Publisher's Synopsis
Andrew Melville (1545-1622) was a crucial personality in the history of 16th century Scottish religion, and also important in the development of higher educational standards in Scotland. He was also without doubt a able inheritor of the mantle of famous religious reformers like John Knox, and he would also have a influence on the actions and works of others that came after him, such as Alexander Henderson, Samuel Rutherford, William Guthrie, Richard Cameron, James Renwick and many more who would against great odds carry on the work of Reformation. Besides his support for continued religious reform, Andrew is also well known for his battles against Diocesan Episcopacy and the power of the crown. From forensic study of the Old and New Testament, the Scottish reformers strived for a Kirk which was independent of the crown, and free of offices such as bishops and priests. All ministers were considered equal and were to be chosen by individual congregations. This would lead to a transparent Kirk free of corruption and exempt from patronage, whether by crown or nobility. The Kirk expected the crown to uphold its rights, and sought to enter into a covenant between, Crown, Kirk and God, whereupon Scottish society and the people would be transformed by religion and education into a "Godly people." Whilst the Kirk obeyed the sovereign as rulers over civil society, they recognised Jesus Christ as ruler over heaven and earth. The Bible was the book of laws that all people should obey, including sovereigns. The Second Book of Disciple was in many respects the guidelines to such a covenant. King James VI of Scotland sought to claim his rights to the throne of England, a protestant nation yet following episcopacy through the Anglican Church. Through this system he could appoint bishops and influence the policies and direction of the church. It is clear that his secret agenda was to undermine the independence of the Scottish Kirk and shape it into a diocesan episcopacy similar to the Anglican Church. These were the battles that Melville fought against James, to preserve the independence of the Scottish Kirk. Whilst Andrew was direct in his approach the James would prove himself duplicitous, cunning and ambiguous. Melville was threatened many times, yet when faced with destruction, imprisonment or exile at the hands of enemies he would resort to the small Hebrew Bible that he carried in a leather wallet around his waist. When he was once summoned before King and Council accused of treason, he would counter by placing his Bible on the Privy Council table and asserting his own rights according to the Old and New Testaments, "And you may see, your weakness, oversight and rashness in taking upon you which you neither ought nor can do, there are my instructions and my warrant;" and he would add, "let me see which of you can judge therein, or control me therein, that I have passed beyond my injunctions."
