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THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX.

again in the Kirk of St. Andrews to a distinguished audience; who voted the purport and substance of it to be essentially true and justifiable. Here, at second hand, is Knox's summary of the discourse, written many years after.

'The theme' (text) 'of his sermon was "Veritie is the strongest of all things." His discourse of Cursing was. That if it were rightly used, it was the most fearful thing upon the face of the earth; for it was the very separation of man from God; but that it should not be used rashly and for every light cause, but only against open and incorrigible sinners. But now (said he) the avarice of priests and the ignorance of their office, has caused it altogether to be vilipended; for the priest (said he) whose duty and office is to pray for the people, stands up on Sunday and cries, " Ane has tynt a spurtil " (lost a porridge stick). " There is ane flail stolen from them beyond the burn." " The goodwife of the other side of the gate has tynt a horn spune " (lost a horn spoon). " God's maleson and mine I give to them that knows of this gear and restores it not." How the people mocked their cursing, he farther told a

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