The White Badger Inn

“A man with God is always in the majority.” - John Knox
Tolerance, or Grace?

John Knox: a man who once told the Catholic clergy that they were "gluttons, wantons and licentious revelers, but who yet regularly and meekly partook of the sacrament."
He was not afraid of opposition. In ways, it has been argued (see How The Scots Invented The Modern World) that Knox saved Scotland from being overrun by English forces, as well as instituting the first modern form of democracy.

Mary, Queen of Scots (and a Papist) once remarked, "I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe." (Could have had something to do with the book he wrote with Mary in mind: The First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women)

When it came to mapping out a plan or laying down the law, Knox never hesitated. His plan for a working Theocracy was one of the few which survived for any length of time in the modern day world.

He once said, "The repentance of England requireth two things: First, the expulsion of all dregs of popery and the treading under foot of all glistering beauty of vain ceremonies. Next, no power or liberty must be permitted to any, of what estate, degree or authority they be, either to live without the yoke of discipline by God's word commanded, or to alter one jot in religion which from God's mouth thou hast received. If prince, king or emperor would enterprise to change or disannul the same, that he be the reputed enemy to God, while a prince who erects idolatry must be adjudged to death."

So much for "live & let live," eh?
I think Knox knew something about Christian grace...nothing about tolerance. A lesson we could all learn.