Jerom joined "the noble army of martyrs," on the thirtieth day of May, 1416.

PATRICK HAMILTON.

PATRICK HAMILTON was related to the most dignified families in Scotland; and was educated for the Roman Priesthood. At the close of his monastic studies, he visited Germany, and resided for some time in the University of Marpurg, where he soon was distinguished for his zeal, assiduity, and attainments, especially in understanding the Holy Scriptures, to which object he made all other things subservient. He also became acquainted with Luther and Melancthon; and having been convinced from his own researches, that their doc. trines were "the truth as it is in Jesus," he resolved to impart the light of the gospel, and to develop the errors and corruptions of Popery to his own ignorant countrymen. With that august design he speedily after returned to Scotland.

After preaching some time, and unveiling the

truth before the deluded 'priest-ridden people, he was invited to a conference upon the disputed points at St. Andrews. But as the Papists could neither bear the light, nor defend themselves by argument and the Bible, they resolved to revenge themselves for their defeat, and cast Hamilton into prison. Articles were exhibited against him, which alleged, that he "maintained the doctrine of justification by faith, and that the graces of faith, hope and love are so united that one cannot exist without the others."

As Hamilton refused to abjure those infallible and precious truths, Cardinal Beaton and four other prelates, with five Abbots, condemned him as an obstinate heretic, and ordered that he should be burnt that same day; for they were afraid that the Confessor's powerful friends would so effectually have interceded with the king of Scotland that he would have been liberated from their grasp.

The views and opinions of the glorious martyr, Patrick Hamilton, even now excite the highest admiration of sincere believers. They are expressed with such brevity, clearness, vigour and beauty, that as a concise summary of the gospel they afforded complete instruction to all who heard him teach "the doctrine which is according to godliness."

When he was chained to the stake, he expressed great joy in his sufferings, since by them he should enter into everlasting life. A train of gunpowder was set on fire, but as it did not kindle the fuel, a delay occurred until another quantity could

be obtained. During the interval, the Roman Priests continually urged him to recant, and pray to the Virgin Mary, with the "Salve Regina― O Queen save me!" Among them was a Friar named Campbel, who had been often with him in his prison, and was very officious. Hamilton answered him, that Campbel knew that he was not a heretic, and had acknowledged it to him in private; and charged him to answer for his deceitfulness and cruelty at the throne of Almighty God. A short time afterwards Campbel became mad, and died within a year of Hamilton's martyrdom. When the gunpowder was brought and the fire kindled, Hamilton effused his last mortal sensibilities in these characteristic words" Lord Jesus! receive my spirit! How long, O Lord? how long shall darkness overwhelm this kingdom? How long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of those men ?"

The force of the truths which Hamilton preached; his triumphant death; and the singular catastrophe of Campbel the Friar, made strong impressions on the people, "and believers were the more added to the Lord."

Patrick Hamilton chanted the song of victory over death and the grave, on the first day of March, 1527.

PATRICK HAMILTON,

A Scotch Divine;

Was ennobled

By the crown of Martyrdom;

In the year 1527.

ULRIC ZUINGLE.

ULRIC ZUINGLE entered the world in the Swiss valley of Tockenburg, on the first day of January, 1484. Having studied at Basil, Berne, and Vienna, according to the meager ecclesiastical course then appointed, he was chosen by the burghers of Glaris to be their pastor. From that epoch commenced his religious knowledge. In order worthily to acquit himself of the ministry intrusted to him, Zuingle,thought that he stood in need of deeper and more extensive learning than he already possessed. He accordingly resolved to recommence his theological studies after a plan which was very different from that followed in the universities. An assiduous perusal of the New Testament preceded his researches. In order to render himself more familiar with Paul's epistles, he copied the Greek text with his own hand, adding in the margin a multitude of notes extracted from the fathers of the church, as well as his own observations, and that interesting manuscript still exists in the public library of Zurich.

Without directly attacking the abuses authorized by the Romish church, he confined himself in his sermons to the doctrines which he found clearly laid down in the scriptures, and to the moral precepts to be deduced from them. He took every opportunity of repeating to his audience, that in matters of faith, we ought to refer ourselves to the word