The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

And therefore it shall be profitable to your Majesty to consider what is the thing your Majesties subjects look to receive of your Majesty; and what it is you ought to do unto them by mutual Contract. They are bound to obey you; and that not, but in God ye are bound to keep Laws unto them: Ye crave of them service, They crave of you Protection and Defence against wicked doers. Now, Madame, if ye shall deny your Duty unto them, who especially crave that ye punish Malefactors; Think ye to receive full Obedience of them? I fear, Madame, ye shall not. Herewith she being somewhat offended, past to her Supper. The said John left her, and informed the Earle of Murray of the whole reasoning, and so departed, of final purpose to have returned to Edinburgh, without any further communication with the Queen: But before the Sun rising on the morn were two directed (Wat Melvill was the one) to him, commanding him not to depart, whilst he had spoken with the Queens Majesty; which he did, and met her at the Hawking by West Kinros. Whether it was the nights sleep, or a deep dissimulation locked in her breast, that made her to forget the former anger, wise men may doubt; But thereof she never moved word, but began divers other purposes, such as the offering of a Ring to her by the Lord Ruthven, whom (said she) I cannot love (for I know him to use Enchantment; and yet he is one of my Privy Council. Whom blameth your Majesty (said the other) thereof? Lethington (said she) was the whole cause. That man is absent for this present (said he) Madame, and therefore I will speak nothing in that behalf. I understand (said the Queen) That ye are appointed to go to Dumfries, for the Election of a Superintendent to be established in those Countries. Yes (said he) those Quarters have great need, and some of the Gentlemen so require. But I hear (said she) That the Bishop of Caithnes would be Superintendent. He is one (said the other) Madame, that is put in Election. If ye knew him (said she) as well as I do, ye would never promote him to that Office, nor yet to any other within your Kirk. What he hath been (said he) Madame, I never knew, nor yet will I enquire; for in time of darkness, What could we do ⟨p. 354⟩but g•ope and go wrong, even as darkness carried us; but if he fear not GOD now, he deceives many more then me:

And therefore it shall be profitable to your Majesty to consider what is the thing your Majesties subjects look to receive of your Majesty; and what it is you ought to do unto them by mutuall Contract. They are bound to obey you; and that not, but in God ye are bound to keep Laws unto them: Ye crave of them service, They crave of you Protection and Defence against wicked doers. Now, Madame, if ye shall deny your Duty unto them, who especially crave that ye punish Malefactors; Think ye to receive full Obedience of them? I fear, Madame, ye shall not. Herewith she being somewhat offended, past to her Supper. The said Iohn left her, and informed the Earle of Murray of the whole reasoning, and so departed, of finall purpose to have returned to Edinburgh, without any further communication with the Queen: But before the Sun rising on the morne were two directed (Wat Melvill was the one) to him, commanding him not to depart, whilst he had spoken with the Queens Majesty; which he did, and met her at the Hawking by West Kinros. Whether it was the nights sleepe, or a deep dissimulation locked in her brest, that made her to forget the former anger, wise men may doubt; But thereof she never moved word, but began divers other purposes, such as the offering of a Ring to her by the Lord Ruthuen, whom (said she) I cannot love (for I know him to use Enchantment; and yet he is one of my Privy Councell. Whom blameth your Majesty (said the other) thereof? Lethington (said she) was the whole cause. That man is absent for this present (said he) Madame, and therefore I will speak nothing in that behalfe. I understand (said the Queen) That ye are appointed to go to Dumfreis, for the Election of a Superintendent to be established in those Countreyes. Yes (said he) those Quarters have great need, and some of the Gentlemen so require. But I heare (said she) That the Bishop of Caithnes would be Superintendent. He is one (said the other) Madame, that is put in Election. If ye knew him (said she) as well as I do, ye would never promote him to that Office, nor yet to any other within your Kirk. What he hath been (said he) Madame, I never knew, nor yet will I enquire; for in time of darknesse, What could we do