JOHN KNOX: FREE REFORMATION RESOURCES
(Books, MP3 Audio, Debates, and Articles) by John
Knox
John
Knox's complete six volume Works are contained on the Puritan Hard Drive
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John Knox
"And to be sure there is a power in unswerving conviction that
inevitably arrests the attention of both men and nations. There is an almost
indescribable appeal that attaches itself to uncompromising vision and
principled passion. This fact was undoubtedly illustrated quite vividly all
throughout the life and work of John Knox."
-
Thomas Carlyle
John Knox's complete six volume Works are
contained on the Puritan Hard Drive
The Scottish Confession of Faith (1560)
A Faithful Admonition to the Professors of
God's Truth in England (1554)
by John
Knox ("After
dispatching the Two Comfortable Epistles, Knox awaited further news on the Protestant cause in England. The
information he received within the next few weeks was certainly discouraging.
The government of Queen Mary conducted a crackdown against Protestants;
faithful preachers [including Cranmer, Latimer, and Ridley] were placed under
arrest. Popish prelates were restored to the positions of highest authority:
notably Edmund Bonner to the bishopric of London, Stephen Gardiner to his
former see of Winchester, and Cuthbert Tonstall to Durham. Further, among the
laity, many professing Protestants had begun to drift back to the Romish
communion, partaking of the papal Mass. Some tried to cover their deeds with
the explanation that their outward conformity to Romish rites did not
necessitate their inward acceptance of the corruptions of Rome. Writing to his
mother-in-law, on July 20th, Knox records with grief his knowledge that 'a
great part, under pretence that they may keep faith secret in the heart, and
yet do as idolaters do, begin now to fall before that idol.' Meanwhile, others
were holding fast the good confession, refusing to submit to Romish idolatry.
Secret meetings of Protestants were held throughout the land, as the true
church went underground. Knox's previous letters were styled comfortable
epistles; he now sees the need for a firmer admonition. While acknowledging the
risk of persecution to the faithful, the reformer perceives a greater danger in
compromising with idolatry. Government persecution may bring the disfavour of
men, loss of personal goods and, in some cases, physical death; but idolatry
brings down the wrath of God, resulting in grievous punishments, now and
through eternity. Idolatry also invites a curse upon the posterity of the
nation. In an intense pastoral appeal, Knox strongly admonishes his readers to
avoid conforming to the Romish rites of worship. This treatise also has
important ramifications respecting the duties of Christians confronted by
political or ecclesiastical tyranny," writes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
The Appellation from the Sentence Pronounced by
the Bishops and Clergy: Addressed to the Nobility and Estates of Scotland
(1558) by John Knox (Mason states that this Appeal "is the most important... of Knox's
political writings," [in
the Introduction to his compilation of Knox's political writings titled On
Rebellion]. It shows in a
conclusive manner that Knox wanted a CIVIL ESTABLISHMENT of the Reformed
religion, which was careful to "disapprove, detest, oppose and remove all
false worship and all monuments of idolatry" [cf. Westminster Larger
Catechism #108]. It also clearly demonstrates that Knox believed in and
promoted the continuing binding validity of the moral equity found in Old
Testament case laws and the penal sanctions attached to them, including the
death penalty.
Knox's Call to the Ministry and First Public
Debate (1547) with an
editor's note by Kevin Reed
("The following extract is taken from Knox's First
Book of the History of the Reformation within the Realm of Scotland: Containing
the Manner and by What Persons the Light of Christ's Evangel hath been
Manifested unto this Realm, After that Horrible and Universal Defection from
the Truth, which has Come by the Means of that Roman Antichrist [Knox's Works, Vol. 1, pp. 185-201]. It contains the
reformer's own account of his call to the ministry, and his first public debate
with popish authorities," writes Kevin Reed. This debate illustrates that
at "the outset of his public ministry, Knox gave expression to the regulative
principle of worship. Knox built upon this theme throughout his writings. It is
important to note this declaration of the principle appeared early in his
career, prior to his extensive contacts with the continental reformers"
[Reed]. Extracted from: Selected Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles,
Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
A Vindication of the Doctrine that the
Sacrifice of the Mass is Idolatry (1550) by John Knox
The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the
Monstrous Regiment of Women (1558)
by John
Knox ("The First Blast
of the Trumpet is, perhaps, Knox's most famous and controversial work. In the
twentieth century, few people have read the book, and still fewer have made an
attempt to understand the reformer's position. For Knox, the teaching of
scripture alone is sufficient to prove that women should not bear rule over
men. The testimony of scripture is so plain, he wrote, that 'to add anything
were superfluous, were it not that the world is almost now come to that
blindness, that whatsoever pleases not the princes and the multitude, the same
is rejected as doctrine newly forged, and is condemned for heresy' (p. 390)...
The treatise was published in Geneva in 1558. As indicated in the preface, the
work was published anonymously. The author wished to conceal his identity,
until he had issued two more blasts, intending to disclose his name with the
publication of the Third Blast.
The reformer's plan to write two sequels remained unfulfilled, although he
later published a summary of the contents which he proposed to treat in the Second
Blast. The summary of the Second
Blast was appended
originally to his Appellation
(1558), but readers will find this summary following the First Blast in the present volume..." notes Kevin Reed. Included among the
propositions to be dealt with in Knox's Second Blast we find, "No manifest idolater, nor
notorious transgressor of God's holy precepts, ought to be promoted to any
public regiment [government], honour, or dignity, in any realm, province, or
city that has subjected itself to his blessed evangel." This statement
clearly demonstrates how Knox was a forerunner of those valiant Covenanters who
later laid down their lives rather than compromising the truth of Christ's
Kingship in and over the civil realm. This etext is extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
A Summary, According to the Holy Scriptures,
of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (1550) by John Knox ("This brief declaration, although a
separate composition, was appended to Knox's Vindication of the Doctrine
that the Sacrice of the Mass is Idolatry [1550]," notes Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
The Order of Excommunication and Public
Repentance (1569) was
adopted by the church of Scotland in 1569. The text of this edition is based
primarily upon the published edition in The Works of John Knox, edited by David
Laing (Edinburgh: James Thin, 1895), vol. vi, pp. 447-70.
A Treatise on Prayer, or, a Confession, and
Declaration of Prayers Added Thereto by John Knox
A Brief Exhortation to England, for the Speedy
Embracing of the Gospel Heretofore by the Tyranny of Mary Suppressed and
Banished (1559 ) by John Knox ("In November 1558, Bloody Mary died, much
to the relief of the entire Protestant world. Most of the Englishmen in Knox's
congregation in Geneva made plans to return quickly to their native country.
About this same time, Knox addressed a letter to the English nation, calling
for national repentance over the recent apostasy during Mary's reign, and
explaining the urgency of a thorough reformation. Some historians have
reflected negatively on the vehemence of Knox's remarks. Perhaps they should
peruse the long list of the martyrs named in the appendix to this work. Critics
may then find a clue for understanding the reformer's zeal. Knox is discussing
serious matters of life and death -- spiritual issues which affect us deeply in
this life, and for eternity," notes Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
An Epistle to the Inhabitants of Newcastle and
Berwick (1558) by John Knox ("During the "wicked days" of
Mary's reign in England, many Protestants defected from the faith. Others
displayed a compromising and timid disposition, which implied acquiescence to
the evil deeds of the tyrants who ruled in civil and ecclesiastical matters. No
doubt, the news from England was grievous to Knox, who never relinquished his
concern for the people in Newcastle and Berwick, among whom he had previously
ministered during the reign of Edward vi. With intense pastoral zeal, the
reformer sent this epistle, calling upon the people to repent of their apostasy
and diffidence, and urging them to defend the true religion in the face of
adversity," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected Writings of John
Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
A Godly Letter of Warning or Admonition to the
Faithful in London, Newcastle, and Berwick (1553) by John Knox ("The Godly Letter of Warning or Admonition
is filled with urgency, in view of the spreading apostasy in England. Knox
calls upon his readers to hold firm their profession of the Protestant faith.
He admonishes them to flee from all practices of idolatry -- especially the
Mass. Knox calls his people to separate from compromising associations with
idolaters; the Lord's people must never condone false religion, or give the
impression that corrupt worship is a matter of indifference. Toward the end of
the treatise, the reformer makes a moving appeal to the people to consider the
ramifications which their actions will have on their posterity. He also
discusses the covenantal relationship between God and the church," notes
Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles,
Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
Letters to His Brethren, and the Lords
Professing the Truth in Scotland (1557) by John Knox ("In December Knox sent a general letter to
his brethren in Scotland, warning them to avoid the pernicious influences of
the Anabaptists. He sent an additional letter to the nobility, exhorting them
to undertake their duties to foster reform in Scotland. The reformer remained
in France for several months, labouring among Protestants there. Then, early in
1558, he returned to Geneva," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
Letter Addressed to the Commonalty of Scotland
(1558) by John Knox ("After writing letters to the queen regent
and the nobility (see pages 437-532), Knox turns his attention to the ordinary
citizens of Scotland. The reformer demonstrates that all men have a duty to
heed the word of God, and to promote true religion within their homeland. Knox
exhorts the commonalty to resist both civil and ecclesiastical tyranny,"
notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected Writings of John Knox: Public
Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
Letter to the Queen Dowager, Regent of
Scotland (Augmented Version) (1558) by John Knox ("This epistle is particularly interesting
as it addresses the duty of magistrates to promote true religion. It reveals
the prophetic spirit which was typical of much of the reformer's
ministry," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected Writings of John
Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
A Letter of Wholesome Counsel, Addressed to
His Brethren in Scotland (1556) by John Knox ("The importance of this letter was not
overlooked by the reformer's biographer, Thomas M'Crie, who stated that it may
be viewed "as an important document regarding the state of the Protestant
church in Scotland previous to the establishment of the Reformation" (Life
of Knox [Edinburgh, 1855], p. 95). On the whole, the epistle is a primer on how
to sow the seeds of Reformation, in times when the church is in a low
condition. Thus, this letter has great relevance for contemporary Christians
who find themselves isolated from a regular (faithful) ministry and duly
constituted reformed congregations," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
A Notable and Comfortable Exposition upon
Matthew IV, Concerning the Temptations of Christ in the Wilderness (1556) by John Knox ("Early in 1556, Knox journeyed to Scotland
to help strengthen the budding cause of Reformation. He preached in houses and
dispensed the Lord's Supper to those who had broken with the church of Rome.
Knox returned to Geneva in September, undertaking pastoral duties within the
English-speaking congregation there. Knox took his wife, Marjory, and her
mother, Mrs. Bowes, back to Geneva with him. ... Since this Exposition was
initially preached, before being written, it provides a rare glimpse of the
reformer's pulpit ministry. The Exposition reveals another facet of Knox's
eminent pastoral gifts," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
An Exposition Upon the Sixth Psalm of David
(1553) by John Knox (Extracted from: Selected Writings of John
Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
Two Comfortable Epistles to His Afflicted
Brethren in England (1554) by John Knox ("The two following epistles were written
by Knox after his return to Dieppe, and are dated the 10th and 31st of May
1554." notes David Laing in an editor's note to Knox's Works, Vol. 3, p. 229. Extracted from: Selected
Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year
1559.)
Answers to Some Questions Concerning Baptism,
etc. (1556 ) by John Knox ("The advice which follows deals mainly
with the subject of baptism. Among the questions Knox addresses are: Is Romish
baptism valid? Should baptism be repeated in the case of those who were
baptized in infancy according to the Romish order? The other queries concern
unrelated subjects: Are the prohibitions of the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15),
respecting unclean foods still binding? How should tithes be collected and
distributed?," notes Kevin Reed. Extracted from: Selected Writings of
John Knox: Public Epistles, Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559.)
John Knox Versus Bill Clinton
The Life of Mr. JOHN KNOX taken from Biographia
Scoticana by John Howie.
Life of John Knox by Thomas M'Crie D.D. (1847
edition) - Print edition
available at http://www.swrb.com/catalog/K.htm under "KNOX,JOHN."
FREE MP3 AUDIO By
(Or About) JOHN KNOX And His Work.
True and False Worship: A Vindication
of the Doctrine that the Sacrifice of the Mass is Idolatry (1550)
John
Knox (From Knox's 6 Volume Works)
FREE MP3 at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=4701164035 (OFFSITE)
Reformation, Revolution and Romanism
(1558)
Previously titled "The
Appellation... to the Scottish Nobility."
John
Knox (From Knox's 6 Volume Works)
FREE MP3 at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=1030075041 (OFFSITE)
Predestination Defended, in Answer to
an Attack by an Anabaptist #8
by John Knox (Calvinism and
Predestination MP3 series, Romans 9:8-23)
FREE MP3 at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=2804173814 (OFFSITE)
John Knox and James Stewart:
Scotland's Two Sons of Oil
John Howie - Book: SCOTS WORTHIES
FREE MP3 at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?sermonid=122501142339 (OFFSITE)
The Monstrous Regiment of Women
(Interview with Colin Gunn) by Kevin Swanson
What can we say when women rule in
the family, the church, and the state? We can tell you what God thinks in
Isaiah 3:12. Or we could tell you what the reformer, John Knox thought about
it. And that's precisely what
Colin Gunn does in his award winning film, 'The Monstrous Regiment of Women.' It may have won the most politically
incorrect film of the day, but then again, that's what Mary Queen of Scots
thought about the Knox tome. The
subject is far more relevant and incendiary today than ever before. Do not miss
this historical interview with the producer of the Best of Festival winner
of the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.
FREE MP3 at: http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=112071217340 (OFFSITE)
Back to the top of the
page.
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
John Knox's complete six volume Works are
contained on the Puritan Hard Drive
KNOX, JOHN
Reformation, Revolution and Romanism
This is Knox's most important
political writing and the clearest example of why Knox is sometimes called
"Calvin with a sword."
(2 cassettes) $7.96
KNOX, JOHN
The
Works of John Knox (6 volumes)
Here is a chance to touch the flame
that ignited whole nations for covenanted Reformation. John Knox is considered
by many to have been the most biblically consistent and thoroughgoing of all
the great Reformers of the sixteenth century. "John Knox was in fact the
embodiment of the Scottish Reformation as its preacher, theologian, liturgist,
historian, and catalyst for reform." (Hall and Hall, ed. Paradigms in
Polity: Classic Readings in Reformed and Presbyterian Church Government [Grand
Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1994], p. 219)."With this concern
for purity of worship," notes Kevin Reed regarding Knox, "it is no
wonder that the Scottish Reformation was the most thorough among any of the
Protestant nations." (From the introduction to John Knox, True and False
Worship: A Vindication of the Doctrine that the Sacrifice of the Mass is
Idolatry [Dallas, TX: Presbyterian Heritage Publications, 1550 reprinted 1994],
p.14.). "I know not," states George Smeaton, "if ever so much
piety and genius were lodged in such a frail and weak body. Certain I am, that
it will be difficult to find one in whom the gifts of the Holy Spirit shone so
bright to the comfort of the church." (Cited in Thomas M'Crie, The Life of
John Knox [1831], p. 272.) The Works of John Knox listed here is the complete
six volume set collected by David Laing, 1895. Concerning this 6 volume
collection, Kyle, in The Mind of John Knox (p. 14) notes, "The only real
basis for a study of Knox's thought must be the writings of the reformer himself.
From 1846 to 1864, David Laing collected and edited nearly all of Knox's extant
writings. This remarkable collection, which scholars regard highly, is
indispensable for any serious study of John Knox."
(Rare bound photocopies, 6 volume
set) $299.95-70%=89.99
(Hardcover photocopies, 6 volume
set) $199.00 (US funds)
John
Knox's Works (6 volumes) only $9.97 as
digital downloads!
The price and
contents of each volume, if purchased outside the above set, is individually
listed below:
KNOX, JOHN
Volume
1 of The Works of John Knox- Unedited History of the Reformation in Scotland
(Book 1 & 2) and 18 appendices.
Reid, in his
Trumpeter of God, notes that Knox "wrote history as a prophet" and
that, wherever he could, he used original sources, many of which he reproduced.
Furthermore, he proclaims that this "is still a work that no one
interested in this area can afford to neglect." As W.C. Dickinson has
commented, "it is his monument, for in it he puts flesh and blood on the
whole Reformation movement." Innes (John Knox, p. 45) says of this work,
"[t]he author who has enabled us to see his own confused and changing age
under ëthe broad clear light of that wonderful book' the History of the
Reformation in Scotland, and who outside that book was the utterer of many an
armed and winged word which pursues and smites us to this day, must have been
born with nothing less than genius ó genius to observe, to narrate, and to
judge. Even had he written as a mere recluse and critic, looking out upon his
world from a monk's cell or from the corner of a housetop, the vividness, the
tenderness, the sarcasm and the humour would still have been there."
Moreover, Burton writes, "[t]here certainly is in the English language no
other parallel to it in clearness, vigour, and picturesqueness with which it
renders the history of a stirring period" (cited in Innes, John Knox, p. 45).
This photocopy edition far surpasses the editeddown version that is available
in paperback. Over 600 pages of stirring Reformation history.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
funds)
KNOX, JOHN
Volume
2 of The Works of John Knox - Unedited History of the Reformation in Scotland
(Book 3, 4 and 5) and six appendices, index, etc.
"Knox portrayed the origins and
development of a movement and not a mere chronology of events... Knox based his
arguments on original sources and he often cited the documents in full. When
Knox's History is compared to the contemporary vernacular narratives of Bishop
Leslie and Sir James Melville, the superiority of Knox's work becomes evident.
For the most part, these writers were preoccupied with petty details and had no
conception of the momentous issues that hung on the events they recorded...
Knox used history to demonstrate his single-track philosophy. And his
philosophy said: 'The hearts of men, their thoughts, and their actions are but
in the hands of God.' Lee said Knox's History was a sermon without an audience,
a preaching book, one long inflammatory speech in behalf of God's truth as the
reformer saw it." (Kyle, The Mind of John Knox, p. 13). Our editions of
volumes one and two of Knox's Works contain the only full, unedited version of
Knox's massive History of the Reformation in Scotland available today.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
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KNOX, JOHN
Volume
3 of The Works of John Knox - EPISTLES, ADMONITIONS, etc.
Includes "... That the Sacrifice
of the Mass is Idolatry." Also, writings on justification by faith,
prayer, the Lord's supper, obedience to magistrates, an exposition of the sixth
Psalm, letters of warning, comfort and more.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
funds)
KNOX, JOHN
Volume
4 of The Works of John Knox
- Includes "The Appellation...
to the Scottish Nobility," "The First Blast of the Trumpet Against
the Monstrous Regiment of Women," Answers Concerning Baptism, Form of
Prayers/Sacraments in Geneva 1556, "Letter to the Queen,"
"Summary of the Proposed Second Blast of the Trumpet," and much more.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
funds)
KNOX, JOHN
Volume
5 of The Works of John Knox
- Includes "On Predestination,
in Answer to the Cavillations by an Anabaptist" (462 pp.), which Boettner,
in his Reformed Doctrine of Predestination, calls Knox's "chief
theological work." Also, A Letter to John Foxe, Names of Martyrs, etc. 536
pages.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
funds)
KNOX, JOHN
Volume
6 of The Works of John Knox
- Includes the Life of Knox, Letters
relating to Reformation in Scotland, The Book of Common Order, a debate
concerning the Mass, Fasting, "The Order of Excommunication and Public
Repentance," indices of names, places and the general index, etc. 755
pages.
(Rare bound photocopy)
$49.95-65%=17.48
(Hardcover photocopy) $34.00 (US
funds)
John Knox's complete
six volume Works are contained on Reformation Bookshelf CD volume 1 at http://www.swrb.com/Puritan/reformation-bookshelf-CDs.htm
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