In the meantime the town of Perth, called St. Johnston, embraced the truth, and this did provoke her to a new fury; in which she urged the Lord Ruthven, Provost of that town, to suppress all such religion there. He replied that he could make their bodies come to her Grace, and prostrate themselves before her, until she was fully satiate of their blood, but that he could not promise to force them to act against their conscience. In a fury, she said that he was too malapert to give her such answer, and affirmed that both he and they should repent it. She solicited Master John Haliburton, Provost of Dundee, to apprehend Paul Methven, but he, fearing God, gave secret warning to the man to leave the town for a time. At Easter, she sent forth men whom she thought most able to persuade, with commission to induce Montrose, Dundee, St. Johnston, and such other places as had received the Evangel, to communicate with the idol of the Mass; but they had no success. The hearts of many were bent to follow the truth revealed, and did abhor superstition and idolatry. More angry than ever, she again summoned all the preachers to appear at Stirling, on the tenth day of May 1559. With all humble obedience, we sought means to appease her, and save our preachers from being molested. When it was seen that we could not prevail, the whole brethren agreed that the gentlemen of every county should accompany their preachers on the day appointed. All men were most willing; and for that purpose the town of Dundee, and the gentlemen of Angus and Mearns, proceeded with their preachers to Perth, without armour, as peaceable men, desiring only to give confession with their preachers. Lest such a multitude should raise the apprehensions of the Queen Regent, the Laird of Dun, a zealous, prudent, and godly man, went before to the Queen, who was then in Stirling. To her he declared that the cause of their convocation was only to give confession with their preachers, and to assist them in their just defence. She, understanding the fervency of the people, began to craft with him, soliciting him to stay the multitude, and also the preachers, promising that she would make some better arrangements. He, a man most gentle of nature, and most willing to please her in all things not repugnant to God, wrote requesting those that then were assembled at Perth to stay, and not to come forward, and informed them of the Queen's promise and the hope he had of her favour.... So did the whole multitude tarry at Perth with their preachers. [Sidenote: John Knox returns from France, and joins the Protestants at Perth.]