Scotland/Scots > Life of John Knox ; and, The life of Alexander Henderson

130
LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
Having assembled the nobility, she magnified the acci¬
dental tumult into a dangerous and designed rebellion.
To the Catholics she dwelt upon the sacrilegious over¬
throw of those venerable structures which their ancestors
had dedicated to the service of God. To the Protestants
who had not joined those at Perth, she complained of
the destruction of the royal foundation of the charter-
house, protested that she had no intention of offering
violence to their consciences, and promised her protec¬
tion, provided they assisted her in punishing those who
had been guilty of this violation of public order. Hav¬
ing inflamed the minds of all against them, she advanced
to Perth with an army, threatening to lay waste the
town with fire and sword, and to inflict the most ex¬
emplary vengeance on all who had been instrumental in
producing the riot.
The Protestants of the north were not insensible of
their danger, and did all in their power to appease the
rage of the queen; they wrote to her, to the commanders
of the French troops, to the Popish nobles, and to those
of their own persuasion: they solemnly disclaimed all
rebellious intentions; they protested their readiness to
yield all due obedience to the government; they ob¬
tested and admonished all to refrain from offering
violence to peaceable subjects, who sought only the li¬
berty of their consciences. But finding all their endea¬
vours fruitless, they resolved not to suffer themselves and
their brethren to be massacred, and prepared for a defence
of the town against an illegal and furious assault. So
prompt and vigorous were their measures, that the regent,
when she approached, deemed it imprudent to attack
them, and proposed overtures of accommodation, to
which they readily acceded.
While the two armies lay before Perth, and negocia-
tions were going on between them, our Reformer ob¬
tained an interview with the prior of St. Andrews and
the young Earl of Argyle, who adhered to the regent;
he reminded them of the solemn engagements which