CHAPTER 6.

THE COVENANTERS OF LESMAHAGOW.

IF there is one characteristic feature of Anglo?Saxon character more strongly marked than another, it is the determined spirit of self?reliance and stubborn independence, which distinguishes all ranks. The bold barons who extorted their civil?rights from the timid King John were not more firm than the haughty and imperious Henry VIII. who bearded the Pope by declaring that " no imperial priest should ever tithe or toll in his dominions." The great Queen Elizabeth was equally decided in opposition to the arrogant spirit of the clergy when she exclaimed, " Proud prelate, I will unfrock thee." The history of Covenanting times affords a striking illustration of the constancy and decided character of the people, and their attachment to the Presbyterian form of worship.

When: abuses had crept into the Romish Church of such magnitude as to be insupportable, a tempest swept over a large portion of Europe, and Scotland was found ripe for the changes which it brought about. The Reformation not only mingled itself with all political events, but was the ruling principle of these events, from the assassination of Cardinal Beaton in 1547, until the climax of 1688 ; for, amidst all the political events of the time, the heart of the nation was always seriously jealous that the restoration of the Romish Church and its ritual, was the ultimate aim of the Stewart dynasty.
When the Confession of Faith of 1560 was inserted in the Statute Book in 1567, the members of the Scottish Parliament added the following memorable words " To which confession and form of religion we willingly agree in our consciences, in all points, as unto God's undoubted truth and verity, grounded only on His written Word, and therefore we abhor and detest all contrary religion and doctrine, but chiefly all kind of Papistry in general, and particular heads, even as they are now dammed and confuted by the Word of God and Kirk of Scotland." Then followed a summary of Roman Catholic doctrines, all of which were detested and refused, and a solemn adherence given to the doctrines of the true reformed Kirk ; to which, it was added, they joined themselves willingly in doctrine, faith, religion, discipline, and use of the holy sacraments, as lively members of the same, and Christ their head; and Parliament gave a solemn oath of perpetual adherence to the same.

The General Assembly of 1581, when they inserted in their proceedings their second Book of .Discipline, added an acknowledgement or sanction of the " Confession of Faith," as they termed the National Covenant, in the following words : "The Kirk, in one view, acknowledges the said Confession to be a true and Christian Confession, to be agreed unto by such as truly profess Christ and the true religion, and the tenor whereof to be followed out as the same is laid out in the same Parliament."
What then was the bounden duty, of the Sovereigns of Scotland towards their subjects with reference to this question? Undoubtedly to respect their conscientious convictions. But the Stewarts acted otherwise, and their determination cost them dear. When James VI. of Scotland succeeded to the Crown of England, he soon forgot Scotland's rights as well as her expressed wishes; above all, her avowal and support of the Presbyterian form of worship, and speedily attached himself to. Episcopacy. In 1612, he prevailed upon the Scottish Parliament to establish the English. ritual in his northern dominions, and endowed the Bishops, then created, with such remnants of Popish wealth as were in possession of the Crown. In 1617, he paid a visit to Scotland, from the same instinct, as his Majesty was pleased to express it, which induces salmon, after they have visited the sea, to return to the river in which they were bred. During this time he succeeded in making certain Assemblies of the Church obsequious to his will. He prevailed with a General Assembly at Perth to sanction the five articles following: 1st, That the sacrament of the Lord's Supper should be received kneeling. 2d, That it might be administered privately to the sick. 3d, That baptism might be administered privately. 4th, 'that children of eight years of age should be catechised (confirmed) by the minister. And 5th, That various days should be set apart as religious festivals.