contemporaries. Knox himself, after Mary
scattered the party of the murderers and recovered power, prayed that
heaven would "put it into the heart of a multitude" to treat Mary like
Athaliah.

Mary made her escape from Holyrood to Dunbar, to safety, in the night of
March 11. March 12 found Knox on his knees; the game was up, the blood
had been shed in vain. The Queen had not died, but was well, and
surrounded by friends; and the country was rather for her than against
her. The Reformer composed a prayer, repenting that "in quiet I am
negligent, in trouble impatient, tending to desperation," which shows
insight. He speaks of his pride and ambition, also of his covetousness
and malice. That he was really covetous we cannot believe, nor does he
show malice except against idolaters. He "does not doubt himself to be
elected to eternal salvation," of which he has "assured signs." He has
"knowledge above the common sort of my brethren" (pride has crept in
again!), and has been compelled to "forespeak," or prophesy. He implores
mercy for his "desolate bedfellow," for her children, and for his sons by
his first wife. "Now, Lord, put end to my misery!" (Edinburgh, March 12,
1566). Knox fled from Edinburgh, "with a great mourning of the godly of
religion," says a Diarist, on the same day as the chief murderers took
flight, March 17; his place of refuge was Kyle in Ayrshire (March 21,
1566). {252a}

In Randolph's letter, recording the flight of these nobles, he mentions
eight of their accomplices, and another list is pinned to the letter,
giving names of men "all at the death of Davy and privy thereunto." This
applies to about a dozen men, being a marginal note opposite their names.
A line lower is added, "John Knox, John Craig, preachers." {252b} There
is no other evidence that Knox, who fled, or Craig, who stood to his
pulpit, were made privy to the plot. When idolaters thought it best not
to let the Pope into a scheme for slaying Elizabeth, it is hardly
probable that Protestants would apprise their leading preachers. On the
other hand, Calvin was consulted by the would-be assassins of the Duc de
Guise, in 1559-60, and he prevented the deed, as he assures the Duchesse
de Ferrare, the mother-in-law of the Duc, after that noble was murdered
in good earnest. {252c} Calvin, we have shown, knew beforehand of the
conspiracy of Amboise, which aimed at the death of "Antonius," obviously
Guise. He disapproved of but did