THE MARTYRS, HEROES, AND BARDS OF THE SCOTTISH COVENANT. BY GEORGE GILFILLAN, M.A. They of old, whose tempered blades And hewed them link from link,-then Britain's sons Beat high within them at a mother's wrongs; And, shining each in his domestic sphere, Shone brighter still when call'd to public view." THE purpose of this volume is to present a succinct and impartial account of the history of the Scottish Covenant, an unbiassed estimate of the character of its principal actors, and some general deductions applicable to the great question of the present day. The author has not named his authorities at the foot of the page; but he acknowledges special obligations to the younger MacRie's Sketches of Scottish Church History, to MacGavin's edition of The Scottish Worthies, to "The Bass-Rock," and to Simpson's Traditions of the Covenanters. CONTENTS. Ecclesiastical State of Scotland after the Reformation-Andrew Melville-Policy of James I. and Charles I.-Attempt to impose THE HISTORY OF THE SOLEMN LEAGUE AND COVENANT:- General Assembly in Edinburgh-Westminster Assembly-Presby- terian ascendency-Marquis of Montrose-Character and Exe- cution of Charles I.-Re-establishment of Episcopacy in Scotland THE PERSECUTION UNTIL THE AFFAIR AT DRUMCLOG :-- Execution of Lord Warrington-Court of High Commission-Rising DRUMCLOG, BOTHWELL-BRIDGE, AND THEIR RESULTS:— Field-Meeting and Skirmish at Drumclog-Battle of Bothwell- Bridge-Sufferings of the defeated Covenanters-Murder of John 11 . 33 50 70 |