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Handout #180 |
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The Scottish Reformation |
| John Knox returned to Scotland from
continental exile in 1559 A.D., and was soon plunged into civil war with
the Catholic forces led by the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise. Here is his
own description, in an exultant letter of June 1559 A.D. to a friend in
Geneva, of the mounting chaos in eastern Scotland:
The queen and her council made promise that no person within Saint Johnston [Perth], neither yet of these that assisted them, should be troubled for any thing done either in religion, either yet in down casting of places, [wrecking churches and monasteries] till the sentence of the estates in Parliament had decided the controversy, and that no bands of French soldiers should be left behind the queen and council in the town, and that no idolatry should be erected, nor alteration made within the town. But after she had obtained her desire, all godly promises were forgotten; for the Sunday next after her entering, mass was said upon a dyeing table (for you shall understand all the altars were profaned); the poor professors [i.e. Protestants] were oppressed; when children were slain, she did but smile, excusing the fact by the chance of fortune ... This cruelty and deceit displeased many that before assisted her with their presence and counsel; and among others, the earl of Argyll and the prior of St Andrews left her, and joined themselves to the congregation openly... At their command I repaired to them at St. Andrews ... in the meantime came the Bishop of St. Andrews to the town, accompanied with a great band of warriors, and gave a straight commandment, that no preaching should be made by me ... assuring the lords that if they suffered me to preach that twelve haquebuts [guns] should light upon my nose at once. 0 burning charity of a bloody bishop! But as that boast did little affray me, so did it more incense and inflame with courage the hearts of the godly, who with one voice proclaimed that Christ Jesus should be preached despite of Satan ... In the meantime ... the Abbey of Lindores, a place of Black Monks, [Benedictines] ... we reformed, their altars overthrew we, their idols, vestments of idolatry, and mass books, we burnt in their presence, and commanded them to cast away their monkish habits. Divers Canons of St. Andrew shave given notable confessions, and have declared themselves manifest enemies to the Pope, to the Mass and all superstition. Thus far hath God advanced the glory of his dear Son among us ... for now forty days and more hath my God used my tongue, in my native country, to the manifestation of his glory. Whatsoever now shall follow as touching my own carcass, his holy name be praised ...From text in T. McCrie, Life of John Knox, Edinburgh 1839,172, 486-7. |
