Mr William Balfour, indweller in Leith, was convicted of breaking the
queen’s proclamation for the protection of the reformed religion. One
of his acts--‘He, accompanied with certain wicked persons ... upon
set purpose, came to the parish kirk of Edinburgh, callit Sanct Giles
Kirk, where John Cairns was examining the common people of the burgh,
before the last communion ... and the said John, demanding of ane poor
woman, “Gif she had ony hope of salvation by her awn good works,” he,
the said Mr William, in despiteful manner and with thrawn countenance,
having naething to do in that kirk but to trouble the said examination,
said to the said John thir words: “Thou demands of that woman the thing
whilk thou nor nane of thy opinion allows or keeps.” And, after gentle
admonition made to him by the said John, he said to him alsae thir
words: “Thou art ane very knave, and thy doctrine is very false, as all
your doctrine and teaching is.” And therewith laid his hand upon his
weapons, and provoking battle; doing therethrough purposely that was in
him to have raisit tumult amang the inhabitants of this burgh.’--_Pit._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1561-2.