John Knox
In these days of half-heartedness with regard to the truth of God, it is instructive and refreshing to turn over the pages of the past, and to read there of the noble faithfulness of those who witnessed for God in days gone by. One of the most noble bearers of testimony for truth was John Knox, of Scotland.The great principle which guided Knox in his work was the power and supremacy of the Word of God.His share in the great Reformation he desired to build upon the Bible; and in so doing, he made his work both noble and enduring.
It would be well for us in these days to bring persons and their teachings to the test of scripture. Whatever will not bear the test is rotten, however pleasing it may appear on the surface.
John Knox had many surprising escapes from the malicious designs of the enemies of the Reformation. He was accustomed to sit , in his own house at the head of table, with his back to the window. On one particular evening however, he would neither occupy the chair or allow anyone else to do so. That very night a bullet was shot through the window purposely to kill him. It was a well directed shot, for it grazed the chair in which Knox usually sat, and struck the candlestick that was on the table. Who can doubt that God, in whose hands all hearts are, influenced the Reformers mind on this occasion, as well as on other occasions? No arrow can pierce the life of a servant of God as long as any of his allotted work remains undone; nor can the highest degree of poisoned malice remove him from the sphere in which God places him, until another part of the same purpose would be fulfilled by the removal.
When on his deathbed, worn with toil and anxiety, he warned or counselled those who came to see him. He admonished ministers to abide by the eternal truth of the Gospel that he himself preached. Noblemen he warned,and plainly told them that the continued prosperity of their country depended on their adherence to the Word and truth of God.
He was constant in prayer for his country. "Give peace to this afflicted commonwealth; raise up faithful pastors."
On the day before his death , he said, "I have fought against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things, and have prevailed. I have been in heaven and taken possession. I have tasted of the heavenly joys."
Just before his death , he sighed and said,"Now it is come ."His friends desired a sign that he died in peace; and"as if he had received new strength in death, he lifted up his hands towards heaven, and sighing twice, departed into the calmness of one fallen into sleep."
The well known words of Regent Morton, spoken over his dust-"There lies one who never feared the face of man"-echo the grand and noble truth, that they who fear God have no place for fear of man. It would be a mercy for us and a blessing for Britain, if the Lord should raise up men endued with the spirit of John Knox.
It would be well for us in these days to bring persons and their teachings to the test of scripture. Whatever will not bear the test is rotten, however pleasing it may appear on the surface.
John Knox had many surprising escapes from the malicious designs of the enemies of the Reformation. He was accustomed to sit , in his own house at the head of table, with his back to the window. On one particular evening however, he would neither occupy the chair or allow anyone else to do so. That very night a bullet was shot through the window purposely to kill him. It was a well directed shot, for it grazed the chair in which Knox usually sat, and struck the candlestick that was on the table. Who can doubt that God, in whose hands all hearts are, influenced the Reformers mind on this occasion, as well as on other occasions? No arrow can pierce the life of a servant of God as long as any of his allotted work remains undone; nor can the highest degree of poisoned malice remove him from the sphere in which God places him, until another part of the same purpose would be fulfilled by the removal.
When on his deathbed, worn with toil and anxiety, he warned or counselled those who came to see him. He admonished ministers to abide by the eternal truth of the Gospel that he himself preached. Noblemen he warned,and plainly told them that the continued prosperity of their country depended on their adherence to the Word and truth of God.
He was constant in prayer for his country. "Give peace to this afflicted commonwealth; raise up faithful pastors."
On the day before his death , he said, "I have fought against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things, and have prevailed. I have been in heaven and taken possession. I have tasted of the heavenly joys."
Just before his death , he sighed and said,"Now it is come ."His friends desired a sign that he died in peace; and"as if he had received new strength in death, he lifted up his hands towards heaven, and sighing twice, departed into the calmness of one fallen into sleep."
The well known words of Regent Morton, spoken over his dust-"There lies one who never feared the face of man"-echo the grand and noble truth, that they who fear God have no place for fear of man. It would be a mercy for us and a blessing for Britain, if the Lord should raise up men endued with the spirit of John Knox.
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