Their Covenant they cherished with holy awe; its sacredness lay heavy upon their hearts.  It lifted the conscience up into the presence of God.  His throne of judgment was continually flashing its brightness upon their eyes.  A deep consciousness of God’s presence, power, and approval, grew upon them.  The dreadful majesty of God overawed them.  The sacrificial love of Jesus Christ set their hearts on flames.  The Bible to them was teeming with promises, shining with doctrines, and terrible with fiery warnings.  They walked on the border line, being often times even more in the other world than in this.  The glory of the Lord fell upon them, till some of them were compelled to cry out, “Withhold, Lord; it is enough.”  Their trials drove them into the arms of their Father; and, oh, how sweet it was to lie on His bosom when cold and hungry, weary and sobbing, amidst the sorrows of this world!

But was this the happy condition of many, or merely of a few, in those days of sad adversity?  How with the 100,000 Covenanters while suffering in their homes, or roaming through the mountains, or hiding in the caves?  We have a record of a few only, but we are persuaded that many others enjoyed an equal portion of the abounding love of Christ.  The promise of God is ever sure:  “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.”  Terrible days insure extraordinary strength.  The Lord had a great harvest in those times, ministers and people, men and women, parents and children—­a generation of honored worthies.

[Illustration:  The Grassmarket.

The Grassmarket was the place where many martyrs were executed.  The spot where the gallows stood is now marked by a circular pavement on the street.  Here Cargill ascended the ladder, saying that he had less disturbance of mind than when he was ascending the pulpit.  From this grim elevation the martyrs made many a touching address, as they uttered their last words, and bade farewell to earth and welcome to heaven.]

Samuel Rutherford was one of that mighty host.  His life reveals the secret and source of the Covenanter’s strength.  He was a small man, not built to endure hardships.  He was of a fair complexion, denoting gentleness and a tender heart.  He was roughly tossed from his earliest years upon the billows of trouble.  An invalid wife claimed his kindliest attention and received it with utmost care.  The children were laid in short graves, one after another till only a little daughter remained.  The persecutor drove him from home, and Church, and people, to live an exile in an unfriendly city.  At the age of sixty-one, the wrath of King Charles fell upon him and his life was demanded, but God sheltered him from the gallows.

Through all these trials the heart of this little fair man, with shrill voice, rapid step, and quick eye, was ever an overflowing well of joy and praise.  He seemed to live in the very heart of God, walked hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ, and was continually wrapped in the flames of holiest love.  It is said that he rose at three in the morning to have five hours of prayer and study of the Word in preparation for the day’s work.  He seemed to be always among his flock, yet was he ever ready for the pulpit.