Life of John Knox - M'Crie - XV - Period 8 concluded

Required reading
The life of John Knox by Thomas M'Crie (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Period 8.

My summary
Today M'Crie concludes his biography with a few reflections on the life of John Knox.

Firstly we are given some quotes from Knox's contemporaries, including Theodore de Beza, Ridley and James VI.

Then we are given an outline of Knox's character including his:
(i) knowledge of the scriptures;
(ii) reputation;
(iii) physical constitution;
(iv) prophetic utterances;
(v) family;
(vi) writings.

What grabbed me
I think M'Crie did an excellent job of defending Knox from potential criticism: 'To those who complain, that they are disappointed at not finding, in our national Reformer, a mild demeanour, courteous manners and a winning address, we may say, in the language of our Lord to the Jews concerning the Baptist, — " What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? What went ye out for to see ? A man clothed in soft raiment ? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to see ? A prophet ? Yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet." Those talents which fit a person for acting with propriety and usefulness in one age and situation, would altogether unfit him for another. Before the Reformation, superstition, shielded by ignorance and armed with power, governed with gigantic sway. Men of mild spirits, and gentle manners, would have been as unfit for taking the field against this enemy, as a dwarf or a child for encountering a giant. "What did Erasmus in the days of Luther? What would Lowth have done in the days of Wicliffe, or Blair in those of Knox?" It has been justly observed concerning our Reformer, that "those very qualities which now render his character less amiable, fitted him to be the instrument of Providence for advancing the Reformation among a fierce people, and enabled him to face danger, and surmount opposition, from which a person of a more gentle spirit would have been apt to shrink back." Viewing his character in this light, if we cannot regard him as an amiable man, we may, without hesitation, pronounce him a Great Reformer. '

A man suited perfectly for his times.

One sentence final verdict
M'Crie faithfully holds up Knox as a good example of a fearless defender of the faith.

Next week's reading
Begin Robert Murray M'Cheyne by Andrew Bonar (Available from Amazon or free here) by commencing Chapter 1 (His youth and preparation for the ministry) and read up to the paragraph beginning 'April 8.-Have found much rest in him who bore all our burdens for us.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.