We put an end to this unpleasing story. When the brethren complained of their poverty, it was disdainfully answered by some, "There are many Lords that have not so much to spend." Men did reason that the vocation of ministers craved books, quietness, study, and travel, to edify the Kirk of Jesus Christ, while many Lairds were waiting upon their worldly business. The stipends of ministers, who had no other industry, but had to live upon that which was appointed, ought therefore not to be modified according to the livings of common men, who might and did daily augment their rents by some other industry. But they gat no other answer than, "The Queen can spare no greater sums." Oft was it cried into their ears, "O happy servants of the Devil, and miserable servants of Jesus Christ; if after this life there were not hell and heaven." To the servants of the Devil, to your dumb dogs and horned bishops, to one of those idle bellies, I say, ten thousand was not enough; but to the servants of Christ that painfully preach His Evangel, a thousand pounds; how can that be defended? [Sidenote: Secretary Lethington gets his Answer.] One day, in reasoning of this matter, the Secretary burst out in a piece of his choler, and said, "The ministers have so much paid to them year by year, and who yet ever bade the Queen 'grand-mercies' for it? Was there ever a minister that gave thanks to God for her Majesty's liberality towards them?" One smiled and answered, "Assuredly, I think that such as receive anything gratis of the Queen, are unthankful if they acknowledge it not, both in heart and mouth. But whether the ministers be of that rank or not, I greatly doubt. Gratis, I am assured, they receive nothing; and whether they receive anything at all from the Queen, wise men may reason. I am assured that neither Third nor 'Two-part' ever appertained to any of her predecessors within this realm these thousand years by-past, nor yet has the Queen better title to that which she usurps, be it in giving to others or in taking to herself, than had such as crucified Jesus to divide His garments amongst them. If the truth may be spoken, she has not so good title as they had; for such spoil used to be the reward of such men. And these soldiers were more gentle than the Queen and her flatterers, for they parted not the garments of our Master until He Himself was hung upon the cross; but she and her flatterers do part the spoil while poor Christ is yet preaching amongst you. But the wisdom of our God makes trial of us by this means, knowing well enough what she and her faction have purposed to do. Let the Papists, who have some the Two-parts, some their Thirds free, and some abbacies and feu lands, thank the Queen, and sing, '_Placebo Dominæ_.' The poor preachers will not yet flatter, for feeding of their belly." These words were judged proud and intolerable, and engendered no small displeasure to the speaker.