The Covenanters did not want to give battle; they were merely on the defensive.  They loved peace and longed for it.  They shuddered at the horror of civil war and would avoid it if at all within their power.  They sent an embassy asking for a conference.  The king, knowing the spirit and power of the men with whom he had to deal, consented.  During the negotiations for peace, the king hesitated to grant the Covenanters their demand.  They would have nothing less than a free General Assembly and a Parliament.  The king would not consent.  Gen. Leslie replied by announcing his intention to advance his army within gunshot of the king’s camp.  This persuaded the king to come to terms, and a treaty of peace was ratified, by which the Covenanters received, on paper, all they asked.  The Covenanters returned to their homes rejoicing in their Covenant Lord, who had given them the victory without the cost of blood, and in their homes profound gratitude arose to God in their morning and evening service of worship.

The people continued steadfast in their Covenant, enjoying the rights and privileges of the children of God for a time.  The Lord showered His blessings upon them.  Their increase in power and numbers was marvelous.  The king again became alarmed.  He resolved on war once more, and within a year was at the head of another army, determined to reduce the Covenanters and bring them into subjection to his arbitrary will.

The Covenanted fathers would surrender nothing in which the honor of the Church and the glory of Christ were involved.  They were very jealous concerning all moral obligations and religious truth.  They had convictions, conscience, intelligence, and the fear of God, and dared to fight for the right.  They distinguished pillars of granite from columns of brick, and were not confused.  They knew that gold dust was gold, and saved the dust as well as the ingots; they would sacrifice nothing.  Can not we get a lesson here that will make the heart throb and the cheeks burn, as we view the faithfulness and heroism of these Covenanted ancestors?

* * * * *

Points for the class.

1.  What two great events in the Church transpired in 1638?

2.  What growth did the Church experience in the next ten years?

3.  What new danger loomed up?

4.  How did the Covenanters meet the king’s army?

5.  Describe the army of the Covenanters.

6.  How was this struggle ended?

7.  How did the king keep his promise?

8.  What lessons may we derive from the fathers?

XVI.

The solemn League and covenant.—­A.D. 1643.

The Solemn League and Covenant touches a tender chord in the heart of every true Covenanter.  It is a solitaire of statesmanship; a precious jewel of international law, unique and alone; there is nothing like it in the world.  The historical setting of this lustrous stone is intensely interesting.  Out of what mine did the priceless diamond come?  By whose skill was it so admirably cut and polished?  By whose hand was it set in its own historic foil?  Such questions are worthy of serious and earnest thought.