n the statute-book, than the forces of
reaction, headed by the Crown, began to work for the undoing of it; and
the Church was to pass through a century of almost continuous struggle
and of many and bitter disappointments--a century which had great part
in the making of Scotland--before that constitution was finally
ratified.

The slackness of James towards the Popish agents, who had resumed their
intrigues in the country, has been referred to. Those best informed in
public affairs both in England and Scotland shared the indignation and
alarm in the matter which were expressed by the ministers. One day, in
the very year after the Armada, as James was in the Tolbooth with the
Lords of Session, a packet was put into his hands from the English
Queen containing intercepted treasonable letters from the Popish lords
in Scotland to the King of Spain and the Duke of Parma, and accompanied
by the following letter in Elizabeth's own hand, in which she rates him
for his fatuous lenity towards subjects who had joined hands with the
enemies of his kingdom:--

'MY DEERE BROTHER,--I have ere now assured you, that als long
as I found you constant in amitie towards me, I would be your
faithfull watche, to shunne all mishappes or dangers that, by
assured intelligence, I might compasse to give you. And
according to my good devotioun and affectioun, it hath pleased
God to make me, of late, so fortunat as to have intercepted a
messinger (whom I keepe safe for you), that carried letters of
high treasoun to your persone and kingdome; and can doe no
lesse, than with most gladenesse, send you the discovered
treasoun, suche as you may see, as in a glasse, the true
portrature of my late wairning letters; which, if then it had
pleased you follow, als weill as read, you might have taiken
their persons, receaved their treasoun, and shunned their
further strenthening, which hath growne daylie by your too
great neglecting and suffering of so manie practises which, at
the beginning, might easilie have been prevented.

'Permitt me, I pray you, my deere brother, to use als muche
plainnesse as I beare you sinceritie, your supposing to deale
moderatlie and indifferentlie to both factions, and not to take
nor punishe, at the first, so notorious offenders, as suche as
durst send to a forrane king for forces to land in your land
under what pretence