But was an wholesome rigour in the main,
And taught the unblemish’d to preserve with care
That purity, whose loss was loss of all.
———————But now—yes, now,
We are become so candid and so fair,
So liberal in construction, and so rich
In christian charity, (good‑natured age!)
That they are safe, sinners of either sex,
Transgress what laws they may.”
In the month of May, the queen sent for Knox to Lochleven. The popish priests, presuming upon her avowed partiality to them, and her secret promises of protection, had of late become more bold; and, during the late Easter, masses had been openly celebrated in different parts of the kingdom. Repeated proclamations had been issued against this practice by the queen in council, but none of them were carried into execution. The gentlemen of the west country, who were the most zealous protestants, perceiving that the laws were eluded, came to the resolutionof executing them, without making any application to the court, and apprehended some of the offenders by way of example. These decided proceedings, which were calculated to defeat the scheme of policy which she had formed, gave great offence to her majesty; but finding that the signification of her displeasure had not the effect of stopping them, she wished to avail herself of the Reformer’s influence for accomplishing her purpose.