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Loading... A Cloud of Witnesses for the Royal Prerogatives of Jesus Christ: Being the Last Speeches and Testimonies of Those Who Have Suffered for The Truth in Scotland Since the Year 1680 (edition 1871)by John H. Thomson, John H. Thomson (Editor) TadAD | Mar 1, 2009 |   On October 31, 1517, a young Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper criticizing the Catholic Church to a church door and started a long period of religious struggle. Luther received almost immediate support in Scotland from John Knox, and Protestantism became firmly established in that country. The Scots entered into a series of covenants to support one another in maintaining "the most blessed Word of God and His congregation"—from this they became known as Covenanters. Relations with the Catholics in Scotland were tense, often erupting into bloodshed, but the Covenanters gradually swung Scotland over to the Reformed faith. However, after the Restoration in Scotland, the Catholics once more surged into some power. The years of 1661 to 1688 became known as "The Killing Time" as Covenanters were ruthlessly persecuted and martyred. Why did I read this? Well, my great-to-the-seventh grandfather, Archibald Allison, is one of the people included in the book. He was a minister in the parish of Evandale in Scotland and was hanged at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh on August 13, 1680 for participating in the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in June of 1679, and the Battle of Aird's Moss in July of 1680, and for refusing to recant. I found the book to be a lot of fun. The language of the times is not something you hear nowadays, full of pomp and display. I loved how so many would swear to be brief in their remarks..."Wherefore, unworthy as I am, I am come here, and beg your ear and attention, ye who are spectators and auditors, if the Lord shall permit me to speak a few words; and I shall be but brief."...and then continue on for another 10 or 15 minutes. Of course, were I about to be executed, I might drag it along as much as I could, also. I have two copies, a facsimile edition of 612 pages and a modern transcription of just the text of 144 pages. I read the latter but enjoyed looking through the former for all the wonderful engravings and line drawings showing the places and people. It's really not something I'd think to recommend for general reading unless you're fascinated by this period in history, but I enjoyed it. (  ) TadAD | Mar 1, 2009 | |
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On October 31, 1517, a young Augustinian monk by the name of Martin Luther nailed a piece of paper criticizing the Catholic Church to a church door and started a long period of religious struggle. Luther received almost immediate support in Scotland from John Knox, and Protestantism became firmly established in that country. The Scots entered into a series of covenants to support one another in maintaining "the most blessed Word of God and His congregation"—from this they became known as Covenanters.
Relations with the Catholics in Scotland were tense, often erupting into bloodshed, but the Covenanters gradually swung Scotland over to the Reformed faith. However, after the Restoration in Scotland, the Catholics once more surged into some power. The years of 1661 to 1688 became known as "The Killing Time" as Covenanters were ruthlessly persecuted and martyred.
Why did I read this?
Well, my great-to-the-seventh grandfather, Archibald Allison, is one of the people included in the book. He was a minister in the parish of Evandale in Scotland and was hanged at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh on August 13, 1680 for participating in the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in June of 1679, and the Battle of Aird's Moss in July of 1680, and for refusing to recant.
I found the book to be a lot of fun. The language of the times is not something you hear nowadays, full of pomp and display. I loved how so many would swear to be brief in their remarks..."Wherefore, unworthy as I am, I am come here, and beg your ear and attention, ye who are spectators and auditors, if the Lord shall permit me to speak a few words; and I shall be but brief."...and then continue on for another 10 or 15 minutes. Of course, were I about to be executed, I might drag it along as much as I could, also.
I have two copies, a facsimile edition of 612 pages and a modern transcription of just the text of 144 pages. I read the latter but enjoyed looking through the former for all the wonderful engravings and line drawings showing the places and people.
It's really not something I'd think to recommend for general reading unless you're fascinated by this period in history, but I enjoyed it. (