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

62
LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
what country consume this my wicked carcase. And
were [it] not that no man’s unthankfulness shall move
me (God supporting my infirmity) to cease to do profit
unto Christ’s congregation, those days should be few that
England would give me bread. And I fear that, when
all is done, I shall be driven to that end ; for I cannot
abide the disdainful hatred of those, of whom not only I
thought I might have craved kindness, but also to whom
God hath been by me more liberal than they be thank¬
ful. But so must men declare themselves. Affections
does trouble me at this present: yet I doubt not to over¬
come by him, who will not leave comfortless his afflict¬
ed to the end: whose omnipotent Spirit rest with you.
Amen.”
He refers to the same disagreeable affair in another
letter written about the end of this year. After men¬
tioning the bad state of his health, which had been greatly
increased by distress of mind, he adds, “ It will be after
the 12th day before I can be at Berwick; and almost I
am determined not to come at all. Ye know the cause.
God be more merciful unto some, than they are equitable
unto me in judgment. The testimony of my conscience
absolves me, before his face who looks not upon the
presence of man.” These extracts shew us the heart of
the writer; they discover the sensibility of his temper,
the keenness of his feelings, and his pride and independ¬
ence of spirit struggling with affection to his relations,
and a sense of duty.
About the end of November, or beginning of De¬
cember, he returned from the south to Newcastle. The
Parliament had by this time repealed all the laws made
in favour of the Reformation, and restored the Roman
Catholic religion ; but liberty was reserved, to such
as pleased, to observe the Protestant worship, until the
20th of December. After that period they were thrown
put of the protection of the law, and exposed to the
pains decreed against heretics. Many of the bishops and
ministers were committed to prison; others had escaped