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

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LIFE OF JOHN KNOX.
him acknowledge his own hand-writing,” said the queen,
“ and then we shall judge of the contents of the letter.”
A copy of the circular letter being handed to him, he
looked at the subscription, and said that it was his; and
though he had subscribed a number of blanks, he had
such confidence in the fidelity of the scribe, that he was
ready to acknowledge both the subscription and the con¬
tents. “ You have done more than I would have done,”
said Maitland. “ Charity is not suspicious,” replied the
other. “ Well, well,” said the queen, “read your own
letter, and then answer to such things as shall be de¬
manded of you.” “ I will do the best I can,” said he;
and having read the letter with an audible voice, return¬
ed it to the queen’s advocate, who was commanded to ac¬
cuse him.
“ Heard you ever, my lords, a more despiteful and
treasonable letter?” said the queen, looking round the
table. “ Mr. Knox, are you not sorry from your heart,
and do you not repent that such a letter has passed
your pen, and from you has come to the knowledge of
others!” said Maitland. “My lord secretary, before I
repent I must be taught my offence.”—“Offence! if
there were no more but the convocation of the queen’s
lieges, the offence cannot be denied.”—“ Remember
yourself, my lord, there is a difference between a law¬
ful convocation and an unlawful. If I have been f uilty
in this, I offended oft since I came last into Scotland; for
what convocation of the brethren has ever been to this
hour, unto which my pen served not?”—“ Then was
then, and now is now,” said the secretary; “ we have
no need of such convocations as sometimes we have
had.”—“ The time that has been is even now before my
eyes,” rejoined the Reformer; “for 1 see the poor flock
in no less danger than it has been at any time before,
except that the devil has got a vizor upon his face.
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 breth-