The year of our Lord, 1638, exalted the Covenanted Church into prominence and power.  The Covenant in the beginning of the year, and the General Assembly at the end, were achievements that arose in sublimity and moral grandeur like mountains, and all the months between, being filled with spiritual refreshing, were like table lands covered with the glory of the Lord, and shaking like Lebanon with prosperous fruit.  “The light of the moon was as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun sevenfold, as the light of seven days.”

During the next ten years the Church experienced rapid growth.  The Covenant always seemed to give the Church about ten years of extraordinary prosperity.  The Holy Spirit descended in power, multiplying the ministry and membership exceedingly.  New congregations sprang up in the towns and in the country, and were shepherded by faithful ministers.  True religion, bringing peace, comfort, and gladness, entered the homes of the people and lodged with them.  The melody of joy and health was heard in their dwellings.  The family altar made the humblest house the Holy of Holies where God was enthroned on His Mercy Seat, and the lowliest family was a royal priesthood ministering unto God in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Yet all this time the Church suffered violence.  She had become a bright target upon which Satan concentrated the fire of his heaviest artillery.  One onslaught followed another with vengeful malice.  The gates of hell opened wide and the floods dashed fiercely against her; but she was built upon a Rock, and that Rock was Christ.  She was in alliance with the Lord.  Her people were steadfast in their Covenant; they were united, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; therefore the distresses resulted only in her growth.

When the king heard that the General Assembly was in session contrary to his will and acting directly in violation of his decree, he was filled with wrath.  Having sent Hamilton to use policy and craftiness, and thereby gain time, he mustered an army of nearly 50,000 men, with which to punish the Covenanters.  He also sent a fleet to co-operate with the land forces.  Absolute subjugation was determined.  These people must be despoiled of conscience, liberty, divine worship, religious rights—­all that is most sacred to the human heart.  The army is coming.  Men, women, and children must feel the weight of the horses’ hoofs and the warriors’ boots, just because they have joined themselves to the Lord in a Covenant, and are living the life of faith on the Son of God.

The Covenanters were not dismayed, yet they hesitated to accept war.  Would it be right to take up arms against the government?  Ought they to go forth against their king in battle?  Should they use the weapons that are carnal, and engage in the shedding of blood?  Such questions lay heavy upon their hearts.  They pondered, prayed, and fasted, that they might reach a decision in the fear of God.