KNOX, JOHN, the son of obscure parents, was born in 1505 : there is some doubt respecting his birthplace, which was probably the village of Gifford in East Lothian, although it has been asserted that he was born at Haddington. His education was more liberal than was then common. In his youth he was put to the grammar-school at Haddington, and about 1524 removed to the University of St. Andrews, where the learning principally taught was the philosophy of Aristotle, scholastic theology, civil and canon law, and the Latin language ; Greek and Hebrew were at that time little understood in Scotland, and Knox did not acquire tho knowledge of them until somewhat later in his life. "After he was created Master of Arts he taught philosophy, most probably as an assistant or private lecturer in the university, and his class became celebrated." "He was ordained a priest before he reached the age fixed by the canons of the church, which must have taken place previous to the year 1530, at which time he had attained his 25th year, the canonical age for receiving ordination." (M'Crie.) His first instruction in theology was received from John Major, the professor of theology in the university, but the opinions founded upon it were not long retained ; the writings of Jerome and Augustine attracted his attention, and the examination of them led to a complete revolution in his sentiments. It was about the year 1535 that his secession from Roman Catholic doctrines and discipline commenced, but he did not declare himself a Protestant until 1542.
° The Reformed doctrines had made considerable progress in Scotland before this time. Knox was not the first reformer, there were many persons, "earls, barons, gentlemen, honest burgesses, and craftainen," who already professed the new creed though they durst not avow it ; it was to the avowal, extension, and establishment of the Reformed religion that his zeal and knowledge so powerfully contributed. His reprehension of the prevalent corruptions made him regarded as heretic ; for which reason he could not safely remain in St. Andrews, which was wholly in the power of Cardinal Beaton, a determined supporter of the Church of Rome, and he retired to the south of Scot land, where he avowed his apostacy. He was condemned as a heretic, degraded from the priesthood, and it is said by Beza that Beatou employed assassins to waylay him. He now for a time frequented the
preaching of the Reformed teachers, Williams and Wishart, who gave additional strength to opinions already pretty firmly rooted; and having relinquished all thoughts of officiating in the Roman Catholic Church, he became tutor to the sons of Hugh Douglas of Languiddrie, a gentleman of East Lothian, who had embraced the Reformed doctrines. After the murder of Cardinal Beaton, Knox removed with his pupils from Langniddrie to St. Andrews (1547), where he conducted their education iu his accustomed manner, catechising and reading to them in the church belonging to the city. There were many hearers of these instructions, who urged him and finally called upon him to become a publio preacher. Diffident and reluctant at first, upon consideration he consented to their request. In his preaching, far more than the reformed teachers who had preceded him, he struck at the very foundations of popery, and challenged his opponents to argument, to be delivered either in writing or from the pulpit, and so suceesful were his labours that many of the inhabitants were converted to his doctrines.
It was not long before an event took place by which his efforts received a temporary check. The murder of Cardinal Beaton had given great offence, and created great excitement through the kingdom. It was a severe blow to the Roman Catholic religion and the French interest in Scotland, both of which he had zealously supported, and vengeance was loudly called for upon the conspirators by whom he had been murdered. These conspirators had fortified St. Andrews, and the art of attacking fortified places was then so imperfectly understood in Scotland that for five months they resisted the efforts of Arran, the Regent. From their long wars in Italy and Germany, the French had become as experienced in the conduct of sieges as the Scotch were ignorant. The French were allies of Scotland ; to France therefore Arran sent for assistance. About the end of Jnne 1547 a French fleet, with a considerable body of land forces, appeared before the town. The garrison capitulated, and Knox, among many others, was taken prisoner, and conveyed to Rouen, where he was confined on board the galleys. After nineteen months' close imprisonment he was liberated, with his health greatly injured by the rigour with which he had been treated (1549).