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THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX. 263 I ' especially Maister Henry Balnaves and Jolili Rough, 'preacher, perceiving the manner of his doctrine, ' began earnestly to travail with him, that he would ' take the preaching place upon him. But he utterly 'refused, alleging That he would not ryne where ' God had not called him ; " meaning that he would ' do nothing without a lawful vocation. 'Whereupon they privily among themselves ad-

  • vising, having with them in council Sir David Lind-

'say of the Mount, they concluded that they would I* give a charge to the said John, and that publicly by •'the mouth of. their preacher.' Which accordingly Jwith all solemnity was done by the said Rough, after an express sermon on the Election of Ministers, and what power lay in the call of the congregation, how small soever, upon any man discerned by them to have in him the gifts of God. John Rough, ' di- ' rected his words to the said John, charging him to ' refuse not the holy vocation of preaching, even as he

  • hoped to avoid God's heavy displeasure; and turning

' to the congregation, asked them " Was not this your ' charge to me ? and do ye not approve this voca- 'tion?" They answered "It was; and we approve