Knox was twice married; first in 1553, to Marjory, daughter of Sir Robert Bowes; afterwards, in 1564, to Margaret Stewart, daughter of Lord Oehiltree; he had sons only by his first marriage; they all died without issue. He had three daughters by his second wife; the youngest, Mrs. Welch, appears to have been a remarkable person.
The doetrinea of Knox wore those of the English reformers, impreg nated to a considerable extent with Calvinism. His opinions respecting the sacraments coincided with those of the English Protestants : he preached that all eacrifices which men offered for sin were blasphem ous ; that it was incumbent to make an open profession of the doctrine of Christ, and to avoid idolatry, superstition, and every way of worship unauthorised by the Scriptures; he was altogether opposed to Epis copacy. His views were more austere than those promulgated in England ; and there can be little doubt that the present greater severity of the Scotch Presbyterians, compared with that of the English Pro testants, is greatly attributable to this reformer.
The opposition of Knox as well to Episoopaey as to Papacy has caused his reputation to be severely dealt with by many writers of contrary opinions on these points. A most elaborate character of him has been drawn at some length by Dr. M'Crie, in his 'Life of Knox,' and though it may perhaps be well to inform the reader that Dr. M'Crie
was a rigid Presbyterian, we think it on the whole a just representation.
We subjoin a brief summary of it : Knox possessed strong talents; was inquisitive, ardent, acute, vigorous, and bold in his conceptions. He was a stranger to none of the branches of learning cultivated in that age by persons of his profession, and he felt an irresistible desire to impart his knowledge to others. Intrepidity, independence, and elevation of mind, indefatigable activity, and constancy which no dis appointments could shake, eminently qualified him for the post which he occupied. In private life he was loved and revered by his friends and domestics: when free from depiession of spirits, the result of ill health, he was accustomed to unbend 'his mind, and was often witty and hnmoroue. Most of his faults may be traced to his natural tem perament and the character of the age and country in which he lived. His passions were strong, and as he felt he expressed himself without reserve or disguise. His zeal made him intemperate : he was obstinate, austere, stern, and vehement. These defects, which would have been inexcusable in most other persons, may be more easily forgiven in him, for they were among the most successful weapons iu his warfare.