Scotland/Scots > Life of John Knox ; and, The life of Alexander Henderson

LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
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able to give him a sufficient establishment, but their dis¬
satisfaction with the marriage rendered them averse.
Induced by the importunity of his mother-in-law, he ap¬
plied to Sir Robert Bowes at London, and attempted, by
a candid explanation of all circumstances, to remove any
umbrage which he had conceived against him, and pro¬
cure an amicable settlement of the whole affair. He
communicated the unfavourable issue of this interview,
in a letter to Mrs. Bowes, of which the following is an ex¬
tract.
“ Dear Mother, so may and will I call you, not only
for the tender affection I bear unto you in Christ, but
also for the motherly kindness ye have shewn unto me
at all times since our first acquaintance, albeit such
things as I have desired (if it had pleased God), and ye
and others have long desired, are never like to come to
pass, yet shall ye be sure that my love and care toward
you shall never abate, so long as I can care for any
earthly creature. Ye shall understand that this 6th of
November, I spake with Sir Robert Bowes, on the mat¬
ter ye know, according to your request, whose dis¬
dainful, yea, despiteful words, hath so pierced my heart,
that my life is bitter unto me. I bear a good coun¬
tenance with a sore troubled heart; while he that
ought to consider matters with a deep judgment is be¬
come not only a despiser, but also a taunter of God’s
messengers. God be merciful unto him. Among other
his most unpleasing words, while that I was about to
have declared my part in the whole matter, he said,
‘ Away with your rhetorical reasons, for I will not be
persuaded with them.’ God knows I did use no rheto¬
ric or coloured speech, but would have spoken the truth,
and that in most simple manner. I am not a good oratour
in my own cause. But what he would not be content
to hear of me, God shall declare to him one day to his
displeasure, unless he repent. It is supposed that all
the matter comes by you and me. I pray God that your
conscience were quiet, and at peace, and I regard not