Knox to Sir William Cecill,
1561.
KNOX TO MRS. ANNA LOCK.
bot now it is no mater.
I perceaved they are printed with yon againe.
Our Qneene weareth the dgple, bot she can dance daylie, doole and all.
I need not to writt unto you the tydings of France, and therefore I rest, committing you to the protection of the Omnipotent.
From Edinburgh, the second of October, 1561.
LXI.
Knox to Sir William Cecill, Yf God had not so often, Eyght WorshipfuU, trapped the men of most singular experience in thare owen wisdome, when thei have begun mor to creditt thare owen ymaginations, then
/ the Will of God manifestlie revealed, I wold have judged your Counsill most holsome : But becaus I fynd so many notable exemples of Godd's pimishment in that behalf, I fear to do evill to theme that good may cum of it ; and yet, yf to suffer impietie to be committed, which by just power myglit have bein gainstand and repressed, be to commit iniquitie (as the lyght of A nature be it never so obscured, doth teach us that it is) then j can I not but accuse myself, in that I did not mor zelouslie | gainstand that Idol at the first erecting.
Men deliting to swym betwix two watters, have often compleaned upon my severitie ; fearing, as it seamed, that the same should trouble the quietness of brethren.
But I do fear, that that which with men terme lenitie and dulcenes, do bring upon thameselves and others mor fearfuU distruction, then yit hath ensdwed the vehemency of any preacher within this Eealme.
That our Quen shalbe allured by any such meanes, as we yit use, is alltogidther contrary to my judgement ; for as I have spoken, so se I in experience, that by permission Sathan groweht bold
; for now she feareht not to sett furht proclamations contrary to those that command hoormongars, adulterars, and idolaters to be punished, according to the former and established Eeformation.
The Papistes, I grant, blowe the belloss, but the faintness of
LETTERS, ETC.
1561. some, flattery of others, and corrupt affections of such as ought to withstand such attemptes, ar liek shortly to distroy the face of that building, which God by his power had founded amongs us : This I write from the dolor of hart.
Some of no small estimation have said, with open mouht, the Quen neyther is neyther shalbe of our opinion ; and in verry dead hir hole proceadings do declayr that the Cardinalles lessons ar so deaplie prented / in hir heart, that the substance and the qualitie ar liek to t perische together.
I wold be giaid to be deceaved, but I fear T shall not.
In. communication with her,-^ I espyed such craft as I have not found in such aige.
Since, hatli the Court been dead to me and I to it.
One thing I can not conceall ; to[o] much bearing is liek to break the most strong back, yf we cast not of the burthen by times.
To speak plane, those that alwaies have had the favor and estimation of the most godlie, begyn to cum in contempt, becaus thei oppon not themselves mor stoutlie against impietie.
Dowbt not but your counsall may somewhat reward the persons.
Ye know my Lord James and Ledingthon, whome yf God do not otherwiese conduct, thei ar liek to lose that which, not without travail, hath heirtofore bien conquest.
Att this verrey instant ar the Provost of Edinburgh and Balleis thairof command to ward in there Tolboght, be reason of thare Proclamation against papists and hoormongars."
The hole blame lyeht upon the necks of the two fornamed, be reasson of thare bearing.
God deliver us from the plage which manifestlie appeareht.
Thus being troubled, I have troubled your Honor, whom I committ to the protection of the Omnipotent.
From Edenburgh, the 7th of October 1561.
Yours to command in godliness, John Knox, To the right worshipfuU, Sir William Cycell, knyght, cheaf Secretary to the Queue's Majesty of England.
* See vol. ii. p.
2SM».
= Ihld. j). 289.