This Week in Reformation History

On the 24th November 1572, Scotland’s great reformer John Knox passed away.

On the 9th November 1572 Knox, now old and frail, preached his last sermon in St Giles’ church, after which he was helped home and never left the house again. Over the next two weeks his health got steadily worse, and on Monday 24th November, his time on earth was almost at an end.

As he lay in bed he asked his wife to get the Bible and, “Go read where I cast my first anchor.” She turned to the 17th chapter of John and read it, after which he drifted into a sleep.

At around 10pm those that sat around him were praying and afterwards he was asked if he had heard their words of comfort. He replied, “Would to God, that you and all men had heard them as I have heard them.” As 11pm approached he gave a deep sigh and said, “Now it is come”, and passed peacefully away surrounded by his wife and several close friends.”

On Wednesday he was buried in the churchyard to the south of St Giles’ church where the Regent Morton gave him an “honourable testimony ”saying, “Here lies one who neither flattered or feared any flesh.”

The churchyard is now a car park and John Knox lies beneath parking space 23.

Here is a poem about him.

John Knox

Unafraid, this man of rock
Thundered forth his deep convictions –
Though they brought him sore afflictions
And a multitude to mock.

In the Kirk and out of it
He declared with holy passion
In an Apostolic fashion
Truth contained in Holy Writ.

Once they chained him as a slave
In the galley on the ocean
But he kept his true devotion
To the Lord who came to save.

Then, restored to liberty
After such tribulation
Told anew God’s great Salvation
And the power that makes men free.

So much so – until his death –
Blessing followed on his teaching
For his praying and his preaching
Brought the Spirit’s quickening breath.

R. D. Browne