At this happy juncture he fell into the company of a
Mrs. Elizabeth Bowes, wife of Richard Bowes, of Aske, in
Yorkshire, to whom she had borne twelve children. She was a
religious hypochondriac, a very weariful woman, full of
doubts and scruples, and giving no rest on earth either to
herself or to those whom she honoured with her confidence.
From the first time she heard Knox preach she formed a high
opinion of him, and was solicitous ever after of his society.
(1) Nor was Knox unresponsive. "I have always delighted in
your company," he writes, "and when labours would permit, you
know I have not spared hours to talk and commune with you."
Often when they had met in depression he reminds her, "God
hath sent great comfort unto both." (2) We can gather from
such letters as are yet extant how close and continuous was
their intercourse. "I think it best you remain till the
morrow," he writes once, "and so shall we commune at large at
afternoon. This day you know to be the day of my study and
prayer unto God; yet if your trouble be intolerable, or, if
you think my presence may release your pain, do as the Spirit
shall move you. . . . Your messenger found me in bed, after a
sore trouble and most dolorous night, and so dolour may
complain to dolour when we two meet. . . . And this is more
plain than ever I spoke, to let you know you have a companion
in trouble.
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