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

LIFE OF JOHN KNOX
ren lawfully assembled themselves for defence of their
lives: and now the devil comes under the cloak of jus¬
tice, to do that which God would not suffer him to do
by strength”—
“What is this!” interrupted her majesty, who was
offended that the pannel should be allowed such liberty
of speech, and thought that she could bring him more
closely to the question. “ What is this! Methinks
you trifle with him. Who gave him authority to make
convocation of my lieges! Is not that treason!” “ No,
madam,” replied Lord Ruthven, displeased at the act¬
ive keenness which the queen shewed in the cause ; “ for
he makes convocation of the people to hear prayer and
sermon almost daily; and whatever your Grace or others
will think thereof, we think it no treason.”—“ Hold
your peace,” said the queen; * and let him make an¬
swer for himself.”—“ I began, madam,” resumed Knox,
“ to reason with the secretary (whom I take to be a bet¬
ter dialectician than your Grace) that all convocations
are not unlawful; and now my Lord Ruthven has given
the instance.”—“ I will say nothing against your reli¬
gion, nor against your convening to your sermons; but
what authority have you to convocate my subjects
when you will, without my commandment?” He an¬
swered, that at his own will he had never convened four
persons in Scotland, hut at the orders of his brethren he
had given many advertisements, and great multitudes
had assembled; and if her Grace complained that this
had been done without her command, he would answer,
that so was all that had been done as to the Reformation
of religion in this kingdom. He must, therefore, be
convicted by a just law, before he would profess soi>
row for what he had done: he thought he had done no
wrong.
“ You shall not escape so,” said the queen. “ Is it
not treason, my lords, to accuse a prince of cruelty! I
think, there be acts of Parliament against such whisper¬
ers.” Several of their lordshius said that there were