the throne of England, and soon began a persecution against the protestants, equal in barbarity to the deeds of the greatest tyrant that ever swayed a sceptre. Knox appears to have left London on her accession, and in various parts of the kingdom preached the glad tidings of salvation to multitudes of people. The importance of the work in which he was engaged, and his earnest desire faithfully to discharge its duties, will appear from the following account of the manner in which he reproached himself for consulting his own comfort more than the people's spiritual welfare: "In preaching of Christ's gospel, albeit mine eye, as God knoweth, was not much on worldly promotion; yet the love of friends, and carnal affection of some men with whom I was most familiar, led me to reside longer in one place than another, having more respect to the pleasure of a few, than the wants of many. That day I thought I had not sinned, if I had not been idle but this day, I know it was my duty to have had consideration how long I remained in one place, and how many hungry souls were in other places, to whom, alas! none took

pains to break and distribute the bread of life."

Knox's salary was now stopped; but he continued, though at great risk, to labour till January, 1554, when the persecution having become general, by the advice of his friends he left England, and crossed over into France. At Dieppe he wrote letters to his friends behind, exhorting them to continue steadfast in the truth, and from thence he proceeded to Geneva, at that time the asylum for numerous protestant exiles. Here he employed himself for some time in private study, meditation, and prayer; but the congregation of English refugees at Frankfort, who had fled thither from the persecutions of Mary, having given him a call to become their pastor, he, after some hesitation, accepted it, and commenced his ministry in November, with the unanimous approbation of the people.

The church at Frankfort had been allowed to be formed at first, on the express condition that they should conform to the worship used by the French protestants, and while these orders were obeyed, that church enjoyed tranquillity. The happiness, however, which Knox had here,

when he commenced his labours, was very soon interrupted. Dr. Cox, preceptor to king Edward VI. arrived at Frankfort, with some others in March,1555, and differing with Knox on some points deemed important, formed an adverse party, and accused him to the state of high-treason against the emperor, Charles V., and his son Philip. The treason was, his having preached, while in England, against the proposed marriage between Philip and the English queen; and in the same sermon, asserting that the emperor, who was a bigoted catholic, "was no less an enemy to Christ than Nero was." When it is remembered that these words, strained to the utmost by his accusers, were spoken in a country not under the dominion of the emperor, the absurdity of such a charge against Knox at that time must be apparent; and the accusation of Cox and his faction seems to be a most treacherous and unchristian act.

The magistrates, sensible of the malice of Knox's accusers, and yet afraid of being suspected of disaffection to the emperor, if it were known that they suffered a person to continue in a church under their authority, who had been charged with the

crime of treason, privately advised him to leave Frankfort; and accordingly, after delivering a farewell sermon in his own lodgings, to a number of his congregation, he departed on the 26th of March, and returned to Geneva, where he was received with kindness. From the time he had left Scotland, however, his thoughts had been constantly turned to the state of religion at home; and he resolved therefore now to visit his native country, and render all his aid to those who were there struggling against the supporters of ignorance and error, who laboured hard to crush the rising reformation.

D

CHAPTER IV.

Mary of Guise, the queen dowager, succeeds the earl of Arran in the regency-Progress of the reformationKnox arrives in Edinburgh-His successful laboursRequests the queen to hear him preach the reformed doctrines-Her reply-Accepts a call from GenevaAfter his departure, is summoned before the popish clergy-Condemned and burnt in effigy at EdinburghIs recalled to Scotland, but meets with difficulties and impediments, and determines to remain in Geneva-In 1586, he assists in making a new translation of the Bible-Writes a book against the practice of raising females to the government of kingdoms-His motives for so doing.

IN the meantime, the reformation had been making, by slow yet sure steps, considerable progress in Scotland; and by a singular disposition of Providence, the very persons who were its enemies, were made instruments for advancing the cause. Mary of Guise, the queen dowager, desirous of dispossessing the earl of Arran of the regency, and of succeeding him in that high dignity, courted the protestants with the greatest assiduity. She promised them every protection and indulgence in their worship, and so far prevailed, as to induce them to favour her pretensions. At length, on the 10th of April, she succeeded in obtaining the consent of the ear! of Arran to resign the regency, and gained the height of her ambition, by being placec