1681
Death of a Covenanter
Though they were ruled by the same monarch, Scotland and England in the seventeenth century were separate countries, with their own laws and their own churches. Though the Church of England was ruled by bishops, there was a strong anti-episcopal sentiment in Scotland where many preferred a presbyterian form of church government. Out of this was born the Covenanter movement, so-called after the Solemn League and Covenant in which many Scots pledged themselves to resist Catholicism and religious innovation. Covenanters dominated Scotland from 1638-51 but were crushed by Oliver Cromwell and repressed by the restored Stuart dynasty after 1660. Despite this, secret congregations continued to exist and some of them began to advocate armed rebellion against the king. Among the preachers advocating overthrowing the Stuarts was Donald Cargill who pronounced a sentence of excommunication against those who supported the government.
Cargill was captured in May 1681 and convicted of high treason. As he mounted the ladder to be hanged, he said, “The Lord knows, I go up this ladder in less fear and perturbed of mind than ever I entered the pulpit to preach… Farewell, all relations and friends in Christ; farewell all acquaintances and all earthly enjoyments; farewell reading and preaching, praying and believing, wanderings, reproaches and sufferings. Welcome joy unspeakable and full of glory. Welcome Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Into thy hands I commit my spirit.”