936.
Should the war be only protracted beyond a campaign, (and who could expect to finish it in that period ?) his treasures would fail him; and for supply he must have recourse to an English parliament, which, by fatal experience, he had ever found more ready to encroach on the prerogatives, than to supply the necessities of the crown.

And what if he receive a defeat from the rebel army?
This misfortune was far from being impossible.

They were engaged in a national cause, and strongly actuated by mistaken principles.

His army was retained entirely by pay, and looked on the quarrel with the same indifference which naturally belongs to mercenary troops without possessing the discipline by which such troops are commonly distinguished.

And the consequences of a defeat, while Scotland was enraged and England discontented, were so dreadful, that no motive should persuade him to hazard it.
It is evident, that Charles had fallen into such a situation, that whichever side he embraced, his errors must be dangerous.