John Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, when upon his death bed,
experienced a most remarkable presentiment as to the fate of his friend
Kirkaldy of Grange, who, during the civil war of that period, was
holding the Castle of Edinburgh in the cause of Mary Queen of Scots and
of the Anti-Protestant party. The particulars are in this wise related
by Calderwood, the historian, whose testimony is unimpeachable:
“John Knox, being on his death bed, sent for his colleague and
successor, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Lindsay, Minister of Leith, and the elders
and deacons of Edinburgh, all of whom he addressed in a farewell speech.
“They were departing, when Knox called back Lindsay and Lawson, and
desired to speak with them in private. ‘Weel, brother,’ said he
addressing Lindsay, ‘I have desired all this day to have had you, that
I may send you to yon man in the Castle, whom you know I have loved so
dearly. Go, I pray you, to him, and tell him I have sent you to him yet
once to warn him and bid him in the name of God, leave the evil cause
and give over the Castle. If not, he shall be brought down over the
walls of it with shame, and hang against the sun. So hath God assured
me.’ Lindsay went to the Castle accordingly and delivered Knox’s
message; but Kirkaldy, after conferring with Secretary Letington, said,
‘Go, tell Mr. Knox he is but a drything prophet.’ Mr. Lindsay returned
to Mr. Knox and reported how he had discharged his commission. ‘Well!’
said Knox, ‘I have been earnest with my God anent these two men. For
the one, I am sorry so shall befall him; yet, God assureth me that
there is mercy for his soul. For the other I have no warrant that it
shall be well with him.’
“Kirkaldy maintained the Castle for some months after Knox’s death, but
was at last forced to surrender, whereupon he was condemed to death as
a traitor and hanged at Edinburgh on the 3d of August, 1572, at four
o’clock in the afternoon, the sun being west.”
* * * * *
The Prince of Navarre, afterwards King Henry the IV., of France, while
playing at dice with a company at the court of Charles IX., on the eve
of St. Bartholomew, observed several drops of blood to fall upon the
cloth, which spread consternation among the players.
* * * * *
On the day upon which Gen. Arnold died in Nova Scotia, the tree under
which Major Andre was captured, near Tarrytown, fell, although there
was no storm.
* * * * *
On the eve of the assassination of Julius Cæsar, the temple of Jupiter
Stabor trembled to its foundation, and an enormous piece of rock fell
from the height of the capitol, and carried with it a Roman standard
bearer, who was on guard, at the opening of the road.