Chapter XXVI: The Covenant
That exalted body now took up the case with more success than the Presbytery. Mr. Calvert and Mr. John Hamilton were ordered to go and see the “good wife.” They report that “they had gone and seen her infirm, and so still pleading inhabilitie. They have gotten her promise to come to the Kirk of Paisley within twentie days to give content and satisfaction in that point, albeit she should be carried in her bed.” The triumph of these grave seniors was now near : the poor woman was lifted on a bed, resting on a frame-work of wattles, and solemnly borne along, as if to her burial, from Blackstone to the Abbey, a distance of four miles. Surely a more singular procession never entered that edifice than this poor invalid on her couch with her bearers and attendants. Justice was now satisfied, and the covenanting fathers amply rewarded for their great labour in the conversion of this poor “Papist.” They record solemnly the end of their toil, “2nd June, 1647. Mr. Henrie Calvert, minister at Paislay, reports that on last Lord's-day Margaret Hamilton, spouse to John Wallace of Ferguslie, came to the Kirk of Paisley carried on ane wand bed.”
The spirit they displayed in persecution of this poor woman was soon to be turned upon themselves. Traces of the conflict that ended in the proscription of the Covenant and the establishment, for a time, of Anglican Episcopacy, occur continually in all the local records of the period of which we are treating. When the covenanting army encamped at Dunsehill, the Presbytery sent one of their members to act as chaplain.
“11 Ap., 1639.—The which day the brethren thought it most expedient and necessar that Mr. Math. Brisbane should go with the Colonel Montgomerie, and the company with him, to the Dunce-hill, for their comfort be preaching and other exercises.”
When the Scotch Covenanters crossed the Tweed under Leslie, the Paisley ministers followed them with their prayers.
“Ap. 1, 1641.—The which day the brethren declared that they had kept a solemn fast with the Church of Scotland for the preserva¬tion of the Scottish army, the keeping of the union and bond of peace among ourselves, the advancing of the Reformation in all neighbouring countries, with the disappointing of the practices of our adversaries, and the getting of religion and solid peace.”
Apparently their prayers were answered. Within a short time after their supplications, the form of religion they detested was overthrown in England as well as among themselves. The army of the Covenant, by their invasion' of England, had abolished Episcopacy, and achieved the supremacy of Parliament. Accordingly, solemn thanks were offered for this success.
“9 Dec., 1641.—Which day the brethren were acquainted that the 9th day of Jany. next to come is appointed to be kept for solemn thanks giving to God for establishing peace within the kingdom of Scotland.”
This peace was not of very long continuance. In 1643 the Puritans in England sought the assistance of the Scotch to aid them in their religious struggles. This was readily given. The idea filled the mind of the covenanters that a church on the pattern of their own might be established on the other side of the border, and a Scotch army, numbering three thousand men, under Leslie, entered England “to seek for conformity of religion amid the horrors of civic warfare.” This expedition was exceedingly popular, and the Paisley brethren gave it both their spiritual and temporal aid,—the former by sending ministers to preach to the soldiers, the latter by raising contributions. [7]
“23rd Sept., 1643.—Anent a letter of the estates requiring that the brethren would be pleased, every one, to put out a man, with other presbyteries, with the expedition to England. The brethren declared their willingness so to do.”
“May 25.—Compeared Sir Ludovick Houston, Knight, and the Laird of Bishopton, Commissioners from the Council of Scotland, and presented their letter, together with an Act of Council craving the advice of the Presbytery for borrowing money for the supply of the Scottish army in England. The brethren agreed that they thought it a matter very advisable and expedient to be done.”
“May 16, 1644.—The brethren ordained Mr. Ninian Campbell to go, to the army now in England and supply there as minister till he were liberated, and that in my Lord Loudon's regiment, and ordained Mr. John Hay to write his Lordship to that effect.”
[7] Cunninghame's Hist. of the Ch. of Scot., Vol. II., p. 136.