Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

1543. Arran's zeal for the Reformation had by this
time spent itself; and the astute and resolute Beaton
was dominant in the nation. It was in the midst of
perils that Wishart began his ministry. "The
beginning of his doctrine" was in Montrose, at that
time the most Lutheran town perhaps in Scotland.
He next visited Dundee, where his eloquence drew
around him great crowds.
Following the example of Zwingle at Zurich,
and of Calvin at Geneva, instead of discoursing on
desultory topics, he opened the Epistle to the
Romans, and proceeded to expound it chapter by
chapter to his audience. The Gospel thus rose
before them as a grand unity. Beginning with the
"one man" by whom sin entered, they passed on to
the "one Man" by whom had come the "free gift."
The citizens were hanging upon the lips of the
greatest pulpit orator that had arisen in Scotland for
centuries, when they were surprised by a visit from
the governor and the cardinal, who brought with
them a train of field artillery. Believing the town to
be full of Lutherans, they had come prepared to
besiege it. The citizens retired, taking with them, it
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