MARTYRS OF THE COVENANT

MARTYRS OF THE COVENANT

JOHN BROWN

One of the Society's± meetings was held in the home of John Brown, a carrier by trade, whose devotion to the Covenanting cause was without equal. John was a useful member because his occupation allowed him to travel a wide area without arousing suspicion. This enabled him to gather information with regard to the enemies' movements and also to pass on instructions or messages from leaders of the Society

John from his early years had an ambition to be an ordained Minister. He followed the great preachers and listened intently to every word they said. He derived from this a great knowledge of the scriptures and became a very dedicated Christian. Unfortunately, John developed an impediment in his speech, which was to deny him his life's ambition. He knew it would be no use attending classes, as preaching the Gospel would be very difficult. This did not deter him from carrying-out his duties to the Covenanting movement, which he did with great fervour and devotion. There were many ministers, who after meeting John and discovering his great love and knowledge of the scriptures and his Christian devotion to the Lord Jesys Christ, stated that he was the finest ambassador the Covenanters could have.

Brown lived and traded from a village in Ayrshire, called Priesthill, which because of his activities became a stronghold of the Covenanting movement. At one of the Society's meetings, his friends discussed how their society could do something special for the movement.

As they were primarily farmers, tradesmen and employed farmhands they were finding it difficult to know what would be best for the movement. With his own ambition in mind, John suggested that because of the shortage of trained ministers faithful to the Covenant, it might be prudent to find the teaching and training of one of the local youths. This was readily agreed to and, although the members were not endowed with the world's riches, they guaranteed finance to send a young man to Holland to train for the Presbyterian Ministry. This, of course would mean sacrifices for the majority of members, whose meager existence bearably allowed enough for simple living but their highest priority was the cause of freedom.

Brown's activities continued for a considerable time, until the King's troops began a campaign of terror, under the dreaded Claverhouse. This was the infamous "Bloody Claver's", whose reputation for cruelty, murder and maniacal torture of the Covenanters was well known. With all road under surveillance, Brown found it difficult to move about too much, without arousing suspicion. This curtailed his Covenanting activities and began to affect his livelihood. This meant he had to concentrate on his smallholding, to make ends meet. He had married again after the death of his first wife and the ceremony was conducted by no other that the great Covenanting preacher, the Reverend Alexander Peden. Peden's wedding speech was most peculiar. He was known as a great prophet and he seemed to be giving the new bride a warning, when he said, "Look after this good man, for the day will come when he will be taken from us. The image of our Lord Jesus is so plainly visible in John's eyes and speech, that the persecutors of the true faith will no doubt seek him out." This statement proved to be prophetic in a very short space of time

On one occasion when Isabel, John's wife, was nursing their first child, the family dog started barking loudly. This indicated that a stranger was nearby. Soon there was a loud knock at the door. Not knowing who might be there, Isabel cautioned John to be careful. He opened the door and a stranger entered. He was weary looking as if he had walked a great distance and although he might have been a Royalist spy, the family started to prepare him a meal. The stranger said to John, "Do you not know me?" John replied, "I think I do; it was in this house that the Society met, when they decided to contribute to send you to Holland. I fear your reception is not what it should have been." The young man was James Renwick and he replied that he expected no triumphal reception, for he would always be grateful to the friends who gave him the opportunity, to work for the Lord. He then spoke of his ministry, and it was obvious to Brown, that their selection of candidate, had been a most fortuitous choice. When the young man spoke, you hear the Gospel ringing, and shining like a lantern in the darkness.

Not long after this re-union, the situation began to deteriorate rapidly; troops were to be found everywhere terrorising the farmers, and their workers. They were determined to frighten them into revealing the names and whereabouts of the Covenanters, by their cruel bullying.

One fateful morning, with the mist-hanging heavy over the fields, and the fog clinging to the bogs, and the valleys, John Brown was to realise how bad the situation was. Not the type of day to wander far from home, Alexander Peden had been in the Brown household the night before and had felt the distinct chill of foreboding. He had slipped away in the early morning mist muttering, "Poor woman, what a fearful day." Peden sensed something was wrong that day and the words he uttered were always remembered. After family worship, John went out to cut peat, he was not long at the place, when horsemen surrounded him and the young hand that was with him. Claverhouse had arrived, this was the time John had been anticipated, and knowing his enemy, he expected no mercy, and sought none. Claverhouse offered John the oath of Abjuration, but Brown refused to take it, declaring, as all true Covenanters did, that he know no King of the church, but Jesus Christ.

The torture of John Brown then began, as he was forced to walk towards his farmhouse, it must have seemed like miles to Brown, as his thoughts centered on his wife and family waiting for him. When Isabel saw the group approaching she cried out, "The thing I dreaded most has come to pass, Oh give me grace for this hour." She met her husband and listened to the endless questions of the callous Claverhouse, the same questions asked of every COvenanter. Why don't you and your family attend the curate and pray for the King? The answer given was simple, "I cannot attend the curate or pray for the King, the only head of the church is Jesus Chirst, and the King is an avowed papist." Claverhouse now lost his temper and began to shout and scream, Joh to his own surprise kept very calm, and showed great composure, to the surprise of everyone else, John spoke in a loud clear voice without the hint of stammer.

This calmness and well-spoken words troubled Claverhouse, who thought he had captured a preacher, but the traitors ho had betrayed Brown, confirmed that he was no preacher. Claverhouse by now in a rage, bellowed, "He micht no be a preacher, but he's prayed muckle." He then turned to Brown and said, "Go to your prayers now for you are going to die."

John knelt down outside his front door and began to pray in true Covenanting fashion. After remembering his loved ones and commending them to their heavenly Father's care, he prayed for the persecuted Kirk. He prayed that the Lord would bless his Church and look upon it with mercy and not let his anger smoke forever.

Claverhouse interrupted him three times, and finally shouted, "I gave you time to pray, and you have begun to preach." brown said, "Sir, you neither know the nature if preaching nor of praying that calls this preaching."

At last it was time for farewells, after embracing the children he turned to Isabel and said, "The day has come that I warned you of, when I first asked for you hand in marriage." She replied, "Indeed John, I have had my time, and can now willingly part with you." a brave statement from a brave and loving wife. He kissed his family and then turned to meet his persecutors. Calverhouse then ordered his men to fire at Brown, but no a musket was lifted. Something about John Brown's prayers had got to the men and unsettled them. They did not obey Claverhouse's command, and in the end he was forced to complete his own infamous dirty work. He lifted his own musket and fired at Brown's neck. He had feared if he did not shoot him his men might have rebelled.

His wife and family tenderly attended to the body of John Brown, and they loutish Claverhouse shouted at Isabel, "What of you husband now?" She replied, "I thought much good of him, and now even more." He shouted "I've a mind to lay you beside him" Isabel replied,"If you were permitted I doubt not that your cruelty would go that length, but how will you make answer for this morning's work?" Claverhouse full of his own importance replied, "To man I can be answerable, as for God I will take him in my own hands." He then galloped away, leaving the family of John Brown to mourn their beloved husband and father.

The Covenanter grieved for John Brown and Alexander Peden prayed the God would avenge the loss of his precious blood. He stated, "There is a clear shining light fallen this day, the greatest Christian I have had the honour to converse with."

What of Claverhouse? He seemed to diminish from that day and some say he never really got over the episode with John Brown. it was not the brutal act that hunted him but the loving manner of Brown's prayers which Claverhouse could never efface from his mind.

Of the many brave souls who died for the covenant cause, none suffered or gave more of themselves than five bright stars, whose names are woven into the rich tapestry of Covenanting history. John Brown, whose tale has been told, Pede, Cargill,Cameron, McKail are the remaining martyrs who shone like beacons in a dark world

±The Covenentors set up a system of meeting for worship and discussions which was forbidden by the state. They were held on a regular basis and became known as the Societies

taken from "Revolutions - Kings - Covenanters by Thomas Orr with kind permission. This book is obtainable from the Loyal Orange Institution of Scotland..