Sketches of the CovenantersMcFeeters, J. C. (James Calvin)
History
Sketches of the Covenanters
McFeeters, J. C. (James Calvin)
Covenanters; Scotland -- Church history -- 16th century; Scotland -- Church history -- 17th century
The Covenanters carried their banner as an emblem of the truth in Jesus
Christ. The Bible focussed its light in the burning words that flashed
on their ensign. These fathers accepted the Bible without reservation or
apology, as God's Book, inspired, inerrable, authoritative, the rock
foundation of faith, and the supreme law of life. They grasped the
wondrous system of redeeming truth, as bearing on their own lives, on
the Church, on the world, and on all generations to come. They embodied
it in their Covenant, and wove it into their flag. They saw all Bible
truth converge in Christ, the Only Begotten of the Father, the Mediator
of the Covenant of grace, the crucified and risen Redeemer, the exalted
Prince and Saviour; and on their banner they emblazoned their faith. But
while their profession was embroidered on their colors, their creed was
pulsating in their veins. This standard they carried boldly into the
battle in defence of Christ and His Church. The deadly missiles that
tattered its folds, and plowed through their flesh, could not subdue
their spirit. Their blood often stained it, but it was never
surrendered. One standard-bearer fell, and the flag-staff was grasped by
another. Thus the Old Blue Banner, in all its significance, has come
down through the ages; it is the Covenanter's banner yet.
THE COVENANTERS' STANDARD OF RELIGION.
The standard of truth is the real banner of the Covenant. The standard
of religion in the Covenanted Church exalts the truth of Christ, and
makes it most conspicuous. Nothing in a nation so public as her colors.
Where the flag flies, the power, honor, and greatness of the country are
represented by the folds that flap on the winds. The Covenant commits
the Covenanted Church to the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth of God's Word. This obligation, when honored, carries the
Covenanter into all truth, and all truth into the Covenanter. The
doctrines of grace will throb in his heart, flow in his veins, illumine
his mind, dominate his thoughts, deepen his life, enlarge his
capacities, control his actions, and purify all the fountains of his
being. To all such the truth is concrete, not abstract; it has form,
color, action, energy, atmosphere, horizon, immensity: To the true
Covenanter, knowledge is experience; he deals with God, worships in
spirit, battles with sin, glories in Jesus, and listens to the Eternal
Spirit. His faith is power; his love is life; his hope is realization.
The invisible world looms up with awful visibility before him. Such is
the life that is distinguished by Covenant fidelity; in it the truth of
God has grandest publicity. It shines like the sun. The voice of that
life has the majesty of thunder, testifying for Christ. They who are
thus animated with the truth cannot hide the great principles of the
Church. They will glory in her Covenant and publish the truth. Behold
the martyrs, how they witnessed for Jesus Christ, while fire and sword
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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