ren, to deal
with the queen concerning her religion, and, for want of religious
exercises and virtuous occupation amongst her maids to move her to hear
now and then the instructions of godly and discreet men; they went to
her, but were refused admittance until another time.

About the same time he was sent to the king then sitting with the lords
in session, to present some articles for redress of the wrongs then done
to the church; but, in the mean time, a bustle falling out at Edinburgh
by the mob, he removed to Linlithgow. Upon the Sabbath following, Mr.
Bruce preaching upon the 51st psalm said, "The removal of your ministers
is at hand, our lives shall be bitterly fought after, but ye shall see
with your eyes, that God shall guard us, and be our buckler and defence
&c." and the day following, this was in part accomplished, for the
king sent a charge from Linlithgow to Mr. Bruce and the rest of the
ministers of Edinburgh, to enter in ward at the castle there within six
hours after the proclamation, under pain of horning. The rest of the
ministers, knowing the king's anger was kindled against them, thought
proper to withdraw, but Mr. Bruce knowing his own innocency, stayed, and
gave in an apology for himself and the rest of his faithful brethren. In
April 13th 1599, the king returned to Edinburgh, and was entertained in
the house of Mr. Bruce, although he himself was not yet released.

But all this was nothing more than the drops before the shower, or as
the gathering of waters before an inundation breaks forth, for the king,
having for some time laboured to get prelacy established in Scotland,
and because Mr. Bruce would not comply with his measures, and refused to
give praise to God in public for the kings deliverance from the
pretended conspiracy in the year 1600, until he was better ascertained
of the fact, he not only discharged him from preaching in Edinburgh, but
also obliged him to leave the kingdom. When he embarked at the queen's
ferry on the 3d of November the same year, there appeared such a great
light as served him and the company to sail, although it was near
midnight. He arrived at Dieppe on the eight of November.

And although, by the king's permission, he returned home the year
following, yet because he would not, (1.) Acknowledge Gowrie's
conspiracy; (2.) Purge the king in such places as he should appoint; and
(3.) Crave pardon of the king for his long distrust and disobedience,
&c. he could not be