Queen Mary. Ye are ower sair[182] for me, but if they were here that I have heard, they would answer you.
John Knox. Madam, would to God that the learnedest Papist in Europe, and him whom ye would best believe, were present with your Grace to sustain the argument; and that ye would patiently abide to hear the matter reasoned to the end; for then, I doubt not, Madam, ye should hear the vanity of the papistical religion, and how small ground it hath within the Word of God.
Queen Mary. Well, ye may perchance get that sooner than ye believe.
John Knox. Assuredly, if ever I get that in my life, I get it sooner than I believe; for the ignorant Papists cannot patiently reason, and the learned and crafty Papists will never come to your audience, Madam, to have the ground of their religion searched out. They know that they are never able to sustain an argument, unless fire, and sword, and their own laws be judges.
Queen Mary. So say ye, but I cannot believe that.
John Knox. It has been so to this day; for how oft have the Papists in this and other realms been required to come to conference, and yet it could never be obtained, unless they themselves were admitted as judges. Therefore, Madam, I must yet say again that they dare never dispute, but where themselves are both judge and party. Whensoever ye shall let me see the contrary, I shall grant myself to have been deceived in that point.
With this the Queen was called to dinner, for it was afternoon. At departing, John Knox said to her, "I pray God, Madam, that ye may be as blessed within the commonwealth of Scotland, if it be the pleasure of God, as ever Deborah was in the commonwealth of Israel."
No Results follow the Queen's Conference with Knox.
Of this long conference, whereof we only touch a part, there were divers opinions. The Papists grudged, and feared that which they needed not. The godly, thinking that at least she would have heard the preaching, rejoiced; but they were utterly deceived, for she continued in her massing; and despised and quietly mocked all exhortations.
Some of his familiars demanded of John Knox what he thought of the Queen. "If there be not in her," said he, "a proud mind, a crafty wit, and an indurate heart against God and His truth, my judgment faileth me...."