The Fortnightly Review: No. CCCCLXIII, New Series [‎621v] (133/239)

102
SCOTLAND AND JOHN KNOX.
the emotions which accompany controversy has been acquired in
recent years, and is expected from a leader of public opinion ; any
control over jjassion would have rendered a sixteenth-century re
former open to the charge of half-heartedness. Similarly, we
expect to-day at least some profession of impartiality : some re
cognition of good motives on the other side ; in those days, any ad
mission of truth or virtue in an opponent w r as interpreted as a
base desertion of one s ow r n cause. Above all, the sixteenth century
did not possess the guarantee of elementary veracity which is
afforded to us by the correspondence columns of The Times. Con
tradiction was not easy, even wdien it was safe, and that was not
often, as was found to his cost by Ninian Winzet, who attempted
to debate with Knox. A contemporary history, written in such
circumstances, can be neither more nor less than an expanded
political pamphlet. Had this been recognised, the shock to
Scottish public opinion produced by recent criticism would have
been less, and while many a congregation would have lost the
pleasure it gives—
To hear two p’ints o’ doctrine clearit
And Mr. Lang’s abomination
Set fiirth wi’ faithfii’ ministration,
many good people would have been saved the pain of discovering
that Knox s History ’ ’ show's as a record of fact the same weak
nesses as the writings of his contemporaries. The task of inves
tigation has been done carefully and honestly; Mr. Lang has
brought to light many important points which have escaped the
notice of his predecessors, and his results have, not unnaturally,
been received wdth surprise, and some pain, by candid readers,
and with w'hole-hearted incredulity by the rest. Had the general
belief been more reasonable, the shock would have been less severe,
for it is here, and not in reference to its coarseness, that a defence
based upon the customs of the times may best be made. One of
the discrepancies pointed out by Mr. Lang has gained an adven
titious importance from the use made of a phrase in his “ History ”
by Knox s admirers. There is no passage more frequently quoted
than that in wdiich he ascribes the sacking of the monasteries at
Perth to the action not of the gentilmen, neyther of thame that
were earnest professouris, bot of the raschall multitude.” Mr.
Lang remarks—what ought to have been noticed by David Laing
that in his letter to Mrs. Lock, the Reformer writes, that, per
ceiving what he terms the deceit of the Queen Regent, “the
brethrein soght the nixt remedie .... they putt to their hands
to reformatioun in Sanct Johnstoun [Perth], where the places of
idolotrie of Gray and Black Friers, and of Charter-house monkes,