The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

This our answer was formed and divulgate in some places, but not universally, by reason of our day appointed to meet at Stirling, as before is declared. In this mean time the Queens Posts ran with all possible expedition to draw men to her devotion. And in very deed she found more favourers of her iniquity then we suspected. For a man that of long time had been one of our number in profession, offered (as himself did confess) his service to the Queen, to travel betwixt her Majesty and the Congregation for concord; she refused not his offer, but knowing his simplicity,¹ she was glad to employ him for her advantage. The man is Master Robert Lockard, a man of whom many have had and still have good opinion, as touching his Religion. But to enter in the managing of such affairs, not so fit as godly and wise men would require: he travelleth not the less earnestly in the Queen Regents affairs, and could not be persuaded, but that she meant sincerely, and that she would promote the Religion to the uttermost of her power. He promised in her name, That she would put away her French-men, and would be ruled by the council of natural Scottish-men: when it was reasoned in his contrary, That if she were so minded to do, she could have found Mediators a great deal more fit for that purpose. He feared not to affirm, That he knew more of her mind, then all the French or Scots that were in Scotland; yea, more then her own brethren that were in France. He travelled with the Earle of Glencarne, the Lords of Uchiltrie and Boyd, with the Laird of Dun, and with the Preachers, to whom he had certain secret Letters, which he would not deliver, unless that they would make a faithful promise, That they should never reveal the thing contained in the same. To the which it was answered, That in no ways they could make such a promise, by reason that they were sworn one to another, and altogether in one body, That they should have no secret intelligence, nor deal with the Queen Regent, but that they should communicate with the great Council whatsoever she proposed unto them, so they did answer unto her, as by this answer written by John Knox to the Queen Regent may be understood. The tenor whereof followeth.

This our answer was formed and divulgate in some places, but not universally, by reason of our day appointed to meet at Sterlin, as before is declared. In this mean time the Queens Posts ran with all possible expedition to draw men to her devotion. And in very deed she found more favourers of her iniquity then we suspected. For a man that of long time had been one of our number in profession, offered (as himselfe did confesse) his service to the Queen, to travell betwixt her Majestie and the Congregation for concord; she refused not his offer, but knowing his simplicitie,