Gilbert Primrose (minister) facts for kids
Gilbert Primrose (born around 1580, died 1641) was a Scottish minister. He was a leader in the Calvinist church, serving in both France and London.
Early Life and Education
Gilbert Primrose was born around 1580 in Perthshire, Scotland. His father, also named Gilbert Primrose, was a main surgeon for King James VI.
Gilbert studied at St. Andrews University and earned his master's degree. After that, he moved to France. There, he became a minister in the Reformed Church, which was a type of Protestant church.
Minister in France
His first job as a minister was in Mirambeau. In 1603, he moved to lead the church in Bordeaux. He also helped his friend, John Cameron, get a teaching job at a new college in Bergerac.
In 1607, the French Reformed Church held a big meeting called the Synod of Rochelle. They sent Gilbert Primrose to offer money to Scottish ministers who had been forced to leave their homes. At this meeting, Primrose also shared letters from King James and from leaders in Edinburgh. These letters asked him to come back to Scotland to serve the church there. However, he decided to stay in Bordeaux.
Later in 1607, Gilbert Primrose visited Britain. He was asked by the church in Rochelle to speak to King James. They wanted the King to free Andrew Melville from the Tower of London. Melville was a Scottish scholar they wanted to hire as a professor. King James said no to this request. The French King, Henry IV, was also upset that Primrose had talked to a foreign king without his permission. When Primrose returned, he was questioned by King Henry IV.
In 1608, John Cameron became a fellow minister with Primrose in Bordeaux. They worked well together for ten years. In 1615 and 1616, the church in Bordeaux was temporarily closed by the government. The ministers, including Primrose, were sent away for their safety. They returned once things settled down.
Moving to London
In 1623, a new rule was made in France. It said that ministers from other countries could not lead churches there. At a church meeting in September 1623, the French king, Louis XIII, stated that Primrose and Cameron could no longer work in France. After some discussions, Primrose had to leave the country.
Gilbert Primrose then moved to London. He became one of the ministers at the French Protestant Church of London. He held this position until he died. He also became a special chaplain to King James I. In 1625, he received a special degree (D.D.) from the University of Oxford, recommended by the King. Four years later, he became a canon of Windsor, which is a type of church official.
Gilbert Primrose passed away in London in late 1642.
Published Works
Gilbert Primrose wrote several books and sermons. Here are some of them:
- Le vœu de Jacob opposé aux vœux de Moines (Jacob's Vow Against Monks' Vows), published in 1610. This book was later translated into English.
- La Trompette de Sion (The Trumpet of Zion), a collection of 18 sermons from 1610.
- La Defense de la Religion Reformée (The Defense of the Reformed Religion), published in 1619.
- The Christian Man's Tears and Christ's Comforts, published in London in 1625.
- Nine Sermons, published in London in 1625.
- The Table of the Lord, published in London in 1626.
Family Life
Gilbert Primrose was married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Brenin, who died in 1637. His second wife was Jeanne Hersent, who was the widow of Abraham Aurelius and died in 1641. His third wife was Louise de Lobel, the widow of Jacob Cool.
He had four sons: James, David, Stephen, and John.
