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Rh had augured from the death of the Regent, soon broke out, and spread civil discord through the nation. The Hamiltons raised the Queen's standard; and Kircaldy of Grange, governor of Edinburgh Castle, declared himself on the same side. Knox, however, persisted in warning his hearers from joining with those who sought to overthrow the king's authority, and the Reformed religion. At the meeting of the General Assembly, in March 1571, he was charged with seditious railing against the Queen, and refusing to pray for her welfare, but having successfully defended himself, his enemies accused him of inconsistency in writing against female government, and yet praying for Elizabeth, and requesting her aid against his native country. This accusation he also met and refuted, concluding thus: “One thing, in the end, I may not pretermit, that is, to give him a lie in his throat, that either dare, or will say, that ever I sought support against my native country. What I have been to my country, albeit this unthankful age will not know, yet the ages to come will be compelled to bear witness to the truth. And thus I cease, requiring of all men that has to oppose any thing against me, that he will do it so plainly as I make myself and all my doings manifest to the world; for to me it seems a thing most unreasonable, that, in my decrepid age, I shall be compelled to fight against shadows and houlets, that dare not abide the light."

Knox was now so debilitated in body, that he seldom went out except on the Sabbath, and could then only preach part of the day. He gave up attending the church courts, and previous to the breaking out of the last disturbances, he took no part in public affairs; but whenever the welfare of the church was threatened, he forgot his infirmities and resolutions, and stood prepared to repel the attacks of his adversaries, whether open or clandestine. His situation in