The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Queen perceiving that her craft could not prevail, was content that Duke Hamilton, and that Earle of Huntley, with others by her appointed, should convene at Preston, ¹to Commune with the said Earle and Lord James, and such others as the Lords of the Congregation would appoint, to the number of an hundred on each side: Of the which number, eight persons only should meet for conference. The principals for their party, were the Duke, and Earle Huntly, the Lords Erskine and Somerwell, M. Gawin Hamilton, and the Justice Clerk. From us were directed the Earls of Argyle and Glencarne, the Lords Ruthven and Lord James, Boyd and Uchiltrie, the Lairds Dun and Pittarrow. Who Convening at Preston, spake the whole day without any certain conclusion: For this was the practise of the Queen and of her faction, By drift of time to weary our company, who for the most part, had been upon the fields from the tenth day of May: That we being dispersed, she might come to her purpose, in ⟨p. 160⟩which she was not altogether deceived: For our Commons were compelled to scatter for lack of expenses: And our Gentlemen partly constrained by lack of furnishing, and partly hoping some final appointment, after so many Communings, returned for the most part to their dwelling places, for reposing of themselves. The Queen in all those Conventions seemed that she would give liberty to Religion;² Provided, That wheresoever she was, our Preachers should cease, and the Mass should be maintained. We perceiving her malicious craft, answered, That as we would compel her Majesty, to no Religion; so could we not in conscience, for the pleasure of any earthly treasure, put silence to Gods true Messengers: neither could we suffer that the right administration of Christs true Sacraments should give place to manifest Idolatry, for in so doing we should declare our selves enemies to God, to Christ Jesus his Son, to his eternal Verity, and to the liberty and establishment of his Church within this Realm: For your request being granted, There can no Church within the same be so established, but at your pleasure, and by your residence and remaining there, ye might overthrow the same. This our last answer we sent unto her with the Lord Ruthven and Laird of Pittarrow, requiring of her Majesty in plain words, to signify unto us, What hope we might have of her favour towards the upsetting of Religion?