will come too late, meaning, that if he came not
speedily, he would find him dead: which words had this effect on Mr.
Lawson, that he set out immediately, making all possible haste to
Edinburgh, where, after he had preached twice to the full satisfaction
of the people, the ninth of November was appointed for his admission
unto that congregation. Mr. Knox (though then still weaker) preached
upon that occasion with much power, and with the greatest comfort to the
hearers. In the close of his sermon, he called God to witness, that he
had walked in a good conscience among them, not seeking to please men,
nor serving his own nor other men's inclinations, but in all sincerity
and truth preaching the gospel of Christ. Then praising God, who had
given them one in his room, he exhorted them to stand fast in the faith
they had received, and having prayed fervently for the divine blessing
upon them, and the increase of the Spirit upon their new pastor, he gave
them his last farewel, with which the congregation were much affected.

Being carried home, that same day he was confined to his bed, and, on
the thirteenth of the month, was so enfeebled that he was obliged to
lay aside his ordinary reading of the scripture. The next day he would
rise out of bed, being asked, what he intended by getting out of bed? he
replied, he would go to church, thinking that had been the Lord's day;
he told them, he had been all the night meditating upon the resurrection
of Christ, which he should have preached on in order after the death of
Christ, which he had finished the sabbath before. He had often desired
of God, that he would end his days in teaching, and meditating upon that
doctrine; which desire seems to have been granted to him. Upon monday
the 17th, the elders and deacons being come to him, he said, "The time
is approaching, for which I have long thirsted, wherein I shall be
relieved and be free from all cares, and be with my Saviour for ever;
and now, God is my witness, whom I have served with my spirit in the
gospel of his Son, that I have taught nothing but the true and solid
doctrines of the gospel, and that the end which I purposed in all my
doctrine, was to instruct the ignorant, to confirm the weak, to comfort
the consciences of those that were humbled under the sense of their
sins, and to denounce the threatenings of God's word against such as
were rebellious. I am not ignorant, that many have blamed me, and yet do
blame my too great