the
24d of January, 1570. according to Buchanan, 1571. but according to
Spotiswood, 1569.

Thus fell the earl of Moray (whom historians ordinarily call, The good
regent) after he had escaped so many dangers: He was certainly a worthy
governor. Both Buchanan and Spotswood give him the following character:
"His death was lamented by all good men, who loved him as the public
father of his country, even his enemies confessed his merit when dead;
they admired his valour in war, his ready disposition for peace, his
activity in business, in which he was commonly very successful; the
divine favour seemed to shine on all his actions; he was very merciful
to offenders, and equitable in all his decisions. When the field did not
call for his presence, he was busied in the administration of justice;
by which means the poor were not oppressed, and the terms of law-suits
were shortened.--His house was like a holy temple; after meals he caused
a chapter of the bible to be read, and asked the opinions of such
learned men as were present upon it, not out of a vain curiosity, but
from a desire to learn, and reduce to practice what it contained[30]."
In a word, he was both in his public and private life, a pattern worthy
of imitation, and happy would it be for us, that our nobles were more
disposed to walk in the paths which he trode;--for, "Above all his
virtues, which were not a few, he shined in piety towards God, ordering
himself and his family in such a sort as did more resemble a church than
a court; for therein, besides the exercise of devotion, which he never
omitted, there was no wickedness to be seen, nay not an unseemly or
wanton word to be heard. A man truly good, and worthy to be ranked
amongst the best governors, that this kingdom hath enjoyed, and
therefore to this day honoured with the title of _The good Regent_[31]."

_The Life of Mr. JOHN KNOX._

Mr. Knox was born in Gifford near Haddington in East Lothian, in the
year 1505. His father was related to the antient house of Ranferlie.
When he left the grammar school, he was sent to the university of St.
Andrews, to study under Mr. John Mair, (a man of considerable learning
at that time), and had the degree of master of arts conferred upon him,
while very young. He excelled in philosophy and polemical divinity, and
was admitted into church orders before the usual time appointed by the
canons. Then laying aside all unnecessary branches of learning, he
betook hims