John Craig (reformer)
Scottish reformer / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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John Craig (c. 1512 – 12 December 1600) was a Reformer, and colleague of John Knox. Originally a Dominican, he became a Church of Scotland minister with significant extra responsibilities and played an influential part in the Scottish Reformation.
John Craig | |
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Personal details | |
Born | Johnne Craig c. 1512 |
Died | 12 December 1600 |
Signature | |
minister of Canongate (Holyroodhouse) | |
In office 1561 – 2 July 1562[1] | |
minister of St. Giles' Cathedral | |
In office 2 July 1562 – 1571[2] | |
minister of Montrose | |
In office 1571 – 6 August 1573[3] | |
minister of St Nicolas', Aberdeen | |
In office 6 August 1573 – 14 September 1579[4] | |
minister of Chapel Royal of Stirling | |
In office 14 September 1579 – 12 December 1600[5] | |
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland[6] | |
In office 1 March 1570 – close | |
In office 24 October 1576 – close | |
In office 17 October 1581 – close | |
Craig was educated at the St. Andrews, and, going afterwards to England, became tutor in the family of Lord Dacre. He entered the order of Dominican Friars at Bologna, where he was appointed Master of Novices and of which he served as rector for several years. His role gave him access to read the Papally-censored works of John Calvin and on reading The Institutes, Craig accepted their teachings. For this he was condemned by the Inquisition and sentenced to be burned for heresy in August, 1559 but escaped from jail at Rome. Returning, via Vienna, to Edinburgh, in 1561, he joined the Reforming party, and was appointed minister of the Canongate that year. In 1562 he became a colleague of John Knox in St Giles, where he worked for nine years.[7]
Craig proclaimed the banns of marriage between Queen Mary and Bothwell, which, however, he declared scandalous. Craig was elected Moderator of the General Assembly for the third time, in 1581. He assisted in compiling the second book of Discipline signed by King James VI, and subsequently censured His Majesty for not dealing justly with his people. An author and hymnwriter, Craig died in old age being around 88 years old.[7]