Page:Life of John Knox (2).pdf/5

Rh participated in the Lord's Supper, which he administered in the manner afterwards practised in the Reformed Church of Scotland.

Towards the end of June, 1547, a French fleet, with a large body of land forces, appeared before St. Andrews, for the purpose of besieging the castle. Knox did not expect that the garrison would be able to hold out, but he determined to share with his brethren the hazard of the siege. After a spirited resistance, they surrendered on the 23d of July, and Knox and his companions were conveyed on board the fleet, which in a few days sailed for France. On their arrival there, they were confined in the galleys, and bound with chains. Knox's health was very much impaired by the severity of his confinement, for in addition to the rigours of ordinary captivity, he was treated with all the indignities offered to heretics, and he was seized with a fever which threatened to close his career. He however recovered, and in the month of February, 1549, obtained his liberty, after an imprisonment of nineteen months. He now returned to England, where his reputation as a preacher was well known, and soon after his arrival in London, the privy council ordered him to Berwick, where he laboured for two years, during which time many were, though his instrumentality, converted from error and ignorance. He spared neither time nor bodily strength in instructing those to whom he was sent. While resident in Berwick, he formed an acquaintance with Miss Marjory Bowes, a young lady, who afterwards became his wife. In 1551 he was removed to Newcastle, where in addition to his ordinary services on Sabbath, he preached regularly on the other days of the week.

In the beginning of April, 1553, he returned to London, and remained there till the death of Edward VI., when, being apprehensive of the measures which