Birth and parentage of Knox――his education――state of literature in Scotland――introduction of Greek language――political and ecclesiastical opinions of John Major――their probable influence on Knox and Buchanan――Knox teaches scholastic philosophy at St Andrew’s――is admitted to clerical orders――change in his studies and sentiments――state of religion in Scotland――urgent necessity of a reformation――gratitude due to the reformers――introduction of reformed opinions into Scotland――Patrick Hamilton――martyrs――exiles for religion――reformation promoted by the circulation of the scriptures――by poetry――embraced by persons of rank――its critical state at the death of James V., Page 1
Knox retires from St Andrew’s, and joins himself to the reformed――is degraded from the priesthood――reformation favoured by Regent Arran――Scottish Parliament authorize the use of the Scriptures in the vulgar language――the Regent abjures the reformed religion――Thomas Guillaume――George Wishart――Knox enters the family of Langniddrie as a tutor――Cardinal Beatoun assassinated――Knox persecuted by Archbishop Hamilton――averse to go to England――takes refuge in the Castle of St Andrew’s――his sentiments respecting the assassination of Beatoun――Sir David Lindsay of the Mount――Henry Balnaves of Halhill――John Rough――Knox’s call to the ministry――his reluctance to comply with it――reflections on this――his first sermon――his disputation { xviii} before a convention of the clergy――the clergy begin to preach at St Andrew’s――success of Knox’s labours――castle taken, and Knox confined in the French galleys――his health injured――his fortitude of mind――writes a confession of faith――extract from his dedication to a treatise of Balnaves――his humane advice to his fellow‑prisoners――his liberation, Page 37
Knox arrives in England――state of the Reformation in that kingdom――Knox sent by the privy council to preach at Berwick――his great exertions――character of Bishop Tonstal――Knox defends his doctrine before him――is removed to Newcastle――made chaplain to Edward VI.――consulted in the revisal of the liturgy and articles――makes proposals of marriage to Marjory Bowes――receives marks of approbation from the privy council――incurs the displeasure of Earl of Northumberland――is honourably acquitted by the privy council――bad state of his health――preaches in London――declines accepting a benefice――refuses a bishopric――his objections to the worship and government of the church of England――private sentiments of English reformers similar to his――plan of Edward VI. for improving the church of England――state of his court――boldness and honesty of the royal chaplains――Knox’s sermons at court――his distress at the death of Edward――he retires to the north of England on the accession of Mary――returns to the south――his prayer for the queen――marries Marjory Bowes――displeasure of some of her relations at this――Roman Catholic religion restored by parliament――Knox continues to preach――his letters are intercepted――he is forced to abscond――and retires to Dieppe in France, Page 78