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

LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
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the well known fact that three, four, or five benefices
had been occupied by one man, to the depriving of the
flock of Christ of their necessary food.
This free reprimand was much stomached by those
against whom it was levelled, especially by such as had
held pluralities in England, who complained that the
preacher had slandered their mother church. Loud
complaints being made against the sermon, a special
meeting was appointed to consider them. At this meet¬
ing, instead of prosecuting their complaints, the friends
of the liturgy began with insisting, that Dr. Cox and his
friends should be admitted to a vote. This was resisted
by the great majority; because they had not yet sub¬
scribed the discipline of the church, nor given satisfac¬
tion for their late disorderly conduct, and for their sin¬
ful compliances in England. The behaviour of our
countryman, on this occasion, was more remarkable for
moderation and magnanimity, than for prudence. Al¬
though aware of their hostility to himself, and that they
sought admission chiefly to overpower him by numbers,
he was so confident of the justice of his cause, and
anxious to remove prejudices, that he entreated and pre¬
vailed with the meeting to yield, and admit them pre¬
sently to a vote. This disinterestedness was thrown
away on the opposite party: no sooner were they ad¬
mitted, and had obtained a majority of voices, than
Cox, although he had no authority in the congregation,
discharged Knox from preaching, and from all interfer¬
ence with congregational affairs.
The great body of the congregation were indignant at
these proceedings; and there was some reason to fear
that their mutual animosity would break out into some
disgraceful disorder. A representation of the circum¬
stances having been made to the magistrates of Frank¬
fort, they, after in vain recommending a private accom¬
modation, issued an order that the congregation should
conform exactly to the worship used by the French
church, as nothing but confusion had ensued since they
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