part, diligence in weekly visits is the point on which I feel the greatest deficiency to have been. My Sunday work has been, perhaps, as much as my strength could bear; and with respect to the truths I have declared to you, I feel no regret-I see no reason to retract or even to modify them; as far as I know and believe, they were the truths of God. And the longer I live, and the more experience I have, the more confirmed I am in them. They are what I have seen, and do see daily, verified in the conduct and experience of those who cordially receive them. They are what have been, in every age, effectual to the comfort and salvation of all true believers. And, my brethren, if you believe me on any other point, which I think all that know me will do, believe me also on this. They are truths which have been the support and the comfort of my own soul, and which I know to be

true, from the peace and the joy they communicate.

Such are the truths that I have been preaching to you; and not only I, but my fellow-labourers also in this place. And these truths are briefly summed up by the Apostle in the text. In parting with the Ephesian church, he comprised the substance of his preaching to them in these words: Testifying both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

And it will not be considered a presumption, I hope, in me to say, that this also has been the sum and substance of my addresses to you. And I am sure, that I can say with truth, that my object has invariably been to declare what might have been useful to you; what might have been the means of bringing you to repent of your sins, and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. My object now is the same; and if it be attained any measure, I shall have reason to be thankful.

in

These two points form, as it were, the centre around which all other parts of the system revolve. Every truth we declare is in some way connected with these doctrines; and the importance of every truth in the Christian ministry is to be ascertained by the relation it bears to these doctrines. If the relation be distant, then that truth, whatever it be, is not so important; and if the relation be near, then its importance is in proportion greater. But whatever we declare, that has no connexion with either repentance or faith, is comparatively insignificant, and, in fact, ought not to occupy the time and attention of a Christian congregation. Too much of this kind is to be found in the ministrations of many who call themselves the ministers of the Gospel. There are many instances, indeed, of individuals preaching