Coming acquainted with the famous Mr. George Wishart (afterwards martyred for the protestant faith), it pleased God so to bless the conversation of that holy man to Mr. Knox, that it issued in the effectual conversion of the latter: who, being very honest, and very courageous, published a confession of his faith, at Edinburgh, in which he boldly and clearly avowed the blessed principles of the reformation. The Romish bishops and clergy, alarmed at the open defection of so eminent a man, and who had taken priest's orders in their church but a few years before, endeavoured first to suppress his book, and then to seize the author himself. He was accordingly apprehended, and condemned to suffer death; but by the good providence of God, being set at liberty, he left his native country and retired to Berwick, from whence he proceeded to Newcastle, and then to Warwick; in all which places, he preached the gospel in its purity, with great zeal and unremitting labour, and with success equal to both; so that his name now became more public and diffused than ever.

Edward VI. was then king of England. The fame of Mr. Knox soon reached the ears of that excellent prince; who showed him no small favour and encouragement. His majesty first made him his own chaplain, and then licensed him as one of the six itinerant ministers, who were empowered to preach the gospel in all places throughout the kingdom. In process of time Edward offered him a bishopric; which, however, Mr. Knox declined to accept.

That hopeful and pious king dying, A. D. 1553, his sister Mary succeeded to the crown, whereby the reformation here, bade fair for being extinguished, almost as soon as lighted: many great and learned men, as well as others, being put to death; and those, who could, securing their lives by voluntary banishment. Among the latter, Knox was one;

who fled first to Francfort; and from thence to Geneva, the common asylum of distressed Christians. There he enjoyed the intimacy of Calvin, and spent his time chiefly in preaching, and comforting the afflicted exiles.

A. D. 1559, he returned into his own country; where he again preached the truth, with incredible power and success. Although the French faction was at that time very powerful in Scotland, and the devil's emissaries strove hard to ruin the protestant interest in that kingdom; yet Knox continued resolute, laborious, and undaunted as ever; solidly and unanswerably, both by his writings and from the pulpit, asserting, that Christ alone is the foundation of our acceptance with God, and his obedience the only meritorious cause of our justification. But as our Lord himself and his apostles underwent hatred, banishment, and persecution; so was Knox obliged to leave Edinburgh, and repair to St. Andrew's ; whither when he came, he met with many adversaries.

About this time, viz. in the year 1572, in the month of August, such a scene opened in France, as scarce any history can parallel: I mean the massacre at Paris; where, beginning with admiral Coligni, it so raged against all who held the truth, without regard to age, sex, or quality, that it was truly said, there was more blood than wine spilt at that Thyestaan marriage.

This dreadful slaughter gave the deepest concern to Mr. Knox, as it did every where to all lovers of the gospel; and added fresh weight to his former sorrows. But shortly after, matters taking a more favourable turn in Edinburgh, many who had been banished thence, returned: and among the rest, Knox was invited back, by letters from the parliament. Thither, therefore, he came, accompanied by a great number of godly and learned men; and had not been there long, before he entered on his

ministerial office, and preached publicly to the people. But as his voice was rather low and weak, he could not be well heard by the prodigious multitudes that attended. On which, he besought the parliament to furnish him with a place more commodious which being granted, he preached some sermons to the people on the sufferings of Christ, from the 26th of Matthew; often beseeching God, to take him home while he was in that exercise.

Still continuing unable to supply the cure of so large a church, especially as his body was much weakened and emaciated by study and fatigue, and the hardships he had formerly undergone; leave was given to the people of Edinburgh, to choose him such an assistant, as Knox and they should deem most capable and worthy, and to present him, when chosen, to the ecclesiastical synod, for their approbation and licence. By common consent, Mr. James Luson, of the university of Aberdeen, was the person pitched upon; and he was accordingly invited by letters from the city, and from Mr. Knox: who perceiving in himself that the time of his departure was at hand, among many arguments he made use of to quicken Luson's pace, said, in the postscript of one of his letters; "make haste my brother; else you will come too late to see me alive.'

The good man being arrived at Edinburgh, and having preached several times in public, was on the 5th of November, 1572, declared by Knox, to be pastor of that church. In that assembly, Knox took occasion of preaching his last sermon, and of telling the people how many and great things God had done for him, and what deliverances he had wrought in his behalf; and likewise reminded them, with how much diligence and faithfulness he had preached the gospel to them: and congratulated the church of Edinburgh on the favour God showed them, by deputing so able a minister to succeed him; adding, at the same time, most fervent prayers for the tem

poral and spiritual prosperity both of him and them; wishing them an abundant increase of grace, and a continual supply of the Holy Ghost. In conclusion, he blessed the people with greater liveliness than he had ever done before; i. e. with a more cheerful mind, though with a very feeble body.Then he walked home, leaning on his stick, and accompanied by the greater part of the congregation. Thus he returned to his house, out of which he never after came alive.

The next day he was seized with a violent cough; breathing continually with more and more difficulty, until he breathed his last. When his friends advised him to send for some physicians, he smilingly consented: saying, "I would not either despise, or neglect ordinary means; but of this I am certain, that God will shortly put an end to my warfare below."

The day after, he ordered his servants to be paid their wages; whom at the same time he earnestly exhorted, "to walk in the fear of the Lord; and to live so, as became Christians educated in that family." His disorder growing worse and worse, he was forced to pretermit his ordinary method of reading; which used to be, every day, some chapters of the New Testament, and in the Old, particularly the Psalms; and some useful portion of ecclesiastical history. In the mean while, he requested his wife (Margaret Stewart, a devout woman, and a most affectionate partner of his faith and cares), and Richard Ballantine, his servant, who was always very dear to him for his remarkable piety, that they would take care to read to him, every day while he lived, the 17th chapter of St. John's gospel, one or other of the chapters of the epistle to the Ephesians, and the 53d chapter of Isaiah; which injunction they never once omitted.

He was always peculiarly fond of the book of Psalms, God having greatly blessed them to his soul.

With some select portions of those admirable compositions, he was much comforted in life, and strengthened in death.

The day following, he rose from his bed by seven o'clock; and being asked, "Why, when he was so weak and sick, he would not rather choose to rest himself?" He answered, "I have been this whole night taken up with the meditation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ my Lord; and would with joy get into the pulpit, that I might communicate to others, the comfort I have inwardly enjoyed from reflecting on that blessed subject." So intent was he on the work of the Lord, even to his last breath; and when, for want of strength, he could scarce be lifted out of bed by the assistance of two servants!

A few days after, he sent for all the ministers of the several churches in Edinburgh, to whom, being assembled round his bed, he thus addressed himself: "That day is now at hand, which I have so often and intensely longed for; in which, having finished my labours, and gone through my various sorrows, I shall be dissolved and be with Christ. And I appeal to God, whom I have served in the spirit in the gospel of his Son, that I have taught nothing but the true and solid doctrines of his word; having made this my main view, through the whole course of my ministry, to instruct the ignorant; to edify and comfort believers; lift up and confirm with the promises of grace, those who were weak, fearful, and doubting, through the fear of wrath and consciousness of sin; and to beat down haughty rebellious sinners with the threatenings and terrors of the Lord. And although many have frequently complained of my harshness in preaching, yet God knows, that I did not thus deal out thunders and severity, from hatred to the persons of any though this I will acknowledge, that the sins in which they indulge themselves, were the objects of my keenest hatred and resentment; and, in my whole ministry,