John Knox's House, Picturesque Scotland: Its Romantic Scenes & Historical Associations Described in Lay and Legend, Song and Story, p. 37, "From Castle to Palace." 10.3 cm high by 11.4 cm wide, or 4 inches by 4 &12; inches, framed.
Text Illustrated: "The Reformer's Manse"
BUT we must pass on, and, noticing1 the Tron Kirk as we go, where, on the last night of the year, crowds are wont to gather, as in London in front of St. Paul's, waiting the stroke of twelve, and then drinking each other's health, and wishing all round a Happy New Year. A little further down is John Knox's house, an ancient house jutting out into the street, which was the reformer's "manse" or parsonage from 1559 to 1572, when he died. The following inscription is upon the door: —
"Lofe . God . above . al . and . yovr . nichtbovr . as . yr : self."
We have something to say of Knox elsewhere, but we cannot forbear to linger a little at this ancient dwelling, and witness how this great spirit took its departure from the world. Says one of his biographers: —
"The attendants looked every moment for his dissolution. At length he awaked as if from sleep, and, being asked the cause of his sighing so deeply, replied 'I have formerly, during my frail life, sustained many contests, and many assaults of Satan; but at present that roaring lion has assailed me most furiously, and put forth all his strength to devour and make an end of me at once. . . . . The cunning serpent has laboured to persuade me that I have merited heaven and eternal blessedness by the faithful discharge of my ministry. But blessed be God who has enabled me to beat down and quench this fiery dart Wherefore I givethanks to my God through Jesus Christ, who was pleased to give me the victory; and I am persuaded that the tempter shall not again attack me, but, within a short time, I shall, without any great bodily pain, or anguish of mind, exchange this mortal and miserable life, for a blessed immortality through Jesus Christ." On the evening on which he died, prayers were read at ten o'clock, and he praised God for them as for a "heavenly sound." An hour afterwards he was heard to heave a deep sigh, and to say "Now it is come." They were his last words, and, holding up one hand in answer to an inquiry whether his mind was at peace, with a sigh his spirit passed unhindered to where there is no sighing any more, where "loyal hearts and true stand ever in the light."
The scene makes this quaint old house sacred, and many a noble palace there is which would draw from us far less reverential regard than this manse of John Knox. ["From Castle to Palace," pp. 37-38]
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the person who scanned the image, and (2) link your document to this URL in a web document or cite the Victorian Web in a print one.]
Bibliography
Watt, Francis M., and Andrew Carter. "Holyrood." Picturesque Scotland: Its Romantic Scenes & Historical Associations Described in Lay and Legend, Song and Story.. London: John M. Murdoch [1887?], pp. 40-45.
Created 7 June 2025