Page:Life of John Knox (3).pdf/11

11 when his success excited so much attention that the Popish clergy summoned him to appear before them, or the 15th of May, in the church of the Black Friars in Edinburgh. He did appear, but attended by such a number of followers that the clergy deemed it prudent to desist from their intended prosecution; and that same day, he addressed a much greater audience than ever he had done on any prior occasion, and continued to do so for ten days.

The earl of Glencairn, one of his firmest friends, having prevailed on the earl Marshal, and Mr Henry Drummond, to attend one of Mr Knox's sermons, they were so highly gratified with it that they persuaded him to address a letter to the Queen, in the hope she also might be induced to hear the doctrine of the reformers. In this letter, contending for the truth of what he taught, he says, “ Albeit, Madam, that the messengers of God are not sent this day with visible miracles, because they teach no other doctrine than that which is confirmed with miracles from the beginning of the world, yet will not he (who hath promised to take charge over his poor and little flock to the end) suffer the contempt of their ambassage to escape punishment and vengeance, for the truth itself hath said, he that heareth you heareth one, and he that contemneth you contemneth one. I do not speak unto you, Madam, as Pasquillus doth to the Pope and his carnal cardinals, in the behalf of such as dare not utter their names, but I come in the name of Christ Jesus; affirming, that the religion ye maintain is damnable idolatry, which I offer myself to prove, by the most evident testimony of God's Scriptures; and in this quarrel I present myself against all the Papists in the realm, desiring no other armour but God's