The new year followed the old carrying trouble in its bosom.  The mid-winter storms drove the flocks to the fold and the shepherd to the cot; all nature rested from labor, awaiting the coming of summer; but hostilities against the Presbyterian Church took no rest.  The king’s Council was removed from Edinburgh to Stirling; from thence they thought to spring a crushing surprise upon the Covenanters.  The news of this intention spread as if on the wings of lightning.  One day was enough to give the alarm.  The Covenanters were minute-men, with the heart of a lion, the eye of an eagle, and feet swift to meet the battle call.  Before the sun was hot, the morning after the news, the Covenanters had crowded Stirling.  The city authorities seeing their strength meekly besought them to disband and return home.  These Covenanters were patient, long-suffering, full of charity, believing all things, hoping all things.  Receiving the promise of better treatment, they drew off as quickly as they had come.  They refused to leave Edinburgh when threatened; they consented to leave Stirling when requested.  Behold the spirit of these Covenanted Presbyterians!

But no confidence could be placed in the king or his representatives.  The land was greatly troubled by the wickedness of its rulers.  One wave of commotion followed another; there was no peace, no safety, no security.  Many weary hearts were crying out, “How long, O Lord?”

The Covenanters saw that the king was determined to crush their Church.  The General Assembly had not met for twenty years; that court of God’s House had been stamped out beneath the iron heel of despotism; the lesser courts had been corrupted; the king had resolved on the subversion of all.  Will not ministers and elders soon be worn out by the incessant and desperate attacks?  The sea is roaring, the waves are raging, will Presbyterianism be engulfed? will the supremacy of Jesus Christ go to the bottom?  Strong hearts are trembling; much prayer is arising to heaven; from faithful pulpits fervent appeals are ascending to God.  What shall be the end of these things?  Is there no remedy to be found?  “Is there no balm in Gilead?  Is there no physician there?” Must these spirited men bow to the will of the tyrant and see their Church brought into bondage?  There were great searchings of heart.

“The Covenants! the Covenants!” This has been repeatedly the watch-cry of Scotland in the throes of distress.  The Covenants have been the glory and strength of the Church in the past; will they not be safety and stability to the Church in the present?  Such was the thought that throbbed in many hearts at this critical moment.  The Holy Spirit was now clothing Himself with Henderson, Warriston, Argyle, and other princes of God, preparing them to lead the Church into the renewal of her Covenant with God.