KNOX'S RETURN TO ENGLAND by Stephen Nelson Haskell

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 2, 1881

KNOX'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.

By Stephen Nelson Haskell

BY ELD. S. N. HASKELL.

DURING John Knox's exile on the Continent he visited Switzerland where he was cordially received by the Swiss reformers. He also formed the acquaintance of Calvin, with whom he ever maintained an intimate friendship. At this time, although nearly fifty years of age, he applied himself to study with all the ardor of youth, and acquired some degree of proficiency in the Hebrew language. He had no means of support, excepting the voluntary contributions of his friends in Scotland and England, and he seems at times to have been in very straitened circumstances.

As the persecution in England against the Protestants, continued to increase in severity, large numbers left the country. In 1554 it was estimated that no less than eight hundred learned Englishmen, besides many others, were living in exile on the Continent. In Frankfort, Germany, the English exiles were permitted to hold religious service in their own language, on condition of their conforming as nearly as possible to the form of worship used by the French church. Three pastors were chosen, of whom Knox was one, which office he held for a time. Nothing, however, could take from his mind the thoughts of his persecuted brethren in England, and he occasionally made journeys to Dieppe where he could inform himself of their situation. As he thus learned of the recantation and re-acceptance of Popery by many who had embraced the truth under his ministry, words can hardly express the agony of his feelings. While in this state of mind he composed the Admonition to England, and other productions, for which he has often been censured on account of the severity and bitterness of the language employed. "O England," says he, "if thou obstinately wilt return into Egypt, that is, if thou contract marriage, confederacy, or league, with such princes as do maintain and advance idolatry, . . . if, for the pleasure of such princes, thou return to thy old abominations before used under Papistry, then assuredly, O England, thou shalt be plagued and brought to desolation by the means of those whose favor thou seekest."

About this time the cause of the Reformation was again to some extent tolerated in Scotland. The Queen-Dowager was elevated to the Regency in 1554, and, for a time, she found it for her interest to shield the Protestants from the violence of their enemies. The Protestant ministers were not slow to improve the opportunity thus presented. Traveling from place to place, they instructed many, and fanned the latent zeal of those who had formerly received a knowledge of the truth. Under these circumstances Knox decided to return to his native land. Having visited his wife at Berwick, he set out secretly for Edinburg. Here he held meetings in private houses, one service immediately following another, which were listened to by successive assemblies, consisting of the nobility and persons of high distinction in the kingdom.

Thus he was almost constantly employed, by night as well as by day, in giving instruction to those who were eager to receive it. To avoid the scandal which they would otherwise incur, the friends of the reform doctrine generally attended popish worship, and even the celebration of the mass. This course was strongly condemned by Knox, and a discussion of the subject resulted in a formal separation from the popish church. From this place Knox proceeded to other parts of the kingdom, and preached for some time before the clergy became aware of his presence. Finally, for the purpose of intimidating him, he was summoned to appear at a convention at Edinburg; but upon learning that the Reformer proposed to obey the summons, the clergy, fearing to bring matters to an issue while unsure of the Regents' decided support, annulled the summons before the day appointed. On this day, and for ten days following, Knox preached to far greater audiences than had before attended him in Edinburg, without disturbance from the clergy.

Such an opportunity as this was what Knox had earnestly longed for. In writing to his wife's mother, during this time, he says:

"The trumpet blew the ald sound thrie dayis together, till private houssis, of indifferent largeness, culd not conteane the voice of it. God grant me to be myndfull that the sobbis of my heart hath not bene in vane, nor neglectit in the presence of his majestic. Ol sweet war the death that suld follow sic fourtie dayis in Edinbrugh as heir I have had thrie. Rejose, mother; the tyme of our deliverance approacheth: for as Sathan rageth, sa dois the grace of the Hailie Spreit abound."

Soon after this he addressed a letter to the Queen-Regent with the hope that it might incline her, not only to protect the reform preachers, but lend a favorable ear to their doctrines. Although written with great care, and by no means in an uncourtly style, this letter received only a passing glance from the Regent. Knox, learning of the reception which his letter had received, soon after published it with additions.

While thus laboring in Scotland he received a letter from the English congregation at Geneva informing him that they had chosen him as their pastor. This invitation he accepted, and soon removed thither with his family.