swoman, a person of the same royal
dignity and of the same sex with herself: that, in this unparalleled
attempt, she offered an affront to all diadems, and even to her own; and
by reducing sovereigns to a level with other men, taught the people to
neglect all duty towards those whom Providence had appointed to rule
over them: that for his part, he must deem the injury and insult so
enormous, as to be incapable of all atonement; nor was it possible for
him thenceforward to remain in any terms of correspondence with a person
who, without any pretence of legal authority, had deliberately inflicted
an ignominious death upon his parent: and that, even if the sentiments
of nature and duty did not inspire him with this purpose of vengeance,
his honor required it of him; nor could he ever acquit himself in the
eyes of the world, if he did not use every effort, and endure every
hazard, to revenge so great an indignity.[*]

Soon after, James sent the master of Gray and Sir Robert Melvil to
enforce the remonstrances of Keith, and to employ with the queen every
expedient of argument and menaces. Elizabeth was at first offended with
the sharpness of these applications; and she replied in a like strain
to the Scottish ambassadors. When she afterwards reflected, that this
earnestness was no more than what duty required of James, she was
pacified; but still retained her resolution of executing the sentence
against Mary.[**] It is believed, that the master of Gray, gained by the
enemies of that princess, secretly gave his advice not to spare her, and
undertook, in all events, to pacify his master.

* Spotswood, p. 351.

** Spotswood, p. 353.

The queen also, from many considerations, was induced to pay small
attention to the applications of James, and to disregard all the efforts
which he could employ in behalf of his mother. She was well acquainted
with his character and interests, the factions which prevailed among
his people, and the inveterate hatred which the zealous Protestants,
particularly the preachers, bore to the queen of Scots. The present
incidents set these dispositions of the clergy in a full light. James,
observing the fixed purpose of Elizabeth, ordered prayers to be offered
up for Mary in all the churches; and knowing the captious humor of the
ecclesiastics, he took care that the form of the petition should be most
cautious, as well as humane and charitable: "That it might please God
to illuminate Mary wi