This handwritten excerpt from Life of John Knox by Thomas M’Crie describes the first interview between John Knox and Mary Stuart. When Mary Stuart commented that Jews under the Babylon princes did not resist with the sword, Knox says that it was because God did not give them the means to do so. When the queen asks whether he thinks subjects should resist if they are given the power to do so, the reformer answers they may if the princes exceed their bounds and break the rules higher than themselves. He says when the princes’ “blind zeal is nothing but a mad frenzy,” taking power away from them and imprisoning them until they are brought to “a more sober mind” is “no disobedience against princes, but just obedience, because it agreeth with the will of God.” (Place of creation not identified.)
Holograph.
Title devised by cataloger.
It is unclear who wrote down this extract from Life of John Knox by Thomas M’Crie. It does not appear to be the handwriting of Samuel May Jr., the author of letters amongst which this manuscript was found.
