47，orii。26。
ThereisnoevidenceastohowtheReformer’sexplanationswerereceived，andindeeditismostprobablethattheletterwasnevershowntoElizabethatall。ForitwassentundercoverofanothertoCecil，andasitwasnotofaverycourtlyconceptionthroughout，andwas，ofallthings，whatwouldmostexcitetheQueen’suneasyjealousyabouthertitle，itislikeenoughthatthesecretaryexercisedhisdiscretionhehadKnox’sleaveinthiscase，anddidnotalwayswaitforthat，itisreputedtoputtheletterharmlesslyawaybesideothervaluelessorunpresentableStatePapers。Iwonderverymuchifhedidthesamewithanother，1writtentwoyearslater，afterMaryhadcomeintoScotland，inwhichKnoxalmostseekstomakeElizabethanaccomplicewithhiminthematterofthe“FirstBlast。”TheQueenofScotlandisgoingtohavethatworkrefuted，hetellsher；and“thoughitwerebutfoolishnessinhimtoprescribeuntoherMajestywhatistobedone。”hewouldyetremindherthatMaryisneithersomuchalarmedaboutherownsecurity，norsogenerouslyinterestedinElizabeth’s，“thatshewouldtakesuchpains，UNLESSHERCRAFTYCOUNSELINSO
DOINGSHOTATAFURTHERMARK。”Thereissomethingreallyingeniousinthisletter；itshowedKnoxinthedoublecapacityoftheauthorofthe“FirstBlast“andthefaithfulfriendofElizabeth；andhecombinesthemtheresonaturally，thatonewouldscarcelyimaginethetwotobeincongruous。
1KnoxtoQueenElizabeth，August6th，1561。Works，vi。
126。
Twentydayslaterhewasdefendinghisintemperatepublicationtoanotherqueen-hisownqueen，MaryStuart。
Thiswasonthefirstofthosethreeinterviewswhichhehaspreservedforuswithsomuchdramaticvigourinthepicturesquepagesofhishistory。Afterhehadavowedtheauthorshipinhisusualhaughtystyle，Maryasked：“Youthink，then，thatIhavenojustauthority？“Thequestionwasevaded。“PleaseyourMajesty。”heanswered，“thatlearnedmeninallageshavehadtheirjudgmentsfree，andmostcommonlydisagreeingfromthecommonjudgmentoftheworld；suchalsohavetheypublishedbypenandtongue；andyetnotwithstandingtheythemselveshavelivedinthecommonsocietywithothers，andhavebornepatientlywiththeerrorsandimperfectionswhichtheycouldnotamend。”Thusdid“Platothephilosopher：“thuswilldoJohnKnox。“Ihavecommunicatedmyjudgmenttotheworld：iftherealmfindsnoinconveniencefromtheregimentofawoman，thatwhichtheyapprove，shallInotfurtherdisallowthanwithinmyownbreast；butshallbeaswellcontenttoliveunderyourGrace，asPaulwastoliveunderNero。Andmyhopeis，thatsolongasyedefilenotyourhandswiththebloodofthesaintsofGod，neitherInormybookshallhurteitheryouoryourauthority。”Allthisisadmirableinwisdomandmoderation，and，exceptthathemighthavehituponacomparisonlessoffensivethanthatwithPaulandNero，hardlytobebettered。Havingsaidthusmuch，hefeelsheneedssaynomore；andso，whenheisfurtherpressed，heclosesthatpartofthediscussionwithanastonishingsally。
Ifhehasbeencontenttoletthismattersleep，hewouldrecommendherGracetofollowhisexamplewiththankfulnessofheart；itisgrimlytobeunderstoodwhichofthemhasmosttofearifthequestionshouldbereawakened。Sothetalkwanderedtoothersubjects。Only，whentheQueenwassummonedatlasttodinner“foritwasafternoon“Knoxmadehissalutationinthisformofwords：“IprayGod，Madam，thatyoumaybeasmuchblessedwithintheCommonwealthofScotland，ifitbethepleasureofGod，aseverDeborahwasintheCommonwealthofIsrael。”1Deborahagain。
1Knox’sWorks，ii。278-280。
Buthewasnotyetdonewiththeechoesofhisown“FirstBlast。”In1571，whenhewasalreadynearhisend，theoldcontroversywastakenupinoneofaseriesofanonymouslibelsagainsttheReformeraffixed，SundayafterSunday，tothechurchdoor。Thedilemmawasfairlyenoughstated。
Eitherhisdoctrineisfalse，inwhichcaseheisa“falsedoctor“andseditious；or，ifitbetrue，whydoeshe“avowandapprovethecontrare，ImeanthatregimentintheQueenofEngland’sperson；whichheavowethandapproveth，notonlyprayingforthemaintenanceofherestate，butalsoprocuringheraidandsupportagainsthisownnativecountry？“Knoxansweredthelibel，ashiswontwas，nextSunday，fromthepulpit。Hejustifiedthe“FirstBlast“withalltheoldarrogance；thereisnodrawingbackthere。Theregimentofwomenisrepugnanttonature，contumelytoGod，andasubversionofgoodorder，asbefore。WhenhepraysforthemaintenanceofElizabeth’sestate，heisonlyfollowingtheexampleofthoseprophetsofGodwhowarnedandcomfortedthewickedkingsofIsrael；orofJeremiah，whobadetheJewsprayfortheprosperityofNebuchadnezzar。AsfortheQueen’said，thereisnoharminthat：QUIAthesearehisownwordsQUIAOMNIAMUNDAMUNDIS：becausetothepureallthingsarepure。Onething，inconclusion，he“maynotpretermit“togivethelieinthethroattohisaccuser，wherehechargeshimwithseekingsupportagainsthisnativecountry。“WhatIhavebeentomycountry。”saidtheoldReformer，“WhatIhavebeentomycountry，albeitthisunthankfulagewillnotknow，yettheagestocomewillbecompelledtobearwitnesstothetruth。AndthusIcease，requiringofallmenthathaveanythingtoopponeagainstme，thathemaytheymaydoitsoplainly，asthatImaymakemyselfandallmydoingsmanifesttotheworld。Fortomeitseemethathingunreasonable，that，inthismydecrepitage，Ishallbecompelledtofightagainstshadows，andhowletsthatdarenotabidethelight。”1
1Calderwood’sHISTORYOFTHEKIRKOFScotland，editionoftheWodrowSociety，iii。51-54。
Now，inthis，whichmaybecalledhisLASTBLAST，thereisassharpspeakingasanyinthe“FirstBlast“itself。Heisofthesameopiniontotheend，yousee，althoughhehasbeenobligedtocloakandgarblethatopinionforpoliticalends。
Hehasbeentackingindeed，andhehasindeedbeenseekingthefavourofaqueen；butwhatmaneversoughtaqueen’sfavourwithamorevirtuouspurpose，orwithaslittlecourtlypolicy？Thequestionofconsistencyisdelicate，andmustbemadeplain。Knoxneverchangedhisopinionaboutfemalerule，butlivedtoregretthathehadpublishedthatopinion。Doubtlesshehadmanythoughtssofaroutoftherangeofpublicsympathy，thathecouldonlykeepthemtohimself，and，inhisownwords，bearpatientlywiththeerrorsandimperfectionsthathecouldnotamend。Forexample，Imakenodoubtmyselfthat，inhisownheart，hedidholdtheshockingdogmaattributedtohimbymorethanonecalumniator；andthat，hadthetimebeenripe，hadtherebeenaughttogainbyit，insteadofalltolose，hewouldhavebeenthefirsttoassertthatScotlandwaselectiveinsteadofhereditary-“electiveasinthedaysofpaganism。”asoneThevetsaysinholyhorror。1Andyet，becausethetimewasnotripe，Ifindnohintofsuchanideainhiscollectedworks。Now，theregimentofwomenwasanothermatterthatheshouldhavekepttohimself；rightorwrong，hisopiniondidnotfitthemoment；rightorwrong，asAylmerputsit，“theBLASTwasblownoutofseason。”AndthisitwasthathebegantoperceiveaftertheaccessionofElizabeth；notthathehadbeenwrong，andthatfemalerulewasagoodthing，forhehadsaidfromthefirstthat“thefelicityofsomewomenintheirempires“couldnotchangethelawofGodandthenatureofcreatedthings；notthis，butthattheregimentofwomenwasoneofthoseimperfectionsofsocietywhichmustbebornewithbecauseyettheycannotberemedied。Thethinghadseemedsoobvioustohim，inhissenseofunspeakablemasculinesuperiority，andhisfinecontemptforwhatisonlysanctionedbyantiquityandcommonconsent，hehadimaginedthat，atthefirsthint，menwouldariseandshakeoffthedebasingtyranny。Hefoundhimselfwrong，andheshowedthathecouldbemoderateinhisownfashion，andunderstoodthespiritoftruecompromise。HecameroundtoCalvin’sposition，infact，butbyadifferentway。Anditderogatesnothingfromthemeritofthiswiseattitudethatitwastheconsequenceofachangeofinterest。
Wearealltaughtbyinterest；andiftheinterestbenotmerelyselfish，thereisnowiserpreceptorunderheaven，andperhapsnosterner。
1BAYLE’SHISTORICALDICTIONARY，art。Knox，remarkG。
SuchisthehistoryofJohnKnox’sconnectionwiththecontroversyaboutfemalerule。Initself，thisisobviouslyanincompletestudy；notfullytobeunderstood，withoutaknowledgeofhisprivaterelationswiththeothersex，andwhathethoughtoftheirpositionindomesticlife。Thisshallbedealtwithinanotherpaper。
II-PRIVATELIFE。
TOthosewhoknowKnoxbyhearsayonly，Ibelievethematterofthispaperwillbesomewhatastonishing。Forthehardenergyofthemaninallpublicmattresshaspossessedtheimaginationoftheworld；heremainsforposterityincertaintraditionalphrases，browbeatingQueenMary，orbreakingbeautifulcarvedworkinabbeysandcathedrals，thathadlongsmokedthemselvesoutandwerenomorethansorryruins，whilehewasstillquietlyteachingchildreninacountrygentleman’sfamily。Itdoesnotconsistwiththecommonacceptationofhischaractertofancyhimmuchmoved，exceptwithanger。Andyetthelanguageofpassioncametohispenasreadily，whetheritwasapassionofdenunciationagainstsomeoftheabusesthatvexedhisrighteousspirit，orofyearningforthesocietyofanabsentfriend。Hewasvehementinaffection，asindoctrine。Iwillnotdenythattheremayhavebeen，alongwithhisvehemence，somethingshifty，andforthemomentonly；that，likemanymen，andmanyScotchmen，hesawtheworldandhisownheart，notsomuchunderanyverysteady，equablelight，asbyextremeflashesofpassion，trueforthemoment，butnottrueinthelongrun。TheredoesseemtometobesomethingofthistraceableintheReformer’sutterances：precipitationandrepentance，hardyspeechandactionsomewhatcircumspect，astrongtendencytoseehimselfinaheroiclightandtoplaceareadybeliefinthedispositionofthemoment。Withalhehadconsiderableconfidenceinhimself，andintheuprightnessofhisowndisciplinedemotions，underlyingmuchsincereaspirationafterspiritualhumility。Anditisthisconfidencethatmakeshisintercoursewithwomensointerestingtoamodern。Itwouldbeeasy，ofcourse，tomakefunofthewholeaffair，topicturehimstruttingvaingloriouslyamongtheseinferiorcreatures，orcompareareligiousfriendshipinthesixteenthcenturywithwhatwascalled，Ithink，aliteraryfriendshipintheeighteenth。
Butitismorejustandprofitabletorecognisewhatthereissterlingandhumanunderneathallhistheoreticalaffectationsofsuperiority。Women，hehassaidinhis“FirstBlast。”are，“weak，frail，impatient，feeble，andfoolish；“andyetitdoesnotappearthathewashimselfanylessdependentthanothermenuponthesympathyandaffectionoftheseweak，frail，impatient，feeble，andfoolishcreatures；itseemsevenasifhehadbeenrathermoredependentthanmost。
Ofthosewhoaretoactinfluentiallyontheirfellows，weshouldexpectalwayssomethinglargeandpublicintheirwayoflife，somethingmoreorlessurbaneandcomprehensiveintheirsentimentforothers。Weshouldnotexpecttoseethemspendtheirsympathyinidyls，howeverbeautiful。Weshouldnotseekthemamongthosewho，iftheyhavebutawifetotheirbosom，asknomoreofwomankind，justastheyasknomoreoftheirownsex，iftheycanfindafriendortwofortheirimmediateneed。Theywillbequicktofeelallthepleasuresofourassociation-notthegreatonesalone，butall。Theywillknownotloveonly，butallthoseotherwaysinwhichmanandwomanmutuallymakeeachotherhappy-bysympathy，byadmiration，bytheatmospheretheybearaboutthem-downtothemereimpersonalpleasureofpassinghappyfacesinthestreet。For，throughallthisgradation，thedifferenceofsexmakesitselfpleasurablyfelt。Downtothemostlukewarmcourtesiesoflife，thereisaspecialchivalrydueandaspecialpleasurereceived，whenthetwosexesarebroughteversolightlyintocontact。Weloveourmothersotherwisethanweloveourfathers；asisterisnotasabrothertous；andfriendshipbetweenmanandwoman，beitneversounalloyedandinnocent，isnotthesameasfriendshipbetweenmanandman。Suchfriendshipisnotevenpossibleforall。Toconjointendernessforawomanthatisnotfarshortofpassionatewithsuchdisinterestednessandbeautifulgratuityofaffectionasthereisbetweenfriendsofthesamesex，requiresnoordinarydispositionintheman。
Foreitheritwouldpresupposequitewomanlydelicacyofperception，and，asitwere，acuriosityinshadesofdifferingsentiment；oritwouldmeanthathehadacceptedthelarge，simpledivisionsofsociety：astrongandpositivespiritrobustlyvirtuous，whohaschosenabetterpartcoarsely，andholdstoitsteadfastly，withallitsconsequencesofpaintohimselfandothers；asonewhoshouldgostraightbeforehimonajourney，neithertemptedbywaysideflowersnorveryscrupulousofsmalllivesunderfoot。ItwasinvirtueofthislatterdispositionthatKnoxwascapableofthoseintimacieswithwomenthatembellishedhislife；andwefindhimpreservedforusinoldlettersasamanofmanywomenfriends；amanofsomeexpansiontowardtheothersex；amaneverreadytocomfortweepingwomen，andtoweepalongwiththem。
Ofsuchscrapsandfragmentsofevidenceastohisprivatelifeandmoreintimatethoughtsashavesurvivedtousfromalltheperilsthatenvironwrittenpaper，anastonishinglylargeproportionisintheshapeofletterstowomenofhisfamiliarity。Hewastwicemarried，butthatisnotgreatlytothepurpose；fortheTurk，whothinksevenmoremeanlyofwomenthanJohnKnox，isnonethelessgiventomarrying。
Whatisreallysignificantisquiteapartfrommarriage。ForthemanKnoxwasatrueman，andwoman，theEWIG-WEIBLICHE，wasasnecessarytohim，inspiteofalllowtheories，asevershewastoGoethe。Hecametoherinacertainhaloofhisown，astheministeroftruth，justasGoethecametoherinagloryofart；hemadehimselfnecessarytotroubledheartsandmindsexercisedinthepainfulcomplicationsthatnaturallyresultfromallchangesintheworld’swayofthinking；andthosewhomhehadthushelpedbecamedeartohim，andweremadethechosencompanionsofhisleisureiftheywereathand，orencouragedandcomfortedbyletteriftheywereafar。
ItmustnotbeforgottenthatKnoxhadbeenapresbyteroftheoldChurch，andthatthemanywomenwhomweshallseegatheringaroundhim，ashegoesthroughlife，hadprobablybeenaccustomed，whilestillinthecommunionofRome，torelymuchuponsomechosenspiritualdirector，sothattheintimaciesofwhichIproposetooffersomeaccount，whiletestifyingtoagoodheartintheReformer，testifyalsotoacertainsurvivalofthespiritoftheconfessionalintheReformedChurch，andarenotproperlytobejudgedwithoutthisidea。Thereisnofriendshipsonoble，butitistheproductofthetime；andaworldoflittlefinicalobservances，andlittlefrailproprietiesandfashionsofthehour，gotomakeortomar，tostintortoperfect，theunionofspiritsthemostlovingandthemostintolerantofsuchinterference。Thetrickofthecountryandtheagestepsinevenbetweenthemotherandherchild，countsouttheircaressesuponniggardlyfingers，andsays，inthevoiceofauthority，thatthisonethingshallbeamatterofconfidencebetweenthem，andthisotherthingshallnot。AndthusitisthatwemusttakeintoreckoningwhatevertendedtomodifythesocialatmosphereinwhichKnoxandhiswomenfriendsmet，andlovedandtrustedeachother。Tothemanwhohadbeentheirpriestandwasnowtheirminister，womenwouldbeabletospeakwithaconfidencequiteimpossibleintheselatterdays；thewomenwouldbeabletospeak，andthemantohear。Itwasabeatenroadjustthen；andIdaresayweshouldbenolessscandalisedattheirplainspeechthanthey，iftheycouldcomebacktoearth，wouldbeoffendedatourwaltzesandworldlyfashions。This，then，wasthefootingonwhichKnoxstoodwithhismanywomenfriends。Thereaderwillsee，ashegoeson，howmuchofwarmth，ofinterest，andofthathappymutualdependencewhichistheverygistoffriendship，hecontrivedtoingraftuponthissomewhatdryrelationshipofpenitentandconfessor。
Itmustbeunderstoodthatweknownothingofhisintercoursewithwomenasindeedweknowlittleatallabouthislife
untilhecametoBerwickin1549，whenhewasalreadyintheforty-fifthyearofhisage。AtthesametimeitisjustpossiblethatsomeofalittlegroupatEdinburgh，withwhomhecorrespondedduringhislastabsence，mayhavebeenfriendsofanolderstanding。Certainlytheywere，ofallhisfemalecorrespondents，theleastpersonallyfavoured。Hetreatsthemthroughoutinacomprehensivesortofspiritthatmustattimeshavebeenalittlewounding。Thus，heremitsoneofthemtohisformerletters，“whichItrustbecommonbetwixtyouandtherestofoursisters，fortomeyeareallequalinChrist。”1Anotherletterisageminthisway。
“Albeit“itbegins，“albeitIhavenoparticularmattertowriteuntoyou，belovedsister，yetIcouldnotrefraintowritethesefewlinestoyouindeclarationofmyremembranceofyou。TrueitisthatIhavemanywhomIbearinequalremembrancebeforeGodwithyou，towhomatpresentIwritenothing，eitherforthatIesteemthemstrongerthanyou，andthereforetheyneedthelessmyrudelabours，orelsebecausetheyhavenotprovokedmebytheirwritingtorecompensetheirremembrance。”2His“sistersinEdinburgh“hadevidentlyto“provokehisattentionprettyconstantly；nearlyallhislettersare，onthefaceofthem，answerstoquestions，andtheanswersaregivenwithacertaincruditythatIdonotfindrepeatedwhenhewritestothosehereallycaresfor。Sowhentheyconsulthimaboutwomen’sapparelasubjectonwhichhisopinionmaybeprettycorrectlyimaginedbytheingeniousreaderforhimselfhetakesoccasiontoanticipatesomeofthemostoffensivematterofthe“FirstBlast“inastyleofrealbrutality。3Itisnotmerelythathetellsthem“thegarmentsofwomendodeclaretheirweaknessandinabilitytoexecutetheofficeofman。”thoughthatinitselfisneitherverywisenorveryopportuneinsuchacorrespondenceonewouldthink；butifthereaderwilltakethetroubletowadethroughthelong，tedioussermonforhimself，hewillseeproofenoughthatKnoxneitherloved，norverydeeplyrespected，thewomenhewasthenaddressing。
Inverytruth，IbelievetheseEdinburghsisterssimplyboredhim。HehadacertaininterestinthemashischildrenintheLord；theywerecontinually“provokinghimbytheirwriting；“and，iftheyhandedhislettersabout，writingtothemwasasgoodaformofpublicationaswasthenopentohiminScotland。Thereisoneletter，however，inthisbudget，addressedtothewifeofClerk-RegisterMackgil，whichisworthyofsomefurthermention。TheClerk-Registerhadnotopenedhisheart，itwouldappear，tothepreachingoftheGospel，andMrs。Mackgilhaswritten，seekingtheReformer’sprayersinhisbehalf。“Yourhusband。”heanswers，“isdeartomeforthatheisamaninduedwithsomegoodgifts，butmoredearforthatheisyourhusband。
Charitymovethmetothirsthisillumination，bothforhiscomfortandforthetroublewhichyousustainbyhiscoldness，whichjustlymaybecalledinfidelity。”Hewishesher，however，nottohopetoomuch；hecanpromisethathisprayerswillbeearnest，butnotthattheywillbeeffectual；
itispossiblethatthisistobeher“cross“inlife；that“herhead，appointedbyGodforhercomfort，shouldbeherenemy。”Andifthisbeso，well，thereisnothingforit；
“withpatienceshemustabideGod’smercifuldeliverance。”
takingheedonlythatshedoesnot“obeymanifestiniquityforthepleasureofanymortalman。”4IconceivethisepistlewouldhavegivenaverymodifiedsortofpleasuretotheClerk-Register，haditchancedtofallintohishands。
Compareitstenor-thedryresignationnotwithoutahopeofmercifuldeliverancethereinrecommended-withthesewordsfromanotherletter，writtenbuttheyearbeforetotwomarriedwomenofLondon：“CallfirstforgracebyJesus，andthereaftercommunicatewithyourfaithfulhusbands，andthenshallGod，Idoubtnot，conductyourfootsteps，anddirectyourcounselstoHisglory。”5Herethehusbandsareputinaveryhighplace；wecanrecogniseherethesamehandthathaswrittenforourinstructionhowthemanissetabovethewoman，evenasGodabovetheangels。Butthepointofthedistinctionisplain。ForClerk-RegisterMackgilwasnotafaithfulhusband；displayed，indeed，towardsreligiona“coldnesswhichjustlymightbecalledinfidelity。”WeshallseeinmorenotableinstanceshowmuchKnox’sconceptionofthedutyofwivesvariesaccordingtothezealandorthodoxyofthehusband。
1Works，iv。244。
2Works，iv。246。
3IB。iv。225。
4Works，iv。245。
5IB。iv。221。
AsIhavesaid，hemaypossiblyhavemadetheacquaintanceofMrs。Mackgil，Mrs。Guthrie，orsomeother，orall，oftheseEdinburghfriendswhilehewasstillDouglasofLongniddry’sprivatetutor。Butourcertainknowledgebeginsin1549。HewasthenbutnewlyescapedfromhiscaptivityinFrance，afterpullinganoarfornineteenmonthsonthebenchesofthegalleyNOSTREDAME；nowuptherivers，holdingstealthyintercoursewithotherScottishprisonersinthecastleofRouen；nowoutintheNorthSea，raisinghissickheadtocatchaglimpseofthefar-offsteeplesofSt。Andrews。AndnowhewassentdownbytheEnglishPrivyCouncilasapreachertoBerwick-upon-Tweed；somewhatshakeninhealthbyallhishardships，fullofpainsandagues，andtormentedbygravel，thatsorrowofgreatmen；altogether，whatwithhisromanticstory，hisweakhealth，andhisgreatfacultyofeloquence，averynaturalobjectforthesympathyofdevoutwomen。AtthishappyjuncturehefellintothecompanyofaMrs。ElizabethBowes，wifeofRichardBowes，ofAske，inYorkshire，towhomshehadbornetwelvechildren。Shewasareligioushypochondriac，averywearifulwoman，fullofdoubtsandscruples，andgivingnorestoneartheithertoherselfortothosewhomshehonouredwithherconfidence。
FromthefirsttimesheheardKnoxpreachsheformedahighopinionofhim，andwassolicitouseverafterofhissociety。
1NorwasKnoxunresponsive。“Ihavealwaysdelightedinyourcompany。”hewrites，“andwhenlabourswouldpermit，youknowIhavenotsparedhourstotalkandcommunewithyou。”
Oftenwhentheyhadmetindepressionheremindsher，“Godhathsentgreatcomfortuntoboth。”2Wecangatherfromsuchlettersasareyetextanthowcloseandcontinuouswastheirintercourse。“Ithinkitbestyouremaintillthemorrow。”hewritesonce，“andsoshallwecommuneatlargeatafternoon。ThisdayyouknowtobethedayofmystudyandprayeruntoGod；yetifyourtroublebeintolerable，or，ifyouthinkmypresencemayreleaseyourpain，doastheSpiritshallmoveyou……Yourmessengerfoundmeinbed，afterasoretroubleandmostdolorousnight，andsodolourmaycomplaintodolourwhenwetwomeet……AndthisismoreplainthaneverIspoke，toletyouknowyouhaveacompanionintrouble。”3Oncewehavethecurtainraisedforamoment，andcanlookatthetwotogetherforthelengthofaphrase。“Afterthewritingofthispreceding。”writesKnox，“yourbrotherandmine，HarrieWycliffe，didadvertisemebywriting，thatouradversarythedeviltookoccasiontotroubleyoubecausethatIDIDSTARTBACKFROMYOUREHEARSING
YOURINFIRMITIES。IREMEMBERMYSELFSOTOHAVEDONE，AND
THATISMYCOMMONONCONSUETUDEWHENANYTHINGPIERCETHOR
TOUCHETHMYHEART。CALLTOYOURMINDWHATIDIDSTANDINGAT
THECUPBOARDATALNWICK。InverydeedIthoughtthatnocreaturehadbeentemptedasIwas；andwhenIheardproceedfromyourmouththeverysamewordsthathetroublesmewith，Ididwonderandfrommyheartlamentyoursoretrouble，knowinginmyselfthedolourthereof。”4Nowintercourseofsoverycloseadescription，whetheritbereligiousintercourseornot，isapttodispleaseanddisquietahusband；andweknowincidentallyfromKnoxhimselfthattherewassomelittlescandalabouthisintimacywithMrs。
Bowes。“Theslanderandfearofmen。”hewrites，“hasimpededmetoexercisemypensooftasIwould；YEA，VERY
SHAMEHATHHOLDENMEFROMYOURCOMPANY，WHENIWASMOST
SURELYPERSUADEDTHATGODHADAPPOINTEDMEATTHATTIMETO
COMFORTANDFEEDYOURHUNGRYANDAFFLICTEDSOUL。GODINHIS
INFINITEMERCY。”hegoeson，“REMOVENOTONLYFROMMEALL
FEARTHATTENDETHNOTTOGODLINESS，BUTFROMOTHERSSUSPICION
TOJUDGEOFMEOTHERWISETHANITBECOMETHONEMEMBERTOJUDGE
OFANOTHER。”5Andthescandal，suchasitwas，wouldnotbeallayedbythedissensioninwhichMrs。Bowesseemstohavelivedwithherfamilyuponthematterofreligion，andthecountenanceshownbyKnoxtoherresistance。Talkingoftheseconflicts，andhercourageagainst“herownfleshandmostinwardaffections，yea，againstsomeofhermostnaturalfriends。”hewritesit，“tothepraiseofGod，hehaswonderedattheboldconstancywhichhehasfoundinherwhenhisownheartwasfaint。”6
1Works，vi。514。
2IB。iii。338。
3IB。iii。352，353。
4Works，iii。350。
5IB。iii。390，391。
6Works，iii。142。
Now，perhapsinordertostopscandalousmouths，perhapsoutofadesiretobindthemuch-lovedevangelistnearertoherintheonlymannerpossible，Mrs。Bowesconceivedtheschemeofmarryinghimtoherfifthdaughter，Marjorie；andtheReformerseemstohavefalleninwithitreadilyenough。Itseemstohavebeenbelievedinthefamilythatthewholematterhadbeenoriginallymadeupbetweenthesetwo，withnoveryspontaneousinclinationonthepartofthebride。1
Knox’sideaofmarriage，asIhavesaid，wasnotthesameforallmen；butonthewhole，itwasnotlofty。Wehaveacuriousletterofhis，writtenattherequestofQueenMary，totheEarlofArgyle，onverydelicatehouseholdmatters；
which，ashetellsus，“wasnotwellacceptedofthesaidEarl。”2Wemaysuppose，however，thathisownhomewasregulatedinasimilarspirit。Icanfancythatforsuchaman，emotional，andwithaneed，nowandagain，toexerciseparsimonyinemotionsnotstrictlyneedful，somethingalittlemechanical，somethinghardandfastandclearlyunderstood，wouldenterintohisidealofahome。Therewerestormsenoughwithout，andequabilitywastobedesiredatthefiresideevenatasacrificeofdeeperpleasures。So，fromawife，ofallwomen，hewouldnotaskmuch。Onelettertoherwhichhascomedowntousis，Ihadalmostsaid，conspicuousforcoldness。3Hecallsher，ashecalledotherfemalecorrespondents，“dearlybelovedsister；“theepistleisdoctrinal，andnearlythehalfofitbears，notuponherowncase，butuponthatofhermother。However，weknowwhatHeinewroteinhiswife’salbum；andthereis，afterall，onepassagethatmaybeheldtointimatesometenderness，althougheventhatadmitsofanamusinglyoppositeconstruction。“Ithink。”hesays，“ITHINKthisbethefirstletterIeverwrotetoyou。”This，ifwearetotakeitliterally，maypairoffwiththe“twoORTHREE
children“whomMontaignementionshavinglostatnurse；theoneisaseccentricinaloverastheotherinaparent。
Nevertheless，hedisplayedmoreenergyinthecourseofhistroubledwooingthanmighthavebeenexpected。ThewholeBowesfamily，angryenoughalreadyattheinfluencehehadobtainedoverthemother，settheirfacesobduratelyagainstthematch。AndIdaresaytheoppositionquickenedhisinclination。IfindhimwritingtoMrs。Bowesthatsheneednofurthertroubleherselfaboutthemarriage；itshouldnowbehisbusinessaltogether；itbehovedhimnowtojeopardhislife“forthecomfortofhisownflesh，bothfearandfriendshipofallearthlycreaturelaidaside。”4ThisisawonderfullychivalrousutteranceforaReformerforty-eightyearsold；anditcompareswellwiththeleadencoquetriesofCalvin，notmuchoverthirty，takingthisandthatintoconsideration，weighingtogetherdowriesandreligiousqualificationsandtheinstancyoffriends，andexhibitingwhatM。Bungenercalls“anhonourableandChristiandifficulty“ofchoice，infrigidindecisionsandinsincereproposals。ButKnox’snextletterisinahumblertone；hehasnotfoundthenegotiationsoeasyashefancied；hedespairsofthemarriagealtogether，andtalksofleavingEngland，-regardsnot“whatcountryconsumeshiswickedcarcass。”“Youshallunderstand。”hesays，“thatthissixthofNovember，IspokewithSirRobertBowes“theheadofthefamily，hisbride’suncle“inthematteryouknow，accordingtoyourrequest；whosedisdainful，yea，despiteful，wordshathsopiercedmyheartthatmylifeisbittertome。I
bearagoodcountenancewithasoretroubledheart，becausehethatoughttoconsidermatterswithadeepjudgmentisbecomenotonlyadespiser，butalsoataunterofGod’smessengers-Godbemercifuluntohim！Amongstothershismostunpleasingwords，whilethatIwasabouttohavedeclaredmyheartinthewholematter，hesaid，`Awaywithyourrhetoricalreasons！forIwillnotbepersuadedwiththem。’GodknowsIdidusenorhetoricnorcolouredspeech；
butwouldhavespokenthetruth，andthatinmostsimplemanner。Iamnotagoodoratorinmyowncause；butwhathewouldnotbecontenttohearofme，Godshalldeclaretohimonedaytohisdispleasure，unlessherepent。”5PoorKnox，yousee，isquitecommoved。Ithasbeenaveryunpleasantinterview。Andasitistheonlysamplethatwehaveofhowthingswentwithhimduringhiscourtship，wemayinferthattheperiodwasnotasagreeableforKnoxasithasbeenforsomeothers。
1IB。iii。378。
2LB。ii。379。
3Works，iii。394。
4Works，iii。376。
5Works，iii。378。
However，whenoncetheyweremarried，IimagineheandMarjorieBoweshititofftogethercomfortablyenough。Thelittleweknowofitmaybebroughttogetherinaveryshortspace。Sheborehimtwosons。Heseemstohavekeptherprettybusy，anddependedonhertosomedegreeinhiswork；
sothatwhenshefellill，hispapersgotatonceintodisorder。1Certainlyshesometimeswrotetohisdictation；and，inthiscapacity，hecallsher“hislefthand。”2InJune1559，attheheadiestmomentoftheReformationinScotland，hewritesregrettingtheabsenceofhishelpfulcolleague，Goodman，“whosepresence“thisisthenotverygrammaticalformofhislament“whosepresenceI
morethirst，thanshethatismyownflesh。”3Andthis，consideringthesourceandthecircumstances，maybeheldasevidenceofaverytendersentiment。Hetellsushimselfinhishistory，ontheoccasionofacertainmeetingattheKirkofField，that“hewasinnosmallheavinessbyreasonofthelatedeathofhisdearbed-fellow，MarjorieBowes。”4
Calvin，condolingwithhim，speaksofheras“awifewhoselikeisnottobefoundeverywhere“thatisverylikeCalvin，andagain，as“themostdelightfulofwives。”WeknowwhatCalvinthoughtdesirableinawife，“goodhumour，chastity，thrift，patience，andsolicitudeforherhusband’shealth。”andsowemaysupposethatthefirstMrs。Knoxfellnotfarshortofthisideal。
1Works，vi。104。
2IB。v。5。
3IB。vi。27。
4IB。ii。138。
TheactualdateofthemarriageisuncertainbutbySeptember1566，atthelatest，theReformerwassettledinGenevawithhiswife。Thereisnofeareitherthathewillbedull；evenifthechaste，thrifty，patientMarjorieshouldnotaltogetheroccupyhismind，heneednotgooutofthehousetoseekmorefemalesympathy；forbehold！Mrs。Bowesisdulydomesticatedwiththeyoungcouple。Dr。M’CrieimaginedthatRichardBoweswasnowdead，andhiswidow，consequently，freetolivewhereshewould；andwherecouldshegomorenaturallythantothehouseofamarrieddaughter？This，however，isnotthecase。RichardBowesdidnotdietillatleasttwoyearslater。Itisimpossibletobelievethatheapprovedofhiswife’sdesertion，aftersomanyyearsofmarriage，aftertwelvechildrenhadbeenborntothem；andaccordinglywefindinhiswill，dated1558，nomentioneitherofherorofKnox’swife。1Thisisplainsailing。
ItiseasyenoughtounderstandtheangerofBowesagainstthisinterloper，whohadcomeintoaquietfamily，marriedthedaughterinspiteofthefather’sopposition，alienatedthewifefromthehusbandandthehusband’sreligion，supportedherinalongcourseofresistanceandrebellion，and，afteryearsofintimacy，alreadytoocloseandtenderforanyjealousspirittobeholdwithoutresentment，carriedherawaywithhimatlastintoaforeignland。Butitisnotquiteeasytounderstandhow，exceptoutofsheerwearinessanddisgust，hewaseverbroughttoagreetothearrangement。
NorisiteasytosquaretheReformer’sconductwithhispublicteaching。Wehave，forinstance，aletterbyhim，Craig，andSpottiswood，totheArchbishopsofCanterburyandYork，anent“awickedandrebelliouswoman。”oneAnneGood，spouseto“JohnBarron，aministerofChristJesushisevangel。”who，“aftergreatrebellionshownuntohim，anddiversadmonitionsgiven，aswellbyhimselfasbyothersinhisname，thatsheshouldinnowisedepartfromthisrealm，norfromhishousewithouthislicense，hathnotthelessstubbornlyandrebelliouslydeparted，separatedherselffromhissociety，lefthishouse，andwithdrawnherselffromthisrealm。”2Perhapssomesortoflicensewasextorted，asI
havesaid，fromRichardBowes，wearywithyearsofdomesticdissension；butsettingthataside，thewordsemployedwithsomuchrighteousindignationbyKnox，Craig，andSpottiswood，todescribetheconductofthatwickedandrebelliouswoman，Mrs。Barron，woulddescribenearlyasexactlytheconductofthereligiousMrs。Bowes。Itisalittlebewildering，untilwerecollectthedistinctionbetweenfaithfulandunfaithfulhusbands；forBarronwas“aministerofChristJesushisevangel。”whileRichardBowes，besidesbeingownbrothertoadespiserandtaunterofGod’smessengers，isshrewdlysuspectedtohavebeen“abigotedadherentoftheRomanCatholicfaith。”or，asKnowhimselfwouldhaveexpressedit，“arottenPapist。”
1Mr。Laing’sprefacetothesixthvolumeofKnox’sWorks，p。lxii。
2Works。vi。534。
YouwouldhavethoughtthatKnowwasnowprettywellsuppliedwithfemalesociety。Butwearenotyetattheendoftheroll。ThelastyearofhissojourninEnglandhadbeenspentprincipallyinLondon，wherehewasresidentasoneofthechaplainsofEdwardtheSixth；andhereheboasts，althoughastranger，hehad，byGod’sgrace，foundfavourbeforemany。
1Thegodlywomenofthemetropolismademuchofhim；oncehewritestoMrs。Bowesthatherlastletterhadfoundhimclosetedwiththree，andheandthethreewomenwereallintears。2Outofall，however，hehadchosentwo。“GOD。”hewritestothem，“BROUGHTUSINSUCHFAMILIARACQUAINTANCE，THATYOURHEARTSWEREINCENSEDANDKINDLEDWITHASPECIAL
CAREOVERME，ASAMOTHERUSETHTOBEOVERHERNATURALCHILD；
andmyheartwasopenedandcompelledinyourpresencetobemoreplainthaneverIwastoany。”3Andoutofthetwoevenhehadchosenone，Mrs。AnneLocke，wifetoMr。HarryLocke，merchant，nightoBowKirk，Cheapside，inLondon，astheaddressruns。Ifonemayventuretojudgeuponsuchimperfectevidence，thiswasthewomanhelovedbest。Ihaveadifficultyinquiteformingtomyselfanideaofhercharacter。Shemayhavebeenoneofthethreetearfulvisitorsbeforealludedto；shemayevenhavebeenthatoneofthemwhowassoprofoundlymovedbysomepassagesofMrs。
Bowes’sletter，whichtheReformeropened，andreadaloudtothembeforetheywent。“OwouldtoGod。”criedthisimpressionablematron，“wouldtoGodthatImightspeakwiththatperson，forIperceivetherearemoretemptedthanI。”
4ThismayhavebeenMrs。Locke，asIsay；butevenifitwere，wemustnotconcludefromthisonefactthatshewassuchanotherasMrs。Bowes。Alltheevidencetendstheotherway。Shewasawomanofunderstanding，plainly，whofollowedpoliticaleventswithinterest，andtowhomKnoxthoughtitworthwhiletowrite，indetail，thehistoryofhistrialsandsuccesses。Shewasreligious，butwithoutthatmorbidperversityofspiritthatmadereligionsoheavyaburdenforthepoor-heartedMrs。Bowes。MoreofherIdonotfind，savetestimonytotheprofoundaffectionthatunitedhertotheReformer。SowefindhimwritingtoherfromGeneva，insuchtermsasthese：-“Youwritethatyourdesireisearnesttoseeme。DEARSISTER，IFISHOULDEXPRESSTHETHIRSTAND
LANGUORWHICHIHAVEHADFORYOURPRESENCE，ISHOULDAPPEAR
TOPASSMEASURE……YEA，IWEEPANDREJOICEINREMEMBRANCE
OFYOU；butthatwouldevanishbythecomfortofyourpresence，whichIassureyouissodeartome，thatifthechargeofthislittleflockhere，gatheredtogetherinChrist’sname，didnotimpedeme，mycomingshouldpreventmyletter。”5IsaythatthiswaswrittenfromGeneva；andyetyouwillobservethatitisnoconsiderationforhiswifeormother-in-law，onlythechargeofhislittleflock，thatkeepshimfromsettingoutforthwithforLondon，tocomforthimselfwiththedearpresenceofMrs。Locke。RememberthatwasacertainplausibleenoughpretextforMrs。LocketocometoGeneva-“themostperfectschoolofChristthateverwasonearthsincethedaysoftheApostles“-forwearenowunderthereignofthat“horriblemonsterJezebelofEngland。”whenaladyofgoodorthodoxsentimentswasbetteroutofLondon。Itwasdoubtful，however，whetherthiswastobe。ShewasdetainedinEngland，partlybycircumstancesunknown，“partlybyempireofherhead。”Mr。HarryLocke，theCheapsidemerchant。ItissomewhathumoroustoseeKnoxstrugglingforresignation，nowthathehastodowithafaithfulhusbandforMr。HarryLockewasfaithful。Haditbeenotherwise，“inmyheart。”hesays，“Icouldhavewished-yea。”herehebreaksout，“yea，andcannotceasetowish-
thatGodwouldguideyoutothisplace。”6Andafterall，hehadnotlongtowait，for，whetherMr。HarryLockediedintheinterval，orwaswearied，hetoo，intogivingpermission，fivemonthsafterthedateoftheletterlastquoted，“Mrs。
AnneLocke，Harryherson，andAnneherdaughter，andKatherinehermaid。”arrivedinthatperfectschoolofChrist，thePresbyterianparadise，Geneva。Sonow，andforthenexttwoyears，thecupofKnox’shappinesswassurelyfull。Ofanafternoon，whenthebellsrangoutforthesermon，theshopsclosed，andthegoodfolkgatheredtothechurches，psalm-bookinhand，wecanimaginehimdrawingneartotheEnglishchapelinquitepatriarchalfashion，withMrs。
KnoxandMrs。BowesandMrs。Locke，Jameshisservant，Patrickhispupil，andaduefollowingofchildrenandmaids。
Hemightbealoneatworkallmorninginhisstudy，forhewrotemuchduringthesetwoyears；butatnight，youmaybesuretherewasacircleofadmiringwomen，eagertohearthenewparagraph，andnotsparingofapplause。Andwhatwork，amongothers，washeelaboratingatthistime，butthenotorious“FirstBlast“？Sothathemayhaverolledoutinhisbigpulpitvoice，howwomenwereweak，frail，impatient，feeble，foolish，inconstant，variable，cruel，andlackingthespiritofcounsel，andhowmenwereabovethem，evenasGodisabovetheangels，intheearsofhisownwife，andthetwodearestfriendshehadonearth。Buthehadlostthesenseofincongruity，andcontinuedtodespiseintheorythesexhehonouredsomuchinpractice，ofwhomhechosehismostintimateassociates，andwhosecouragehewascompelledtowonderat，whenhisownheartwasfaint。
1Works，iv。220。
2IB。iii。380。
3IB。iv。220。
4Works，iii。380。
5Works，iv。238。
6Works，iv。240。
Wemaysaythatsuchamanwasnotworthyofhisfortune；andso，ashewouldnotlearn，hewastakenawayfromthatagreeableschool，andhisfellowshipofwomenwasbrokenup，nottobereunited。CalledintoScotlandtotakeatlastthatstrangepositioninhistorywhichishisbestclaimtocommemoration，hewasfollowedthitherbyhiswifeandhismother-in-law。Thewifesoondied。ThedeathofherdaughterdidnotaltogetherseparateMrs。BowesfromKnox，butsheseemstohavecomeandgonebetweenhishouseandEngland。In1562，however，wefindhimcharacterisedas“asolemanbyreasonoftheabsenceofhismother-in-law，Mrs。
Bowes。”andapassportisgotforher，herman，amaid，and“threehorses，whereoftwoshallreturn。”aswellaslibertytotakeallherownmoneywithherintoScotland。Thislookslikeadefinitearrangement；butwhethershediedatEdinburgh，orwentbacktoEnglandyetagain，Icannotfind。
Withthatgreatfamilyofhers，unlessinleavingherhusbandshehadquarrelledwiththemall，theremusthavebeenfrequentoccasionforherpresence，onewouldthink。Knoxatleastsurvivedher；andwepossesshisepigraphtotheirlongintimacy，giventotheworldbyhiminanappendixtohislatestpublication。IhavesaidinaformerpaperthatKnoxwasnotshyofpersonalrevelationsinhispublishedworks。
Andthetrickseemstohavegrownonhim。Tothislasttract，acontroversialonslaughtonaScottishJesuit，heprefixedaprayer，notverypertinenttothematterinhand，andcontainingreferencestohisfamilywhichweretheoccasionofsomewitinhisadversary’sanswer；andappendedwhatseemsequallyirrelevant，oneofhisdevoutletterstoMrs。Bowes，withanexplanatorypreface。Tosaytruth，I
believehehadalwaysfeltuneasilythatthecircumstancesofthisintimacywereverycapableofmisconstruction；andnow，whenhewasanoldman，taking“hisgoodnightofallthefaithfulinbothrealms。”andonlydesirous“thatwithoutanynotablesclandertotheevangelofJesusChrist，hemightendhisbattle；forastheworldwaswearyofhim，sowasheofit；“-insuchaspirititwasnot，perhaps，unnaturalthatheshouldreturntothisoldstory，andseektoputitrightintheeyesofallmen，erehedied。“BecausethatGod。”hesays，“becausethatGodnowinHismercyhathputanendtothebattleofmydearmother，MistressElizabethBowes，beforethatHeputanendtomywretchedlife，Icouldnotceasebutdeclaretotheworldwhatwasthecauseofourgreatfamiliarityandlongacquaintance；whichwasneitherfleshnorblood，butatroubledconscienceuponherpart，whichneversufferedhertorestbutwhenshewasinthecompanyofthefaithful，ofwhomfromthefirsthearingofthewordatmymouthshejudgedmetobeone……Hercompanytomewascomfortableyea，honourableandprofitable，forshewastomeandmineamother，butyetitwasnotwithoutsomecross；forbesidestroubleandfasheryofbodysustainedforher，mymindwasseldomquiet，fordoingsomewhatforthecomfortofhertroubledconscience。”
1Hehadwrittentoheryearsbefore，fromhisfirstexileinDieppe，that“onlyGod’shand“couldwithholdhimfromoncemorespeakingwithherfacetoface；andnow，whenGod’shandhasindeedinterposed，whenthereliesbetweenthem，insteadofthevoyageablestraits，thatgreatgulfoverwhichnomancanpass，thisisthespiritinwhichhecanlookbackupontheirlongacquaintance。Shewasareligioushypochondriac，itappears，whom，notwithoutsomecrossandfasheryofmindandbody，hewasgoodenoughtotend。Hemighthavegivenatruercharacteroftheirfriendship，hadhethoughtlessofhisownstandinginpublicestimation，andmoreofthedeadwoman。Buthewasinallthings，asBurkesaidofhissoninthatevermemorablepassage，apubliccreature。Hewishedthatevenintothisprivateplaceofhisaffectionsposterityshouldfollowhimwithacompleteapproval；andhewaswilling，inorderthatthismightbeso，toexhibitthedefectsofhislostfriend，andtelltheworldwhatwearinesshehadsustainedthroughherunhappydisposition。ThereissomethingherethatremindsoneofRousseau。
1Works，vi。513，514。
IdonotthinkheeversawMrs。LockeafterheleftGeneva；
buthiscorrespondencewithhercontinuedforthreeyears。
Itmayhavecontinuedlonger，ofcourse，butIthinkthelastletterswepossessreadlikethelastthatwouldbewritten。
PerhapsMrs。Lockewasthenremarried，forthereismuchobscurityoverhersubsequenthistory。Foraslongastheirintimacywaskeptup，atleast，thehumanelementremainsintheReformer’slife。Hereisonepassage，forexample，themostlikableutteranceofKnox’sthatIcanquote：-MrsLockehasbeenupbraidinghimasabadcorrespondent。“Myremembranceofyou。”heanswers，“isnotsodead，butItrustitshallbefreshenough，albeititberenewedbynooutwardtokenforoneyear。OFNATURE，IAMCHURLISH；YETONETHING
IASHAMENOTTOAFFIRM，THATFAMILIARITYONCETHOROUGHLY
CONTRACTEDWASNEVERYETBROKENONMYDEFAULT。THECAUSEMAY
BETHATIHAVERATHERNEEDOFALL，THANTHATANYHAVENEEDOF
ME。HoweveritTHATbe，itcannotbe，asIsay，thecorporalabsenceofoneyearortwothatcanquenchinmyheartthatfamiliaracquaintanceinChristJesus，whichhalfayeardidengender，andalmosttwoyearsdidnourishandconfirm。Andtherefore，whetherIwriteorno，beassuredlypersuadedthatIhaveyouinsuchmemoryasbecomeththefaithfultohaveofthefaithful。”1ThisisthetruesttouchofpersonalhumilitythatIcanremembertohaveseeninallthefivevolumesoftheReformer’scollectedworks：itisnosmallhonourtoMrs。Lockethathisaffectionforhershouldhavebroughthometohimthisunwontedfeelingofdependenceuponothers。Everythingelseinthecourseofthecorrespondencetestifiestoagood，sound，down-rightsortoffriendshipbetweenthetwo，lessecstaticthanitwasatfirst，perhaps，butserviceableandveryequal。Hegivesherampledetailsistotheprogressoftheworkofreformation；
sendsherthesheetsoftheCONFESSIONOFFAITH，“inquairs。”
ashecallsit；askshertoassisthimwithherprayers，tocollectmoneyforthegoodcauseinScotland，andtosendhimbooksforhimself-booksbyCalvinespecially，oneonIsaiah，andanewrevisededitionofthe“Institutes。”“I
mustbeboldonyourliberality。”hewrites，“notonlyinthat，butingreaterthingsasIshallneed。”2Onherpartsheappliestohimforspiritualadvice，notafterthemannerofthedroopingMrs。Bowes，butinamorepositivespirit，-adviceastopracticalpoints，adviceastotheChurchofEngland，forinstance，whoseritualhecondemnsasa“mingle-mangle。”3Justattheendsheceasestowrite，sendshim“atoken，withoutwriting。”“Iunderstandyourimpediment。”heanswers，“andthereforeIcannotcomplain。
Yetifyouunderstoodthevarietyofmytemptations，Idoubtnotbutyouwouldhavewrittensomewhat。”4Onelettermore，andthensilence。
1Works，vi。ii。
2Works，vi。pp。21。101，108，130。
3IB。vi。83。
4IB。vi。129。
AndIthinkthebestoftheReformerdiedoutwiththatcorrespondence。Itisafterthis，ofcourse，thathewrotethatungenerousdescriptionofhisintercoursewithMrs。
Bowes。Itisafterthis，also，thatwecometotheunlovelyepisodeofhissecondmarriage。Hehadbeenleftawidowerattheageoffifty-five。Threeyearsafter，itoccurredapparentlytoyetanotherpiousparenttosacrificeachilduponthealtarofhisrespectfortheReformer。InJanuary1563，RandolphwritestoCecil：“YourHonourwilltakeitforagreatwonderwhenIshallwriteuntoyouthatMr。KnoxshallmarryaverynearkinswomanoftheDuke’s，aLord’sdaughter，ayounglassnotabovesixteenyearsofage。”1
Headdsthathefearshewillbelaughedatforreportingsomadastory。Andyetitwastrue；andonPalmSunday，1564，MargaretStewart，daughterofAndrewLordStewartofOchiltree，agedseventeen，wasdulyunitedtoJohnKnox，MinisterofSt。Giles’sKirk，Edinburgh，agedfifty-nine，-
tothegreatdisgustofQueenMaryfromfamilypride，andI
wouldfainhopeofmanyothersformorehumaneconsiderations。“Inthis。”asRandolphsays，“Iwishhehaddoneotherwise。”TheConsistoryofGeneva，“thatmostperfectschoolofChristthateverwasonearthsincethedaysoftheApostles。”werewonttoforbidmarriagesonthegroundoftoogreatadisproportioninage。IcannothelpwonderingwhethertheoldReformer’sconsciencedidnotuneasilyremindhim，nowandagain，ofthisgoodcustomofhisreligiousmetropolis，ashethoughtofthetwo-and-fortyyearsthatseparatedhimfromhispoorbride。Fitlyenough，wehearnothingofthesecondMrs。Knoxuntilsheappearsatherhusband’sdeathbed，eightyearsafter。Sheborehimthreedaughtersintheinterval；andIsupposethepoorchild’smartyrdomwasmadeaseasyforherasmightbe。Shewasextremelyattentivetohim“attheend，wereadandheseemstohavespokentoherwithsomeconfidence。Moreover，andthisisverycharacteristic，hehadcopiedoutforherusealittlevolumeofhisowndevotionalletterstootherwomen。
1Works，vi。532。
Thisistheendoftheroll，unlessweaddtoitMrs。
Adamson，whohaddelightedmuchinhiscompany“byreasonthatshehadatroubledconscience。”andwhosedeathbediscommemoratedatsomelengthinthepagesofhishistory。1
1Works，i。246。
Andnow，lookingback，itcannotbesaidthatKnox’sintercoursewithwomenwasquiteofthehighestsort。Itischaracteristicthatwefindhimmorealarmedforhisownreputationthanforthereputationofthewomenwithwhomhewasfamiliar。Therewasafatalpreponderanceofselfinallhisintimacies：manywomencametolearnfromhim，buthenevercondescendedtobecomealearnerinhisturn。Andsothereisnotanythingidyllicintheseintimaciesofhis；andtheywereneversorenovatingtohisspiritastheymighthavebeen。ButIbelievetheyweregoodenoughforthewomen。IfancythewomenknewwhattheywereaboutwhensomanyofthemfollowedafterKnox。Itisnotsimplybecauseamanisalwaysfullypersuadedthatheknowstherightfromthewrongandseeshiswayplainlythroughthemazeoflife，greatqualitiesastheseare，thatpeoplewillloveandfollowhim，andwritehimlettersfulloftheir“earnestdesireforhim“whenheisabsent。Itisnotoveraman，whoseonecharacteristicisgrimfixityofpurpose，thattheheartsofwomenare“incensedandkindledwithaspecialcare。”asitwereovertheirnaturalchildren。InthestrongquietpatienceofallhisletterstothewearifulMrs。Bowes，wemayperhapsseeonecauseofthefascinationhepossessedforthesereligiouswomen。Herewasonewhomyoucouldbesiegealltheyearroundwithinconsistentscruplesandcomplaints；youmightwritetohimonThursdaythatyouweresoelateditwasplainthedevilwasdeceivingyou，andagainonFridaythatyouweresodepresseditwasplainGodhadcastyouoffforever；andhewouldreadallthispatientlyandsympathetically，andgiveyouananswerinthemostreassuringpolysyllables，andalldividedintoheads-whoknows？-likeatreatiseondivinity。Andthen，thoseeasytearsofhis。Therearesomewomenwholiketoseemencrying；andherewasthisgreat-voiced，beardedmanofGod，whomightbeseenbeatingthesolidpulpiteverySunday，andcastingabroadhisclamorousdenunciationstotheterrorofall，andwhoontheMondaywouldsitintheirparloursbythehour，andweepwiththemovertheirmanifoldtrialsandtemptations。Nowadays，hewouldhavetodrinkadishofteawithallthesepenitents……Itsoundsalittlevulgar，asthepastwilldo，ifwelookintoittooclosely。Wecouldnotletthesegreatfolkofoldintoourdrawing-rooms。
QueenElizabethwouldpositivelynotbeeligibleforahousemaid。Theoldmannersandtheoldcustomsgosinkingfromgradetograde，until，ifsomemightyemperorrevisitedtheglimpsesofthemoon，hewouldnotfindanyoneofhiswayofthinking，anyonehecouldstrikehandswithandtalktofreelyandwithoutoffence，saveperhapstheporterattheendofthestreet，orthefellowwithhiselbowsoutwholoafsalldaybeforethepublic-house。Sothatthislittlenoteofvulgarityisnotathingtobedweltupon；itistobeputawayfromus，aswerecallthefashionoftheseoldintimacies；sothatwemayonlyrememberKnoxasonewhowasverylong-sufferingwithwomen，kindtotheminhisownway，lovingtheminhisownway-andthatnottheworstway，ifitwasnotthebest-andonceatleast，ifnottwice，movedtohisheartofheartsbyawoman，andgivingexpressiontotheyearninghehadforhersocietyinwordsthatnoneofusneedbeashamedtoborrow。
AndletusbearinmindalwaysthattheperiodIhavegoneoverinthisessaybeginswhentheReformerwasalreadybeyondthemiddleage，andalreadybrokeninbodilyhealth：
ithasbeenthestoryofanoldman’sfriendships。ThisitisthatmakesKnoxenviable。Unknownuntilpastforty，hehadthenbeforehimfive-and-thirtyyearsofsplendidandinfluentiallife，passedthroughuncommonhardshipstoanuncommondegreeofpower，livedinhisowncountryasasortofking，anddidwhathewouldwiththesoundofhisvoiceoutofthepulpit。Andbesidesallthis，suchafollowingoffaithfulwomen！Onewouldtakethefirstfortyyearsgladly，ifonecouldbesureofthelastthirty。Mostofus，evenif，byreasonofgreatstrengthandthedignityofgrayhairs，weretainsomedegreeofpublicrespectinthelatterdaysofourexistence，willfindafallingawayoffriends，andasolitudemakingitselfroundaboutusdaybyday，untilweareleftalonewiththehiredsick-nurse。Fortheattractionofaman’scharacterisapttobeoutlived，liketheattractionofhisbody；andthepowertolovegrowsfeebleinitsturn，aswellasthepowertoinspireloveinothers。Itisonlywithafewrarenaturesthatfriendshipisaddedtofriendship，lovetolove，andthemankeepsgrowingricherinaffection-richer，Imean，asabankmaybesaidtogrowricher，bothgivingandreceivingmore-
afterhisheadiswhiteandhisbackweary，andhepreparestogodownintothedustofdeath。
End