Scotland/Scots > Life of John Knox ; and, The life of Alexander Henderson

The reformed doctrine had made considerable progress
in Scotland, before it was embraced by Knox. Patrick
Hamilton, a youth of noble descent, obtained the honour,
not conferred upon many of his rank, of first announcing
its glad tidings to his countrymen, and sealing them
with his blood. As early as the year 1526, previous
to the breach of Henry VIII. with the Romish See,
a gleam of light was, by some unknown means, imparted
to the mind of that noble youth, amidst the darkness
which brooded around him. Guided by this, he direct¬
ed his course to Wittemberg; and, after conferring with
the German Reformer, went to prosecute the study of
the Scriptures in the Protestant university of Marpurg,
under the direction of Francis Lambert of Avignon.
In that retreat, he was seized with such an irresistible
desire to communicate to his countrymen the knowledge
which he had received, that he left Marpurg, contrary
to the remonstrances of his acquaintances, and returned
to Scotland. His freedom in exposing the reigning cor¬
ruptions soon drew upon him the jealousy of the po¬
pish clergy, who decoyed him to St. Andrews; where,
on the last day of February 1528, he obtained the
crown of martyrdom, by the hands of Archbishop Beat-
oun. The murder of Hamilton was afterwards avenged
in the blood of the nephew and successor of his per¬
secutor ; and the flames in which he expired were, “ in
the course of one generation, to enlighten all Scotland;
and to consume, with avenging fury, the Catholic super¬
stition, the papal power, and the prelacy itself,”