A General Martyrology, Chapter 38
CHAP. XXXVIII. The Persecution of the Church in Scotland, which began Anno Christi, 1527.
MAster Patrick Hamilton of an ancient and honourable family,Patrick Hamilton. called Abbot of Fern, as one hating the world, and the vanity thereof, left Scotland, and went into Germany, and the fame of the University of Wittenberg being greatly divulged, thither he went, and became familiar with those great lights and notable servants of Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, and Phil. Melancthon, whereby he greatly encreased in godly knowledge and learning; from thence he went to the University of Marpurg, which was then newly erected by Philip Lantgrave of Hessen, where he was intimate with other learned men, especially with Francis Lambert, by whose instigation he was the first that there publickly set up conclusions to be disputed of concerning faith and good works; By reason of his learning and integrity of life he was had in admiration by many; But the zeal of Gods glory did so eat him up, that he could not rest till he returned into his own Countrey,Zeale. where the bright beams of the true light, which by Gods grace was planted in his heart, began most abundantly to break forth, as well in publike as in secret.
In processe of time the fame of his doctrine troubled the Clergy, and came to the ears of James Beton, Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews, who grew impatient that by this means the kingdom of darkness was disturbed; and therefore he so laboured with Patrick Hamilton, that he gat him to Saint Andrews, where after divers dayes conference he had his freedom and liberty, the Bishop seeming to approve his doctrine, acknowledging that in many things there needed a reformation in the Church; But withall, fearing that their Kingdom should be endamaged, they laboured with the King, who was then young and much led by them, to go on Pilgrimage to Saint Dothesse in Rosse, that so by reason of his absence no intercession might be made to him,Popish subtilty. for the saving the life of this innocent servant of Jesus Christ, who not suspecting the malice that lodged in their hearts, remained as a Lambe amongst Wolves.
The King being gone, upon a night Master Hamilton was seised upon by the Bishops officers and carried to the Castle, and the morrow after he was brought forth unto judgement, and was condemned to be burnt for the testimony of Gods truth; The Articles for which he suffered, were about Pilgrimages, purgatory, prayer to Saints, and for the dead, &c. His condemnation.And that his condemnation might have the greater Authority, they caused it to be subscribed by all those of esteem that were the…e present, and to make their number great, they took the subscription of very children if they were of the Nobility.
Immediately after dinner the fire was prepared, and he was led to execution; yet most men thought that it was only to terrifie him, and to cause him to recant. But God, for his own glory, the good of his servants, and for the manifestation of their beastly tyranny, had otherwise decreed: for he so strengthned him, that neither the love of life, nor fear of that cruel death could once move him to swerve from the truth which he had professed. At the place of execution he gave to his servant that had long attended him,Constancy. his Gown, Coat, Cap, and his other garments, saying, These will not profit in the fire, they will profit thee; After this of me thou canst receive no commodity except the example of my death, which I pray thee to beat in minde; for though it be bitter to the flesh, and fearful before men, yet it is the entrance into eternal life, which none shall possesse which denies Christ Jesus before this wicked generation; and so being tyed to the stake in the midst of coals and timber, they gave fire to some powder, which with the blast scorched his left hand and the side of his face, but neither killed him nor kindled the wood and coals; till they ran to the Castle for more powder, and more combustible matter, which being at last kindled, with a loud voice he cryed: Lord Jesus receive my spirit; how long shall darknesse overwhelme this Realme? and how long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of these men? His Martyrdome.The fire was slow, and therefore put him to the greater torment; but that which most grieved him was the clamour of some wicked men set on by the Friars, who continually cryed, Turn thou Heretick; call upon our Lady; say Salve Regina, &c. To whom he answered, Depart from me and trouble me not thou messenger of Satan; And speaking to one Campbel, a Friar that was the Ringleader, who still roared on him with great vehemency, he said to him; Wicked man, thou knowest the contrary, and hast confessed the contrary to me; I appeale thee before the Tribunal seat of Jesus Christ; after which words he resigned up his spirit unto God, Anno Christi, Gods judgement on a persecutor.1527. And within few dayes after the said Friar died in a phrensie, and as one that despaired.
Anno 1534. The said Arch-bishop of Saint Andrews, convented before him David Straton a Gentleman, and Master Norman Gourlay; The first of these having a Fisher-boat that went to sea, the Bishop of Murray demanded tithe fish of him,David Straton, Norman Gourlay. to whom he answered, that if they would have tithe of that which his servants caught in the sea, they should take it in the place where it was caught, and so caused his servants to throw the tenth fish into the sea again; All this while he had nothing in him for Religion. But when hereupon he was summoned to answer for Her…sie, it troubled him exceedingly, and then he began to frequent the company of such as were godly, and there appeared a wonderful change in him,Stratons conversion. so that whereas before he despised the word of God, now all his delight was in hearing of it read to him, and he was a vehement exhorter of all men to peace and concord, and contempt of the world. He much frequented the company of the Laird of Dun Areskin, whom God in those dayes had marvellously illuminated: hearing the text read, (for he could not read himself) He that denieth me before men, or is ashamed of me in the midst of this wicked generation, I will deny him before my Father and his holy Angels; At those words being suddenly as one revived, he fell upon his knees, and stedfastly lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven, at length he burst forth into these words; O Lord, I have been wicked, and justly mayst thou withdraw thy grace from me; but, Lord, for thy mercy sake, His prayer.let me never deny thee nor thy truth for fear of death or any corporal paine. Being afterwards together with Master Norman brought to judgement in holy Roodhouse, the King himself being present,Tentation resisted. much means was used to draw this David Straton to make a recantation; but he persevered in his constancy, still denying that he had offended, and so they were both condemned to the fire, and after dinner Anno 1534. they were both first hanged, and afterwards burnt.
Not long after the burning of these two holy men; There was one Deane Thomas Forret, who used to preach every Lords day to his Parishoners, out of the Epistles and Gospels as they fell in order:Thomas Forret. This was counted a great novelty, for none used to preach but the Friars, and therefore they envying him, accused him to the Bishop of Dunkelden for an Heretick, and one that shewed the mysteries of Scripture to the vulgar people.
The Bishop instigated by the complaint of the Friars, called the said Deane Thomas before him, to whom he said, My joy Deane Thomas, I love you well, and therefore I must give you counsel how to govern your self; The Deane thanked him; and then he proceeded, My joy Deane Thomas, I am informed that you preach the Epistle and Gospel every Sunday to your people, and that you take not your dues from them, which is very prejudicial to the Churchmen; and therefore my joy Deane Thomas, I would have you take your dues, or else its too much to preach every sunday; for by so doing, you make the people think that we should do so also; Its enough for you when you find a good Epistle or Gospel, to set forth and preach the liberty of holy Church, and let the rest alone.
Thomas answered, My Lord, I presume none of my Parishoners complaine for my not taking my dues; and whereas you say its too much to preach every Sunday, I think it is too little, and wish that your Lordship would do the like. Nay, nay, Deane Thomas, said the Bishop; let that be, for we … not ordained to preach; Then said Thomas, whereas you bid me preach when I meet with a good Epistle and Gospel; I have read them all over, and I know … …ad ones amongst them, but when your Lordship shews me such, I will passe by them. Then said the Bishop, I thank God I never knew what the Old and New Testament was; Grosse ignorance.and Deane Thomas, I will know nothing but my Portuise and Pontifical. Go your wayes and let all these fancies be; for if you persevere herein, you will repent you when tis too late.
I trust, said Thomas, my cause is good and just in the presence of God, and therefore I care not what follows thereupon; and so he went his way; But duplicate page duplicate page shortly after he was summoned to appear before the Cardinal,His martyrdom. by whom he was condemned and burned for a chief Heretick and teacher of Heresies.
But notwithstanding all their bloody tyranny, the knowledge of God did wonderfully encrease in that Kingdom, partly by reading, partly by brotherly conference, which in those dangerous days was much used to the comfort of many, which so enraged the Popish party, that Anno 1538. there were burned in one fire foure persons of good quality.
Jerome Russel, Alexander Kennedy.The year after there were apprehended Jerome Russel, a man of a meek and quiet natur… ▪ and Alexander Kennedy of about eighteen years old; these two poor servants of Jesus Christ being brought before the Arch-bishop and his Associates to judgement, Kennedy at first was faint,Humane infirmity. and would faine have recanted, but when all place of repentance was denied him, the Spirit of God (which seasonably comes in with comfort,) began to refresh him, yea the inward comfort began to burst forth, as well in his visage, as in tongue and words; for with a chearful countenance and joyful voice, falling on his knees, he said, O eternal God, how wonderful is that love and mercy that thou bearest unto mankind, Joy in tribulation.and to me a vile Caitiffe and miserable wretch above all others! for even now when I would have denied thee, and thy Sonne our Lord Jesus Christ, my only Saviour, and so have cast my self into everlasting damnation, thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottome of Hell, and made me to feele that heavenly comfort which takes from me that ungodly feare wherewith before I was oppressed. Now I defie death, do with me what you please, I praise God I am ready; Then did they raile upon him and Jerome, who also said unto them, This is your hour and power of darkness; Now sit ye as Judges, and we stand wrongfully accused, and more wrongfully to be condemned; But the day will come when our innocency will appear, and ye shall see your own blindnesse, Their condemnation and martyrdome.to your everlasting confusion. Go forward and fulfil the measure of your iniquity. Shortly after they were condemned to die, and as they went to execution, Jerome comforted Kennedy, saying to him; Brother, fear not; greater is he that is in us, than he that is in the world; the pain that we are to suffer is short, and shall be light, but our joy and consolation shall never have an end. Let us therefore strive to enter into our Master and Saviours joy, by the same straight way which he hath taken before us. Death cannot hurt us, for it is already destroyed by him for whose sake we now suffer. And thus passing chearfully on, they constantly triumphed over death and Satan, in the midst of the flaming fire where they gave up their spirits to God.
Anno 1543. Cardinal Beton coming to Edenburgh, caused many godly persons to be called before him, and when he could prove nothing else against them, he caused four men to be hanged upon suspition that they had eaten a Goose upon a Friday:Popish cruelty. and a woman with her child sucking on her breast, to be drowned for refusing to pray to the Virgin Mary.
Many others he caused to be banished, others to be imprisoned at Saint Johnstons, John Rogers.amongst whom was one John Rogers a godly and learned man, that had fruitfully preached Christ Jesus to the comfort of many in Angus and Meannes, whom he caused to be murthered in prison, and then thrown over the walls, giving it out that by attempting to escape, he had broken his neck.