The Scottish Reformation: Its Epochs, Episodes, Leaders, and Distinctive CharacteristicsMitchell, Alexander F. (Alexander Ferrier)
History
The Scottish Reformation: Its Epochs, Episodes, Leaders, and Distinctive Characteristics
Mitchell, Alexander F. (Alexander Ferrier)
Reformation -- Scotland
The translation of the First Helvetic Confession, which Wishart made,
was no doubt meant as the Confession of the churches he formed, though
it may only have been extant then in manuscript, and not published till
1548. That fragment of the Communion Office which was used by Knox in
the administration of the Lord's Supper at Berwick in 1550, and perhaps
had been used by him at St Andrews in 1547--and which was recently
brought to light again by Dr Lorimer from among the MSS. in Dr Williams'
library in London[80]--was almost certainly derived from Wishart, for
part of it is translated from the Office of the Church of Zürich, with
which he could not fail to have become acquainted during his residence
there, and part from other German Offices, which were more likely to
have fallen in his way (who had been a traveller on the Continent) than
in Knox's. It may even have been used by Wishart in 1545, when he
dispensed the communion in both kinds at Dun. The same may be said of
that interesting burial-service which purports to have been used in the
kirk at Montrose, and has been reprinted in the Miscellany of the Wodrow
Society;[81] though probably this, as we now have it, may not be the
original form, but a recension of it, made later, under the auspices of
Erskine of Dun, superintendent of Angus and Mearns. The foundations of
the superstructure that was to be were thus laid by Wishart. It was
reserved to his successor to raise it, as the martyr had predicted it
would be raised, even to the copestone.
FOOTNOTES:
[57] [The charter is dated at Montrose on the 20th of March 1534-35. The
Martyr's signature, as "M. Geo. Wischert," proves that he had already
taken his degree (Register of Great Seal, iii., No. 1462).]
[58] [His translation is reprinted in the Wodrow Miscellany, pp. 7-23.]
[59] Cattley's Foxe, v. 626.
[60] [This is now in the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh.]
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