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Rh bold reply, and broke off the conversation. Soon after, he was tried for treason at Edinburgh, but his accusers were unable to substantiate the charge, and, much to the Queen's displeasure, he was acquitted.

During the year 1564, the country continued quiet, but the same jealousies subsisted between the court and the church. The Queen's prejudices against the Reformed religion were unabated, and she maintained a correspondence with its enemies on the continent, which did not escape the vigilance of her Protestant subjects. The preachers, however, did not relax in their warnings against Popery.

By appointment of the General Assembly in August, Knox visited the churches in Aberdeen and the north, where he remained some weeks. He had a similar appointment from the subsequent Assembly, to Perth and Fifeshire.

In December 1566, he requested permission from the General Assembly to visit England. It was readily granted, on condition that he would return by the time of their next meeting in June. In the testimonial sent along with him, he was described as “a true and faithful minister, in doctrine pure and sincere, in life and conversation in our sight inculpable," and one who "has so fruitfully used that talent granted to him by the Eternal, to the advancement of the glory of his godly name, to the propagation of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, and edifying of them who heard his preaching, that of duty we most heartily praise his godly name, for that so great a benefit granted unto him for our utility and profit."

Before undertaking this journey, he had to perform another service to the church. The Queen having granted a commission to the Archbishop of St. Andrews, restoring him to his ancient jurisdiction, which had been abolished by act of Parliament in 1560, Knox became alarmed, and he addressed a letter to