Part 8 (2/2)

POINTS FOR THE CLa.s.s.

1. In what spirit did the people retire from the Covenant Convention in Edinburgh?

2. How was the Covenant received by the nation?

3. How did King Charles regard it?

4. How did he attempt to counteract its power?

5. In what manner did the Covenanters receive his commissioner?

6. When and where was the General a.s.sembly reorganized?

7. With what interference did it meet?

8. What good work did it accomplish?

9. What trust did it commit to future generations?

XV.

THE KING WAGES WAR.--A.D. 1639.

The year of our Lord, 1638, exalted the Covenanted Church into prominence and power. The Covenant in the beginning of the year, and the General a.s.sembly at the end, were achievements that arose in sublimity and moral grandeur like mountains, and all the months between, being filled with spiritual refres.h.i.+ng, were like table lands covered with the glory of the Lord, and shaking like Lebanon with prosperous fruit. ”The light of the moon was as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun sevenfold, as the light of seven days.”

During the next ten years the Church experienced rapid growth. The Covenant always seemed to give the Church about ten years of extraordinary prosperity. The Holy Spirit descended in power, multiplying the ministry and members.h.i.+p exceedingly. New congregations sprang up in the towns and in the country, and were shepherded by faithful ministers. True religion, bringing peace, comfort, and gladness, entered the homes of the people and lodged with them. The melody of joy and health was heard in their dwellings. The family altar made the humblest house the Holy of Holies where G.o.d was enthroned on His Mercy Seat, and the lowliest family was a royal priesthood ministering unto G.o.d in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Yet all this time the Church suffered violence. She had become a bright target upon which Satan concentrated the fire of his heaviest artillery.

One onslaught followed another with vengeful malice. The gates of h.e.l.l opened wide and the floods dashed fiercely against her; but she was built upon a Rock, and that Rock was Christ. She was in alliance with the Lord. Her people were steadfast in their Covenant; they were united, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; therefore the distresses resulted only in her growth.

When the king heard that the General a.s.sembly was in session contrary to his will and acting directly in violation of his decree, he was filled with wrath. Having sent Hamilton to use policy and craftiness, and thereby gain time, he mustered an army of nearly 50,000 men, with which to punish the Covenanters. He also sent a fleet to co-operate with the land forces. Absolute subjugation was determined. These people must be despoiled of conscience, liberty, divine wors.h.i.+p, religious rights--all that is most sacred to the human heart. The army is coming. Men, women, and children must feel the weight of the horses' hoofs and the warriors' boots, just because they have joined themselves to the Lord in a Covenant, and are living the life of faith on the Son of G.o.d.

The Covenanters were not dismayed, yet they hesitated to accept war.

Would it be right to take up arms against the government? Ought they to go forth against their king in battle? Should they use the weapons that are carnal, and engage in the shedding of blood? Such questions lay heavy upon their hearts. They pondered, prayed, and fasted, that they might reach a decision in the fear of G.o.d. Finally they resolved to make their defence by force of arms. Their cause was just. Momentous issues were involved; their Covenant with G.o.d, the supremacy of Jesus Christ, the independence of the Church, the liberty of conscience, the purity of Divine wors.h.i.+p, the rights of citizens.h.i.+p, the heritage of future generations, the progress of Christian civilization--all this appealed to the Covenanters for defence. The trumpet of war sounded, and the st.u.r.dy sons of the Covenant quickly responded.

General Alexander Leslie was at the head of the Covenanted army. He led his forces with rapid marches to meet the king. Friendly troops converged upon him on the way from all parts of Scotland till his command numbered 24,000 men. They presented a formidable array. These soldiers of the Covenant were marching to victory or to death. Courage in the countenance and firmness in the step told of an unconquerable purpose. Onward moved the resolute columns. Every day brought them nearer the royal hosts that would test their strength. The sight was thrilling; solid ranks of infantry, sword-girded cavalry, stalwart cannoneers, and floating banners. The Psalms reverberated among the hills in wors.h.i.+p morning and evening. Well might King Charles pause ere he strike against this host of G.o.d.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MEMORIAL STONE OF CAPTAIN PATON.

Captain Paton was a brave defender of the Covenanters. His exploits in different battles are noted as extraordinary. Finally he was captured and, on May 9, 1684, executed in Edinburgh. In his last words he exhorted the people, saying, ”Let your way be the good old path, the Word of G.o.d.” His joy on the scaffold was triumphant. This memorial stone is at Fenwick.]

One day the Covenanters from an eminence beheld their enemy at a distance of six miles. General Leslie halted, arranging his troops on sloping grounds, facing the foe. There he prepared for action. Forty pieces of cannon bristled along the oval summit; the musketry and swordmen were placed on the hillside and outstretching plain. The encampment presented an appearance unusual in warfare. At the tent-door of each captain the ensign of the Covenant was unfurled. On the banner was inscribed in letters of gold the soul-stirring motto:

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