The General Assembly of the Church was held in the December after the Queen's arrival. There the rulers of the Court began to draw themselves apart from the society of their brethren, and to sturr[189] and grudge that anything should be consulted upon without their advices. Master John Wood, who had formerly shown himself very fervent in the cause of God, and forward in giving his counsel in all doubtful matters, plainly refused ever to assist the Assembly again. At this many did wonder. The courtiers drew to them some of the Lords, and would not convene with their brethren, as had been their former custom, remaining at the Abbey instead. The principal commissioners of the churches, the superintendents, and some ministers went to see them at the Abbot's lodging within Holyroodhouse. Both the parties began to open their grief. [189] Make disturbance. [Sidenote: The Ministers reproach the defaulting Lords.] The Lords complained that the ministers drew the gentlemen into secret councils without their knowledge. The ministers denied that they had done anything in secret, or otherwise than the Common Order commanded them; and accused the Lords, the flatterers of the Queen we mean, for not having kept convention with their brethren, considering that they knew the order, and that the same was appointed by their own advices, as the Book of Discipline, subscribed by the hands of the most part of them, would witness. Some began to deny that ever they knew such a thing as the Book of Discipline; and also called in doubt whether it was expedient that such conventions should be held; for gladly would the Queen and her Secret Council have had all assemblies of the godly discharged. The reasoning was sharp and quick on either part. The Queen's faction alleged that it was suspicious to Princes that subjects should assemble themselves and keep conventions without their knowledge. It was answered that the Church did nothing without knowledge of the Prince. The Prince perfectly understood that within this realm there was a Reformed Church, and that they had their orders and appointed times of convention. "Yea," said Lethington, "the Queen knew and knoweth it well enough; but the question is, whether the Queen allows such conventions?" It was answered, "If the liberty of the Church should stand upon the Queen's allowance or disallowance, we are assured not only to lack assemblies, but also the public preaching of the Evangel."