The life of John Knox by Thomas M'Crie (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Period 8 by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'The General Assembly being appointed to meet at Perth on the 6th August, he too his leave of them in a letter....'
After an assassination attempt, Knox leaves Edinburgh for safety and resides at St Andrews. The General Assembly continues to reform the church, particularly church government.
Next Knox returns to Edinburgh but with declining health. A successor, James Lawson, is appointed and Knox health deteriorates until today's reading concludes with his death.
Good, albeit long, summary of Knox's life: 'He died in the sixty-seventh year of his age not so much oppressed with years, as worn out and exhausted by his extraordinary labours of body and anxieties of mind. Few men ever were exposed to more dangers, or underwent such hardships. From the time that he embraced the Reformed religion, till he breathed his last, seldom did he enjoy a respite from these; and he emerged from one scene of difficulties, only to be involved in another, and a more distressing one. Obliged to flee from St. Andrew's to escape the fury of Cardinal Beaton, he found a retreat in East Lothian, from which he was hunted by Archbishop Hamilton. He lived for several years as an outlaw, in daily apprehension of falling a prey to those who eagerly sought his life. The few months during which he enjoyed protection in the castle of St. Andrew's, were succeeded by a long and rigorous captivity. After enjoying some repose in England, he was again driven into banishment, and for five years wandered as an exile on the Continent. When be returned to his native country, it was to engage in a struggle of the most perilous and arduous kind. After the Reformation was established, and he was settled in the capital, he was involved in a continual contest with the Court When he had retired from warfare, and thought only of ending his days in peace, he was again called into the field; and although scarcely able to walk, was obliged to remove from his flock, and to avoid the hatred of his enemies, by submitting to a new banishment. Often had his life been threatened; a price was publicly set upon his head; and persons were not wanting who were disposed to attempt his destruction. No wonder that he was weary of the world, and anxious to depart. With great propriety might it be said, at his decease, that " e rested from his labours."
On Wednesday the 26th of November, he was interred in the churchyard of St. Giles. His funeral was attended by the newly-elected Regent Morton, the nobility who were in the city, and a great concourse of people. When his body was laid in the grave, the Regent pronounced his eulogium, in the well-known words, "There lies He, who never feared the face of man."'
I would have to say that the last sentence probably should have had the words 'or woman' added to it!
Conclude Period 8.
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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