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246 THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX. again in the Kirk of St. Andrews to a distinguished audience ; who voted the purport and substance of it to be essentially true and justifiable. Here, at second hand, is Knox's summary of the discourse, written many years after.
- The theme ' {text) * of his sermon was " Yeritie is
' the strongest of all things. His discourse of Curs- 'ing was. That if it were rightly used, it was the
- most fearful thing upon the face of the earth ; for
- it was the very separation of man from God ; but
- that it should not be used rashly and for every light
- cause, but only against open and incorrigible sinners.
- But now (said he) the avarice of priests and the
- ignorance of their office, has caused it altogether to
' be vilipended ; for the priest (said he) whose duty
- and office is to pray for the people, stands up on
' Sunday and cries, " Ane has tynt a spurtil " {lost a
- porridge stick). " There is ane flail stolen from them
- beyond the bum." " The goodwife of the other side
- of the gate has tynt a horn spune " {lost a horn
- spoon). " God's maleson and mine I give to them
- that knows of this gear and restores it not." How
' the people mocked their cursing, he farther told a
