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The Bulwark Magazine of the Scottish Society

October - december 2010 // 75p

October - December 2010 1 The Bulwark Magazine of the Society The Magdalen Chapel 41 , , EH1 1JR Tel: 013 1220 1450 www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk Knowing Registered charity: SC007755

Chairman Committee Members »» Rev Dr S James Millar God’s »» Mr Norman Fleming Vice-chairman »» Mr John Smart »» Rev Maurice Roberts Love Secretary »» Rev Kenneth Macdonald »» Rev Douglas Somerset »» Rev John J Murray Treasurer »» Rev Andrew Coghill »» Mr James Dickson

cO-OPEraTIOn OBJEcTS OF ThE SOcIETy In pursuance of its objects, the Society may co- (a) Propagate the evangelical Protestant faith and those principles held in common by operate with Churches and with other Societies those Churches and organisations adhering to whose objects are in harmony with its own. the reformation;

(b) Diffuse sound and Scriptural teaching on the Magazine Editor: Rev Douglas Somerset distinctive tenets of and When the Shorter lists the benefits which the believer enjoys in his soul in this All literary contributions, books for review and Roman Catholicism; present life in conjunction with justification, adoption and sanctification it places at the papers, should be sent to: head of the list “assurance of God’s love”. Sadly there are genuine believers who do not (c) carry on missionary work among adherents The Magdalen Chapel of the latter faith with a view to winning enjoy a personal assurance of grace and salvation as they should. In addition, most of us them to the doctrines of grace and to the have known seasons when our hope of heaven has been less than bright and full. 41 Cowgate, Edinburgh fellowship of the true ; EH1 1JR What comfort could we possibly gain from (d) To produce and distribute evangelistic, Confidence religious and other literature in connection with In the minds of some, knowing God’s the idea that God loves us with a love The views expressed in articles are those of the promotion of the Protestant religion; love is a very simple and straightforward which fails to secure our salvation and the contributor and may not necessarily reflect matter. Believing that God loves everyone leaves us in the state of sin and misery for they have no difficulty in deducing that all eternity? those of the Editor or the Committee of the (e) To promote the associating together of men and women, and especially young people, God loves them. However it is easy to Society Scriptural references are from the A.V. for systematic Bible Study and holding of see that such a knowledge, even if it Others believe that God has a particular except where stated otherwise. meetings for the above specified purposes. were true, cannot provide us with the love for a chosen people but could never confidence we need on our dying day. The imagine that they are among them. How DESIGNED & PRINTED BY: Bible and our own experience show us could God love them when they are so that many of our fellow men continue in unworthy, even of the least of all His their sins and finish in hell, being punished mercies? Indeed given our sinful state www.visionsolutionsni.co.uk Tel: 028 9073 1841 by God as a holy and righteous Judge. what right has anyone to presume upon

2 The Bulwark October - December 2010 3 the love of God? These are their prevailing however strong and determined they that love which He bears to His own. Let of the promised flood: he withstood their thoughts. were, did not succeed in their aim: he us consider them. mocking at his solemn demeanour and overcame them all in the end. It is only His determination to build a boat as God had Diligence own people that God so favours. Literally The World instructed him. But the Lord honoured him What should we think about this subject? David was saying that God was inclined The first enemy we face is the world. as he honoured the Lord. Would we not That believers are bound to seek an towards him – an expression of kindness When we say that the world is our enemy assurance of God’s love to their souls is and intimacy. The Lord displays this loving we should be clear as to what we are plain from Scripture. The apostle Peter attitude to all those who draw near to Him speaking about. We do not mean the writes to those who have obtained “like through Jesus Christ the Mediator. physical creation, which is from God and precious faith with us” exhorting them is good. Rather we have in mind what Paul to “give diligence to make your calling The sincere convert desires to know that referred to as “this present evil world” (Gal. and election sure” (2 Pet. 1:1, 10). If they the faith he has in Christ is genuine – that 1:4). This is the world which James was add to their faith the various graces of he is “of them that believe to the saving of warning us of when he wrote, “whosoever the Christian life they will never fall. Every the soul” (Heb. 10:39). He is aware that therefore will be a friend of the world is the believer therefore should earnestly seek while the Word of God promises us that a enemy of God” (Jam. 4:4). It is the world after this precious spiritual benefit until he sinner who believes in Jesus is saved, the which John was referring to when he said, or she finds it and then be very careful to same Word warns us that there is such “If any man love the world, the love of the keep it. a thing as a false faith. Within the church Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). It is there is not only the humble soul but also the world of humanity fallen into sin and The best of believers may struggle to the hypocrite: even among the Lord’s in rebellion against God, the world which understand their experience at times disciples there was a gracious John but “lieth in wickedness” (1 John 5:19). but as ever we find a sympathetic spirit also a graceless Judas. in the Psalmist. Sometimes his soul is The world in this sense is our constant discouraged and it is then that we hear his A full assurance of salvation is produced enemy. This is because as believers we plaintive cry: “How long wilt thou forget in our hearts when God’s Word to us and are “in” the world but not “of” the world. me, O Lord? for ever? how long wilt thou the Spirit’s work in us agree. “The Spirit Spiritually and morally we have taken our hide thy face from me?” (Ps. 13:1). The itself beareth witness with our spirit, that stand on the side of Jesus Christ, whom Psalmist represents believers in their lean we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16). the world crucified. If the truth be told, the times generally when he laments: “Why Then (and only then) we may be sure world, not having improved one whit since art thou cast down, O my soul? and why that Christ’s redemptive work was for us. it performed that awful deed, would put art thou disquieted in me?” While he may If we know that our sins are forgiven for Christ to death now if He were physically have no answer to his question he knows Jesus’ sake we are able to say with Paul, present in its midst. Unable to reach how his soul may be restored: “hope thou “the Son of God who loved me, and gave the Head of the body in glory the world in God: for I shall yet praise him for the himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). persecutes the members of Christ who are help of his countenance” (Ps. 42:5). still on earth. No wonder then that Jesus This is what David enjoyed. He had many said to His disciples, “In the world ye shall Evidence enemies, both within and without, as every have tribulation” (John 16:33)! David also shows us how we may arrive believer does, but God enabled him to at a full assurance of faith when he vanquish them all. This He does for each Noah was a godly man who was delivered acknowledges to the Lord: “By this I know one of His people. “Through thee will we from an ungodly world, having found that thou favourest me, because mine push down our enemies: through thy grace in God’s sight. His deliverance was enemy doth not triumph over me” (Ps. name will we tread them under that rise up accomplished through the fear of God 41:11). David had good evidence that God against us” (Ps. 44:5). which was present in his soul. “By faith was on his side. What was his token from Noah, being warned of God of things not enjoy greater spiritual comfort if we were the Lord? There are four principal enemies which seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an more obedient to God’s Word in our day? threaten to destroy every believer but from ark to the saving of his house” (Heb. 11:7). “To this man will I look, even to him that is As the Lord’s servant David saw that which God delivers us in a gracious way, Noah was obedient to the Most High poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth the enemies which came against him, enabling us to know that we are loved with when those around him scorned the threat at my word” (Is. 66:2).

4 The Bulwark October - December 2010 5 The Flesh of this death?” Immediately his sorrow is low, complaining to the Lord, “Wherefore presence. At death we are finally freed The second enemy we face is the flesh. transformed into joy: “I thank God through hidest thou thy face, and holdest me for from sin and misery to enjoy a perfect We are ‘flesh’ of course in terms of our Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24, 25). thine enemy?” (Job 13:24). Yet by His communion with Christ. So Stephen was physical body but by ‘the flesh’ here we If we share his burden then we will also providence and in His love “the Lord comforted in his death, as every believer understand our fallen nature – that aspect partake of his consolation, for though God blessed the latter end of Job more than may be. of our humanity which is affected by sin. is high and holy He is nonetheless pleased his beginning” (Job 42:12). In this way Job The flesh is our secret enemy, the ‘fifth to dwell with him “that is of a contrite and became a man of renown. “Ye have heard Triumph column’ that lurks within us. It is because humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the of the patience of Job, and have seen the We should note that David’s words in of our flesh that we come short of the humble” (Is. 57:15). end of the Lord” (Jam. 5:11). Psalm 41 refer firstly to our Lord Jesus glory of God in everything we think, say Christ. He faced a hidden enemy, Judas and do, even as believers. The Devil Do we freely confess that God’s way with Iscariot, one of the twelve He had chosen The third enemy we face is the devil. us is perfect and from our hearts submit to to be with Him and who ate with Him. Even such a great man of God as the Satan is the one who is behind this evil His dealings? Then He will lift us up in our Christ was delivered up to the authorities apostle Paul struggled with indwelling sin. world, fostering its hatred of the Most souls, as a sign to us of our final salvation. by Judas but His enemy did not ultimately How grateful we are that he has recorded High and His people. He is also the one We must wait upon the Lord with patience triumph over Him. Tormented in his mind his experience in the Scriptures, both as stirring up the evil lusts of our flesh with and “hold the beginning of our confidence at the consequence of his actions, Judas stedfast unto the end” (Heb. 3:14). We “went and hanged himself” (Matt. 27:5). It may be thankful that longsuffering is was Christ who was soon shouting for joy among “the fruit of the Spirit” produced as the all-conquering, risen and glorified in God’s people (Gal. 5:22). To live as an Saviour! His name is now “above every heir of heaven and to look for the glory to name” (Phil. 2:9). come is our duty and privilege while we are in this world. What is true of Christ is true in a measure of all who belong to Him. Our enemies Death never triumph over us: rather God The fourth enemy we face is death. progressively gives us the victory over Physical death is something we will all them. The providence of God extends to experience unless the Lord returns first. all His creatures and all their actions, so Paul refers to death as our final enemy (1 that even sin and death are not powers Cor. 15:26). The consequences of sin are above and beyond Him but are governed seen in our bodies already – illness, ageing by Him for His own glory and for our good. an unconverted man and as a child of his temptations. The devil is our great and decay – and the eventual outcome God! What was his personal testimony enemy and a most cunning one. He rarely will be death, the departure of our soul to Christ is our King. As such He rules and after he knew the Lord? “For what I would, appears in his naked evil but rather cloaks the eternal world. How can we look at this defends us, and restrains and conquers all that do I not; but what I hate, that do himself with a variety of disguises. dread enemy with a steady eye? His and our enemies. As we benefit from I... For I know that in me (that is, in my His powerful reign over us and see the flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is The Lord delivered Job from the It is helpful here to turn to a saint named kingdom of God coming in our lives we present with me; but how to perform that temptations of Satan which came to him Stephen, the first develop by the Spirit the sure confidence which is good I find not” (Rom. 7:15, 18). through his grievous trials. After the loss, for Christ. Suffering a cruel death he was that we are loved by the Lord and shall It was this inward conflict, which was often firstly of his livelihood, then of his children delivered safe into glory through prayer. overcome our four formidable foes at the very severe, that led Paul to say that he and finally of his health, his wife urged him, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon last, and every other foe. May we all grow was “carnal” and “sold under sin” (Rom. “curse God, and die” (Job 2:9). But God God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive in this blessed assurance of salvation and 7:14). gave Job the grace of longsuffering to my spirit” (Acts 7:59). For the believer eternal life! such a degree that he retained his integrity the sting of death, which is sin, has Paul was delivered from this secret enemy through all his trials and temptations. been removed by the atoning sufferings Rev David Blunt by humbling himself before God. We see of Christ. Death does not come to the this when he cries, “O wretched man that This is not to say that Job’s path thereafter Christian as a curse but is sent by God in I am! who shall deliver me from the body was an untroubled one. He went very His love to bring His child into His nearer

6 The Bulwark October - December 2010 7 The following essays are the winner and the runner-up in the 2010 Andrew Vienne. Calvin was persuaded to provide “We will rather cause them to die which Melville essay competition. The essays adopt slightly different positions and it letters which could be used as evidence seek the defacing of the true Religion, seemed appropriate to publish them simultaneously so that readers might get against him, yet a citizen of wrote than suffer such a plague to prevail in the at the time: Church, to the infecting and marring of a broader perspective on the subject. ourselves or of any others.”9 “I had the greatest difficulty in getting them out of M. Calvin… it seems to him that Calvin was heavily involved in the case. Assess Calvin’s involvement in the trial third person of the Godhead is unknown his duty, as one who does not bear the He drew up a list of thirty-eight charges and execution of Michael Servetus and in Scripture… The doctrine of the Trinity sword of justice, is to convict by against Servetus, and was involved in give the arguments for and against the can be neither established by logic nor doctrine rather than pursuing them with discussions with Servetus during the trial. final sentence proved from Scripture, and is, in fact, the sword.”8 Nevertheless, it was ultimately the Little inconceivable.”2 Council, part of the civil government of No event in the life of has It therefore appears that while Calvin Geneva, which passed the final sentence. proved more controversial than the This stood in direct contrast to Calvin’s strongly believed Servetus deserved the The decision was given after the receipt burning of Michael Servetus for view, stated in his Institutes of the death penalty for his heresy, he would far of advice from other Protestant churches in October 1553. Reymond describes Christian Religion, that: “In Scripture, from rather have seen him convinced of biblical and cities, who unanimously maintained it as “the most significant blight on the creation onward, we are taught one doctrines than put to death. 1 Protestant Geneva’s reputation” and essence of God, which contains three many biographers of Calvin see in the persons”3 and “…the Mediator, who was Servetus then managed to escape from event a fundamental failure on the part born of the virgin, is properly the Son of the and, for some unknown of the great Reformer to understand God.”4 reason, went to Geneva, where he was the principle of liberty of conscience. arrested, tried and sentenced to be However, two important questions arise to be addressed by this paper. Firstly, what Calvin believed Servetus’s views to be burned at the stake. The execution took was Calvin’s involvement in the trial and incompatible with a right understanding place on 27th October 1553. execution of Michael Servetus? Was he of Scripture and knowledge of God and solely responsible for all that took place? accused Servetus of reducing to nothing Assessment of Calvin’s involvement in 5 Secondly, what are the arguments both for the eternal hypostasis of the Word and the trial and execution of Servetus and against the sentence which was finally snatching from us the Son of David, who The trial of Servetus came at a crucial passed? Did Calvin fall far short of justice had been promised as our Redeemer.6 point in the , when the in his attitude towards Servetus, or did Discussions between Calvin and Servetus left-wing political group, the Libertines, he see principles and truths which later took place in the form of correspondence were competing with Calvin for power. generations have overlooked? during the 1540s. Initially, Calvin As a consequence, some historians attempted to reason with Servetus and have argued that Calvin was politically Setting the scene win him over to the truth, but in February motivated in seeking the execution of Born in Spain in 1511, Michael Servetus 1546, he ended the correspondence, Servetus. If Calvin gained the victory in received a legal education and later seeing it as a fruitless exercise which the Servetus case, he would also gain the became a brilliant physician. He developed distracted him from other, more pressing upper hand in Geneva. However, whatever unorthodox beliefs about the Trinity and matters. At the same time, he wrote the political twists and turns of the case, other fundamental doctrines held by a letter to , stating that if it is apparent that Calvin’s conviction the Reformers, which he then set out in Servetus should come to Geneva, “I shall of the need to maintain the purity of his books, Concerning the Errors of the never permit him to depart alive, provided the church was driving the actions he Trinity and The of , my authority be of any avail.”7 took against Servetus. In his Sermons where he made statements which directly on Deuteronomy, preached throughout attacked the Trinity and the deity of Christ: In 1553 Servetus was arrested and the year 1555, just two years after the “In short, all the Scriptures speak of charged with heresy by the Roman execution of Servetus took place, Calvin Servetus Christ as a man… The Holy Spirit as a Catholic Inquisition in the French town of argues:

8 The Bulwark October - December 2010 9 this doctrine whenever an opportunity No laws or legal penalties were cited in the occurred.”13 final sentence which was passed. This would suggest that the authorities Although this fact provides no proof of were acting ultra vires when they the justice or injustice of the sentence, sentenced Servetus to death at the stake. in condemning Servetus to death the They had no warrant to condemn a Genevan authorities and Calvin were only man to an illegal punishment, or even to doing what had already been done by condemn him at all, when he had entirely the Roman Catholic Inquisition, and what complied with the law while on Genevan would have appeared relatively normal in soil. the times in which they lived. iii) Theological perspective ii) Legal perspective The ultimate test of the justice or injustice It has already been mentioned that the of the sentence passed on Servetus, Geneva Genevan Little Council condemned however, is whether it complies with Servetus to be burned, even though the God’s standards as set out in Scripture. Ordinances passed in 1542 outlawed Key to this debate are passages such as that the council should “rid the Church of Council who did pronounce the sentence. burning as a means of punishment. Deuteronomy 13 and Leviticus 24:10-23, which pronounce the death penalty on a pest, which had already brought ruin to The final sentence – for or against? Furthermore, no laws against heresy so great a number of souls”.10 Having seen what Calvin’s role was those who seek to draw people to worship existed in Geneva at the time and the law in the trial and execution of Servetus, other gods and on those who blaspheme which made blasphemy illegal identified Calvin himself was in favour of the penalty, the arguments for and against the final the name of the Lord. These passages banishment as the highest possible but desired that its severity might be sentence can be addressed from practical, raise two crucial questions: 1) Did the penalty which could be pronounced.14 mitigated.11 He would have preferred legal and theological viewpoints. coming of Christ abrogate these laws, or It appears that Calvin actually attempted to see a quicker, less painful method should they still apply to nations which to have Servetus condemned on the of execution used. It is noteworthy that i) Practical perspective exist after his coming? and 2) If these laws basis of the ancient Justinian Code15, a Calvin had actually succeeded in ensuring On a very pragmatic level: while some should still apply, did they apply to the codification of Roman law issued by the that the burning of heretics was outlawed have maintained that Calvin, as a particular details of the Servetus case? in Geneva eleven years earlier.12 prominent Reformed minister in a Emperor Justinian in 529, which outlawed Calvin and the Reformers firmly held that Protestant city, should have been different, the teaching of certain heresies as a such laws had a continuing applicability to Furthermore, Calvin believed that the role it must be noted that burning at the stake capital offence. However, Rives writes: nations which sought to found themselves of a minister was entirely distinct from was the typical means of dealing with “[The Justinian Code] was a secondary on the Word of God. In Calvin’s sermons that of a civil magistrate. His personal heretics during the sixteenth century. The non-binding resource used in the Holy on Deuteronomy 13, he answers the role was to convict and convince the one man executed at Geneva in this way Roman Empire since its rediscovery in objection that “this was said to the people accused by reasoning and exhortation; the can be compared with the hundreds put 1050 A.D., but Geneva broke free of of old time”, and says: government was to condemn and punish. to death by Roman Catholic authorities. the Holy Roman Empire in the 1200s The evidence therefore suggests As Cunningham writes: and would have no reason to give it any “Let us not think that this Law is a special that Calvin was a man who was weight.”16 Law for the Jews: but let us understand uncompromising in his opposition to “The doctrine of the lawfulness and duty that GOD intended to deliver us a general public distortions of the truth, even to of putting heretics and blasphemers Moreover, as Zagorin states, even had the rule, to which we must tie ourselves.”18 the point of encouraging the execution of to death, was then almost universally Code still applied: those who propagated error. However, he held, by Protestants as well as papists, Calvin maintained that while the Church did not have the responsibility of making – by men of unquestionable piety and “The Geneva authorities had no legal has a duty to defend true religion with a the final decisions and passing the final benevolence,… and those who were jurisdiction over [Servetus], since he spiritual sword, princes and magistrates sentence, and was to some extent more zealous for God’s truth were then not was merely a passer-through who had are responsible to wield physical swords in lenient than the members of the Little only willing but anxious to act upon committed no offense in the city.”17 defence of the truth.19 His aim in Geneva

10 The Bulwark October - December 2010 11 was for “the entire life of the city to be by seeking to draw them astray after his preserve its holiness. By contrast, it is now brought into conformity with God’s will for unorthodox doctrines as set out in his the universal Church, not an individual human living… [and] to make Geneva itself writings. state, which enjoys God’s blessing and into a true Christian city”20 and therefore protection, and therefore it is argued that he wholeheartedly sought the application By Calvin’s definitions, Servetus was such laws no longer apply. The church of Old Testament laws to the government considered a blasphemer and a heretic disciplines by excommunicating unfaithful of Geneva. and, according to his understanding of Christians and the state no longer has Scripture, seeking the honour of God a responsibility to intervene in religious With regard to the second question, meant that magistrates should put to affairs. Calvin evidently did believe that the laws in death blasphemers and heretics just as Leviticus and Deuteronomy applied to the they would execute a murderer or traitor. Even among theologians who maintain the specific case of Servetus. After the death Calvin wrote: perpetuity of the Old Testament laws on of Servetus, Calvin described him as: preserving the pure worship of God, there “a worldly man and a despiser of God, “Let us learn to have God’s honour in such have been differences of opinion as to seeking by all means to scorn God, and estimation, that whereas we revenge the how these laws should be applied. John to abolish his grace,… that men might no wrongs done to men, we think it much Owen was far more careful than Calvin in more know how to worship him”.21 more reason that the party should be his application of Deuteronomy 1329 and punished which violateth the majesty of more recently, Rushdoony has explained: He accused him of corrupting true him that hath created and fashioned us… “The death penalty is not required… for religion with “prodigious errors”, of [T]he matter concerns not only the honour private belief: it is for attempts to subvert proudly refusing to receive advice, and of of God, but also the salvation of our own others and to subvert the social order by defending his views with “proud scorn”.22 souls.”26 enticing others to idolatry.” Calvin saw it as: However, many Bible scholars have “It should be noted that Deuteronomy “insupportably impious when the tongue interpreted these passages differently and 13:5-18 does not call for the death penalty of mortal man, which was created to in ways which would provide evidence for unbelief or heresy. It condemns false celebrate the praises of God, is employed against Calvin’s actions. Wright argues prophets (vv.1-5) who seek to lead the in insulting Him”.23 that “Israel was a theocratic state” where people, with signs and wonders, into “apostasy threatened the constitution idolatry. It does condemn individuals He believed that the third commandment and survival of the state itself and was who secretly try to start a movement into is broken whenever any detraction is therefore a capital offense”,27 and holds idolatry.”30 made from God’s “supreme wisdom, that the coming of Christ altered the infinite power, justice, truth, clemency and relationship between the believer and the No evidence was given of Servetus rectitude”.24 state. Poythress likewise maintains: committing such crimes in Geneva. Therefore, whatever understanding Furthermore, Calvin insisted: “God wants us to eradicate false worship we take of such passages of God’s “…although a man pretend an intent to using his proper means, the means of word, it remains hard to understand serve God: yet must he be stoned to prayer and evangelism. Obedience to the how the execution could be justified death, if it be known that he meant but constitutes the proper theologically when Servetus had not only to overthrow or disguise the true fulfillment of Old Testament holy war, and openly blasphemed or promoted heretical religion”.25 of the principles of justice in Deut. 13:1- beliefs within the precincts of Geneva and 18.”28 while under the jurisdiction of the Genevan Servetus’s offence was aggravated in magistrates. Calvin’s mind by the fact that not only Since Israel as a nation enjoyed a unique did he dishonour the triune God, but he relationship with God and had entered into Conclusion also put the souls of others in danger with him, it had unique laws to Having once been caught in the grip of

12 The Bulwark October - December 2010 13 Roman Catholicism, Calvin was a man community, private and public, domestic 1 Reymond R., John Calvin: His Life and Influence, 17 Zagorin P., How the Idea of Religious Toleration who opposed, hated and feared false and political, local and global… One of Christian Focus Publications, 2004, p. 10. Came to the West, Princeton University Press, religion. Such was his esteem for the the most critical… tasks facing the church 2 Cited in Hillerbrand H., The Reformation: A Princeton, 2003, p. 94. infinity of God that he could not bear today is to recover, rethink, and reapply Narrative History Related by Contemporary 18 to think of any man being permitted to a fully biblical understanding of idolatry, Calvin J., Sermons on Deuteronomy, p. 537. Observers and Participants, Baker Book House, distort his revelations in Scripture. Such with a sober and painful evaluation of the 19 Calvin J., Sermons on Deuteronomy, p. 537; Grand Rapids, 1989, pp. 275-6. was his understanding of the holiness of extent of its penetration, not only to the Institutes of the Christian Religion, pp. 1487-88. roots of western culture, but into the very 3 Calvin J., Institutes of the Christian Religion, God’s name that he refused to allow it 20 Needham N., 2000 Years of Christ’s Power (part to be dishonoured, whether explicitly or bloodstream of the church.”31 (translated by Ford Lewis Battles), The three), Grace Publications Trust, London, 2004, implicitly. Such was his concern for the Westminster Press, Philadelphia, 1960, p. 120. p. 221. salvation of souls that he could not allow Secondly, we need to develop a biblical 4 Calvin J., Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. view of the role of civil government. 21 men to be led astray by doctrines that 487. Calvin J., Sermons on Deuteronomy, p. 1124. would lead to their condemnation. On all Calvin’s understanding of the role of the 22 5 Greek word for ‘person’. Cited in Hillerbrand H., The Reformation: A these points Calvin was right. He was right state may shock many, yet few could 6 Calvin J., Institutes of the Christian Religion, p. Narrative History Related by Contemporary to place the honour of God far above all counter it with biblical, logical arguments. other considerations and he was right to In an age when many have been 493. Observers and Participants, p. 288. 7 be zealous for the salvation of sinners and conditioned to see the state as a provider Calvin J., Letters of John Calvin, (selected 23 Calvin J., Commentaries on the Four Last the preservation of the orthodox faith. of welfare and preserver of pluralism, we from the Bonnet Edition with an introductory Books of Moses arranged in the form of a need to rethink the duties of government biographical sketch), The Banner of Truth Trust, Harmony, (Calvin’s commentaries, vol. II), Baker However, it appears that in the case of in the light of Scripture. Edinburgh, 1980, p. 82. Book House, Grand Rapids, 1984, p. 432. Servetus, Calvin’s zeal for the truth and 8 Cited in Hillerbrand H., The Reformation: A 24 hatred of heresy led him to neglect a Naomi Wells Calvin J., Commentaries on the Four Last Narrative History Related by Contemporary precise interpretation of Old Testament Books of Moses arranged in the form of a Observers and Participants, p. 282. law and to seek to override the legal Harmony, p. 409. 9 Calvin J., Sermons on Deuteronomy, (facsimile framework within which the Genevan civil 25 Calvin J., Sermons on Deuteronomy, p. 545. government operated. In the sentence reprint of the 1583 edition), The Banner of Truth 26 Sermons on Deuteronomy, which was passed on Servetus, the Little Trust, Edinburgh, 1987, p. 541. Calvin J., p. 536. 27 Council was acting beyond its powers, 10 Calvin J., John Calvin: Tracts and Letters, The Wright C., New International Biblical both according to the letter of the law, Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 2009, Volume 5. Commentary: Deuteronomy, Hendrickson and according to scriptural principles, 11 Calvin J., Letters of John Calvin, p. 159. Publishers, Massachusetts, 1996, p. 177. and Calvin cannot escape his share of the 12 Reymond R., John Calvin: His Life and 28 Poythress V., The Shadow of Christ in the blame for what took place. Influence, p. 116. It is unclear why the Council Law of Moses, Appendix A: False Worship in the Yet despite his errors, Calvin has much to chose to punish Servetus in this way. Modern State. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/ 13 teach us from his handling of the Servetus Cunningham W., The Reformers and the justintaylor/2008/02/26/shadow-of-christ-in-law- Theology of the Reformation, The Banner of Truth case. Two points in particular stand out: of-moses/ Firstly, we need to recover an Trust, Edinburgh, 1967, p. 318. 29 “Of Toleration” in Owen, J., Sermons to the understanding of the authority of the 14 Rives S., Servetus and Calvin: Was It Murder by Nation, (The Works of John Owen vol. 8), The infinite God over every area of life. Wright Calvin? http://knol.google.com/k/servetus-calvin# explains: Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh, 1967, pp. 163- 15 Rives S., Servetus and Calvin: Was It Murder 206. by Calvin? and Hillerbrand H., The Reformation: “The western church, more than it cares 30 Rushdoony R., The Institutes of Biblical Law, to admit, has imbibed that dichotomized, A Narrative History Related by Contemporary privatized, cultural worldview in which Observers and Participants, p. 288. The Craig Press, USA, 1973, pp. 38-9. 31 God is no longer the ultimate governing 16 Rives S., Servetus and Calvin: Was It Murder Wright C., New International Biblical reality and Lord of all human life and by Calvin? Commentary: Deuteronomy, p. 178.

14 The Bulwark October - December 2010 15 Assess Calvin’s involvement in the trial continuing to develop his radically and execution of Michael Servetus, and unorthodox doctrines, which included give the arguments for and against the denials of the Trinity, and of the practice final sentence of paedobaptism.5 His first publication On the Errors of the Trinity had appeared as Introduction: The Execution of Servetus early as 1531, but had been denounced The trial and execution of Michael as heretical, and banned by the city Servetus for heresy in Protestant Geneva, authorities in Strasbourg.6 Thereafter, on 27th October 1553, has formed the under the assumed name of ‘de basis for much of the criticism that has Villeneuve’, Servetus devoted himself been launched at John Calvin over the to a medical career, while continuing years. Allan Menzies, for example, in his to privately circulate his theological reasonably sympathetic academic Study views, exchanging letters many of the of Calvin, terms this incident an “indelible Reformers, including Oecolampadius, stain on the character of Calvin”,1 and Viret, Melanchthon, and Calvin himself, Calvin’s biographer Francoise Wendel with whom Servetus had a lengthy notes that “most of the historians, correspondence.7 Servetus did his best even of those sympathetic to Calvin, to win Calvin over to his own outlook, and have bitterly reproached him” for his was savage in his invective when he failed, involvement in the execution of Servetus.2 denouncing the Reformer as “Simon the Even the Free Church historian William magician”.8 Calvin lost all patience with Cunningham concedes that “no man in Servetus, and in a letter to his friend modern times defends Calvin’s conduct Farel declared that if Servetus ever came towards Servetus”, pointing out that “the to Geneva, “I should never suffer him lawfulness of putting heretics to death” to go away alive”.9 Calvin’s detractors is a doctrine “long abandoned by all but have made much of this statement as papists”.3 To determine the extent or reflecting a personal vendetta against the otherwise of Calvin’s culpability in the Spaniard, but it actually indicates nothing execution of Servetus, this study must more than that Calvin judged Servetus charlatan or a madman. Menzies states The critics of Calvin have accused him of consider the nature and extent of Calvin’s to be a heretic, and consequently to that his writings show “great learning and complicity in exposing the true identity of involvement in his prosecution, and of deserve execution, which can be easily freshness of mind”, and it is especially Servetus as the author of the Restoration his responsibility for the consequent demonstrated anyway from Calvin’s remarkable that he was the first European to the Roman Catholic authorities. sentence imposed by the court. It must published writings. physician to describe the pulmonary However, Parker points out that Calvin then consider the arguments that may be circulation of the blood, pre-dating could have easily identified ‘de Villeneuve’ used to justify the legitimacy of the death Although ostensibly basing his thought William Harvey’s ‘discovery’ by over half to the Roman Catholic authorities as the penalty imposed, and the arguments that on the authority of Scripture, Servetus a century, even though his breakthrough known heretical writer Servetus, as early would rather support a mitigated final rejected personhood in the Godhead, failed to register in the medical world, as as the conclusion of their correspondence sentence. the two natures of Christ, original sin and it was only published within a theological in 1545.16 In fact, Servetus was unmasked justification by faith.10 His assault on the treatise.13 Williston Walker calls him a through a letter written by Guillaume de I. The Execution of Servetus – Calvin’s Trinity was especially savage: in one letter “great, though erratic, genius”.14 In 1553, Trie, an associate of Calvin at Geneva, Involvement to Calvin he termed the concept “a triad Servetus published anonymously a full recently converted to the Reformed Servetus was a Spanish physician, born of impossible monstrosities”.11 There is and detailed explication of his views in faith from Romanism, who in defending in 1511 at Villanueva in Aragon, who no dispute that Servetus’s writings were, The Restoration of Christianity. The work himself against his family’s accusations had spent the previous thirteen years as as T. H. L. Parker states, “according to was universally denounced as heretical, of having deserted the orthodox faith, personal physician to the Archbishop the standards of Catholic Christianity, consignments being burnt both by the angrily pointed out that a notorious of Vienne.4 As W. J. Grier writes, he grossly heretical”.12 Yet despite his Catholics in Vienne and by the Protestants heretic was living at the expense of the “played the role of a Romanist – a loyal false and eccentric theological views, in Frankfurt, so that only two copies are Archbishop at Vienne.17 There are simply and practising Romanist” – even while Servetus cannot be dismissed as either a known to have survived.15 no grounds for the assertion by Menzies

16 The Bulwark October - December 2010 17 that Servetus’s identity was “supplied by charges against him, through his secretary recognised the potency of such ideas, and Calvin, though not in his own name” to the Nicholas de la Fontaine, presenting to the was determined to halt them before they Roman Catholic authorities:18 rather the magistrates of Geneva a list of theological gained traction. The decisive nature of the context of de Trie’s letter clarifies that his points on which Servetus had expressed punishment rendered the actual content purpose was not to unmask Servetus, but heretical views. The procession of the trial of Servetus’s works merely a footnote in rather to discredit the Roman Church to was slow and complex, as the ‘Libertine’ history, while a Joseph Smith or a Charles his parents. One copy of the Restoration party, which opposed Calvin’s influence, Taze Russell would, in later and more had reached Geneva, and was in Calvin’s was then ascendant in Geneva, and they tolerant generations, found movements possession,19 and it would therefore be wished to frustrate Calvin in his desire to that have deceived millions. It is entirely quite natural for the author’s identity to see Geneva take a clear stance against unfair and unscholarly of Menzies to assert be common knowledge among Calvin’s heresy.25 To slow proceedings further, they that Calvin “hated” Servetus33 – rather he associates. communicated with the other Protestant hated the false doctrines that Servetus Swiss cantons for advice as to how to propounded and was determined to halt Once the identity of Servetus was proceed, and also with the Romanist them. As Wendel writes, “Calvin was exposed to the Roman ecclesiastical authorities in Vienne, who demanded the convinced, and all the reformers shared authorities, he was immediately arrested return of Servetus to their custody so this conviction, that it was the duty of and tried for heresy, and it is true that that the capital sentence could be carried a Christian magistrate to put to death Calvin supplied, at the request of de Trie’s out.26 blasphemers who kill the soul, just as parents, the letters he had received from they punished murderers who kill the Servetus.20 This apparent collusion with Servetus continued arrogantly to assert his body”.34 This was a viewpoint shared the Inquisition has earned Calvin much doctrines, bringing a counter-accusation by even the more moderate Reformers, criticism, and he released the documents of heresy against Calvin, and demanding including Melanchthon, Bullinger and only after much hesitation,21 but it must be that the Reformer be immediately Cranmer.35 Furthermore, Calvin knew that stressed that Calvin had little choice: if he banished from Geneva for his false the Reformed Church would be severely refused he risked undermining the whole accusations, and his goods handed over Calvin discredited if it gave any appearance of Reformed cause by openly siding with a to Servetus as compensation.27 On 20th sympathy with Servetus, and that for the grossly unorthodox heretic. Furthermore, October, the replies were read before and of the ministers Calvin was chief good of the whole Reformation it was the letters were scarcely confidential, as the council from Zurich, Basel, Bern and and leader”.30 Calvin himself defended necessary for the Protestant Church to they had already been printed by Servetus Schaffhausen, unanimously condemning the capital sentence extensively in decisively reject the bizarre heresies he himself some years previously,22 and Servetus as a heretic, effectively bringing writing,31 and thus, as Cunningham points taught. It is highly significant that, while thus had Calvin refused, the inquisitors the trial to an end, and six days later the out, “distinctly and fully assumed the Calvin’s reputation since his death has would probably in time have been able sentence of burning was pronounced.28 responsibility of the death of Servetus”.32 suffered because of his involvement in the to procure copies anyway. Realising the Calvin urged that the less brutal sentence Contemporary Calvinists cannot and Servetus case, his contemporary authority danger of his position, Servetus effected of decapitation be substituted, but was should not attempt to exculpate the was hugely boosted by his successful an escape from prison through the refused, and the ghastly punishment Reformer by passing on the blame to prosecution of the Spaniard, which Walker connivance of Roman Catholic friends, was carried out on 27th October 1553.29 the magistrates. Ultimately, they acted calls “a great victory”.36 By contrast, the and in his absence was duly convicted by Calvin had pronounced neither verdict nor only, and with great reluctance, at the Libertine party were so discredited by their the Romanist authorities, being sentenced sentence, and indeed it was his enemies instigation of Calvin himself. delay and apparent reluctance to convict to death by slow burning.23 in Geneva who had been responsible Servetus that B. K. Kuiper comments for both as the ruling party, but he was II. The Execution of Servetus – The that “they were now totally discredited”, In August 1553, Servetus unexpectedly the chief force behind the prosecution Arguments For adding that “their power of opposition [to appeared in Geneva, apparently en of Servetus, both instigating the process In Calvin’s favour, it must be emphasised Calvin] was broken”.37 In pragmatic terms, route to Italy, but made the mistake of and providing the evidence, and therefore that he correctly recognised the views the case for executing Servetus was attending a service at St Pierre where he must bear the bulk of responsibility for of Servetus as not merely eccentric and strong, and its effect was to greatly bolster Calvin was preaching. Calvin subsequently what occurred. As Menzies writes, “the aberrant, but grossly and dangerously Calvin’s prestige. identified him to the Genevan authorities magistrates were necessarily guided in heretical, and profoundly blasphemous as a known heretic, and he was arrested a case of heresy by the opinions of the against God in their assault upon the Calvin argued that the power and duty of on 13th August.24 Calvin brought the ministers, the experts in such a question, Biblical doctrine of the Trinity. Calvin the civil magistrate to support the cause

18 The Bulwark October - December 2010 19 III. The Execution of Servetus – The of a capital sentence, but in the case Arguments Against of a crime like heresy, the execution The real problem, of course, with the use demonstrated little sign of care for of such Old Testament texts to support the soul of Servetus and desire to win the execution of heretics, is that they him round to renunciation of his false refer directly to Israel under a theocratic teaching. The execution was also a very government, where leaders were dangerous precedent, establishing that, appointed by God and the will of God in the Reformed world, execution was an was communicated directly or indirectly appropriate punishment for heresy, which, to them. In the New Testament age, the loosely defined, could apply to almost any judicial laws have been abrogated, and form of wrong doctrine, including both as the Westminster Confession states, Romanism and even . This are no longer binding “further than the created a situation where the extirpation general equity thereof may require”.39 It of heresy could easily have become the is therefore entirely correct for a Christian justification for the brutal suppression government to have laws against heresy of a religious minority. The risk of abuse and blasphemy and to prosecute those was just too great.40 Furthermore, who contravene them, reflecting the the execution deeply undermined the equity of the Old Testament law, but the Protestant critique of the brutality of the theocratic command to execute the false Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation, and prophet is now expired, and no longer of the Inquisition, for Protestant Geneva applies. The only binding capital sentence had adopted the same methods, even to required of the magistrate lies in the the extent of replicating for Servetus the creation ordinance against murderers: cruelty of the sentence of the Romanist “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man court. The capital sentence ignored shall his blood be shed: for in the image the other options at the disposal of the of God made he man” (Gen. 9:6). The Genevan court, including banishment, magistrate does retain the discretionary which would at least have prevented the use of the capital sentence, as Paul says, spread of Servetus’s doctrines in Geneva, of true religion, and suppress falsehood, your God… to thrust thee out of the way “he beareth not the sword in vain: for or simply perpetual imprisonment until enshrined in the Reformed confessions, which the LORD thy God commanded he is the minister of God, a revenger to he repented. Above all, the court failed could be rightly extended to the imposition thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” to demonstrate mercy in its dealings of capital punishment on heretics.38 This away from the midst of thee. […] Thou (Rom. 13:4), but the execution of Servetus with Servetus, the mercy that should position could be supported from Old shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken had therefore to be justified as a judicial characterise Christianity under the New Testament texts like “whosoever will not unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, response to the crime of heresy, and Testament, as Paul writes: “Though I cannot simply be construed as obedience speak with the tongues of men and of do the law of thy God, and the law of the neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt to a Scriptural command. angels, and have not charity, I am become king, let judgment be executed speedily thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely upon him, whether it be unto death, as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him or to banishment, or to confiscation of The most obvious problem with the Cor. 13:1). to put him to death, and afterwards the goods, or to imprisonment” (Ezra 7:26). imposition of a capital sentence in the Equally, the Mosaic law stated: “he that hand of all the people” (Deut. 13:5-9). case was its absolute finality, its removing Conclusion: The Execution of Servetus blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he Taken together, these texts could appear from Servetus the opportunity to alter 27th October 1553 was a dark day in the shall surely be put to death, and all the to support the execution of Servetus, for and correct his deviant theology over history of the Reformation and of Geneva. congregation shall certainly stone him” his teaching was certainly both false and time, and to repent to the Lord for his The execution of Servetus was a horrific (Lev. 24:16). Perhaps most powerfully of blasphemous in its denial of the Biblical misrepresentation of His Word. In the case event, the brutality of the means only all, Moses wrote of the false prophet, that doctrine of the Trinity, leading him to of a murderer, this finality is necessary highlighting how the city was mirroring the he “shall be put to death; because he hath preach a different god from the triune God because the magistrate operates under methods of the Inquisition. Calvin cannot spoken to turn you away from the LORD of Scripture. the authority of the Divine ordination be held responsible for the means, but

20 The Bulwark October - December 2010 21 the execution itself was carried out as the warning to Reformed Christians to beware 1 Allan Menzies, A Study of Calvin (London, 1918), 24 Grier. “Servetus”, p. 4. conclusion of a process he had instigated of the fault of the Corinthians in becoming p. 187. 25 Parker, Calvin, pp. 121-22. and he must and did accept responsibility followers of men: “I am of Paul; and I of 2 Francoise Wendel, Calvin (London, 1963) [First 26 Parker, Calvin, p. 122. for the death of Servetus. Cunningham Apollos” (1 Cor. 1:12). We follow Calvin in published 1950, in French], p. 97. 27 Wendel, Calvin, p. 96. warns of the danger for Calvinists, due to many things, but, in all things, let us above 3 28 our indignation at the misrepresentations all be followers of Christ! William Cunningham, The Reformers and the Parker, Calvin, p. 122. of hostile historians, “of being tempted to Theology of the Reformation (London, 1967), [First 29 Parker, Calvin, pp. 122-23. view it, and other transactions of a similar Alasdair Macleod published 1862], p. 316. 30 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 189. kind, with less disapprobation than they 4 Wendel, Calvin, pp. 93-94. 31 Menzies, Study of Calvin, pp. 189-90. 41 deserve”. Regardless of our sympathy 5 W. J. Grier, “The Errors of Servetus” in The 32 Cunningham, Reformers, p. 316. for Calvin, we must condemn without Banner of Truth Issue 559, April 2010, pp. 2-3. 33 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 190; this point is reservation the execution of Servetus, 6 solely for what he thought and wrote, as a Wendel, Calvin, p.94. ably answered by Cunningham, Reformers, p. barbarous act, which has reflected badly 7 Grier, “Servetus”, pp. 2-3. 322ff. ever since on Calvin and on Reformed 8 Grier, “Servetus”, pp. 2-3. 34 Wendel, Calvin, p. 97. Geneva. There were many pragmatic 9 Quoted in Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 188. 35 Cunningham, Reformers, p. 321. reasons why Servetus should have been 10 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p.187. 36 Walker, Christian Church, p. 399. executed, but the scriptural arguments 11 Quoted in T. H. L. Parker, John Calvin (London, 37 B. K. Kuiper, The Church in History (Grand which sought to present this as a duty were flawed. Having rightly convicted 1975), p. 118. Rapids, 1951), p. 198. him of heresy, the magistrates of Geneva 12 Parker, Calvin, p. 122. 38 For example, the Westminster Confession of should have considered the many factors 13 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 187. Faith, not published until the following century, but which ought to have pushed them 14 Williston Walker, A History of the Christian reflecting the Reformed consensus, lists among towards a mitigated sentence, not least Church, (Edinburgh, 1957), [First published 1918], the duties of the civil magistrate that “all heresies the New Testament imperative of mercy, p. 399. and blasphemies be suppressed”, XXIII.3. and Calvin equally should have pressed 15 39 these factors upon them. That stated, it Grier, “Servetus”, p. 4; Menzies, Study of Calvin, Westminster Confession XIX.4. Proof texts are must be added that there is no evidence p. 188. Gen. 49:10 with 1 Pet. 2:13-14; Matt. 5:17 with to support those who suggest that some 16 Parker, Calvin, p. 118. 38, 39; 1 Cor. 9:8-10. base motive in Calvin, such as a personal 17 Wendel, Calvin, p. 95. 40 In fact, in the Lord’s providence, this was the loathing of Servetus, influenced his 18 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 188. only execution for heresy in sixteenth century involvement with the case. Calvin was at 19 Wendel, Calvin, p. 95. Geneva, but there were others elsewhere, for all times honest and straightforward in the 20 part he played, firmly holding it to be his Wendel, Calvin, p. 95. example under Cranmer in England, where, in 21 duty to bring Servetus to face punishment Wendel, Calvin, p. 95. 1549, two were executed for heresy, one an Arian for his heresy, and that execution was 22 Grier, “Servetus”, p. 4. Dutchman, the other, shockingly, an Anabaptist the only adequate punishment for that 23 Menzies, Study of Calvin, p. 189; Parker, Calvin, woman. See Cunningham, Reformers, p. 321. crime. In this, it cannot be too strongly p. 121. 41 Cunningham, Reformers, p. 314. emphasised, he merely reflected the near- universal opinion of the right punishment of heresy in the sixteenth century, held alike by Romanists, Lutherans, Anglicans and the Reformed Churches. Much invective has been levelled at Calvin for his part in the death of Servetus, but, in truth, he was guilty of nothing more than being a man of his time. His involvement in the tragic case of Servetus is a timely

22 The Bulwark October - December 2010 23 Writing Competition 2011 The Writing Competition has changed for this year and there is also a new prize structure. Entrants are asked to choose from a selection of three questions in their age group. Every entrant will receive a £10 book token (this may be changed to a book) if they are judged to have completed the project or question. There will be an additional two prizes awarded to the winner and runner-up in each section and all participants will receive a certificate. If appropriate, the winning essays from the older age groups will also be printed in the Bulwark. The closing date is 31st July 2011. Entries should be sent to Rev. David Campbell, F. P. Manse, N. Tolsta, Isle of Lewis, HS2 0NH, and must include the entrant’s name, full postal address, and age.

Monarchy Project Winner £20, Runner- the jurisdiction of the in . up £15 OR Give a short history of the Magdalen Design a logo for the Scottish Reformation Chapel from its first use to the present Society marking the 450th Anniversary day. of the Scottish Reformation. OR Produce a pictorial map of the main events and Knox Prize Essay (1200 – 1500 words) battles in Scotland during the Reformation Winner £35, Runner-up £30 years 1559-60. OR Produce an illustrated Give a short biography of timeline for the Scottish Reformation years detailing the main events of his life and his 1559-60. contribution to the Reformation. Hamilton Memorial Essay (300 words) OR Write a book review assessing John The following is the list of Winner £20, Runner-up £15 Knox’s History of the Reformation. Prize winners for the 2010 Explain why no one was executed for their OR Summarise any three of the writings religion by the Scottish Reformers in 1560. of John Knox other than his History of the Writing Competition: OR Give an account of the Queen Regent Reformation. Mary’s intentions against the Reformers in Perth in May 1559 and explain what Melville Essay (2500 – 3000 words) Monarchy Hamilton Magdalen happened. OR What happened in the Winner £50, Runner-up £40 Project Memorial Essay Chapel Essay first General Assembly of the Scottish What did the Scottish Reformation under First: Isla MacDonald First: Claudia Campbell First: Jack McClure Reformed Church on 20th December John Knox contribute to “the emergence 1560? Second: Joanna Gillies Second: Hannah Wells Second: Jonah McLachlan of liberty in the modern world”? OR “Knox parted company with Calvin … when he Third: Rebekah MacLeod Third: Lydia Wells Third: Keith Marshall Magdalen Chapel Essay (600 - 800 held that God’s covenant with his people words) Winner £25, Runner-up £20 Give a short biography of three persons gave them the direct right to rebel against Knox Andrew (other than John Knox) who were ungodly magistrates …” Discuss. OR Prize Essay Melville Essay members of the first General Assembly of Compare the 1560 with the Westminster Confession of 1647. Is First: Nathan van der Laan First: Naomi Wells the on 20th December 1560. OR Explain the context and the there anything in the Scots Confession Second: Rebecca Wells Second: Alasdair MacLeod terms of the Act of the which is not covered in the Westminster Third: Mary Anne Evers Third: Jason de Courcy on 24th August 1560 which repudiated Confession?

24 The Bulwark October - December 2010 25 Book Review Society and Branch News

Aberdeen Branch The Anglosphere’s Broken Covenant Meetings are on Fridays in the Dunbar St Rediscovering the Validity and Importance Hall, Old , at 7.30 pm (DV). of the Solemn League and Covenant - By Michael Wagner 25th February, ‘The Aberdeen Assembly of Gospel Covenant Publications, 1605’, Rev Timothy McGlynn Lewiston, Idaho, 2010, 69pp (paperback) 25th March, ‘The Aberdeen Churches, 1750- the Bible, and of the Solemn League itself, Stuart king, the Commonwealth was 1850’, Dr Ian R Macdonald the author arrives at the main thrust of headed by God-fearing Protestant his argument which is not merely that the Christians, albeit with an instinctive present United Kingdom stands guilty of dislike for . Their guilt, Inverness Branch perjury and breach of promise before God which seems by far the greatest, is for abandonment of the Solemn League all but passed over, whilst the settlers Meetings are on Mondays in the Inverness and Covenant, but that all the sovereign of British North America and the Royal Academy, Culduthel Road, Inverness, states which are of ‘British’ origin (the Antipodes are painted as ignorant but at 7.30 pm (DV). ‘Anglosphere’) are similarly under the wholly guilty nonetheless. judgment of God for the same reason. 24th January ‘Black Isle Saints’, Rev Neil M The author then spends the remaining It is undoubtedly true that God has still Ross (Dingwall) chapters of this short book demonstrating seen fit to bless the ‘Anglosphere’ at the (undoubted) ‘Britishness’ of the various times with periods of spiritual 21st February ‘The Ulster-Scottish origins of modern Canada, Australia, awakening and revival, and this is, New Zealand, and the USA; but assumes by Dr Wagner, rightly ascribed to Connection’, Rev Gavin Beers (Ayr) rather than demonstrates that such British God’s sovereign mercy alone, and origin (readily proven) by definition equals despite, rather than because of, the 14th March ‘Biblical Evangelism’, Dr Bill simultaneous equality of guilt in breach of ‘Anglosphere’s broken covenant’. Schweitzer (Gateshead) the Solemn League and Covenant (less readily proven). Dr Wagner writes in an easily-digested These details are correct at the time of style which is particularly suitable for printing, but please our website www. This is a short and easy-to-read Dr Wagner writes with disarming humility the young, and whilst one may or may reformation-scotland.org.uk introduction to a subject that ought to in his conclusion, which rather softens not agree with all his conclusions, be more widely taught. The author’s one’s hardening desire to ask difficult and despite some of the book’s basic premise is that the three questions, the tackling of some of which unanswered questions, this is a helpful Lewis Branch kingdoms of Scotland, England, and might strengthen this little volume. What, and thought-provoking introduction Ireland bound themselves through the for example, should be said about to a subject often misrepresented, if Meetings are on Fridays in the Nicolson Solemn League and Covenant of 1643 those ‘Founding Fathers’ who settled in not indeed ignored altogether, in the Institute Assembly Hall, Stornoway, at 7.30 into an irrevocable covenant with God, Virginia (1607) and Massachusetts (1620) teaching of Scottish and British history. pm (DV). decades before the Solemn League and which is still in force insofar as God Covenant was ever signed? What of the Rev Andrew Coghill 14th January, ‘Samuel Rutherford’, Rev himself, as a party to the covenant, guilt of the Cromwellian Commonwealth has never released these nations from for simply (and with shocking alacrity) James Clark their obligations. Few indeed could discarded the Solemn League once its argue with the moral truth of that, but pragmatic benefits had been reaped? 8th April, Illustrated talk on , Dr Dr Wagner goes further. King Charles II is most certainly guilty for Robert Dickie repudiating and ‘repealing’ the Solemn After some short, introductory chapters League in the 1660s, but whilst one might on the nature of national covenanting in expect dishonesty from the perjured

26 The Bulwark October - December 2010 27 News News

Trumpet (1558); other unspecified works leading to centuries of hellfire sermons— of Knox; the Scots Confession of Faith but also to a society with a strong sense National Library of Scotland (1560); Winzet’s Tractatis (1562); of social responsibility and the highest rate and the Bassadyne Bible (1576). Among of literacy in Europe.' We are glad that Reformation Forum works which one would have expected, Dr Hagan acknowledges the benefits of but which are not mentioned, are Knox’s the Reformation, but why does she make History (both in MS and in the suppressed the cheap gibe about ‘hellfire sermons’? On 21st October 2010, the National impact on society; his view was akin to the edition of 1587); the First Book of Could she name three such sermons? Library of Scotland organized a Karl Marx’s statement that religion was the Discipline (in MS and in Calderwood’s Reformation Forum, and there was also opiate of the masses. first printed edition of 1621); the Book a book exhibition at the same time. The of Common Order (1564); and the 1560 Chairman of the Scottish Reformation Even a Roman Catholic priest that . Perhaps these items were Society attended, and here, with his was there thought that the Forum was on display but were not considered worthy permission, is a brief and informal account unbalanced. He said openly that he of mention. Furthermore, if the National thought that the Reformation should be of the occasion. We think that it says a lot Library could borrow the Arbuthnott about modern Scotland. taught to all Catholics, with no holds from Paisley Museum, could it not barred. The priest had put his name have borrowed the copy of Carswell’s Last Thursday evening Nanette and I to a letter asking that the Pope put off Gaelic (1567) attended the Reformation Forum held in his visit to Scotland, not because of the from Edinburgh University Library? These the National Library of Scotland. There anniversary of the Reformation, but until fundamental Protestant works seem to were four speakers; sorry, but there the child abuse be dealt with in Scotland. have been ignored in the interests of were no programmes available with The only reference to the Reformation . the names of the speakers. One was a itself was a backward glance, and the Professor in Scottish History at , name John Knox was barely mentioned by In connection with this exhibition, the [Professor Chris Whately] (mainly 18th any of the speakers. The unaccompanied senior curator of rare book collections at century); there were two ladies, one was singing of the was described as the National Library, Anette Hagan, said of from Caledonian University [Dr caterwauling and not praise. the Reformation that 'it marked a switch in Catriona Macdonald], Senior Lecturer international alliances away from Catholic in History (19th-20th century), the other The book exhibition seemed like an France and towards Protestant England, was a Fellow of Edinburgh University afterthought and was not well planned. enabling the in [Dr Jenny Wormald] specializing in 16th It was in a small room on the right as 1603, and established as one century history and politics. The Chairman you enter the Library: a few first edition of the dominant influences of Scottish life, [Professor Roger Mason] was Senior books and a first edition of the first Bible Professor of Church History, . printed in Scots. More than treble the He turned out to be a self-confessed non- space was given over to the history of The cover illustration is of Dr James Kidd of Aberdeen (1761-1834) from a portrait now believer. ; you gained this exhibition in Gilcomston Church of Scotland, Aberdeen. Dr Kidd was an Ulsterman who moved through the same door. to Aberdeen in 1794. He was a powerful gospel preacher and he built up one of the Sadly the Forum was one-sided. The largest congregations in Scotland. He was noted for his eccentricity—on one occasion, Reformation of the sixteenth century Editor’s Note: For the record, the internet for instance, he prayed publicly for his elders in the following terms: ‘God have mercy was called a myth, and was dressed mentions the following items as being on the elders; for they are a set of inefficient men, as they seem to think when they up as ‘euphoria’ in the same vein as among those on display at the book manage to gather the pence at the church door on the Sabbath, they have discharged that surrounding Robert Burns. The exhibition: the Arbuthnott Missal (1491); their whole duty: God have mercy on the elders.’ He was a resolute Protestant, and Fellow thought that the Church should a Papal Bull against Martin Luther (1517); when reproved for speaking of Roman Catholicism with such severity, he replied, ‘Ah! still be reforming along the lines of the an unspecified edition of The Gude and You have not seen Popery as I have; you have never lived in Ireland; you have never felt Ecumenical movement. The Chairman Godly Ballads; Archbishop Hamilton’s the whisk of the cow’s tail.’ believed that the Church had no great Catechism (1552); Knox’s First Blast of the

28 The Bulwark October - December 2010 29 Society and Branch News Society and Branch News

Report of AGM and Conference New Historical Journal The AGM was followed by a special Conference to commemorate the 450th The first issue of the Society’s new Historical Journal is now available. It can either be ordered anniversary of the Scottish Reformation. electronically from www.lulu.com (search on ‘Scottish Reformation Society’) at a price of The Rev Dr Wayne Pearce, APC Lairg £8.01 paperback (including p&p) or £15.99 hardback, or from the Editor (18 Carlton Place, and Rogart, dealt with the subject ‘Why Aberdeen, AB15 4BQ) at the price of £9.95 paperback (including p&p) or £17.95 hardback Scotland Needed Reformation’. He outlined (cheques made payable to the Scottish Reformation Society). The first issue contains the the steps in the deformation of the Church following articles: prior to 1560. The Roman departed from the New Testament teaching on the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. ‘Was Knox a Royal Chaplain?’ (reprinted from the Bulwark May 1924) It added to the Bible and so corrupted David Hay Fleming the pure Gospel. It was the printing of the Bible in English which exposed the errors of ‘Samuel Rutherford and the theology and practice of preaching’ the Vulgate and Roman dogma and Matthew Vogan brought about a return to New Testament On 9th October in Carrubbers doctrine and practice. , a few yards from ‘Thomas Boston and the Authorship of Queries to the Friendly-Adviser’ in Edinburgh’s David Silversides of the Reformed Douglas Somerset High Street, the Scottish Reformation Presbyterian Church in Loughbrickland, Society held its Annual General N. Ireland, had as his topic ‘A Biblical ‘Alexander Dyce Davidson (1807-72), Free Church minister in Aberdeen’ Meeting and Conference. Blueprint for Church and Nation’. He showed John A. Smith how the new light and life of the Scottish The chairman, Rev Dr J Millar, welcomed Reformation was expressed first in the Scots ‘Professor James MacGregor: Theological and Practical Writings 1868-1881’ the members and after introductory remarks Confession and then in the First Book of John Keddie invited the new Secretary, the Rev Douglas Discipline drawn up by John Knox and his Somerset, to present the Annual Report. companions. The ruling authorities of the There were changes during the past year, time were asking the Reformers for direction ‘Angus of the Hills (c.1809-c.1854)’ with three new members being added to the how to establish the true religion in the land. Douglas Somerset committee. New appointments, in addition to Christ had to be acknowledged as King over the Secretary, were the Rev Andrew Coghill all. This presented a challenge for us today. ‘David Hay Fleming (1849 –1931), Scottish Church Historian and Antiquarian’ as Treasurer and the Rev John J Murray as Roy Middleton Organisation Secretary. The Accounts for Membership and Bulwark Subscriptions 2009 showed a substantial deficit over the Please note that subscriptions run from ‘Giving out the line: a cross-Atlantic comparison of two Presbyterian cultures’ year, but this problem is being addressed. January to December. Anyone wishing to Norman Campbell The Society's magazine The Bulwark is to belong to the Society, or to subscribe to the appear in a new format in October and the Bulwark, who has not yet heard from the first issue of an Historical Journal is due to Membership Secretary is asked contact her ‘Mistress Rutherford and Ulster in the Summer of 1634’ appear in December this year. (see back cover for address). Douglas Somerset

30 The Bulwark October - December 2010 31 CONTENTS Knowing God’s Love 3 Rev David Blunt

Calvin and Servetus (1) (Naomi Wells) 8 Calvin and Servetus (2) (Alasdair Macleod) 16 Prize Winners 2010 24 Writing Competition 2011 25 The Anglosphere’s Broken Covenant 26 M. Wagner

National Library of Scotland Reformation Forum 28 Report of AGM and Conference 30

Membership & Bulwark Subscriptions

All correspondence regarding Membership and Bulwark subscriptions should be sent to the Membership Secretary, Mrs Deborah Coghill, Leurbost Manse, Lochs, Isle of Lewis, HS2 9NS.

The subscription remains at £5 per annum for membership of the Society and £5 per annum for the Bulwark. Membership forms can be obtained from the Membership Secretary, or the Magdalen Chapel, or downloaded from the internet: www.scottishreformationsociety.org.uk/downloads/SRS_Membership_Form.pdf

32 The Bulwark