60 The Supplication of Norfolk and Suffolk. him and his word, to obey the princes and magistrates of ⚫ this world, who are not truly obeyed when God is disobeyed, nor yet disobeyed when God is faithfully obeyed. [They then refer to the examples of Daniel and others.] Wherefore, we humbly beseech the queen's majesty, with pity and mercy to tender the lamentable suit of us her poor subjects, who are by this commandment sorely hurt, and wounded in our consciences, and driven to many miseries, and by the malicious attempts of wicked men suffer great wrongs and injuries, slanders, loss of goods, and bodily vexations. We think not good by any unlawful stir or commotion to seek remedy; but intend by God's grace to obey her majesty in all things not against God and his holy word. But unto such ungodly bishoplike commandments as are against God, we answer with the apostles, "God must be obeyed rather than man." If persecution shall ensue, which some threaten us with, we desire the heavenly Father, according to his promise, to look from heaven, to hear our cry, to judge between us and our adversaries, to give us faith, strength and patience, to continue faithfully unto the end, and to shorten these evil days for the sake of his chosen; and so we faithfully believe he will. [They then fervently beseech the queen,] to permit the holy word of God and true religion, set forth by king Edward, to be restored again unto our churches, to be frequented amongst us. So shall we grow and increase in the knowledge of God and of Christ, in true repentance and amendment of life. So shall we exhibit true obedience to our lawful magistrates and all superiors ordained of God, so shall love and charity, of late through this commandment so decayed, be again restored, the honour of her regal estate the more confirmed and established, and godliness and virtuous life among her loving subjects increased and maintained. And we most heartily pray you, right honourable commissioners, to be means unto the queen's highness, and to her honourable council, that this our humble suit may be favourably tendered, and graciously heard and granted. And we shall not cease, day and night, to pray unto the heavenly Father long to preserve her grace, and all other magistrates, in his fear and love, and in prosperous peace and wealth, with long life and honour. Amen. Your poor suppliants, the lovers of Christ's true religion in Norfolk and Suffolk. A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF PATRICK HAMILTON, Abbot of Fearn, in Scotland, and Martyr, 1528. PATRICK HAMILTON, abbot of Fearn, was the first person burned in Scotland for the doctrines of the Reformation. He was of noble and royal descent, and not more than twenty-three years of age. He had travelled in Germany, and visited Luther, Melancthon, and other reformers, by whom he was instructed in the knowledge of the truth; and in the university of Marburg, he publicly advanced the conclusions respecting faith and works, which propositions are set forth in his treatise, called PATRICK'S PLACES. Having thus received the truth, he became desirous to impart it to his countrymen, and returned home. On his arrival, wherever he came, he exposed the corruptions of the Church of Rome, and preached the gospel. Many listened to his discourses, and were inclined to adopt the doctrines of the Reformation. At this the popish clergy were alarmed; but as Hamilton had expressed his views with caution, so as not easily to afford them a pretext for proceeding against him, they enticed him to St. Andrews, to confer with archbishop Beaton, and appointed a Dominican friar, named Campbell, to converse with him, and draw forth the declaration of his opinions, under the pretence of desiring instruction. Having succeeded in this treacherous design, they caused Hamilton to be seized in his bed at midnight, and carried to the castle. On the next day, February 28, 1528, he was brought before the bishops and clergy, accused of maintaining the doctrines of the Reformation, condemned to be burned, and almost immediately after led forth to the stake; his execution being hastened lest the king, who was then absent on a pilgrimage to Ross-shire, should interfere, and prevent the cruel designs of the popish ecclesiastics. Hamilton suffered with much constancy, desiring the people "to keep in mind the example of his death; for although bitter to the flesh, and fearful in the sight of men, yet it is the entrance to eternal life, which none can inherit who deny Christ!" The flame being kindled, he cried with a loud voice "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! How long shall darkness overwhelm this realm, and how long wilt thou suffer the tyranny of men?" Friar Campbell exhorted him repeatedly to recant, and call upon the Virgin Mary; upon which Hamilton reminded him of what had passed in their private conferences, and summoned him to answer for his conduct at the judgment-seat of Christ by a certain time which he named. The conscience-stricken ⚫ friar expired in a frenzy of despair before that period arrived. A BRIEF TREATISE CALLED PATRICK'S PLACES. JOHN FRITH UNTO THE CHRISTIAN READER.* BLESSED be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, in these last days and perilous times, hath stirred up in all countries witnesses unto his Son, to testify the truth unto the unfaithful, to save, at the least, some from the snares of antichrist, which lead to perdition, as you may here perceive by that excellent and well learned young man, Patrick Hamilton, born in Scotland, of a noble progeny: who sought all means to testify the truth, and took upon him the priesthood, even as Paul circumcised Timothy, to win the weak Jews, that he might be admitted to preach the pure word of God. Notwithstanding, as soon as the chamberlaint and other bishops of Scotland had perceived that the light began to shine, which disclosed their falsehoods, which they conveyed in darkness, they laid hands on him, and because he would not deny his Saviour Christ, at their instance, they burnt him to ashes. Nevertheless, God, of his bounteous mercy (to publish to the whole world, what a man these monsters have murdered), hath reserved a little treatise, made by this Patrick, which, if you please, you may call " PATRICK'S PLACES:" for it treateth exactly of certain common places, which being known, you have the pith of all divinity. This treatise have I turned into the English tongue, for the profit of my nation: to whom, I beseech God, to give light, that they may espy the deceitful paths of perdition, and return to the right way which leadeth to life everlasting. Amen. *John Frith was burned in Smithfield, A. D. 1533. PATRICK'S PLACES. THE DOCTRINE OF THE LAW. The law is a doctrine that biddeth good, and forbiddeth evil, as the commandments do specify, here following: The ten commandments of God. 1. Thou shalt worship but one God. 2. Thou shalt make thee no image to worship it. 5. Honour thy father and thy mother. 6. Thou shalt not kill. 7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. 8. Thou shalt not steal. 9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. 10. Thou shalt not desire aught that belongeth to thy neighbour. All these commandments are briefly comprised in these two, here under ensuing. "Love thy Lord God with all thine heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. The second is like unto this, that is, Love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. xxii. 37-40. Certain general propositions proved by the Scripture. The first proposition. He that loveth God, loveth his neighbour. "If any may say, I love God, and yet hateth his brother, he is a liar. He that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen?" The second proposition. He that loveth his neighbour as himself, keepeth all the commandments of God. This proposition is thus proved: "Whatsoever that men should do to you, even so do to them. is the law and the prophets." 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