John Knox and the Scottish Reformation

The Early Years of John Knox

“The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox’s gospel is my gospel.” -- Charles H. Spurgeon

1. The Religious Situation

 Scotland strongly Roman Catholic; leaders centered at St. Andrews – castle and university  Archbishop James Beaton (1473-1539) and Cardinal James Beaton (1494-1546)

2. The Political Situation

 Scotland an independent country; enemy to England and friend of France (the Auld Alliance)  James IV (1473-1513) – killed by the English in the battle of Flodden, with most of his army  James V (1512- 1542) – married Mary of Guise; died soon after losing the battle of Solway Moss  Mary “Queen of Scots” (1542-1587) – educated in France; bigoted Catholic; opposed Knox  James VI (1566-1625) – succeeded Queen Elizabeth in 1603 as James I of England

3. Patrick Hamilton

 Noble birth; studied under Luther, Melancthon, and other Reformers in Germany  Returned to Scotland to preach the Word, and prove Roman Catholic teachings were false  Lured to a discussion by Archbishop Beaton, and then condemned to die for his faith  “The smoke from Patrick Hamilton’s death affected all who breathed it.”  Alexander Ales – appointed to debate Hamilton, he was converted to Christ by his testimony and death

4. Spread of the Reformation

 Protestant books imported by merchants and brought to Scotland by travelers  William Tyndale’s English translation of the Bible  The growing Reformation in England, just to the south of Scotland  The witness and faith of the martyrs that continued to be condemned and executed

5. George Wishart (1513-1546)

 Educated at Cambridge; taught NT Greek to his Scottish students  Began to itinerate in 1544, preaching in churches and in the fields  Captured, condemned, and burned by Cardinal Beaton  “One life is necessary for a sacrifice; go back to your bairns…”

6. Knox’s Early Life

 Place of birth uncertain; traditionally Haddington. Date also uncertain: 1505, 1514, or 1515  Father and brother both named William; mother, who died young, was a Sinclair  College educated, probably at the University of St. Andrews  Ordained priest, but was a tutor to noble children, rather than serving a parish  As late as 1543, was “minister of the sacred alter in the diocese of St. Andrews, notary by apostolic authority”

7. Knox Embraces the Reformation (1544-1547)

 Does not specify details of his conversion; private study, witness of Wishart, or both  On his deathbed, requests his wife to read “where I cast my first anchor” – John 14-17  Becomes Wishart’s companion and bodyguard, often bearing a two-handed sword  Takes refuge with others in St. Andrews castle after the assassination of Cardinal Beaton  Called to the ministry by the united voice of the congregation; fled the room in tears  Begins preaching – “Other men lop the branches, but this man lays the ax to the root of the tree”

8. Knox Suffers in the French Galleys (1547-1549)

 French fleet and army capture St. Andrews, and carry Protestants into captivity  Nobles imprisoned; Knox and the others are galley slaves, chained to their oars, for 19 months  Exposure to the elements, disease, filth, and whippings  Constant attempts to renounce the faith by returning to Romanism  “Let her swim for it; she’s light enough!”  Knox very sick, sees the spires of St. Andrews from the sea, and is assured he will preach there again

9. Knox Serves Christ in England

 Henry VIII dies in 1547; Edward VI reigns (1547-1553), followed by “bloody” Mary (1553-1558)  England becomes Protestant in doctrine under Edward, but still retains many Popish ceremonies  The Puritan party wants to remove the ceremonies; this was Knox’s view as well  “I’m sorry the common order is not according to Christ’s institution”  Knox serves as pastor in Berwick for two years, then in Newcastle for two years  Marries Majorie Bowes of Berwick (“One of the very sweetest of women….a wife such as one seldom finds” – John Calvin)  Serves in London and the south of England the last year of King Edward’s life  Leaves for the Continent, January 1554 “Sometime I have thought that impossible it had been, so to have removed my affection from the realm of Scotland, that any realm or nation could have been equal dear to me. But God I take to record in my conscience, that the troubles present (and appearing to be) in the realm of England are double more dolorous unto my heart than ever were the troubles of Scotland”