Sketches of the Covenanters, by J
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Sketches of the Covenanters, by J. C. McFeeters Distributed by Still Waters Revival Books - www.PuritanDownloads.com SKETCHES OF THE COVENANTERS BY J.C. McFEETERS, D.D. MINISTER OF The Second Church of the Covenanters, Philadelphia, "That ye may tell it to the generations following; For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even unto death." THE UNCONQUERABLE COVENANTERS. "We bind and obligate ourselves to defend ourselves and one another, in our worshiping of God, and in our Distributed by Still Waters Revival Books - www.PuritanDownloads.com natural, civil, and divine rights and liberties, till we shall overcome, or send them down under debate to posterity, that they may begin where we end."—Queensferry Paper. PREFACE. This book is a spontaneous growth, being without pre-meditation or original intention. A visit to Scotland was the embryo; out of this seed sprang a stereopticon lecture on "The Martyrs of Scotland;" the lecture developed into an illustrated serial which was published in the CHRISTIAN NATION; and the serial, at the request of many readers, developed into this volume. The book, therefore, was not originally contemplated; it is a providential growth, rather than a human conception; and we sincerely trust that it is one of God's eternal thoughts, blossoming in the sunlight of its own appointed time. May our Lord Jesus Christ add His blessing, and commission these Sketches to do Him service and glorify His exalted name. J.C.M. Philadelphia, March 1, 1913. Contents Illustrations Modern Church of the Covenanters, Greenock. Chapter I. The Land of the Covenants In the Highlands Chapter II. The Battle-field of Presbyterianism The Old Banner Chapter III. Some Early Martyrs George Wishart. Chapter IV. Knox in the Field of Conflict Knox Administering the Lord's Supper. Chapter V. Foundation Stones Mary, Queen of Scots. Chapter VI. The National Covenant King James Vi. Chapter VII. Contending with the King Melville Before King James. Chapter VIII. Men of Might Edinburgh Castle. Chapter IX. Darkness Brooding Over the Land Souvenirs of the Covenanters. Chapter X. Approaching a Crisis Alexander Henderson. Chapter XI. The Advance Guards Jean Geddes Throwing Her Stool. Chapter XII. Gathering of the Hosts Greyfriars' Church. Chapter XIII. Renewing the Covenant Signing the Covenant. Chapter XIV. The Covenanters at Work Archibald Johnston. Chapter XV. The King Wages War Memorial Stone of Captain Paton. Chapter XVI. The Solemn League and Covenant The Martyrs' Monument, Edinburgh. Chapter XVII. High Ideals by the Covenanted Fathers Rutherford in Prison. Chapter XVIII. The Westminster Assembly Westminster Assembly. Chapter XIX. Division in the Covenanted Ranks King Charles I. Chapter XX. Crowning the Prince Archbishop Sharp Chapter XXI. A Sifting Time King Charles II. Chapter XXII. An Illustrious Martyr Argyle's Daughter Pleading Chapter XXIII. Resisting Unto Blood James Guthrie. Chapter XXIV. Source of the Covenanters' Power The Grassmarket. Chapter XXV. Expelling the Ministers John Welch, Ejected from his Church Chapter XXVI. The Field-meetings Preaching in the Mountains. Distributed by Still Waters Revival Books - www.PuritanDownloads.com Chapter XXVII. The Covenanters' Communion The Covenanters' Communion. Chapter XXVIII. The Home Invaded The Howie Home, Lochgoin. Chapter XXIX. The Battle of Rullion Green Gravestone at Rullion Green. Chapter XXX. The Oppressor's Revenge Rutherford's Monument at Anwoth. Chapter XXXI. Indulgence, the Six-fold Snare Anniversary of a Conventicle. Chapter XXXII. The Field Meetings Under Fire Battle of Drumclog. Chapter XXXIII. A Massacre The Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Chapter XXXIV. The Covenanters' Prison Dunnottar Castle. Chapter XXXV. Declaration of Independence Claverhouse. Chapter XXXVI. Ayrsmoss Monument at Ayrsmoss. Chapter XXXVII. The Cameronians Four Young Covenanters Discovered Chapter XXXVIII. The Lone Star Donald Cargill. Chapter XXXIX. An Extraordinary Service Earlston Castle Chapter XL. The Societies St. Sebastian Church, Rotterdam, Holland. Chapter XLI. The Daughters of the Covenant Consolation in Prison. Chapter XLII. Young Life Under Persecution Andrew Hislop's Martyrdom. Chapter XLIII. The Covenanters' Bible Covenanters Bibles Chapter XLIV. The Scottish Seer Peden at Cameron's Grave. Chapter XLV. Scotland's Maiden Martyr Choosing Death Rather Than Life Chapter XLVI. The Eldership--A Wall of Defence John Brown of Priesthill Chapter XLVII. A Home Desolated A Widow's Sorrow Chapter XLVIII. Last, But Not Least James Renwick. Chapter XLIX. The Shepherdless Flock The Martyrdom of Renwick. Chapter L. The Voice of the Martyrs' Blood The Burial. Chapter LI. The Old Blue Banner Yet The Banner of the Covenant. Sketches of the Covenanters I. THE LAND OF THE COVENANTS. All history is interesting and much of it is inspiring. Scotland furnishes a large measure of that quality of history, that awakens the soul, and appeals to the faculties by which life is transfigured with moral grandeur. History yields its best results when we use our best powers in pursuing its paths. Let the creative genius, a healthy imagination, be employed restoring the scenes of former times, mingling with the people and participating in their high endeavors; then will the quiet page of history become a world of thrilling activity. In this manner let us here endeavor to follow the chain of events which gave Scotland two Reformations and a Revolution. Let us keep our horizon wide by resuscitating the former generations and associating with the Covenanted fathers, who, in their faithfulness to God and loyalty to Jesus Christ, were like the burning bush, enswirled with fire but not consumed. Distributed by Still Waters Revival Books - www.PuritanDownloads.com Scotland—the very name awakens fondest memories, revives holiest scenes, makes dearest associations throb with life. Scotland—charming in her romances of love, mighty in her struggles for freedom, pathetic in her sufferings for Christ, and glorious in her oft-renewed covenant with God—Scotland in many respects is incomparable among the nations. The Covenanted Church of Scotland, coming up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved in holy dependence and dauntless faith, while heaven looks down with admiration—how beautiful, how instructive, how inspiring! Extending from the north boundary of England, Scotland thrusts her rocky shores with rugged irregularity into the deep sea on three sides. Her granite cliffs, resisting the ceaseless waves, teach her people the lesson of constant vigilance and unconquerable courage. In this country the summer days are long and delightful, the echoes of good-night linger till the voice of good- morning may be heard. The days almost touch each other, twilight scarcely leaves the sky. The winter reverses the order, making the path of the sun short and, bringing it down close to the hilltops. The storm loves the long night; the winds rise and sift the treasures of hail and snow over mountain and meadow. Scotland contains about 30,000 square miles and 4,000,000 souls. The shores, especially the western and northern, are beautifully fringed with narrow lochs and steep indentures of the sea, making the coast picturesque beyond description. The surface is mostly mountainous and rugged, presenting to the eye natural scenery, which for beauty and magnificence can scarcely be surpassed. On the mountain side mists suddenly form, dense as thunder-clouds and bright as snow- drifts. We were one day pointed to a certain hill where, it is said, Peden was hunted by dragoons, and found shelter in the heart of a mist-cloud, which he called "the lap of God's cloak." In answer to prayer he thus found safety in the secret place of the Most High; heaven seemed to touch earth where he knelt upon the dripping grass. These mountainous grounds furnish luxuriant pasture for numerous flocks of sheep. Here is the shepherd's paradise, who, with his dog and crook, keeps careful watch. While the brow of the mountain is white with mist, its cheeks are often crimsoned with heather, and its breast verdant with pasture. The associated colors are very grateful to the eye, while the sublimity ennobles the heart. In the Highlands Many picturesque lochs nestle among the hills, in whose placid waters is mirrored the sky in the brilliant variations of In visiting the places of deepest interest to Covenanters, the journey in our day may be made with little fatigue and day and night. Poets and novelists have thrown a charm over much comfort. This makes the wanderings of the these waters, and their shady isles—and deep coves, relating persecuted Covenanters to appear in pathetic contrast the stories of love and the tragedies of war. Castles, some in which touches the heart with sadness. The scene presented ruins, some in excellent preservation, dot the country from here is Loch Lubnaig nestling in the bosom of the highlands. The view is charming, especially while the sea to sea, crowning prominent hill tops, and grimly telling historic events are revived by a guide like Rev John of the era of savage strife and imperiled life. Splendid cities, McDonald, B D, who is here seen in the motor car, thrifty towns, and modest country homes are an index of the accompanied by Mrs McDonald and Mrs McFeeters. present prosperous and peaceful conditions. The industry, Distributed by Still Waters Revival Books - www.PuritanDownloads.com intelligence, and happiness of the people are everywhere apparent. Numerous churches, schools, and colleges bear testimony to the high tide of Christian civilization, which, through the labors and fidelity of the fathers, have carried the present generation into enviable prominence. The climate is pleasant and healthful. The asperity of winter is softened by the ocean streams coming from the south; the heat of summer is reduced by the high latitude and the mountains. Withal the Lord has blessed this celebrated country with rare natural advantages for producing an indomitable and resourceful race.