Sketches of the Covenanters

Book excerpt: This work concerns the covenant-keeping history of the able men and women of Scotland who gave their lives to the service, "FOR CHRIST’S CROWN AND COVENANT." Suffering at the hands of tyrants and kings who were pawns of the Devil, the Covenanters demonstrate a tearful but God-glorifying journey in the Scottish Presbyterian movement of the 17th century. The Covenanters of old were concerned with keeping their lives and doctrine pure in accordance with the God’s revealed will in the Scriptures, and to worship Christ freely being bound together by the National Covenant of Scotland. They would have rather died than deny Jesus Christ; as the Apostle says, “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us.” And as the author of this work states (which was the sentiment of the Scottish Covenanters and many of the members of the Westminster Assembly), “Covenant-breaking is, possibly, the most dangerous sin.” This work was written as a result of a visit to Scotland by the author. Out of his visit the lecture series, “The Martyrs of Scotland,” was born, and subsequently that series made its way ultimately into this present work. This new version brings some of the language up to date, and has been carefully transcribed from the original work (itis not a scan or facsimile). It also includes more than 50 illustrations, many of which were taken and enhanced from the original work published at the turn of the century.