me.

this was my single aim, if I might by any means gain over their souls to the Lord. My motive for speaking freely and plainly whatever the Lord gave me to say, without respect of persons, was nothing but reverence to that God, who called me by his grace, and made me the dispenser of his divine mysteries; before whose tribunal I knew I must one day stand, to give account for my discharge of that embassy and commission wherewith he had invested Wherefore I profess, before God and his holy angels, that I have never knowingly adulterated his sacred word, held back any of his counsel from my people, studied to please men, or given way to my own or others corrupt affections or secular interest; but have faithfully expended the talents committed to me, for the good of the church over whom I was in the Lord. To the truth of this, my conscience beareth testimony, which is a comfort to me, notwithstanding the various slanders which some have made it their business to cast upon me. And do ye, my dearest brethren in the faith and labour of Jesus, persist in the everlasting truths of his gospel: look diligently to the flocks, with whose oversight God hath intrusted you; and which he hath redeemed to himself by the blood of his Son. And do you, my brother Luson, fight the good fight, and finish the work of God, to which you are called, with alacrity and faithfulness. May God shower down his blessing from on high, upon you and your several charges in this city! which, so long as they continue to hold fast those doctrines of truth which they have heard of me, the gates of hell shall never be able to prevail against. And beware of those, who have not only opposed the royal government, but even forsaken the truth which they once professed: against whom I denounce, that, unless they sincerely repent, and return to the good way which they have left, they shall one day, miserably perish in soul and body. I would say more, but cannot, as I am scarce

able to draw my breath." With these words he dismissed them: and afterwards spoke in private to those who attended him, to admonish one Grange, on whom that judgment afterwards fell, which Knox had predicted. He was then visited by the chief nobility of the town, among whom was Lord Morton, afterwards viceroy of the kingdom, as also by some godly ladies of the first quality: none of whom he suffered to depart, without a word of comfort or exhortation, as their separate cases required.

Perceiving death to approach nearer and nearer, he gave orders for his coffin to be made: after which, he burst forth to this effect: "Lord Jesus, sweetest Saviour, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Look, I beseech thee, with favour, upon this church which thou hast redeemed, and restore peace to this afflicted commonwealth. Raise up pastors after thine own heart, who may take care of thy church; and grant that we may learn, as well from the blessings as from the chastisements of thy providence, to abhor sin, and love thee with full purpose of heart." Then, turning to those about him, he said, "O wait on the Lord with fear, and death will not be terrible: yea, blessed and holy will their death be, who are interested in the death of the Son of God." Being asked by an intimate friend, "whether he felt much pain?" he replied, "I cannot look upon that as pain which brings on the end of mortality and trouble, and is the beginning of life." Having then ordered those passages of scripture, abovementioned, to be distinctly read to him, he repeated the Lord's Prayer and the Apostles' Creed; enlarging, as he went on, most sweetly and spiritually, upon each of the separate petitions and articles, to the great comfort and edification of them that were by. Afterwards, lifting up his hands towards heaven, he cried out, "To thee, Lord, do I commit myself. Thou knowest how intense my pains are, but I do not complain: yea, Lord, if

such be thy will concerning me, I could be content to bear these pains for many years together: only do thou continue to enlighten my mind through Christ Jesus." He passed that night with more ease and complacency, than usual: the 15th chapter of 1 Cor. being frequently read to him, at his own desire: which being done, he would cry out, "O what sweet and heavenly consolations does my Lord afford me, from this blessed chapter!" But, when one of his eyes grew blind, and his speech began to fail, he cried, faintly, "Turn to the 17th of St. John, and read it carefully; for there I have cast my anchor." When that was read, he rested a little: but soon began to utter very heavy groans and deep sighs; so that the by-standers plainly perceived he was grappling with some very great temptation. There were, at this time, present in the room, one John Johnson, a holy man, and Robert Campbell, a great friend to the gospel, Mrs. Knox, and others; who, observing his agonies, thought him to be in the pains of death. At length, however, contrary to their expectation, he recovered, like one awaked from sleep and, being asked how he did, answered, "Many have been my conflicts with satan, in the course of my frail life, and many the assaults which I have sustained: but that roaring lion never beset me so furiously and forcibly as now. Often has he set my sins in array before me; often has he tempted me to despair, and often strove to ensnare me with the enticements of the world: but, I being enabled to hew his snares in pieces with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, he was not able to prevail against me. But now he has found out a new way. That crafty serpent has endeavoured to persuade me, that, because I have faithfully and successfully discharged my ministerial office, I am on that account deserving of eternal life and an happy immortality. But God was pleased to make me triumphant over this temptation also, by powerfully

suggesting to my memory those texts, What hast thou, that thou didst not receive? And, by the grace of God, I am what I am: and, Not I, but the grace of God which was with me: and others, with which I foiled the enemy, and quenched his fiery darts. I thank my God, therefore, through Christ, who has vouchsafed me the victory; and I have a certain persuasion in my own breast, that satan shall not be permitted to return, or molest me any more, in my passage to glory: but that I shall, without any pain of body, or agony of soul, sweetly and peacefully exchange this wretched life for that blessed and immortal one, which is through Christ Jesus." Then evening prayers were said; and being asked, whether he could hear them distinctly? he answered, "Would to God you all heard with such ears, and perceived with the same mind, as I am enabled to do! And now, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Whereupon certain symptoms of immediate death appearing, he was desired to give some sign, whereby they might know, that he died in the stedfast belief and enjoyment of those gospel truths, which he had taught when living; and, likewise, of his comfortable assurance of a blissful immortality through Christ. On which, as if he had received fresh strength, he triumphantly lifted up his hand toward heaven, and continued waving it for a considerable time; and then quietly departed to the rest which remaineth for the people of God, on Nov. 24, 1572, about eleven o'clock at night.

11

LIFE

OF

MR. FOX, THE MARTYROLOGIST.

MR. John Fox was born at Boston, in Lincolnshire, A. D. 1517; the very year when Luther began the reformation in Germany.

His father died when he was very young; and his mother marrying again, he came under the tutelage of a father-in-law: with whom he dwelt until the age of sixteen, at which time he was entered of Brasen Nose College, Oxford; and was chamber fellow with the celebrated Dr. Alexander Nowel, afterwards dean of St. Paul's. Mr. Fox plied his academical studies with equal assiduity, improvement, and applause. In 1538, he took the degree of Bachelor in Arts; and that of Master in 1543. The same year, he was elected Fellow of Magdalen College.

When he first removed to the university, and for some time after, he was strongly attached to the heresies and superstitions of popery. To his zeal for these, he added a life strictly regular and moral: and, laughing at the idea of justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ, thought himself sufficiently safe in the imaginary merit of his own self-denial, penances, alms-deeds and compliances with the rites of the church.

But he was a chosen vessel; and, therefore, divine grace would not let him remain a pharisee. Through the effectual breathings of God's holy Spirit, his stu

Biogr. Britannica.