The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The general Assembly of the Church approached, holden in December, after the Queens arrival, in the which began the rulers of the Court to draw themselves apart from the Society of their brethren, and began to strive and grudge, That any thing should be consulted upon, without their advices, Master John Wood, who before had showed himself very fervent in the Cause of God, and forward in giving of his counsel in all doubtful matters, refused to assist the Assembly again, whereof many did wonder;¹ The Courtiers drew unto them some of the Lords, and would not convene with their Brethren, as before they were accustomed, but kept themselves in the Abbey; The principal Commissioners of the Church, the Superintendents, and some Ministers, past unto them, where they were assembled in the Abbots Lodging within Hallyrud-house, both the parties began to open their griefs; The Lords complained, That the Ministers drew the Gentlemen into secret, and held Council without their knowledge: The Ministers denied, That they had done any thing in secret, otherwise then the common Order commanded them; And accused the Lords (the flatterers of the Queen we mean) that they kept not the Convention with their Brethren; considering, That they knew the Order, and that the same was appointed by their own advice, as the Book of Discipline subscribed with the most part of their own hands would witness; some began to deny, That ever they knew such a thing as the Book of Discipline: And called also in doubt, Whether it was expedient, that such Assemblies should be or not: for gladly would the Queen and her secret Council have had all Assemblies of the godly discharged;² The reasoning was sharp and quick on either side: The Queens faction alleged, That it was suspicious to Princes, that Subjects should assemble themselves, and keep Conventions without their knowledge. It was answered, That without knowledge of the Princes, the Church did nothing, for the Princes perfectly understood, That within this Realm was a Reformed Church; and that they had their Orders and appointed times of Convention. And so without knowledge of the Princes, they did nothing: Yea (said Lethington) the Queen knew, and knoweth well enough; But the Question is, Whether that the Queen alloweth such Conventions:

The generall Assembly of the Church approached, holden in December, after the Queens arrivall, in the which began the rulers of the Court to draw themselves apart from the Societie of their brethren, and began to strive and grudge, That any thing should be consulted upon, without their advices, Master Iohn Wood, who before had shewed himselfe very fervent in the Cause of God, and forward in giving of his councell in all doubtfull matters, refused to assist the Assembly again, whereof many did wonder;