John Sage facts for kids

John Sage (born 1652, died 1711) was a Scottish bishop who held strong beliefs about the Church of Scotland. He was part of a group called "nonjurors" who didn't swear loyalty to the new king and queen after the Glorious Revolution. He also supported the Jacobite cause, which wanted King James II and his family to return to the throne.

Life of John Sage

John Sage was born in a place called Creich in Fife, Scotland, in 1652. His family had lived there for many generations. His father was a captain who fought for the king.

Early Education and Career

John Sage went to school in Creich and then studied at St Salvator's College, St Andrews (part of the University of St Andrews). He earned his Master of Arts degree in 1669. After finishing university, he worked as a schoolmaster in Ballingry, Fife, and later in Tippermuir, Perthshire.

In 1674, he became a tutor and chaplain for the family of James Drummond in Perthshire. While living there, he met Alexander Rose, who was a minister in Perth. This meeting was important for his future.

Becoming a Bishop

In 1684, John Sage visited Alexander Rose in Glasgow. Rose introduced him to his uncle, Arthur Ross, who was the Archbishop of Glasgow. Archbishop Ross made John Sage a minister in Glasgow in 1685. He also worked as a clerk for the church meetings.

In 1688, Archbishop Ross wanted John Sage to become a professor at St Andrews University. However, this plan didn't happen because King James II left the throne.

Challenges and Hiding

After the new government took over, John Sage had to leave Glasgow. He went to Edinburgh and started writing to support the ministers who had lost their jobs because they didn't support the new government.

In 1693, the government banished him from Edinburgh because he was still working as a nonjuring minister (someone who refused to swear loyalty to the new king and queen). He went to Kinross and stayed with Sir William Bruce. But in 1696, Sir William was arrested, and there was a warrant for John Sage's arrest too.

To avoid being caught, John Sage hid in a place called Angus. He pretended to be someone named Jackson and said he was there for his health. After a few months, he found new places to stay, working as a chaplain for important families in Falkirk and Perthshire.

Later Life and Death

On January 25, 1705, John Sage was secretly made a bishop in Edinburgh. He became a "college bishop," which meant he was a bishop without a specific area to lead. This was a way for the nonjuring church to continue its traditions.

In 1706, John Sage became very ill with paralysis. He recovered enough to take part in another bishop's consecration in 1709. He then traveled to Bath and London. He died in Edinburgh on June 7, 1711, and was buried in the churchyard of Old Greyfriars, Edinburgh.

John Sage's Writings

John Sage was known for his clever writings, especially those that argued for his beliefs. Most of his publications were anonymous, meaning his name wasn't on them, but people knew he wrote them.

Here are some of his important works:

• Letters about the Persecution of the Episcopal Clergy in Scotland (1689): He wrote parts of this book, which talked about the difficulties faced by ministers like him.
• The Case of the afflicted Clergy in Scotland (1690): This book explained the situation of the church leaders who were suffering.
• An Account of the late Establishment of the Presbyterian Government (1693): This writing discussed how the Presbyterian church became the main church in Scotland.
• The Fundamental Charter of Presbytery … examin'd (1695): This book looked closely at the basic rules of the Presbyterian church.
• The Principles of the Cyprianic Age (1695): This work explored the ideas from an early period of the Christian church.
• A Vindication of … the Principles of the Cyprianic Age (1695): This was a follow-up to his previous book, defending his arguments.
• The Reasonableness of Toleration to those of the Episcopal Perswasion (1703): This book argued that people who followed the Episcopal church should be allowed to practice their faith freely.

John Sage also helped with other important books, like an edition of Gawin Douglas's translation of Virgil's Æneis and an introduction to William Drummond of Hawthornden's History of Scotland. He had many other writing ideas, including a review of the Westminster Confession of Faith, but he didn't finish them all.