mise
disgusted the earls of Argyle and Moray to that degree, that they
forsook her and joined the congregation. Having assembled with the laird
of Dun and others, they sent for Mr. Knox, who, in his way to them
preached in Crail in Anstruther, intending to preach next day at St.
Andrews.

This design coming to the ears of the bishop, he raised 100 spear-men,
and sent this message to the lords, "That if John Knox offered to preach
there, he should have a warm military reception;" They, in their turn,
forewarned Mr. Knox of his danger, and dissuaded him from going; he made
answer, "God is my witness, that I never preached Jesus Christ in
contempt of any man, neither am I concerned about going thither: tho' I
would not willingly injure the worldly interest of any creature, I
cannot, in conscience, delay preaching to-morrow, if I am not detained
by violence; as for fear of danger to my person, let no man be
solicitous about that, for my life is in the hand of him whose glory I
seek, and therefore I fear not their threats, so as to cease from doing
my duty, when of his mercy God offereth the occasion. I desire the hand
and weapon of no man to defend me, only I crave audience, which if
denied to me here, at this time, I must seek further where I may have
it." The lords were satisfied that he should fulfil his intention, which
he did, with such boldness and success (without any interruption), that
the magistrates and people of the town immediately after sermon agreed
to remove all monuments of idolatry; which they did, with great
expedition.

After this, several skirmishes ensued between the queen and lords of the
congregation. But at last, the queen sickened and died, and a general
peace, which lasted for some time, was procured, during which, the
commissioners of the Scots nobility (anno 1560), were employed in
settling minsters in different places. Mr. Knox was appointed to
Edinburgh, where he continued until the day of his death.

The same year the Scots confession was compiled and agreed upon; and
that the church might be established upon a good foundation, a
commission and charge was given to Mr. Knox and five others, to draw up
a form of government and discipline of the church. When they had
finished it, they presented it to the nobility, by whom it was
afterwards ratified and approved of.

But this progress which was daily making in the reformation, soon met
with a severe check by the arrival of queen Mary from Fr