After such taunting reasoning on both sides, the multitude concluded that the supplication, as it was conceived, should be presented; unless the Secretary would form one more agreeable to the present necessity. He promised to keep the substance of ours, but said he would use other terms, and ask things in a more genteel manner. The first writer answered that he served the Kirk at their commandment, and was content that with his dictament men should use the liberty that best pleased them, provided that he was not compelled to subscribe to the flattery of such as regarded the persons of men and women more than the simple truth of God. So this former supplication was given to be reformed as Lethington's wisdom thought best. And in very deed he so framed it that, when it was delivered by the Superintendents of Lothian and Fife, and when the Queen had read somewhat of it, she said, "Here are many fair words: I cannot tell what the hearts are." For our painted oratory, we were termed the next name to flatterers and dissemblers; but, for that session, the Kirk received no other answer....
The Queen visits the North: Papist Intrigues.
The interview and meeting of the two Queens being delayed until the next year, our Sovereign took purpose to visit the north, and departed from Stirling in the month of August. Whether there was any secret paction and confederacy betwixt the Papists in the south and the Earl of Huntly and his Papists in the north; or, to speak more plainly, betwixt the Queen herself and Huntly, we cannot certainly say. But the suspicions were wondrously vehement that there was no good-will borne to the Earl of Moray, nor yet to such as depended upon him at that time. The history we shall faithfully declare, and leave the judgment to the reader....
The Queen and Court remained at Aberdeen certain days, to deliberate upon the affairs of the country; and some began to smell that the Earl of Huntly was under gathering.[205] While things were so working in the north, the Earl Bothwell brake his ward, and came forth from the Castle of Edinburgh on the 28th of August. Some say that he broke the stanchions of the window; others whispered that he got easy passage by the gates. One thing is certain; the Queen was little offended at his escaping. The said Earl showed himself not very much afraid, for his common residence was in Lothian. The Archbishop of St. Andrews and Abbot of Crossraguel kept secret convention at that same time in Paisley, and to them resorted divers Papists; yea, the said Archbishop spake with the Duke, and unto him came also the Lord Gordon from the Earl of Huntly, requiring him "to put to his hands in the south, as he should do in the north; and Knox's crying or preaching should not stay that purpose." The Archbishop, let him be never so close, could not altogether hide his mind, but at his own table said, "The Queen is gone into the north, belike to seek disobedience: she may perchance find the thing that she seeks." It was constantly affirmed that the Earl Bothwell and the said Lord Gordon spake together, but of their purpose we heard no mention.
John Knox warns the Protestants.
The same year, and at that instant time, Commissioners were appointed by the General Assembly. To Carrick and Cunningham, Master George Hay was sent, and he, for the space of a month, preached with great fruit in all the churches of Carrick. To Kyle, and to the parts of Galloway, John Knox was appointed. Besides showing the doctrine of the Evangel to the common people, John Knox forewarned some of the nobility and Barons of the dangers that he feared, and that were apparently to follow shortly; and he exhorted them to put themselves in order, so that they might be able to serve the authority, and yet not to suffer the enemies of God's truth to have the upper hand. Thereupon, a great part of the Barons and Gentlemen of Kyle and Cunningham and Carrick, professing the true doctrine of the Evangel, assembled at Ayr.
A Bond is again subscribed.
After exhortations made and conference held, these subscribed a bond to maintain and assist the preaching of God's holy Evangel, then, of His mere mercy, offered to this realm; and also the ministers thereof against all persons, power, and authority, that would oppose themselves to the doctrine proponed, and by them received. And farther, with the same solemnity, it was protested and promised, that every one should assist others, yea, the whole body of the Protestants within the realm, in all lawful and just actions, against all persons; so that whosoever should hurt, molest, or trouble any of our body, should be reputed enemy to the whole, unless the offender were content to submit himself to the judgment of the Kirk, as established amongst us....
These things done at Ayr, the said John passed to Nithsdale and Galloway, and there, in conference with the Master of Maxwell, a man of great judgment and experience, he communicated such things as he feared. Upon his suggestion, the Master wrote to the Earl Bothwell, enjoining him to behave himself as became a faithful subject, and to keep good quietness in the parts committed to his charge, for so would the crime of his breaking ward be the more easily pardoned. John Knox wrote to the Duke's Grace, and earnestly exhorted him neither to give ear to the Archbishop, his bastard brother, nor yet to the persuasion of the Earl of Huntly; for if he did, he assured him, he and his house should come to a sudden ruin.
The Result of John Knox's Labours in the South.