Henceforth their manifestoes say little about religion, and a great deal about the French design to conquer Scotland.

{158b} To the wit of Lethington we may plausibly attribute a proposal which, on October 25, Knox submitted to Croft.

{159} It was that England should lend 1000 men for the attack on the Regent in Leith.

Peace with France need not be broken, for the men may come as private adventurers, and England may denounce them as rebels.

Croft declined this proposal as dishonourable, and as too clearly a breach of treaty.