INTRODUCTION. 17 Upon Mr. Knox's departure, Cox'sparty having strength- ened themselves by the addition of other exiles, petitioned the magistrates for the free use of King Edward's service- book ; which they were pleased togrant. The old congre- gation was thus broken up by Dr. Cox andhis friends, who now carried all before them. They chose new church- officers, taking no notice of the old ones, and set up the service-book without interruption. Among those who were driven from the peaceable and happy congregation, were Knox, Gilby, Goodman, Cole, Whittingham, and Fox, all celebrated nonconformists in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.* From the above account, it will sufficiently appear who were the aggressors. Bishop Burnet, with great injustice, says, a That Knox and his party certainly began the breach. 's Towards the close of this queen's unhappy reign, her government having sustained many losses, her spirits failed, her health declined, and, being seized with the dropsy, she died November 17, 1552, in the forty-third year of her age, having reigned a little more than five years and four months. Queen Mary was a princess of severe principles, and being wholly under the controul of her clergy, was ever forward to sanction all their cruelties. Her conscience was under the absolute direction of the pope and her con- fessor; who, to encourage her in the extirpation of heresy, and in all the cruelties inflicted upon protestants, gave her assurance, that she was doing God service. She was naturally of a melancholy and peevish temper; and her death was lamented only by her popish, elergy.t Her reign was in every respect calamitous to the nation, and will be transmitted to. posterity in characters of blood. SECT. II. From theDeath of Queen Mary, to the Death of Queen Elizabeth. THE accession of Queen ELIZABETH to the crown, gave new life to the Reformation. The news had no sooner reached the continent, than most of the worthy exiles with joy returned home; and those whohad concealed themselves, during the late storm, came forth as men restored from the Troubles at Frankeford, p. I-&e. Hist. of Refor. vol. ii. p. 359. Ibid. p. 269-371.
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