Searching for the Identity of the Ulster Protestant Part 4

1. Searching for the
Identity and Faith of
the Ulster Protestant
Standing in the Shadow of Three
Historic Leaders
Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant 1

2. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
John Knox
Converting our
Scottish
Ancestors from
Catholicism to
Protestantism
2

3. Prelates and
Preachers
The Battle for Christ and
His Kirk
Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant 3

4. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Reformation In Scotland
“England, in reforming itself, worked mainly from the political
centre. Scotland worked mainly from the religious one. The
ruling idea in the former country was the emancipation of the
throne from the supremacy of the Pope; the ruling idea in
the latter was the emancipation of the conscience from the
Popish faith. The more prominent outcome of the
Reformation in England was a free State; the more
immediate product of the Reformation in Scotland was a free
Church.”
J.A. Wylie, The History of Protestantism
4

5. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Early Witnesses
1407; James Resby
1431; Paul Crawer
1494;
30 Gentlemen
charged with heresy
5

6. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Three Men who Changed
Scotland
Patrick Hamilton; 1504
John Knox; 1505
George Wishart; 1512
6

7. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Beaton Dictat
David Beaton was the
virtual ruler who
dominated the 16 year old
James 5th.
His nephew, Cardinal
James Beaton had similar
power.
These two men would see
Protestantism as a threat to
their power.
7

8. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
A Changing Spiritual Climate
By 1525 Tyndale’s translation of the
scriptures had found their way to Scotland.
The work of reformation had commenced
in the hearts of the people.
There was a need for a preacher to
expound these truths on a national scale.
8

9. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Patrick Hamilton
1504 -1528
A member of the Stewart dynasty.
Great grandson of James 2nd.
1517 – appointed Titular Abbot of Ross-shire.
1518 – Paris, studied and Marburg.
Lambert was an ex Franciscan who held the same
views as Luther.
Convicted about reaching his own people
Hamilton returned to Scotland, 1527.
9

10. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Patrick Hamilton
Ministry and Death
His Father’s home.
Throughout Scotland.
St Andrews.
Alexander Campbell.
For six hours he burnt,
28th February 1528.
The flames of the
Reformation had been
kindled. “his reek infected all it
blew on”
10

11. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
George Wishart
1512-1546
The son of Sir James.
Cambridge educated.
A classical Greek
scholar.
Converted.
11

12. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Tough Days for a New Convert
After Hamilton’s death the Reformed Faith progressed.
The persecution intensified.
1532 – Henry Forrest burnt on high ground overlooking St
Andrews.
1532 – Norman Gourley and and David Straiton burnt on a
hill between Edinburgh and Leith.
12

13. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
His Flight from Scotland
1538 – Five Protestants burnt, Castle Hill.
1539 – David Beaton died to be replaced by Cardinal
James Beaton.
1542 – James 5th died.
His wife, Mary of Guise, a French Romanist became
Regent, their daughter Mary sent to France.
Godly ministers fled Scotland.
During these turbulent years he fled Scotland.
13

14. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Failure and Redemption
Burnt his Faggot in Bristol.
Travelled to Switzerland.
Restored to faith through the ministry
of Henry Bullinger.
14

15. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
His Ministry
1543 – Returned to Scotland.
Preaching in Montrose, Dundee, Ayr, Kyle and
Edinburgh the people flocked.
His preaching was expository, majored on Romans.
Arrested; 16th January 1546 and taken to St Andrews.
15

16. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
His Martyrdom and Legacy
Burned at Saint Andrews 28th February 1546.
“The grim fire I fear not. I know surely that my
soul shall sup with my Saviour this night.”
Speaking of Cardinal Beaton he declared that he
would die very soon.
A young onlooker was both impressed and inspired
by Wishart.
JOHN KNOX.
16

17. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
John Knox
1505 - 1572
Educated at Haddington and Glasgow University.
1530 - Ordained as a Priest.
1535 – Convinced that Rome was false through reading the
Scriptures.
Became a private tutor.
1544 – declared himself a Protestant through Wishart’s
ministry.
17

18. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
John Knox
1505 - 1572
May 1546, Norman Leslie
seized St Andrews Castle.
Easter 1547, John Knox
became their Pastor.
His preaching condemned
the Papacy as Anti Christ.
Laing – “He strikes at the
root to destroy the whole.”
18

19. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Papacy as the Anti-Christ
2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed, that son of perdition.; who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped;
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God”
19

20. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Papacy as the Anti-Christ
2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4, 7
ANTI = INSTEAD OF
“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not
come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of
sin be revealed, that son of perdition.; who opposeth and
exalteth himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped;
so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God…for the mystery of iniquity doth
already work: only he now hinders will hinder until he be
taken out of the way”
20

21. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
From The Ministry To The Galley
Rome remained in the
ascendancy throughout
Scotland.
June 1547; Castle fell to
French and Scots.
Knox was captured and
spent 19 months as a
slave on a French
warship.
21

22. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Serving The English King
After his release he laboured in England
because under Edward 6th things were more
favourable than in Scotland.
He became one of the King’s chaplains and
was even offered a Bishopric which he
refused.
When Mary ascended the throne he made
good his escape to the continent.
22

23. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
In Calvin’s Geneva
4 happy and blessed years:
“…the most perfect school of
Christ that ever was in the
earth since the days of the
apostles. In other places I
confess Christ to be truly
preached, but manners and
religion to be so truly
reformed, I have not yet seen
in any other place”.
John Knox
23

24. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Visiting Home
He longed for Scotland; “bound in the chains of
Rome, riveted by French steel.” (Wylie)
Some noble families espoused the reformation.
1555 he briefly visited Scotland.
He advised these noble families to refuse Mass and
he dispensed the Lord’s Supper.
The Reformation had now become a congregation.
24

25. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Cause Advances
The Lords of the Congregation entered into
a Covenant in 1557.
Establish the Gospel, defend its Ministers
and build up its Congregation.
1558 – they introduced the English Book of
Common Prayer into their parishes.
25

26. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Last of the Reformation
Martyrs
Parish Priest Walter Millar had been faithful
since the days of Cardinal Beaton.
He had been sought for many years.
At 82 years of age he was arrested.
“I will not recant the truth, for I am corn
and not chaff.”
Burnt to death, St Andrews, 28th August
1558.
26

27. The Crisis of 1549
Cometh the Hour, Cometh the Man
Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant 27

28. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Demands to the Regent
Dispense sacraments and preach in the
native tongue.
Bishops should have the consent of the
barons and priests must have the consent of
the people.
Immoral and incapable men removed from
the pulpit.
28

29. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Moment of Crisis
Mary of Guise introduced a new law prohibiting
preaching which did not have the license of a
bishop.
Paul Methaven, John Cristison, William Harlow
and John Willock refused.
They were summoned to the Palace to meet the
Regent.
She planned their execution.
France and Spain were willing to help her crush
the Reformation.
29

30. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Cometh the Hour….
At this moment Knox arrived.
He promised to accompany the
preachers to their meeting.
The Regent cancelled the
meeting.
Knox declared a rebel and
outlaw.
The preachers declared to be
outlaws for refusing to meet her.
30

31. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Disturbances in Perth
Knox preached against idolatry.
A priest, a young boy and a stone.
Idols broken, monasteries ransacked.
Knox – “the best way to keep the rooks from
returning was to pull down their nests”
The Regent sent her army to Perth.
Crisis temporarily averted as she met a strong
Protestant Army.
31

32. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
St Andrews
Archbishop threatened assassination.
Against much advice Knox preached.
Edinburgh and Glasgow decided to support the
Reformation.
Scotland was now fully supportive of
Protestantism.
32

33. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
On The Brink of Civil War
The Regent was building a strong French Army.
Knox wrote to Queen Elizabeth 1st.
English reinforcements were sent to support the
Protestant forces.
The French returned home.
1560 – Mary of Guise died.
33

34. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
A New Scotland is Born
1560 – 1st Scots Confession.
Mass outlawed.
A Protestant Church
established by law.
Knox was installed as
Minister of St Giles
Cathedral.
34

35. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Presbyterianism Established
Offices Employed:
1: Ministers for preaching.
2: Doctors for teaching
students.
3: Elders to rule.
4: Deacons to manage the
finance.
5: Superintendents to inspect
ministers and plant churches.
35

36. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Presbyterianism Established
The Government:
1: Kirk Session for the local
church.
2: Presbytery for governing a
shire.
3: Synod for governing a
province.
4: General Assembly for
governing the national
church.
5: The clergy and the people
had equal powers.
36

37. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
His Principle
“Take from us the purity
of the Communion-table,
and You take from us the
Evangel.”
“Take from us the
freedom of Assemblies,
and you take from us the
Evangel.”
37

38. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Knox’s Emphasis on Education
A school in each Parish.
A college in each town.
A University in each of
the three cities.
The poor would be
educated free of charge.
38

39. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Mary Queen of Scots
Married to Francis 2nd
of France.
Widowed in 1560.
Returns in 1561 as
Queen of Scotland.
39

40. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Challenges the Reformed Faith
Celebrates Mass in
Holyrood Palace.
Knox persuaded
Protestants from
storming the palace.
He preached against
her Romanism.
40

41. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Famous Interviews
Queen – “Who are you in this Commonwealth?”
Knox – “A subject born within the same, and
although I am neither earl, Lord, or baron in it, yet
has God made me a profitable member within the
same, and both my vocation and conscience
require plainness of me”.
“I have learned plainly and boldly to call
wickedness by its own terms, a fig, a fig and a
spade, a spade.”
41

42. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
As a Result of 3 Private Interviews
“If there be not in her a
proud mind, a crafty wit,
a callous heart against
God and his truth, my
judgement faileth me”
Knox
42

43. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Knox on Trial
1563 – Queen managed to have Knox tried for treason.
“That man made me weep and shed never a tear himself I
will now see if I can make him weep.”
The council acquitted the preacher.
That night the Queen sat in her palace in darkness and
alone.
43

44. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Demise of Mary
Queen of Scots
1565 – married her cousin, Lord Darnley
1567 – he was found murdered in his garden.
James Hepburn, 4th Earl of Bothwell, charged with murder.
April 1567 acquitted.
The following month he married the Queen.
There was an uprising against her reign.
Abdicated – July 1567.
She fled to England where Elizabeth had her imprisoned for
18 years before she was eventually executed.
44

45. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Period of the Regency
She was succeeded by her Son, James 6th.
Her half-brother, James, 1st Earl of Moray, Regent assassinated.
Matthew Stewart, Earl of Lennox, grandfather of the young
James 6th also assassinated
Earl of Mar only survived a few months, some said he was
poisoned.
James Douglas, 4th Earl of Morton, was the last and most
successful of the Regents.
45

46. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
News of St Bartholomew
24th August 1572
Estimated 70,000
Protestants murdered
in France.
In Rome the bells rang, medals were struck, the city was lit for 3
nights celebrating
46

47. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
John Knox –
Died 24th November 1572
“Here lies one who never feared
the face of man”.
James Douglas, Regent
47

48. A Legacy Forgotten?
Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant 48

49. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Was the Battle Won?
James Douglas pursued a policy of Episcopacy
He neither had the support of Presbyterian or Catholic.
James 6th became King when only 11 years old.
As James 6th and later as James 1st of England he never showed
favour to the Presbyterian cause.
As Monarch he believed that he ought to have power over the
Church, sought to impose Prelacy.
49

50. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Andrew Melville
“But your majesty there are two Kings
And two Kingdoms in Scotland. There
is King James, the head of this
commonwealth, and there is Christ
Jesus, the King of the Church, Whose
subject James 6th is, and of whose
Kingdom he is not a King, nor A lord
nor a head but a member. We will yield
you your place and give you all due
obedience. But again I say you are not
the Head of the Church.”
50

51. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
James 1st of England
1606 – detained in the Tower of London before
being exiled to Sedan, France.
1618 – The Five Articles of Perth:
1. Kneeling during Communion
2. Private Baptism.
3. Private Communion for the sick.
4. Confirmation by the Bishops.
5. Holy Days – Christmas and Easter
51

52. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Revival and Renewed
Convictions
Preachers testified to new power.
Many conversions.
Two main centres:
Ayrshire – Mr Dickson and his weekly lectures in
Irvine.
Kirk of Shotts – Mr John Livingstone, 500
converted during one
communion address.
52

53. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Jenny’s Geddes
In 1625 Charles 1st was crowned.
1633 – William Laud became Archbishop of
Canterbury
Prosecuted a policy of Catholic Ritualism.
Many godly Scots tired of the strife saw Ireland as
a more peaceful place to worship God.
1637 – Book of Common Prayer introduced to
Scotland.
Jenny Geddes threw her stool at the Dean of
Edinburgh.
53

54. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
Refusing to Conform
Many godly Presbyterian Ministers refused to
accept these changes.
Samuel Rutherford was exiled to Aberdeen.
Robert Blair preferred to be ordained to Ulster.
George Dunbar, moved to Ulster, after being
ejected from Ayr twice.
Edward Brice, moved to Broadisland, Co Antrim,
opposed to the King’s policy.
54

55. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The National Covenant
1638 – all classes vowed to defend the Reformed
Church of Scotland.
General Assembly annulled the 5 Articles.
“We have cast down the walls of Jericho, let him
who rebuildeth them beware of the curse of Hiel
the Bethelite”
Alexander Henderson, Moderator
55

56. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
A Century of Agitation
The battle for Presbyterianism in Scotland
climaxed in the infamous “killing times.”
It was the Glorious Revolution of 1688 which
settled the issue of an Established Church in
Scotland which was Presbyterian in worship.
56

57. Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant
The Ulster Connection
Throughout the 17th Century many Presbyterians
would seize new opportunities in Ulster.
They came for freedom of worship.
They fought the same battles as their Scottish
brethren.
Experienced the same revival.
Felt the onslaught in Popery as they never
experienced that in Scotland.
Established an Irish Presbyerian Church.
57

58. Archbishop James
Ussher
Forging the Faith of the Ulster
Plantation in the Fires of
Persecution and Genocide
Searching for the Identity and
Faith of the Ulster Protestant 58