The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

The same year of the death of the late King, and of the Marriage of our now Sovereign, there was an Expedition made against the Spaniard, without any real intention to do harm, as appears by the slack performance of the War, and by the shameful Peace made thereafter. The main drift of this undertaking was, first, To try how ready the people would be to endure Soldiers in the Country, which they had not seen for a long time, and how willing they would be to undergo a War, at the command of the corrupt Court, and uphold it with Supplies of men and moneys. Next, There must be an Expedition against France, under pretext to help the then distressed Protestants there; which really was intended for the hastening of their ruin, and increase of their desolation: and so it proved indeed, although the main and chief undertaker was prevented, by death, to see the effect of his intents. The other end of this undertaking was, To have Forces at command, both Horse and Foot, by Land, and a well-provided Navy at Sea, for the enslaving of the people to spiritual and temporal Bondage; which in all humane probability had not been difficile to effectuate then, such was the sheepish silliness, and knavish baseness of many men in these Dominions, of all ranks, conditions, and professions; as also the unpreparedness of the wiser and better Patriots and Members of the Church, to withstand this mischief, if God in his mercy, by the unexpected death of the Court-ruler, and chief agent in the business, had not put in a Remora and let: At which time, if men had returned unto God, amending their lives in private, and had expressed their true zeal then to the good of the Church and Country whereof they are members, according to their several ranks and conditions, the design of the common enemy had been fully dashed. But God in his wisdom hath been pleased to keep us yet a while longer under the rod of trial, to see if we will return unto him at last. The Romish party, although astonished and surprised at the death of their Engine and main Instrument here among us, gives not over, but continues the great Design, without intermission, albeit not with such speed as formerly;

The same yeer of the death of the late King, and of the Marriage of our now Sovereign, there was an Expedition made against the Spaniard, without any reall intention to do harm, as appears by the slack performance of the War, and by the shamefull Peace made thereafter. The main drift of this undertaking was, first, To try how ready the people would be to endure Souldiers in the Countrey, which they had not seen for a long time, and how willing they would be to undergo a War, at the command of the corrupt Court, and uphold it with Supplies of men and moneys. Next, There must be an Expedition against France, under pretext to help the then distressed Protestants there; which really was intended for the hastening of their ruine, and encrease of their desolation: and so it proved indeed, although the main and chief undertaker was prevented, by death, to see the effect of his intents. The other end of this undertaking was, To have Forces at command, both Horse and Foot, by Land, and a well-provided Navie at Sea, for the enslaving of the people to spirituall and temporall Bondage; which in all humane probability had not been difficile to effectuate then, such was the sheeppish sillinesse, and knavish basenesse of many men in these Dominions, of all ranks, conditions, and professions; as also the unpreparednesse of the wiser and better Patriots and Members of the Church, to withstand this mischief, if God in his mercy, by the unexpected death of the Court-ruler, and chief agent in the businesse, had not put in a Remora and lett: At which time, if men had returned unto God, amending their lives in private, and had expressed their true zeal then to the good of the Church and Countrey whereof they are members, according to their severall ranks and conditions, the designe of the common enemy had been fully dasht. But God in his wisedom hath been pleased to keep us yet a while longer under the rod of tryall, to see if we will return unto him at last. The Romish party, although astonished and surprised at the death of their Engine and main Instrument here among us, gives not over, but continues the great Designe, without intermission, albeit not with such speed as formerly;