Chapter XXVI: The Covenant
“The which day the brethren having received letters, as they did before, from the Earl of Eglinton and Mr. Robert Douglas for relief of Mr. Robert Wise, now at the armie in England, and that the regiment might be supplied by one of their number, did then as now answer that they were few in number. Some kirks implanted, and many men, old and weak, and unable to undergo the charge, and have presently appointed one of their number to be preacher to my Lord Chancellor's regiment, and could not spare any more at this time, which answer Mr. John Hamilton undertook to deliver to his Lordship.”
While the clergy were thus following with their goodwill the army in England, Montrose with fire and sword burst down like a torrent from the northern wilds, and filled the land with the terror of his name. Leslie, returning across the Border, met and defeated the devoted Royalist at Philiphaugh. [8] The latter gallant champion of a failing cause seems not to have been without supporters in the neighbourhood of Paisley, although he had been formally excommunicated from all the pulpits of the Presbytery for “his unnatural rebellion, and invading in a hostile manner the south of Scotland.” One of his sympathisers was the son of the “good wife of Ferguslie,” who had no goodwill towards the persecutors of his mother, and was only too glad to help their enemies. He thus came in himself for a taste of their discipline.
“21 May, 1646.—The which day the ministers at Paislay required powers from the Presbytery for judicial tryall and examination of such persons as are suspected to have had compliance with James Grahame or Alexander MacDonald, or receivet protection from them, which was granted.”
“7th Jan., 1647.—The which day compeared Andro Semple, town clerk of Renfrew, and grantit he was at the meeting of the gentlemen of the shyre of Renfrew when there was an act made for the outputing of a troup of horse for James Grahame. The Presbytery has warned him apud acta to this day twentie days to give up ane roll of the gentlemen that were there.”
“14 Jan., 1647.—The which day compeared Allan Wallace, son to John Wallace of Ferguslie, and challenged for compliance with the enemy, confest he went to Bothwell, and that he received orders from the gentlemen at Renfrew to have horses, and it is further proven before the Session of Paisley against him that he threatened the people to raise the said horses for James Grahame's use. He is ordained to confess his fault on his knees before the Presbytery, which he did ; and is also ordained to confess the fault on his knees in the kirk floor of Paisley, before the publick congregation in a place before the pulpit.”
All the efforts of Grahame and his followers could not serve the King and his cause. The rigid Covenanters opposed all compromise with the unfortunate monarch as sinful; and when the Scotch Estates entered into an engagement with him of a moderate character, the Church denounced it as wicked, its supporters as malignant, and “threatened with the highest censure ministers who should not speak out against the acts of the legislature.” The King was left to the mercy of the English sectaries, and on the 30th January, 1649, was beheaded. Nothing could exceed at this time the intolerance of the Covenanters; and nothing in the history of Ultramontanism could surpass the claims which they put forth to civil supremacy. They insisted on all men subscribing the Covenant. They ordered the army to be purged of malignants ; and after the defeat and execution of Montrose, who made a gallant attempt to place King Charles II. on the throne, intolerance know no bounds. The Records of the Paisley Presbytery at this period are filled with the inquisition after malignants, and their excommunication. Nothing would satisfy the Church but the reception of the Covenant in its most rigid and binding form.
“27th December, 1648.—Reported by the brethren that the Covenant was renewed with solemn fasting and humiliation on Sabbath last.”
“12th April, 1649. Compeared John Wallace of Ferguslie, Allan Wallace, his son, Robert Fork, elder, and Robert Alexander, late bailies of Paisley, who, for their accession to the late sinful engagement, are referred to the General Assembly.”
[8] The scene of this famous battle by the banks of the classic Yarrow is still pointed out, and various relics of the conflict are preserved in the house of Philiphaugh. There is no Scotch battleground more beautiful and more deserving of a visit.