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, Page 107 PERIOD NINTH. 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 and {vi} pulpit 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, Page 180 NOTES, 281 APPENDIX, 374 SUPPLEMENT, 429