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 Dur