gument
about hell being obvious. Bruce must have asserted the existence of
hell, from the pulpit: though not 'fully persuaded' of hell. So why not
assert the King's innocence?

Bruce returned later to Scotland, and met the King in April 1602. Now,
he said, according to Calderwood, that he was 'resolved,' that is,
convinced. What convinced him? Mar's oath. 'How could _he_ swear?'
asked James; 'he neither saw nor heard'--that is, what passed between
James, the man in the turret, and the Master. 'I cannot tell you how he
could swear, but indeed he swore very deeply,' said Bruce, and reported
the oath, which must have been a fine example. James took Bruce's
preference of Mar's oath to his own word very calmly. Bruce was troubled
about the exact state of affairs between James and the Master. 'Doubt ye
of that?' said the King, 'then ye could not but count me a murderer.'
'It followeth not, if it please you, Sir,' said Mr. Robert, '_for ye
might have had some secret cause_.' {107a}

Strange ethics! A man may slay another, without incurring the guilt of
murder, if he has 'a secret cause.' Bruce probably referred to the
tattle about a love intrigue between Gowrie, or Ruthven, and the King's
wife. Even now, James kept his temper. He offered his whole story to
Bruce for cross-examination. 'Mr. Robert uttered his doubt where he
found occasion. The King heard him gently, and with a constant
countenance, which Mr. Robert admired.' But Mr. Robert would not
_preach_ his belief: would not apologise from the pulpit. 'I give it but
a doubtsome trust,' he said.

Again, on June 24, 1602, James invited cross-examination. Bruce asked
how he could possibly know the direction of his Majesty's intention when
he ordered Ramsay to strike the Master. 'I will give you leave to pose
me' (interrogate me), said James. {107b}

'Had you a purpose to slay my Lord?'--that is, Gowrie.

'As I shall answer to God, I knew not that my Lord was slain, till I saw
him in his last agony, and was very sorry, yea, prayed in my heart for
the same.'

'What say ye then concerning Mr. Alexander?'

'I grant I was art and part in Mr. Alexander's slaughter, for it was in
my own defence.'

'Why brought you not him to justice, seeing you should have God before
your eyes?'

'I had neither God nor the Devil, man, before my eyes, but my own
defence.'

'Here the King began to fret,' and no wonder. He frankly said that 'he
was one time minded to