The Bulwark Magazine of the Society

Oct - DEc 2016 // £2

October - December 2016 1 The Bulwark Problems confronting the church Magazine of the Scottish Reformation Society The Magdalen Chapel 41 Cowgate, , EH1 1JR Tel: 0131 220 1450 6 Email: [email protected] www.scottishreformationsociety.org Registered charity: SC007755

Chairman Committee Members »» Rev Dr S James Millar THE LACK OF MILITANCY »» Rev Maurice Roberts Vice-chairman »» Rev Kenneth Macdonald »» Rev John J Murray AND SPIRITUAL WARFARE »» Mr Allan McCulloch Secretary »» Rev Alasdair Macleod »» Rev Douglas Somerset IN THE CHURCH »» Mr Matthew Vogan Treasurer »» Rev Andrew Coghill John J Murray This is the sixth of a series of articles by Mr Murray on the subject ‘Problems confronting the Church’. cO-OPEraTIOn OBJEcTS OF ThE SOcIETy In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) To propagate the evangelical Protestant faith operate with Churches and with other Societies and those principles held in common by those Churches and organisations adhering to whose objects are in harmony with its own. the Reformation; We come now to consider the sixth mark of Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset (b) To diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on a declining Church. It concerns the failure I. Where the battle was lost All literary contributions, books for review and the distinctive tenets of Protestantism and of the professing Church of the present day When we look back on the spiritual papers, should be sent to: Roman Catholicism; to act as the Church Militant. battles fought by the early Church, by our The Magdalen Chapel and Puritans, by the (c) To carry on missionary work among 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh R.B. Kuiper, writing in the middle of and by the Revival leaders of adherents of the latter faith with a view to EH1 1JR winning them to the doctrines of grace and to last century, said: “Our age is one of the eighteenth century, we ask what went [email protected] the fellowship of the true Gospel; ecclesiastical pacifism. Instead of opposing wrong? The fact is that in the middle of the error most churches tolerate it and many nineteenth century there came a change The views expressed in articles are those of (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, even enthrone it. That doctrinal error is from which the Church has not recovered. the contributor and may not necessarily reflect religious and other literature in connection with sin, occurs to very few churches indeed. The eighteenth-century movement known those of the Editor or the Committee of the the promotion of the Protestant religion; Flagrant immorality and social injustice are as the Enlightenment brought an affirmation Society. Scriptural references are from the A.V. frowned on but other forms of worldliness of human autonomy and of the final (e) To promote the associating together of men are rampant among church members. authority of reason. Following that change, except where stated otherwise. and women, and especially young people, for systematic Bible Study and holding of Judicial discipline is seldom exercised and the Darwinian theory of Evolution hastened Unattributed material is by the Editor. meetings for the above specified purposes. heresy trials are relegated to the middle- to undermine the supernatural and the ages,” (The Glorious Body of Christ, 1967, miraculous. The Higher Critical scholarship p. 33). If that was true of the Church in the that arose in Germany cast doubt on the

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2 The Bulwark October - December 2016 3 Gradually the truth became modified so as been going on down the centuries had its to give offence to none. It was no surprise origin in the Garden of Eden. When Adam that belief in a personal Devil was greatly and Eve were tempted by Satan, speaking weakened. One of the leaders of Higher through the serpent, to doubt God’s Word, Critical thought, William Robertson Smith, they aligned themselves with the Devil. The did not believe in angels or demons. There first couple could have been immediately was no enemy to oppose. The Church cast down to eternal damnation. But God succumbed to the wiles of the Devil and had a purpose of mercy for sinners and in lost sight of the cosmic battle between the first promise of a Deliverer in Genesis Christ and Satan. 3:15, God pronounced the defeat of Satan: “I will put enmity between thee and the There were leaders who fought in defence woman, and between thy seed and her of the faith both in Scotland and in England. seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt On the Scottish scene the battle resulted bruise his heel.” It was first and foremost a eventually in the parting of the ways for sentence passed on the enemy of man. The John Bunyan Charles Haddon Spurgeon those who were the true defenders of the rendering, “enmity I have placed”, shows Faith in 1893 and 1900. In England C.H. that redemption is as much about God’s sovereign rule as about “man’s need”. It was Spurgeon fought a rearguard action in the make thy foes thy footstool” (Acts 2:35). The wield the sword of the Spirit to attack Satan the beginning of the age-long conflict. famous ‘Downgrade Controversy’, a battle decisive victory has been accomplished but and the forces of darkness with the Word which some see as hastening his early there is “a mopping-up operation”. Satan of God. The Old Testament provides us with the death. The liberal theology spread to North is losing out so he goes to persecute “the history of that conflict, as Satan seeks to cut America and the once soundly orthodox woman that brought forth the man child”, The popular “gospel” of today that offers off those belonging to the line of the Seed Princeton Theological Seminary fell to the and “to make war with the remnant of her Christ as a panacea for man’s ills has of the Woman. From the murder of Abel proponents of liberal theology. The battle seed which keep the commandments of totally obscured the notion of the Christian to the deaths of the babes in Bethlehem, for the orthodox faith was taken up in God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” life as a warfare. In the days when John we have Satan trying to destroy the godly particular by a former Princeton Seminary (Rev 12:13, 17). Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and Holy War line. This culminates in the conflict between graduate, J. Gresham Machen. He wrote were standard reading in most homes, the Promised Seed and Satan. The Son of the classic work Christianity and Liberalism III. The Christian’s warfare Christians saw in them a reflection of their God incarnate, as the Representative of His in which he clearly demonstrated that The sinner by nature is, as we have noted own struggle from the City of Destruction chosen people, comes to confront Satan liberal teaching was not Christian. He was (Eph 2:2), held captive by Satan until he is to the Celestial City. We are told that one of and destroy the usurper. He is hated by the deposed; and formed, with others, the delivered by the power of the Holy Spirit. the guides for Christiana and company is a people of the world, who were following Westminster Theological Seminary and The transformation enlists him on the side Mr Great-Heart, who sees “a man with his “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2). the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. The of Christ and he becomes a soldier in the sword drawn, and his face all bloody.” The The religious authorities sought to kill the downward spiral continued throughout the army of his Redeemer. This brings upon man declares: “I am the one whose name Lord’s Anointed. They were among those twentieth century and has resulted in the him the rage and opposition of Satan, allied is Mr Valiant-for-Truth.” Mr Great-Heart of whom it was said: “ye have taken and rampant relativism and pluralism that has with the world and the flesh. Paul reminds says: ‘“Thou hast worthily behaved thyself; by wicked hands have crucified and slain” taken hold of the Church. (Acts 2:23). But in the act of dying, the the Christians at Ephesus: “For we wrestle let me see thy Sword”; so he showed it Redeemer overcame Satan: “Having spoiled not against flesh and blood, but against him. When he had taken it in his hand, and II. Recovering the concept principalities and powers, he made a show principalities, against powers, against looked thereon a while, he said, “Ha! It is of warfare of them openly triumphing over them in it the rulers of the darkness of this world, a right Jerusalem blade.”’ This is the one To have any prospect of a spiritual recovery [the Cross]” (Col 2:15). As his reward, he against spiritual wickedness in high places” who fought until his sword did cleave to his in the Church, we need loudly to proclaim was exalted to the right hand of the Father (Eph 6:12). It is for that reason that we are hand, and at the end of the journey testified: the truth that warfare lies at the very centre who promised that he will reign there “until I furnished with full body-armour to stand “My Sword I give to him that shall succeed of Christianity. The cosmic battle which has against the wiles of the Devil, but also to me in my Pilgrimage, and my Courage and

4 The Bulwark October - December 2016 5 Benjamin B Warfield We began by highlighting what R.B. Kuiper V. Gresham Machen’s had to say about the state of the Church in call-to-arms his day, but in the same work, he goes on When the battle against liberalism was to outline what the Church ought to be: being fought in the USA, the President of Princeton Seminary, Dr J. Ross Stevenson, “It is more than time that the church be was at the General Assembly on one reminded that militancy is of her essence. occasion advocating an “inclusive Church”, When a church ceases to be militant, and changes which might radically alter it also ceases to be a church of Jesus the position of Princeton Seminary. Mrs Christ. The church on earth is glorious, Stevenson met Dr B.B. Warfield on the not in spite of its militancy but precisely street in Princeton and she said to him: “Oh, because of it... Positively put, the church’s Dr Warfield, I am praying that everything militancy is proof of its holiness. As the will go harmoniously at the Assembly.” Dr light of the world, it cannot but strive to Warfield’s reply was: “Why, Mrs Stevenson, I expel the darkness of sin. As custodian am praying that there may be a fight.” A fight of the truth, it zealously upholds the there was, and Dr Machen and his followers truth of God against error. Thus militancy won a victory for supernatural religion. becomes synonymous with glory” (The Machen was not averse to controversy. We Glorious Body of Christ, pp. 33-34). conclude with a challenge from him:

When, after the Dark Ages, the Church “We know not in detail what will take place began to recover, it was because she when the great revival comes, the great took the battle to the enemy. Martin Luther revival for which we long, when the Spirit defied the might of Rome. Calvin gave no of God will sweep over the church like a Skill to him that can get it. My marks and and follow me” (Matt 17:24). He must be quarter to the libertines. feared mighty flood. But one thing we do know scars I carry with me, to be a witness for willing to die for loyalty to Christ. After the the face of no man. After he had to flee – when that great day comes, the present me, that I have fought his battles who will Lord’s Ascension and the pouring out of to the continent from the persecution in feeble aversion to ‘controversy’, the present be now my Rewarder. So he passed over, the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, England, he wrote later to Marjory Bowes: cowardly unwillingness to take sides in the and all the Trumpets sounded for him on thousands were won for Christ. It was not “Albeit that I have at the beginning of this age-long issue between faith and unbelief in the other side.” long before Satan’s rage was felt (Acts 4:1- battle appeared to play the faint-hearted the Church – will at once be swept aside. 3). Shortly afterwards we read: “And at that and feeble soldier (the cause I remit to God), There is not a trace of such an attitude in IV. The Church’s warfare time there was great persecution against yet my prayer is, that I might be restored God’s holy Word. That attitude is just Satan’s It is not only the Christian but the Church the church at Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1). The to the battle again” (A Scottish Christian way of trying to deceive the people of God; as a whole that is engaged in war against persecution against the early Church Heritage, Iain H Murray, 2006, p. 12). When peace and church-unionism and aversion to Satan. The Church is caught up in the was an indication that she was faithful to Knox landed in Scotland in 1559, he wrote: controversy, as they are found in the modern cosmic battle between Christ and Satan. her calling. She overcame, because the “It is uncertain as yet what God shall still Church, are just the fine garments that cover We are not spectators but participants. weapons of her warfare were not carnal work further in the country, except I see the enemy, unbelief.....May God send us men Christ said to his disciples in sending but “mighty through God to the pulling the battle shall be great, for Satan rageth who are not deceived; men who will respond them forth: “Think not that I am come to down of strong holds” (2 Cor. 10:4). We even to the uttermost.” And so Satan was to the forces of unbelief and compromise send peace on earth: I came not to send need the supernatural to fight against defeated and the Reformation came to now so largely dominant in the visible Church peace but a sword” (Matt 10:34). He did the supernatural. Only superior spiritual Scotland. Later could with a brave and unqualified ‘No!’ Paul was not promise them an easy life. Instead he power can attain success in a warfare. The say of Christ: “He never yet wooed a bride such a man in his day” (Historic Christianity: declared: “If any man will come after me, victories of the early Church came through on earth but in blood, in fire and in the Selections from the Writings of J. Gresham let him deny himself, and take up his cross the moral power of the gospel. wilderness.” Machen, 1997, p. 31).

6 The Bulwark October - December 2016 7 Scottish people; for they have long been III. Church affairs among the most familiarly and extensively The second sphere of labour for John known of those household books that are Willison was the town of Dundee, where he found wherever true piety exists, whether spent the rest of his life. He was called upon in the poor man’s cottage, or in the halls of to counter other local errors and excesses the wealthy.” such as those of John Glas, the minister of Tealing who was opposing the Covenants I. The Lord’s Supper and the Church-State relationship. It was a While not so well known now, Willison’s grief to Willison to witness the ejection of writings were clearly best-sellers during that Ebenezer Erskine and his fellow-ministers era. He wrote much on the subject of the in 1733. Lord’s Supper. His purpose was practical in seeking to help communicants prepare Willison attacked this in a sermon to the and examine themselves. He believed Synod of Angus and Mearns (published there was little of very practical direction as “The Church’s Danger”). Along with for partaking of this ordinance. One of others, he succeeded in overturning the his publications directs communicants as act of discipline against them in the 1734 to how to spend a communion Sabbath. General Assembly. By this time, however, There are directions and catechisms for the Erskines were determined to pursue young communicants. The array of suitable the course of the Secession. Willison was meditations written on Scripture texts then sent to London as part of a deputation relating to the Lord’s Supper has proved seeking the repeal of the Patronage Act of its worth to many. These meditations stir 1711 which allowed landowners power John Willison the soul and provide an example of those in filling vacant parishes. Some important spiritual breathings that we long for. concessions were gained, but not the main goal of the mission. of Dundee II. The Lord’s Day Willison’s first charge in Brechin brought IV. Visiting and Catechising him into collision with Episcopalians who Willison was diligent in visiting his flock. (1680 – 1750) despised a spiritual and faithful observance Evidence of his approach can be seen in of the Fourth Commandment. This prompted another publication called The Afflicted one of his best known publications A Treatise Man’s Companion (1737). This was much Matthew Vogan Concerning the Sanctification of the Lord’s prized in achieving its aim “that the afflicted Day. It is of great spiritual and practical may have a book in their houses, and at value. It provoked a response from James their bed-sides, as a monitor to preach to Small, an Episcopalian minister, which was them in private, when they are restrained The ministry most commonly associated Willison left a significant legacy of answered by Willison in his Letter from a from hearing sermons in public”. The book with Dundee as most evidently owned of publications that breathe a depth of piety Parochial Bishop to a Prelatical Gentleman. contains many examples of the dying words God is that of Robert Murray M‘Cheyne. also evidenced by great beauty and power. Small replied to his earlier Letter, upon of believers in order to strengthen and help Yet a century before M‘Cheyne came to These have had their influence on many which Willison published An Apology for those languishing in such a condition. St Peter’s, revival also came to that place. generations in Scotland. In 1843 William the . During the 1715 Drops from heaven fell in the searching Hetherington wrote that Willison’s works Jacobite rebellion, Willison suffered through Willison’s skill in catechising can also be seen ministry of John Willison which was full of required “no recommendation from any being temporarily dispossessed of his in an explanation of the Shorter Catechism rich spiritual experience. one to introduce them to the notice of the pulpit. called An Example of Plain Catechising. He is

8 The Bulwark October - December 2016 9 also well known for the Mother’s Catechism Hetherington comments: “a survey of the life Brechin Cathedral (a famous catechism for younger children). and times of Willison, tracing his conduct in public affairs, may serve to convince them V. Revival that a minister may be a man of a fervently Scotland witnessed revival in 1742, most spiritual mind and distinguished practical notably in Cambuslang. It is remarkable that piety, and yet be an able controversialist and this took place less than a month after Willison an ardent and indefatigable leader in Church had published a volume of sermons called courts.” At the Jacobite rising of 1745, The Balm of Gilead. In that volume, Willison soldiers from the army of Charles Edward laments the corruptions in Scotland while Stuart twice entered Willison’s church in taking notice of the Awakening in America. Dundee and threatened to shoot him if he He expressed a longing that a similar time prayed for George II. He wrote of this: of refreshing might visit Scotland. As soon as he heard the news from Cambuslang, “We had a good number of fierce lion- Willison hastened to see the outpouring like men quartered in this town, who of the Spirit of God with his own eyes and threatened us very much with plundering stayed briefly. On his homeward journey and killing if we complied not with their he stopped at Kilsyth and preached. This measures, travelling still up and down our sermon made a deep impression on all that streets with guns, swords, and pistols in heard it, and is said to have been the step their hands and bosoms. Hundreds of towards the revival which soon afterwards them came sometimes into our churches took place. William Blaikie thought that with these arms, having their pistols loaded “Willison was perhaps more of a pastor than with ball, threatening to let them fly at us, if a preacher”. Whatever the truth of that may we prayed for king George; yet they were be, his preaching was owned of heaven. restrained when they heard us do it, and sometimes they were overheard in going VI. Faithful Testimony out of the church blaming themselves for not executing their wicked purposes.” In A Fair and Impartial Testimony (1744) Willison lamented the defections within the Willison died on 3rd May 1750 at the age of Established Church, the nation, and the 70, having spent 47 years serving his Master schisms that afflicted it. He was casting his faithfully in all the duties of the ministry. bread upon the waters for future generations. It is said that there were “few productions... more instrumental in both perpetuating and Dundee Town Churches reviving the knowledge of those great and sacred principles for which the Church of Scotland has always had to strive and suffer, than Willison’s Fair and Impartial Testimony”.

The work is genuinely fair and impartial in its testimony and does not enter into controversy with the spirit of vindictive strife but rather irenically. Willison’s valiant efforts for the truth did not impair his piety, nor vice versa.

10 The Bulwark October - December 2016 11 have Christ’s image on you and be made peace; for mine eyes, for I, have seen new creatures. thy salvation, When Christ says, Surely l come quickly, may my soul answer, Even John Willison’s Lord make you all such, and bless you so come, Lord Jesus. I am living on the with his best blessing! My blessing be righteousness of Christ, yea, dying in the upon you all. What means God gave me Lord. Even so come; I am detained here I have bestowed them to you. Be kind upon the shore, waiting for a fair wind, to ast WordS and careful of your mother while you carry me over this Jordan. I have waited L have her; and, let none of you forget that and will wait for thy salvation, O Lord. The though I go before you to the dust you Lord is a rock, and his work is perfect: must all quickly follow me. O that we may Lord perfect what concerneth me. O all meet at the right hand of our blessed that I could say with Paul, The time of Redeemer, to see his face and sing his my departure is at hand. I have kept the praise. The time is near, be ye therefore faith; I have run my race; I have finished also ready. my course; henceforth there is laid up for The following account of John Willison’s last me a crown of righteousness which the words is taken from a chapbook first published Now, my dear wife and children remember righteous Lord will give me at his coming. in 1755. The address to his wife and children what you have read as the loving words was found among his papers after his death, of your affectionate husband and loving I am vile and polluted, how shall I be dated 10th November 1749. The dying words father, who being dead, yet hereby cleansed? But that is a comfortable were written a few days before his death, and speaketh to you for your eternal good promise, The blood of Jesus Christ left with his Bible lying on his pillow, 3rd May and happiness; may they sink into your his Son, cleanseth from all sin. And so 1750. hearts: So prayeth, John Willison. is that, Though ye have lien among the pots, ye shall be as doves, whose II. Dying Words wings are covered with silver, and their O Let me sleep in Jesus! I would not live feathers with yellow gold. I resolve to always in this evil world that has little obey; to submit to the Lord’s will; to die I. To His Wife and Children in it tempting, and seems still growing like Moses and Aaron, the one at Mount worse, and where the torrent of sin and Hor, the other at Mount Abarim. They My Dear, To my Children backsliding seems to grow stronger. I went up and died at the commandment would desire to depart and to be with of the Lord. O that when my flesh and My distress calls me to think of parting Dear Children, your earthly father must Christ, which is far better than to be here strength fail, God may be the strength with you, the will of the Lord be done. I leave you, but your heavenly father is – I am willing rather to be absent from the of my heart, and my portion for ever. — thank you for your tender care of me; may immortal. O! cleave fast to him. Trifle not body and present with the Lord; Whom When now the keepers of the house do the Lord bless and reward you for it, and about your soul’s concern in time of health; have I in heaven but thee, and there is tremble, O that God may be the keeper; sanctify your own tenderness, and support mind these things is the one thing needful; none in all the earth whom I desire besides when the grinders cease, because they you under it. As you have studied to live this you will repent of when you come within thee; for though my heart, strength and are few, O that God would feed my soul a life of faith and prayer all your days, so a near view of eternity. O first press for a flesh fail, yet God is the strength ofmy with manna that will need none of these I believe you will continue to the end. In clear view of your interest in Christ, the only heart and my portion forever. employments. When the daughters of all your difficulties and fears, encourage surety and Saviour of sinners. Among other music are brought low, O to be fitted for yourself in the Lord your God. Commit your evidences of it, live by faith on him, and Now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is that heavenly music; when the lookers way to him; trust in him that is faithful and study holiness in heart and life. Dear Sirs, in thee. I have waited for thy salvation, O out at the windows are darkened, O that true. I resign you, my dear, to the Husband think how you will be able to stand before Lord. O for Simeon’s frame, to be saying, my soul may be enlightened to see Jesus of Husbands, our dearest Lord Jesus. Christ your judge at the last day unless you Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart in my Redeemer.

12 The Bulwark October - December 2016 13 Lord help the unbelief and infidelity of my come up hither; come up dwell here; O heavenly Father, draw me after Jesus, Lord, draw near to me, and save me. My heart, and help to more of faith of a risen come up reign here; come to sing here. for none came to him without thy aid. O body is full of trouble, and my life draws Jesus, an ascended Redeemer. O let me O Lord, deliver my soul from death, mine Father, draw me up there where he is, and near to the grave. But, Lord, thy loving believe, and feel the sweetness of that eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. I’ll mount up as on eagle’s wings. O draw kindness is better than life; O make thy word of Christ, I ascend to my Father and O save me from the horrible pit, draw me me, and when thou seemest to fly from me, loving kindness sure to me, and I will your Father, and your God and my God. out of the miry clay, set my feet upon a Lord enable me to follow hard after thee. willingly part with this dying life. Oh, that O how shall such an unholy creature rock, and establish my goings, and put a Lord give me the staff of promise in my I could make all the world see the beauty as I presume into such a pure and holy new song in my mouth. hand that I may go over Jordan with it; O of my precious and adorable Saviour. place? But the apostle has taught us, give me such a promise as that, ‘When thou Nothing but an interest in Christ can give we may have boldness to enter into the O give grace to strive by faith, and prayer passest through the waters I will be with peace in life, or comfort in death. He is the holiest of all by the blood of Jesus. O to enter in at the strait gate. Lord, thou thee, and through the rivers they shall not chief among ten thousand, and altogether that when the time of my sad combat hast bid me, knock and it shall be opened, overflow thee: When thou walkest through lovely. My body is in part dead, but I know comes with my last enemy death, I may ask and I shall receive; Lord, I knock, the fire thou shalt not be burnt, neither I cannot die eternally while Jesus lives. I be helped above all to take the shield of open unto me; I would be in, I must be shall the flame kindle upon thee’. Lord, my must go down to the grave; but what is faith, whereby I may be relieved from the in; let me in but over the threshold; let experiences are small, my manifestations the grave? It is but a refining pot since my sting of death, and may quench the fiery me in within sight of my Redeemer’s are few; these I will not lean to; Yet I will Saviour lay in it; it is but a bed of roses. darts of the wicked one. O that I may be face, within sight of the smiles of his remember thee from the land of Jordan, He is the Rose of Sharon, and the Lily of helped to adore the sovereignty of God countenance; let me within hearing of the from the Hermonites, and from the hill the valley. It was his grace that drew me, in his rod, and humbly submit to it. Save songs of the redeemed, let me get to the Mizar. Why art thou cast down, O my soul, and made me willing in a day of his power; me from both extremities; let me never outside of that praising company; I’ll be and why disquieted within me? hope thou no desire nor merit in me, it was all free despise the chastening of the Lord, nor well enough if I get in. Lord, in I must be, in God, for I shall yet praise him who is the and undeserved. O let the chastisement faint when I am rebuked of him. Now out l cannot stay. O shut me not out with health of my countenance, and my God. of my body be the medicine of my soul, the prince of darkness will study to raise swearers, Sabbath-breakers and profane to cure me of sin, and bring me to sincere tempests of temptations to shipwreck the persons; Lord, I never choosed their O thou who rememberest the dying thief repentance for it; for Christ was wounded poor weather-beaten vessel of my soul, company while in this world; Lord, do not when on the the way to thy kingdom, and for our transgressions, he was bruised when it would enter into the harbour of gather my soul with sinners hereafter. The O remember me when now seated in thy for our iniquities; the chastisement of our rest above; may Christ come to pilot and redeemed are gathering, and the wicked kingdom, and say unto my soul when I peace was laid upon him. Lord, remember steer the helm, and it shall be safe. are gathering. Lord gather me with thy am dying, ‘This day shalt thou be with the chastisement of Christ for sin, and let flock; they are fast gathering; the Church’s me in paradise.’ Lord, I am called to the my pains be the chastisement of a father, O for more faith! may my faith ripen to head is gone; he has left the earth and work, O give me the strength I never had. and not the wounds of an enemy. Let a full assurance, that I may go off the entered into his glory. My brethren and O strengthen me like Samson, for once, Christ’s sufferings mitigate mine. I rejoice stage rejoicing, and that an abundant friends, many of them have arrived where when at death, to pull down the stronghold in the prospect of that glorious inheritance entrance may be ministered to me into he is; I am yet behind. O how great is the of sin in me. Lord, wash away my sins in reserved safe. the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour difference between my state and theirs; I the blood of Christ and then my soul shall Jesus Christ. O for more faith, that I may am groaning out my complaint, they are not sink in the ocean of thy wrath. O what’s I could not comfortably enter eternity any die like Simeon, when he had Christ in singing God’s praise; I am in darkness, my life but a vapour! A sand-glass of 60 other way but in and through this God- his arms, saying, Now let thy servant and cannot see thy face, but they behold or 70 years! O how fast does it run down! man mediator: if he was not God as well depart in peace, for mine eyes have thee face to face. O should I be satisfied How soon runs it out! Vain, vain, is the love as man I could not be supported, but he seen thy salvation. Lord, one smile of thy to stay behind when my friends are gone! of life, and the fear of death. O for more is God. Oh, this precious Saviour, he is countenance would banish away all my Shall I wander here in a hungry desert, patience and less fretting. If the damned my all in all, he is my sufficient good, my doubts and fears, and make me sing in when they are triumphing above, and had hope of being saved from hell after a portion and my choice; in him my vast pain. Is my Redeemer gone to prepare a dividing the spoil! — O help me to look hundred years’ pain, how willingly would desires are fulfilled, and all my powers place for us; why should I be slothful to after them with a steadfast eye, and cry, they endure it? Blessed be God, my pains rejoice. I am travelling the wilderness to a follow his footsteps when he is saying, O Lord, how long! are not in hell, their state is not mine. city of habitation, whose builder and maker

14 The Bulwark October - December 2016 15 is God. Oh! delightful thought! That I who merits; yea, I die also leaning wholly upon was going on in sin, should be plucked as a this bottom. It is not past experience or The Life and brand out of the burning. Oh! how will they manifestations I depend upon; it is Christ, lie on a deathbed that have nothing but a present all-sufficient Saviour, and their own works to fly to? with only this to perfect righteousness in him I look to. All Impact of depend on, I should be the most miserable my attainments are but loss and dung of all creatures; but the long white robe besides. When I find myself polluted I go of my Redeemer’s righteousness is all my to this fountain for cleansing. Lord give desire. They are truly blessed, they alone me delight in approaching to thee; delight Part 1 are happy, who are enabled to exult in to be at a throne of grace—O that I could that garment of celestial glory which never make my bed there, lie and die there. waxeth old, in the illustrious robes of a The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, Saviour’s consummate righteousness, and the violent take it by force.—O for which are incorruptible and immortal. This strength to offer a holy violence by faith is a robe which hides every sin, of thought, and prayer. word or deed, that I have committed.—O how unspeakably happy are they who are Thus the author died as he lived, testifying justified by this all-perfect righteousness of the power of religion upon himself and all they in the Lord Jesus Christ, and who that at a time when men have most therein can constantly triumph and glory. need of comfort. The foregoing words are transcribed from his own manuscript Lord, I live upon Christ, I live upon his now in the hands of Mr Bell, Minister at Roy Bartle righteousness, I live upon his blood and Aberbrothick. - William Bell This is the winning entry for the 2015-16 Andrew Melville Competition. This first part considers Andrew Melville’s life up until 1592.

Andrew Melville is chiefly remembered – a small landowner at Baldovy, Angus today for his higher education reforms at the – and Giles Abercrombie. At the age of universities of Glasgow and , and two, he was orphaned. His father fought to a lesser extent for his efforts in combating with the Earl of Arran’s forces against the the Episcopal system that was being English army of Lord Protector Somerset forced upon Scotland by James VI and and, following a series of challenges by Papist sympathisers. This essay is in three Arran (including challenging Somerset to parts: firstly, it presents a brief biography resolve the dispute by personal duel), was of Melville’s life; secondly, it examines the killed at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh on 10th effect of Melville’s higher education reforms September 1547. Richard Melville’s death on the Scottish Church; thirdly, it considers carries the sad irony that he was fighting Melville’s contribution to the development for a Romanist regime and against one that of Scottish Presbyterian ecclesiological was somewhat in favour of the Reformed doctrine and practice. doctrines of grace that his son would later contend for so earnestly. Andrew’s mother A Synopsis of Melville’s Life also died in the same year, but the annals I. Early years and Geneva of history are silent on the cause. His care Andrew Melville was born on the 1st August was then entrusted to an elder brother, also The Howff, Dundee where Willison is buried 1545, the youngest son of Richard Melville Richard, who was already holding Protestant

16 The Bulwark October - December 2016 17 with the Hebræist Corneille Bertram and culminated in the withdrawal of bishoprics the classicist Joseph-Juste Scaliger. Both in 1580. renowned scholars in their own right, Scaliger notes that Melville assisted him in The 1579 General Assembly petitioned Latin word-choice on occasion. the King and Privy Council to reform the and, in December II. Return to Scotland: 1580, Melville was installed as Principal of Glasgow and St Andrews New College, which was to be renovated Encouraged by letters from his brother, into a college for postgraduate theological Melville returned to Scotland in July 1574. study. Melville and his nephew James Almost immediately, he was sought out provided Sabbath pulpit cover on request to act as a tutor for Regent Morton, but of the St Andrews Kirk Session during their declined this position out of dislike for a vacancy, which seems to have delayed the life at court. After returning to Angus to Session’s attempts to call a permanent visit his relatives and provide a crash- minister to the charge. course of tuition to his nephew, the diarist James Melville, both Andrew and James moved to Glasgow where the former had St Mary’s College, St Andrews been pressed by the university patrons to accept the post of Principal. At Glasgow, views by this time and who, at the 1560 attracted the suspicions of some in the he reformed the system of teaching along Reformation, became Minister at Maryton. town that he might have been a Huguenot. Protestant and Continental lines, and away Richard and his wife’s care of Andrew was When, in 1568, the siege was lifted, Melville from a rigid dependence on Aristotelian cherished by him in later years. embarked on a somewhat perilous journey, methods. M‘Crie writes of him, “wherever through a France in the midst of religious an opportunity presented itself, in private Having a precocious talent, Andrew was and political upheaval, to pursue theological or in public, he plied his opponents with sent to Montrose Grammar school, where study at Geneva. He travelled light, with an arguments, until he either made converts of he obtained Latin, and was in 1559 sent on Hebrew Bible as his only literary baggage. them, or judged them to be so obstinately to the University of St Andrews, where he wedded to their own opinions.” impressed his peers and instructors with the Whilst at Geneva, Melville was appointed to Theodore de Beze ability he had acquired in Greek. In 1564, teach advanced classes of humanities and Melville was also presented to pastor the he proceeded to the University of Paris to rhetoric in the schola privata of the Genevan congregation at Govan in 1577; this would advance his Latin and Greek, and to learn Academy. In this role he was responsible prove to be his only pastoral charge, which Hebrew. There, with both Protestant and for teaching Latin and the arts to young he demitted to proceed to St Andrews in Papist members of faculty, he would have people about to complete their studies at 1580. Nonetheless, as a Divinity lecturer, been exposed to the religious disputations the privata. He also offered his services to he was considered as a minister; this view of the day. By 1566, Melville had left Paris assist Beza in the latter’s theology classes, of Divinity staff would go on to shape the for the University of Poitiers. In 1568, the but was rejected by the academic board definition of a “doctor” in the 1578 Second Protestant army under Admiral Coligny that had oversight of higher education in Book of Discipline. Melville himself was laid siege to Poitiers and, with university Geneva. Nonetheless, Beza admitted him Moderator of the General Assembly in life suspended, Melville became tutor to a to his lectures the following week, and the 1578, which sanctioned the document, Parliamentarian’s son. It seems that, during two subsequently shared much social time although Parliament did not deign to ratify the siege, Melville became more interested together. During this time, Melville pursued it. During his time in Glasgow, Melville was in theological study and Bible reading, which advanced study of the Biblical languages also involved in Assembly committees that Joseph Justus Scaliger

18 The Bulwark October - December 2016 19 III. The Montgomery case IV. First exile in England V. Adamson excommunicated the most regrettable occasion that the In 1581, concerns about a growing Romanist In July 1582, the Earl of Gowrie, Lord By the end of 1585, with Arran himself Christian encounters in Melville’s personal influence in the Council prompted John Craig Ruthven, and a number of other Presbyterian imprisoned and with much popular support conduct. It has received little attention from of Edinburgh to draft the King’s Confession nobles, sought to limit Romanist influence on their side, many Presbyterian ministers any of his biographers. Some sympathy or National Covenant, which covenanted on James VI by kidnapping him from were able to return to Scotland. Andrew can be given on account of the danger the Scottish people to oppose Romanism Lennox and Arran. The king remained under Melville returned first to Glasgow, whilst that Melville may have felt himself exposed and promote the true Christian religion. Yet the custody of the Ruthven lords until July James spent much of 1586 in Edinburgh, to had he not complied, and much of the in the same year, the Council had decided to 1583, a work which was broadly supported persuading Council and Court to return the understanding possessed today on the reintroduce the full system of bishops, and by the Kirk as being favourable to the pursuit New College at St Andrews to the study of Sabbath was rediscovered during the Robert Montgomery was presented to the of true religion in Scotland. The Ruthven divinity, as they had begun to convert it into Second Reformation. Nonetheless, his mere vacant see of Glasgow. Melville presented a regime sought to curtail public spending a school of philosophy during the exile of presence at the coronation was a violation of libel on fifteen points of erroneous doctrine and settle their fiscal deficit. The regime the Black Acts. Andrew duly returned to St the Sabbath Day, and his poem contained and practice, although it is interesting that came to an end when the king, being given Andrews in March 1586. much material not suitable for the Sabbath. he did not appear to have attacked the his freedom, was pressed upon by Arran (Endnote 1) “If thou turn away thy foot from Episcopal system in this instance. The and other Erastians to dismiss the Ruthven Perhaps the most controversial episode of the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on Synod of Lothian then received the case lords, and Ruthven himself was eventually Melville’s life occurred shortly after, in which he my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, and concurred with Melville, for which they executed for treason in May 1584. and James, as a member and Moderator of the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt were summoned to the Privy Council. They the Synod of Fife respectively, were complicit honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor duly appeared, but declined the judgement In February 1584, in the tense national in excommunicating Patrick Adamson. finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking on account of the civil magistrates’ intrusion atmosphere following the collapse of the This excommunication of Adamson was thine own words…” (Is. 58:13). into Church affairs. Ruthven regime, Melville was summoned “undeduced” by the General Assembly in May, to appear before the Privy Council on the which instead required Adamson to subscribe Attending a sermon at St Giles’ the following Melville was again Moderator of Assembly charge of delivering politically seditious various statements designed to curb his Sabbath, the King pledged to correct the in 1582, to which the Montgomery affair sermons. Despite exonerating evidence imperious Episcopalian behaviour. To facilitate abuses hitherto suffered by the Church, a was referred. The Assembly examined the being presented by the university and Adamson’s smooth return to St Andrews, promise he reiterated at the subsequent allegations against Montgomery, received congregation at St Andrews, and his own Melville was charged by the king to remove General Assembly, noting that Easter and assurance from him that he would withdraw denial, the trial proceeded. At one stage, himself north of the River Tay until he was Christmas had no Biblical institution and his designs on the Glasgow see, and then Melville presented an Hebrew Bible to the recalled to St Andrews. Melville was returned commending the Kirk’s purity for continuing wrote to the King by way of explanation. Council which, as members of the Council to the university around autumn 1586. He was without them. Shortly after this, Adamson, Montgomery, however, continued to could not read Hebrew, the Earl of Arran again Moderator of Assembly in June 1587. In who had already been excommunicated, espouse Episcopalian sentiments and took to be an affront. Melville was eventually 1588, in response to the threat of the Spanish had his stipend revoked and was reduced was excommunicated by the Edinburgh found guilty of contempt of court and Armada, Melville convened an extraordinary to poverty. He wrote to Melville by way of Presbytery; which excommunication was sentenced to imprisonment in Edinburgh Assembly that resulted in a bond of allegiance apology, and explained his circumstances, immediately declared void by the Privy Castle. When the place of incarceration was being made toward the king’s estate and the upon which Melville went to visit him and Council. At a meeting of Assembly, Melville altered to Blackness Castle, Melville took Reformed faith. provided his family with financial support for preached against those who held Erastian the opportunity to escape to Berwick-on- some months. On his repentance, the Synod views, the “bloody knife” of absolute power, Tweed. In his absence, the “Black Acts” were VI. Coronation of Anne of Fife removed his excommunication. He as being mere puppets for the Popish passed to further establish Episcopacy. This of Denmark died fairly soon afterwards, in February 1592. system. The same Assembly also wrote to led to the self-exiling to England of a number At the coronation of James VI’s new bride, In June of the same year, Parliament ratified the King, complaining about the intrusion of ardent Presbyterian minsters, including Anne of Denmark, Melville was asked to Presbyterianism as the legal form of Church of the civil magistrate into the ecclesiastical Balcanquhall Sr., Lawson, and Pont. During compose and recite a celebratory Latin government of the Established Church. Melville’s exile, his cousin James initially sphere, and Melville was amongst the poem. This he did, and was lauded by the Endnote 1. Melville’s poem, in Latin and English, delegates entrusted with presenting the supplied his Divinity chair at St Andrews, King for it, despite the coronation taking can be found at: http://www.dps.gla.ac.uk/delitiae/ remonstrance. before he too fled to Berwick. place on the Lord’s Day. This is arguably display/?pid=d2_MelA_002

20 The Bulwark October - December 2016 21 seemed to diffuse gladness wherever he it may be observed that at sacramental “A Prayerful and went. His store of unpublished anecdotes seasons, when the weather was threatening, respecting the worthies of Ross-shire and those comprising the outdoor congregation Cheerful Christian”: the other Northern counties during the last used to regard it as a token for good, when century and a half was remarkably choice Mr Munro was led to ask for favourable and extensive; and his happy manner of weather. Rev. John Munro introducing and telling these can never be forgotten by those who had the privilege of On the Monday before the meeting of the (1768-1847) being much in his society. Convocation [before the Disruption], he was preaching in Thurso after the Communion At Communion seasons his presence was and there was some fear that the coaches Rev. Walter Ross Taylor much sought and on those occasions to the south might be full, and that he and he was himself most of all in his element his brethren, who were to set off the next – whether engaging in the services or morning for Edinburgh, might not get forward Rev. John Munro was a much loved minister in nineteenth-century Caithness, unbosoming himself amongst his brethren in time. He prayed after sermon that their The following tribute was written by his good friend, Rev. W. R. Taylor, Thurso and and other friends, when the labours of the way might be cleared for them; and those first appeared in The Witness in 1849. Substantial extracts from it were used by sanctuary were concluded. He was always who accompanied him at this time could not Rev. Alexander Auld in his account of John Munro in Ministers and Men in the Far North. particularly happy in his addresses at the fail to observe how strikingly this prayer was Communion tables, entering with his whole answered, as well as how much of the Divine I. Minister of Halkirk acceptable to his hearers. They could not heart into the subject, and speaking with presence was enjoyed during that journey. John Munro was a native of Kiltearn in Ross- fail to recognise in him the instructions and much fullness and feeling of the Saviour’s shire and was descended from ancestors exhortations of a man of God, who knew death and love and of the hopes, and fears Another striking feature of the character who, in several successive generations, and felt the Truth, and loved their souls. He and encouragements of his people. of this eminent saint was his remarkable possessed the reputation of earnest piety. evidently spoke from the heart, and spoke submission to the Divine will, accompanied The conversion and character of one of what he believed – what his own soul was II. His character by a filial trust in the Divine goodness. He them (John Munro “Caird”) are particularly full of and was daily feeding on with delight. John Munro was pre-eminently a man of seemed to have no will of his own. Whatever described in the published memoirs of the This gave a fullness, and heavenly unction prayer. He prayed without ceasing and in his the Lord did was good – was right – was best celebrated , minister of Kiltearn. to his exhibitions of the Truth, which made prayers he had much of a public spirit, and – and he was well pleased with it. Neither his person and ministry to be highly prized, evidence was not awanting of the intimacy when suffering pain – to severe attacks of Mr Munro became early the subject of especially by experienced Christians, both in to which he was admitted, and the interest which he was sometimes subject – nor permanent religious impressions; and his own congregation and elsewhere. which he possessed, at a throne of grace. when otherwise annoyed, was he found to having at length had his views directed to the To show the general feeling on this subject, complain. “I fear”, said someone to him on ministry of the Gospel, became successively The effect thus produced was greatly a missionary in Caithness on the Royal heightened by the power and charm Bounty, minister in the Gaelic congregation which accompanied his presence and in Edinburgh and minister of the parish of conversation in private. His Christian walk Halkirk. At the Disruption he changed neither was eminently holy and heavenly. What his principles nor his flock, but in connection was spiritual was his constant element with the Free Church, whose cause he and at the same time his piety was of the warmly espoused, continued to minister, most cheerful and engaging character. He with the merest fraction of an exception, to was indeed a delightful companion, and the very same congregation. never failed to enliven, in the most edifying and agreeable manner, the domestic and In the several situations which he thus social circle. Happy himself in the enjoyment occupied, his ministrations were highly of the consolations of the Gospel, he Old Halkirk Parish Church Countryside round Halkirk

22 The Bulwark October - December 2016 23 remained till his death, which took place that have all.” Afterwards, speaking of the glorious Church, it may be mentioned that one of day week. During his illness, his mind was prospect before him, he exclaimed, “Oh, I his expressions on his deathbed was, that quite collected to the last, and the manner in shall be ashamed when I enter heaven”, but he would not be comfortable were he in which he endured his sufferings, and looked then, as if correcting himself, he added, “but the Establishment. But not the Free Church forward to death, was such as might be there shall be no shame there”. To Sir George only, but the Church universal has sustained expected from the tenor of his life. Sinclair [landowner and M.P. for Caithness], a great loss in his removal. Those who knew who came to see him two days before his him intimately believe this, and have cause On the evening of the 25th – that on which death, he said, “Sir George, you know Daniel to exclaim with the prophet, “My father, he was taken ill – he endured much pain, O’Connell [a prominent Roman Catholic and my father, the chariots of Israel and the yet his exclamation was: “He hath done all Irish nationalist]. It has occurred to me that horsemen thereof”. things well; he never did anything wrong, and you should write to him, and advise him to he never shall.” “You have much pain”, it was give up everything but the Bible”. V. Tributes said to him. He answered, “John Knox said The John O’Groat Journal wrote of Mr. he did not regret the pain which would bring IV. His death Munro: “He was held in the most pure esteem Rev WR Taylor (courtesy of Wick Library) the battle to a close”. He then mentioned The night before he died, he suffered much by his numerous and intelligent people, as that, before leaving home that morning, he – nature’s struggle with death was evidently well as by all classes of the community in had read in course, in secret, the last chapter severe. It was said to him, “You appear to be the county. His death cast a deep shade of the Sabbath morning of a communion, “this of Revelation, and he had found much more very uneasy”. He replied, “The Lord’s will”. gloom over the parish of Halkirk and indeed will not be a good day”. “O yes”, he said, “it than usual of a heavenly impression in the Reference was then made to the Saviour’s the whole district; the regard in which the will be a good day. What the Lord gives will words, “Behold, I come quickly”. During the sufferings when he exclaimed very distinctly, venerable man was held being testified be good; many a good day he gave us, and days that followed he did not speak much, “He trod the winepress alone!”, and then, in by the immense crowds from all, even the he will give us a good eternity.” but what he said showed that his mind connection with another observation made more distant parts of the county. Men of all continued to be kept in a calm, resigned to him said, “I shall soon be at my rest”. A ranks and sects vied with each other in the III. His last days and heavenly frame. Speaking on the text, few hours after, after breathing peacefully for expressions of their sorrows on the solemn Notwithstanding his advanced age, his “They shall mount up with wings as eagles”, some time, he calmly fell asleep in Jesus, occasion, multitudes being bathed in tears”. public ministrations were continued to the he said, “I am not mounting up as I would on the morning of Thursday 1st April [1847]. very end of his days. He usually preached wish, but I am mounting up so as makes me Mr Munro’s gravestone on the east side of three times each Sabbath; and he did this wonder”. At another time, repeating the text, Thus died this venerable servant of Christ, the old parish church in Halkirk, describes on the Wednesday of the national fast “Though Abraham be ignorant of us, etc.”, he in the 79th year of his age and 41st of his him as “an eminent man of God, a prayerful [ordered by Queen Victoria because of the went on, commenting on it thus, “Though my ministry. His body was conveyed next and cheerful Christian”. Sir George Sinclair’s famine conditions then prevailing in Ireland faith is not like the faith of Abraham, though day to his own house, and was interred in tribute is also inscribed on the stone: and the West Highlands; special services I am not a wrestler like Jacob, yet Thou art the churchyard of Halkirk on the Monday He sought like Moses heaven’s supreme were held in all the churches] — the last my Father.” following amidst an immense concourse reward, day he was in the pulpit. He was no less of mourners, His loss is much felt, and will His hope securely founded on a rock; indefatigable in the discharge of his other Being asked one morning how he was, he be felt long, not only by his beloved widow In heart a zealous servant of his Lord, duties, and as the result of his abundant and replied solemnly, “My flesh and heart doth [Isabella, daughter of Rev William Forbes, In life a bright example to his flock. faithful labours, it is trusted that not a few faint and fail, etc”. Again, being asked if he Tarbat] and relatives and flock, and by his have to acknowledge him, not only as their felt comfortable, he answered, “Yes, I have brethren in the Presbytery of Caithness, but Mrs. Isabella Munro died the following year instructor, but as their father in Christ Jesus. a good hope through grace. In what state over the county generally; and doubtless and Sir George wrote of her: would I be, if I had never thought of eternity this feeling will be responded to wherever he Tho’ dear the partner of each earthly care, On 25th March, the day after the fast, he till now? But here I am, lying as easy as if I has was known throughout the Church. She loved Him more whose blood redeemed came to Thurso to attend a meeting of the promise that the thief on the cross had”. her soul; Presbytery, and being suddenly taken ill, It was said to him, that it was believed he had In proof of his decided and unswerving Husband and wife now reunited wear, was brought to the house of [Rev. Walter that. He replied, “Well, well, if I have one I attachment to the cause of the Free A glorious crown while endless ages roll. Ross] Taylor, Free Church minister, where he

24 The Bulwark October - December 2016 25 Speakers

Rev Douglas Somerset Dr Donald John MacLean Minister of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland An elder at Cambridge Presbyterian and Secretary of the Scottish Reformation Society. Church and a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Rev Alasdair Macleod Minister of the Knock and Point congregation of the Rev John Keddie Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). A retired minister of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing). Dr Robert Dickie A medical doctor and Church historian who Matthew Vogan publishes Christian books under the imprint Media and Publications Manager with Reformation Press. Reformation Scotland Trust.

Venue Accommodation Macdonald Holyrood Hotel A wide range of nearby accommodation can be 81 Holyrood, Edinburgh, EH8 8AU sourced through the Edinburgh Tourist services.

Directions Registration

The hotel is situated at the bottom Attendees must register in advance. The fee is £20.00 of Holyrood Road near the Scottish which includes refreshments and buffet supper (for those Parliament building. not requiring the buffet supper, the registration fee is £10).

Scotland’s Debt to Publication Bookstall

It is expected that the papers given There will be a bookstall with all the publications of the Society Martin at the Conference will be published. together with other literature on Martin Luther and Scotland. Programme Friday 7th April Programme Saturday 8th April

1.30pm Opening devotions 9.30am ‘Henry Balnaves and the Luther doctrine of Justification’ 1.45pm ‘Martin Luther and Scotland: an introduction’ Douglas Somerset John Keddie Quincentenary 3.00pm ‘John Gau and The Richt Vay to the 10.45am Refreshments Kingdom of Heuine’ Alasdair Macleod 11.15am ‘The Gude and Godlie Ballatis’ Conference 1517-2017 4.00pm Refreshments Matthew Vogan 4.45pm ‘Alexander Alesius: Scotland’s first 12.30pm Concluding devotions international Reformer’ Robert Dickie th th Macdonald 7 -8 6.15pm Buffet supper Further information from Mr Matthew Vogan Holyrood Hotel April 2017 7.30pm ‘The theology of Patrick Hamilton’ Tel: 07462 049178 DJ MacLean Email: [email protected]

26 The Bulwark October - December 2016 27 Jan Hus tour OCTOBER 2017 Scottish Reformation Society

Following previous Reformation tours to Germany and Switzerland, Dr Robert Dickie Writing & Project is organizing a tour to the Czech Republic to visit sites associated with Jan Hus. The tour will be in October 2017, DV, and will last four days (Tuesday to Friday), Competition 2016-2017 with participants travelling to Prague on Monday and departing on Saturday. The exact dates and costs are not finalised yet.

Monarchy Project KNOX PRIZE ESSAY (12 years and under) (16-17 years) The tour will visit the important sites Winner £25, Runner-up £20 (about 1000 words) in Prague associated with Hus, the Produce an illustrated timeline for the life of the Winner £40, Runner-up £35 Hussite movement, and the later Reformers. It will also include a trip Scottish church leader Alexander Henderson. Describe the life and ministry of to Prague Castle, a tour of five well- , the Scottish preserved synagogues (and their HAMILTON MEMORIAL ESSAY Covenanter. exhibitions), and a day in a town south (12 years and under) (300 words) of Prague (Tábor) where the radical Winner £25, Runner-up £20 Hussites had their headquarters during MELVILLE ESSAY Describe two important events in the life of the the wars against the Roman Catholics Scottish church leader Alexander Henderson. (18-25 years) which followed the death of Hus. The Winner £60, Runner-up £50 tour through “Jewish Prague” is not MAGDALEN CHAPEL ESSAY Write a short biography of really associated with Hus, but the (13-15 years) (600-800 words) Martin Bucer, the Strasbourg synagogues and their exhibitions are Winner £30, Runner-up £25 Reformer, explaining his excellent (and allow people to learn a Write a brief account of John Wycliffe, the early importance in the European lot about Jews and the Jewish religion English Reformer. Reformation. as practised in Central Europe over the centuries). There will also be a free half-day for people to spend in their Entries should be sent to: own way. Rev. Alasdair Macleod, 25c Swordale, Point, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0BP. Participants should be aware that the The closing date is 31st March 2017. tour within Prague will involve walking a couple of miles on old cobbled streets and that disabled access is limited or non-existent at most sites. For further details, or to register an interest without commitment, please contact Dr Dickie at [email protected]

28 The Bulwark October - December 2016 29 Branch News

Aberdeen Branch Inverness Branch Meetings are on Fridays at the Church Meetings are on Mondays in the Free Hall, Craigiebuckler Parish Church, Presbyterian Church Hall, Chapel Street, Society News Springfield Road, AB15 8AA, Inverness, starting at 7.30 pm (DV). starting at 7.30pm (DV). 17th October 2016 28th October 2016 “John Owen — “Singing the praise of God - 400th Anniversary, 1616-2016”, the history of metrical psalms in Scotland”, Rev John Ferguson (Inverness) Dr Robert Dickie (Stornoway) 14th November 2016 Resignation of 25th November 2016 “Rev - Mr James A. “Aspects of the life of John Welsh of Ayr”, Westminster Confession of Faith”, Dickson Dr John Smith (Aberdeen) Rev John Keddie (Kiltarlity) At its recent meeting, the 31st March 2017 16th January 2017 Committee regretfully “A Christian perspective on the French “Future Conversion of the Jews”, accepted the resignation Revolution”, Rev John MacLeod Rev Maurice Roberts (Inverness) of Mr James A. Dickson (Portmahomack) from the Committee Martin Luther Conference, April 2017 13th February 2017 on the grounds of ill- “Christian Women of the health. Mr Dickson has The Society is holding a two-day conference on Friday 7th Lewis Branch Scottish Reformation”, been a member of the and Saturday 8th April 2017 to mark the 500th anniversary Rev Malcolm Maclean (Inverness) Committee since the of Martin Luther’s nailing of his 95 theses to the door of the Meetings are on Fridays in the Nicolson 1990s, and is a former church in Wittenberg on 31st October 1517. Institute, Stornoway at 7.30 pm (DV). 20th March 2017 Secretary and Treasurer “Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses: of the Society. The theme of the conference is “Scotland’s Debt to Martin 11th November 2016 500th Anniversary”, Luther” and the aim of it is to consider the various influences “The Reformers and meetings for Biblical Rev Dr N Needham (Inverness) The Committee would that Luther had on Scotland, especially in the years prior interpretation”, Rev John Forbes (Lairg) like to thank Mr Dickson to the Reformation of 1560. The Conference venue is the for all his work over many Macdonald Hotel Holyrood, Edinburgh. Further details are years. given in the conference programme on pp. 26-27.

30 The Bulwark October - December 2016 31 CONTENTS

Problems Confronting the Church: 3 The Lack of Militancy and Spiritual Warfare in the Church John J Murray

John Willison of Dundee (1680 – 1750) 8 Matthew Vogan

John Willison’s Last Words 12

The Life and Impact of Andrew Melville: Part 1 17 Roy Bartle

“A Prayerful and Cheerful Christian”: Rev. John Munro 22 Rev. Walter Ross Taylor

Scotland’s Debt to Martin Luther 26 Quincentenary Conference 1517-2017

Society & Branch News 30

Membership & Bulwark Subscriptions All correspondence regarding Membership and Bulwark subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Mrs Deborah Coghill, Free Church Manse, Outend, Scalpay, Isle of Harris, HS4 3YG. The subscription is £8 per annum for membership of the Society and £12 per annum for the Bulwark. Membership forms can be obtained from the Membership Secretary or downloaded from the website www.scottishreformationsociety.org

Front cover: Luther’s study at Wartburg (courtesy of Rev. Bill Scott)

32 The Bulwark