_Knox._ I know no offence done by me to the Queen's Majesty, and therefore I wot not what satisfaction to make. _Maxwell._ No offence! Have ye not written letters desiring the brethren to convene from all parts to Andrew Armstrong and Patrick Cranston's day? _Knox._ That I grant, but therein I acknowledge no offence done by me. _Maxwell._ No offence, to convocate the Queen's lieges? _Knox._ Not for so just a cause: greater things were reputed no offence within these two years past. _Maxwell._ The time is now other: then our Sovereign was absent, and now she is present. _Knox._ It is neither the absence nor the presence of the Queen that rules my conscience, but God speaking plainly in His Word. What was lawful to me last year is yet lawful, because my God is unchangeable. _Maxwell._ Well, I have given you my counsel, do as ye list; but I think ye shall repent it, if ye bow not to the Queen. _Knox._ I understand not, Master, what ye mean. I never made myself an adversary to the Queen's Majesty, except in the head of religion, and therein I think ye will not desire me to bow. _Maxwell._ Well, ye are wise enough; but ye will find that men will not bear with you in times to come, as they have done in times by-past. _Knox._ If God stand my friend, as I am assured He of His mercy will, so long as I depend upon His promise, and prefer His glory to my life and worldly profit, I little regard how men behave themselves towards me; nor yet know I wherein men have borne with me in times past, unless it be that from my mouth they have heard the Word of God. If, in times to come, they refuse it, my heart will be pierced and for a season will lament; but the incommodity will be their own. After these words, of which the Laird of Lochinvar was witness, they parted. To this day, the 17th of December, 1571, they have not met in such familiarity as they had formerly. [Sidenote: The Lord Advocate gives his Opinion.] The bruit of the accusation of John Knox being divulged, Mr. John Spens of Condie, Lord Advocate, a man of gentle nature, and one that professed the doctrine of the Evangel, came, as it were in secret, to John Knox, to inquire the cause of that great bruit. The said John was plain to him in all things, and showed him the double[218] of the letter. When he had heard and considered this, he said, "I thank my God. I came to you with a fearful and sorrowful heart, fearing that ye had done such a crime as laws might have punished. That would have been no small trouble to the hearts of all who have received the word of life which ye have preached. I depart greatly rejoiced, as well because I perceive your own comfort, even in the midst of your troubles, as that I clearly understand that ye have committed no such crime as ye are burdened with. Ye will be accused, but God will assist you." And so he departed. [218] Duplicate. [Sidenote: The Earl of Moray and Secretary Lethington reason with John Knox.]