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

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LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
impressions, he repeated his former admonitions to his
mother-in-law, including his wife; over whose religious
constancy he was tenderly jealous. “By pen will I
write, because the bodies are put asunder to meet again
at God’s pleasure, that which by mouth, and face to
face, ye have heard. That if man or angel labour to
bring you back from the confession that once you have
given, let them in that behalf be accursed. If any
trouble you above measure, whether they be magistrates
or carnal friends, they shall bear their just condemna¬
tion, unless they speedily repent. But now, mother,
comfort you my heart (God grant ye may) in this my
great affliction and dolorous pilgrimage; continue stoutly
to the end, and bow you never before that idol, and so
will the rest of worldly troubles be unto me more toler¬
able. With my own heart I oft commune, yea, and, as
it were, comforting myself, I appear to triumph, that
God shall not suffer you to fall in that rebuke. Sure I
am, that both ye would fear and eshame to commit that
abomination in my presence, who am but a wretched
man, subject to sin and misery like to yourself. But, 0
mother! though no earthly creature should be offended
with you, yet fear ye the presence and offence of Him,
who, present in all places, searcheth the very heart and
reins, whose indignation, once kindled against the in-
obedient,—and no sin more inflameth his wrath than idol¬
atry doth,—no creature in heaven nor in earth is able to
appease.”
He was in this state of mind when he composed the
Admonition to England, which was published about the
end of this year. Those who have censured him, as
indulging in an excessive vehemence of spirit and bitter¬
ness of language, usually refer to this tract in support of
the charge. It is true that he there paints the persecut¬
ing papists in the blackest colours, and holds them up
as objects of human execration and divine vengeance. I
do not stop here to inquire whether he was chargeable
with transgressing the bounds of moderation prescribed