history or literature.  The fragments of things beautiful that the Reformers overlooked, were destroyed by the Covenanters.  An attempt has been made to prove that the Border abbeys were not wrecked by Reformers, but by English troops in the reign of Henry VIII., who certainly ravaged them.  Lesley, however, says that the abbeys of Kelso and Melrose were “by them (the Reformers) broken down and wasted.” {125a} If there was nothing left to destroy on the Border, why did the brethren march against Kelso, as Cecil reports, on July 9, 1559? {125b}

After the devastation the Regent meant to attack the destroyers, intending to occupy Cupar, six miles, by Knox’s reckoning, from St. Andrews.  But, by June 13, the brethren had anticipated her with a large force, rapidly recruited, including three thousand men under the Lothian professors; Ruthven’s horse; the levies of the Earl of Rothes (Leslie), and many burgesses.  Next day the Regent’s French horse found the brethren occupying a very strong post; their numbers were dissembled, their guns commanded the plains, and the Eden was in their front.  A fog hung over the field; when it lifted, the French commander, d’Oysel, saw that he was outnumbered and outmanoeuvred.  He sent on an envoy to parley, “which gladly of us being granted, the Queen offered a free remission for all crimes past, so that they would no further proceed against friars and abbeys, and that no more preaching should be used publicly,” for that always meant kirk-wrecking.  When Wishart preached at Mauchline, long before, in 1545, it was deemed necessary to guard the church, where there was a tempting tabernacle, “beutyfull to the eie.”

The Lords and the whole brethren “refused such appointment” . . . says Knox to Mrs. Locke; they would not “suffer idolatrie to be maintained in the bounds committed to their charge.” {126a} To them liberty of conscience from the first meant liberty to control the consciences and destroy the religion of all who differed from them.  An eight days’ truce was made for negotiations; during the truce neither party was to “enterprize” anything.  Knox in his “History” does not mention an attack on the monastery of Lindores during the truce.  He says that his party expected envoys from the Regent, as in the terms of truce, but perceived “her craft and deceit.” {126b}

In fact, the brethren were the truce-breakers.  Knox gives only the assurances signed by the Regent’s envoys, the Duke of Chatelherault and d’Oysel.  They include a promise “not to invade, trouble, or disquiet the Lords,” the reforming party.  But, though Knox omits the fact, the Reformers made a corresponding and equivalent promise:  “That the Congregation should enterprise nothing nor make no invasion, for the space of six days following, for the Lords and principals of the Congregation read the rest on another piece of paper.” {126c}