Patrick Hamilton
PATRICK HAMILTON
The first Scottish martyr was Patrick Hamilton, abbot of Ferne, the son of Sir Patrick Hamilton of Kincavil and Catherine Stewart, a daughter of the Duke of Albany. Young Hamilton was educated at St. Andrews in the liberal philosophy of John Mair then read Luther for himself. He was always noted for having a liberal mind and adopted Protestant theology wholeheartedly, but he fled to Wittenberg when he was called to appear before an ecclesiastical council.
There Hamilton became friendly with Luther and Melancthon, who recommended him to Lambert, the head of the University of Marburg. Lambert instructed Hamilton even more fully in Protestantism, which produced a great change in him. Where before he had been skeptical and timid, he now became courageous, almost rash, and decided to return to Scotland and preach the faith there.
He arrived back in Scotland in 1527 and publicly addressed the people for a time before being arrested and imprisoned. His youth—he was only twenty-eight—his talent, and his pleasant, gentle disposition made many churchmen try to change Hamilton’s mind or at least convince him to stop preaching his beliefs and disturbing the church. Hamilton held so firm that he converted a Catholic priest named Aless who visited his cell. In time, Aless suffered persecution for his new faith and was burned.
On the scaffold, Hamilton gave his servant all his clothing, comforting him by saying, “What I am about to suffer, dear friend, appears fearful and bitter to the flesh. But remember, it is entrance to everlasting life, which none shall possess who deny their Lord.” Even though his executioner’s lack of skill prolonged Hamilton’s suffering, he never ceased preaching to those standing near him. “How long, oh God,” he exclaimed, “shall darkness cover this kingdom? How long will You allow this tyranny of men?” He died with the words “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” on his lips.