Page:Life of John Knox (2).pdf/23

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THE LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
23

Monday, the 24th of November, was his last day on earth. About 5 o'clock he said to his wife, “Go read where I east my first anchor;" upon which she read to him the 17th chapter of St. John. He afterwards fell into a deep slumber, during which he uttered heavy groans, and on being asked the cause, replied, "I have formerly, during my frail life, sustained many contests, and many assaults of Satan; but at present that roaring lion hath assailed me most furiously, and put forth all his strength to devour, and make an end of me at once. Often before has he placed my sins before my eyes, often tempted me to despair, often endeavoured to ensnare me by the allurements of the world; but with these weapons, broken by the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, he could not prevail. Now he has attacked me in another way; the cunning serpent has laboured to persuade me that I have merited heaven and eternal blessedness, by the faithful discharge of my ministry. But blessed be God who has enabled me to beat down and quench this fiery dart, by suggesting to me such passages of Scripture as these: What hast thou that thou hast not received ? By the grace of God I am what I am : Not I, but the grace of God in me. Being thus vanquished, he left me. Wherefore I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ, who was pleased to give me the victory; and I am persuaded that the tempter shall not again attack me, but, within a short time, I shall, without any great bodily pain, or anguish of mind, exchange this mortal and miserable life for a blessed immortality through Jesus Christ."

He then lay quiet for sometime. About 10 o'clock they read the evening prayer, which, thinking he was asleep, they delayed beyond the usual time, and after it was concluded, Dr. Preston asked him if he had heard the prayers. “Would to God," he said, “that you and all men had heard them, as I have heard