Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

what cause he had for exultation and joy! He was
nearing the goal of his hopes in the speedy
accession of a Popish monarch to the throne of
England.
It was out of the great wreck caused by the
triumph of the Spanish arms in the preceding
century that William the Silent emerged, to achieve
his mighty task of rescuing Protestantism from
impending destruction. Sinking States, discomfited
armies, and despairing Protestants surrounded him
on all sides when he stood up to retrieve the mighty
ruin. A second time was the grand marvel to be
repeated. The motto of his house, Tandem fit
surculus arbor,[8] was once more to be verified.
Out of this mighty disaster produced by the French
arms, was a deliverer, second only in glory to the
Great William, to arise to be the champion of a
sinking Protestantism, and the upholder of
perishing nations. The House of Orange had for
some time past been under a cloud. A generation of
Dutchmen had arisen who knew not, or did not
care to know, the services which that house had
rendered to their country. The ambition of
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