PAUL’S WORK, CANONGATE.
CONTENTS
OF
VOLUME SECOND.
Knox resumes his situation in Edinburgh—urges the settlement of ecclesiastical polity—aversion to this on the part of the nobles—Knox is employed in compiling the Book of Discipline—this is approved by General Assembly and subscribed by greater part of Privy Council—sketch of the form and order of the reformed church of Scotland—attention to education—avarice of the nobility—influence of the Reformation on literature—introduction of Hebrew into Scotland—John Row—return of Buchanan—remarks on Mr Hume’s representation of the rudeness of Scotland—literary hours in a Scottish minister’s family—cultivation of the vernacular language—David Ferguson—First General Assembly—Knox loses his wife—corresponds with Calvin—his anxiety for the safety of the reformed church—Queen Mary arrives in Scotland—her education—her fixed determination to restore popery—alarm excited by her setting up of mass—behaviour of Knox on this occasion—remarks on this—sanguinary spirit and proceedings of Roman Catholics—hostile intentions of the Queen against Knox—first interview between them—Knox’s opinion of her character—his austerity and vehemence useful—he vindicates the right of holding ecclesiastical assemblies—inveighs against the inadequate provision made for the ministers of the church—his own stipend—attention of town‑council to his support and accommodation—he installs two superintendents—is employed in reconciling the nobility—the Queen is offended at one of his sermons—second interview between them—his great labours in Edinburgh—he obtains a colleague—incidents in thelife of John Craig—the Prior of St Andrew’s created Earl of Murray, and made prime minister—insurrection under Huntly—conduct of Knox on that occasion—Quintin Kennedy—dispute between him and Knox—Ninian Wingate—excommunication of Paul Methven—reflections on the severity of the protestant discipline—third interview between Knox and the Queen—artifice of Mary—she prevails on the parliament not to ratify the protestant religion—indignation of Knox at this—breach between him and Earl of Murray—his sermon at the dissolution of parliament—fourth interview between him and the Queen—apology for the sternness of his behaviour—slander against his character—he is accused of high treason—the courtiers endeavour to intimidate him into a submission—his trial and defence—indignation of the Queen at his acquittal.
The courtiers charge Knox with usurping a papal power—the General Assembly vindicate him—he marries a daughter of Lord Ochiltree—splenetic reflections of the papists on this alliance—dissensions between the court and preachers—apology for the liberty of the pulpit—debate between Knox and secretary Maitland—on Knox’s form of prayer for the Queen—and on his doctrine respecting resistance to civil rulers—Craig’s account of a similar dispute in Bologna—the Queen marries Lord Darnley—change in the court—reasons which induced the nobles who opposed the marriage to take up arms—Queen amuses the protestant ministers—Knox is reconciled to Earl of Murray—gives offence to the King—is inhibited from preaching—town‑council remonstrate against this—he resumes his employment—Goodman leaves St Andrew’s—petition for Knox’s translation to that town refused by Assembly—he is employed to write different treatises for the church—extract from the treatise of Fasting—measures taken by the queen for restoring popery—assassination of Rizzio—sudden changes in the court—Knox retires to Kyle—queen refuses to permit his return to the capital—he resolves to visit his sons inEngland—receives a recommendation from the General Assembly—carries a letter to the English bishops—archbishop Hamilton restored to his ancient jurisdiction—spirited letter of Knox on that occasion—alienation between Mary and her husband—the King murdered by Bothwell—the Queen’s participation in the murder—her marriage to Bothwell—independent behaviour of John Craig—the queen resigns the crown to her son—Knox returns to Edinburgh—preaches at the coronation of James VI.—his opinion concerning the punishment of Mary—the Earl of Murray is installed in the Regency—act of parliament in favour of the protestant church—state of the church during the regency of Murray—Knox cherishes the desire of retiring from public life—the regent opposed by a party attached to Mary—attempts made on his life—he is assassinated by Hamilton of Bothwelhaugh—national grief at this event—character of Murray—Knox bewails his loss—fabricated conference between them—Thomas Maitland insults over the death of the regent—Knox’s denunciation against him—his pathetic sermon before the regent’s funeral—is struck with apoplexy.
Knox recovers from the apoplectic stroke—Kircaldy of Grange joins the Queen’s party—Knox involved in a personal quarrel with him—interposition of the gentlemen of the west in his favour—anonymous libels against him—his spirited answers from the pulpit—Queen’s party take possession of the capital—danger to which Knox is exposed—he is prevailed on to retire to St Andrew’s—civil war—hostility of the Queen’s faction against Knox—he is opposed by their adherents at St Andrew’s—John Hamilton—Archibald Hamilton—execution of archbishop Hamilton—the regent Lennox slain—is succeeded by Earl of Mar—invasion on the jurisdiction of the church—tulchan bishops—not approved of by the General Assembly—Knox’s letter to the assembly at Stirling—his sentiments respecting episcopacy—he refuses to install Douglas as archbishop of St Andrew’s—gradual decay of his health—striking description of his appearance andpulpit eloquence—his familiarity with the students at the university—he publishes an answer to a Scots Jesuit—ardently desires his dissolution—his last letter to the General Assembly—his subscription to Ferguson’s sermon—he returns to Edinburgh—requests a smaller place of worship—Craig removes from Edinburgh—Lawson chosen as successor to Knox—Knox’s letter to him—Bartholomew massacre in France—Knox’s denunciation against Charles IX.—he begins to preach in the Tolbooth church—his last sermon—his sickness—interview between him and his session—his message to Kircaldy—his religious advices, meditations, and comfort during his last illness—his death—his funeral—opinions entertained respecting him by the papists—by foreign reformers—by Scottish protestants—by divines of the church of England—origin and causes of prejudices against him—his character—reflections on the prophecies ascribed to him—account of his family—sufferings of John Welch, his son‑in‑law—interview between him and Lewis XIII.—interview between Mrs Welch and James VI.—character of Knox’s writings—conclusion.