Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

method could not long endure; the Presbyterian
admixture would speedily be purged out, and only
Prelacy, pure and simple, would remain. The
scheme was never brought into operation. The
amiable and pious archbishop bemoaned its failure;
but he ought to have reflected that the men whose
unreasonable obstinacy, as doubtless he deemed it,
had defeated his project, were maintaining views
which subjected them to fines, imprisonment, and
death, and in which, therefore, it was to be
presumed they were entirely conscientious,
whereas he, though doubtless equally
conscientious, had no such opportunity of giving
proof of it, inasmuch as his sentiments, happily for
himself, were in accordance with his interests and
honors.
These plans and others to allay the opposition
of Scotland, and quietly plant Prelacy and arbitrary
government, had been tried, and had all failed.
What was now to be done? There remained to the
Government only the alternative of confessing their
defeat, and desisting from further attempts, or of
falling back once more upon the sword. Those who
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