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

by John Knox

A treacherous Truce.

The heads of the coloured Appointment were:—1. That they should keep the Castle of St. Andrews, until the Governor and the authority of Scotland should get unto them a sufficient absolution from the Pope, Antichrist of Rome, for the slaughter of the Cardinal foresaid. 2. That they should deliver pledges for delivery of that House as soon as the absolution should be delivered unto them. 3. That they, their friends, familiars, servants, and others pertaining to them, should never, for the slaughter foresaid, be pursued at law or by the law, by the authority. Also, that they should bruik[95] spiritual or temporal commodities, possessed before the said slaughter, even as if it had never been committed. 4. That they of the Castle should keep the Earl of Arran, so long as their pledges were kept. There were other such articles, and all were liberal enough; for the Governor and his Council never intended to keep a word of them, as the issue did declare.

John Rough resumes Preaching.

The Appointment was made, and all the godly were glad; for they had some hope that thereby God's Word should somewhat bud, as indeed it did. For John Rough, who had entered the Castle soon after the Cardinal's slaughter, and had continued with them during the siege, began to preach in St. Andrews. Albeit he was not the most learned, his doctrine was without corruption, and therefore well liked by the people.

John Knox comes to the Castle of St. Andrews.

At the Easter following, John Knox came to the Castle of St. Andrews. Wearied of removing from place to place, by reason of the persecution that came upon him by this Archbishop of St. Andrews, he had determined to have left Scotland, and to have visited the schools of Germany. Of England he had no pleasure then. There, albeit the Pope's name had been suppressed, his laws and corruptions remained in full vigour. But the said John had the care of some gentlemen's children, whom for certain years he had nourished in godliness, and their fathers solicited him to go to St. Andrews, that he himself might have the protection of the Castle, and their children the benefit of his tuition. So came he thither at the time mentioned, and, having in his company Frances Douglas of Longniddry, George his brother, and Alexander Cockburn, then eldest son to the Laird of Ormiston, he began to exercise them after his accustomed manner.

Besides their grammar and other human authors, he read to his pupils a catechism of which he caused them to give an account publicly, in the Parish Kirk of St. Andrews. Moreover, he read unto them the Evangel of John, and that lecture he delivered in the chapel within the Castle, at a certain hour. Those of the place, but especially Master Henry Balnaves and John Rough, preacher, perceiving the manner of his doctrine, began earnestly to travail with him that he would take the preaching place upon him. But he utterly refused, alleging that he would not run where God had not called him; meaning that he would do nothing without a lawful vocation.

John Knox is called to the Office of Preacher.

Whereupon, advising privily among themselves, and having with them Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount, they decided to give a charge to the said John, and that publicly by the mouth of their preacher. And so, upon a certain day, a sermon was delivered concerning the election of ministers—what power the congregation (however small, passing the number of two or three) had over any man in whom they supposed and espied the gifts of God to be, and how dangerous it was to refuse, and not to hear the voice of such as desired to be instructed. Then the said John Rough, preacher, directed his words to the said John Knox, saying, "Brother, ye must not be offended if I speak unto you that which I have in charge from all those that are here present, namely this: In the name of God and of His Son Jesus Christ, and in the name of these that presently call you by my mouth, I charge you that ye refuse not this holy vocation, but that—as ye seek the glory of God, the increase of Christ's Kingdom, the edification of your brethren, and the comfort of me, whom ye well enough understand to be oppressed by the multitude of labours—ye take upon you the public office and charge of preaching, even as ye look to avoid God's heavy displeasure, and desire that He shall multiply His graces with you."

In the end, the preacher said to those that were present, "Was not this your charge to me? And do ye not approve this vocation?" They answered, "It was; and we approve it." Thereat the said John, abashed, burst forth in most abundant tears, and withdrew himself to his chamber. His countenance and behaviour, from that day until the day that he was compelled to present himself in the public place of preaching, did sufficiently declare the grief and trouble of his heart. No man saw in him any sign of mirth, nor yet had he pleasure to accompany any man, for many days together.