Religion the Key to History--The same Life everywhere produced by the Divine Spirit--Three successive Impulses: the Culdees, Wickliffe, John Huss--Struggle between Royalty and the Nobility--John Campbell, Laird of Cessnock--Charged with Heresy--Acquitted by the King--Battle of Flodden--Death of James IV.--Episcopal Election in Scotland--Alesius--Patrick Hamilton--John Knox--Troubles during the Minority of the King--Young Hamilton at the University of Paris--Becomes acquainted with the Lutheran Reformation 1 CHAPTER II. BEGINNING OF THE MOVEMENT OF REFORM. (1522 TO APRIL 1527.) John Mayor Professor at Glasgow--Patrick Hamilton at University of St. Andrews--Luther’s Writings introduced into Scotland--Prohibited by the Parliament--Character of the young King--James V. declared of Age--Sides with the Priests--The Clerical Party overcome--Tyndale’s New Testament circulated--Evangelical Doctrines preached by Patrick Hamilton--Renewed Influence of Archbishop Beatoun--Hamilton declared a Heretic--Cited before the Archbishop--Escapes to the Continent 18 CHAPTER III. DEDICATION OF HAMILTON IN GERMANY TO THE REFORMATION OF SCOTLAND. (SPRING, SUMMER, AND AUTUMN, 1527.) Hamilton at Marburg--His Introduction to Lambert d’Avignon--University of Marburg--Science and Faith--Hamilton’s Study of the Scriptures--Reason for his not visiting Wittenberg--Luther’s Illness--The Plague at Wittenberg--Hamilton’s Disputation at Marburg--His Theses--The Attack and the Defence--Hamilton’s new Theses--The pith of Theology in them--Hamilton’s Return to Scotland 30 CHAPTER IV. EVANGELIZATION, TRIBULATIONS AND SUCCESS OF HAMILTON IN SCOTLAND. (END OF 1527 TO END OF FEBRUARY 1528.) The New Testament proscribed--Hamilton’s Zeal--Reception of the Gospel by his Kinsfolk--His Preaching near Kincavil--Eagerness of Crowds to hear him--His Marriage--Plot of the Priests against his Life--Summoned to St. Andrews by the Archbishop--His increased Zeal--Snares laid for him by the Priests--His Disputation with Alesius--Conversion of Alesius to the Truth--Hamilton betrayed by Alexander Campbell--Hamilton’s Death determined on--The King removed out of the Way--Attempt of Sir James Hamilton to save his Brother--Armed Resistance of the Archbishop 42 CHAPTER V. APPEARANCE, CONDEMNATION, MARTYRDOM OF HAMILTON. (END OF FEBRUARY-MARCH 1, 1528.)