Protestantism with Romanism had well-nigh disappeared; the fight was now
between the Presbyterian and the Episcopalian.

Morton's leaven quickly did its work; the Assembly became deeply
infected. For more than an hundred years the terrible struggle
continued. In the early years of this fierce conflict, Andrew Melville,
mighty in the power of Jesus, stood in the forefront of the battle.
Melville was scholarly, intrepid, adventurous, highly emotional, and
vehement in the cause of the Church's independence. He had some sharp
encounters with Morton. Morton in a rage said to him one day, "The
country will never be in quietness till half a dozen of you be hanged or
banished." Melville, looking him in the face with his piercing eyes,
replied, "Tush, man, threaten your courtiers after that manner. It is
the same to me whether I rot in the air or in the ground. The earth is
the Lord's. My country is wherever goodness is. Let God be glorified, it
will not be in your power to hang or exile His truth." Morton felt
himself outdared and outdone by the courage and calmness of this humble
servant of Christ.

Morton resigned the regency in 1578, to make way for James VI. to ascend
the throne, who continued the war against the Presbyterians. He asserted
that his crown depended on the office of the bishop. "No bishop, no
king," was his motto. He aspired to become dictator to the Church. The
General Assembly resisted his claim. A delegation was sent to the king
with a strong remonstrance against his tyrannic course. Melville was a
member of the delegation, and his energetic spirit constituted him
speaker. The delegation appeared in the royal court where the king sat
among his advisers. The remonstrance was read; it filled the king with
rage. "Who dare subscribe this treasonable paper?" was asked. "We dare,"
replied Melville, taking hold of the pen and calmly writing his name.