The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Before the day, which was appointed for the meeting at Saint Johnston, my Lord of Murray most careful of the maintenance of Religion, sent to all the principal Churches, advertising them of the matter, and desiring them to advise, and send the most able men in Learning and Reputation, to keep the day; but their craft and dissimulation appeared, for the Dean of Restalrigge who lately arrived out of France, with others, such as Mr. John Lesley Parson of Vure, afterward Bishop of Ross, caused the Queen to understand that thing whereof she was easily persuaded, to wit, That there ought to be given to all men liberty of conscience, and for this purpose to shun or put off the first day appointed; The Queen writ to the Nobility, that because she was informed that there was great meetings out of every Shire and Town in great number; and then the other party (so termed she the Papists) were minded together to the said Convention, which should apparently make trouble or sedition, rather then any other thing; therefore she thought it expedient, and willed them to stay the said meetings, and to defer the same till such a day that she should appoint with advice of her Council. At this time there was a Parliament proclaimed to be held at Edinburgh the twentieth day of July. By this Letter, some of the Protestants having best judgement, thought themselves sufficiently warned of the Inconveniences and troubles to come. Now her Council at this time, was only the Earls of Lenox and Athole, the Lord Ruthven, but chiefly David Rizio the Italian ruled all; ⟨p. 409⟩yet the Earle of Ross already in greatest credit and familiarity. These Letters were sent out to the Lords about the eight and twentieth day of May; and within twelve days thereafter, she directed new Missives to the chief of the Nobility, desiring or, commanding them, to come to Saint Johnston the three and twentieth day of June following, to consult upon such things as concerned Religion, and other things as her Majesty should propose; Which day, was even the day before that the general Assembly should have been held in Edinburgh. This last Letter uttered the effect of the former; so that the Protestants thought themselves sufficiently warned.

Before the day, which was appointed for the meeting at Saint Iohnston, my Lord of Murray most carefull of the maintenance of Religion, sent to all the principall Churches, advertising them of the matter, and desiring them to advise, and send the most able men in Learning and Reputation, to keep the day; but their craft and dissimulation appeared, for the Dean of Restalrigge who lately arrived out of France, with others, such as Mr. Iohn Lesley Parson of Vure, afterward Bishop of Rosse, caused the Queen to understand that thing whereof she was easily perswaded, to wit, That there ought to be given to all men libertie of conscience, and for this purpose to shun or put off the first day appointed; The Queen writ to the Nobility, that because she was informed that there was great meetings out of every Shire and Town in great number; and then the other partie (so termed she the Papists) were minded together to the said Convention, which should apparently make trouble or sedition, rather then any other thing; therefore she thought it expedient, and willed them to stay the said meetings, and to deferre the same till such a day that she should appoint with advice of her Councell. At this time there was a Parliament proclaimed to be held at Edinburgh the twentieth day of Iuly. By this Letter, some of the Protestants having best judgement, thought themselves sufficiently warned of the Inconveniences and troubles to come. Now her Councell at this time, was onely the Earles of Lenox and Athole, the Lord Ruthen, but chiefely David Rizio the Italian ruled all;