Abstract
Charles the First might have died in bed had John Knox never been born. Presbyterianism stood between Charles and a peace settlement at Newcastle and Knox can rightfully claim to be the father of Scottish Presbyterianism. Together with five other Johns— Willock, Spottiswoode, Winram, Douglas, and Row—Knox compiled the confession of 1560 which established the Scottish Kirk and Presbyterianism. The confession asserted the idea of eternal election according to Calvin and affirmed the mystical presence in the Eucharist. The confession further urged that all ceremonies which fostered superstitious attitudes or beliefs be changed. In 1561, Knox presented the First Book of Discipline to the General Assembly of the Church and a republican form of church government in Scotland was established. Kirk members were to elect their own ministers, elders, and deacons. The First Book of Discipline created the office of superintendent to replace the bishops. Eleven years later, in 1572, Knox labored to restore an episcopacy with an administrative, but not sacramental, function. It was not until 1579 that a radical group of reformers led by Andrew Melville abolished diocesan church organization and introduced presbytery. Under the presbyterian system, each parish elected representatives to the presbyter, which in turn elected representatives to the General Assembly. The Scots had in their church organization a potential rival to royal government.