ny, in order to finish his studies.

During his residence here, he became intimately acquainted with those
eminent lights of the gospel, Martin Luther and Philip Melancthon; from
whose writings and doctrines he strongly attached himself to the
protestant religion.

The archbishop of St. Andrews (who was a rigid papist) hearing of Mr.
Hamilton's proceedings, caused him to be seized, and being brought
before him, after a short examination relative to his religious
principles, he committed him a prisoner to the castle, at the same time
ordering him to be confined in the most loathsome part of the prison.

The next morning Mr. Hamilton was brought before the bishop, and several
others, for examination, when the principal articles exhibited against
him were, his publicly disapproving of pilgrimages, purgatory, prayers
to saints, for the dead, &c.

These articles Mr. Hamilton acknowledged to be true, in consequence of
which he was immediately condemned to be burnt; and that his
condemnation might have the greater authority, they caused it to be
subscribed by all those of any note who were present, and to make the
number as considerable as possible, even admitted the subscription of
boys who were sons of the nobility.

So anxious was this bigoted and persecuting prelate for the destruction
of Mr. Hamilton, that he ordered his sentence to be put in execution on
the afternoon of the very day it was pronounced. He was accordingly led
to the place appointed for the horrid tragedy, and was attended by a
prodigious number of spectators. The greatest part of the multitude
would not believe it was intended he should be put to death, but that it
was only done to frighten him, and thereby bring him over to embrace the
principles of the Romish religion. But they soon found themselves
mistaken.

When he arrived at the stake, he kneeled down, and, for some time,
prayed with great fervency. After this he was fastened to the stake, and
the fagots placed round him. A quantity of gunpowder having been placed
under his arms was first set on fire which scorched his left hand and
one side of his face, but did no material injury, neither did it
communicate with the fagots. In consequence of this, more powder and
combustible matter were brought, which being set on fire took effect,
and the fagots being kindled, he called out, with an audible voice,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! How long shall darkness overwhelm this
realm? And how long wil