In 1580 he became a gentleman of the bedchamber to James VI of Scotland, and also joined a group of young men who subscribed to serve the king in time of war at their own expense.
[1] Through the influence of the Jesuits James Gordon and William Crichton Lindsay became a convert to Catholicism; he said he was the first whom they induced to recant and openly profess the change of faith.
[1] In 1589 Lindsay was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle but on 29 November was conditionally released, Francis Stewart, 5th Earl of Bothwell, becoming his caution that he would enter again into ward and remain there till his trial.
[3] On 30 September 1594 he was again denounced as a rebel, the special charges against him being communing with conspirators against the true religion, and open avowing of papistry.
[4] Lindsay had printed an Account of the Present State of the Catholic Religion in the Realm of Scotland in the year of our Lord one thousand five hundred and ninety-four.