The Earl of Moray and the Secretary sent for the said John Knox to the Clerk of Register's house, and began to lament that he had so highly offended the Queen's Majesty. That, they feared, would come to a great inconvenience to himself, if he were not wisely foreseen. They showed what pains and travail they had taken to mitigate her anger, but they could find nothing but extremity, unless he himself would confess his offence, and put himself in her Grace's will. _Knox._ I praise my God, through Jesus Christ, that I have learned not to cry conjuration and treason at everything that the godless multitude does condemn, or yet to fear the things that they fear. I have the testimony of a good conscience that I have given no occasion to the Queen's Majesty to be offended with me; for I have done nothing but my duty. So, whatsoever shall ensue, my good hope is that my God will give me patience to bear it. But far be it from me to confess an offence where my conscience witnesseth there is none. _Lethington._ How can it be defended? Have ye not made convocation of the Queen's lieges? _Knox._ If I have not a just defence for my act, let me smart for it. _Moray._ Let us hear your defences; we would be glad that ye might be found innocent. _Knox._ Nay, I am informed by divers, and even by you, my Lord Secretary, that I am already condemned, and my cause prejudged. Therefore I might be reputed a fool, if I would make you privy to my defences. At those words they seemed both offended; and the Secretary departed. But the Earl of Moray remained still, and would have entered into further discourse with the said John concerning the state of the Court. But he answered, "My Lord, I understand more than I would of the affairs of the Court; and therefore it is not needful that your Lordship trouble with the recounting of it. If you stand in good case, I am content; and if you do not, as I fear ye do not already, or else ye shall not do before long, blame not me. Ye have the counsellors whom ye have chosen; my weak judgment both ye and they despised. I can do nothing but behold the end, which I pray God may be other than my troubled heart feareth." [Sidenote: John Knox is brought before the Queen and Privy Council.] Within four days, the said John was called before the Queen and Council betwixt six and seven o'clock at night. The season of the year was the midst of December. The bruit rising in the town that John Knox was sent for by the Queen, the brethren of the Kirk followed in such number that the inner close was full, and all the stairs, even to the chamber door where the Queen and Council sat. These had been reasoning amongst themselves before, but had not fully satisfied the Secretary's mind. And so the Queen had retired to her cabinet, and the Lords were talking each one with other, as occasion served. Upon the entrance of John Knox, they were commanded to take their places, and did so, sitting as Councillors, one opposite another.