Chapter XXI

_Literature of the Reformation,
and the later part of the Sixteenth Century._

⭘ Sir David Lyndsay――Influence of his Writings on the Reformation
movement in Scotland――He was the most popular Writer of the
Period, and wrote for the People

⭘ Lyndsay’s Attack upon the Churchmen and the Religious Orders,
specimen of his Sarcasm――Satire of the Three Estates, its humour
――The Abbot, the Parson――The Play acted upon the Green――The
Magistrates encouraged Dramatic Representations――Lyndsay’s other
Works

⭘ James Wedderburn, and Robert Wedderburn――Characteristics of the
Gude and Godly Ballads――Hymns of the Reformation――Influence of
this class of Writings

⭘ Knox’s Writings――His Style, History of the Reformation,
Admonitory Writings――Letter to the Queen Regent

⭘ Ninian Winzet――His Attack upon Knox, and the Reformers――Winzet
escaped from Scotland――His Writings

⭘ Quintin Kennedy――His Writings――Discussion with Knox on the Mass
――James Tyrie, a Jesuit――His attack on the Reformed Church,
answered by Knox

⭘ Knox’s Treatise on Predestination――History of the Doctrine of
Eternal Decree――Theories of the Origin of the Soul――Views of
Augustine, and others――Calvin’s view of the Eternal Decree,
opposed and vehemently disputed――Knox’s Defence of Predestination
unsatisfactory――The subject is beyond the powers of the Mind
――Knox’s Letters

⭘ George Buchanan――His Career as a Public Teacher Abroad――On his
return home, he became associated with the Protestant party――His
History of Scotland, Political Writings, Influence of his Views

⭘ Scottish Poets of the later part of the Century――Sir Richard
Maitland, George Bannatyne, Alexander Scott, Alexander Arbuthnot,
John Davidson――Anonymous Poems and Rhymes

⭘ Alexander Montgomery――Characteristics of his Poetry

⭘ James VI.――His Writings――Alexander Hume――James Melville――Latin
Poetry

⭘ Theological and Religious Literature of the later part of the
Century

⭘ Legal Literature――Dr. Henryson, Sir John Skene, Sir Thomas Craig,
William Welwood

⭘ Progress of Science――John Napier――A Treatise on Revelations――His
proposed Inventions for the Defence of the Island――Publication of
his great Work on Logarithms――His minor Inventions

⭘ Progress of Medical Knowledge――Dr. Skene, Dr. Lowe, Dr. Liddel

⭘ Scientific Conceptions of the Universe met much Opposition in the
Sixteenth Century――Moral and Religious Sentiments were the moving
Influences of the Reformation