[Illustration:  Argyle’s daughter pleading

Argyle had two daughters, Anne and Mary.  The young king, after having engaged to marry Anne, forsook her.  She became despondent and lapsed into insanity.  Mary, after her father’s martyrdom, went to Middleton, the king’s commissioner, and on her knees begged the privilege of taking her father’s head down from the Netherbow Port, a gate of the city, to bury it with the body.  She was refused.  Middleton, pointing her to the door, rudely asked her to leave his presence in haste.]

We are soft and puny for lack of hardships.  The difficult places and dreaded conditions, through which Christians pass, make life strong, sublime, triumphant, fruitful in good work, resourceful in the Holy Spirit, and glorifying to God.

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POINTS FOR THE CLASS

1 Who was Marquis Argyle?

2 What service had he formerly rendered the king?

3 Describe the return of the king from banishment.

4 How did the Covenanters receive him?

5 What was the nature of the government he established?

6 What was his attitude toward the Covenanters?

7 Who was his first victim?

8 Describe Argyle’s trial and execution.

XXIII.

Resisting unto blood.—­A.D. 1661.

King Charles had put Argyle to death.  The head of the martyred nobleman had been placed above the prominent gate, called the Netherbow Port of Edinburgh.  There it remained four years, meeting the public gaze in the glare of day and in the gloom of night.  And yet the sight had its charms.  The broad brow and beneficent countenance still retained the expression of goodness and greatness.  The sun-browned features and the wind-shaken locks, the motionless face and silent lips, made a touching appeal to the passers-by as they filed through the gateway.  Many hearts were softened, many eyes were moistened, many serious thoughts were awakened.

The death of Argyle only fired the ferocious spirit of the king.  The tiger had tasted blood; now he must drink deeply of the crimson flood and satiate his cruel heart.  With vengeful hatred he reached for Samuel Rutherford, the venerable minister of Anwoth.  Neither feeble health nor grey hairs could elicit, the king’s compassion.  A rock never pulsates with kindness.  But ere the officer could lay his hand upon this man of God, his Lord and Master took him home to heaven.

James Guthrie of Stirling, a distinguished minister of Christ, was the next upon whom the king set his cruel eyes.  He was seized and thrust into prison to await trial for “high treason.”  High treason!  What was high treason in those days?  What had Guthrie done to merit the king’s mortal displeasure?  Here is the sum of his crimes: