The said Lord desired John Knox that he would sound the Earl of Arran as to whether he would be content to receive him into his favour. This he promised to do; and he so earnestly travailed in that matter, that it was once brought to a conclusion and agreement, such as caused all the faithful to praise God. The greatest stay[203] stood upon the satisfaction of the Laird of Ormiston, who, besides his former hurt, was, even at the time of the communing, pursued by the said Lord Bothwell, his son Master Alexander Cockburn taken by him, and carried with him to Borthwick, but gently enough sent back again. [203] Impediment. [Sidenote: The Reconciliation of the Earl of Arran and the Earl Bothwell.] That new trouble so greatly displeased John Knox, that he almost gave over farther travailing for amity. But yet, upon receiving the excuse of the said Earl, and after the declaration of his mind, he re-entered upon his labours, and brought it to pass that the Laird of Ormiston referred his satisfaction in all things to the judgments of the Earls of Arran and Moray. To them the said Earl Bothwell submitted himself in that respect, and thereupon delivered his handwrit. He was convoyed by certain of his friends to the lodging of the Kirk-of-Field, where the Earl of Arran was with his friends, the said John Knox being with him, to bear witness and testification of the end of the agreement. As the Earl Bothwell entered at the chamber door, and would have done those honours that friends had appointed (Master Gavin Hamilton and the Laird of Riccarton were the chief friends that communed) the Earl of Arran gently passed to him, embraced him, and said, "If the hearts be upright, few ceremonies may serve and content me." The said John Knox, in audience of them both and of their friends, then said, "Now, my Lords, God hath brought you together by the labours of simple men, in respect of such as would have travailed therein. I know my labours are already taken in an evil part; but, because I have the testimony of a good conscience before my God that whatsoever I have done, I have done in His fear, for the profit of you both, for the hurt of none, and for the tranquillity of this realm: seeing, I say, that my conscience beareth witness to me--a witness that I have sought and continually seek--I the more patiently bear the misreports and wrongous judgments of men. And now I leave you in peace, and desire you that are the friends to study that amity may increase, all former offences being forgotten." The friends of either part embraced the others, and the two Earls departed to a window, and talked by themselves familiarly for a reasonable space. Thereafter the Earl Bothwell departed for that night; and upon the next day in the morning he returned, with some of his honest friends, and came to the sermon with the Earl foresaid. At this many rejoiced. But God had another work to work than the eyes of men could espy.