After this, neither Papists nor Friars had great heart for further disputation or reasoning; but they invented another shift, which appeared to proceed from godliness. It was an ordinance that learned men in the Abbey and in the University should preach in the Parish Kirk, Sunday about. The Sub-prior began, next came the Official called Spittal (sermons penned to offend no man), and all the rest followed in their ranks. John Knox smelled out the craft, and in the sermons which he made upon the week-days he prayed to God that they should be as busy in preaching when there should be more myster[100] in it than there was then. "Always," said he, "I praise God that Christ Jesus is preached, and nothing is said publicly against the doctrine ye have heard. If in my absence they shall speak anything which in my presence they do not, I protest that ye suspend your judgment until it please God ye hear me again." [100] Skill. [Sidenote: Signs follow the Ministry of John Knox: the Backsliding of Sir James Balfour.] God so assisted his weak soldier, and so blessed his labours, that not only all those of the Castle, but also a great number of the town, openly professed Christ, by participation at the Lord's Table, in the same purity as now it is administered in the churches of Scotland. Among them was he that now either rules, or misrules, Scotland: Sir James Balfour[101] (sometimes called Master James), the chief and principal Protestant that then was to be found in this realm. We write this because we have heard that the said Master James alleges that he never was of this our religion, but was brought up in Martin Luther's opinion of the Sacrament, and therefore cannot communicate with us. His own conscience, and two hundred witnesses besides, know that he lies, and that he was one of the chief that would have given his life, if men might credit his words, for defence of the doctrine that the said John Knox taught. But there is no great wonder if those that never were of us (as none of Montquhanie's sons have shewn themselves to be) depart from us. It is proper and natural that the children follow the father; and let the godly liver of that race and progeny be shewn. If in them be either fear of God or love of virtue, further than the present commodity persuades them, men of judgment are deceived. But to return to our History. [101] Afterwards Official of Lothian: "the most corrupt man of his age."--_Robertson._ [Sidenote: The Regent and the Queen-Dowager violate the Appointment: a French Army comes to their Aid.]