Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock
1560.
KNOX TO GEEGORY RAYLTON.
which thei consume, and there service hath hitherto bein alwaies to our displeasour, and I am assured shalbe continually, till such tym as thei be brought till better ordour and obedience.
Communicat ye this as ye think expedient.
The grace of the Lord Jesus be multiplied with you.
From Sanctandrois, the 29 of January 1559-[60].
Your brother to power, John Knox.
I have great nead of a good horse, and therfor I pray you putt Mr. Wickleaf in mynd to haist be on ; my Mother^ writeht \ that she hath ou^ provided, but knoweht not how to gett him conveyed.
To the worshipfull, and his most assured friendis, Gregorie Railton, be these delivered : At Barwick.
XLIX.
Knox to Mrs. Anna Lock.
The eternal our God shall shortly put an end to all our troubles.
Lest that sinister rumours should trouble you above measure, dear Sister, I can not but certify you of our estate as often as convenient messengers occur.
The I'rench, as before I wrote unto you, have persued us with great furie ; but God hath so bridled them, that since the fyft day, when they putt to flight the men of Kingorne, Kirkaldie, and Dysert, they have had of us (all praise be to our God) no advantage.
They lost in a morning, a lieutenant, the boldest of their companie, and fortie of their bravest souldiours, diverse of them being tane, and diverse slaine in skirmishing.
They have done greatest harme to suche as did best intertaine them ; for, from them they have takin sheepe, horse, and plenishing.
Our friends, and foes to * Mrs. Bowes, his mother-in-law.
'^ Knox usually writes on for one-
LETTERS, ETC.
1560. them, did continuallie remove frome their way all moveables that to them apperteaned.
They have cast doun to the ground the Laird of Grange's principall hous, called the Grange, and have spoiled his other places.
God will recompence him, I doubt not ; for, in this cans, and since the beginning of this last trouble speciallie, he hath behaved himself so boldlie, as never man of OTir natioun hath deserved more praise.
He hath beene in A' manie dangers, and yitt God hath delivered him above man's expectatioun.
He was shot at Lundie, right under the left pape, through the jacke, doublet, and sarke, and the bullet did sticke in one of his ribbes.
Mr. Whytlaw hath gottin a fall, by the which he is unable to beare armour.
But, God be praised, both their lives be saved.
I remained all the time in Sanct Andrewes, with sorrowfull heart ; and yitt as God did minister his Spirit, comforting the afflicted ; who, albeit tliey quaiked for a time, yitt doe now praise God, who suddanlie diverted frome them that terrible plague devised for them by the ungodlie.
The Trenche men approached within six miles, and yitt at a sight of certain of your ships they retired more in one day than they advanced in ten.
We have had wonderful experience of God's mercifull providence ; and, for my owne part, I were more than unthankful!, if I sould not confesse that God hath heard the sobs of my wretched heart, and hath not deceaved me of that little sparke of hope which his Holy Spirit did kindle and foster in my heart.
God give me his grace to acknowledge his benefite receaved, and to make suche fruict of it as becometh his servant.
If ye can find a messenger, I heartilie pray you to send me tlie books for which I wrote you before.
I must be bold over your liberalitie not onlie in that, but in greater things as I sail need.
Please you to cause this other letter inclosed be assuredlie delivered to Myles Coverdale.
Salute all faithful acquaintance, Mr. Hickman and his bedfellow, your liusband, Mr. Michael and his spouse as unacquainted, especiallie remem-