The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland: With Which Are Included Knox's Confession and The Book of DisciplineKnox, John
History
The History of the Reformation of Religion in Scotland: With Which Are Included Knox's Confession and The Book of Discipline
Knox, John
Reformation -- Scotland; Scotland -- Church history
Amongst these was Elizabeth Adamson, spouse to James Barron, burgess
of Edinburgh, who had a troubled conscience, and delighted much in
the company of the said John, because he, according to the grace
given unto him, opened more fully the fountain of God's mercies,
than did the common sort of teachers that she had heard before,
for she had heard none but Friars. She did with much greediness
drink of that fountain, and at her death she expressed the fruit
of her hearing, to the great comfort of all those that repaired to
her. Albeit she suffered most grievous torment in her body, from
her mouth there was heard nothing but praising of God, except that
sometimes she would lament the troubles of those that were troubled
by her. When her sisters asked what she thought of the pain which
she then suffered in body, in comparison with that with which
sometimes she had been troubled in spirit, she answered, "A thousand
years of this torment, and ten times more joined unto it, is not to
be compared to the quarter of an hour that I suffered in my spirit.
I thank my God, through Jesus Christ, that He has delivered me from
that most fearful pain; and welcome be this, even so long as it
pleaseth His godly Majesty to discipline me therewith."
A little before her departure, the said Elizabeth desired her
sisters and some others that were beside her to sing a psalm.
Amongst others, she appointed the Hundred and Third Psalm,
beginning, "My soul, praise thou the Lord always." This ended,
she said, "At the teaching of this Psalm, my troubled soul first
began effectually to taste of the mercy of God, which now to me
is more sweet and precious than were all the kingdoms of the earth
given to me to possess for a thousand years." The priests urged her
with their ceremonies and superstitions, but to them she answered,
"Depart from me, ye sergeants of Satan; for I have refused, and in
your own presence do refuse, all your abominations. That which ye
call your Sacrament and Christ's body, as ye have deceived us to
believe in times past, is nothing but an idol, and has nothing to
do with the right institution of Jesus Christ. Therefore, in God's
name, I command you not to trouble me." They departed, alleging that
she raved, and wist not what she said. Shortly thereafter she slept
in the Lord Jesus, to the no small comfort of those that saw her
blessed departing. We could not omit mention of this worthy woman,
who gave so notable a confession before the great light of God's
Word did universally shine throughout this realm.
[Sidenote: John Knox argues that the Mass is Idolatry.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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