John Davidson also shines in history as a minister of dauntless courage.  He breasted the destructive flood of declension, and endured the buffeting of the waves.  His humility prepared him for great service in the kingdom of God.  He was deeply grieved by reason of the loose doctrines and practices prevailing within the ministry.  The Church was infected and corrupted with the inventions of man.  Through his effort the General Assembly held a special meeting in 1596, to observe a fast and renew the Covenant of 1581.  The meeting was held on the 30th of March of that year.  The showers of spring were falling, the mountain streams were flowing, the fields were putting on their soft verdure, the flowers were appearing in their beauty—­all nature seemed to be breaking forth into holy laughter through her tears.  How impressive this emblem of the memorable meeting, where earnest men prayed and wept and sobbed and sat in sadness and silence, in the presence of God confessing their sins!  Then, with uplifted hands, they “made promise before the Majesty of heaven to amend their ways.”  A great reviving followed, and many hearts were made glad.  Two years later Mr. Davidson met the king, and, refusing to submit conscience to his tyrannic will, was cast into prison.

John Welch, too, is found in the front ranks of the Church’s noblest defenders.  His wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Knox, was his equal in courage and steadfastness.  His life caught high inspiration from her faith, and her heart gloried in his heroic spirit; the two mountains were alike high.

King James had determined to crush the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.  That Assembly stood in his way as he strode toward despotic power.  He must remove the hindrance, or fail in his ambition.  He commanded the Assembly to hold no more meetings, except by his permission.  Against his royal decree, a few bold-hearted men met on the first Tuesday of July, 1605.  This was the last free General Assembly for a whole generation.  In 1618 this court of God’s house disappeared altogether under the king’s despotic rule, till 1638, when Scotland arose once more in the power of the Lord, and renewed her Covenant.

John Welch was one of the few ministers who braved the king’s wrath, and approved of the forbidden meeting.  Within a month he was in jail.  The place of his detention was called “Blackness.”  In his little cell, damp, dark, foul, and lonely, he had time to reflect.  He remembered his happy home, faithful wife, loving children, garden walks, sweet sunshine, soft breezes, pleasant Sabbaths, inspiring pulpit, glowing audience—­he could now think of all, and see the cost of fidelity to Jesus.  Did it pay?  He could lay his aching head on its hard pillow, and dream of the happiness that was gone, and awaken to ask if it had been worth while.  Did it pay to be true to Christ?  Listen; he speaks from his prison:  “We have ever been waiting with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood to Christ’s crown, scepter, and kingdom.”