Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

three. But at this stage it was found necessary to set
up the scaffold. There were two men in Scotland of
pre-eminent position and influence, who must be
taken out of the way before it would be safe to
proceed with the measure now contemplated,
namely, that of abolishing Presbyterianism and
substituting prelacy. These two men were the
Marquis of Argyle and Mr. James Guthrie, minister
at Stirling.
Archibald, Marquis of Argyle, stood
conspicuous among the nobles of Scotland; in
grandeur and influence he towered high above
them all. Nature had endowed him with excellent
talents, which a careful education had developed
and trained. He was cautious, eminently wise,
liberal in politics, eloquent in discourse, and Godfearing,
and to the graces of the true Christian he
added the virtues of the patriot. His inheritance was
a magnificent one. From those western isles which
receive the first shock of the Atlantic wave as it
rushes toward the mainland, his possessions
stretched southward to the Clyde, and away
towards the Tay on the east, comprehending many
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