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
John Livingston, an honored minister of Jesus Christ, was of great
service to the Church at this time. He preached Christ and his contested
truths with power and striking effect. He stood in the strength and
majesty of the Chief Shepherd and fed the flock given into his care.
This flock was very large. Multitudes gathered about him waiting for the
Word at his lips; the church could not hold them. God gave the people
spiritual hunger that brought them from afar; they came over the hills
and along the vales, converging upon the place of worship as doves fly
to their windows. They journeyed solemnly from their homes to the House
of God, both in the calm of summer and in the storms of winter. They
came in the dew of the morning and tarried till protected by the
gloaming. Men and women, old and young, gathered around this man of God
who ministered comfort, strength, and eternal life, through Jesus
Christ, with wonderful power and grace unto their troubled souls.
Our Monday service of the Communion originated under Mr. Livingston. The
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper had been administered to a large
congregation. The preaching and serving of tables filled the long summer
Sabbath. It was June 20, 1630. The great congregation had come with
souls lifted up to God in prayer; the church was not large enough to
hold the people, and the churchyard was filled with devout worshipers.
They sat upon the grass like the thousands that were fed by Christ in
the days of old. The soft wind blew upon them as it listed, and the Holy
Spirit, too, came with mysterious power; the vast assembly was deeply
moved. The long Sabbath was followed by a short night. Monday came, and
the people, having been profoundly affected by the services of the
preceding day, were again early on the grounds. They felt that they
could not separate without another day of worship--a day of thanksgiving
to the Lord for the wondrous revelations of His love at His holy table.
Mr. Livingston was constrained to preach, and that day proved to be the
great day of the feast. An unusual awe fell upon the preacher and his
hearers; the Holy Spirit wrought marvelously, melting the hearts of the
vast congregation and filling them with comfort, strength, and
thankfulness.
Mr. Livingston and his people declined to conform to the "Articles of
Perth." A goodly number of other ministers and their churches likewise
refused. The king determined to force them into submission by
authorizing a "Book of Public Worship", called the Liturgy. July 23,
1637, was the day appointed for its introduction. An attempt to force a
mode of worship upon Scotch Presbyterians! No experiment could be more
perilous to the king; it was indiscretion bordering on insanity. The
very announcement produced an underground swell such as precedes a moral
earthquake. Murmurings, groanings, threatenings, dark forebodings swayed
the nation. These were gusts fore-running the storm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account