Knox and the Protestant nobility, March–December 1557

Summary

[After his successful mission to Scotland in the winter of 1555–6, Knox returned to Geneva from where he continued to correspond with the Protestant nobility with whom he had made contact in his homeland. The following extract from his History of the Reformation (Laing MS. fos. 90v–94r; Laing, vol. I, pp. 267–74; Dickinson, vol. I, pp. 131–7) begins with a letter from the Protestant nobility of 10 March 1557 inviting Knox to return to Scotland, continues with Knox's response to discovering that by October they had changed their minds and culminates with the signing of the First Band or Covenant on 3 December 1557.]

At this same time, some of the nobility directed their letters to call John Knox from Geneva, for their comfort, and for the comfort of their brethren the preachers, and others that then courageously fought against the enemies of God's truth. The tenor of their letter is this:

The second vocation of John Knox by letters of the lords

Grace, Mercy and Peace, for Salutation, etc.

Dearly beloved in the Lord, the faithful that are of your acquaintance in these parts (thanks be unto God) are steadfast in the belief whereunto ye left them and has a godly thirst and desire, day by day, of your presence again; which, if the spirit of God will so move and permit time unto you, we will heartily desire you, in the name of the Lord, that ye will return again in these parts, where ye shall find all faithful that ye left behind you, not only glad to hear your doctrine, but will be ready to jeopard lives and goods in the forward setting of the glory of God, as He will permit time.