The Earl Bothwell, by means of James Barron, burgess[200] and merchant of Edinburgh, desired to speak with John Knox secretly. The said John gladly granted this request, and spake with him one night, first in the said James's lodging, and thereafter in his own study. The said Earl lamented his former inordinate life, and especially that he had been provoked by the enticements of the Queen Regent to do that which he sorely repented, as well as his conduct towards the Laird of Ormiston, whose blood had been spilt, albeit not by his fault. But his chief dolour was that he had misbehaved himself against the Earl of Arran, whose favours he was most willing to redeem, if it were possible that he might do so. He desired the said John to give him his best counsel. "For," said he, "if I might have my Lord of Arran's favours, I would wait upon the Court with a page and few servants, to spare my expenses. At present I am compelled, for my own safety, to keep a number of wicked and unprofitable men, to the utter destruction of what of my living there is left." [200] Inhabitant with full municipal right. The said John answered, "My Lord, would to God that in me were counsel or judgment that might comfort and relieve you. Albeit to this hour it hath not chanced me to speak with your Lordship face to face, yet have I borne a good mind to your house; and I have been sorry at my heart concerning the troubles that I have heard you to be involved in. My grandfather, goodsire,[201] and father, have served your Lordship's predecessors, and some of them have died under their standards; and this is a part of the obligation of our Scottish kindness:[202] but this is not my chief reason. As God has made me His public messenger of glad tidings, it is my earnest desire that all men may embrace the same, and they cannot do this perfectly so long as there remaineth in them rancour, malice, or envy. I am very sorry that ye have given occasion to men to be offended with you; but I am more sorry that ye have offended the Majesty of God, who by such means oft punishes the other sins of man. Therefore, my counsel is that ye begin at God; if ye will enter into perfect reconciliation with Him, I doubt not but He shall bow the hearts of men to forget all offences. As for me, if ye continue in godliness, your Lordship may command me as boldly as any that serves your Lordship." [201] Maternal grandfather. [202] Fealty of retainers.