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
But now, Madam, shortly to answer to the other two accusations. I
heartily praise my God, through Jesus Christ, that Satan, the enemy
of mankind, and the wicked of the world, have no other crimes to
lay to my charge, than such as the very world itself knoweth to be
most false and vain. I was resident in England for only the space
of five years. The places were Berwick, where I abode two years; so
long in Newcastle; and a year in London. Now, Madam, if any man
shall be able to prove that there was either battle, sedition, or
mutiny in any of these places, during the time that I was there,
I shall confess that I myself was the malefactor, and the shedder
of the blood. Further, Madam, I am not ashamed to affirm that God
so blessed my weak labours that, in Berwick, where commonly before
there used to be slaughter, by reason of quarrels that used to arise
amongst soldiers, there was as great quietness, all the time that I
remained there, as there is this day in Edinburgh. And where they
slander me of magic, necromancy, or of any other art forbidden by
God, I have, besides my own conscience, all congregations that ever
heard me as witnesses that I spake against such arts, and against
those that use such impiety....
_Queen Mary._ But yet ye have taught the people to receive another
religion than their princes can allow. How can that doctrine be of
God, seeing that God commands subjects to obey their princes?
_John Knox._ Madam, as right religion took neither original strength
nor authority from worldly princes, but from the Eternal God alone,
subjects are not bound to frame their religion according to the
appetites of their princes. Oft it is that princes are the most
ignorant of all others in God's true religion, as we may read in
the histories of times before the death of Christ Jesus, as well as
after. If all the seed of Abraham should have been of the religion
of Pharaoh, to whom they were long subjects, I pray you, Madam, what
religion should there have been in the world? Or, if all men in the
days of the Apostles should have been of the religion of the Roman
Emperors, what religion should there have been upon the face of the
earth? Daniel and his fellows were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar, and
to Darius, and yet, Madam, they would not be of their religion: for
the three children said, "We make it known unto thee, O King, that
we will not worship thy gods." And Daniel did pray publicly to his
God against the expressed commandment of the King. And so, Madam, ye
may perceive that subjects are not bound to the religion of their
princes, albeit they are commanded to give them obedience.
_Queen Mary._ Yea, but none of these men raised the sword against
their princes.
_John Knox._ Yet, Madam, ye cannot deny that they resisted: for,
in some sort, these resist that obey not the commandments that are
given.
_Queen Mary._ But yet, they resisted not by the sword.
_John Knox._ God, Madam, had not given unto them the power and the
means.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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