John Durie

John Durie (1537–1600) was one of the first Presbyterian ministers in Edinburgh after the Reformation in Scotland.

He was born at Mauchline in Ayrshire in 1537, and educated at Ayr. He became one of the Benedictine monks of Dunfermline, but being suspected of heresy was ordered to be shut up until death. At the time of the Reformation, through the influence of the Earl of Arran, he made his escape. He was extremely devoted to John Knox, and a most ardent supporter of his views. Becoming a minister of Edinburgh about 1573, he was conspicuous in the conflicts between the church and the king, and in many ways suffered for his outspokenness. In 1575, he expressed himself strongly in the general assembly against prelacy, and was supported by Andrew Melville. For inveighing against the court Durie and Walter Balcanquhal were imprisoned in the castle of Edinburgh until they produced in writing the passage objected to. For reflecting on the Duke of Lennox and others in a sermon preached 23 May 1582, he was called before the privy council and ordered to leave Edinburgh. Soon, however, he got leave to return, and on his arrival at Leith on 4 September the people of Edinburgh met him at the Gallow Green and marched with him up to Edinburgh and along the High Street singing the 124th psalm in four parts, showing not only their attachment to their minister but their skill in psalmody. In November, however, he was again banished from Edinburgh, but allowed to exercise his ministry at Montrose. His death took place on the last night of February 1600, amid great serenity of mind.^[5]