These outrages increased the displeasure of the Regent towards the Reformers. She refused to listen to their apologies and petitions, and at last left them no alternative but to maintain their rights with the sword. To prepare for the conflict, the Protestant leaders formed a league together under the name of The Lords of the Congregation. A civil war which now broke out was not carried on very violently. The Queen Regent depended upon troops sent over from France. The Congregation were supported by an army from England. Both parties at times had the advantage; but finally the Reformers, whose numbers were constantly on the increase, gained the day.

The Queen Regent died June 10, 1560; and Francis and Mary, now sovereigns of France, determined to restore peace to Scotland. They granted a general pardon for all offences committed during the war; they agreed that the government should be vested in a council to be chosen by Parliament, to which body they also left the subject of religion to be disposed of as they judged best. The foreign troops, which had been employed on both sides in the late contest, were withdrawn. The Parliament assembled in August, 1560, and proceeded "to condemn unanimously the whole fabric of popery, and adopted instead of the doctrines of the

church of Rome the tenets contained in a Confession of Faith, drawn up by the most popular of the Protestant divines. Thus the whole religious constitution of the church was at once altered."

CHAPTER XXI.

CONCLUSION.

In the foregoing pages the aim has been to give a general view of the Reformation in the 16th century, by selecting the most important and interesting facts connected with that event. Before closing the work it may be well to add a few remarks, to aid the young reader in the formation of a correct judgment concerning the character and consequences of a revolution, which has been the cause of such momentous changes in the condition of Christendom.

In reading the history of the Reformation care should be taken not to imbibe unjust and false prejudices against the Romish Church. That history necessarily exhibits many of the worst errors, and the most abandoned supporters of popery. To receive it therefore as containing the whole truth in regard to the papal system, would be a great mistake. Corrupt as were the prevalent ideas of Christianity, while Europe was shrouded in the darkness of ignorance, and gross as were the abuses introduced by those who, to accomplish their own bad ends, took advantage of the superstitious credulity of the

people, it is not to be supposed that no good thing remained in the church. Among the opponents of the Reformers were men of piety, sincere in their attachment to the ancient faith, and conscientious in their dread of innovations. Many of the clergy were indeed wicked, many of the monasteries the abodes of vice, and many men clung to popery from base motives; but there were also those among the priesthood whose lives were pure, there were religious houses where God was worshipped in sincerity, and man was loved as a brother, and, among the thousands who adhered to the old religion, multitudes undoubtedly did so from a belief that it was true. This statement finds proof of its correctness in the fact, that the most diligent and pure-hearted among the Reformers came from the bosom of the church. Luther, Melancthon, Zwingle, Knox, and others, were once Catholics; and even in the darkest of the middle ages we may believe that many a pure spirit was illuminated and warmed by rays from the "sun of righteousness."

Another error which some Protestant writers have encouraged, and against which the reader of the history of the Reformation ought to be on his guard, is the impression that Roman Catholics of the present day are necessarily chargeable with the same faults, as the Roman

Catholics of former times. However far from the simplicity of the Gospel and pure Christianity the church of Rome in its government and its doctrines may have wandered, it would be wrong to imagine that it has remained always the same, or been entirely unaffected by the changes which have taken place in the world. within a few centuries. Catholics as well as Protestants have been taught wisdom; and the former as well as the latter have been benefited by the clearer light which has been shed upon the page of Revelation; and where they have been placed on a footing with other sects, and enjoyed the privileges of knowledge, they have given to the world, bright examples of Christian character. Justice demands that this should be remembered in their favor, however much we may deplore what seems to us their corrupt faith; and justice also demands that they be judged of according to their own deeds and opinions, at any particular period, and not be made to answer for the sins or absurdities of their ancestors. It is unfair and irrational to argue that, because in an age of comparative darkness a church was sadly corrupt, it must be equally so in an age of greater knowledge.

Again, while discrimination and charity are to be exercised towards the defenders of popery in the sixteenth century, we are to avoid bestow