D      Be notified of updates to The Capital Scot		About Capital Scot Search this Site Site Map FAQ Notices Subscribers (Links) ICRA Checked

Reformation Scotland -- Statements Made by John Knox during an Interview with the Queen, Mary

"Madam, as right religion took neither original strength nor authority from worldly princes but from the Eternal God alone, so are not subjects bound to frame their religion according to the appetites of their princes.  For oft it is that princes are the most ignorant of all others in God's true religion, as we may read in the histories as well before the death of Christ Jesus, as after.  If all the seed of Abraham should have been of the religion of Pharaoh, whom to 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 on the face of the earth? Daniel and his fellows were subjects to Nebuchadnezzar, and unto Darius, and yet, Madam, they would not be of their religion, neither of the one nor of the other. . . . 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."

"God forbid, that I ever take upon me to command any to obey me, or yet to set subjects at liberty to do what pleaseth them.  But my travail is that both princes and subjects obey God.  And think not, Madam, that wrong is done unto you when ye are willed to be subject unto God: for it is He that subjects people under princes, and caused obedience to be given unto them; yea God craves of kings That they be as it were foster-fathers to His Church, and commands queens to be nurses unto His people.  And this subjection, Madam, unto God, and unto His troubled Church, is the greatest dignity that flesh can get upon the face of the earth, for it shall carry them to everlasting glory."

Source: Knox, John, citing himself in an interview with Mary Queen of Scots,
September 4, 1561
History of the Reformation in Scotland, Volume 2, p. 16,
Dickinson, William C. Ed.,
Philosophical Library, New York, 1950.

Return to St. Giles' Cathedral

---

Memberships
Member of                     of the Internet Content Rating Association

Awards
                    

Accessibility