Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

which the Reformer was now made answerable
was, "convening the lieges" by his circular; but the
sting of his letter lay in the sentence which
affirmed that the threatened prosecution "was
doubtless to make preparation upon a few, that a
door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a
greater number." Knox had offended mortally, for
he had penetrated the designs of the court, and
proclaimed, them to the nation. The proceedings
were commenced by the reading of the circular for
which Knox had been indicted. "Heard you ever,
my lords," said Mary, looking round the Council,
"a more spiteful and treasonable letter?" This was
followed up by Maitland, who, turning to Knox,
said, "Do you not repent that such a letter has
passed your pen?" The Reformer avoided the trap,
and made answer, "My lord secretary, before I
repent I must be shown my offense." "Offense!"
exclaimed Maitland, in a tone of surprise; "if there
were no more but the convocation of the queen's
lieges, the offense cannot be denied." The
Reformer took his stand on the plain common
sense of the matter, that to convene the citizens for
devotion, or for deliberation, was one thing:, and to
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