SKETCHES
Reading edition
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 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 Chapter I. The Land of the Covenants Chapter II. The Battle-field of Presbyterianism Chapter III. Some Early Martyrs Chapter IV. Knox in the Field of Conflict Chapter V. Foundation Stones Chapter VI. The National Covenant Chapter VII. Contending with the King Chapter VIII. Men of Might Chapter IX. Darkness Brooding Over the Land Chapter X. Approaching a Crisis Chapter XI. The Advance Guards Chapter XII. Gathering of the Hosts Chapter XIII. Renewing the Covenant Chapter XIV. The Covenanters at Work Chapter XV. The King Wages War Chapter XVI. The Solemn League and Covenant Chapter XVII. High Ideals by the Covenanted Fathers Chapter XVIII. The Westminster Assembly Chapter XIX. Division in the Covenanted Ranks Chapter XX. Crowning the Prince Chapter XXI. A Sifting Time Chapter XXII. An Illustrious Martyr Chapter XXIII. Resisting Unto Blood Chapter XXIV. Source of the Covenanters' Power Chapter XXV. Expelling the Ministers Chapter XXVI. The Field-meetings Chapter XXVII. The Covenanters' Communion Chapter XXVIII. The Home Invaded Chapter XXIX. The Battle of Rullion Green Chapter XXX. The Oppressor's Revenge Chapter XXXI. Indulgence, the Six-fold Snare Chapter XXXII. The Field Meetings Under Fire Chapter XXXIII. A Massacre Chapter XXXIV. The Covenanters' Prison Chapter XXXV. Declaration of Independence Chapter XXXVI. Ayrsmoss Chapter XXXVII. The Cameronians Chapter XXXVIII. The Lone Star Chapter XXXIX. An Extraordinary Service Chapter XL. The Societies Chapter XLI. The Daughters of the Covenant Chapter XLII. Young Life Under Persecution Chapter XLIII. The Covenanters' Bible Chapter XLIV. The Scottish Seer Chapter XLV. Scotland's Maiden Martyr Chapter XLVI. The Eldership--A Wall of Defence Chapter XLVII. A Home Desolated Chapter XLVIII. Last, But Not Least Chapter XLIX. The Shepherdless Flock Chapter L. The Voice of the Martyrs' Blood Chapter LI. The Old Blue Banner Yet Illustrations Modern Church of the Covenanters, Greenock. In the Highlands The Old Banner George Wishart. Knox Administering the Lord's Supper. Mary, Queen of Scots. King James Vi. Melville Before King James. Edinburgh Castle. Souvenirs of the Covenanters. Alexander Henderson. Jean Geddes Throwing Her Stool. Greyfriars' Church. Signing the Covenant. Archibald Johnston. Memorial Stone of Captain Paton. The Martyrs' Monument, Edinburgh. Rutherford in Prison. Westminster Assembly. King Charles I. Archbishop Sharp King Charles II. Argyle's Daughter Pleading James Guthrie. The Grassmarket. John Welch, Ejected from his Church Preaching in the Mountains. The Covenanters' Communion. The Howie Home, Lochgoin. Gravestone at Rullion Green. Rutherford's Monument at Anwoth. Anniversary of a Conventicle. Battle of Drumclog. The Battle of Bothwell Bridge. Dunnottar Castle. Claverhouse. Monument at Ayrsmoss. Four Young Covenanters Discovered Donald Cargill. Earlston Castle St. Sebastian Church, Rotterdam, Holland. Consolation in Prison. Andrew Hislop's Martyrdom. Covenanters Bibles Peden at Cameron's Grave. Choosing Death Rather Than Life John Brown of Priesthill A Widow's Sorrow James Renwick. The Martyrdom of Renwick. The Burial. The Banner of the Covenant.