Reformation in Scotland - Knox - XVII - Preface and Chapter 1 of Book 4

Required reading
Reformation in Scotland by John Knox, edited by C J Guthrie (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read the Preface and Chapter 1 of Book 4.

My summary
Today we start Book Four.  In Chapter One Knox is primarily concerned with Mary Queen of Scots.

Thus we read about:
(i) Mary's arrival in Scotland;
(ii) the practice of the Roman Catholic mass by Mary;
(iii) Knox's public rebuke of the mass;
(iv) Knox's private interview with Mary (a dialogue of much of the interview is provided).

What grabbed me
It was very interesting to read the dialogue between Knox and Mary.  The guy certainly doesn't back down.

I also found interesting Knox's condemnation of the mass: 'The next Sunday [31st August 156l], John Knox, inveighing against idolatry, showed what terrible plagues God had taken on realms and nations for the same, and added : 'One Mass' — there were no more suffered at the first — ' is more fearful to me than if ten thousand armed enemies were landed in any part of the Realm of purpose to suppress the whole Religion.  In our God there is strength to resist and confound multitudes if we unfeignedly depend upon Him, whereof heretofore we have had experience. But when we join hands with idolatry, both God's amicable presence and comfortable defence leaveth us, and what shall then become of us? Alas, I fear that experience shall teach us, to the grief of many.'

Celebration of the mass was considered by the Reformers to be pure idolatry - and thus greatly to be feared.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 2 of Book 4.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.