Page:Life of John Knox (2).pdf/10

10 journeys through France he discovered that a plan was projected by the princes of Lorrain, brothers of the queen regent of Scotland, to set up the claim of the young Queen of Scots to the crown of England; to attack Elizabeth, and wrest the sceptre from her hands as a bastard, and that they were to begin by suppressing the Reformation. Knowing that the Scottish reformers were unable to resist the power of France, and that it was the interest as well as the duty of the English court to support then, Knox resolved to obtain an interview with some confidential agent of the English Government. With this view, he wrote to Secretary Cecil; but despairing of the success of his application, he sailed for Scotland on the 22d of April, and landed at Leith in the beginning of May. On his arrival, he found matters in the most critical state. The Protestant leaders had frequently supplicated the Regent and the clergy, to use their influence in removing those corruptions in religion which could no longer be concealed, but without success. They therefore resolved to abolish Popish superstition, and set up the Protestant worship wherever their influence extended. St. Andrews was the place fixed on for the commencement of these operations, and such was the influence of the discourses delivered by Knox, that the inhabitants agreed to set up the reformed worship in the town: the church was stripped of its images, and the monasteries demolished. This example was speedily followed in other places, and in a few weeks the houses of the monks were overthrown, and all the instruments which were employed to foster idolatry were destroyed. Knox continued at St. Andrews till the end of June, when he returned to Edinburgh, and the Protestants of that city having chosen him for their minister, he entered upon the charge; but was soon obliged to relinquish it on account of the extreme hostility with which the Papists