While John Knox was thus occupied in Scotland, letters came unto him from the English Kirk in Geneva, in God's name commanding him, as their chosen pastor, to repair unto them for their comfort. Upon this, the said John prepared to obey the summons. He bade farewell in almost every congregation in which he had preached, and exhorted us to prayers, to reading of the Scriptures, and to mutual conference, until such time as God should give unto us greater liberty. By the procurement and labours of Robert Campbell of Kinyeancleuch, he visited the old Earl of Argyll in the Castle of Campbell, and there he taught certain days. The Laird of Glenorchy, being one of his auditors, desired the Earl of Argyll to detain him; but he, purposed upon his journey, would not at that time stay for any request. He added that, if God so blessed these small beginnings and they continued in godliness, they should find him obedient whensoever they pleased to command him; but that he must needs visit once that little flock which the wickedness of men had compelled him to leave. In the month of July he left this realm and passed to France, and so to Geneva. Immediately after, the bishops summoned him, and, for non-compearance, burned him in effigy at the Cross of Edinburgh, in the year of God 1555. [Sidenote: The Regent declares War on England: the Nobles decline to move.] In the winter that the said John abode in Scotland, there appeared a comet, the course of which was from the south and south-west to the north and northeast. It was seen during the months of November, December, and January, and was called "the fiery besom." Soon after, Christian, King of Denmark, died, and war rose betwixt Scotland and England; for the Commissioners of both realms, who for almost six months had treated upon the conditions of peace and were upon a near point of conclusion, were disappointed. At Newbattle, the Queen Regent, with her Council of the French faction, decreed war, without giving any intimation to the Commissioners for Scotland. Such is the fidelity of Princes, guided by priests, whenever they seek to serve their own affections. But the nobility of Scotland, after consultation amongst themselves, went to the pavilion of Monsieur D'Oysel, and to his face declared that in nowise would they invade England. They commanded the ordnance to be retired; and this was done without further delay. This put an affray[116] in Monsieur D'Oysel's breath, and kindled such a fire in the Queen Regent's stomach as was not well slockened until her breath failed. And thus was that enterprise frustrated, although war continued. [116] Terror; fright. [Sidenote: The Evangel begins to flourish in Scotland.]