The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

At which answer, the said M. Robert was so offended, that he would not deliver his Letters, saying, That we were ungodly, and injurious to the Queen Regent, if we suspected any craft in her. To the which it was answered by one of the Preachers, That time should declare whether he or they were deceived, if she should not declare her self enemy to the true Religion which they professed, if ever she had the upper hand, then they would be content to confess, That they had suspected her sincerity without just cause. But if she should declare her malice no less in times coming then she had done before they required that he should be more moderate, then to condemn them whose conscience he knoweth not, and this was the end of his travel for that time. After that he had troubled the conscience of many godly and quiet persons. For he and others who were her hired posts, ceased not to blow in the ears of all men, That the Queen was heavily dealt with, That she required nothing but obedience to her daughter, That she was content that the true Religion should go forward,¹ and that all abuses should be abolished, and by this mean they brought a grudge and division among our selves. For many (and our brethren of Lowthian especially) began to murmur, That we sought ⟨p. 193⟩another thing then Religion, and so ceased to assist us certain days, after that we were come to Edinburgh, which we did according to the former Diet the 16 day of October. This grudge and trouble amongst our selves was not raised by the aforesaid M. Robert only, but by those pestilents whom before we have expressed, and M. James Balfour especially, whose venomous tongues against God and his true Religion, as they deserve punishment of men, so shall they not escape Gods vengeance, unless that speedily they repent.

At which answer, the said M. Robert was so offended, that he would not deliver his Letters, saying, That we were ungodly, and injurious to the Queen Regent, if we suspected any craft in her. To the which it was answered by one of the Preachers, That time should declare whether he or they were deceived, if she should not declare her selfe enemy to the true Religion which they professed, if ever she had the upper hand, then they would be content to confesse, That they had suspected her sincerity without just cause. But if she should declare her malice no lesse in times comming then she had done before they required that he should be more moderate, then to condemne them whose conscience he knoweth not, and this was the end of his travell for that time. After that he had troubled the conscience of many godly and quiet persons. For he and others who were her hired postes, ceased not to blow in the eares of all men, That the Queen was heavily dealt with, That she required nothing but obedience to her daughter, That she was content that the true Religion should go forward,