Memoir and preliminaries
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WORKS OF JOHN KNOX.
Digitized by tine Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/worksofjohnknox06knox
THE WORKS
JOHN KNOX;
COLLECTED AND EDITED
BY DAVID LAING.
VOLUME SIXTH.
EDINBURGH:
THOMAS GEOEGE STEVENSON,
22, FREDERICK STREET.
MDCCCLXIV.
Ad Scotos transeuntibus Primos occurrit Magnus ille JOANNES CNOXUS ; QUEM SI Scotorum in vero Dei cultu instaurando, velut Apostolum quendam dixero, pixipse me quod res est existimabo.
THEOD. BEZA.
EDINBURGH
T. CONSTABLE,
PiUNTER TO THE yUEEN, AND TO THE UNIVERSITY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
TAGK I. Knox's Parentage and Birth-place, ....
PREFACE, xiii THE EoMisH Church, .....
II. Knox's Education, and his Admission to the Priesthood in III. Knox's Call to the Ministry at St. Andrews,
Persecution, ......
IV. Knox as a Minister in the Church of England, V. The English Protestant Churches abroad during the land, .......
VI. The Establishment of the Protestant Religion in ScotVII. Knox as Minister of Edinburgh,
....
VIII. Knox's Last Will and Testament, .... xlii IX. Knox's Family and Descendants, .... lii Ixi
LETTERS CHIEFLY RELATING TO THE PROGRESS OF THE
REFORMATION IN SCOTLAND, 1559-1562,
I. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, April 6, 1559,
II. Knox to Sir William Cecill, April 10, 1559,
III. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, May 3, 1559,
1559, ....
IV. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, June 23, 1559,
V. Extracts from Letters of Sir James Croft, May 19, to June 14,
VI. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, June 25, 1559,
VII. Knox to Sir William Cecill, June 28, 1559,
VIII. William Kirkcaldy of Grange to Sir Henry Percy, July 1, 1559, IX. Knox to Sir Henry Percy, July 1, 1559,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
July 4, 1559, ....
Sir Thomas Parry and Sir William Cecill to Sir Henry Percy, XI.
Sir William Cecill to Sir Henry Percy, July 4, 1559 XII.
Lords of the Congregation to Sir W. Cecill, July 19, 1559, XIII.
Lords of the Congregation to Queen Elizabeth, July 19, 1559, XIV. Knox to Sir William Cecill, July 19, 1559,
XV. Knox to Queen Elizabeth, July 14 [20], 1559, XVI.
Sir W. Cecill to the Lords of the Congregation, July 28, 1559, XVII.
Sir William Cecill to Knox, July 28, 1559, .
XVIIL Instructions to John Knox, and Knox to Sir James Croft, July 30, 1559, ......
XIX. Knox to Sir Henry Percy, August 2, 1559, .
XX.
Sir Henry Percy to Sir W. Cecill, August 4, 1559, • XXI. The Prior of St. Andrews to Sir H. Percy, August 4, 1559,
XXII.
Sir James Croft to Sir W. Cecill, August 4, 1559, XXIII. Lords of the Congregation to Sir J. Croft, August 6, 1559,
XXIV. Knox to Sir James Croft, August 6, 1559, 1559, .....
XXVII. Knox to Sir William Cecill, August 15, 1559, XXVIII.
Sir James Croft to Knox, August 20, 1559, XXIX.
Sir Ralph Sadler and Sir James Croft to Sir W.
Cecill August 20, 1559, ....
XXX. Knox (signed " Johne Sinclear,") to Sir James Croft, August XXV. Queen Elizabeth to Sir Ralph Sadler, August 8, 1559,
XXVI. Lords of the Congregation to Sir W.
Cecill, August 13, 23, 1.559, .....
XXXI. Queen Elizabeth to Sir Ralph Sadler, August 24, 1559, XXXIl. Knoxius Calvino, S.D., with Translation, August
1559, ......
XXXIII.
Sir James Croft to Sir W. Cecill, August 29, 1559, .
XXXIV. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, September 2, 1559, tember 21, 1559, .....
XXXVI. Knox to the Queen Regent, October 6, 1559, .
XXXVII. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, October 15, 1559, .
XXXVIII. Knox to Gregorie Raylton, October 23, 1559, XXXV. Knox (signed " Johne Sinclear,") to Sir James Croft, Sep 27, 1559, ......
XL. Knox (signed " John Sinclear,") to Sir James Croft, Octobe XXXIX.
(Postscript) Sadler and Croft to Sir William Cecill, October 25, 1559, ......
XLI.
Sir James Croft to Knox, October 27, 1559, .
XLII. Knox to Sir James Croft, October 29, 1559, .
XLIII.
Calvin to Knox, November 8, 1559, XLIV. Knox to Sir William Cecill, November 18, 1559,
XLV. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, November 18, 1559, XLVI. Knox to Sir James Croft, December 26, 1559,
XLVII. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, December 31, 1559, XLVIII. Knox to Gregory Raylton, January 29,
15.59-60, XLIX. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, February 4, 1560,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
vii PAGB L. Knox to the Duke of Chattelherault and the Lords at Glasgow, Febrnary 6, 1560, .
.108
LI. Knox to Sir W. Cecil), February 8, 1560, .
LII. Thomas Eandolph to Sir W. Cecill, August 15, 1560, .
LIII. William Maitland of Lethington to Sir William Cecill, August 15, 1560, .
.114
LIV. Thomas Randolph to Sir W. Cecill, August 19, 1560, .
LV. Extracts from Randolph's Letters to Sir William Cecill, August 25, March 20, 1560-[61], .
.118
LVI. Calvin to Knox, April 23, 1561, .
...
LVII. Calvin to Christopher Goodman, April 23, 1561, .
LVIIL Knox to Queen Elizabeth, August 6, 1561, .
LIX. Thomas Randolph to Sir N. Throkmorton, August 26, 1561,
LX. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, October 2, 1561, .
LXL Knox to Sir William Cecill, October 7, 1561, .
LXII. Knox to Calvin, and Translation, October 24, 1561, .
LXIIL Maitland of Lethington to Sir W. Cecill, October 25, 1561,
LXIV. Extracts, Randolph to Sir William Cecill, January 15, to February 28, 1561-[62], .
.137
LXV. Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock, May 6, 1562, .
LXVL Extracts, Randolph to Sir William Cecill, August 4 to December 30, 1562, .....
THE REASONING BETWIXT THE ABBOT OF CROSSRAGUELL
raguell, 1561, ......
Ane Compendious Ressonyng be the quhilk is made manifest,
AND JOHN KNOX CONCERNING THE MASS, 1562,
An Okation by Mr. Quintine Kennedy, Commendator of Crosstreulie and propirlie, conforme to the Scripturisof Almychtie
God, the Mess to be institute be Jesu Christ, etc., set furt be Maister Quintyne Kennedy, 1561, .
The Coppie of the Ressoning which was betuix the Abbote of Masse, 1562, ......
Crossraguell and John Knox in Mayboill concerning the
A SERMON ON ISAIAH xxvi. 13-21, PREACHED IN ST. GILES'S
CHURCH, EDINBURGH, 19th AUGUST
1565, .
.221
THE BOOK OF COMMON ORDER: OR THE FORM OF PRAYERS,
AND MINISTRATION OF THE
SACRAMENTS,
ETC., AP-
PROVED AND
RECEIVED
BY THE CHURCH OF
SCOT-
LAND, 1564,
The Confession of Faith used in the English Congregation at Geneva, .......
Of the Ministers and their Election, .... ib.
Of the Elders, and as touching their Office and Election, . ib.
Of the Deacons, and their Office and Eleclion, .
. ib.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Interpretation of the Scriptures, ....
The Confession of our Sinnes, ....
Another Confession and Prayer commonly used in the Church of PAGE The Wekelie Assemblie of tlie Miaisters, Elders, and Deacons
ib.
Edinburgh, on the day of Commune Prayers, A Confession of Sinnes, and Petitions, made unto God in th' tyme of our extreame troubles, A Prayer for the whole state of Christ's Church,
Another manner of Prayer after the Sermon, Another Prayer, ...... ib.
Prayers used in the Churches of Scotland, in the time of their persecution by the Frenchmen, etc., A Thanksgiving unto God after our deliverance from the tyranny
of the Frenchmen, etc., A Prayer used in the Assemblies of the Church The Order of Baptisme, .
The Maner of the Lord's Supper, The Forme of Mariage, The Visitation of the Sicke, OfBuryall, The Ordre of the Ecclesiastical Discipline,
ib.
PSALMES OF DAVID IN ENGLISH METER, EDINBURGH, 1565
(PSALMS XXIIL, XXIV., LVIL, C, CXXIIIL, CXLV.),
PRAYERS, ETC.,
SUBJOYNED TO CALVIN'S CATECHISME,
EDINBURGH, 1564
Supper of the Lord, ......
A Forme of Prayers to be used in Private Houses cverie Morning
The Maner to examine Children, before they be admitted to the and Evening, ....
A Prayer to be said before Meales, A Thanksgiving after Meales, Another Thanksgiving before Meat,
Another, .....
Another Thanksgiving after Meat, ib.
Another, .....
Evening Prayer, .....
A Prayer made at the first Assemblie of the English Church at ib.
ib.
.351 were there Red and Approved, ....
A Complaint of the Tyrannie used against the Sanctes of God, Geneva, when the Confession of Faith and whole Orders
conteyning a Confession of our Sinnes, etc., A Godlie Prayer to be said at all times, ....
A Prayer to be said of the Childe, before he studie his Lesson, .
A Prayer to be said before a Man begin his Worke,
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ADDITIONAL
PRAYERS,
ETC., NOT
CONTAINED
EDINBURGH VOLUME OF
1564-65, IN THE
The Forme of the Confession of Faith, whereunto all subscrybe a are Receyved to be Scholars in the Universitie of Geneva, etc
A Confession of our Sinnes, which we use in the time when the declining from the puritie of His Worde,
A Godlie Prayer, .....
A Confession of Sinnes, with Prayer for remission of the same Eternal correcteth us with any of his appointed scourges fo]
to be used in these troublesome dayes, A Prayer meete to be used when God thretneth His judgements,
A Prayer in tyme of Affliction, ....
A Confession of Sinnes to be used before Sermon, A Prayer for the King, .....
THE ORDER OF THE GENERAL FAST, AND THE FORM OF
EXCOMMUNICATION APPROVED BY THE GENERAL AS
SEMBLY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND, 1566-1569,
.381
The Confession that shall goe before the Reading of the Law and before everie Exercyse, ....
The Faythfull Brethren within the Realm to the Professoris ot
the Lord Jesus in England, France, Germanye, The Superintendents, etc., to the Faithful! in Scotland,
The Superintendents, etc., to all and sundrie Faithful Brethren, The Superintendents, etc., to the Bishops and Pastors of England
The General Assemblie to the Nobilitie of the Realm,
438.
Letter to the Professors of Religion within this Realm, . missioners, ...... ib.
Letter to Earls, Barrens, etc., calling a Meeting of Assembly, Tenor of the Commissions given to every ane of the foirsaids Com ib.
Letter of the General Assembly to Mr. John Willock,
THE ORDER OF EXCOMMUNICATION AND OF PUBLIC RE-
PENTANCE,
1569,
AN ANSWER TO A LETTER WRITTEN BY JAMES TYRIE, A
SCOTTISH JESUIT, 1572,
To the Faithfull Reader, and Postscript Letter to his loving mother, Maistress Elizabeth Bowes, from Dieppe, 20th July
1554, .
.513
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
LETTERS,
ETC., DURING THE LATER PERIOD OF KNOX'S
LIFE, 1563-1572—{Contiiiuedfrom 2Mge 148), .
.521
LXVII. Knox to Archibald Earl of Argyle, May 7, 1563, .
LXVIII. Knox to James Earl of Murray, May 7, 1563, . ib.
LXIX.
Extracts, Randolphe to Sir William Cecill, May 15 to December 31, 1563, .... ih.
LXX. Knox to the Brethren of the Congregation, October 9, 1563, ......
LXXI. Knox to Sir William Cecill, October G, 1563, .
LXXII. Knox to Lord Robert Dudley, October 6, 1563,
LXXIII.
Extracts, Randolph to Sir William Cecill, January 22, 1562 [3] to October 24, 1564, .
.532
LXXIV.
Spottiswood, Knox, and Craig to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, February 10, 1563[4],
LXXV. Act of General Assembly, 29th December 1563, .
LXXVI. Randolph to Queen Elizabeth, May 5, 1564, .
LXXVII.
[Kirkcaldy of Grange] to T. Randolph, April 30, 1564,
LXX VIII. Knox to Thomas Randolph, May 3, 1564, .
LXXIX.
Extracts, Bishop Grindal to Henr}Bullinger, Zurich, August 27, 1566, and August 29, 1567, .
LXXX. The General Assembly to Theodore Beza, and Translation, September 4, 1566, ....
LXXXI. Theodore Beza to Henry Bullinger, Zurich, December 8, 1566, ......
LXX XII.
Extracts, Sir Nicholas Throkmorton to Queen Elizabeth, July 14 to August 23, 1567, .
.551
LXXXIII. Knox to Mr. John Wood, February 14, 1567-8, .
LXXXIV. Knox to Mr. John Wood, September 10, 1568, .
LXXXV. Theodore Beza to Knox, June 3, 1569, .
LXXXVI. Knox to a Friend in England, August 19, 1569, .
LXXXVII.
Extract, Maitland of Lethington to Mary Queen of Scots, September 20, 1569, ....
LXXX VIII. Knox to Sir William Cecill, January 2, 1569, .
LXXXIX. Prayer used by John Knox after the Regent Murray's death, ...... ib.
XC. Randolph to Sir William Cecill, February 22, 1569, .
XCI. Letters to Knox from England after the death of the 1509,.......
XCIII. Knox and Kirkcaldy of Grange, 1570-71, .
XCIV.
Libels upon Knox, and his Answers, March 1571, .
XCV.
Additional Extracts from Richard Bannatyne's MemoRegent, Earl of Murray, March 24, 1569,
XCII. Knox to Sir William Douglas of Lochleven, March 31, rials, April—August, 1571, .
XCVI. Knox to the Church of Edinburgh, July 17, 1571, .
XCVII. Knox to the General Assembly, August 3, 1571, •
XCVIII.
Alexander Hay to Knox, December 1, 1571, .
XCIX. Alexander Hay to Knox, December 14, 1571, .
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
xi 1572, ......
I'AOE C. Theodore Beza to John Knox, April 12, 1572, .
CI. Knox to Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig, May 26, CII. Knox to Sir John Wischart of Pittarrow, July 19, 1572,
cm. Knox to Mr. Christopher Goodman, July 19, 1572, .
CIV. Knox to the General Assembly at Perth, with certain 1572, ......
CVI. Knox to Mr.
Robert Hamniiltoun, Minister of St.
Andrews, November 15, 1571, .
CVII. Knox to Mr. James Lowsone, September 7, 1572, .
CVIII. Henry Killigrew to Sir AVilliam Cecill, Lord Burghley, Articles and Questions, August 5, 1572, .
CV. Knox's return to Edinburgh from St. Andrews, August • . and Robert Earl of Leicester, October 6, 1572,
CIX. Richard Bannatyne's Account of Knox's last Illness and Death, ......
ex. The Account of Knox's last Illness and Death, published by Mr. Thomas Smeton in 1579, .
APPENDIX
: ADDITIONAL NOTES AND CORRECTIONS.
Volume First, Volume Second, Volume Third, Volume Fourth,
ib.
Volume Sixth,
INDEX OF NAMES FOR VOLUMES
III., IV., V., and VI., .
INDEX OF PLACES FOR VOLUMES
IIL, IV., V., and VI., .
GENERAL INDEX
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
IcoNES,
ETC., 1580, .......
xiii VOL.
PAGE PuRTKAiT, Joannes Cnoxvs, Facsimile of woodcut in Theod.
Bezji Specimen in Facsimile of KNOX'S HISTORY, 1566.
From the Original Manuscript in the possession of the Euitor, . xxx same Manuscript, .......
VOL. U.
Facsimile of the Signatures to the Buke of Discipline.
From the Facsimile of the Interlineations in the same Manuscript, .
VOL. V.
THE British Museum, 1558, ......
Facsimile of a Letter from Knox (in the Handwriting of Mks.
Knox, Marjory Bowes) to John Foxe.
From the Original in Effigies, etc., 1602, ....... xiii VOL. VI.
Portrait, Joannes Cnoxvs, a reduced Facsimile, from Jac. Verheideni Haddington Church and Giffordgate.
From the View in Slezer's Theatkum Scoti.e, 1693, ...... xviii OF Haddington, ....... x.xii Facsimile of a Notarial Instrument written by Knox, 27th of March 1543.
From the Original in the possession of the Earl Facsimile of an Original Letter (in the Handwriting of Knox) to Queen Elizabeth, signed by the Earls of Argyle, Glencairne,
AND OTHERS.
FrOM THE ORIGINAL IN H.M. StATE PaPER OfFICE,
Facsimile of the Signature to Two Letters, signed John Knox and JoHNE SiNCLEAR, 1559.
From H.M. State Paper Office, .
Facsimile of a Letter from Knox to Queen Elizabeth, 1560.
Froji THE Original in H.M. State Paper Office, .
Facsimile op a Letter from Knox to Calvin, 1561. From the Original, PRESERVED IN FrANCE, AND PUBLISHED IN TeULEt's "PapIERS d'EtAT,"
1 34 Facsimile of the Kirk's Testimonial, to Hamilton and Campbell, 1565.
From the Original in the Wodrow MSS., .
Facsimile of a Letter, Knox to Sir William Douglas, 1572.
From the Original in the possession of the Earl of Morton, .
I O A N N E J
CIVOX Vv^
, SCO XV^..
pcottorum vrimiim tc t^ccicsm . CpIOxC . ddYntm ^iudiftl' aujpui^s fi huf reaui!}a tinf J\mte calamusjuntas suver omia traxtt . cjTO/^' r£fmiur,t kelluitonis amor.
, v ,,
PREFACE.
After a protracted period of many years the present volume completes the series of Knox's Works.
In some respects the delay may have been advantageous, but less so for the dis • covery of fresh materials than I could have wished.
An English Puritan, in 1583, when publishing the Exposition on the fourth chapter of Matthew,^ written, he says, " by so worthy and notable an instrument of God as Mr. John Knox," adds, " If ever God shall vouchsafe the Church so great a benefit, when his infinite Letters and sundry other Treatises shall be gathered together, it shall appear what an excellent man he was, and what a wonderfuU losse the Church of Scotland sustained, when that worthy man was taken from them."^
As Editor, I have used my best endeavours to perform this task, with all care and fidelity, in the hope that the volumes might serve as a permanent literary monument of the great Scottish Ee former.
In commencing the work, I said it would form no part of the plan to give any detailed biography of the Author ; the Life of Knox, by Dr.
M'Crie, having long secured its place among the standard works of historical literature.
An opportunity, however, was afforded in the prefatory notices to the separate tracts or divisions contained in the third and followingvolumes, to give something like a brief running commentary on the leading events of Knox's life.
It might now remain to add 1 See vol. iv. pp. 891 14.
2 ji p_ 92.
xiv
PKEFAf!E.
some general remarks on his character and writings, and the influence he exerted on the course of public events, but the greatly extended size of this volume renders it advisable for me to limit myself to some particulars relating to his personal history, which require elucidation, and also to bring the substance of these notices more distinctly into one point of view.
Knox's Parentage and Birth-place.
The name of Knox is of considerable antiquity in Scotland, and is said to have been derived from the lands of Knoc or Knox,^ in Eenfrewshire.
The chief family was that of Eanfurly in the same county,^ some of whose descendants having settled at Dunganiion, were raised to the peerage of Ireland ; in 1781, as Baron Wells, etc.
; and in 1831, as Earl of Ranfurly ; also in 1826, as Baron Ranfurly in the United Kingdom.
Andrew Knox, minister of Paisley, was of this family.
He was Bishop of the Isles from 160G to 1622, and being translated to the See of Eaphoe, in Ireland, his son Thomas became his successor.
David Buchanan, in 1644, says that the Pteformer's " father was a brother's son of the house of Eanferlie."
"* But there is no evidence to prove the most distant connexion with that family ; and as the name of Knox was not uncommon in other parts of the country, we might rather conjecture that his ancestors were related to the burgesses of Edinburgh, whose names occur in deeds of the fifteenth and first half of the sixteenth century.'* ' A small property on the east siile of that ilk, dated 12th of April 1474. of the river Cart, as it flows to the (Keg. M. Sigilli, lib. vii. No. 286.) north of Paisley, towards the Clyde.
* Sec Life by David Buchanan, pre- ^ In the Kegistrum de Passelet, or fixed to his edition of Knox's History, Chartulary of Paisley, persons of the 1644; and Geo. Crawfurd's History of nameof Knox are frequently mentioned.
Renfrewshire.
Dr. George Mackenzie There is a charter of confirmation by was the first to point out the inaccuKing James the Third, in a resignaracy.— (Lives, vol. iii. p.
111.) tion of the barony of Ranfurly and * Lithe Charters of St. Giles's Church, Grisp Castell, by John Knox of CraigEdinburgh, we find Adam dc Knokkis iiids, in favour of IiIksoii, I'thrcd Kii^x or Knox, balliviis in 1428, and deceased
PREFACE.
XV From the Eegister book of Burgesses of Geneva, 1558, we learn that the Eeformer's father was William Knox, and we elsewhere know that his mother was a Sinclair.
There were several families of that name, of some rank in society, in East Lothian ; one of whom, Marion Sinclair, was married to George
Ker of Samuelston, and in 1497 their daughter and apparent heir, Nicola Ker, became the second wife of Alexander Lord Hume, Lord Chamberlain of Scotland.^ But it is indisputable that Knox could claim no great distinction on account of his parentage, whether we trust the words " of his Popish reviler,"^ ohscuris natus parenfibus," or of his panegyrist,^ who says,
" First, he descendit hot of linage small As commonly God usis for to call The sempill sort His summondis till expres :
Sa calling him, He gave him giftis withall Maist excellent, besyde his Uprichtnes."
There is a passage in the History of the Eeformation which furnishes the only authentic notice on the subject.
In the Eeformer's first interview with James fourth Earl of Bothwell, in March 1562, he said, " Albeit that to this hour it hath not chanced me to speak to your Lordship face to face, yet have I borne a good mind to your house ; .
. for, my Lord, my grandfather, goodschir, and father have served your Lordship's predecessors, and some of them have died under their standards:"*' in 1445.
David Knokkis, burgess of of Nicola Ker, born subsequently to Ediuburgb in 1447 and 1454.
In the 1497.—Proceedings of the Society of year 1492, William Knox, son and heir Antiq., vol. iii. p. 67. of the late William Knox, was made ^ Arch. Hamilton de Confusione, etc., a burgess.— Another M^illiam Knokkis 1577.
8vo, fol. 64. was deceased in 1535-6-—(Bannatyne •'' John Davidson's " Breif CommenClub volume,
St.
Giles's Charters, p. datioun of Uprichtnes,"
Sanctandrois, 235.) 1573, republished by Dr. M'Crie.
' William Sinclair of Northrig, who • Vol. ii. p. 323.
" Goodschir," here signed the contract of 1497 as witness, stands for his mother's father.
The may have been the fiither or brother of later copies read, " great grandfather, Mrs. Knox, and James Ker, in Samuelguidshir or grandfather, and father." ston(m/ra, p. xxi.),was probably brother
See vol. vi. p. 688.
xvi PREFACE.
That is, his father, and both paternal and maternal orandfather and this reference to the death of " some of tliem," clearly points to what Knox elsewhere calls " the unhappy field of Floddon,"^ the 9th of September 1513.
Adam second Earl of Bothwell, who commanded the reserve, advanced in such a gallant manner as nearly to have changed the fortunes of that most calamitous day.
But the Earl, with his two grand-uncles, Sir Adam Hepburn of Craggis, and George Hepburn, Bishop of the Isles, and probably all their followers, sacrificed their lives in tlie vain attempt to retrieve the King's rashness, which proved so disastrous to the country.
Hailes Castle, the chief seat of the Hepburns, Earls of Bothwell, is about four miles to tlie east of Knox's birthplace ; and Earl James's father, who then succeeded to the title, was a mere child.
Whether Knox's father was one of those who fell that day, cannot be stated ; but if we suppose that William, who became a merchant in Preston,^ was the eldest son, his descendants, and not those of the Reformer, would inherit the house and grounds at Giffordgate, which continued to be called Knox's Walls.
John Knox was born in the year 1505.
The discussions respecting his birthplace, although it is a point of no great importance, require a brief notice.
Beza, in 1580, having styled him Giffordiensis, and Spottiswood, about 1627, having said he was " born in Gilford, in the Lothian s," this has been held by later writers to imply, tliat he was born in the present village of Gifford, a few miles to the south of Haddington.
In this conclusion Dr. IM'Crie concurs, although he quotes the words of two contemporary Popish writers, one of whom at least was personally acquainted with Knox, and could have had no object in misstating a simple fact, that lie was born in the town of * Vol. i. p. 13.— Sir Patrick Hepburn, burn, in 1488, but we read of no great Lord Hailes, wlio was created Earl of loss on eitber side, if we except tbe unBothwell, was indeed concerned in tbe fortunate King, James tbe Tbird. battle of Saucbieburn, near Bannock- - 'i'o be afterwards noticed.
PREFACE. xvii Haddington.^ This is fully confirmed by a still earlier notice, of which Dr. M'Crie was unaware, founded evidently upon the Eefornier's own authority, in the " Eegister of the Petit Conseil of the Ancient Eepublic of Geneva."
On the 24th June 1558, when Knox was admitted a burgess, his name is thus recorded.
" Jehan Knoxe filz de Guillaume Cnoxe descosse en Angleterre, ministre Anglois en ceste Cite, suivant leur requeste ont este receux en bourgeoix de ceste Cite, gratis
: ayant un filz masle nomme Nathanael.
" Chkistofle Goudman filz de Guillaume, Anglois de Cesterin a este aussi sur sa requeste receu a bourgeoix, gratis.
Ont este receuz lessusdictz au respect de leur ministere de la parolle de Dieu."
Again, in the "Eegistre des Bourgeois," fol. 95
:— , " Jehan filz de Guillaume Cnoxe natif de Hedington en Escosse, et Cristoffle filz de Guillaume Goodman natif de Chestres dangleterre, ministres des Angloys, ont estez receuz, gratis."
^ It may be interesting to bring into 1600.—Knox a renegat preist of one point of view the words of the older
Haddintoiin in Scotland.
Dr. John authorities on this point :
Hamilton.
1558.—Jehan Cnox natif de Hading1(502.—Joannes Cnoxus Scotus.
Jo. ton en Escosse.— Geneva Begisters.
Verheiden.
1558.— Joannes Knoxius origine ac 1622.—Joannem Cnoxum Scotia propatria Scotus.
Bishop Bale. tulit, etc.
Melchior Adam.
1574 & 1583.—Joannes Knoxus Sco- (1627?)—Knox was born in Gilford tus Josias Simler. in the Lothians.
Archbishop Spottis1577.—Presbyter Joannes Knoxeus wood. natus in Hadintona oppido in Laudonia.
1644.—Knox was born in Giffoord —Archibald Hamilton. nere Hadintoun in Lothian.
David 1580.— Johannes Cnoxus Scotus GifBuchanan. fordiensis.
Theodore Beza.
1650.—John Knox was born at Gif1581.— Jean Cnox de Gifford en Esford in Lothaine in Scotland.
/Samuel cosse.— Theodore Beza.
Clark.
1581—Joannes Knox natus prope 1652.—John Knox was born at GifHadintonam, quae est urbs in Laudonia. ford in Lothain in Scotland.
Dr. Tho- —Dr. James Laing. mas Fuller.
1582.—1st derhalben dieser Knoxius 1667.—Joannes Cnoxus Theologus in einem Flecken nit weit von HaiduScotus.— Biblioiheca Oalcographica. tona einer berhiimbten Statt inn der (1696?)—John Knox, born at HadLandschafft Laudonia in Schotten, gedington.
Laurence Charteris. born worden.
Dr. J. Laing.
xviu PREFACE.
A solution of these discrepancies was proposed in the year 1785, by the liev.
Dr.
Barclay, minister of Haddington, by stating that local tradition pointed out the house where the Eeformer was born at Giffordgate, one of the suburbs of Haddington.
He says, " The house in the Giffordgate, in which Knox was born, still remains ; it has but a mean appearance ; and, together with two or three acres of land adjoining, belonged for several centuries to a family of the name of Knox, until they were purchased, about ten or twelve years ago, by the present Earl of Wemyss."
On lately visiting the locality, the question seems to me to admit of no dispute.
Giffordgate is connected with Haddington by the old stone bridge across the Tyne, and the house was nearly opposite the eastern end of the Abbey Church.
The accompanying view, which forms a portion of the " Prospect of Haddington," published by Captain Slezer, in his
" Theatrum Scotiae," in 1693, may be considered a correct representation.^ The house itself no longer exists.
The barony of Gifford may be traced back to the reign of David the First; and while the lands of " Giffordgate" are so named in a charter in the year 1452, no village of Gifford was known until the latter half of the seventeenth century.
The collegiate church of Bothanis, or Yester, which stood close to the manor-house of the Giffords of Yester, was then changed to its present site, and the name of Yester adopted for the parish.^
' In regard to tins local question, the Lord of Yester, who founded the collereader may be referred to the Account of giate church of Yester, died without the Parish of Haddington in 1785, in male issue before the year 1409.
He the Archaeologia Scotica, vol. i. p. 69
; left four daughters, co-heiresses, and his the New Statistical Account, Haddingextensive estates were subdivided beton, p. 6; Mr. John Kichardson's comtween the husbands of these ladies: Hay niunication to the •Society of Antiof Lochwharret, Boyd of Kilmarnock, quaries of Scotland, printed in their Maxwell of Teling, and Macdowall of Proceedings, vol. iii. p.
; and a Makerston.
Sir David Hay of Yester pamphlet in reply to Mr.
Richardson, acquired from Robert Boyd of Kilmarby the Rev.
Samuel Kerr, minister of nock, in exchange for the barony of Yester.
Teling in Forfarshire, the fourth-part * The ancient family of Gilford were of all the lands of the baronies of Yester, proprietors of Yester.
Hugli Gififord, Duncaneland, and Jloreham, and like-
PREFACE. xix II, Knox's Education, and his Admission to the Priesthood
IN THE EOMISH ChUECH.
We may presume that Knox's relations were in good circumstances.
In tlie view of devoting him to the ministiy he received a liberal education in the grammar-school of his native place ; and, when about sixteen years of age, he was sent to pursue his studies at the University of Glasgow.
Beza having heard that Knox was educated under Dr. John Major, concluded that this was at St. Andrews, and in this and some other erroneous particulars he has been followed by most subsequent writers.
He seems not to have been aware that Major when he returned to Scotland, after a residence of about twenty years at Paris, filled the office of Principal and Professor of Divinity at Glasgow, from 1518 to 1523, when he was translated to St. Salvator's College, St. Andrews.
But this point Dr.
M'Crie first cleared up in discovering "Johannes Knox" among the names of the students who were incorporated on St. Crespin and St. Crespinian's day (the 25th of October) 1522, the year previous to Major's leaving Glasgow.
Bayle, in his account of Knox, following Beza and Melchior Adam, after remarking that John Major, Doctor of the Sorbonne, was " one of the most acute schoolmen of those times," says of Knox, " he followed his master's steps so well when he taught scholastic theology, that in some things he subtilized upon it even better than his master himself.
But having examined the works of St. Jerome and those of St, Augustin, it altered his taste entirely, and he applied himself to a plain and solid theology, and having discovered a great many errors, he published a Confeswise ALL THE LANDS OF GiFFORDGATE,
Lorcl Hay of Yester, in 1488, and was within the constabulary of Haddington, the ancestor of the Marquess of Tweed and county of Edinburgh ; for which a dale.
The extent of these lands of Gifcharter of confirmation under the Great fordgate, in the immediate vicinity of Seal was granted, 12th of January Haddington, was probably not consider1451-52.
Sir David Hay's son and heir able, but the superiority is still retained was raised to the peerage by the title of by the Tweeddale family.
XX PREFACE. sion of Faith, which made him pass for a heretic."^ I need scarcely add, that all such statements are quite conjectural.
Knox left the University without qualifying himself to take the degree of Master of Arts, and for a period of nearly eighteen years we remain in complete ignorance of his course of life.
Not having a Master's degree would necessarily exclude him from acting as a regent or professor, and no evidence can be adduced to show that he was officially connected, in any capacity whatever, with the University of St. Andrews.
Had he been a resident there in 1527-28, when Patrick Hamilton received the crown of martyrdom, he assuredly would have given a more detailed narrative than the somewhat meagre notice of such a memorable occurrence in his History of the Eeformation.
The precise time when Knox was admitted to the order of the Priesthood has not been ascertained ; but the fact itself was acknowledged by early Popish writers.
He was first styled Dominus, or Schir, as one of the Pope's knights, being the usual designation of priests who had not obtained the higher academical degree of Magistcr.
The statements of his expounding and subtilizing on the Books of the Sentences at St. Andrews, and surpassing his Master, are, I repeat, mere conjectural assertions.
The contumelious account of Knox given by his contemporary Archibald Hamilton, within five years of the Reformer's death, furnishes what seems to be more accurate information.
Having, he says, contrived, although very illiterate, to be made a presbyter, he employed himself for a time in teaching, in private houses, to young people the rudiments of the vulgar tongue.^
In the earliest notices furnished by Knox himself, we find him acting in the capacity of a private instructor.
Had he been one of the regular clergy, belonging to any of the monastic establishments, he would have been so designed.
Yet, as one of the secular clergy, he may have held the appointment of * Bayle's Dictionnaire Historique, ^ Arch. Hamilton de Confiisioiie Caltonie ii.
; also the General Dictionary, vinianae Sectaj apud Scotos, fol.
64. vol. vi. Art. Knox.
Paris. 1577, 8vo.
PREFACE. xxi cliaplaiu, or " Eood priest," in the chapel dedicated to St.
Nicholas, at Samuelston, about three miles to the south-west of Haddington.
Be this as it may, by his studious habits and devotional spirit his mind was prepared for the reception of the truth ; and at length he emancipated himself from the influence of scholastic philosophy, with its metaphysical subtleties and idle speculations.
How and when this occurred may now be considered.
In the Chronological Notes prefixed to the First Volume (p. xiv.), reference is made to Knox's name occurring in one of the Haddington Protocol Books, among the witnesses to a deed concerning Eannelton Law, March 8th, 1541.
I had no reason to suspect the accuracy of the date as quoted, but wishing to ascertam the locality of the place, on re-examining the old record, it appeared that the place was Eamylton, in the parish of Gordon, Berwickshire, and the proper date March 28th, 1543.
Two earlier notices also were discovered : in the one, " Scliir John Knox" making his appearance at the market cross of Haddington, onbehalf of James Ker in Samuelston, December 13th, 1540; in the other, James Ker and Knox being nominated as umpires in a dispute regarding a chalder of victual, November 21st, 1542.
These incidental notices led to further inquiries, in which I was most zealously aided by Mr. Thomas Thomson, Writer to the Signet ; and upon application to examine the title-deeds of Samuelston, in the charter room at Tyninghame, there was discovered a notarial instrument, containing an assignation by Elizabeth Home, Lady Hammilton of Samuelston, of nonentry duties of the Ley-acre to James Ker in Samuelston, dated March 27th, 1543,—" Indictione prima pontificatus sanctissimi in Christo patris ac domini nostri Domini Pauli divina providentia Papa3 tertii anno nono," and written and signed by John Knox, Notary.
At first sight I had considerable doubt whether this could have been the Eeformer
; but the locality, the persons named, the date, and the peculiar attestation. Testis
xxii PREFACE. per Christum Jldelis, cui glm'ia, Amen, satisfied me that it was unquestionably of liis handwriting.
Permission being kindly granted by the late Earl of Haddington, I had a few copies printed, with the accompanying engraved facsimile, being probably the earliest autograph of the Eeformer now existing.^ Further search in other quarters has hitherto failed in bringing to light any similar documents.
But the deeds above mentioned establish, I think, some important points in Knox's history, as he still retained his character as a priest, and had the Papal authority to act as a notary while they seem to point out a relationship with the Kers of Samuelston, or at least to show that he was there resident from 1540 to 1543.
III.
Knox's Call to the Ministry at St. Andrews.
We have seen that Knox, in March 1543, still retained his connexion with the Eoman Catholic Church, and while he may have exercised the functions of a priest, that he was also engaged in superintending the education of some young persons " to be nourished in godliness."
Por a short time the Earl of Arran, Governor, who had sanctioned, by an Act of Parliament, the reading of the English Scriptures, retaining, as one of his chaplains, Thomas Guillaume, a native of East Lothian, and Provincial of the Order of Dominican, or Blackfriars, who was the first, according to Calderwood, " to give Mr. Knox a taste of the truth."
But the Governor was persuaded to oppose the new doctrines, and dismiss his chaplain, before the arrival in Scotland of George Wishart, in 1544, who commenced his labours by preaching at Montrose, Dundee, and other places * The deeds referred to need not be "The present State of the Question, liere inserted, as tliey have been accurWhere was John Knox born ?" and ately printed in the Proceedings of the with Mr. Thomson's Extracts from the Antiquarian Society of Scotland, voL Haddington Eecords, and Notices of the iii. pp. 59-63, in connexion with Mr.
Family of Ker of Sannxelston.
Richardson's communication, entitled.
'^O ,-—Q^ 'v*=^ /<»'»T«w6« ^TM^ <^5<Mi;.
JiCt-isiie 'Ywi^^^ <g,<»wf^»^^»^«^v><^«(t»«f /&».^»** "^^VvC* ^pc/&£ta- /rwc£tC2;«<8 "C^^T**^ fcxta^miYil* »,.wdiu^ fci J^^>*iU '»-^ j^ /^ f </
PREFACE. xxiii ill his own district north of the Tay.
In the following year he visited East Lothian, and Knox was attracted by his fervid eloquence, and displayed his zeal by carrying a two-handed sword for his defence against some threatened attempts on his life.
It was, however, not by such weapons that Knox was to ; yet the effect of Wishart's preaching and conbe distinguished versation proved to be the turning incident of our Keformer's career.
He had then reached the mature age of forty years.
We have no proof that as yet he had ever exercised himself in public speaking or preaching beyond his ordinary duties as a priest (sacri altaris minister).
Yet all this while he was in a silent course of preparation for his special vocation ; and the Martyr foresaw, as it were, in his enthusiastic follower, one who was destined to a higher calling ; and on the night of his apprehension, when Knox expressed his intention not to leave him, he said, " Nay, return to your bairns (or pupils), and God bless you : One is sufficient for ane sacrifice."
^ It was this open adherence to Wishart which attracted notice, and subjected Knox to trouble, insomuch that, being wearied with removing from place to place by the persecution of the Bishop of St. Andrews, he had determined to leave Scotland and visit the schools of Germany.^
At length, ten months after the murder of Cardinal Beaton, he acceded to the request of the parents of his pupils, Douglas of Longniddry, and Cockburn of Ormiston, to remove with them to the Castle of St.
Andrews, as a place of shelter.
At this time, the 11th of April 1547, the Castle was in possession of Norman Lesley, William Kirkaldy of Grange, and other conspirators, who depended on aid from England.
Knox was in the habit of teaching his pupils " after his accustomed manner ;" and, to quote his own words, " besides their grammar, and other humane authors, he read unto them a Catechism, an account whereof he caused them to give publicly in the parish kirk of St.
1 Vol. i. p. 139.
- Vol. i. p. 185.
xxiv PREFACE.
Andrews.
He read, moreover, unto them the Evangell of John, proceeding where he left at his departing from Langnudrie, where before his residence was ; and that lecture he read m the chapell, within the Castle, at a certain hour." ^
This mode of instruction attracted the notice of the chief persons within the Castle, but he declined their invitation to take upon himself the duties of a preacher, alleging he would do nothing without a lawful vocation.
But this desire led to that most remarkable scene within the Great Church, as related by himself, when John Eough, in his sermon on the election of ministers, imexpectedly addressing himself to Knox, exhorted him, in the name of the whole congregation who were present, to undertake the office of the ministry.
The result of this public vocation is well known.
Having, under such particular circumstances, once put his hand to the plough, he never shrunk back.
He could have only preached for a few weeks, but it must be held as a proof of his hitherto latent fitness as a public speaker, that notwithstanding his bodily suffering for months on board the French galleys, when he was liberated and came to England, he should have so soon obtained employment as a preacher.
The state of Scotland at this period was most lamentable.
The death of King James the Fifth, in the prime of life, and at a time when he manifested some symptoms of repressing the secular power of the clergy, again left the country exposed to the evils of a long minority.
The Sovereign was a mere infant, and the nominal government of the weak and vacillating Eegent, the Earl of Arran, was controlled by the able and ambitious Cardinal Beaton, through whose influence the policy of Henry the Eighth for the Union of the two realms was thwarted.
Such an event, which might have proved beneficial alike to England and Scotland, was the projected marriage of his son Prince
Edward with tlie youthful Queen Mary.
Hence followed the
Vol. i. ji. 186.
PREFACE.
XXV continuous struggle between the rrench and English factions in this country—the fruitful source of all the bloodshed, persecution, and civil dissension that prevailed for at least eighteen years.
That plans were proposed to assassinate Beaton cannot be doubted; but it exemplifies the extent of prejudice and party spirit to conclude from the circumstance of a person called " one
Wishart," having been employed as a messenger in carrying letters to and from England on the subject, that this was " Mr.
George Wishart,"—a man learned, mild, and of gentle disposition, and one so unhkely and unfit for active service of this kind, while many reckless and ferocious characters were ready and willing to undertake any lawless enterprise.
Wishart's mission was of a very different character, and no charge of this kind was even hinted at in the course of his trial and condemnation.
Three months after Wishart's martyrdom the Cardinal was murdered, but not as the result of any preconcerted scheme
; yet the English Monarch felt himself bound to support the perpetrators, who had taken possession and fortified the Castle of St. Andrews, by granting pensions to the chief actors, and by maintaining at his expense eighty men and forty horse.
The death of Henry produced another change in public affairs.
But it is well that the precise date, the 11th of April 1547, is known when Knox and his pupils repaired to St. Andrews. We might possibly have otherwise had his name held up to reproach as one of the conspirators.
Upon the surrender of the Castle of St.
Andrews by capitulation, on the last of July 1547, the accumulated treasures of Cardinal Beaton were plundered, the garrison put on board the French vessels, and afterwards committed to different prisons, or, like Knox, chained to the oar as galleyslaves.
But we need not enlarge on this part of his history.
IV.
Knox as a Minister in the Church of England.
After eighteen months' imprisonment and liardship on board
xxvi PREFACE. the French galleys, Knox was released, it is supposed upon the intercession of Edward the Sixth, or the English Government, about February 1549.
In the month of June preceding, the galleys had returned to Scotland, when Knox was so extremely sick that his life was despaired of, yet, being asked if he recognised the place, he uttered that remarkable declaration, that however weak he appeared, he was persuaded he would not depart this life until his tongue should once more glorify God in the Church of St. Andrews, of which the steeple was then in sight.^ On obtaining his liberty he came to London, and was favourably received by Archbishop Cranmer, and the Lords of Council.
On the 7th of April the Privy Council directed the sum of Five Pounds to be paid " to John Knock, preacher, by way of reward."
I shall here insert what I presume is an unpublished document, from the Eecord Office, London, being the names of the persons who obtained license to preach in England, during the reign of Edward VI.
The dates of the several licenses are not given in this paper, but the names, although one or two are repeated, were in all likelihood extracted in the order of entry, and it will be observed that the list includes nearly all the distinguished ministers of the time.
THE NAMES OF CERTAYNE PERSONS THAT HAVE HADD
LI-
CENSE TO PREACHE UNDER TH' ECCLESIASTICALL SEALE
SINCE JULYE IN ANNO
1547.
Baldewin Norton, Master of Arte.
Doctour Parker, D. in Dyvinitie.
Rycharde Queeue.
Doctour Eglyambye.
Wylliam Leremount, Chaplayne to the Ladye Anne of Cleve.
John Whitehedde, Bachelor of Devinite.
Wyllyam Chamberlaine.
Rycharde Wilkes, Bachelor of Devinitie.
Edwarde Robynson, Mr. of Arte.
John Bythe, Scottishman, Mr. of Aj-te.
Hughe Sewell, Mr. of Arte.
Vol. i. p. 228.
PREFACE.
Gylbart Barkeley.
Henrye Parry.
Thomas Beatone.
Edmunde Allen.
Cardemaker.
Hughe Latimer, Doctour of Devinitie.
Rowlande Taylor, Doctor of Lawe.
William Bylle, Doctour of Devinitie.
Gowfreye Gilpin, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Xpoher Thredder, Vicar of Walden.
Doctor Coxe.
Mr.
Gilpin, Mr. of Arte.
Leonarde Coxe.
Thomas Roose.
John Gybbes, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Robert Home, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Thomas Levar, Mr. of Arte.
Thomas Brickhedd, Bacheler of Devinitie.
30 Edwin Sandes.
Willyam Rede, Vicar of Grantham.
Wyllyam Claybrourghe, Doctor of Devinitie.
Robt. Watson, Professour of Devinitie.
John Ruthe, Scottishman.
Harrye Parrye.
Alexander Logen, Mr. of Arte.
James Pylkyngton, Mr. of Arte.
John Whitewelle, Bacheler of Devinitie.
John Keyron, Mr. of Arte.
40 Thomas Gilham, Scott., Bacheler of Devinitie.
Stephans Clercke.
John Madew, Mr. of Arte.
Thomas Bayley, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Mathewe Parker, Doctour of Devinitie.
Andrewe Perne, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Henrye Wilshawe, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Robt. Leighborne, Bacheler of Arte.
Richarde Coxe, Doctour of Devinitie.
Thos. Cottesforde, Student in Devinitie.
Lawi'ence Taylor, the King's Chaplaine.
Henry Kinge, Doctour of Devinitie.
Henry Sydalle, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Xpofer Threader, Student in Devinitie.
Robt. Banckes, Mr. of Arte.
John Appelbye, Clerke.
' Wyllyam Hutton, Mr. of Arte.
Edmunde Perpoincte, Bacheler of Devinitie.
xxviii PREFACE.
Willm. Cbolwelle, Student in Devinitie.
Lawrence Saundei's, Proftessour of Devinitie.
Robt. Kinge, Doctour of Devinitie.
Richarde Hide, Mr. of Arte.
Wyllyam Turner, Student in Devinitie.
Henry Marshalle, Mr. of Arte.
John Knoxe, Scott.
John Mackbraier, Scott., Mi", of Arte.
Nycolas Danielle, Mr. of Arte.
John Bradforde, Gierke.
Thomas Bernarde, Mr. of Arte.
Edmunde Gest, Bacheler of Devinitie.
70 John Willocke, Mr. of Arte.
James Haddon, Mr. of Arte.
Willm. Huett, Mr. of Arte.
LaunceUott Thexton, Mr. of Arte.
Thomas Sampson, Gierke.
John Jewell, Gierke.
Adam Shepparde, Bacheler of Devinitie.
Alexander No well.
Rycharde Tavernour.
Henrye Hamilton.
80 Edmunde Gryndall, Bachelour of Devinitie.
Knox himself states, in a few words, that he " was first appointed preacher to Berwick, then to Newcastle
; last he was called to London, and to the southern parts of England, where he remained till the death of King Edward the Sixtli."^
One or two incidents which he passes over are deserving of notice, in particular the proposal by the Duke of Northumberland, in October 1552, to prefer him to the See of Eochester, then vacant by the promotion of Dr. Ponet to that of Winchester.
The letters on this subject are already given.^ But previously to Knox receiving this overture for his preferment in the English Church, he had been appointed one of the six Chaplains in ordinary to the King.
This statement having been called in question, a brief notice is requisite.
Vol. i. p. 231. the Scottish Reformation on England :
- See the Letters printed in vol. iii.
A Lecture by the Right Hon. James pp. 81*, etc.
On this period of Knox's Moncreiff, M.P., Lord Advocate of history I may refer to an interesting Scotland."
Exeter Hall Lectures to lecture delivered in Exeter Hail, enYoung Men.
London, 1860, I'iino. titled, " The Influence of Knox and
PREFACE. xxix In the MS. journal kept by the youthful Monarch, on the 18th of December 1551, we read as follows :
" It was appointed I should have six Chaplains ordinary, of which two ever to be present, and four always absent in preaching
; one year two in Wales, two in Lancashire and Darby ; next year two in the Marches of Scotland, two in Yorkshire ; the third year, two in Devonshire, two in Hampshire
; fourth year, two in Norfolk and Essex, and two in Kent and Sussex, etc.
These six to be Bill, Harle, Perne, GrindaU, Bradford, Knox,"^ This journal was first published by Bishop Burnet ; and Strype, in mentioning the names of the chaplains, says the sixth is dashed (that is, struck out or deleted), but probably it was that of Knox.
A late editor of Strype's Life of Cranmer^ states, that on examining the original journal he ascertained that the name written was not Knox, but Eastwick.
But this only proves that a person of that name may have been nominated before Knox was appointed.
In like manner, in the MS. journal, we have the name of John Bradford, who was replaced by Home, styled by the Duke of Northumberland " the peevish" Dean of Durham. Without referring to Knox's preaching before the Court,^ and his employment as one of the itinerant preachers, it may be sufficient to notice the preparation of the Articles of Eeligion.
These Articles, forty-five in number, were framed by Archbishop Cranmer, assisted, it is conjectured, by Eidley and Latimer, in May 1552, and submitted to the Privy Council of England.
^ Burnet's History of the Keforma- "Knox was not always just.
He aftertion, vol. ii. B. 11. edit. 1715, p. 39. wards accused the Marquis of Win- ^ Life of Cranmer, vol. ii. p.
412. chester of having heen the first conOxford, 1848. triverof the conspiracy to set aside Mary
J ^ Mr. Froude, in describing Knox's whereas, he was among the most consermon before the Court, in March sistent opponents of that conspiracy. He
1553, in which he alluded to the Duke charged Gardiner with having advised of Northumberland and the Marquess the Spanish marriage, although there of "Winchester under the names of Ahiwas nothing which Gardiner so much thophel and Shebnah (see " Admonidreaded."—History of England, vol. v. tion to the Professors in England," vol. p. 477. iii. p.
280-282), adds in a foot-note.
XXX PREFACE.
In the Council Records, on the 21st of October 1552, is the following entry :
" A letter to Mr. Harley, Mr. Bill, Mr. Home, Mv. GrindaU, Mr.
Peine, and Mr.
Knox, to consider certaine Articles exhibited to the Kinges Majestic, to be subscribed by all suche as shalbe admitted to be Preachers or Ministers in any parte of the Realm, and to make report of theyr opinion touching the same."^
These Articles were returned to Archbishop Cranmer on the 20th of November following, as we are told, with some alterations proposed by the King's chaplains and others, to be submitted to the King ; but six months elapsed before they were authorized by Royal mandate, and only a short time before the premature death of King Edward the Sixth.^
These " Articles concerning an Uniformitie in Relligion," as already stated, are forty-five in number, and form the basis of the Thirty-nine Articles of the Anglican Church.
An original copy (in Latin), consisting of twelve pages, written on stout paper, with the autograph signatures of the King's chaplains, and dated 21st of October 1552, is preserved in H.M.
State Paper Office.^ A facsimile of their signatures is here added.
' Privy Council Records, vol. iii. p. 624.
= Calendar, Domestic Series, 15472 Todd's Lifeof Craumer, ii. 285, &c.
1580, p. 5, no. 34.
PREFACE. xxxi V.
The English Pkotestant Churches abroad during the Persecution.
The deatli of Edward the Sixth, on the 6th of July 1553, produced a total revolution in the affairs of England, both political, religious, and domestic.
Mary was proclaimed Queen on the 19th of that mouth, at the Cross at Cheapside, amidst general exultation.
The people, as often happens after any great change for which their minds were not fully prepared, seemed the more eager in returning to old customs and observances, and in welcoming the renewal of the Church services with which they had been familiar from their youth.
The privilege of freedom of worship formerly granted to foreign refugees was lirst withdrawn, and the Flemish and German settlers, carrying on various useful mechanical arts, were enjoined to leave the country.
At length persecution broke out in all its fury, and several hundreds of the clergy and laity became voluntary exiles, preferring the sacrifice of property, and the rending asunder of domestic relations, to an abandonment of their religious convictions.
Others, unable to escape, were cast into prison, tried, and many of them condemned to the flames.
Of the sufferings and death " of those most faithfull servantes and deare children of God," who remained in England, and " were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held" (Eev. vi.
9), it may be sufficient to refer to the great storehouse of information, Foxe's " Actes and Monuments," and also to the Names of the Martyrs, from 1554 to 1558, subjoined to Knox's " Admonition to England," and reprinted in Vol. v. pp. 523-536.
The number of persons actually burnt at the stake during these three years is reckoned at nearly three hundred.^
Knox himself was persuaded by his friends, " partly by admonition, partly by tears," to withdraw from his labours in ^ Froude's History of England, vol. vi. p. 533.
xxxii PREFACE.
England.
He was conveyed in a vessel to Dieppe, in tlie beoinning of March 1554.^ He remained there for about a month, and again went forth, as a homeless wanderer, departing, he says, from Dieppe, with " a sore troubled heart, whether, God knoweth." ^
He passed through France and Switzerland, visiting the Eeformed Churches, till he took up his residence at Geneva, and enjoyed the friendship of Calvin and other Swiss divines.
On the 24th of September 1554, he accepted the call from Frankfurt to become one of the ministers to the English congregation in that city.
The letters and extracts from the " Brief Discourse of the Troubles at Frankfurt," which are given in Vol. iv., supersede the necessity of any further details.^
In these disputes, relating to church vestments, ceremonies, and the exclusive use of the English Liturgy, Knox undoubtedly displayed great moderation.
Yet some of the English brethren took advantage of certain expressions in his Admonition to England to alarm the magistrates of the city by denouncing him as an enemy to the Emperor.
These dissensions served to break up " this oppressed church." Knox resigned his ministerial charge, and, taking an affectionate leave of the congregation on the 2 6th of March 1 5 5 5, he returned to Geneva.
Bale, John Foxe, and other members repaired to Basel, while Whittingham and others accompanied Knox, entertaining similar sentiments in regard to the disputed forms of worship.
It seems evident that he was there invited to resume his labours, yet, in the ensuing month of July, he obtained leave of absence, for the purpose of visiting his native country ; as it is recorded, that on the 1st of November that year, when "the English church and congregation at Geneva was erected," Christopher Goodman and Anthony
Gilby were " appointed to preche the Word of God, and mynyster the Sacraments in the ahsence of John Knox"
After '
Vol. iii. pp. 156, 380.
Mr. Froude), displaying great research, " Vol. iii. p. 215. and full of valuable information on this * See also an article entitled " The subject, in the Edinburgh lieview for Marian Exiles "
(T presume written by April 1847, vol. Ixxxv. pp. 393-4.
PREFACE. xxxiii his return to Geneva, on " the 16th of December 155G, when the first yere was ended, then the whole congregation did elect and chuse John Knox and Christopher Goodman to be ministers."^ But Knox, in his desire to revisit Scotland at that time, was evidently influenced by feelings of a personal nature.
Wliile employed as a preacher at Berwick, he became acquainted with the family of Eichard Bowes, Captain of Norham Castle, who had married in 1522 Elizabeth, daughter and co -heiress of Eoger
Aske of Aske.
He was a younger son of Sir Ealph Bowes of Streatlam Castle, and two of his brothers were Sir Ealph Bowes, who was knighted after the battle of Floddon, in 1513, and Sir
Eobert Bowes, Warden of the Marches.
Eichard Bowes had a family of fifteen children, of whom ten were daughters.
Two of the sons who survived rose to distinction, Sir George Bowes, and Eobert Bowes, ambassador in Scotland during the reign of King James the Sixth.
With the fifth daughter, Marjory Bowes, Knox formed an attachment, which was countenanced only by the mother, and, notwithstanding the opposition of her father and other relatives, they came under a mutual engagement in the' year 1553.
In the series of religious letters written by Knox, chiefly in 1553 and 1554, he addresses Mrs. Bowes as " Beloved Sister," and " Dearly Beloved Mother," and styles himself " Your Son."
In one of these letters, dated 1st September 1553, he calls Marjory " his wyfe ;" and in another, in March 1553-4, "his dearest spouse;" but he refers to the despiteful words, wounding him to the heart, used by one of her uncles on this subject on the 16th of November preceding ;^ and writing to Mrs. Bowes, before escaping from England, on the last of February 1553-4, he says, it was uncertain "if ever we shall meet in this corporall life ; bot unless God's hand shall withhold me," he would not fail to visit her again.
If family pride was hurt by such a proposed alliance, this may have 1 Livre des Aiiglois.
Yq]. jj; pp. 370^ 37g_ 373. c
xxxiv PREFACE. been aggravated, if, as it is most likely, they still remained attached to the Eomish Church.
On arriving in Scotland, in September 1555, Knox visited Berwick, but the marriage may not have taken place till the following year, when, preparatory to their setting out for Geneva,
Mrs. Bowes had resolved to cast in her lot with them, leaving all her relations.
While Knox was engaged in preaching in various parts of Scotland, he had received letters from his friends at Geneva, " commanding him in God's name, as he was their chosen pastor, to repair unto them."
With this desire it was deemed expedient he should comply ; and the Eeformer says, he then took leave of the several congregations where he had preached, and sent his wife and her mother before him, " with no small dolour to their hearts," to wait his arrival at Dieppe.
He, however, met them at Dieppe in the month of July, when they proceeded to Geneva.
In the Livre dcs Anglois, on the 13th of September 1556, the names of " John Knox, Marjory, his wife, Elizabeth, her mother, James {blank), his servant, and Patrick, his puple," are entered as then received and admitted members of the English church and congregation.
It is also recorded, that on the 1 6th of December, in the three successive years, 1556, 1557, and 1558, at the annual election of their office-bearers, Knox and Goodman were re-elected ministers.
The Lesser Council of Geneva had been solicited by Calvin, on the 10th of June, and again on the 24th of October 1555, to grant to the English, who had come to Geneva for the Gospel, the use of a church to administer the Word and Sacraments of two churches specified, that called the Temple de Nostre Dame la Nove (or Neuve) was conceded for the joint use of the English and Italian congregations.
This church is a building of the fourteenth century, with a groined roof, near tlie cathedral church of St. Pierre.
It has long been used as a hall for reading lectures on ])hilosophy, and is known as I'Aiiditoire de
PREFACE.
XXXV Philosophic.
I have already noticed that the Council, on the 21st of June 1558, out of respect for their ministry of the Word of God, admitted Knox and Goodman as citizens or burgesses of Geneva gratis.
Knox, it is well known, took his final leave of that city in January 1559, leaving his wife and children there until it should be seen what might be the issue of the troubles in Scotland.
After the accession of Queen Elizabeth, it is pleasing to find that the English residents, on the 20th of May 1560, came in a body to the Council, and William
Wliittingham, in their name, expressed to the Seigneurie the gratitude they felt for the good reception accorded to them during their residence as exiles in their city
; and presented, as a lasting memorial of their names, the above Livrc dcs Anglois, which was graciously accepted.
This interesting volume is still carefully preserved among the Archives of Geneva.^ It includes, along with the names of persons admitted as members of the English congregation, a record of the election of ministers, elders, and deacons, of the children who were baptized, and also of marriages and burials, from October 1555 to 1560.
VI.
The Establishment of the Protestant Eeligion in Scotland.
On leaving Scotland, in July 1556, Knox gave an assurance of his readiness, at all hazards, on receiving due notice, to join the small but zealous and courageous band who had devoted themselves to the cause of the Eeformation.
For this purpose, in the following year, he came to Dieppe, but there he received other letters dissuading him at that time from making the attempt,^ and he returned, with a heavy heart,
^ Some copies of this Register were des Anglois, which I had afterwards printed in 1831.—(See vol. iii. p. 334, an opportunity of collating with the note 2.) Through the kindness of Waloriginal volume. ter L. Lawrence, Esq. of Sevenhamp- ^ See the letters referred to, vol. i. ton Manor, Gloucestershire, I obtained pp.
267, etc.
; also the introductory an authenticated transcript of this Livre notice, vol. iv. p. 257.
xxxvi PREFACE. to Geneva.
]'ut the Popish clergy availed themselves of this opportunity to summon him, and, in his absence, he was degraded from the priesthood, condemned to the flames as a heretic, and burnt in effigy} On hearing of tliis procedure, Knox wrote his " Appellation," addressed to the Nobility and Estates of Scotland, against " this cruel and unjust sentence," and printed the same at Geneva in 1558, accompanied with a similar letter to the Commonalty.
At length, at the end of January 1559, Knox took his departure from Geneva, and proceeded as usual to Dieppe, in order to receive fresh intelligence, and to obtain permission from the English Government to pass through the sister kingdom to Scotland.
But this permission was not granted, and his messenger narrowly escaped imprisonment.
The unfortunate appearance of his " First Blast," ^ a few weeks before the death of Mary of England, made him, as he himself says,
" odious in the eyes of Queen Elizabeth."
It was " blown out of due season," and it was in vain to allege that this treatise had no personal reference to her Majesty ; but she never forgave either Knox or his colleague, Christopher Goodman, for his similar treatise, " On Obedience to Superior Powers."
The sale of both works was speedily prohibited ; but this was no advantage to the authors.
On the last of October 1 559, Sir William Cecill, writing from the Court, says, " Of all others, Knoxees name, if it he not Goodman's, is most odiose here."^ As most of the English exiles, in various parts of the Continent, hastened back to their own country, tlie efforts of the Geneva refugees contributed in securing for that kingdom the establishment of pure religious worship, and it might have been well if in some minor points their views regarding ritual forms and church government had been adopted.
But it is very evi- ^ History, vol. i. p.
348.
See also 2 Repiinted in vol. iv. p. 3G3, from liis letter to the Queen Regent, as revised the original edition, in 1558, vol. iv. pp. 431, etc.
^ Sadler's State Papers, vol. i. p. 532.
PREFACE. xxxvii dent that Queen Elizabeth was much inclined to prefer some of the Popish usages ; and what she might have established, had she been left without wise and moderate counsels, when public affairs were in such a state of perplexity, may be inferred from her conduct regarding the conscientious scruples of Archbishop
Parker and other prelates for enforcing obedience on the clergy ill the year 1563.
After waiting with impatience at Dieppe, Knox finding no answer to his letters, embarked in a vessel direct for Scotland, and arrived at Edinburgh on the 2d of May 1559.
He came at a most critical time, and his presence had a powerful effect in inspiring with fresh courage the hearts of those noble adherents of the truth, who had assumed the name of The CoNGKEGATiON.
Their numbers and power had greatly increased since the date of the First or Godly Band, in December 1557,^ in which some of the leaders had openly avowed a determination " to strive in their Master's cause, even unto the death," in order " to maintain, set forward, and establish the most blessed Word of God, and His Congregation."
Occasional glimpses relating to affairs in Scotland are met with in the letters of the English prelates w^ho had returned to their own country. A few passages in which Knox is mentioned may be quoted from the letters of Bishop Jewel to Peter Martyr
..." In Scotland we hear that there have been some disturbances, I know not of what kind, respecting matters of rehgion ; that the nobles have driven out the monks and taken possession of the monasteries
; that some French soldiers of the garrison have been slain in a riot, and that the Queen was so incensed as to proclaim the banishment of the preacher Knox by sound of horn, according to the usual custom in Scotland, when they mean to send any one into exile. What has become of him I know not."
. London, May 1559.
* This Band is inserted in tlie History, volume, p. 674, from an orifpnal copy, vol. i. p. 273, and again in the present witli a facsimile of the signatures.
xxxviii PREFACE.
..." Everything is in a ferment in Scotland.
Knox, surroimded by a thousand followers, is holding assemblies throughout the whole kingdom.
The old Queen (dowager) has been compelled to shut herself up in garrison.
The nobility, with united hearts and hands, are restoring religion throughout the country, in spite of all opposition.
All the monasteries are everywhere levelled with the ground ; the theatrical dresses, the sacrilegious chalices, the idols, the altars, are consigned to the flames ; not a vestige of the ancient superstition and idolatry is left."
London, August 1, 1559.
. "The Scots have in their camp the preachers Knox and Goodman, and they call themselves the ' Congregation of Christ.'
Their next step was to send to the Queen to retire from Leith, if she would not be driven from thence by force and violence.
And from this time they began to treat an alliance with England."^ London, Dec.
1, 1559.
The Letters of the years 1559 and 1560, collected in this volume, and many of them now printed for the first time, corroborate, and serve to illustrate the detailed narrative of this important epoch given by Knox in his History of the Eeformation.
The two parties having resorted to arms, France, by the treaty of peace with England, at Cambray, 12th March 1559, was enabled to place an adequate force at the disposal of the Queen Eegent, sufficient to overcome aU opposition.
The Protestants soon felt they would of themselves be unable to maintain the contest, and that it was all-important to obtain assistance from England.
In the negotiations for this purpose, Knox was a chief instigator and agent, but the treaty of peace referred to prevented such aid from being openly afforded.
The urgent necessity of obtaining both arms and money, led Knox, in a letter to Sir James Croft, after expressing his conviction that the French had no kindly feelings towards England, only ' Zurich Letters, edited ibr the Parker Suciety by the Kev.
Ih. H. Eobiiisoii, l)p. 24, 39, 60.
PEEFACE. xxxix waiting their opportunity and advantage, to say, " If you list to craft with thame, the sending of a thousand or mo [more] men to us, can breake no league nor point of peace contracted betwix you and Fraunce.
For it is free for your subjects to serve in warr any prence or nation for thare wages.
And yf ye feare that such excussis shall not prevaile, you may declayr thame rebells to your realme, lohen ye shall he assured that thei he in our companyc."
Croft, in his answer, when referring to " your devises how to colour our doings in that part,"
^ gave Knox a rebuke which he was not likely soon to forget f and Cecill, to whom both Knox's letter and a copy of the reply were transmitted, in writing to Sadler and Croft, on the 3d of November, says, " Suerly I like not Knoxees audacitie, which also was well tamed in your answer.
His writings doo no good here ; and therefore I doo rather suppress them, and yet I meane not but that ye shuld contynue in sending of them."^ This was fortunate, otherwise many of his letters would probably not have been preserved.
Knox, in his answer, acknowledges he had made an unreasonable proposal, but states that he had written the foresaid letter at the urgent request of others.* Yet, after all, although it is no vindication of Knox, the course which he suggested was precisely the line of conduct which the repeated instructions of Queen Elizabeth^ had directed
Sadler and Croft to pursue ; and transmitting money to be given to " the rebels," or Scottish Protestants, in the most secket MANNER, was virtually to deny such aid having been given, had it been called in question ; while Cecill himself repeatedly mentions the difiiculty he had in procuring French crowns * Infra, p. 90.
Mr. Froude, in quotof being intercepted, should u.se the ing part of this letter, falls into the misname ofJohn Sinclair, (History ofQueen take of calling the writer The Master of Elizabeth, vol. i. p. 152.
Sadler's Stale Sinclair, overlooking the postscript of Papers, vol. i. p. 523.
Ivfra, p. 77.) Sir James Croft's previous letter of the ^ Infra, p. 02.
29th of August, mentioning that it was ^ Sadler's State Papers, vol. i. p. 535. agreed that Knox in his letters, in case ^ Infra, p. 94.
* 76. pp. 64, 75.
xl PREFACE. and other foreign money, instead of English gold, that it might not he suspected from what quarter it came.
But this was an age of dissimulation.
Sir William Cecill was successful in persuading Queen Elizabeth to contribute money, and afterwards men, to assist the Protestant cause in Scotland.
He was well aware that this was the surest as well as the most economical niode of guarding England from the schemes of France and Spain for the restoration of Popery, and upholding the claims of Mary Queen of France and Scotland, as heir to the Crown of England.
Without noticing the stirring events occasioned by the arrival of French auxiliaries to the Queen Dowager, Eegent of Scotland, and her nominal deposition by the Congregation, at length, with the co-operation of English vessels and troops, the Lords of the Congregation were finally triumphant, the death of the Eegent at Edinburgh, in June, having removed some difficulties in concluding a treaty of peace, which was proclaimed at the Cross of Edinburgh on the 8th of July 1560.
The French army, consisting of 4000 men, were then transported in English vessels to France ; some of their fortifications were dismantled
; the English forces began their march homewards, leaving this unhappy country to recover its losses, while the Protestants observed a solemn public thanksgiving, in St. Giles' Church, Edinburgh, "for deliverance from the cruell oppression of strangers, and setting this realme at a reasonable liberty."
The Articles of Peace, the Proclamation, and Knox's Prayer on that solemn occasion, are contained in Book Third of his History of the Pieformation.^
The meeting of the Estates of Parliament which took place, was adjourned to the 1st of August.
The ministers were then called upon to prepare, in separate and distinct heads, the sum of the Doctrine which they would maintain, and desired the Parliament to establish.
This was done, within the brief space of four days, in the Confession of Faith, whicli was voted, and '
Vol. ii. pp. 72-86.
PREFACE. xli publicly ratified on the 17tli of August 1560/ forming the Anniversary day of the Eeformation from Popery."
Three Acts were likewise passed on the 24th of that month, against the Pope's' jurisdiction in Scotland, and for the abolition of Idolatry, and of the Mass, by which all former Acts in favour of the Church of Eonie were annulled.
It may be noticed that Eandolph wrote to Cecill on the following day,^ stating that he had conversed with several of the chief ministers (naming Knox, Willock, and Goodman), to ascertain their sentiments, whether a uniformity of religion might not be had in both kingdoms but while the ministers, he says, were not wholly disinclined to some proposal of the kind, he was constrained to add, " I see little hope thereof."^ Notwithstanding the peaceful issue of these troublous times, there were trials and disappointments which Knox and his friends had to endure, both of a public and private nature.
The messengers sent to the young Queen in France failed in obtaining her authority to sanction the proceedings in August,
The ministers also were anxious that since the Doctrine of the Church was received and approved, the proposed scheme of its Discipline and Policy should likewise be ratified.
In these volumes, I imagine there is nothing of more importance than the copy of The Book of Discipline, with its marginal notes, when under consideration by the Lords of Privy Council.^
But here the natural desire to obtain a reasonable share of the Church property, so essential for carrying into effect this scheme of policy, came into collision with the selfish interests and rapacity of the nobility and gentry, who had secured, or expected to secure, the chief share of the revenues of the Papal
^ lb. pp. 93-120.
I had purposed to Ter-Ceiitenary of the Scottish Reforinahave inserted the names of the persons tion, Edinburgh, 1860, 12mo. who were present in Parliament when ^ Infra, ^. 119. the Confession was ratified, but I must * Bishop Lesley also refers to this simply refer to the Acts of Parliament, scheme.— See vol. ii. p. 82, note 3. vol. ii. pp. 525, 526.
' Vol. ii. pp. 183-258.
^ See the interesting volume on the
xlii PKEFACE.
Church, by grants of laud, leases, aud alieuatious. lu this way the funds were swallowed up, which ought to have provided a competent allowance for the support of the ministry, and of the poor,—furnished means for the reparation of churches, for the erection of parish schools, and for the improvement of education in the Universities.
But all these wise and liberal designs were treated as " devout imaginations."
The ministers received either no stipends, or such miserable allowance as left them near akin to great destitution,—no provision was made for the poor—the course of education continued unreformed or neglected, and churches were allowed to fall into ruin—while many of the Popish clergy were idly enjoying two -thirds of their benefices ; and at length the arrival of Queen Mary, and the singular influence she exerted, threatened to accomplish one great object of her life, the restoration of Popery in Scotland, by securing the dominant power of France.
VII.
Knox as Ministee of Edinbukgh.
At the period of the Eeformation the great Church of St.
Giles became the parish church of Edinburgh, and Knox at first was nominated to be sole minister, with John Cairnes as Eeader.
The Canongate, or Holyrood-house, remained a distinct charge, as well as the landward parish of St. Cuthbert's.
The Provost and Prebendaries of the Collegiate establishment of St. Giles being allowed to retain possession of their dwellinghouses and gardens near the church, the Provost and TownCouncil had to provide " a lodging," or accommodation, for their minister ; and the house assigned to Knox, or in which he continued to reside, was situated at the Netherbow Port, or eastern entrance -gate to the town, and was known as the house of George Durie, Abbot of Dunfermline.^ The annual rent, or '
Scu vol. i p.
183, note 2.
PREFACE. xliii " house-mail," for this, was paid and entered in the Town's accounts.^ The house is still preserved as a memorial of the Eeformer,^ but it has more than once been remodelled, and a few years ago was restored by public subscription.
The Act of Council, on 30th of October 1561, may be quoted as an instance of their desire to render the house comfortable :
" The samine day, the Provost, Baillies, and Counsaill, ordanis the Dene of Gyld with all diligence to mak ane warme study of dailies to the minister, John Knox, within his hous, abone the hall of the samin, with lyght and wyndokis thereunto, and all utlier necessaris," &c.
Towards the end of December 1560, Knox experienced a severe domestic bereavement by the death of his wife, Marjory
Bowes, when probably not more than twenty-seven or eight years of age.
Their children were two sons born in Geneva, of whom a brief account will afterwards be given.
On the 20th of that month, the first meeting of " The Universall Kirk of Scotland" (since known as " The General Assembly") was held at Edinburgh.
The members consisted of " Ministers and Commissioners of Particular Kirks," who assembled " to consult upon those things whilk ar to sett fordward God's glorie and the weill of His Kirk."
There were forty-two persons present, of whom only six are described as ministers.
One important business was preparing a list of persons who " were thought best qualified for preaching of the Word and ministring of the Sacraments, and reading of the Common Prayers publickly in all kirks and congregations."
In the month of July preceding, the Nobility, and the chief part of the Congregation, had met in the great Church of St. Giles to settle the placing of ministers in the principal towns.
At the same time five Superintendents were nominated for election.
^ Dr. M'Crie has given in the Ap- " show the attention which they paid pendix to his liif'e of Knox, note K, to the support and accommodation of other extracts from the Records ol their minister." the Town-Council of Edinburgh, to See wood-cut, infra.
xUv PREFACE.
We may easily imagine how difficult a matter it was at this time to provide suitable j)ersous for so many vacant parish churches.
Prior to the Reformation, most of the parish livings, with the patronage, had been engrossed by the religious houses, and became dependencies as mensal churches on the Abbeys and as the priests were legally Eectors, in order to monopolize the vicarage dues they appointed vicar-pensioners to perform the duties with the lowest amount of stipend.
In this way, no small number of parishes had been left either wholly unprovided, or the rural clergy were for the most part very inefficient.
In the early part of that century, one of our poets, himself a priest, when soliciting from James the Fourth some preferment, alludes to the unequal distribution of benefices, when six or seven were engrossed by one person, while he himself could not obtain one,
" Great Abbais graytli (wealth) I nill to gather, Bot ane kirk I scant coverit with heather
; For I of lytill wald be fliin, Quhilk to considder is a pain." ^ In choosing Superintendents, it was part of their duty to visit and preach in destitute localities, but not to remain more than a limited time in any one place.
While they possessed no episcopal or diocesan authority over their brethren, they had a general commission to try and judge of the peculiar fitness of persons whom they should admit either as ministers or readers in vacant churches ; but they themselves were subject to be tried, censured, or superseded by the General Assembly if remiss in their duties.
The powers they exercised were afterwards transferred to ministers and elders sitting in their respective presbyteries
; for it is well known that, during Knox's life, the platform of Presbyterian Church government had not been fully matured until The Second Book of Discipline was prepared and adopted in the year 1581.^
' Dunbar's Poems, note ii. p. 207.
^ See further, the Prclirainarj Notice, infra, p. 383, &c.
PREFACE. xlv The arrival of the widowed Queen of France in Scotland produced before long a blighting influence on the prospects of the Eeformers ; but it is somewhat characteristic of the times, and in part confirms Brantome's satirical account of her reception, to find in the Edinburgh Treasurer's Accounts, that in 1561-2 when £78 was paid " for three tuns of wyne, at £26 the tun, as a propyne (or gift) to the Quenis grace, upon Uphaily (Epiphany) even ;" 24s. was also paid for " ane dozen of torches that zeid affoir (went before) the Provost, Baillies, and Town quhen they zeid to the Abbey to singe the Psalmes to the Quenis Grace."
In the Treasurer and Dean of Guild's Accounts, a specimen of the charges, at the time of the Communion in Edinburgh, may be given :— 1560-61.—Sounday 23d to Saturday 1st March.
Item to the Communioun, viii gallons of vyne and ane halfe, for xii'^- the pynt, summa, iii^'** viii'^Item for caryinge of the wyne to the Kirk,
. iiil*^Sounday ii of Merche, the Communione ministrat be Johne Knox in the Hie Kirk of Edinburgh.
Item, to Johne Cuninghame and his two seruandis for making ii dayis labour, ...... xvi'of vi long formes and schort, for servinge the tabellis, Item, for xxviii elnis of braid blechit Bartan clayth of bartanze to cover the tabillis, vi^- the elne, summa, viii'"''viii^- 1561.—Sounday viii of Junii, the secund Communioun vi*^- the pecc, ....... xxx''ministret in Edinburgh be Johne Knox.
For iti''''- breid, Item, for viii gallons vyne for xviii'^- the pynt, summa, iiii'"'xvi'After Knox had remained a widower for upwards of three years, he contracted a second marriage with a young lady of noble birth, Margaret Stewart, daughter of Andrew Lord Stewart of Ochiltree, a zealous Eeformer.
It appears to have been more fortunate than, under the circumstance of great disparity of age, might have been anticipated.
xlvi PREFACE.
In regard to the subsequent events of Knox's life, there is no occasion to enlarge.
He had still a principal share in all ecclesiastical matters, nor was his influence in public affairs lessened, while his ministerial labours were unceasing.
Without entering upon matters of public history, his intercourse and conferences with his sovereign cannot be overlooked.
MaryQueen of Scots was sent to France in the sixth year of her age.
Her education, and the corrupt state of the Court in which she remained, had a most pernicious effect on her after conduct.
Her marriage with the Dauphin of France was an unhappy alliance.
When Francis and Mary ascended the throne, the whole power was centred in the House of Guise
; and Scotland, under their influence, was likely to become a province of France, in like manner as England had been of Spain during the reign, of Philip and Mary : fortunately in both kingdoms the cause of civil and religious liberty prevailed.
But the death of her youthful husband was one of those sudden and unexpected revolutions which at this period were so frequent, and produced a change in the whole course of public events.
By the advice of her uncles, she refused to sanction the proceedings of the Scottish Parliament in August ; but, when invited to return to her own kingdom in the following year, she engaged to make no alteration in the form of religion as then established.
But her personal influence was soon felt to be most prejudicial, and the question of toleration of the service of mass in her private chapel at Holyrood brought Knox, and the more conscientious
Protestants, in immediate collision with the Queen and her courtiers.
He was one of the few persons who escaped her fascinations.
From the first, he was strongly impressed with the same duplicity of character which her mother, Mary of Guise, had exhibited.
But, however plain-spoken Knox might be in their conferences, there never was any of that rude insolence on his part which it is so customary to allege.
The marriage of the young and accomplished widowed Queen became a
PREFACE. xlvi source of protracted negotiation and jealous interference on the part of her sister of England : it was indeed a matter of great national importance, connected not only with the succession to the English throne in the event of Queen Elizabeth's death, but in some measure with the immediate peace of Europe.
But here her own wilfulness gave an unlucky preference, and was productive of events which darkened the remaining period of her career.
It is not here required to trace the rapid march of public events at this time ; nor to enter upon the fruitful field of controversy to which some of these events gave rise.
Such, for instance, were the schemes for the Queen's marriage, and her self-willed preference for Darnley ; the murder of David Eiccio in her presence, and the implacable spirit of revenge which this engendered, and which unquestionably contributed to the tragical termination of Darnley's career
; the Queen's infatuation for the Earl of Bothwell, the murderer of her husband, and the marriage that took place in such indecent haste within three weeks of that atrocious deed, with a man who combined the most open profligacy and sensuality with a restless, aspiring ambition ; the battle of Carberry Hill, and Bothwell's flight to Denmark ; the Queen's imprisonment in Lochlevin Castle, and her forced abdication in favour of her infant son, James the Sixth;—all these form a series of stirring events crowded within the brief space of two years.
During part of this time Knox was absent from Edinburgh, having been silenced from preaching, on account of some expressions in a sermon which gave offence to Darnley ; but he was fully occupied in visiting churches, and in writing the continuation of his great work, the History of the Eeformation.
With the permission of the General Assembly, he took this opportunity to visit the north of England where his two sons were with their mother's relatives for education.
He returned in time to preach the sermon at the coronation of the youthful King at Stirling in July
; and also at the opening of the Parliament at Edinburgh in December 1567,
xlviii PREFACE. which inaugurated the Regency of the Earl of Murray ; then it was that the Confession of Faith and the Acts in favour of the Eeformed religion obtained the formal ratification of Parliament.
But this change in the government was unfortunately of shoit continuance, and the assassination of the Earl of Murray was deeply felt and lamented by Knox, and " all good men." Happy would it have been for Scotland, had his Eegency continued at least during the King's minority.
When the Queen of Scots made her escape from Lochlevin Castle, and her adherents were dispersed at Langside, in an evil hour for herself, she fled from her own subjects, and threw herself into the power of her jealous rival the English Queen.
From that time she deprived herself of importance in the eyes of the English Eoman Catholics, and of foreign potentates, for accomplishing their designs against the freedom and religion of England.
Yet some of her adherents, along with Kirkaldy of Grange, and Maitland of Lethington, having possession of the Castle of Edinburgh, gave rise to fresh troubles and civil warfare, until, after the siege of the Castle by the English, they came to a miserable end, in May 1573.
Knox left Edinburgh for his own security, in May 1571, and resided at St. Andrews.
The description of him in his latter days, given by James Melville in his Diary, at the time he was a student at St. Andrews, in 1571, is much too interesting to be omitted :
" But of all the benefits I had that year was the coming of that most notable prophet and apostle of our nation Mr. John Knox, to St. Andrews ; who, be the faction of the Queen occupying the Castle and town of Edinburgh, was compelled to remove therefrom with a number of the best, and choose to come to St. Andrews.
I heard him teach there the prophecy of Daniel that summer, and the winter following.
I had my pen and my little book, and took away such things as I could comprehend.
In the opening up of his text he was moderate
PREFACE.
N-lix tlie space of an half hour ; but when he entered to application, he made me so to grew (shudder) and tremble, that I could not hold a pen to write.
I heard him oftymes utter these threatnings in the height of their pride, whicli the eyes of many saw clearly brought to pass, within few years, upon the Captain of that Castle, the Hamiltons, and the Queen herself
He lodged down in the Abbey, beside our College ; and our Primarius, Mr. James Wilkie, our Eegents, Mr. Nicol Dalgleise, Mr. Willyeam Colace, and Mr. Johne Davidson, went in ordinarlie to his grace after dinner and supper.
Our Eegent tarried all the vacans (vacation) to hear him, howbeit he had urgent affairs of his brother-sons to handle, to whom he was tutor.
Mr. Knox would some times come in and repose him in our College yard, and call us scholars unto him and bless us, and exhort us to know God and His work in our country, and stand by the good cause, to use our time well, and learn the good instructions and follow the good example of our maisters.
Our whole College masters and scholars, were sound and zealous for the good cause.
The other two Colleges not so, &c.
" The Town of Edinburgh recovered again, and the good and honest men thereof returned to their houses.
JMr. Knox with his family past liome to Edinburgh.
Being in St. Andrews he was very weak.
I saw him every day of his doctrine go hulie and fear, with a furring of martriks about his neck, a staff in the one hand, and good godly Eichart Ballanden,^ his servant, holding up the other oxter, from the Abbey to the parish church
; and be the said Eichart and another servant lifted up to the pulpit, where he behoved to lean at his first entry ; but or he had done with his sermon, he was so active and vigorous that he was like to ding that pulpit in blads, and lly out of it." ^
In compliance with the request of a deputation sent by his congregation, that his voice might once again be heard amongst them, Knox returned to Edinburgh in August 1572, by short ^ Or Bannatyne— See p. lix.
Club, 1829), pp.21, 26; Autobiography - James Melville's Diary (Bannatyne tWodrow Society, 1842), pp.2, 26, 3.S.
VOL.
VI. d
PREFACE. stages ; .and, on account of the weakness of his voice, that part of the great Church of St. Giles, known as the Tolbooth, was fitted up as a small church for his use.^ But his chief object was the appointment of his successor.
The choice made, of Mr.
James Lawson, Suli-Principal of King's College, Aberdeen, was most harmonious, and Knox feeling his increasing weakness, addressed to him the short letter given at p. G32, with the emphatic postscript, " Haist, leist ye come too kite !"
Indeed his last public appearance was on the 9 th of November, at Lawson's induction, and after praising God " that had given them one in the place of himself that was now unable to teach ,"^ he returned to his house for the last time—his feeble iff -- --«?»ni|
KNOX S HOUSH, ED1NIUIR«H.
sickly frame no longer able for further service : But his appointed task was done, his warfare accomplished
; and, attended by his affectionate wife and sorrowing friends, he died in full assurance of faith, on Monday, the 24th of November 1572, in the sixtyseventh year of his age.
* Infra, p. 6H1, note 2.
lb. p.
G3-1.
PREFACE.
The two contemporary narratives of Knox's last illness and death, inserted in this volnnie, present an afTecting' and beautiful picture, of the consistency of his character, his piety, resignation, and the vigour of his intellect even to the last.
One or two incidents may be specially pointed out :
His rising from his deathbed on Friday morning the 14th, thinking it was the Lord's Day, saying he intended to go to church and preach on the Eesurrection of Christ, which had been the subject of his meditation during the night.
On the following Sunday, he refused to partake of any food, supposing it to have Ijeen the day that was enjoined by the Assembly as a puljlic Fast.
Then, again, the anxiety he expressed for the spiritual welfare of his old friend and fellowsufferer in 1548, but then styled " one of the traitors in the Castle," the Laird of Grange
" The man's soul is dear to me, and I wouhl not have it perish, if T could save it."
Would that his kindly feelings had been received in the same spirit.
In like manner, when giving his approbation of the sermon preached by David Fergusson of Dunfermline, before the Eegent and Nobility at Leith, in January 1572, he writes :
" John Knox, with my dead hand but glaid heart, praising God that of His mercy He levis such light to His Kirk in this deso- ^ latioun."
Knox's funeral took nl place on Wednesday, the 26th of November, being conveyed from his house hj the Earl of Morton, who on the same day had been appointed Eegent, and a large concourse of people.
He was interred in the burying-ground connected with the Church of St.
Giles.
We have no correct views or plans of the Church at an early date, but the annexed
^ Reprinted in the Bannatyne Club volume of Fergusson's Tracts.
Edinburgli, 18G1, 8vo.
PJJKKACK.
cut, thuugli slight, copied IVoiii a bird's-eye view oi' the city ill 1573, may furnish some idea of the open space that was used as the burying-grouiid.
" Upon Wednesday the 2Gt]i of November (says Calderwood), Maister Kxox was buried in the churchyard of St. Gik^s, being convoyed l)e the Erie of Mortoun, and uther Lords who were in the towne for the tyme.
When lie was layed in the grave the Erie of Mortoun uttered tliir words : — ' Here lyeth a man, WHO
IN HIS LIFE NEVER FEARED THE FACE OF MAN
; WHO HATH
BEENE OFTEN THREATNED WITH DAGGE AND DAGGER, BUT YET HATH
ENDED HIS DAYES IN PEACE AND HONOUR
;' For he had God's providence watching over him in a speciale maner when his verie life was sought."
^ This public cemetery, which extended from the south of the Church, on the slope of the hill till it reached the Cowgate, was wholly obliterated in 1G33, when the Parliament House and other buildings were erected on the site, as partially represented in this cut, from Gordon's Map of 1647.
If any stone ever marked the precise spot where Knox was buried, it was then destroyed.
Tradition points out the place, in the Parliament Close, a few feet to the west of the pedestal of Charles the Second's Statue.
I have elsewhere remarked,^ a more appropriate ornament for such a locality would be a monumental statue of the great Scottish Eeformer.
• MS., Calderwood, 1G3G, last page: an instance of wliicli is added : seeM'Crie's Knox, vol. ii. p. 188.
- Charters of St. Giles, etc. p.
50.
PREFACE. liii VII [.
Knox's Last Will and Testament, Knox's last Will, written on the IStli of IMay 1572, is, of its kind, a remarkable document.
It was Confirmed l)y the Commissaries of Edinburgh, 13th January 1572-3.
As it is already printed in the Appendix to Dr. M'Crie's " Life of Knox," and in Pitcairn's edition of Richard Bannatyne's Memorials, it was thought unnecessary to give in detail that portion of it which contains the inventory of " debts owing to the deid."
His allusions to the state of public affairs, his disclaiming anything like a prophetical spirit (as he " never exceeded the bounds of God's
Scriptures"), and his earnest exhortations to constancy in the truth, are very characteristic and worthy of notice.
The Testament Testamentake and Inventare of the gudis, geir, sowmes of money, and dettes perteining to umquhile
Johnne Knox, Minister of the Evangell of Christ Jesus, the tyme of his deceis ; quha deceissit upoune the xxiiij day of November, the yeir of God J"" v'^ Ixxij yeiris, ffaithfullie maid and gevin up be him self upoune the xiij day of Maij, the yeir of God foirsaid ; and presentlie, be Margaret Stewart, his relict
; quhome, with Martha, Mar GARET, and Elizabeth Knoxis, his dochteris, he upoune the xiij day of jNIaij, in his Lattir AVill underwrittin, nominate his Executoris Testamentaris : As the samin, of tlie dait foirsaid, beiris.
In the first, the said umquhile Johnne grantit him to hail had, the tyme foirsaid, tua sylver drinking cowpis, markit witli
J. K.
]\r. one the ane syde, and on the uthir syde with E. B. N., contening xxv imces, or thairby; tua saltfattis of sylver, of xxxj unce vecht and ane half ; auchtene sylver spunes, contening XX unce wecht and a quarter, price of the unce xxvj s. viij d., summa, ffoureskoir pundis ; off the quhilk sylver work abone written, the airschip is to he deducit and takin of.
Item,
liv TREFACE. the said Margaret, aiie of the saidis executouris, grantit that the said inii(|idiile Julinue had at the tyme of his deceis foirsaid, in pois, aiie hundreth })undes.
Item, his Luikis, alsweill upoune the Scriptures as uther prophane authoris, worth vj" and X 11.
Item, In ntensile and domicile, the airschip being deducit, to the availl of xxx li.
Smnma Inventarii, ij*^ Ixxxxvj li. vj s. viij d. (£296, 6s. 8d.)
FOLLOWIS THE DETTIS AWIN TO THE DEID.
Item, thair wes awing to the said umquhile Johnne, the tyme of his deceis foirsaid, be Andro Lord Stewart of Uchiltrie, his guidfader, the sowme of Ixxx li. of lent money.
Item, be Williame Fiddes, baxter, x li. restand awand to the said umquhile Johnne of quheit, quhilk he ressavit to gif breid for.
Summa of the dettis, abone writtin, awing to the deid, viij" xxx li. xix s. vj d. (£830, 19s. 6d.) Na dettis awing be the deid.
Summa of the Inventare, with the dettis awing to the deid, I"" v<= xxvj li. xix s. vj d. (£1526, 19s. 6d.) To be dividit in thre pairtis.
The deidis pairt thairof extendis to iij° Ixxv li. xiij s. ij d. (£375, 13s. 2d.)
FOLLOWIS THE LATTER WILL AND LEGACIE.
Lord Jesus, I commend my troublit spreit in Thy protectioune and defence ! and thy troublit Kirke to Thy mercie Becaus I half had to do with dyvers personages of the Ministrie, quhairunto God of His mercie erectit me, within this realme, my dewetie cravis that I sail leve unto thaim now ane testimony of my mynd.
And first unto the Papistis, and to the unthankful! warld I say, that althocht my lyfe hes bene unto thaim odious, and that oftentymes thai haif soclit my destructioune and the destructioune of the Kirk, quliilk God, of His mercie, hes plantit within this realme, and hes alwayis preser\ it and ke[iit the
PREFACE.
Iv ; yit to tliaiin I am compellit saiuin fra thair crewale interprysis to say, that onles thai speclelie repent, my depairting of this lyfe salbe to thaim the gretest calamitie that evir yit hes appreliendit thaim ; sum small apperance thai may yit haife in my lyfe, gif thai haif grace to sie ; ane deid manne haif I bene, almaist thir tua yeiris last bipast, and yit I wald that thai snld rypelie considder in quhat bettir estait thai and thair materis standis in, than it hes done befoir, and tliai haif hard of lang tyme befoir threatnit :
Bot becaus thai will nocht admit me for ane admoniser, I gif thaim ovir to the judgement of Him quha knawis the hartis of all, and will disclose the secretis thairof in dew tyme.
And this for the Papistis.
To the ffaithfull God, befoir His Sone, Jesus Christ, and befoir His halie angellis, I protest that God be my mouth, be I nevir so abject, hes schawin to yow His trewth, in all simplicitie.
Nane I haif corrupted ; nane I haif defraudit ; merchandise haif I not maid ; to Godis glorie I write of the glorious Evangell of Jesus Christ, bot according to the measour of the grace graunted unto me, I haif dividit the sermont of trewth in just pairtis ; beatin doun the piyde of the proude, in all that did declair thair rebellioun againis God, according as God in His law gevis to me yit testimonie ; and raising up the consciences trublit with the knawledge of thair awin synnis, be the declaring of Jesus Christ, the strenth of his death, and the michtie operatioune of his resurrectioune, in the hartis of the faithfull : Of this, I say, I haif ane testimony this day, in my conscience, befoir God ; how that evir the warld rage : Be constant, thairfoir, in doctrine that anis publictlie ye haif professit :
Lat nocht sclandrous dayis draw yow away fra Jesus Christ ; nather lat the prosperitie of the wickit move yow to follow it nor thame ; ffor howsoever it be that God appeiris to neglect His awin, for ane seasoune, jit He remanis ane just juge, quha nathir canne nor will justifie the wickit
I am nocht ignorant that mony wald that I suld entir in particulare determinatioune of thir present trubles ; to quliome I planelie and
Ivi PREFACE. simplie ausuur, that as 1 uevir uxcedit the buiuides uf Godis Scriptures, sua will I not do, in this paiii, by Godis grace
; hot lieirof I am assurit be llini quha nathir canne dissave nor be dissavit, that the Castell of Edinburcht, in the quhilk all the niurthour, all the truble, and the haill destructioime of this puir
Commounweill wes inventit, and as our awin eis may witnes, l)y thaini and by thair mantenaris, wes put in executiouue, sail cum to destructioune, mantene it quha sa list
; the destructioune, I say, of body and saul, except thai repent
I luik not to the momentary prosperitie of the M'ickit, ye, not althocht thai suld reniane conquerouris to the cviming of our Lord Jesus !
Bot I luik to this sentence, that quhasaevir scheddis innocent bluid defyles the land, and provoikis Godis wraith againis him self and the land, imtill his bluid be sclied agane, be ordour of law, to satisfie Godis anger.
This is not the first tyme that ye liaif hard this sentence, althocht that mony at all tymes sturrit at sik severitie, I yit afferme the same, being reddy to entir to gif compt befoir His Majestic of the stewartschip He committit unto me.
I knaw in my death the rumouris salbe strange, bot be ye nocht trublit above measour, belovit in the Lord Jesus
Bot yit agane I say, remane constant in the trewtli, and He quha of His mercie send me, conductit me, and prosperet the work in my hand aganis Sathan, will provide for yow abundantlie, quhenne that athir my bluid sail wattir the doctrine taucht be me, or He of His mercie utherwayis provide to put ane end to this my battell.
^ly executouris I mak, constitute, and ordane Margaret Stewart, my spous ; jMartiia, Margaret, and Elizabeth Knoxis, my dochteris
; and the ffaithfull to be overs-menne.
To my tua sones, Nathanaell and Eleazare Knoxis, I nnfenedlie leif that same benedictioune that thair darrest moder, IVIarjorie Bowse, left unto tliaim, to witt, tliat God, for His Sone Christ Jesus saik, wald of His merci luak thaime His trew feireris and als upricht worschipperis of TTim as ony that evir sprang out of Abrahames loynes
; quhairto
PREFACE.
Ivii now, as tlianne, I fra my troublit hart say, Anienne !
Farther, I haif delyverit, be Maister Eaiidulphe, to Mr. Eobert Bowse, Schereff of the Bischoprick, and bruder to the said Marjorie, my umquhill darrest spous, the sowme of fyve huiidreth pundis of Scottis money, to the utilitie and proffett of my saidis tua Sones : The quhilk money is that pairt of substance tliat fell or pertenit to thaim be the deceis of Marjorie Bowse, thair moder, of blissit memorie, and augmentit be me as I mycht or may spair, to mak out the said sowme ; for I ressavit of thairis bot ane hundreth merkis Stirling, quhilk I of my povirtie extendit to fyve hundreth pundis Scottis : ^ And that in contentatioune of thair bairnis pairt of geir, quhilkis may fall to thaim be my deceis.
Item, I leif to my saidis tua sones, tua sylver drinking cowpis, the ane of thaim markit with J. K. M. one the ane syde, and one the other syde with E. B. N., and in lyke nianer the tother with the same mark and lettres ; the wecht of the saidis tua cuipis contenand xxij unce, or thairby ; tua saltfattis of sylver, and xviij sylver spones, weyand xxxiiij and ane quarter unces, price of the unce overheid xxvj s. viij d.
The quhilkis cuipis, saltfattis, and spunes, I leif in kepiug to the said Mar garet, my spous, quhill my saidis sones be of the aige of xxj yeiris ; at the quhilk tyme, I ordane and commandis hir to delyver the samin to my saidis sones, or to ony ane of thaim, gif be deceis the utliir faillis.
Item, I leif also to my saidis sones, ane pairt of my saidis buikis, of the availl of xxx li.
And fiiilzeing of my saidis sones, and thair airis, I ordane the foirsaidis fyve hundreth pundes, with the sylver cuipis, spunes, saltfattis, and buikis, to returne agane, as efter followis
; that is to say, the ane equale half thairof to the said Margaret, my spous, and my saidis tlire dochteris ; and the uthir half of the same to my bruder, AVilliame Knox, and his airis quhatsumevir.
Item, I leif to my said spous, Margaret Stewart, the aiicht hundreth merkis whilkis ar laid upoune the landis of Pennymoir, quhairin
See p. Ixii.
Iviii PREFACE. sclio is iiifeft Ijo Andro Lord Stewart of Ucliiltrie, my fader of law ; and failzeiiig oi" tlie said Margaret, I leif the samiii to my saidis tlire docliteris ; and failzeing of tliaim, I leif tlie samin to the said Andro Lord Stewart of Uchiltrie, and his airis quhatsumevir :
Chairgeing and reqnyring my said fader of law, and his airis, as thai will ansuer befoir that incorruptible Jnge, the Lord Jesns, that thai suffer not my said spous and childrene to be defraudit, or evill payit, of the males and annuelrent of the saidis landis, during the non-redemptioune of tlie samin.
Item, I leif to Paule Knox, my bruder sone, ane hundreth pundis, quhilk lyis in wodset upoune Robert Campbellis landis in Kynzeancleucht, and quhairin the said Paule is ellis infeft and that to be ane help to hald him at the senilis.
And as concerning the rest of my haill guidis quhatsumevir, I leif to be dividit betuix my said spous and my saidis thre dochteris. And becaus my said spous man tak the cair of my saidis dochteris, and faithfullie travell for thair guid nurishment and upbringing, tliairfoir I leif my said spous the use of thair geir, quhill thai
Ije mareit, or cum to perfite age ; at quhilk tyme I ordane that every aire, as the tyme approtches, to half thair awin that to thaim appertenis.
{Sic suhscribitur) JoHNE Knox JoHNE Adamesone, witnes.
Rot. Watsoune, witness, Johne Joiinestoun, witnes.
Quotta gratis.
TiiE QuoTE of tliis Testament is gevin gratis, at speciale command of my Lordis Commissaris.
We, Maisteris Robert Maitland, &c., Commissaris of Edinburghe, specialie constitut for confirmatioune of Testamentis, be the tennour heirof, ratefeis, apprevis, and confirmis this present Testament or Inventar, insafar as the samin is deulie and lauchfullie maid, of the giidis and goir above specifeit alanerlie.
And gevis and committis
PREFACE. lix the intromissionne with the samiu to the saidis JMarguret Stewart, relict of the said umquhile Johue Knox, Martha,
]\Iargaret, and Elizabeth Knoxis, his dochteris, his Executouris Testamentaris nominat be him, couforiue to the Lattir Will above writtin : Eeservand compt to be maid be thame thairof, as accordis of the law.
And the said Margaret Stewart, ane of the saidis Executouris, being siiorne, lies maid faith treulie to exerce the said office and lies fuiidin cautioune that the gudis and geir above specifeit salbe furtlicumand to all pairteis liavand interes, as law will ; as ane Act thairupoune beiris.
The Supplication of his faithful servitor, Eiciiakd BannaTYNE, regarding Knox's manuscripts, may be here added :—
TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE KIRK, 9TII MARCH 1572-3.
Richard Bannatyne, servitor to umquhill Mr. Knox, presented the Supplication following
Unto your Wisdoms humbly means and shows, I, your Servitor EiCHARD Bannatyne,^ servant to your umquhill most dearest brother (John Knox), of worthy memory, That where it is not unknowen to your Wisdoms that he left to the Kirk and Town of Edinburgh his History, containing in effect the beginning and progress of Christ's true religion, now of God's great mercy established in this Eealme, wherein he hath continued and perfectly ended at the year of God 1564.
So that of things done sensyne, nothing be him is putt in that form and order as he hath done the former : Yet not the less there are certain scrolls, papers, and minutes of things, left to me be him to use at my pleasure, whereof a part were written and subscrived with his own hand, and another be mine at his command, which, if they were collected and gathered together, ^ This faithful attendant, whose name of September 1605.
See his Confirmed is connected with the vohime of " MemoTestament, in Pitcairn's edition of the rials" (see vol. vi. p. 524), died on the 4th
Memorials, p. 363.
Ix PREFACE. would make a sufficient Declaration of the piincipall things that have occuiTed, since the ending of his former History at the year foirsaid ; and so should serve for stuff and matter to any of understanding and ability, in that kinde of exercise, that would apply themselves to make a History, even unto the day of his death.
But forsamikle as the said scrolls are so intacked and mixed together, that if they should come in any hands not used nor accustomed with the same, as I have been, they should altogether lose and perish.
And seeing also I am not able, upon my own costs and expenses, to apply myself, and spend my time, to put that in order, which woidd consume a very long time ; much less am I able to write them, and put them in Register, as they require to be, without your Wisdoms make some provision for the same : Wherefore, I most humbly request your Wisdoms, that 1 may have some reasonable pension appointed to me be your Wisdoms discretion, that thereby I may be more able to awaitt and attend upon the samine
; least that these things done be that Servant of God, who was dear unto you all, should perish and decay, which they shall doe indeed, if they be not putt in Register, which I will doe willinglie, if your Wisdoms would provide, as said is.
And your Wisdoms Ansuer, &c.
" The Kirk accepted the said Richard's offer, and request the Kirk of Edinburgh to provide and appoint some learned men, to support Richard Bannatyne, to putt Johne Knox History, that now is in scrolls and papers, in good forme, with aid of the said
Richard.
And because he is not able to await thereon, upon his own expenssis, appoints to him the sum of ffourty pounds, to be payed off the 1572 yeirs crope, be the Collectors underwritten, viz., the Collector of Lothian, Fife, Angus, and the AVest, (Talloway, and Murray, and every one of them to pa}' si.\ pounds thirteen shillings four pennies off the said crope : and it shall be allowed to them at compt, bringing the said Richard's acquittance thereupon."
PREFAOE.
Ixi Had space permitted, I might have inserted a poem which was written on occasion of Knox's death, and printed under the following title : — " Ane Bkeif Commendatioun of Uprichtnes, in respect of the surenes of the same, to all that walk in it, amplifyit cheifly he that notabill document of Goddis michtie protectioun, in preser^-ing his maist npricht Servand, and fervent Messinger of Christis Evangell, JoHXE Knox.
Set furth in Inglis meter be J\I. JoHNE Davidsone, Eegeut in S. Leonards College.—Imprentit at Sanct Androis be Eobert Lekpreuik.
Anno 1573."
^ It has, however, been accurately reprinted by Dr. M'Crie in the Appendix to his Life of Knox.
It also forms a part of the volume of " The Poetical Eemains of jNIr. John Davidson, Eegent in St. Leonard's College, and afterwards ^linister of SaltPreston.
Edinb. 1829."
Post 8vo.IX.
Knox's Family and Descendants.
Marjory Bowes, the Eeformer's first wife, as already explained, was the fifth daughter of Eichard Bowes of Aske and South Cowtoun.
The feelings of deep religious convictions of the mother, Mrs.
Bowes, and the benefit she derived from the counsels of Knox, led to his forming an attachment to the daughter, and his coming under a formal engagement in the year 1553.
But the marriage ceremony was apparently postponed till the spring of 1556, when both mother and daughter set out for Geneva.
It might seem to be a strange proceeding on the pai't of Mrs. Bowes thus to leave her husband and the * The original tract is in quarto, ten library at London in 1842, it fetched leaves.
Only one copy of it is known. tlie extravagant sum of thirty-three Ahout half a century ago it was bouglit pounds !
It is now preserved in Mr. in London for one guinea, when Dr.
Christy Miller's library at Britwell, jM'Crie obtained the use of it.
It was Buckinghamshire.
-^ Only a limited impression of this No. 2S3j to Mr. George Chalmers for volume was printed, edited by James resold [W.Blackwood's Catalogue, 1812, seven guineas; and, at the sale of his Maidment, Esq.
Ixii PREFACE. rest of her family, but Knox explains this in the restless state of her mind, except when " in the company of the faithful," of whom she judged him to be one ; and he admits that her desponding habits were at times to him no small annoyance.
Her husband, I presume, was a bigoted adherent of the liomau Catholic faith, and this may serve as the ke}^ both to his opposition to Knox's marriage witli his daughter, and to the mother's attachment to her son-in-law.
It cannot at least be said that Knox was actuated by the expectation of wealth.
In his last Will and Testament he states that all the money he received from the mother's succession for the lienefit of his two sons was one hundred merks sterling, which he " out of his poverty" had increased to five hundred pounds Scots, and had paid through Mr. Eandolph to their uncle, Mr. Robert Bowes, for their use.
The comparative value of money at this time was very variable, but we may reckon the hundred marks, or £66, 13s.
4d., was increased by Knox to £100 sterling.
Having obtained passports from the English Ambassador at Paris, on the 12th of June 1559, Mrs. Bowes, Mrs. Knox, and her two children, passed through England on their way north.
The former remained with her family at Berwick, where her husband, " Eichard Bowes of South Cowtoun, Esq.," had died nearly twelve months before.
His will is dated at Berwick, lltli August, and probate was granted 1 3th October 1558.^ He makes no mention in it either of his wife or their daughter Marjory.
Four of his daughters were unmarried, and he leaves one hundred marks sterling (or £GG, 13s.
4d.) to each, but enjoins that if either of them marry without consent of his two sons, this portion should be forfeited.
Mrs. Knox rejoined her husband at Edinburgh in September 1559.
A safe -conduct was obtained for Mrs. Bowes not long afterwards,^ and the proliability is that she
' Ricbmondshifc Wills (Surtees' So- ^ Sadler's State Papers, vol. i. pp. ciety), p.
1 10.
Durham, 1853, 8vo.
454, 479, 509.
PREFACE.
Ixiii was present when lier daiigliter died, at the close of the following year.
Two years later she was in England, Randolph writes to Cecil, 4th August 15G2, that Mrs. Bowes was willing to return to Scotland, if she obtained license from Queen Elizabeth, to relieve Knox, being as " a lone man," from the burden of household affairs, and the charge of his children, her daughter's bairns,—bringing with her as much money as she had of her o^vn, the siim not exceeding £100 sterling.^
It is uncertain how long Mrs. Bowes remained in Edinburgh.
She may have gone to Northumberland with her two grandsons, at the time of Knox's second marriage ; but the historian of Durham,^ in his account of the Bowes family, says, that having continued to reside with her son-in-law, she died at Edinlmrgh in the year 1568; and Mr. Surtees remarks,
" that the whole circumstances of this union tend to place the domestic character of the stern Eeformer in a more amiable light than is perhaps generally understood."
Knox himself has drawn her character with a gentle hand in the notice subjoined to his Answer to Tyrie, in 1572, contained in the present volume.^
Nathaniel Knox, the eldest son, was born at Geneva in May 1557, and was baptized on the 23d of that month, William Whittingham, afterwards Dean of Durham, being his godfather.*
With his brother Eleazer Knox, he was matriculated of the University of Cambridge, December 2d, 1572,. or eight days after their father's death.
He was B.A. 157G-7, and admitted a Fellow of St. John's College on the Lady Margaret's foundation, 1577.^
The registers of St.
John's College furnish the following entries :
" Ego, Nathanael Knox Richmond, admissus sum in discipulum pro D[omina] fund[atrice], G Novembris [1573].
* Infra, p. 141.
* Li vie des Anglois, MS.
^ Surtees' Hist, of Durham, iv. 118.
^ Cooper's Atlienae Cantabrigiensos, 2 Infra, p. 513. vol. i. pp.430, 568.
rPtEFACE.
" Ego, Natbanaol Knox Uicliinoiidiciisis adiuissus suin Rociiu pro Doiniua fuiidatricc, ^ "H^tl^anael Uox [1577r Mess. Charles H. and T.
Cooper think he "was the ]\Ir. Knox who personated " Hastingns, miles calligatns," in Dr.
Legge's play of " Eichardus Tertins," acted at St. John's College in 1579.
" It would seem that he was only an incepting M.A.,for he was buried at Cambridge, 2 8th May
1580."^ Thomas Appleby, in a letter from London to his master, Sir George Bowes, 29tli May, says, " The seneor Knox, your nephewe, who preceded Mr. of Arte, sence Easter, was buryed at Cambridge yesterday, and disseased uppou Frydaye, in the afternone
: his sickness was, as they write, a tertiane ague, and he liathe had it about xiiii dayes before God tuke him to his mercye.
Eleazek Knox, the second son, was also born at Geneva, and baptized on the 29th of November 1558, Myles Coverdale, ibrmerly Bishop of Exeter, being witness or godfather.^ The two sons were brought up, probably after the Eeformer's second marriage, with the mother's relatives ; and, as already stated, they were entered as students of the University of Cambridge, in 1572.
On examining the registers of St. John's College, the following notices occur :
" Ego, Eleazer Knox, Eichmondiensis admissus sum discipulus pro Domina Fmidatrice [12 Nov. 1575].
" Ego, Eleazer Knox Eichmondiensis admissus sum in Socium pro Doctore Keyton [a bye-founder], ' fhct^eY K^0?> " Eleazer Knox electus pradector, ^^ 'S^ ^ 22 Mav. A.O.
1579.
1 Aprilis 1580.
"Eleazer Knox electus subleetor, 5 Jiilij 1582.
' Athenae Cantab., p. 568. nioiials of the North(^rn Kebellion, ]).
- The Bowes' Papers, vol. vii., Streat- :)72. ham Castle ; Sir Cuthbert Sharp'.s Me- "
Livre des Anglois, MS.
PREFACE.
Ixv " Eleazer Knox examinator Khetoricce lectionis, 5 Julij 1583.
" Eleazer Knox electus concionator in festo Sancti Micliaelis, [29 Sept.] 1587.
"Ego, Eleazer Knox admissus Ju[nior] Decanus, 14 Decembris 1587."
These notices show the tenor of his college life and advancement.-^ We also find that he obtained preferment in the church, having been collated to the Vicarage of Clacton Magna, in the Archdeaconry of Colchester, 17th May 1587.
According to marginal notes on the register, he died on the 22d of May 1591, and was buried in the chapel of St. John's College, Cambridge
— " Eleazer Knox, in Sacello sepultus ; mortuus in vigilio Pentecostes 1591."
By the death of these two brothers,'^ the family of the Keforrner became extinct in the male line.
Maegaret Stewart, the Eeformer's second wife, was the daughter of Andrew Lord Stewart of Ochiltree.
At the time of her marriage she is said to have been only about sixteen years of age, while he was fifty-eight.
Eandolph, in writing to Cecill, 18th March 1563-4, mentions their having been proclaimed in the church, whereat, he says, " the Queen stormeth wonderfully, for that she is of the blood and name"^ (of the Eoyal house of Stewart).
The father was one of the Lords of the Congregation, and a sincere Protestant, but we hear of no opposition on his part to the match ; and the family was not at the time either of great influence or wealth.
The following table may serve, instead of any detailed pedigree, to show their connexions
' Newcourt's Eepertorium, vol. ii. p. burgh, 1732, pp. xli-xlii.
For an oppor154.
The next vicar was " David Glen tunity of examining the Registers I was per mortem Knox," 23d July 1591. indebted to the Eev. John E. B. Mayor, " The substance of these notices of of St, John's, who also afterwards kindly the two brothers were extracted by provided me with excerpts, in case I Thomas Baker, and communicated to might have overlooked any of the entries, the Editor of Knox's History, Edin- ^ Infra, p. 533.
VOL.
VI. e
Ixvi PREFACE.
Andrkw Stewart, second Lord Avandale, killed at FlodJon in 1513.
-Makgaket Kennedy, daughter of Sir John Kennedy of Blairsquhan, Ayrshire.
I Sir James Stewart of Beith, killed in 1547. He married Margaret Lindesay, daughter ofJohn Lord
Henry Stewart, created Lord Methven in 1528, on Andrew, tliinl Lord Avandale, created Lord Stewart his marriage with Margaret Tudor, Queen Dowager of Scotland, as her third husband.
He died of Ochiltree in 1542-3, died in 1548.
Twice married: first to Lady Margaret Hamilton, only chiltl of James, first Earl of Arran.
Lindesay of Byres.
Their eldest son was James Lord Doun. in 1552.
Andrew, second Lord Ochiltree, had charters- ;Agnes Cunningham, daughter of .Tohn Cunningham of Caprington, Ayrshire. to himself and his wife of lands in Ayrshire, in 1549 and 1557.
In 1583, he is described as "an aged man."
Andrew, Master of Ochiltree, Captain James Margaret Stewart Other three died 10th September 1578, Stewart, creatmarried, \st, John during his father's life. Was ed Earl of Arran
Knox, in 1564; 2<Z/_i!/, twice married.
His eldest by King James Andrew Ker of Falsons, and a daughter, Isobell Stewart. son, who in 1592, was aged the Sixth donsyde, in 1574.
32, succeeded to the titles on in 1581.
D. about 1612. his grandfather's death.
D. in 1596.
The family of Knox by liis second wife, consisted of three daughters.
At the meeting of the General Assembly, held in March 1572-3, the following supplication on behalf of Mrs. Knox and lier daughters was presented :
Eeverend Fathers, trustie and wellbelovits. We greit you heartily well :
Seeing John Knox, minister of the word of God, is now departed this life, after his long and faithfuU travells in the Kirk, leaving behind him Margaret Stewart, his relict, and his three daughters begotten of her, unprovided for ; and seeing his deserts merit to be favourably remembered, in the help of his posterity. We will, effectuously require, and pray you, to give and conferr to the said Margaret relict and three daughters foresaids, the pension which the said umquhill John had of the Kirk in his time, for the nixt year after his decease, viz. of the year of God 1573 years, to their education and support; extending to five hundreth merks money, two chalders of wheat.
PREFACE.
Ixvii six chalders bear, four (two) chalders of oats, to be lifted for that year out of the saniine assignations and places that he had it of in his time ; Wherein we doubt not but ye shall doe a work acceptable to God ; and we will also receive it in thankfull and good pleasure.
Thus we committ you to God.
At Edinburgh, the 26th day of November 1572.—Your assured friend, James, Eegent.
Sess. 3d.
March 1572-3.
The Assembly, remembering the long and faithfull travells made in the Kirk of God be umquhill John Knox, minister of Edinburgh, lately departed in the mercy of God, leaving behind him Margeret Stewart his relict and his three daughters gotten on her unprovided for ; and seeing his long travells and deserts merites to be favourably remembered in his posteritie, being also required most earnestly thereto be my Lord Eegent's Grace, as his letters direct thereupon bear, have granted and consented to give, and be the tenor hereof, grants, gives, consents, and dispones to the said Margaret relict, and her three daughters of the said umquhil John, the pension which he himself had in his time of the Kirk, and that for the year next approaching and following his deceis, viz. of the yeir of God 1573 yeires to their education and support, extending to five hundreth merks money, twa chalders of wheat, sax chalders bear, four chalders aittis to be uplifted for that year allanerly, out of the samine assignations and places that he had it in his time ; and therefore requires, and in the name of God desires, the Lords of Counsell and Session to grant and give letters, at the instance of the said relict and bairns of the said umquhil John Knox, to cause them be answered, obeyed and payed of the said pension of the yeir forsaid, in the same form, and better if need be, as was granted to himself in his time.
It need excite no surprise that this young widow, within tw^o years, should have contracted a second marriage, with Andrew
Ixviii PREFACE.
Ker of Faldonsyde, pronounced and usually written Fawdonsyde, near Melrose.
He was a widower, and is erroneously called by Dr. M'Crie and others, Sir Andrew Ker.
He never had the honour of knighthood.
He was a stout and zealous promoter of the Reformation ; but being a chief actoi-, in company with his cousin, Patrick Lord Euthven, in the murder of Riccio, in 1566, he has been characterized "as one of the most ferocious of the conspirators."
He was then about forty years of age.
In completing this second marriage, " Andrew Ker of Fawdonsyde" had granted a charter of alienation " to Margaret Stewart, relict of umquhile Johnne Knox, minister" of Goddis word, now his spous, in her wedowheid," in liferent, of one-third of certain lands in East Lothian, which he had inherited from his mother, Margaret Halyburton, one of the co-heiresses of Patrick, sixth Lord Halyburton of Dirleton, who died in 1506.
This charter was confirmed 8th April 1574, and was again renewed 21st March 1585-6.
The following is a facsimile of his signature, in the year 1594-5.
.1 j^ /\ The Laird of Faldonsyde pointed Margaret Stewart, his spouse, sole executrix ; his son, by his first wife, George Ker " now of Fawdonsyde," becoming her cautioner wlien it was confii'med by the Commissaries of Edinburgh.
His wife survived till about the year 1612.
Mr. John Ker, one of their children, became a zealous and eminent I'resbyterian minister at Preston, or Saltpreston, in 1605.
He was a member of the Glasgow Assembly in 1638, and died in 1642.
One of his sons, Mr. Andrew Ker, was also distinguished.
He was admitted Advocate in July 163.3, succeeded Johnston of Warriston as Clerk of the General Assembly, appointed one of the English
Judges, by Cromwell, but was deprived, and resumed his practice at the bar.
He died in March 1672.^ '
Droilie's Diary, p. 326.
PREFACE.
Ixix Martha Knox, the eldest daughter of the Eeformer, was born probably towards the end of the year 1565.
Owing to some vague tradition, it has always been stated that she became the first wife of Mr. James Fleming, minister of Bathans, or Tester.
There seemed such a discrepancy in their ages, that I could not help calling it in question, and after careful investigation such a statement can be disproved in the most conclusive manner.
In May 1584, wdien about eighteen years of age, she was married to Alexander Fairlie, eldest son and heir of Eobert Fairlie of Braid, in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh.
She appears to have been his third wdfe.
At least his marriagecontract with Marion, daughter of Sir Simon Prestoun of Craigmillar, is dated 3d August 1570
; while in a charter of confirmation, 15th March 1573-4, Elspet Lauder is described as then his spouse.
His marriage-contract with ]\rartha Knox is in the name of Andrew Ker of Fawdonsyde, her stepfather, who pays or assigns as her tocher the sum of 1000 marks, to be invested, in land or annual rents, by Fairlie for the benefit of their children.
It is dated 7th of April 1584.
She died 1st December 1592; and by her confirmed testament, we learn that she had three sons and one daughter, Elspet, John, William, and Nathanael Fairlie.
This sets at rest the question of James Fleming having ever been the Reformer's son-in-law.
If Flemingwas twice married, it is within the bounds of possibility that Elspet Fairlie might have been his first wife, which would clear up the tradition, but we are not possessed of any infor mation either regarding her, or the early history of Fleming, with the exception that he took liis degree of AM. in the University of Edinburgh, 28th July 1610.
He became minister of Bathans, or Tester, in May 1625, where he remained till his death, in April 1653.
His wife, Jean Livingstone, survived him and their son, Mr. Eobert Fleming, is well known as the author of " The Fulfilling of the Scriptures."
Of the three sons, Fairlies, the only thing I can ascertain is, tliat John Fairlie and William
Ixx PREFACE.
Fairlie were etlucated at Edinbuvgh, and received the degree of A.M., 25th July 1G07.^ Their father, Alexander Fairlie of Braid," sui-vived till October 1622, and was succeeded by the eldest sou, of his former marriage, Eobert Fairlie of Braid.
Margaret Knox, the Eeformer's second daughter, was born at Edinburgh, probably in 1567 or 1568.
She married Zachary Pont, the eldest son of Mr. Eobert Pont, minister, and one of the Lords of Session (1572-1584), till the Assembly prohibited any of their brethren holding civil offices.
He was for several years Commissioner of Murray, as well as minister of the parish of St. Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, till his death, at the advanced age of eighty-one, on the 8th May 1606.
Zachary was the brother of Timothy Pont, so honourably distinguished by his skill and exertions in his topographical surveys of the wilder districts of Scotland, being the first to lay down very accurate maps of the country.
They were students in St. Leonard's College, St. Andrews, being incorporated in 1579-80, and afterwards taking their degrees as Masters of Art.
Neither of them seem to have entered the ministry for several years.
Zachary obtained a letter under the Privy Seal, 8th October 1590, appointing him chief Printer within this realm ;^ but his name has not been discovered connected with any book printed in Scotland.
From a contract with his brother-in-law^, John Welsh, in 1596, it appears that he was indebted in the sum of 1000 marks.'*
In 1599 he is styled Portioner of Schyresmiln, valued as the three merks land, in the Lordship of Culross.
In 1601 we find his ' At the baptism of a child of Mr. spouse.— I am indebted to Alexander John Ker, minister of Preston, in 1611, Sinclair, Esq., for drawing my attention one of the witnesses was John Fairlie, to various notices of the Fairlies, when burgess of Edinburgh,—not improbably I had ascertained their connexion with the same who died 23d September 162U, Kuox. but his conBrmed testament has no- '
Principal Lee's Memorial for the thing to connect him with the family of Bible Societies of Scotland, App. p. 33.
Braid. i Other notices in
and
"^ In 1601, Nicolas Dundas, of the are given in M'Crie's Life of Knox, family of Fingask, is named as his vol. ii. p.
3.56.
PREFACE.
Ixxi name as minister of the united parishes of Bower and Watteii, in the county of Caithness.
On the death of Mr. Robert Innes, Pont, " present minister at Bour and Wattin," was appointed Archdean of Caithness, 2d September 1608; but in 1614 we find Mr. Richard Merchieston, Archdean of Caithness, settled as minister of Bower and Watten, " his stipend ij'' [200] merkis money, with the vicarage, and be the Earl of Caithness xl bollis victuall, with manse and gleib."
It is not said whether the vacancy was occasioned by Font's death or resignation.
But this is distinctly stated in a " Letter of Presentation in favour of Mr. Richard Merchistoun, to all and haill the Archdeanerie of Caithnes .
. vacant throw the deceis of umquhile Mr.
Zacharie Pont, last Archdene of Caithness," 20th January 1619.
Of Pont's family we have no certain information, nor is it known whether his wife survived him.
In the testament of Mr. James Pont, Commissary of Dunblane in 1602, a bequest was made in favour of Robert Pont, son to Mr. Zacharie Pont and Margaret Knox, " to hold him at the scuillis," which implies that he was then in the course of his education.
In the Session Register of Saltpreston, where his stepbrotherin -law, Mr. John Ker, was minister, is this entry
Bapt. 26 Oct.
Mr. Zacharie Pont and Margaret Knox, ane 1609. sone, his name Samuel.
Witnesses, Mr.
Alex'' Home, Rob'- Hammiltoun baillie, David Lyndsay, David Ker.
In the Register of Acts of Caution for Presentees to Benefices, w fi^nd his signature in ^^ -^^../^^^W-/^
Elizabeth Knox, the Reformer's third and youngest daughter, was born probably about 1570.
Her husband, Mr. John Welsh, or Welsch, was celebrated in the annals of the Presbyterian Church for his zeal, learning, and active labours in the ministry.
Ixxii PREFACE.
He was a younger son of Welsh of Collieston, and was Lorn in the parish of Irongray, in Galloway, about the year 1569, and was educated at the University of Edinburgh, under Eollock, where he took his degree of A.M. in August 1588.
He was first ordained as minister of Selkirk (1589-1594), and translated successively to Kirkcudbright (1594-1601), and Ayr (16011606).
While at Selkirk, he no doubt became acquainted with Elizabeth Knox, who resided with her step-father at Faldonsyde; and their marriage may be placed in the year 1594.
It is well known that Welsh and other five ministers w^ere tried and convicted of treason, at Linlithgow, in January 1606, upon the charge of declining the jurisdiction' of the Privy Council, by holding the General Assembly, which had been duly indicted to meet at Aberdeen in July 1605 ; but in other words, for opposing the King's favourite scheme of introducing
Episcopacy into the Scottish Church.
A sentence of banishment was passed ; and Welsh and his family were transported to France.
He speedily acquired great facility in the language, and continued to officiate as a minister in the French Protestant
Church.
One of his letters, in 1619, is signed in this form/ The troubles in France in 1621, and the persecution of the Protestants, dispersed most of their congregations.
Welsh came to London, being desirous to revisit Scotland on account of his health ; but King James in his implacable disposition refused this request ; and Welsh died in London of a lingering disease, in May 1622.^ His wife survived him nearly three years, as we learn from her confirmed testament, that she de- ' Wodrow Miscellany, p. 563. biography, animated by a true love for - A somewhat meagre Life of Welsh, his hero, T am happy to say, is in preattribntcJ to Mr. Jamea Kirkton, apparation by the Rev. James Young, pcarcd at Edinburgh, 1703, 4to, and editor of "The Godly Band,"
1557: has hcon reprinted.
A more detailed see infra, p. G74.
PREFACE.
Ixxiii ceased at Ayr, in January 1625.^ She appointed her property to be equally divided in favour of her three children, Mr. Josias
Welsh, Nathanael Welsh, and Luyse Welsh.^ The question naturally arises, whether any lineal descendants of these three daughters of the Reformer still exist ?
This
must leave to be solved by future inquirers.
After careful investigation, I consider the probability of such descendants existing as extremely doubtful.
Various persons, indeed, have attempted to trace their descent from the Eeformer, as an honourable distinction, but one and all of them, I suspect, will only be able to claim descent from some collateral branch.
The table on page Ixxiv. will point most clearly the line of inquiry to be pursued.
Of his immediate relatives, Knox himself only mentions two, a brother, William, and a nephew, Paul Knox.
It has been as sumed as a fact by later Miters, tliat this William Knox was the first minister of Cockpen, a parish in the Presbytery of Dalkeith, about ten miles to the south of Edinburgh.
I feel unwilling to clisturb this assumption, but from a comparison of dates and other circumstances, it seems to me to rest on no satisfactory ground.
He is not so styled by any old authority.
Had this brother, even without the ordinary preparations to fit him for the ministry, been deemed qualified for the office, his name would doubtless have been included in the lists prepared by the Assembly in 15 GO, nor would he have waited for seven years to be admitted to serve in two small landward parishes nor remained unnoticed as being present at meetings of Assembly ; and, above all, some notice of him would have assuredly been found, as attending upon his brother, in the minute accounts of the Eeformer's last illness.
I therefore feel inclined to suggest that William Knox, ^ Her testament is printed by Dr. cine, was served heir of liis mother, M'Crie in the Appendix to his Life of Elizabeth Knox, at the Borongli Conrt Knox. of Ayr, 6th March 1625.
2 William Welsh, Doctor of Medi-
' f
Ixxiv PREFACE. r* O S S IM O 2 E: o.S "'Is oS
!* •- — is S — (D a:
sIIh"
Ch'^ w —; CO « o '^ o -^
^^ - CO — X S^
CO g oi W K C f--^ .
^2^ iS' fcJD « Patric D C! o ce tjoc^ liniste O o o .
X.2^ « r^ o H J t^H lO Ci) O (M M E- (U :S .
J > o WH -CQ — Z3 _: a; O w-S .
>-/^^ pH O T^
i— of RJOB r a «!
0) « ^i-S _ iw Rsi Q p;^ 'S x?
. scq grff Wo 1-5 o —H^ el BJ CO %,
W u-5 S < I— to 1— K iJ CO o p-i oi «pq o Ph £3 M-2 <1 ^ „ i . * • o ^ s\ fqrs ;2;m ^f2 f=H Wfii
PEEFACE.
Ixxv merchant in Preston, and the only brother of the Eeformer, was never in the ministry, but that in all probability he had three sons who became ministers respectively of Cochpen, Kelso, and Lauder.
My conjecture is, that they were born between the years 1542 and 1554.
But first let us attend to the facts recorded of Knox's brother, which may be stated in a few words.
In a letter of the Earl of Glencairne from Douchal, on the 11th of April 1547, to Thomas Bishop, &c., he explains that he was prevented by illness from keeping his first diet at Glencairne (having at that time just succeeded to the title), but that his intention was to be there on the 27th.
He adds, that he must first see his friends in the Castle of St. Andrews, " and quhill (until) then, 1 haif haldin William Knox, that he may advertize you thereafter of our purpose in that behalf"
^ This allusion seems to show that William Knox was a person well known, who had been employed in political affairs, while carrying on his business as an active, enterprising merchant.
Singularly enough, the letter was written only one day after John Knox, who was then unknown, had entered the Castle of St. Andrews with his pupils.
The next intimation we meet with, is a formal letter addressed by the Governor of Scotland to King Edward the Sixth, on the 24th February 1551-2, requesting letters " of saulf conduct and sure passport, in dew forme, to oure lovit Williame
Knox in PrestovM, and thrie factouris or attornayis for him, togedder with six persons with him in cumpany, saulflie and surelie to cum within youre realme of England ....
(with merchandise), and to sell the same to the lieges of youre realme ; and in lykwyis to by from thame all kynd of gudis and merchandice lawfull," &c.^
This was the usual form of application for permission to pass from one kingdom to the other, to transact their lawful business.
In September 1552, the English
Grig, ill H.M. State Paper Office.
Orig. in H.M. State Paper Office.
Ixxvi PREFACE.
Council granted a patent to William Knox, merchant, giving liim liberty, for a limited time, to trade to any port of England, in a vessel of one hundred tons burden/ In the letters to Mrs. Bowes, from Newcastle, in the following year, Knox says, " ]\Iy brother hath communicat his haill hart with me, and I persave the michtie operation of God."^ In another place, " My hrother, William Knox, is presentlie with nie.
What ye wald half frome Scotland, let me knaw this INIonunday at nyght, for he must depart on Tyisday."
'^ In July or August 1559, Lord Seyton, the Provost of Edinburgh, we are told, pursued Alexander AVhitelaw,
" as he came from Prcstoun, accom.panied with William. Kiiox, towards Edinburgh, and ceassit not to persew him till he cam to the town of Ormestoun ; and this he did, supposing that the said Alexander
Quhitlaw had been John Knox." * Such are the scanty notices of the Eeformer's brother.
That eight years later he may have become minister of the united parishes of Cockpen and Carrington, is possible ; but if so, it is singular that his name should never once be mentioned as his brother during Knox's life, nor any reference to such relationship at a subsequent period, during nineteen years that he survived him.
I have therefore ventured to suggest, that the minister of Cockpen, whose name occurs in the Register of Ministers, 1567, may have been one of the sons of the elder William Knox, merchant in Preston.
Knox, in his testament, 1572, makes a contingent reversion in the event of his two sons leaving no issue, " To my bruder Williame Knox, and his airis quhatsumevir."
No designation is here given, but all we can infer is, that he was then alive.
That William Knox, whose name first occurs in 15G7 as minist(U' of the parishes of Cockpen and Carringtoun, was nearly related to the Reformer, is indisputable.
He had for stipend £1 20, ' Quoted liy Rtrype in liis Mt'iiiorials.
'* Ih. vol, iii. p.
.IGl.
Siiprn, vol. lii. p.
.SaG.
< Ih. vol. i. p. 393.
PREFACE.
Ixxvii with the manse and gleib, and a third of the vicarage, extending to seven marks.
In 1574, two other churches were joined, Clerkingtoun and Tempill, with a reader at each of the four kirks, but tliis made no change on his stipend.
In 1580 he obtained a grant of the vicarage of Cockpen.
His signature in
is attached to a document given in facsimile, in the Wodrow Miscellany, p.
408, having some resemblance to the Eeformer's.
But nothing particular connected with him appears in the Presbytery books of Dalkeith, until the year 1589, when his eldest son, of the same name, born about 1568, having completed his studies at St. Andrews, and obtained his degree of A.M. in 1589, was admitted assistant and successor to his father.
The following is an extract from the records of the Synod of Lothian and Tweeddale, 18tli September 1589 :
" Anent the ordinance maid in this Assemblie, in the quhilk it was appointed that some brethren suld heir Mr.
William Knox, and judge of his qualification, certain brethren haifing hard him and reporting of the soundness of his doctrine and abilitie to enter in the function of the ministrie, and the brether of the Presbytrie of Dalkeyth testifying of the honestie of his lyf, the Assemblie has agreit that the said Mr. William be joynit with his father William Knox, minister at Cockpen, and that he help him in the function of the ministrie, exercising him self in the said office."
In or about February 1592, the name of William Knox, minister of Cockpen, disappears from the Presbytery records of Dalkeith, in consequence, it may be presumed, of his death.
His son, ]Mr. William Knox, continued as minister of Cockpen till his death in 1633, leaving several children, some of whom were ministers.
James Knox, the second son, was a student at the University of Edinburgh, where he received the degree of A.M., 28th July 1596 ; and was elected one of tlie regents, 2d June 1598.
This office he resigned in 1605, when he was pre-
Ixxviii , PREFACE. sentcd to the church of Kelso, where lie remained as minister till his death, IGth August 1633 ; and was succeeded by his eldest son, Mr. Eobert Knox.
I will not attempt to trace the descendants of the first minister of Cockpen, although aided by a genealogical table, prepared by a most competent and accurate investigator of our Ecclesiastical and Commissariat Eecords,^ but shall merely point out what has occurred to myself, as requiring to be either affirmed or corrected.
That no notice of him occurs in Knox'.s Will, was no doubt owing to the circumstance of his having previously obtained a benefice in the Church
:— William Knox, Mprchant in Preston, 1547 to 1559.
Probably alive in 1572.
Mk. Paul Knox, Minister of Kelso, Mu. John Knox, Minister of Lauder, William Knox, -^^^r Minister of Cockpen, 1576 to 1583.^ (?) 1574 and 1575.
1567 to 1592.
I Mr. John Knox, Minister of Melrose, 1585 to 1623.
Mr. James Knox, = Regent in Edinburgh Mr. William Knox, :
Minister of Cockpen, College, 15981605.
1589 to 1633.
Minister of Kelso, 1605 to 1633.
I I!
Mk. John Knox, Minister of Carrington ; and two other Three sons by Mr. Roheut Knox, second marriage.
Minister of Kelso, 1633 to 1658 ; and other children. sons.
Paul Knox, who is specially mentioned in the Eeformer's will, as his nephew, was, I presume, the second son of the elder
William Knox.
A sum of money was left " to hald him at the scuillis," that is, to complete his education.
He was then a 1 The Rev. Hew Scott, M.A., miniministers in every parish of Scotland, from the Reformation to modern times, ster of Aiistruther Wester.
It is earnestly to be desired that Jlr.
Scott's should be published.
Collections, regarding the succession of
PREFACE.
Ixxix student in St.
Salvator's College, St. Andrews, where he had obtained in 1571 his degree as Bachelor of Arts, followed in due course by that of Master.
He must have been, during his uncle's residence at St Andrews, in daily communication with him.
Mr. Paul Knox became minister of Kelso and Ednam in
and 1575.
He had apparently but a short career, as another person was appointed to that charge in 1576.
Mr. John Knox, who appears as minister of Lauder from
to 1583, was, I conjecture, a younger brother.
He also was a student at St. Andrews, becoming a Bachelor in 1573, and Master of Arts in 1575.
AVliether he was the same person who succeeded as minister of Melrose (from 1585 to 1623), is perhaps doubtful.
The name of Mr. John Knox, as minister, became very frequent during the following century.
We also find a Mr. John Knox, merchant in Edinburgh, who died in 1617.
I NOW take leave of a long and somewhat laborious undertaking.
In considering various matters connected with its progress, I cannot but feel grateful to Divine Providence in having been spared to bring the work to a close ; since more than once, owing to some adverse circumstances, the chance of doing so seemed to be nearly hopeless.
Unless for the existence of the WoDKOW Society, instituted in 1841, the scheme itself might perhaps have proved only an idle dream.
When the two volumes containing the History of the Eeformation had been finished, further progress was interrupted by the premature termination of that Society in 1848.
The publication, however, was resumed, and the next three volumes were printed at the expense of Messrs. Johnston and Hunter, publishers but the speculation was not successful, and before Volume Fifth
Ixxx PREFACE. could be circulated, the whole stock was exposed for sale, and passed into the hands of the present publisher, Mr.
T. G Stevenson.^ I do not profess any blind admiration of the Eeformer, although this undertaking has been a labour of love.
There are passages in his works which I could wish he had not written but his History was not a compilation from old materials
; it was intended for living witnesses, narrating what had taken place under their own eyes.
It could not be expected that a person in Knox's position should be able to avoid occasionally the use of bitter reflections on his opponents, or of sarcastic raillery in regard even to tragical events.
His work also suffered from the liberties used, in the shape of interpolated passages in the ordinary editions, since 1644.
But the Eeformer needs no apology ; and I feel persuaded, that the more narrowly his character is scrutinized by an unprejudiced person, the higher will he be esteemed for the manner in which he fulfilled his mission as the leader at a most important crisis of national history.
Knox cannot be said to have possessed the impetuous and heroic boldness of a Luther when surrounded with danger. On the other hand, he never was capable of sacrificing conviction to measures of expediency
; nor, like Cranmer, " with the sincerest zeal for religion, feebly suffering the renown of the Eeformation to be tarnished by compliances with the fancied expediency of the time."
" It is not thus," adds a late ' As tlie name of the Danna'I'vnk bers printed off on paper to be funiisliei!
Club ie connected with a limited porby the Club ; and in return for this pertion of the impression, I may state that mission, the Club would willingly pi.ice all the copies, excepting the paper, are at my disposal a moderate sum for each identically the same.
I wish also to volume, sufficient, as I reckoned, to deadd, that I never had any pecuniary infray various charges for transcripts, coltiu-est in the publication, but that, belations, and indexes, which I could not fore undertaking the work, as Secretary personally overtake, but the expenses of of the Barmatyne Club, [stipulated with which would otherwise have fallen ui)oii the Wodrow Society and the Publishers, the Publishers. to have cn])ics for ihe use of the mom-
PREFACE.
Ixxxi eloquent writer,^ " that great things are to be achieved in the struggle of human progress." On more than one occasion Knox displayed a timidity, or shrinking from danger, scarcely to have been expected from one who boasted of his willingness to endure the utmost torture, or suffer death in his Master's cause.
Happily he was not put to the test, whether at the stake he might have exhibited the fortitude and resignation of a Latimer and other martyrs ; yet he returned with alacrity to the scene of action, not terrified by the mockery of punishment which hung suspended over his head as a condemned heretic.
The day after his arrival in Edinburgh, he writes :'^ "I see the battell shall be great, for Sathan rageth even to the uttermost and I am come, I praise my God, even in the brunt of the battell.
Assist me, sister, with your prayers, that now I shrink not when the battell approacheth."
His determination to preach in the great Church of St. Andrews, in June 1559, in "the same place where he was first called to the office of a preacher," when attempted to be dissuaded by the threats of personal violence,^ was not unworthy of the high-hearted resolution of Luther when urged to disregard the summons to attend the Diet at Worms.
With the zeal and fervour of an Apostle, Knox might boast at least of a moral courage and intrepidity which nothing could daunt, in the firm persuasion of the righteousness of the cause of the Reformation, and of its ultimate success.
It was not likely that a man like Knox should escape from reproach and slander.
But with this, he says, he was not greatly moved.
His contemporaries bore willing testimony to the blamelessness of his life and conduct, while indignantly refuting the calumnies of Popish writers, who held him up as a monster of depravity.
It is utterly in vain to protest against the silly belief that has prevailed in more recent times, that he was the ' Kev. Geoige Croly, LL.D., in his - To Mrs. Anna Locke, infra, p. 21.
Luther and the Reformation in Eng- ^ See his own account in vol. i. pp. land, p. 229.
Lond. 1858.
4to.
348 and 349.
VOL.
VI.
Ixxxii
PEEFAC]!:.
rutliless destroyer of our abbey churches and monastic buiklings.
The feeble attempts to revive a charge tliat Knox was accessory to the murder of David Eiccio, are scarcely worthy of notice ; but there is no occasion to deny that he regarded " the slaughter of that villain Davie," " an abuser of the commonwealth," to be "a just act,and worthy of all praise." ^ lie also openly maintained that it was the duty of the Christian magistrate to put to death all incorrigible idolaters, professed infidels, and enemies of tlie truth."
At that period, any true principles of toleration were unknown.
But instead of either devising the means, or sharing in acts of deliberate murder, it has been stated, and I know of nothing to controvert such an assertion, that he never was accessory to the death of a single individual for his religious opinions.
This freedom from a persecuting spirit is one of the noblest features in Knox's character, neither led away by entliusiasm, nor party feelings, nor success, to retaliate the oppressions and atrocities that disgraced the adherents of Popery.
And in proof of the influence which Knox could have exerted for such an end, Eandolph's words to Sir William Cecill, a few weeks after Queen Mary's arrival in Scotland, may be quoted, when he says :—" Where your Honour exhorteth us to stoutnes,
I assure you the voyce of one man is able in one hour to putt more lyf in us than fyve hundreth trumpettes continually blustering in our eares."'^
It does not fall within my plan, however agreeable this might be, to quote passages of eulogy from the works of living authors.
But it is pleasing to refer to those of some of his contemporaries who were personally acquainted witli him.
Bishop Eidley, in reference to the Frankfurt disputes (in 1555), writes to Grindall
—" Alas ! that our brother Knox could not bear with our Book of Connnon Prayer !
Matters against M'hich although, I grant, a man (as he is) of wit and learning may find to make apparent
'^ See General Index, voce Idolatry.
Vol. i. p. 235.
• Ediiiburi;!), 7th Sept. 1561— (WriKlifs Queen Elizabeth, vol. i. p. 72.)
PREFACE.
Ixxxiii reasons ; but I suppose he cannot be able soundly to disprove by God's Word.
. Surely Mr. Knox, in my mind, is a man of much good learning, and of an earnest zeal
: the Lord grant him to use them only to His glory." ^ John Bale, Bishop of Ossoiy, in his enlarged work " De Scriptoribus Magnaj Britannise," dedicates to Alexander Alesius and John Knox, in 1558, that portion of it relating to Scotland.
In addressing the latter he says :— " But you, my most affectionate brother Knox, both England and Germany, but especially our brotherly agreement in the doctrine of Christ our Lord, have bound to me.
For there is no one who does not praise, admire, and wel come your faith, constancy, and patience, proved as they are by so many troubles, so great persecution, and long and grievous exile.
And again and again I beseech you to continue to employ the divine talent to the glory of Christ, and to the comfort of the Church.
But I need not here enlarge in your praise, which I am aware is better known than to appear to need my frigid proclamation.
You will be pleased that I dedicate to you the memoirs of your countrymen, unless I am deceived in my opinion of your kindness.
However worthless my dedication may be, it is at least the result of a good and friendly spirit."
The biographical notice of Knox by Beza, published in his volume, containing a series of woodcut portraits of the Reformers, is well known, and needs not be quoted.
I refer to the " Icones, id est Veraj Imagines Virorum doctrina simul et pietate Illustrium," but there is an allusion to Knox's death in the scroll of an unpublished letter, written in 1573 on the occasion of Mr. Andrew Melville's return to his own country, in which he says, " We have been afflicted beyond belief by the death of Mr.
Knox, for the death of good men always appears premature."^ '^ MSS. Letters of Theod.
Beza, in » See vol. iv. p. 61, from the Works of Nicolas Ridley, D.D., sometime Lord the Public Library, Geneva. The words Bishop of London, Martyr, 15.55. of the original are :" Ex D. Cnoxi obitu
(Parker Society)^ 1841, p. 533. inciedibilem quendam dolorem coepi-
Ixxxiv PREFACE.
There is a French transhition of Beza's work, published in 1581, under the title of, " Les Vrais Pourtraits des Hommes Illustres en piete et doctrine, etc.
A Geneve, 1581."
4to.
The translator was Simon Goulart, who added various French verses by himself in addition to those translated from Beza.
As Dr. M'Crie says he had not seen this volume, Goulart's lines upon Knox may be quoted as follows
" L'Escosse ne m'est plus obscure ni sauvagc, Ayant h veritd si bien teiidu les mains :
Ores ses nourrissoiis entre tous les liumains Font au Seigneur Jesus un excellent homniage.
L'Eternel les benit tie cest heur davantage, Qu'apres avoir rendu les assaux d'erreur vains,
Les pasteurs et troupeaux, marchans en lieux certains, Ont la paix des esprits et des corps en partage.
Dieu, c'est de ta main que precede cest heur !
La gloire en soit rendue k ta saincte faveur.
Soit aussi reconu ce Cnox, qui ton image (Assavoir ta parole) aux Escossois rendit,
Et qui fait qu' a, present I'homme fidele dit Que I'Escosse n'est plus obscure ni sauvage."
In his person Knox was of small stature, and never having recovered his bodily strength from the effects of the hardship experienced on board the French galleys, he was not of a frame well fitted to endure long-continued toil, labour, and incessant anxiety.
I much regret that no authentic portrait, painted from the life, has been discovered.
Some of those exhibited in public galleries, have not a shadow of resemblance.
We must, therefore, be content to form our conceptions of his personal appearance from the small woodcut in Beza's " Icones," 1580, nms, quod bonorum virorum immaturus Unluckily I omitted to transcribe the semper obitus videatur, Illud tamen entire letter, on the supposition of its nostrum doloreni multnm Icnivit," etc. having been printed.
PREFACE.
Ixxxv and the similar portrait in Verheiden, 1602, of which accurate facsimiles are given.^ The writings of Knox may be divided into four classes.^
Historical.—This comprises his History of the Eeformation in Scotland.
When commenced in the year 1559, it was intended to limit the narrative to a brief period.
But as the course of events were evolved, Book Second being the original portion, w^as subdivided, and Book First added as a necessary introduction ; while Book Fourth, terminating with the year 1564, was chiefly written in 1566.
Any subsequent additions consisted of a few marginal notes ; the materials for a continuation of the History, being employed by others, after Knox's death, in compiling Book Fifth, and the volume of Memorials published under the name of Kichard Bannatyne.
II. Admonitory.—His Public Letters may be included under this head : such as his Admonition and Letters to the Faithful, to the Godly in England, to the Professors of the Truth, to the Queen Eegent ; also his Appellation, his First Blast, and his Ressoning with the Abbot of Crossraguell.
III. Devotional.—His Expositions on the Sixth Psalm, on tlie Fourth Chapter of Matthew, and his Sermon preached in St. Giles' Church, Edinburgh, in 1565, are but a small contribution to this class ; but it may be enlarged with his Discourse at Durham against the Doctrine of the Mass, the Common Prayers, the Treatise on Fasting, the Order of Excommunication, and his Answer to Tyrie the Jesuit.
IV. Letters.— His earlier religious correspondence with Mrs.
Bowes might be placed under the previous division, while his letters of a later period have chiefly reference to events of a public nature.
We are not to judge of Knox as an author by any common standard.
His works for the most part were hastily prepared, ^ Vol. i. p. xiii.
; vol. vi. p. xiii. volume of Select Writings of Knox in ^ Suggested by the editor of the little " British Reformers."
Ixxxvi PREFACE. not in the enjoyment of literary ease and retirement, but undcn* the pressure of anxious care, or constant and exciting occupation.
His was a life of action, not of contemplation :
" Wond(M' not," he says in 1565, when constrained in his own defence to publish his one solitary sermon,—" Wonder not that of all my study and travail within the Scriptures of God these twenty years, I have set forth nothing in expounding any portion of Scripture .
. considering myself rather called of mj^ God to instruct the ignorant, comfort the sorrowful, confirm tlie weak, and rebuke the proud, by tongue and lively voice, in these most corrupt days, tlian to compose books for the age to come."^ We cannot however but regret that probably no small number of the Eeformer's letters has perished.
In particular, there were in England, other ladies as well as Mrs. Anna Lock, witli whom he seems to have kept up an epistolary intercourse, besides foreign divines and political correspondents.
The letters that are preserved sufficiently show how erroneous is the estimate usually formed of him as being a person of repulsive and harsh demeanour.
He could, indeed, stand unmoved while his Sovereign was shedding " salt tears ;" but as Eandolph, in a letter to Cecill, somewhat cynically says, " Mr. Knoxe spoke upon Tuesday unto the Queue.
He knocked so hastelye upon her harte, that he made her weep, as well you know there be of that sexe that wyll do that as well for anger as for greef.""
But he himself, in recording this first conference, states, that when asked by one of his friends, What he thought of the Queen ? he answered, " If there be not in her a proud mynd, a crafty witt, and ane indurat heart against God and his treuth, my judgement faileth me ;" and, in a marginal note he adds, this was " his judgment of tlic Queene at the first, and ever since."^ At a subsequent interview, when the Queen was " in a vehe- '
Infra, p. 229.
Wriglit's Queen Elizabetli and her Times, vol. i. p. 72.
» Vol. ii. p. 286.
PREFACE.
Ixxxvii ment fume" with Knox, on account of his rigorous mode of alluding to her proposed marriage with Darnley, and to her uncles, she cryed out that never Prince was used as she was, having, she said, " sought your favouris by all possible meanes."
After " the owling, besydes womanlie weaping, which stayed her speech," the said John, in his reply, uses these memorable words, " Without the preaching place (that is, out of the pulpit), Madam, / think few have occasionn to he offcndit at me ; and thair. Madam, I am nott maister of my self, but man (must) obey Him who commandis me to speik plane, and to flatter no ilesche upon the face of the earth." ^ Elsewhere he adds, he took God to record, that lie never had pleasure to see any creature ; yea, not his children when his own hands had beaten weep them, " much less can I rejoice in your Majesties weeping."^ When, it may be asked, was a triumph of such magnitude and importance ever accomplished with less sacrifice of blood, or less sullied by personal suffering ?
Well may Scotland be proud of such a man as Knox, and of the great and noble work wdiich he was so instrumental in achieving !
His character rises superior to detraction, and will ever stand forth worthy of admiration ; stern and resolute in his purpose ; zealous in his endeavours to correct existing abuses ; undaunted in his opposition to all false doctrine and idolatry, and heroic in his incorruptible integrity.
Yet while so uncompromising in all his public duties as a faithful minister of Christ, he had a heart full of loving and tender affections, and he was not less remarkable for deep self-abasement and humility.
DAVID LAING.
Edinbukgh, April 1864.
Vol. ii. p. 387.
Vol. ii. p. 389.
Sec also ib. p. 410.
LETTERS
CHIEFLY RELATING TO THE PROGRESS
OF THE REFORMATION IN
SCOTLAND.
M.D.LIX.—M.D.LXII.
VOL. VI.
We have now come to the most important epoch in Knox's public career.
It will be in remembrance that his visit to Scotland, in the autiunn of 1555, was found to have been premature, and that his renewed intentions were frustrated, after he had reached Dieppe in October 1557,^ by letters which " willed him to abyde in these parts."
Being thus constrained at that time, with a hea^^ heart to return to Geneva, he there resumed his ministerial labours in the EngKsh Congregation.
But towards the close of the following year, more favourable accounts were received from this country ; and the entire aspect of affairs in England was also changed by an unexpected occurrence, which opened up a joyful prospect to the English exiles, who, to escape from persecution, were dispersed in various parts of the Continent : this was the death of Mary Queen of England, on the 17th of November 1558.
Then it was that Knox felt satisfied the time had come for casting in his lot with his countrymen who were engaged in prosecuting that great and arduous enterprise against Popish superstition and oppression, the result of which was the establishment of the Protestant Faith in Scotland.
The accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne of England was indeed a memorable event connected with the Eeformed
Eeligion ; and the changes which then took place having exercised no small influence on the affairs of Scotland, the state of England at this crisis requires a brief notice.
At first, it has been remarked, " instead of interfering with religious matters,
Elizabeth wished quietly to wait for the decision of a Parliament thereupon, and this from no lukewarmness," but apparently
^ See Knox's Letter, vol. i. p. 269-
] " tlirougli her intense fear of allowing innovations."^ On the 27th of December, she issued a proclamation, addressed to the Lord Mayor of London^ condemning " unfrutefid. disputes in matters of religion."
But while Loth parties enjoyed a toleration, there is no proof that either her own sentiments w^ere imdecided, or had no influence in securing the votes of a Protestant majority when I'arliament should assemble.
The Queen was crowned at Westminster on the IGth of January 1558-9, and the Parliament met for business on the 25th of that month.
In the opening speech, the Lord Keeper Bacon urged " the avoidance of all contention and contumelious speeches."
AVhen the Act for restoring the supremacy was discussed, the Popish prelates, and some other members of Parliament opposed such a measure, urging that the unity of the Church of Eome, and obedience to the Apostolic See, ought to be maintained.
But the Act was carried, renewing all the laws^ of Henry VIII., consisting of articles and provisions made agamst the See Apostolic of Eome since the
Henry VIIL, as well as those of Edward VI., in favour of the Eeformation, which the Act cap. viii.
1 & 2 Philip and Mary 1553 liad repealed.
The Act of Elizabeth is entitled, " An Act to restore to the Crown the ancient Jurisdiction over the Estate Ecclesiastical and Spiiitual, and abolishing all foreign Powers repugnant to the same."^ Another important Act was also passed, not without opposition by Dr. Feckenham, Abbot of Westminster, and Dr. Scott, Bishop of Chester, respecting the Liturgy, viz., "An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer and Service in the Church, and Administration of the Sacraments."^ The Book of Connnon Prayer, as revised in the reign of Edward VI., w\as thus restored and directed to be used in all places at public worship, to the exclusion of any other form.
This Parliament was ^ Liturgical Services, edited fur the 2 Parliamentary History of England, Parker Society volumes, by the Eev. W. vol. i. pp. 643-6G0.
K. Clay, I5.D., p. x.
Cambridge, 1847.
^ Statutes at Large, vol. ii. pp. 5178^0522, marked 514.
^ 76. p. 514*.
] dissolved on the 8th of May, but it had accomplished its work, as by these enactments the Papal jmisdiction in England was abolished, and the changes then made, both in the forms of worship and of church government, constituted the essential character of the Church of England as it still exists.
In the same month of January 1559, Knox took, as it proved, his final leave of the English Congregation and his friends at Geneva, his wife and family remaining in that city until the result of these events should be seen.
In his anxiety to obtain the earliest intelligence from Scotland, he proceeded as usual to Dieppe.
But at that season of the year two months elapsed before any conununications arrived ; and, in the meanwhile, he appears to have solicited from the English Government letters of safe conduct to visit his friends in the north of England.
In his History of the Reformation/ he inserts what he calls his First Letter to Sir William Cecyll, dated at Dieppe, 10th April 1559, in which he says, that for the third time he now entreated leave to visit England, that he might, by preaching the Word, refresh weary souls, who thirsted for the water of life.
His former applications, therefore, must have been made through some other channel, and he alludes to his messenger narrowly escaping imprisonment ; but receiving no answer, he sent a double of this letter by another messenger, with a brief postscript, dated the 2 2d of that montli.^ An accurate copy of this letter is given, printed from the original preserved in the British Museum.^ The letter itself is not written in a style calculated to secure the favour of a courtier ; but, besides any personal feelings.
Sir William Cecyll coidd not be ignorant how unpalatable the name of Knox had become to liis royal Mistress.
The refusal, therefore, of leave to pass * Vol. ii. pp. 16-22. per date of the letter, requires to be ^ From this it appears that the footcorrecteJ. note, vol. ii. p. 22, respecting the pro- " Harl. MSS., No. 7004.
[ c ] tliroiigli England, for a speedy return to liis native country, must be attributed mainly to Elizabeth's rooted aversion to both Knox and Goodman, for their publications " On Obedience to Superior Powers," and on " The Eegiment or Government of Women."
It was in vain to allege that their works contained a question propounded as a general thesis on government, and had no personal reference to her Majesty, whose authority they professed themselves most willing to acknowledge.
In his " Brief Exhortation to England for the speedy embracing of the Gospel," which was written on the 12th of January 1559, Knox says, " For, in verie dede, when in dolour of hart I wrote this former lettre" (his
" Epistle .to the Inhabitants of Newcastle and Berwick," dated Geneva, 10th of November 1558,^ seven days before the death of Queen Mary), " I neither looked, nor could beleve, that the Lord Jesus wolde so suddainly kuocke at thy gate, or call upon thee in thy open stretes, off'ring himself to pardon thy iniquitie," etc.^
Under these circumstances, Knox resolved to avail himself of the first opportunity of proceeding direct by sea ; and embarking at Dieppe on the 23d of April, he arrived safely at Edinburgh on the 2d of May, at a time when his presence was of the utmost importance.
On the following day he addressed a short note to Mrs. Anna Lock, in which he says, " / am come,
I praise my God, even in the hrunt of the hattell.
Assist me, Sister, with your prayers, that now I shrink not when the battell approacheth."^ Of Knox's subsequent proceedings, and of the final triumph of the Protestant party, when the Eoman Catholic forms were abolished in Scotland, it would be superfluous in this place to give any detailed account.
The subject is treated fidly and with no feeble hand in his own History of the Eeformation, which forms the first two volumes of this series of his Works
' Vol.
V. p. 473.
- lb. p. 503.
^ See p. 21.
] while Knox's own share in such transactions is inseparably blended with the general history of the kingdom.
The Eeformer's Letters of this period, several of which are now printed for the first time, furnish many interesting and important details corroborative of his History of the Eeformation.
Some of them were introduced by himself in that work, but these are now given from the originals.
Occasional letters written by other individuals are likewise inserted, to illustrate more fully the progress of public events, and immediately connected with his own correspondence.
The original autographs for the most part are preserved in H. M.
State Paper Office, or in the British Museum.
The chief exception are the Letters addressed to Mrs. Anna Lock, one of those ladies, the wives of wealthy merchants of London, who displayed their liberality in assisting the reformed ministers during the times of persecution.
These letters are derived from Calderwood's History of the Kirk of Scotland, after a careful collation of the several manuscripts.
The letters, no doubt, came into his hands with other materials furnished to him when engaged (1627-1G36) in compiling that important work.
It is not unlikely that the letters, after Mrs.
Lock's death, were acquired in 1584, either by James Carmichael, John Davidson, or James Melville, during their banishment in England, or they might have been brought by her son, Henry Lock, during one of his missions to the court of James the Sixth, at the close of the century.
We know, at least, that a collection of Knox's Letters had come into the possession of the celebrated Andrew Melville.
In writing to Mr. Eobert Durie, minister of Anstruther, but then in exile at Leyden, he says (his letter being dated Sedan,
24th May 1616), "I left with my loving and faithful gossip, your father-in-law. Me. Knox's Letteks.
I wish them to be furth-coming." ^ But while there is every reason to believe that Mrs. Lock's Letters no longer exist, Calderwood's fidelity ' M'Crie's Life of Knox, vol. ii. p. 373.
] in transcribing tlie documents inserted in his History, has never been called in question.
It is by no means improbable that a few more letters of the Scottish Eeformer are in existence, and may still be recovered yet I can say that there is no likely quarter for discovering such letters, either at home or abroad, that has not been more or less carefully examined.
For instance, in the charter-rooms of some noble families, where such autographs might have been expected, the search has not been successful, as well among the papers of the Duke of Chattelherault, at Hamilton Palace, of the Eegent
Earl of Murray, at the Earl of Moray's, Donybristle, and of Erskine of Dun, at the Marquis of Ailsa's, as those of Lindsay of BalcaiTes, in the Advocates Library.
At the Earl of Morton's, Dalmahoy, among the letters of Douglas' of Lochlevin, only one solitary letter is preserved.
In the noble Library founded by Sir Thomas Bodley at Oxford, there are no letters of that period, although his father was one of Knox's correspondents.
The papers of less important personages and families have been dispersed or destroyed ages since ; and the Eecords of the General Assembly unfortunately perished in the great fire at Edinburgh in February 1700.
Two quarters where such letters are actually said to be preserved, require a more especial notice.
In the Memoir of Eobert Surtees, Esq., published for the Surtees Society by his excellent friend, the late Eev. Dr. Eaine of Durham, there is a letter by him addressed to J. G. Nichols, Esq. from Harrowgate, October 1, 1831, in which he refers to the " vast mass of the Streatlam papers which I am wading through, and which I hope may end in a separate publication ;" and he adds, " There is a neat 4to.
MS. of the whole transactions of Eobert Bowes, Lieger in Scotland, during great part of the reign of Elizabeth, and perhaps 500 original letters from the Eegent Morton, John Knox, Alex.
Erskine, Lethingtou, and divers Scots statesmen, with many more faniiliar epistles.
I have brought a large parcel with me
hitlier." ^ Surtees was too accurate in his statements to write thus unadvisedly, but the collection of original letters which he mentions has not been discovered at Streatlam Castle, after a careful search.
The Bowes family being so much opposed to Knox's marriage, which prevented any intercourse during his wife's life, all that could be expected in such a collection might be a few letters to Sir George Bowes on public affairs at a later date.
The other source alluded to is the collection of Calvin's Manuscripts, which were acquired after his death, in May 15G4, by the Magistrates of Geneva, and deposited in their public library.
Senebier, in his " Catalogue Eaisonne des Manuscrits conserves dans la Bibliotheque de la Ville et Eepublique de Geneve," 1779, has given a detailed list of Calvin's own letters
; but of those addressed to him, contained in eight volumes,^ he merely states that they were written by all the great men of that age.
He adds, it was evident, notwithstanding the prodigious number of letters, that many of them were wanting.
In his subsequent work, the " Histoire Litteraire de Geneve," 1786, in his brief account of Knox, with a list of his writings, he expressly states, " Dans la Bibliotheque publique de Geneve on trouve plusieurs lettres de Jean Cnox h.
Calvin."^ Having visited the Library in the year 1838, with the intention of transcribing these letters, it was a great disappointment not only to find the volumes lyiug in a confused heap in a low press or cupboard at one of the windows ; but, upon examining them, that not one letter written by Knox was contained in any of these volumes.
Subsequent inquiries and examinations, more especially by M. Bonnet, the learned editor of Calvin's Correspondence, served to prove that my search had not been too hasty.
The conclusion, therefore, is, that such letters had either been abstracted or lost through neglect, before » Memoir of Kobert Surtees, Esq., ^ mSS., Nos. 109-116, p. 288. p. 431.
Durham, 1852.
8vo.
« Vol. i. p. 380.
] the volumes had been arranged.
One of these letters to Calvin, in Latin, dated from Edinburgh, 21st October 1561, having found its way into a private collection in France,^ was first printed, along with a facsimile, in M. Teulet's important collection of French State Papers, at Paris, for the Bannatyne Club."
Although the originals of such letters were lost, I still entertained the hope that transcripts of them might be contained in the very extensive series of letters of the Eeformers, known as the Simler Manuscripts, in the public library of Zurich,^ which the Eev. Mr. Eobinson has described in his valuable series of " Original Letters," edited for the Parker Society.
But in reply to a special inquiry most kindly made by W. H.
Laurence, Esq., the librarian gave an assurance that no letters of Knox were to be found in that series.
I had an opportunity by personal examination, in the autumn of 18G0, to be satisfied of the correctness of this report.
I was glad to find that Calvin's manuscripts at Geneva are at least better appreciated than formerly.
' Mons. Feuillet de Conches.
Jolin Jacob Simler, who died 5th August 2 Papiers d'Etat, etc., torn. ii. p. 12, 1788, and form nearly 200 V(ilumes in Paris, 1852, etc.
3 vols. 4to. folio, containing about 18,000 letters, 'These transcripts were made by between the years 1530 and 1600.
LETTERS, ETC.
I.— Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock.
Death, the last cncmie, shall he aholished, and then shall we f mecte to rcjoyce vjith our Head, ivithoiit separation.
Your letters, deare Sister, dated at Geneva the seventh of Februar, received I in Diep the seventene of Marche.
Tuiching my negligence in wryting to yon, at other times I feare it shall be little amended, except that better occasions nor yet I know be offered ; for oft to write where few messengers can be found, is but folishnesse. My remembrance of yow is not yet so dead, but I trust it shall be fresh enough, albeit it be renewed be no outward token for one yeare.
Of nature I am churlish, and in conditions different from many : Yet one thing I ashame not to H afiirme, that familiaritie once throughlie contracted was never yet brocken on my default.
The cause may be that I have rather need of all then that any hath need of me.
However it be, as tuiching remembrance of yow, it cannot be, I say, the corporall absence of one year or two that can quenche in my hart that familiar acquaintance in Christ Jesus, which half a yeare did engender, and almost two yeares did nourish and confirme.
And therefor, whither I write or no, be assuredlie perswaded, that I have yow in such memorie, as becometh the faithfull to have of the faithfull.
In answering to your Questions, I know I shall be judged extreme and rigorous.
But, Sister, now it is no tyme to flatter,
LETTERS, ETC.
1559. nor to dissemble.
Our ca]itane Christ Jesus, and Satan his adversarie, are now at plaine defyance.
Their banners be displayed, and the trumpets blow upon either partie, for assembling of their armies.
Our ISIaister calleth upon his owne, and that with vehemencie, that they depart from Babylon
; yea, severelie he threateneth death and damnation to such as, either in forehead or in hand, beare the mark of the Beast.
And a portion of his niarke are all these dregges of Papistrie which were left in your great Booke of England,^ any jote whereof will I never counsell any man to use.
One jote, I say, of these Diabolicall inventiouns, viz.
Crossing in Baptisme ; Kneeling at the Lord's table ; mummelling, or singing of the Letanie, a fulgure et UmiKstaU : a subitanca et improvisa morte, etc.^ The whole Order of your Booke appeareth rather to be devised for upholding of massing priests, then for any good instruction which the simple people can thereof receive.
Your Sacraments wer ministred, be the most part, without the soule, and be tliose"who to Christ Jesus wer no true ministers ; and God grant that so yet they be not.
Without the soule I say, they wer ministred, ^ The revised Liturgy, or Book of sion of tlie constant Invocation of the Common Prayer of Edward the Sixth, Eoraish Saints, Orate pro nohis.
But authorized at this time by Queen EHzaiu the Liturgies of Edward the Sixth, heth to he used, and all other forms to which Knox refers, the words are prohibited. simply " From battle and murder, and ^ It perhaps was not so much indifrom sudden death."
In the Savoy vidual expressions as the general form Conference, in the year 1661, among of the English service, in having retained the exceptions against the Book of so much of the Popish ritual, that called
Common Prayer, in the rubric, " From forth this marked dislike on the part of battel, and murder, and sudden death,"
Knox.
In that part of the Romish serit was stated by the Puritans, " Because vice known as the Litany pro /Sanctis, the expression of ' sudden death ' hath are the words A suhitanea et improvisa been so often excepted against, we demote, etc.
; and in the English Prymcrs, sire, if it be thought tit, it may be thus 1538, etc. ,we have i^romsofZ<;?/neanc?«f?iread
:— ' From battel, and murther, and provydeddeathe,m\d From sodeyn death from di/intj suddenly and unprepared." and unarysid.—(Sec Maskell's " MoBut this suggested amendment was renumenta Ivitualia Ecclesia) Anglicanaj, jected, being one of the alterations " so vol. ii. pp. 95, 102.) This Litany was nice," as if they that made them were for the most part retained in the Book of given to change.—See Card well's " HisCommon Prayer, with the material omistory of Conferences," etc. pp. 316, 352.
1559.
TO MRS. ANNA LOCK.
becaiis they wer ministred without the Word trulie and openlie preached ; and yonr Ministers before, for the most part, were none of Christ's ministers, bnt Masse-mumming priests.
They wer newlie created singers or sayers of Matins, Evensong, and of Communion ; to church, or to purifie women, and to burie the dead with Commendo cinerem cineri, etc., whereof no point I find enjoyned to Christ's ministers, but onlie to preach Christ
Jesus crucified, and to minister the Sacraments in such simplicitie, as from him they had recaved them.
Yea, so bound to preach did tlie Apostle confesse himself, that he would not; acknowledge himself to be sent to baptize ; affirming therby that the cheefest office of Christ's ministers is to preache the | glade tydings of the kingdome, repentance, and remission of | sinnes, the scales wherof be the Sacraments; and the true ministers of tlium be onlie those that be appointed to preache, and also doe preache Christ Jesus, and the benefits of his death.
\ But suche wer not your Ministers, for the most part ; for the first entrie to their ministrie was, to offer Christ Jesus for the sinnes of the quick and the dead, and in that same purpose, as time hath declared, did no small number remaine.
And yet, I think that Mr. Parson and Mr. Vicar shall cause his chaplane mummill the Communion, etc.
I appear to jest with yow.
You ask of me, Whither it Be lawfuU to accompanie these childrene, at the requeest of your friends, to the Kirk, which shall be baptized after the accustomed manner in the dayes of King Edward ? and Whither the Lord's Supper be trulie ministred, if the receavers be suffered to sitt or stand, and the bread being such as is commonlie used, notwithstanding of the singing of the ten Commandments out of time, and the singing of the Creed ? etc. and Whither we may be partakers in that supper or not ?
These be your Questions, and I doe Answer yow.
With Mr. Parson's pattering of his constrained prayers, and with the massemunging of Mr. Vicar, and of his wicked companions [I will
LETTERS, ETC.
1559. not meddle].^ But consider, Sister, what I liavc afiirmed, to wit, that wher Christ Jesus is not preached (marke well that I say, preached), that there hath the Sacrament neither life nor soule
; and farther, that I say, none can be a lawful minister of Christ's Sacrament, who first is not a minister of his blessed "Word.
Now, Sister, if with good conscience yow may communicat with that which, in effect, is no sacrament, and if yow may honour him, as Christ's minister, who is but a bastard, jea Christ's plaine enemie als oft as he cometh there, to find favour of him, be judge yourself.
I know that both yow, and others shall find this my judgement somewhat extreme.
But, I answer if any perish, I shall be guiltlesse of their blood.
The matter is not of so small importance, as some suppose.
The question is, whether that God or man ought to be obeyed in matters of religion ?
In mouth, all doe confesse that God is onlie worthie of soveraignetie.
But after that many, be the instigation of the Divell, and be presumptuous arrogancie of carnall wisdome, and worldlie policie, have defaced God's holie ordinance, men feare not to follow what lawes and common consent, mother to all mischeefe, and nourse most favourable to superstition, hath established and commanded.
But thus continuallie I can doe nothing but hold, and affirme all things polluted, yea execrable, and accursed, which God, be his Word, hath not sanctified in his religion.
God grant yow his Holie Spirit rightlie to judge.
No man will I salute in commendation speciallie, although I bear good will to all that unfainedlie professe Christ Jesus
: for to me it is written that my Fikst Blast" hath blowne from me all my friends in England.
My conscience beareth me record that yet I seek the favour of my God ; and so I am in the lesse feare.
The Second Blast I feare shall sound somewhat more sharp, except men be more moderat then I hear they are.
My ' A blank occurs hero in Calderwood's ^ See this republislictl in vol. iv.
MS., as if such words, as are supplied pp. 349-420. within brackets, had not been deciphered.