Knox was thus obliged, in sermons and in the pamphlet (Book II.

of his "History"), to maintain that nothing more than freedom of conscience and religion was contemplated, while, as a matter of fact, he was foremost in the intrigue for changing the "Authority," and even for depriving Mary Stuart of "entrance and title" to her rights.

He therefore, in Book II.
(much of which was written in August-October or September-October 1559, as an apologetic contemporary tract), conceals the actual facts of the case, and, while perpetually accusing the Regent of falsehood and perfidy, displays an extreme "economy of truth," and cannot hide the pettifogging prevarications of his party.

His wiser plan would have been to cancel this Book, or much of it, when he set forth later to write a history of the Reformation.

His party being then triumphant, he could have afforded to tell most of the truth, as in great part he does in his Book III.