Letter of Wholesome Counsel

work by Knox

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 30, 2026

Quick Summary

The "Letter of Wholesome Counsel" was written by John Knox in 1556. It was a significant document for the Scottish Reformation, providing guidance to believers on private family worship and encouraging weekly meetings for corporate Bible study and discussion. These meetings were foundational for the growth of Reformed congregations and the establishment of elders within the church structure.1

John Knox was a leading figure in the Scottish Reformation, known for shaping the moral and governmental principles of the Church of Scotland. His influential work, History of the Reformation in Scotland, details his efforts in establishing Protestantism in the country. The Scots Confession, primarily written by Knox, was adopted by the Scottish Parliament in 1560 and served as a moderate Calvinist statement of faith.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

John Knox
Escape to the Continent
…faithful in Scotland an important Letter of Wholesome Counsel (1556) enjoining not only private family worship but also weekly meetings of believers for corporate Bible study and discussion. From these weekly meetings, Reformed congregations grew apace, and from the leaders of these congregations came the elders of the Reformed Church.
Read More
…faithful in Scotland an important Letter of Wholesome Counsel (1556) enjoining not only private family worship but also weekly meetings of believers for corporate Bible study and discussion. From these weekly meetings, Reformed congregations grew apace, and from the leaders of these congregations came the elders of the Reformed Church.
Read More