This Month in Covenanter History

Five Covenanter martyrs were executed on the 19th March 1684 at Glasgow Cross.

Part of the last letter 19 year old Archibald Stewart, one of those martyrs, wrote is inscribed on a memorial to him in Lesmahagow. It reads:

“This is the sweetest and joyfullest day that ever I had in my life; I am more willing to die for my Lord Christ and His truth than ever I was to live. I bless the Lord who has called me, chosen me and redeemed me through His blood and the riches of His free grace and for accepting my testimony.

I am called to witness this day for him. If every drop of my blood and every hair of my head were a life, i would willingly lay them down for my lovely Lord Jesus Christ; Let none doubt this, these are the true words of a dying martyr and I seal them with my blood.

Study to know the preciousness of Jesus, miss not the kingdom for fear of suffering; He has covered all my cross with love and borne both it and me. If ye only knew what of His love I have gotten since I was honoured with imprisonment for His truth, ye would not be afraid of suffering. Oh, I cannot express his matchless love for me. It is little I can speak for Him, but be persuaded this is the way to obtain the crown of glory. Spend much time in private prayer and study deniedness. Keep up your fellowship meetings which you and I had together,though ever so few be to attend them. I think they are the life of religion. My soul has been many times refreshed through them, if no one will help you do your own part. Oh, pray, pray that the Lord will hasten His return to His covenanted land, and see the glorious days of the Church of Scotland, when this storm has passed and gone. Now, I wish with all my heart and soul that these who have wronged me may have repentance and that it stand well with the Lord’s glory to forgive them, as I desire also to be forgiven.

Now farewell all societies of the Lord’s people. Mother and Sister, farewell; reading, singing, praying, conversing, meditating, holy and sweet scripture farewell. Welcome, heaven, welcome, holy angels and spirit of just men made perfect. Welcome eternity and salvation forevermore. Welcome, Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Into thy hands I commit my spirit. Amen.”