The death sentence was passed upon him.  He was condemned to be hanged, his head to be placed above the city gate beside Argyle’s.  He received the sentence with great composure.  The execution was fixed for the first day of June.  To those who sat in judgement on his case, he replied: 

“My lords, let this sentence never affect you more than it does me; and let my blood never be required of the king’s family.”

In such cases doubtless the wife through sympathy is the greater sufferer.  But Mrs. Guthrie was strong in the Lord, and had courage equal to her trials.  She was her husband’s faithful helper in the difficult places.  Once when duty imperiled his life, and he was in danger of halting, she urged him on, saying, “My heart, what the Lord gives you light and clearness to do, that do.”  Noble words! nothing wiser or greater could come from consecrated lips.

Just before his death Guthrie was permitted to see his son, Willie, at that time five years old.  The father tenderly fondled his child, so soon to become an orphan, and spoke words adapted to the innocent heart.  So little did the child comprehend the terrible tragedy, that he could scarcely be restrained from playing on the street while his father was dying.  But the meaning soon dawned upon him with melancholy effect.  It is said that he never played again.

The execution was public and the streets were thronged.  Guthrie mounted the scaffold with a cheerful spirit.  He spoke with great deliberation and earnestness for one hour to the immense throng that crowded close to hear his last words.  He then yielded himself to the executioner, who placed the death cap over his face.  But, as the light of that bright June day was shut out from his eyes, a vision of entrancing joy seemed to break upon his soul.  In that flash of inspiration he saw Scotland:  The land was covered with the glory of Christ; peace filled all her borders, and prosperity crowned her industries; churches and schools adorned her hills and valleys; the mountains and moors were filled with devout worshipers; the Sabbath poured forth its weekly blessings; the Psalms arose with solemn music in praise to the Lord Jesus.  The Covenanted Reformation, in that vision, was triumphant.  Lifting the cap from his eyes, he exclaimed with the rapture of a prophet, and with the shout of a conqueror: 

“The Covenants, the Covenants shall yet be Scotland’s reviving.”

[Illustration:  James Guthrie.

Guthrie was an eminent minister of Christ, and valiant defender of the Covenant, in the reign of King Charles II.  He was the second victim sacrificed to the king’s rage against the Covenanters.  On the day of his execution he wrote a very touching letter to his wife.  One quotation:  “My heart, I commend you to the eternal love of Jesus Christ.  Pray for me while I am here, and praise with me hereafter.  God be with you!” He died on the scaffold June 1, 1661.]