Before Easter, the Earl of Glencairn sent for him to his place of Finlayston; where, after preaching, he likewise ministered the Lord's Table. Besides Glencairn himself, his lady, two of his sons, and certain of his friends were partakers. When he returned to Calder, divers from Edinburgh, and from the country about, assembled there, for the preaching as well as for the right use of the Lord's Table, which they had never practised before. Thence he departed the second time to the Laird of Dun. His teaching was then with greater liberty, and the gentlemen required that he should likewise minister unto them the Table of the Lord Jesus, whereof were partakers the most part of the gentlemen of Mearns. To the praise of God, these do, to this day, constantly adhere to the doctrine which then they professed, to wit, that they refused all society with idolatry, and bound themselves to maintain, to the uttermost of their powers, the true preaching of the Evangel of Jesus Christ, as God should offer unto them preachers and opportunity. [Sidenote: John Knox is summoned to Answer for his Doctrine: the Diet abandoned.] The Friars from all quarters flocked to the bishops with the bruit, and the said John Knox was summoned to appear in the Kirk of the Black Friars in Edinburgh on the fifteenth day of May 1556. The said John decided to obey the summons, and for that purpose John Erskine of Dun, with divers other gentlemen, assembled in the town of Edinburgh. But that diet was not held; for the bishops either perceived informality in their own proceedings, or feared that danger might ensue upon their extreme measures. On the Saturday before, they cassed[114] their own summons; and the said John, on the day appointed by the summons, taught in Edinburgh in a greater audience than ever before he had done in that town. The place was the Bishop of Dunkeld's great lodging, and there he continued teaching for ten days, both before and after noon. [114] Annulled. [Sidenote: John Knox writes to the Queen Regent.] The Earl of Glencairn allured the Earl Marischall, with Harry Drummond, his counsellor for that time, to hear an exhortation, one night. They were so well satisfied, that they both desired the said John to write unto the Queen Regent a letter that might move her to hear the Word of God. He obeyed, and wrote that which was afterwards printed, and is called "The Letter to the Queen Dowager." This was delivered into her own hands by the said Alexander, Earl of Glencairn. When she had read this letter, she delivered it to that proud prelate, Beaton,[115] Archbishop of Glasgow, a day or two after, and said in mockage, "Please you, my Lord, read a pasquil." [115] James, nephew of the Cardinal. [Sidenote: John Knox is recalled to Geneva, and leaves the Realm: he is burned in Effigy.]