You have done more (said Lethington) then I would have done. Charity (said the other) is not suspicious. Well, well, (said the Queen) read your own Letter, and then answer to such things as shall be demanded of you. I shall do the best I can (said the other) and so with a loud voice he began to read, as before is expressed. After that the Letter was read, it was presented again to M. John Spence her Advocate; for the Queen commanded him to accuse, as he did, but very gently. After (we say) that the Letter was read, the Queen beholding the whole Table, said, Heard you ever (my Lords) a more despiteful and Treasonable Letter? While that no man gave answer, Lethington addressed himself to John Knox, and said, M. Knox, are you not sorry from your heart, and do you not repent that such a Letter hath passed your Pen, and from you hath come to the knowledge of others? I. Knox answered, My Lord Secretary, before I repent I must be taught of my offence. Offence, (said Lethington) if there were no ⟨p. 369⟩more but the vocation of the Queens Lieges, the offence cannot be denied. Remember your self (my Lord) said the other, there is a difference betwixt a lawful Vocation and an unlawful: If I have been guilty in this, I have oft offended since I came last in Scotland; for what Vocation of Brethren hath ever been this day, unto which my Pen hath not served? and before this no man laid it to my charge as a crime. Then was then, and now is now (said Lethington) we have no need of such Vocation, as sometimes we have had. John Knox answered, The time that hath been, is even now before my eyes; for I see the poor Flock in no less danger, then it hath been at any time before, except that the devil hath gotten a Visor upon his face:1 Before he came in with his own face, discovered by open Tyranny, seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry; and then, I think, you will confess the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives: And now the devil comes, under the cloak of Justice, to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength. What is this (said the Queen) methinks you trifle with him: Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges? Is not that Treason? No, Madame (said the Lord Ruthven) for he makes Convocation of the people, to hear Prayer and Sermon, almost daily:
You have done more (said Lethington) then I would have done. Charity (said the other) is not suspitious. Well, well, (said the Queen) read your own Letter, and then answer to such things as shall be demanded of you. I shall do the best I can (said the other) and so with a loud voice he began to reade, as before is expressed. After that the Letter was read, it was presented again to M. Iohn Spence her Advocate; for the Queen commanded him to accuse, as he did, but very gently. After (we say) that the Letter was read, the Queen beholding the whole Table, said, Heard you ever (my Lords) a more dispightfull and Treasonable Letter? While that no man gave answer, Lethington addressed himself to Iohn Knox, and said, M. Knox, are you not sorry from your heart, and do you not repent that such a Letter hath passed your Pen, and from you hath come to the knowledge of others? I. Knox answered, My Lord Secretary, before I repent I must be taught of my offence. Offence, (said Lethington) if there were no ⟨p. 369⟩more but the vocation of the Queenes Leiges, the offence cannot be denyed. Remember your selfe (my Lord) said the other, there is a difference betwixt a lawfull Vocation and an unlawfull: If I have been guilty in this, I have oft offended since I came last in Scotland; for what Vocation of Brethren hath ever been this day, unto which my Pen hath not served? and before this no man laid it to my charge as a crime. Then was then, and now is now (said Lethington) we have no need of such Vocation, as sometimes we have had. Iohn Knox answered, The time that hath been, is even now before my eyes; for I see the poor Flock in no lesse danger, then it hath been at any time before, except that the devill hath gotten a Vizard upon his face:1 Before he came in with his own face, discovered by open Tyranny, seeking the destruction of all that refused Idolatry; and then, I think, you will confesse the Brethren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their lives: And now the devill comes, under the cloke of Justice, to do that which God would not suffer him to do by strength. What is this (said the Queen) methinks you trifle with him: Who gave you Authority to make Convocation of my Lieges? Is not that Treason? No, Madame (said the Lord Rnthuen) for he makes Convocation of the people, to hear Prayer and Sermon, almost dayly:
- 1Note this diligently.
