THE EDINBURGH Christian Instructor. VOL. XXII. JANUARY-DECEMBER, 1823. Hear counsel and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy EDINBURGH: Printed by A. Balfour and Co. FOR WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH; AND T. CADELL, IN THE STRAND, LONDON. AND SOLD ALSO EY W. WHYTE AND CO. W. OLIPHANT, AND MACREDIE, SKELLY AND CO. EDINBURGH; FOR THE CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTOR. Biographical Notices of Eminent Ministers of the Church of Scotland. PATRICK HAMILTON, THE FIRST SCOTTISH REFORMER. THIS gentleman was of royal descent; a circumstance in providence that was subservient to raise more attention to his excellent doctrine, holy life, and patient suffering. He possessed a most amiable disposition, and was well educated. He was very early made abbot of Ferne, with a view to his being one day more highly preferred. At the age of twenty-three, he, with three companions, travelled into Germany in pursuit of religious knowledge, and coming into Wittenburg, he met with Luther and Melancthon, with whom he held frequent and close conference, and by whom he was well instructed in the doctrines of the Gospel. He grew daily in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus, and being well established in the faith, and much improved in all useful learning, he returned with one of his companions to Scotland, desirous to impart the knowledge of the true religion to his countrymen. With this view, he began to preach the Gospel of VOL. XXII. NO. I. Jesus with great fervency and bold ness, and to lay open the errors and corruptions of the church of Rome. This soon alarmed the whole body of the clergy, and particularly James Beaton, Archbishop of St. Andrew's, who laboured to get Mr. Hamilton to come to him at St. Andrew's, where, after several days conference, he was dismissed, Beaton seeming to approve of his doctrine, and acknowledging that many things wanted reformation in the church. Mr. Hamilton not suspecting the malice and treachery of his enemies, remained at St. Andrew's. There, after a mock trial, they proceeded to pronounce sentence upon him as an obstinate heretic. Being thus condemned, he was delivered over to the secular power; and after dinner, on the same day, the fire was prepared and he was led to execution. Neither the love of life, though in youth, nor fear of this cruel death, could in the least move him from the truth he had boldly confessed. At the place of execution he gave his servant, who had attended him, his gown, coat, and other garments, saying, "These are the last things B |