The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland / With Which Are Included Knox's Confession and The Book of Discipline

by John Knox

Persecution of Friar Seton.

Albeit, the Archbishop was highly offended at the scoff and bitter mock, as well as at the bold liberty of that learned man; yet durst he not hazard for that present to execute his malice conceived. Not only feared he the learning and bold spirit of the man, but also the favour that he had with the people, as well as with the Prince, King James the Fifth. With him he had good credit; for he was at that time his confessor, and had exhorted him to the fear of God, to the meditation of God's law, and to purity of life. The Archbishop, with his complices, foreseeing what danger might come to their Estate, if such familiarity should continue betwixt the Prince and a man so learned and so repugnant to their affections, laboured to make the said Friar Alexander odious unto the King's Grace. With the assistance of the Grey Friars, who by their hypocrisy deceived many, they readily found means to traduce the innocent as a heretic.

This accusation was easily received and more easily believed by the carnal Prince, who was altogether given to the filthy lusts of the flesh, and abhorred all counsel repugnant thereto. He did remember what a terror the admonitions of the said Alexander were unto his corrupted conscience, and without resistance he subscribed to their accusation, affirming that he knew more than they did in that matter; for he understood well enough that he smelled of the new doctrine, from such things as he had shewn to him under confession. Therefore, he promised that he should follow the counsel of the bishops in punishing him and all others of that sect. These things understood by the said Alexander, as well by information of his friends and familiars, as by the strange countenance of the King unto him, he provided the next way to avoid the fury of a blinded Prince. In his habit, he departed the realm, and, coming to Berwick, wrote back again to the King's Grace his complaint and admonition....

Persecution flags.

After the death of that constant witness of Jesus Christ, Master Patrick Hamilton, when God disclosed the wickedness of the wicked, as we have seen, there was one Forrest of Linlithgow taken. After long imprisonment in the Sea Tower of St. Andrews, this man was adjudged to the fire by the said Archbishop James Beaton and his doctors, for none other crime but because he had a New Testament in English. More of his story we have not, except that he died constant, and with great patience, at St. Andrews. The flame of persecution ceased after his death for the space of ten years or thereby. Not that these bloody beasts ceased by all means to suppress the light of God, and to trouble such as in any sort were suspected to abhor their corruption; but because the realm was troubled with intestine and civil wars. In these, much blood was shed; first, at Melrose, betwixt the Douglas and Buccleuch, on the eighteenth day of July, in the year of God 1526; next, at Linlithgow, betwixt the Hamiltons and the Earl of Lennox, where the said Earl, with many others, lost his life, on the thirteenth day of September in the same year; and last, betwixt the King himself and the said Douglases, whom he banished from the realm, and held in exile during the rest of his days. By reason of these, and of other troubles, the bishops and their bloody bands could not find the time so favourable unto them as they required, for executing their tyranny.

The Reformation in England.

In this mid time, the wisdom of God did provide that Harry the Eighth, King of England, should abolish from his realm the name and authority of the Pope of Rome, and suppress the Abbeys and other places of idolatry. This gave hope, in divers realms, that some godly reformation should have ensued therefrom. From this our country, divers learned men, and others that lived in fear of persecution, did repair to that realm. They found not such purity as they wished, and some of them sought other countries. But they escaped the tyranny of merciless men, and were reserved to better times, that they might fructify within His Church, in divers places and parts, and in divers vocations. Alexander Seton remained in England, and publicly, with great praise and comfort of many, taught the Evangel in all sincerity certain years. Albeit the craftiness of Winchester, and of others, circumvented the said Alexander, so as to cause him, at Paul's Cross, to affirm certain things repugnant to his former true doctrine; there is no doubt but that, as God had powerfully reigned with him in all his life, in his death, which shortly after followed, he found the mercy of his God, whereupon he ever exhorted all men to depend.

Scots Reformers abroad.

Alexander Alesius, Master John Fyfe, and that famous man Dr. Macchabeus,[23] departed unto Germany, where by God's providence they were distributed to several places. Macdowell, for his singular prudence, besides his learning and godliness, was elected burgomaster in one of the Stadts. Alesius was appointed to the University of Leipsic; and so was Master John Fyfe. There, for their honest behaviour and great erudition, they were held in admiration by all the godly. And in what honour, credit, and estimation, Dr. Macchabeus was with Christian King of Denmark, let Copenhagen and famous men of divers nations testify. Thus did God provide for His servants, and frustrate the expectation of these bloody beasts who, by the death of one in whom the light of God did clearly shine, intended to have suppressed Christ's truth for ever within this realm. But the contrary had God decreed; for his death was, as we have said, the cause of awakening many from the deadly sleep of ignorance; and so did Jesus Christ, the only true Light, shine unto many, from the away-taking of one. These notable men, Master John Fyfe only excepted, did never after comfort this country with their bodily presence; but God made them fructify in His Church, and raised them up lights out of darkness, to the praise of His own mercy, and to the just condemnation of them that then ruled—to wit, the King, Council, and nobility, yea, the whole people—who suffered such notable personages, without crimes committed, to be unjustly persecuted, and so exiled. Others were afterwards treated in the same manner; but of them we shall speak in their own places.

Persecution revived: 1534.