Series 1 > History of Greater Britain, as well England as Scotland

cviii JOHN MAJOR’S HISTORY
vices of Sixtus xv. to be forgotten. Knox’s crucial instance of
false doctrine was the same as Luther’s—‘Justification by
works, pilgrimages, pardons, and other sic baggage, instead
of by faith through the blood of Christ which purgeth from
all sin.’ Treating of the ecclesiastical law he condemned the
observance of days and abstinence from meats and marriage,
both of which Christ made free. He reached his climax by
quoting the claims alleged on behalf of the Pope, as ‘ That he
cannot err, can make wrong of right and right of wrong, and
can of nothing make somewhat’. Finally, he said, turning
from the congregation to the seats of honour, ‘ If any here
(and there were present Master John Mair, the Provost of the
University, the Sub-prior, and many Canons with some Priors
of both orders), will say that I have alleged Scripture doctrine
or history otherwise than it is written, let them come to me
with sufficient witness, and I, by conference, shall let them see
not only the original where my testimonies are written, but
prove that the writers meant as I have spoken.’ Even this
daring language would apparently have passed unchallenged
had not Hamilton, the Archbishop-elect, written to Winram,
the Sub-prior, rebuking him for suffering it. A conference was
accordingly held, in which Winram disputed with Knox, but
left the brunt of the argument to a Friar Arbuckle, for
Winram himself already inclined to the reformed doctrines,
which he ultimately adopted.
Major and To understand the position of Major, the representative of
Reformation, a former generation brought face to face with the ideas and
events of the new era, when, in Scotland at least, Reform came
so quickly as almost to outstrip the Revival of Learning, we
must recal briefly the course of Scottish affairs from his return
to St. Andrews till his death.
St. Andrews was then, more than at any other time, a
political and religious centre; and, though himself inactive,
Major came constantly in contact with the chief actors