Spottiswoode Society > History of the affairs of the Church and State of Scotland from the beginning of the reformation to the year 1568 > Volume 1

1558.] OF CHURCH AND STATE IN SCOTLAND. 183
depositions, &c. be delivered to the person accused, and that
the judge allow him a competent time to answer the same,
after having taken sufficient bail for his appearance at the
day appointed.
" III. That all defences competent in law be allowed to
the persons accused, and they to be at liberty to except
against witnesses according to law.
" IV. That the party accused be allowed to interpret
his own mind and meaning, and that his declaration be pre-
ferred to the deposition of any other witness whatsoever,
seeing no person ought to suffer for religion, that is not
found to be obstinate in his opinions.
" V. That none of the Congregation be condemned for
heresy, unless they be convicted by the word of God, to have
erred from the faith which the Holy Scripture witnesseth to
be necessary to salvation. 11
This petition, with the annexed demands, were first shown
to the Queen-Regent, and it seems they expected her assist-
ance in getting them past into a law by publick authority ;
but she told them that now was not a proper time for
preferring their requests to the Parliament, where so many
Churchmen did sit, who would undoubtedly oppose her, not
only in that, but in all her other affairs, which at that time
were very great ; but, said she, how soon order can be taken
with these things, which might now be hindered by the
Churchmen, ye shall know my good mind, and in the mean-
time, whatsoever I may grant unto you shall gladly be
granted. But this answer of the Queen not satisfying the
leading men of the party, and they, knowing that their de-
mands could not be passed into a law without her Majesty 1 s
consent, saw themselves brought under a necessity of com-
plying so far, as to forbear presenting them to the Estates,
and to rest satisfied with offering a protestation, which it is
said was read in Parliament, but when they desired it might
be inserted in the Records thereof, that was denied them ;
only the Queen-Regent told them, that she would remember
their protest, and should put a good end to all things that
were then in controversy among them. 1 And indeed Bishop
1 [" These our Protestations publicly read," says Knox, " we desired
them to have been inserted in the Common Register, but that by labours