The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

They answered, That by unjust tyranny devised against them and their brethren (as her Majesty did well know) they were compelled to seek the extreme remedy, and therefore that her Majesty ought not to wonder though godly men left the company, where they neither found fidelity nor trueth. In the end of this communing; which was the twelfth day of July 1559.¹ She desired to have talked privately with the Earle of Argyle and Lord James, Prior of S. Andrews; for else (as she alleged) she could not but suspect that they pretended to some other higher purpose then Religion. She and her crafty Council had abused Duke Hamilton, persuading him and his friends, That the said Earle and Lord James had conspired,² first to deprive our Sovereign her daughter of her authority,³ and thereafter the Duke and his Successors of their pretended Title to the Crown of Scotland. By these invented lies she inflamed the hearts of many against us, insomuch that some of our own number began to murmur. Which perceived, as well the Preachers in their public Sermons, as we our selves by our public Proclamation, gave purgation and satisfaction to the people, plainly and simply declaring what was our purpose, taking God to witness, That no such crimes were ever entered into our hearts, as most unjustly was laid to our charge. The Council after consultation, thought not expedient that the said Earle and Lord James should talk with the Queen in any sort; for her former practises put all men in suspicion, That some deceit lurked under such coloured communing. She had before said, That if she could by any mean sunder these two from the rest, she was assured shortly to come by her whole purpose. And one of her chief Council in those days (and we fear but too inward with her yet) said, That ere Michaelmas day they two should lose their heads; and therefore all men feared to commit two such young plants to her mercy and fidelity. It was therefore finally denied that they should talk with the Queen, or any appertaining to her, but in places void of all suspicion, where they should be equal in number with those that should talk with them.

They answered, That by unjust tyrannie devised against them and their brethren (as her Majestie did well know) they were compelled to seek the extreame remedie, and therefore that her Majestie ought not to wonder though godly men left the company, where they neither found fidelity nor trueth. In the end of this communing; which was the twelfth day of July 1559.