The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

In this mean time that the Preachers were summoned, to wit, the second of May 1559. arrived John Knox from France, ¹who lodging two nights only in Edinburgh, hearing the day appointed to his brethren, repaired to Dundee, where he earnestly required them, That he might be permitted to assist his brethren, and to give confession of his Faith with them, which granted unto him, he departed unto S. Johnston with them, where he began to exhort, according to the grace of God granted unto him. The Queen perceiving that the Preachers did not appear, began to utter her malice; and notwithstanding any request made to the contrary, gave commandment to put them to the Horne; inhibiting all men, under pain of high Rebellion, to assist, comfort, receive, or maintain them in any sort: ⟨p. 136⟩which extremity perceived by the said Laird of Dun, he prudently withdrew himself (for otherwise by all appearance he had not escaped imprisonment.) For the Master of Maxwell, a man zealous and stout in Gods Cause (as then appeared) under the cloak of another small crime, was that same day committed to ward, because he did boldly affirm, That to the uttermost of his power,² he would assist the Preachers and the Congregation, notwithstanding any sentence which unjustly was,³ or should be pronounced against them. The Laird of Dun coming to S. Johnston, exposed the case even as it was, and did conceal nothing of the Queens craft and falsehood: Which understood, the multitude was so inflamed, that neither could the exhortation of the Preachers, nor the commandment of the Magistrate, stay them from destroying the places of Idolatry. The manner whereof was: The Preachers had declared before how odious Idolatry was in Gods presence: What commandment he had given for the destruction of the monuments thereof:⁴ What Idolatry, and what abomination was in the Mass. It chanced that the next day, which was the eleventh of May, after that the Preachers were exiled, that after the Sermon, which was very vehement against Idolatry, a certain Priest in contempt would go to the Mass; and to declare his malapart presumption, he would open up a glorious Tabernacle, which stood upon the high Altar: