[The Grassmarket, Edinburgh.]
The Covenants
and
The Covenanters
Covenants, Sermons, and Documents
of
The Covenanted Reformation.
With Illustrations.
Introduction on the National Covenants
by
Rev. James Kerr, D.D., Glasgow
EDINBURGH: R.W. HUNTER, GEORGE IV. BRIDGE.
THE COVENANTS AND THE COVENANTERS.
PREFATORY NOTE.
The Covenants, Sermons, and Papers in this volumecarry the readers back to some of the brightest periodsof Scottish history. They mark important events in thatgreat struggle by which these three kingdoms wereemancipated from the despotisms of Pope, Prince, andPrelate, and an inheritance of liberty secured for theseIslands of the Sea. The whole achievements of theheroes of the battlefields are comprehended under thatphrase of Reformers and Martyrs, "The CovenantedWork of Reformation." The attainments of those stirringtimes were bound together by the Covenants, as by ringsof gold.
The Sermons here were the product of the ripe thoughtof the main actors in the various scenes—men of piety,learning, and renown. Hence, the nature, objects, andbenefits of personal and national Covenanting are exhibitedin a manner fitted to attract to that ordinance the mindsand hearts of men. The readers can well believe thestatement of Livingstone, who was present at severalceremonies of covenant-renovation: "I never saw suchmotions from the Spirit of God. I have seen more thana thousand persons all at once lifting up their hands, andthe tears falling down from their eyes." In the presenceof the defences of the Covenants as deeds, by thesepreachers, the baseless aspersions of novelists andtheologues fade out into oblivion.
True Christians must, as they ponder these productions,be convinced that the Covenanters were men of intensefaith and seraphic fervour, and their own hearts willburn as they catch the heavenly flame. Members of theChurch of Christ will be stirred to nobler efforts for theKingdom of their Lord as they meditate on the heroism ofthose who were the "chariots of Israel and the horsementhereof;" and they will behold with wonder that "to thewoman were given two wings of a great eagle that shemight fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she isnourished for a time and times and half a time, from theface of the serpent." And Statesmen will discoverhow Princes, Parliaments, and Peoples united in thehearty surrender of themselves to the Prince of the kingsand kingdoms of the earth; and will be aroused topromote that policy of Christian Statesmanship which,illustrating the purpose and will of God, the Father, shallliberate Parliaments and nations from the bonds of falsereligions, and assert for them those liberties and honourswhich spring from the enthronement of the Son of Man,as King of kings and Lord of lords.
This volume of documents of olden times is sent outon a mission of Revival of Religion, personal andnational, in the present times. It would do a noble workif it helped to humble classes and masses, and led themto return as one man to that God in covenant from