Sketches of the Covenanters

Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 13570-h.htm or 13570-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/5/7/13570/13570-h/13570-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/3/5/7/13570/13570-h.zip)

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."

[Illustration: MODERN CHURCH OF THE COVENANTERS, GREENOCK.]

THE UNCONQUERABLE COVENANTERS

"We bind and obligate ourselves to defend ourselves and one another, in our worshiping of God, and in our 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.

SUBJECTS ILLUSTRATIONS

Chapter I. The Land of the Covenants In the Highlands

Chapter II. The Battle-field of Presbyterianism Flag of the Covenanters

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

Chapter XII. Gathering of the Hosts Greyfriars Church

Chapter XIII. Renewing the Covenant Signing the Covenant

Chapter XIV. The Covenanters at Work Archibald Johnston (Lord Warriston)

Chapter XV. The King Wages War Captain Paton's Grave

Chapter XVI. The Solemn League and Covenant The Martyrs' Monument

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

Chapter XXVI. The Field-meetings Preaching in the Mountains

Chapter XXVII. The Covenanters' Communion The Covenanters' Communion

Chapter XXVIII. The Home Invaded Home of the Howies

Chapter XXIX. The Battle of Rullion Green Gravestone at Rullion Green

Chapter XXX. The Oppressor's Revenge Rutherford's Monument

Chapter XXXI. Indulgence, the Six-fold Snare A Conventicle Anniversary

Chapter XXXII. The Field Meetings Under Fire Battle of Drumclog

Chapter XXXIII. A Massacre Battle of Bothwell Bridge

Chapter XXXIV. The Covenanters' Prison Dunnottar Castle

Chapter XXXV. Declaration of Independence Claverhouse

Chapter XXXVI. Ayrsmoss Monument at Ayrsmoss