The life of John Knox: containing illustrations of the history of the reformation in Scotland. With biographical notices of the principal reformers, and sketches of the progress of literature in Scotland

Front matter

Class IVs L3J Book, /Hi — Gopyiight^J? ^!^T

COPYRIGHT DEPOSm

THE

PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION, . . lxv

PERIOD FIRST.

Birth and parentage of Knox— his education— state of literature in Scotland -— introduction of the study of the Greek language — opinions of John Major—their influence on Knox and Buchanan— Knox addicted to scholastic philosophy, and teaches it at St. Andrew's— is advanced to clerical orders —change in his studies and sentiments— state of religion in Scotland — necessity of a reformation— gratitude due to the Reformers— introduction of Reformed doctrines into Scotland— Patrick Hamilton, the martyrexiles for religion— Reformation promoted by the diffusion of the Scriptures—by poetry— embraced by persons of rank— its state at the death of James V. . . . . . Pp. 1 — 22

PERIOD SECOND.

Knox retires from St. Andrew's, and joins the Reformers— is persecuted by Cardinal Beatoun, and degraded from the priesthood — Guillaume — Rough— Wishart— preachers to whose instructions he was indebted — favoured by the Regent Arran— Knox enters the family of Langniddrie as tutor — Cardinal Beatoun assassinated — Knox persecuted by his successor Archbishop Hamilton— obl ged to conceal himself, and takes refuge in the castle of St. Andrew s— his sentiments regarding the assassination of Beatoun— Sir David Lindsay of the Mount— Balnaves of Halhill— John Rough— Knox called by them to the ministry — his first sermon against Popery — his disputation before a convention of the clergy— success of his labours— is taken prisoner, and confined in the French galleys— his fortitude of mind under captivity— he writes a confession of his faith— extract from his dedication to a treatise of Balnaves — his humane advice to his fellow prisoners — he is liberated. . ... Pp. 22—44

PERIOD THIRD.

Knox arrives in England— state of the Reformation there— is sent by the Privy Council to preach at Berwick— his exertions and success — character of Tonstal, bishop of Durham— Knox defends his doctrines before him — is removed to Newcastle, and made chaplain to Edward VI. — consulted in the revisal of the Liturgy and Articles— makes proposals of marriage to Marjory Bowes— receives "the approbation of the Privy Council — incurs the displeasure of the Duke of Northumberland— is honourably acquitted by the Privy Council — preaches in London— declines to accept a benefice — refuses the bishopric of Rochester— disapproves of the worship and government of the Church or England— sentiments of the English Reformers agree with his— plan of Edward VI. for improving the Church of England —state of his Court— boldness and honesty of the royal chaplains— Knox's sermons at Court— his distress at the death of Edward— he returns to the north of England at the accession of Mary— his prayer for the Queen — marries Marjory Bowes— some of her relations displeased at the marriage- Roman Catholic religion restored by English parliament— Knox continues to preach— his letters are intercepted — he is forced to abscond, and retires to Dieppe in France. .... Pp.44 — 71

Ixii CONTENTS.

PERIOD FOURTH.

%nox's uneasy reflections on his fpght— letters to his friends in E n giants— * his solemn review of his conduct in the ministry— visits Switzerland— returns to Dieppe— visits Geneva— forms an intimate friendship with the celebrated Calvin— returns to Dieppe— distressing news from England — his Admonition — apology for the severity of its language — fixes his residence at Geneva— his means of subsistence — called to be minister to English exiles at Frankfort— dissensions among them about the English Liturgy — his moderation in that — harmony restored— disorderly conduct of the sticklers for the Liturgy— rebuked by Knox— he is accused of high treason— turns his thoughts to his native country — state of the Protestant Church in Scotland from the time he left it — triumph of the Popish clergy— Queen Dowager made Regent— she privately favours the Protestants— William Harlow— John Willock — Knox visits his wife at Berwick— preaches privately at Edinburgh— letter to Mrs. Bowes— persuades the Protestants to desist from hearing mass— dispenses the Sacrament of the Supper in different parts of the kingdom — Popish clergy endeavour to apprehend him — summon him— Knox preaches more publicly— Earl of Glencairn — his letter tothe Queen Regent -receives a call from the English congregation at Geneva—leaves Scotland — Popish clergy condemn him as a heretic, and burn his effigy — his Appellation from the sentence— summary of the doctrine which he had taught — estimate of the advantages which the Reformation derived from this visit— important instructions which he left behind him for his Protestant brethren in Scotland — reaches Geneva. . Pp. 72 — 111

PERIOD FIFTH.

Happiness which Knox enjoyed at Geneva— his passionate desire to preach the Gospel in his native country — receives an invitation from the Protestant nobles in Scotland — leaves Geneva, and proceeds to Dieppe in France — receives discouraging news there from his friends in Scotland— his animated letter to the nobility— severe persecution of the Protestants in France— Knox preaches in Rochelle— his reasons for not proceeding tO' Scotland — writes to the Prote-tants there — warns them against the Anabaptists — his letter to the nobility— his prudent advice regarding resistance to trie government— he returns to Geneva,, and assists in translating trie Bible into English— publishes his letter to the Queen Regent — his Appellation — First Blast of the Trumpet — reasons which led to this publication, against female government — Ayhner's answer to it— Knox receives a second invitation from the nobility in Scotland — progress of the Reformation there — formation of private congregations— Protestant preachers— Martyrdom @f Walter Milne— important effects of this— Protestants petition the Regent—her fair promises — accession of Elizabeth — Knox leaves Geneva for Scotland— is refused a passage through England— grounds for this refusal. — Knox's reflections on it — he writes to Cecil from Dieppe— arrives in Scotland — Critical situation of affairs on his arrival— dissimulation of the Queen Regent — her determination to suppress the Reformation — Knox joins his brethren who were summoned to stand trial— preaches at Perth — demoli^- tion of the monasteries in that city— not justly imputed to him— Regent threatens the destruction of Perth— Protestants defend themselves — a treaty between the Regent and Protestant lords, and violated by the Queen — the name of the Congregation given to the Protestant association— Lords of The Congregation invite Knox to preach at St. Andrew's— threatened by the Archbishop— intrepidity of Knox — he preaches — magistrates and Inhabitants agree to demolish the monasteries and images, and to set up ths- Reformed worship — their example followed in other parts of the king • doraa— Psotestants- of Edinburgh fix on Knox as their minister — he travels

•through the country — effects of his preaching— state of his mind— his family arrive in Scotland— French troops come to the assistance of the Queen Regent— Knox persuades the Congregation to seek assistance from England— apologizes to Elizabeth for his book against female government — is invited to England— undertakes a journey to Berwick— is successful in the negociation— reasons for his taking an active part in this affair— embarrassment in which this involved him— prejudices of the English Court against him— their confidence in his honesty— his activity and imminent dangers— Lords of the Congregation consult on deposition of the Regent—

CONTENTS.

Knox advises her suspension— influence of the Reformation on civil liberty —political principles of Knox— essentially those on which British libertyrests— disasters of the Congregation— their courage revived by the eloquence of Knox— his exertions in Fife— an English army joins the forces ©f the Congregation— expedition of the French against Glasgow— death of the Queen Regent— war ended by a treaty— contrast between the Popish and Protestant clergy in their conduct during the civil war— the Reformed religion is established by Parliament— retrospective view of the advancement of the Reformation. .... Pp. Ill— 18*2

PERIOD SIXTH.

Knox resumes his situation in Edinburgh— employed in composing the Protestant Confession of Faith — the First Booa of Discipline— approved and subscribed by greater part of Privy Council — sketch of the form and order of the Reformed Church of Scotland— laudable attention to education — literary hours in a Scotch Minister's Family— Hebrew language introduced — cultivation of the vernacular tongue— "first General Assembly— Knox loses his wife— his anxiety for the safety of the Reformed Church— Queen Wary arrives in Scotland— her education, and her fi^ed determination to xestore Popery— alarm excited by her sett.ng up of Mass — behaviour of Knox on tnis occasion— remarks on this— hostile intentions ot the Queen against Knox— first interview between them— his opinion of her character — his austerity and vehemence useful— zeal of the Protestant nobility abates — he vindicates the freedom of the Ecclesiastical Assemblies — inveighs against the inadequate provision made for the Protestant ministry — his own stipend— attention of the Town Council of Edinburgh to his support — he instals two superintendents — employed in reconciling the nobility — the Queen offended at one of his sermons— second interview between them — his great labours in Edinburgh. — obtains John Craig for acolleague— curious incidents in the life of John Craig, note— the Prior of St. Andrew s created Earl of Murray,, and made prime minister— insurrection under Huntly— conduct of Knox on that occasion- Quentin Kennedydispute between him and Knox — Ninian Wingate— excommunication of Paul Methven— reflections on the sever. ty of Protestant discipline— third interview between Knox, and the Queen— artifice of Mary— she prevails on the Parliament not to ratify the Protestant religion— indignation of Knox at this— breach between him and Earl of Murray — I, is sermon at the dissolution of Parliament — fourth interview between him and the c^ueen— shebursts into tears— apology for the sternness of his behaviour— slander against his character— is accused of high treason — influence used to intimidate him— his trial— indignation of the Queen at his acquittal, — Pp. 182 — 24f>

PERIOD SEVENTH.

New attempts to induce Knox to make submission to the Queen— the courtiers accuse him of usurping a papal power— the General Assembly approve of his conduct— he marries a daughter of Lord Ochiltree— slanderous reflections of the Papists on this alliance— dissensions between the Court and Protestant preachers— apology for the liberty ot the puipit— debate between Knox and Secretary Maitland — the Queen marries Lord Darnley — friendship renewed between Knox and the Earl of Murray — he does not take part in Murray's insurrection — the King takes offence at one of his sermons, and Knox is inhibited from preaching — remonstrance of the Town Council against this— Christopher Goodman leaves St. Andrew's— petition for Knox's translation to that town refused by Assembly— a fast proclaimed for the dangers which threaten the Church— measures taken by the Queen, to restore "Popery— assassination of Rizzio — Knox banished* from Edinburgh—resolves to visit his sons in England— is strongly recommended by General A ssembly— from whom he was charged with a letter to the bishopsof England — Archbishop Hamilton restored to his ancient junsdict-on — spirited, letter of Knox on that occasion— the King muidered by Both well — the Queen's participation in the murder— her marriage to Bothwell — noble behaviour of John Craig on that occasion— the Queen resigns the Crown to her son— Knox returns to Edinburgh, and preaches at the coronation of James VI.— his opinion concerning the punishment of Mary— the Earl of Murray made Regent— state of the Protestant Church under his Regency— Knox cherishes the desire of retiring from public life— the king

Ixiv

CONTENTS.

dom embroiled by the escape of the Queen— the Regent assassinated by Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh— national grief at this event — character of Murray — Knox bewails his loss— fabricated conference between them— Thomas Maitland exults over the death of the Regent — Knox's denuncia tion against him — his pathetic sermon before the Regent's funeral— is struck with apoplexy. . Pp. 240—273

PERIOD EIGHTH.

Knox recovers from the apoplectic stroke— is involved in a quarrel with Kircaldy of Grange, who joins the Queen's party — interposition of the gentlemen of the west in Knox's favour— anonymous libels against him— his spirited answer from the pulpit — Edinburgh occupied by the Queen's party —danger to which Knox is exposed — prevailed upon to retire to St. Andrew's — civil war— hostility of the Queen s faction against him — he is opposed by their adherents at St. Andrew's — Archibald Hamilton— scheme for altering the polity of the Church — Tulchan bishops— not approved of by General Assembly — Knox refuses to instal Douglas in the Archbishopric of St. Andrew's— gradual decay of his health — striking description of his appearance and pulpit eloquence by James Melville — he publishes an answer to a Scotch Jesuit called Tyrie— ardently desires his dissolution— his last letter to the General Assembly— is invited back, and returns to Edinburgh — requests a smaller place of worship, his voice being so enfeebled that he could not be heard in St. Giles's— a new place of worship fitted up for him — Craig removed from Edinburgh— Lawson chosen as successor to Knox— massacre of St. Bartholomew in France inflicts a deep wound on his exhausted spirit— Knox's denunciation against the French King— preaches in the Tolbooth Church— his last sermon— his sickness— interesting interview with his session— his message to Kircaldy— his religious advices, meditations, and comfort in his last illness — his death— funeral— opinions entertained respecting him by Scottish Protestants— by divines of the Church of England— origin and causes of prejudices against him*-his character— reflections on the prophecies ascribed to him— account of his family— sufferings of John Welch, his son-in-law— interview between Mrs. Welch and James VI.— character of Knox's writings— conclusion. , Pp. 273—362

NOTES.— Period First, . . . Page 333

APPENDIX, , . . .425

HISTORICAL REMARKS on Knox's Implication in

Rizzio's Murder, , . , #451

VINDICATION OF JOHN KNOX from Implication in

Rizzio's Murder, . . . .454

INDEX,