In this mean time did the Town of Perth, called Saint Johnston, embrace the Truth,1 which did provoke her to a new fury; in which she willed the Lord Ruthven Provest of that Town, so suppress all such Religion there.2 To the which when he answered, That he could make their bodies to come to her Majesty, & to prostrate themselves before her, till that she was fully satiate with her blood: but to cause them to do against their conscience, he could not promise. She in fury did answer, That ⟨p. 135⟩he was too malapert, to give her such answer, affirming that both he and they should repent it. She solicited M. James Haliburntoun Provest of Dundee, to apprehend Paul Methuen, who fearing God, gave secret advertisement to the man to avoid the Town for a time. She sent forth such as she thought most able to persuade at Easter, to cause Montrose, Dundee, S. Johnston, and other such places as had received the Gospel, to communicate with the Idol of the Mass, but they could profit nothing, the hearts of many were bent to follow the Trueth revealed, and did abhor Superstition and Idolatry. Whereat she more highly commoved, did Summon again all the Preachers to appear at Stirling, the tenth day of May, in the year of our Lord 1559.3 Which understood by us, we with all humble obedience sought the means how she might be appeased, and our Preachers not molested: but when we could prevail nothing, it was concluded by the whole brethren,4 That the Gentlemen of every Country should accompany their Preachers, to the day and place appointed; Whereto all men were most willing. And for that purpose, the Town of Dundee, the Gentlemen of Angus and Mernes, passed forward with their Preachers to S. Johnston, without Armour, as peaceable men, minding only to give confession with their Preachers. And lest that such a multitude should have given fear to the Queen Regent, the Laird of Dun, a zealous, prudent, and godly man, passed before to the Queen, then being at Stirling, to declare to her, That the cause of their Convocation, was only to give confession with their Preachers, and to assist them in their just defence.5 She understanding the fervency of the people, began to use craft with him, soliciting him to stay the multitude, and the Preachers also, with promise that she would take some better order.
In this mean time did the Town of Perth, called Saint Iohnston, embrace the Truth,1 which did provoke her to a new fury; in which she willed the Lord Ruthuein Provest of that Towne, so suppresse all such Religion there.2 To the which when he answered, That he could make their bodies to come to her Majesty, & to prostrate themselves before her, till that she was fully satiate with her blood: but to cause them to do against their conscience, he could not promise. She in fury did answer, That ⟨p. 135⟩he was too mallapart, to give her such answer, affirming that both he and they should repent it. She solicited M. Iames Haliburntoun Provest of Dundie, to apprehend Paul Methuen, who fearing God, gave secret advertisement to the man to avoid the Town for a time. She sent forth such as she thought most able to perswade at Easter, to cause Montrosse, Dundie, S. Iohnston, and other such places as had received the Gospel, to communicate with the Idoll of the Masse, but they could profit nothing, the hearts of many were bent to follow the Trueth revealed, and did abhorre Superstition and Idolatry. Whereat she more highly commoved, did Summon again all the Preachers to appear at Sterlin, the tenth day of May, in the yeere of our Lord 1559.3 Which understood by us, we with all humble obedience sought the means how she might be appeased, and our Preachers not molested: but when we could prevaile nothing, it was concluded by the whole brethren,4 That the Gentlemen of every Countrey should accompany their Preachers, to the day and place appointed; Whereto all men were most willing. And for that purpose, the Town of Dundie, the Gentlemen of Angus and Mernes, passed forward with their Preachers to S. Iohnston, without Armour, as peaceable men, minding onely to give confession with their Preachers. And lest that such a multitude should have given feare to the Queene Regent, the Laird of Dun, a zealous, prudent, and godly man, passed before to the Queene, then being at Sterlin, to declare to her, That the cause of their Convocation, was onely to give confession with their Preachers, and to assist them in their just defence.5 She understanding the fervencie of the people, began to use craft with him, soliciting him to stay the multitude, and the Preachers also, with promise that she would take some better order.
- 1S. Johnston embraced the Gospel.S. Iohnston embraced the Gospel.
- 2Lord Ruthuens answer.
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- 4The first assembly at S. Johnston.The first assembly at S. Iohnston.
- 5The Laird of Dun, stayed the congregation, and the Preachers.
