Mr James Gordon, a Jesuit, uncle to the Earl of Huntly, being now in
Edinburgh, ‘his majesty took purpose to convene some of the ministry of
Edinburgh within his own chamber in Holyroodhouse, and to send for the
said Mr James; who coming before his majesty, his highness declared the
cause for which he had sent for him, which was, that as he understood
him to be a learned man, come into this country on purpose to persuade
the people to embrace the popish religion, he would therefore shew him
that his majesty was himself disposed to use some reasoning with him
on religion. Whereunto Mr James objected, and said that he desired not
to reason with his majesty, but would reason with any other. [James
was now only twenty-one.] The king’s majesty, answering, offered and
promised to lay his crown and royalty aside, and to reason with him
as if he were a private man. And so his majesty began and laid down
some grounds of religion, which he still observed and reasoned upon
for the space of four or five hours. Some things were yielded to by Mr
James, and others denied.... The said Mr James was kept in a chamber in
Holyroodhouse five or six days, and then appointed to pass to Seaton,
till he was ready to depart off the country.’--_Moy. R._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1588.