The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

George took him in his arms, and said, Whosoever troubles him shall trouble me, for he hath hurt me in nothing, but he hath done great comfort to you and me, to wit, he hath let us to understand what we may fear, in times to come we will watch better: And so he appeased both the one part and the other, and saved the life of him that sought his. When the Plague was so ceased that almost there was none sick, he took his leave of them, and said, That God had almost put an end to that battle. He found himself called to another place. The Gentlemen of the West had written unto him that he should meet them at Edinburgh; for they would require Disputation of the Bishops, and that he should be publicly heard, whereto he willingly agreed. But first he passed to Montrose to salute the Church there, where he remained, occupied sometimes in Preaching, but most part in secret Meditation: In the which he was so earnest, that night and day he would continue in it, while he was so occupied with his God, the Cardinal drew a secret draught for his slaughter; He caused to write unto him a Letter,¹ as it had been from his most familiar friend, the Laird of Kinneir, desiring him with all possible diligence to come unto him, for he was stricken with a sudden sickness. In the mean time had the traitor provided 60 men with Jacks and Spears to lie in wait within a mile and half to the town of Montrose for his dispatch. The Letter coming to his hand, he made haste at first (for the boy had brought a horse) and so with some honest men he passed forth of the Town, but suddenly he stayed, and musing a space,² returned back, whereat they wondering, he said, I will not go, I am forbidden of God, I am assured there is treason; Let some of you, saith he, go to yonder place, and tell me what ye find. Diligence made; They found the Treason as it was, which being shown with expedition to M. George, he answered, I know that I shall end my life in that blood-thirsty mans hands, but it will not be on this manner. The time approaching that he had appointed to meet the Gentlemen at Edinburgh, he took his leave at Montrose, and sore against the judgement of the Laird of Dune, entered on his journey, and so returned to Dundee.

George took him in his armes, and said, Whosoever troubles him shall trouble me, for he hath hurt me in nothing, but he hath done great comfort to you and me, to wit, he hath let us to understand what we may feare, in times to come we will watch better: And so he appeased both the one part and the other, and saved the life of him that sought his. When the Plague was so ceased that almost there was none sicke, he tooke his leave of them, and said, That God had almost put an end to that battell. He found himselfe called to another place. The Gentlemen of the West had written unto him that he should meet them at Edinburgh; for they would require Disputation of the Bishops, and that he should be publikely heard, whereto he willingly agreed. But first he passed to Montrosse to salute the Church there, where he remained, occupied sometimes in Preaching, but most part in secret Meditation: In the which he was so earnest, that night and day he would continue in it, while he was so occupied with his God, the Cardinall drew a secret draught for his slaughter; He caused to write unto him a Letter,