42 
Charles I. carried on James’s work. He ordered the bishops 
and canons to draw up a form of liturgy for the Scottish Church. 
The scene which took place in Edinburgh when this liturgy 
was introduced is well known, the church of St. Giles 
being filled with an uproar, started by the throwing 
of a stool by Janet Geddes. The bishops and dean barely 
escaped with their lives. The use of the liturgy was tem- 
porarily suspended, but Charles was obstinate and renewed 
the proclamation commanding its use. But Scotland had 
been stirred to its centre, and it was resolved to renew the 
National Covenant, with certain additions suggested by the 
change. This was done on February 28th, 1638, at Grey- 
frairs Church, Edinburgh, a thoroughly representative 
gathering of Fords and Commons being present. The 
Covenant, written on parchment, was first read and then 
signed by all present. Some signed with their blood, adding 
the words “ until death.” Copies were circulated and eagerly 
signed throughout the kingdom. This Covenant has well 
been called the Magna Chart a of Scotland, for it saved the 
land from absolute despotism, and made the name of Coven- 
anters, thenceforth distinctively borne by its adherents, a glory 
and an inspiration. 
All this meant open war with Charles, and several battles 
were fought in the north of England between his army and 
the Covenanters. The Covenanters were not the less loyal 
to the king, and showed it on his death by immediately pro- 
claiming Charles II. his faithful successor. Meanwhile, “ The 
Solemn League and Covenant ” between England, Ireland 
and Scotland was drawn up and sworn. This bond extended 
to both England and Ireland and was really an attempt to 
secure religious uniformity in creed, ritual and polity. 
We now come to what was called the persecuting period, 
from the severities which the Covenanters endured for their 
faith, covering the 28 years from the Restoration to the 
Revolution in 1688. 
In January, 1661, the Rescissory Act was passed, repealing 
all laws and statutes enacted during the previous 22 years, 
with other acts pronouncing the Covenants illegal, and pro- 
hibiting their renewal. This was to overthrow, as by a stroke 
of the pen, the whole Presbyterian system and to set up 
Episcopacy in its stead. 
The next step was to bring to account certain of the more 
prominent of the supporters of Presbyterianism. The most 
illustrious of these was the Marquis of Argyle, who received 
sentence notwithstanding he had helped Charles II. to recover 
his throne. 
