Persecutors.
Iames Beton, Archb. of S. Andrew. M. Hew Spens, deane of diuinitie in
the vniuersitie of S. Andrew. M. Iohn Weddell, Rector of the
Vniuersitie. Iames Symson, Officiall. Tho. Ramsay, Chan[=o], and Deane of
the Abbey of S. Andrewes. Allane Meldrum, Chanon. Iolm Greson,
Principall of the Blacke Friers. Iohn Dillidaffe, Warden of the Gray
Friers. Martin Balbur, Lawyer. Iohn Spens, Lawyer. Alexander Young,
baccheler of Diuinitie, Chanon. Frier Alex. Chambell, Priour of the
Blacke Friers, &c.
Martyrs.
Patricke Hamelton. At St. Andrewes in Scotland. An. 1527.
The Causes.
Patrike Hamelton a Scottish man borne, of an high and noble stock, and
of the kynges bloud, yong and of flourishing age, and excellent
towardnes, of 23. yeares called Abbot of Ferme first commyng out of his
country with thre companions, to seeke godly learning, went to the
uniuersitie of Marpurge in Germanye, which university was then newly
erected by Phillip Lantgraue of Hesse: where he vsing conference and
familiaritie with learned men, namely M. Franciscus Lambertus, so
profited in knowledge, and mature iudgement in matters of religion, that
he through the incitation of the sayd Lambert, was the first in al the
Vniuersitie of Marpurge, which publickely dyd set vp conclusions there
to be disputed of, concernyng fayth and workes: arguyng also no lesse
learnedly then feruently vppon the same, what these propositions and
conclusions were, partly in his treatise hereafter followyng, called
Patrike Places, may appeare.
Thus the ingenious wyt of this learned Patrike increasing haply more and
more in knowledge, and inflamed with godlynes, at length began to
reuolue with himselffe, touchyng his returne into his countrey, beyng
desirous to importe vnto hys countrye men, some fruite of the
understandyng, which he had receaued abroad. Wherupon persisting in his
godly purpose, he toke one of the iij. whom he brought out of Scotland,
and so returned home without any longer delay.[1064] Where he, not
susteinyng the miserable ignoraunce and blyndnes of that people, after
he had valiauntly taught and preached the truth, and refelled their
abuses, was first accused of heresie, and afterward, constantly and
stoutly susteinyng the quarell of Gods Gospell, against the high priest,
and Archbyshop of S. Andrew, named James Beton, was cited to appeare
before him and his Colledge of Priests, the first day of March 1527. But
he beyng not onely forward in knowledge, but also ardent in spirite, not
tarying for the houre appoynted, prenented the time, and came very early
in the mornyng, before he was looked for, and there mightely disputyng
against them, when he could not by the Scriptures be conuicted, by force
he was oppressed: and so, the sentence of condemnation beyng giuen
agaynst him, the same day after dyner, in all the hoate hast, he was had
away to the fire, and there burned, the kyng beyng yet but a child,
which made the Byshops more bold. And thus was this noble Hamelton, the
blessed seruaunt of God, without all iust cause, made away by cruell
aduersaries, yet not without great fruite to the Church of Christ, for
the graue testimony of his bloud, left the verity and truth of God, more
fixed and confirmed in the hartes of many, then euer could after be
pluckt away: in so much that diuers afterward standing in his quarel,
susteined also the lyke Martyrdome, as hereafter (Christ willyng) shall
appeare, as place and tyme shall require.
In the meane season we thinke good to expresse here his Articles, and
order of his processe as we receaued them from Scotland, out of the
registers.
¶ THE ARTICLES AND OPINIONS OBIECTED AGAYNST M. PATRIKE HAMELTON,
BY IAMES BETON, ARCHBYSHOP OF S. ANDREWES.[1065]
That man hath no free will.
That there is no Purgatory.
That the holy Patriarkes were in heauen, before Christes passion.
That the Pope hath no power to loose and bynde: neither any Pope
had that power, after S. Peter.
That the Pope is Antichrist, and that euery Priest hath the power
that the Pope hath.
That M. Patrike Hamelton was a Byshop.
That it is not necessary to obteine any Bulles from any Byshop.
That the vow of the Popes religion, is a vow of wickednes.
That the Popes lawes be of no strength.
That all Christians worthy to be called Christians, do know that
they be in the state of grace.
That none be saued, but they are before predestinate.
Whosoeuer is in deadly sinne, is vnfaythfull.
That God is the cause of sinne, in this sence, that is, that he
withdraweth hys grace from men, whereby they sinne.
That it is deuilishe doctrine, to enioyne to any sinner, actuall
penaunce for sinne.
That the sayd M. Patrike himself doubteth whether all children
departing incontinent after their Baptisme, are saued or condemned.
That auricular confession is not necessary to saluation.
These Articles aboue written, were geuen in, and layd agaynst M.
Hamelton, and inserted in their registers, for the which also he was
condemned, by them which hated him, to death. But other learned men,
which commoned and reasoned with hym, do testifie, that these Articles
folowyng were the very Articles for the which he suffered.[1066]