TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Introductory Note [v]
Table of Contents [ix]
Early persecutions, [1]. Paul Craw: A.D. 1431, [1]. The Lollards of Kyle: 1494, [2]. Archbishop James Beaton, [4]. The Coming of Patrick Hamilton, [5]. Persecution of Hamilton, [6]. His martyrdom, [7]. Questionings arise, [8]. Friar William Arth speaks out, [8]. The abuse of God's curse, [9]. False miracles, [10]. Friar Alexander Seton preaches the Evangel, [11]. His apology, [12]. His persecution, [13]. Persecution flags, [13]. The Reformation in England, [14]. Scots Reformers abroad, [15]. Persecution revived: 1534, [15]. David Stratoun and his teind fish, [16]. The conversion of Stratoun, [16]. Martyrdom of Stratoun and Gourlay, [17]. The true light spreads: Cardinal David Beaton notwithstanding, [17]. The Reformation in Court and cloisters, [18]. Friar Kyllour and others go to the stake: February 1538, [18]. The trial of Friar Russell and Friar Kennedy, [18]. They are burned, [20]. The bigotry of James V., [20]. God speaks to him, [20]. George Buchanan: his arrest and escape, [21]. The broken tryst, [22]. War with England: 1542, [23]. Halden Rig, [23]. Fala Raid, [24]. The Lords plot against the courtiers, [24]. The English army retires, [25]. The courtiers and priests plot against the Lords, [25]. "An answer worthy of a prince," [26]. Solway Moss: how it began, [27]. The rout of Solway Moss, [29]. The blow falls on the King, [31]. The birth of Mary Stuart, [32]. The death of James V., [32]. The Cardinal claims the regency, [33]. The Earl of Arran is proclaimed Regent, [34]. Thomas Williams and John Rough preach, in despite of the Friars, [35]. Edinburgh drowned in superstition, [35]. Liberty to read the Scriptures is demanded, [36]. An open Bible is secured, [37]. The Bible becomes fashionable, [37]. King Harry suggests the betrothal of Queen Mary to Prince Edward, [38]. The contract of marriage is adjusted and ratified, [38]. The Papists refuse to acknowledge the contract, [39]. They turn the tables, [40]. The Abbot and the Cardinal next threaten the Regent, [41]. The Regent breaks faith with England and receives absolution, [42]. King Harry remonstrates without avail, [42]. War is declared by King Harry, [43]. The revolt of the Earl of Lennox, [43]. Cardinal Beaton stirs up strife betwixt his enemies, [44]. The fight for the provostship of Perth, [45]. Treachery of the Cardinal, [46]. The persecution at Perth, [47]. The English invade Scotland, and sack Edinburgh and Leith, [48]. France comes to the aid of Cardinal Beaton, [51]. John Hamilton, Abbot of Paisley, [51]. George Wishart comes to Scotland, [52]. He is driven from Dundee, [52]. Goes to Kyle, [53]. The plague comes to Dundee: Wishart returns, [54]. The Cardinal attempts to assassinate him at Dundee, [55]. Further treachery of the Cardinal, [56]. The agony of Wishart, [57]. He arrives in Leith, [58]. For safety he is removed to the Lothians: preaches at Inveresk, [59]. He goes to Haddington, [60]. John Knox's first appearance, [60]. The last sermon of Wishart: his arrest, [61]. He is betrayed into the hands of the Cardinal, [62]. The bishops and clergy are convoked to the trial of Wishart, [62]. A merry tale of the Cardinal and Archbishop Dunbar, [63]. Pilate and Herod patch the quarrel, [64]. Wishart before the Cardinal's tribunal, [65]. The Sub-prior preaches on heresy, [66]. A fed sow accuses and curses Wishart, [67]. His oration in reply to his accusers, [67]. He is brought to the stake, [78]. Vengeance on the Cardinal is vowed, [80]. Assassination of Cardinal Beaton: 29th May 1546, [82]. The reforming party is besieged in the Castle of St. Andrews, [83]. A treacherous truce, [83]. John Rough resumes preaching, [84]. John Knox comes to the Castle of St. Andrews, [84]. He is called to the office of preacher, [85]. He denounces the Roman Kirk: his challenge, [86]. The first public sermon of John Knox is made in the Parish Kirk of St. Andrews, [87]. The people comment on Knox's sermon against Papistry, [89]. He is called on to defend his doctrine, [90]. Signs follow his ministry: the backsliding of Sir James Balfour, [96]. The Regent and the Queen-Dowager violate the Appointment: a French army comes to their aid, [96]. The Castle is stormed, and surrenders upon terms, [98]. The company of the Castle are carried to France, and cast into prison and the galleys, [99]. The Papists rejoice, and the Regent receives the Pope's thanks, [99]. The Duke of Somerset invades Scotland, [100]. The Battle of Pinkie Cleuch, [100]. The Parliament at Haddington: Queen Mary is sold to France, [104]. The siege of Haddington, [105]. The French fruits: arrogance of the French soldiery, [105]. The Scots prisoners in France, and their deliverance, [107]. John Knox prophesies of himself: his confidence in God's deliverance, [109]. John Knox in England, and on the Continent, [111]. Haddington proves the truth of Wishart's foreboding, [112]. Peace proclaimed (April 1550): the Papists resume persecution, [113]. The faithful testimony and martyrdom of Adam Wallace, [113]. The Duke is deposed, and the Queen-Dowager is made Regent (1554), [115]. The death and virtues of Edward VI., [116]. The superstitious cruelty of Mary of England, and of the Queen Regent, [117]. Knox follows William Harlaw and John Willock to Scotland, [117]. The good testimony of Elizabeth Adamson, Mistress Barron, [118]. John Knox argues that the Mass is idolatry, [119]. He preaches in different parts, and administers the Lord's Table, [120]. He is summoned to answer for his doctrine: the Diet abandoned, [121]. He is recalled to Geneva, and leaves the realm: he is burned in effigy, [122]. The Regent declares war on England: the nobles decline to move, [122]. The Evangel begins to flourish in Scotland, [123]. Images are stolen, and the prelates practise with the Regent, [123]. The downcasting of Saint Giles's image, and discomfiture of Baal's priests, [125]. The Dean of Restalrig, hypocrite, begins to preach, [127]. The recall of Knox, [128]. The Lords of the Congregation make a covenant, [130]. The Earl of Argyll promotes the cause of the Reformed Kirk, [132]. The bishops make a feeble show of reformation, [132]. The Regent practises for grant of the crown-matrimonial to the King of France, [133]. The Parliament of October 1558: the crown-matrimonial is granted, [134].
The preface to the second book, [135]. The consciences of judges, lords, and rulers are awakened, [136]. The office of elder is instituted, and the Privy Kirk is founded, [137]. John Willock preaches: formal steps towards a public reformation are taken, [137]. The first oration and petition of the Protestants of Scotland to the Queen Regent, [138]. The Papists brag of disputation: the Articles of Reconciliation, [141]. Persecution at St. Andrews: Walter Myln is burned, [142]. The Protestants appeal to Parliament, [143]. The Regent makes large promises of protection and reform, [145]. Treachery of the Regent: the preachers are summoned, [146]. The revival at Perth: fury of the Regent, [147]. Knox returns from France, and joins the Protestants at Perth, [148]. The mob wreck the churches and destroy the monasteries in Perth, [149]. The Queen rages, and stirs up the nobility, [151]. The Protestants prepare for a struggle for liberty of conscience, [153]. The rival forces are arrayed outside Perth, [154]. Commissioners are sent by the Queen: interview with John Knox: May 1559, [154]. The nobility of the West-land march to the aid of Perth: the Regent takes fright, [156]. Another Appointment is patched up: 28th May 1559, [157]. The Lords and the Congregation make a fresh covenant, [158]. The Regent enters Perth, and at once breaks faith with the Congregation, [159]. The Earl of Argyll abandons the Regent and declines to return, [159]. The Archbishop of St. Andrews interdicts Knox from preaching, [160]. Knox declines to obey the dictates of the Archbishop, [160]. He preaches at St. Andrews once more: the monuments of idolatry are cast down, [161]. The Regent declares war: the forces of the Congregation are called out, [162]. The affair of Cupar Moor: the Regent sues for an armistice, [162]. Once more the Regent breaks faith, [163]. The relief of Perth, [164]. The sack of the Abbey and Palace of Scone, [164]. The forces of the Congregation take possession of Stirling and Edinburgh, [165]. The Congregation renew peaceable overtures to the Regent, [166]. Death of Harry Second, King of France, [169]. The Regent again takes up arms against the Congregation, [169]. Edinburgh Castle supports the Regent: Appointment made at Leith, [170]. The Congregation invoke the aid of England, [170]. John Willock braves the fury of the Regent, and continues to minister to the kirk in Edinburgh, [171]. The citizens decline to permit popish ceremonies to be renewed in the High Kirk, [171]. The Regent restores the Mass at Holyrood, persecutes the Reformed clergy, and seeks to embroil the Protestants with the French, [172]. She receives reinforcements of troops from France, [173]. A convention is held at Stirling: 10th September 1559, [174]. The Lords of the Congregation agree to take up arms against the French invasion, [174]. The protests of the Congregation are scornfully rejected, [175]. The Congregation convene at Edinburgh: they agree to depose the Regent, [175]. The first siege of Leith is commenced: traitors hinder the Protestants, [177]. Hardships of the Protestant party; the soldiers demand their pay, [177]. Four thousand crowns are sent from England, and captured by Lord Bothwell, [178]. The men of Dundee lose their guns, [178]. The ill results of further treachery, [179]. The cause of the Protestants is in eclipse, [179]. Maitland of Lethington joins the Lords of the Congregation, [180]. The retreat from Edinburgh, [181]. John Knox preaches at Stirling: a notable sermon on the discipline of Providence, [181].
The Regent possesses Edinburgh: Arran is proclaimed traitor, [185]. French reinforcements meet with disaster, [185]. News from England: a waiting game is played, [186]. The French invade Fife, [186]. An affair at Pettycur, [186]. The French occupy Kinghorn, [187]. John Knox preaches at Cupar, [187]. The campaign in Fife, [188]. An English fleet arrives in the Forth, [190]. The French retire on Edinburgh, [190]. A greedy Frenchman dies in a beef-tub, [191]. The negotiations between the Congregation and the English Court, [191]. Cecil's letter to Knox, [193]. Reply of Knox to Secretary Cecil, [194]. A practical response, [195]. Knox reproaches the Lords for slackness and thoughtlessness, [196]. After the French retreat from Fife, [199]. At Berwick the Lords made a contract with England, [200]. Principal clauses of the treaty of Berwick, [200]. The Regent lays waste the country, [202]. Second siege of Leith: April 1560, [204]. The assault upon Leith is unsuccessful, [206]. Sir James Crofts is blamed, [207]. The siege is continued: illness of the Queen Regent, [208]. The Regent expresses repentance, and receives godly instruction, [208]. Death of the Queen Regent, [209]. Peace with France is concluded, [209]. The English army is withdrawn, with honours, [210]. Public thanksgiving in St. Giles's Kirk, [210]. Preachers and Superintendents are appointed, [212]. The first Protestant Parliament, [212]. John Knox preaches, and reformation is agreed upon, [213]. The Protestants petition Parliament, [213]. Parliament calls for The Confession of Faith, [214]. The Confession of Faith is considered by Parliament, and solemnly ratified, [214]. The Mass is prohibited, [216]. Queen Mary and the King of France do not ratify the Acts of Parliament, [216]. The Book of Discipline, [217]. The House of Guise and the Papists design further trouble, [217]. Death of the King of France: 5th December 1560, [218]. Queen Elizabeth declines the hand of the Earl of Arran, [218]. A public debate concerning the Mass, [219]. Lord James Stewart is sent to Queen Mary, [221]. An embassy from France, [221]. Lord James has a narrow escape from the Papists, [222]. Messages from the Queen, [223]. Queen Mary's relations with Queen Elizabeth, [223].
No dregs of Papistry left in the Reformed Church of Scotland, [225]. This Book tells of declension, [226]. The arrival of Mary, Queen of Scots: a distressing omen, [226]. The Mass is restored at Holyrood, [227]. The Council tolerates the Mass at Court, [228]. The Earl of Arran protests, [229]. The Protestants are beguiled, [229]. John Knox preaches against the Queen's Mass, [230]. He reasons with the Queen, [230]. No results follow the Queen's conference with Knox, [237]. The prodigality of Edinburgh, [238]. The Magistrates of Edinburgh are imprisoned and deposed, [238]. The Mass is restored, [239]. Lord James Stewart is sent to the Borders, [240]. The behaviour of the Queen, [240]. The influence of the Court is felt in the Kirk, [241]. The ministers reproach the defaulting lords, [242]. Discussion concerning The Book of Discipline, [243]. The barons sue for public order in regard to ecclesiastical benefices, [244]. The Council agrees to divide the patrimony of the Kirk, [244]. The modification of stipends, [245]. Secretary Lethington gets his answer, [246]. Lord James Stewart created Earl of Mar: his marriage, [247]. Disorderly conduct of Earl Bothwell and others, [248]. Plots against the Earl of Moray, [250]. Earl Bothwell speaks with John Knox, [250]. The reconciliation of the Earl of Arran and the Earl Bothwell, [251]. The Earl of Arran suspects treachery, [252]. The frenzy of the Earl of Arran, [254]. John Knox reproves the Queen, [255]. He is summoned before the Queen, [255]. He states his views concerning the behaviour of Princes, [255]. Of dancing, [257]. The Queen negotiates with England, [258]. The King of Sweden proposes marriage to Queen Mary, [259]. The Queen and the Earl of Moray, [259]. The General Assembly: June 1562, [259]. The supplication to the Queen, [259]. Secretary Lethington objects to the terms of the supplication, [264]. The Queen visits the North: Papist intrigues, [265]. John Knox warns the Protestants, [266]. A bond is again subscribed, [267]. The result of John Knox's labours in the South, [267]. The Abbot of Crossraguel and Knox, [268]. The revolt of the Earl of Huntly, [268]. Of the Earl of Huntly, [269]. The Queen's relations with the Earl of Moray, [269]. Rumours concerning the Queen's marriage, [270]. The Queen and Earl Bothwell, [270]. The preachers admonish the courtiers, [270]. The General Assembly: 25th December 1562, [271]. The Protestants deal with idolaters and the Mass, [272]. Queen Mary and John Knox at Lochleven, [273]. John Knox writes to the Earl of Argyll, [276]. The Massmongers are tried: 19th May 1563, [276]. Parliament of May 1563, [277]. Queen Mary's influence: "Vox Dianae," [277]. Reformation is hindered by personal interests, [278]. John Knox breaks with the Earl of Moray, [278]. Inept legislation, [279]. John Knox preaches a faithful sermon to the Lords, [279]. Papists and Protestants take offence: Knox is summoned by the Queen, [281]. Lethington's return: his worldly wisdom displayed, [284]. The Queen retains observance of the Mass, [285]. The death of Lord John of Coldingham, [285]. Massmongers at Holyrood take fright, [286]. The Papists devise mischief, [287]. John Knox's letter to the brethren: 8th October 1563, [287]. He is betrayed, [289]. He is accused of high treason, [290]. The Lord Advocate gives his opinion, [291]. The Earl of Moray and Secretary Lethington reason with John Knox, [292]. Knox is brought before the Queen and Privy Council, [293]. He is tried for high treason, [293]. The verdict of the Privy Council, [299]. The displeasure of the Queen, [300]. The General Assembly: December 1563, [301]. John Knox demands the judgment of his brethren, [301]. His acquittal by the General Assembly, [302]. Signs of God's displeasure, [302]. Lavish entertainments at Court, [303]. The Queen's broken promises, [303]. Secretary Lethington defies the servants of God, [304]. The courtiers and the Kirk, [304]. The courtiers rouse John Knox: he preaches concerning idolatry, [305]. The General Assembly: June 1564, [306]. The Protestant courtiers maintain an independent position, [307]. Secretary Lethington defines the attitude of the lords of the Court, [308]. The disputation between John Knox and the Secretary, [309].