The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And then she left the Town in extreme Bondage:¹ After that her ungodly French-men had most cruelly used the most part of those that remained in the •ame, the Earle of Argyle, and Lord James foresaid perceiving in the Queen nothing but mere tyranny and falsehood, mindful of their former promises made to their brethren, did secretly convey themselves, and their Companies of the Town, and with them departed the Lord Ruthven, of whom before mention is ⟨p. 149⟩made; then the Earle of Menteth, and the Laird of Tullybardin, who in Gods presence did confederate and bind themselves together, faithfully promising one to assist and defend another against all persons that would pursue them for Religion sake; and also that they with their whole force and power would defend the brethren persecuted for the same Cause. The Queen highly offended at the sudden departure of the persons aforesaid, sent charges to them to return, under the highest pain of her displeasure. But they answered,² That with safe conscience they could not be partakers of so manifest tyranny as was by her committed, and of so great iniquity as they perceived devised by her, and her ungodly counsel the Prelates, This answer was given to her the first day of June, and immediately the Earle of Argyle, and Lord James repaired toward S. Andrews; and in their Journey gave advertisement by writing to the Laird of Dun, to the Laird of Petarrow, to the Provest of Dundee, and others, professors in Angus, to visit them in S. Andrews the fourth of June, for Reformation to be made there: which day they kept, and brought in their company John Knox, who the first day after his coming to Fife, did preach in Carreal, the next day in Anstruther, minding the third day, which was the Sunday, to preach in S. Andrews. The Bishop hearing of Reformation to be made in his Cathedral Church, thought time to stir, or else never, and therefore assembled his colleagues, and confederate fellows, besides his other friends, and came to the Town upon the Saturday at night, accompanied with a hundred Spears, of mind to have stopped John Knox from Preaching. The two Lords and Gentlemen aforesaid were only accompanied with their quiet households, and therefore was the sudden coming of the Bishop the more fearful; for then was the Queen and her French-men departed from Saint Johnston, and were lying in Falkland, within twelve miles of S.