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Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

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dismissal nor himself to the loss of their services.<br />

In short, <strong>James</strong> declared that he would have a<br />

stand<strong>in</strong>g army, and that it should be officered by<br />

Romanists.<br />

This speech from the throne surprised and<br />

bewildered Parliament. They now saw of how little<br />

value were the promises with which the k<strong>in</strong>g had<br />

amused them. Already the sword of arbitrary<br />

power was suspended above their heads, and the<br />

liberties of England were about to pass <strong>in</strong>to the<br />

hands of those whose allegiance had been given to<br />

a foreign pr<strong>in</strong>ce. They had a Popish k<strong>in</strong>g, and now<br />

they were about to have a Popish army. Long and<br />

warm debates followed <strong>in</strong> Parliament. At last the<br />

House of Commons resolved to present an address<br />

to the k<strong>in</strong>g, represent<strong>in</strong>g to him that members of<br />

the Church of Rome could not by law hold either<br />

civil or military employment, nor could their<br />

disabilities be removed save by Act of Parliament;<br />

but that out of the reverence they enterta<strong>in</strong>ed for<br />

his Majesty they were will<strong>in</strong>g to capacitate by law<br />

such a number of Roman Catholic officers as he<br />

might be pleased to <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>in</strong> a list to be presented<br />

542

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