The Queen began to invent a new craft. She sent for John Knox to come to her at Lochleven. She travailed with him earnestly for two hours before her supper, seeking that he would be the instrument to persuade the people, and principally the gentlemen of the West, not to put hands to punish men for conducting themselves in their religion as pleased them. The other, perceiving her craft, said that if her Grace would punish the malefactors according to the laws, he could promise quietness upon the part of all them that professed the Lord Jesus within Scotland. But, if her Majesty thought to delude the laws, he said he feared that some would let the Papists understand that they should not be suffered to offend God's Majesty so manifestly, without punishment. "Will ye," quoth she, "allow that they shall take _my_ sword in their hand?" "The sword of justice," quoth he, "Madam, is God's, and is given to princes and rulers for an end. If they transgress this, sparing the wicked, and oppressing innocents, they that, in the fear of God, execute judgment where God has commanded, do not offend God, although kings forbear; nor do those sin that bridle kings from striking innocent men in their rage. The examples are evident; Samuel feared not to slay Agag, the fat and delicate king of Amalek, whom King Saul had saved.... And so, Madam, your Grace may see that others than chief magistrates may lawfully punish, and have punished the vice and crimes that God commands to be punished. In the present case, I would earnestly pray your Majesty to take good advisement, and that your Grace should let the Papists understand that their attempts will not be suffered to go unpunished. For, by Act of Parliament, power is given to all judges to search for Mass-mongers, or the hearers of the same, within their own bounds, and to punish them according to the law. It shall therefore be profitable to your Majesty to consider what is the thing your Grace's subjects look to receive of your Majesty, and what it is that ye ought to do to them by mutual contract. They are only bound to obey you in God. Ye are bound to keep laws for them. Ye crave of them service; they crave of you protection and defence against wicked doers. Now, Madam, if ye shall deny your duty to those who especially crave that ye shall punish malefactors, think ye to receive full obedience of them? I fear, Madam, ye shall not." Herewith the Queen, being somewhat offended, passed to her supper. John Knox left her, informed the Earl of Moray of the whole reasoning, and departed, of final purpose to return to Edinburgh, without any further communication with the Queen.