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21 of the land should judge of it. My Hope is that so long as ye defile not yon hands with the blood of the saints of God, that neither I nor that book shall either hurt you or your authority; for, in every deed, Madam, that book was written most especially against that wicked Mary of England. To a question by the Queen, if subjects, having power may resist their princes?. He boldly answered they might, "if princes do exceed their bounds." The following part of the dialogue will give a good idea of the character of Knox, and the freedom of his speech: — Speaking of the church, the Queen observed, "but ye are not the church that I will nourish; I will defend the church of Rome, for I think it is the true church of God."

Your will, Madam," said he, "is no reason; neither doth your thought make that Roman harlot to be the immaculate spouse of Jesus Christ. And wonder not, Madam, that I call Rome an harlot, for that church is altogether polluted with all kinds of spiritual fornication, as well in doctrine as in manners." He had afterwards two other conferences with the queen, at the last of which he burst into tears, crying out, “Never prince was used as I am."

Knox's situation became very critical in April, 1571, when Kircaldy received the Hamiltons, with their forces, into the castle. Their inveteracy against him was so great, that his friends were obliged to watch his house during the night. They proposed forming a guard for the protection of his person when he went abroad, but the governor of the castle forbade this, as implying a suspicion of him, and offered to send Melvil, one of his officers, to conduct him to and from church. "He wold of the woulf the wedder to keip," says Bannatyne. Induced by the importunity of the citizen,