9th November in Scottish Reformation History

On this day 1572, a frail John Knox preaches his last sermon in St Giles Kirk in Edinburgh. His voice was so fragile it could barely be heard.

The great reformer’s voice once proclaimed God’s Word from the pulpit with great power.

Two different quotes give testimony to his preaching:

“The notable and comfortable exposition of Master John Knox upon the Fourth of Matthew is a seal of his Godly and wonderful labours, carrying in the forehead thereof what a heroical and bold spirit he was, how faithfully and constantly he stood for the glorious truth of Jesus Christ; and how mightily, in the end, after many and tedious troubles, persecutions, and calamities, God gave him yet a victory, so that he prevailed against all those bulls of Bashan.”

(John Field, 1583)

“I assure you the voice of this one man, John Knox, is able in one hour to put more life in us than five hundred trumpets continually blistering in our ears.”

(Randolph, the English Ambassador, in a letter to Sir William Cecil, 1561)

Even when being spoke of in a negative way, the power of his preaching could not be denied.

“John Knox thundereth out of the pulpit. He ruleth the roost, and of him all men stand in fear.”

(The same to Sir Nicolas Throckmorton English Ambassador at Paris 1561.)

Despite his voice not having the projection it once had, it still faithfully proclaimed God’s Word. This Man of God used the last of his energy to walk up the Royal Mile on the 9th November to St Giles Kirk, preach God’s Word and walk home again, this time with support. Once home he would not have the energy to leave bed again.