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
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.
[Sidenote: 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."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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