Knox, John, approximately 1514-1572; Reformation -- Scotland
In the end of March 1554, probably, Knox left Dieppe for Geneva, where he
could consult Calvin, not yet secure in his despotism, though he had
recently burned Servetus. Next he went to Zurich, and laid certain
questions before Bullinger, who gave answers in writing as to Knox's
problems.
Could a woman rule a kingdom by divine right, and transfer the same to
her husband?--Mary Tudor to Philip of Spain, is, of course, to be
understood. Bullinger replied that it was a hazardous thing for the
godly to resist the laws of a country. Philip the eunuch, though
converted, did not drive Queen Candace out of Ethiopia. If a tyrannous
and ungodly Queen reign, godly persons "have example and consolation in
the case of Athaliah." The transfer of power to a husband is an affair
of the laws of the country.
Again, must a ruler who enforces "idolatry" be obeyed? May true
believers, in command of garrisons, repel "this ungodly violence"?
Bullinger answered, in effect, that "it is very difficult to pronounce
upon every particular case." He had not the details before him. In
short, nothing definite was to be drawn out of Bullinger. {47a}
Dr. M'Crie observes, indeed, that Knox submitted to the learned of
Switzerland "certain difficult questions, which were suggested by the
present condition of affairs in England, and about which his mind had
been greatly occupied. Their views with respect to these coinciding with
his own, he was confirmed in the judgment which he had already formed for
himself." {47b}
In fact, Knox himself merely says that he had "reasoned with" pastors and
the learned; he does not say that they agreed with him, and they
certainly did not. Despite the reserve of Bullinger and of Calvin, Knox
was of his new opinions still. These divines never backed his views.
By May, Knox had returned to Dieppe, and published an epistle to the
Faithful. The rebellion of Sir Thomas Wyatt had been put down, a blow to
true religion. We have no evidence that Knox stimulated the rising, but
he alludes once to his exertions in favour of the Princess Elizabeth. The
details are unknown.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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