The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The Earldom of Murray, ¹needed confirmation, and many things were to be ratified that concerned the help of friends and servants; and therefore they might not urge the Queen,² For if they so did, she would hold no Parliament; and what then should become of them that had meddled with the slaughter of the Earle of Huntley, let that Parliament pass over; and when the Queen shall ask any thing of the Nobility, as she must do before her marriage; then shall Religion be the first thing that shall be established. It was answered, That the Poets and Painters erred not altogether,³ that feigned and painted Occasion with a bald Hind-head: For the first, when it is offered, being lost, is hard to be recovered again.⁴ The matter fell so hot betwixt the Earl of Murray, and some others of the Court, and John Knox, That familiarly after that time, they spake not together more then a year and a half; For the said John by his Letter, gave a discharge to the said Earle of all further intromission or care with his affairs. He made unto him a discourse of their first acquaintance, in what estate he was, when that first they spake together in London, how God had promoted him, and that above mans judgement, and in the end made this conclusion: But seeing that I perceive my self frustrate of my expectation, which was, That ye should ever have preferred God to your own affection, and the advancement of his Truth, to your own commodity, I commit you to your wit, and to the conducting of those which can better please you. I praise my God, I leave you this day victor of your enemies, promoted to great honour, and in credit and authority with your Sovereign. If so ye long to continue, none shall be more glad then I shall be. But that after this, ye decay,⁵ (as I fear ye shall) then call to mind, by what means God exalted you; which was neither by plying with impiety; neither yet by maintaining of pestilent Papists.

The Earledome of Murray, ¹