This Month in Covenanter History

On the 22nd December 1666, 26 year old Rev Hugh MacKail, and several other Covenanters, were executed in Edinburgh for their part in the failed Pentland Rising.

This is some of Rev MacKails last words at the gallows. Despite a crushed leg from being tortured on the “Boot”, he faced death with bravery and remarkable faith, knowing that he would be with the Lord for all eternity.

He speaks of the reason for his comfort, even as the noose was around his neck. He said:

“I hope you perceive no alteration or discouragement in my countenance and carriage, and as it may be your wonder, so I profess it as a wonder to myself, and I will tell you the reason of it. Besides the justness of my cause, this is my comfort, which was said of Lazarus when he died, that ‘the angels did carry his soul into Abraham’s bosom’. So that as there is a great solemnity here, of a confluence of people, a scaffold, a gallows, and people looking out of windows, so is there a greater and more solemn preparation in heaven of angels to carry my soul to Christ’s bosom. Again, this is my comfort, that it is to come into Christ’s hands, and He will present it blameless and faultless to the Father, and ‘then shall I be ever with the Lord.’ And now I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to thee O Lord! and now I begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be broken off.”