Scotland/Scots > Life of John Knox ; and, The life of Alexander Henderson

340 LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
cation, and of conciliating him by the kind treatment of
his wife; seeing he was in great credit with the lords of
the Congregation, had been the principal instrument in
producing the late change in that kingdom, and was
capable of doing essential service to her majesty. Ac¬
cordingly, Mrs. Knox came into England, and being
conveyed to the borders, by the directions of the court,
reached her husband in safety, on the 20th of September.
Her mother, after remaining a short time in her native
country, followed her into Scotland, where she remained
until her death.
The arrival of his family was the more gratifying to
our Reformer, that they were accompanied by Christo¬
pher Goodman. He had repeatedly written, in the most
pressing manner, for his late colleague to come to his
assistance, and expressed much uneasiness at the delay
of his arrival. Goodman became minister of St. An¬
drews. The settlement of Protestant ministers took
place at an earlier period than is mentioned in our
common histories. Previous to September 1559, eight
towns were provided with pastors; other places remained
unprovided, owing to the scarcity of preachers, which was
severely felt.
In the mean time, it became daily more apparent that
the lords of the Congregation would be unable, without
foreign aid, to maintain the struggle in which they were
involved. Had the contest been merely between them
and the domestic party of the regent, they would soon
have brought it to a successful termination; but they
could not withstand the veteran troops which France
had sent to her assistance, and was preparing to send, in
still more formidable numbers. As far back as the
middle of June, our Reformer renewed his exertions
for obtaining assistance from England; and persuaded
William Kircaldy of Grange, first to write, and after¬
wards to pay a visit to Sir Henry Percy, who held a
public situation on the English marches. Percy immedi-