Master Patrick

Yesterday marked the 481st anniversary of the death of Patrick Hamilton. As some of you may know, I have a 'dead academic crush' on Patrick Hamilton (see previous post "The Reik of Maister Patrik Hammyltoun"). I never cease to be amazed when I read about this brave, intelligent young man, who sacrificed his life, at the age of 24, for the sake of the Gospel. Since posting that last blog about Hamilton, I have written 2551 words on him for my thesis. But rather than bore you with details of my academic drivel, I'll leave you with the words of Master Patrick himself. The following is from an edition of his work published after his death. (Believe it or not, but I've updated the language a bit, for ease of reading):

The law sayeth pay thy debt.

The Gospel sayeth Christ hath payed it

The law sayeth thou art a sinner, despair, thou shalt be damned.

The Gospell sayeth thy sins are forgiven thee, be of good comfort, thou shalt be saved.

The law sayeth make amends for thy sin.

The Gospel sayeth Christ hath made it for thee,

The law sayeth the Father of Heaven is angry with thee.

The Gospel sayeth Christ hath pacified Him with His blood.

The law asks where is thy righteousness, goodness and satisfaction?

The Gospel sayeth Christ is thy righteousness, thy goodness and satisfaction.

The law sayeth 'thou art bound and obliged to me, to the devil and to hell.'

The Gospel sayeth Christ hath delivered thee from them all.

Patrick Hamilton, Dyuers frutful gatherynges of scripture and declarynge of fayth and workes of the lawe, (London, Robert Redman: 1534). STC 12733, A.iiii.(r)(v).