The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Secondly, That by reason of the change of the Comptroller, who had put in new Collectors, forbidding them to deliver any thing to the Ministry, and by these means the Ministry was like to decay and fail, contrary to the Ordinance made in the year of God 1562. in favour and support of the Ministry. During this time, as the Papists flocked to Edinburgh for making Court, some of them that had been Friars, as black Abercrommy and Roger, presented supplication to the Queens Majesty, desiring in effect, That they might be permitted to preach; which was easily granted. The noise was further, That they offered Disputation: For as the Court stood, they thought they had a great advantage already, by reason they knew the King to be of their Religion, as well as the Queen, with some part of the Nobility, who with the King after declared themselves openly: And especially the Queen was governed by the Earls of Lenox and Athole; but in matters most weighty, and of greatest importance, by David Rizio the Italian afore mentioned, who went under the name of the French Secretary; by whose means, all grave matters, of what weight soever, must pass; providing always, That his hands were anointed. In the mean time he was a manifest enemy to the Evangel, and therefore a greater enemy to the banished Lords. And at this time, the principal Lords that waited at Court were divided in opinions; For the Earle of Morton Chancellor, with the Earle of ⟨p. 427⟩Mar, and Secretary Lethington, were on the one part; and the Earls of Huntley and Bothwell on the other part, so that a certain dryness was amongst them; nevertheless, by means of the Earle of Athole, they were reconciled. Now as there was preparation made by the Papists for Christmas, the Queen being then at Mass, the King came publicly, and bare company; and the Friars Preached the days following, always using another stile then they had done seven years before, during which time they had not Preached publicly: they were so little esteemed, that they continued not long in Preaching.

Secondly, That by reason of the change of the Comptroller, who had put in new Collectors, forbidding them to deliver any thing to the Ministry, and by these means the Ministry was like to decay and fail, contrary to the Ordinance made in the yeer of God 1562. in favour and support of the Ministery. During this time, as the Papists flocked to Edinburgh for making Court, some of them that had been Friers, as black Abercrommy and Roger, presented supplication to the Queens Majesty, desiring in effect, That they might be permitted to preach; which was easily granted. The noyse was further, That they offered Disputation: For as the Court stood, they thought they had a great advantage already, by reason they knew the King to be of their Religion, as well as the Queen, with some part of the Nobility, who with the King after declared themselves openly: And especially the Queen was governed by the Earls of Lenox and Athole; but in matters most weighty, and of greatest importance, by David Rizio the Italian afore mentioned, who went under the name of the French Secretary; by whose means, all grave matters, of what weight soever, must passe; providing always, That his hands were anoynted. In the mean time he was a manifest enemy to the Evangell, and therefore a greater enemy to the banished Lords. And at this time, the principall Lords that waited at Court were divided in opinions; For the Earle of Morton Chancellor, with the Earle of