The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Notwithstanding these our Requests and Advertisements, Monsieur Dosell and his French men, with the Priests and their bands, marched forward against S. Johnston, and approached within ten miles of the Town; then repaired the brethren from all quarters for our relief. The Gentlemen of Fife; Angus, Mernes, with the Town of Dundee were there, they that first hazarded to resist the enemy: and for that purpose was chosen a place of ground, a mile and more distant from the Town. In this mean time, the Lord Ruthven, Provest of the Town of S. Johnston, and a man whom many judged godly and stout in that action (as in very deed he was even unto his last breath) left the Town, and departed first to his own place, and after to the Queen; whose defection and revolt was a great discouragement to the hearts of many, and yet did God so comfort them, that within the space of twelve hours after, the hearts of all men ⟨p. 144⟩were set up again. For those that were then assembled, did not so much hope of victory by their own strength, as by the power of him, whose Verity they professed, and began one to comfort another, till the whole multitude was erected in a reasonable hope. The day after that the Lord Ruthven departed, which was the four and twentieth of May,¹ came the Earle of Argyle, Lord James Prior of S. Andrews, and the Lord Semple, directed from the Queen Regent, to enquire the cause of that Convocation of Lieges there. To whom when it was answered, That it was only to resist the cruel tyranny devised against that poor Town, and the inhabitants of the same. They asked if we minded not to hold that Town against the authority, and against the Regent. To the which Question answered the Lairds of D•n and Pitarro, with the Congregation of Angus and Mernes, the Master of Lindsay, the Lairds of Londy, Balvarde, and others Barons of Fife. That if the Queens Majesty would suffer the Religion there begun to proceed,² and not trouble their brethren and sisters that had professed Christ Jesus with them, That the Town, they themselves, and whatsoever to them pertained, should be at the Queens commandment. Which answer understood,³ the Earle of Argyle and the Prior (who both were then Protestants) began to muse, and said plainly, That they were far otherwise informed by the Queen, to wit, That we meant no Religion, but a plain Rebellion.