Why did William Reid promise to give himself up to the authorities as a wanted field preacher? And why did he once preach in church with a loaded pistol hung around his neck? There are other stories of narrow escapes even in his death when he escaped the malice of the leader of the Jacobite troops, Lord George Murray who wanted "to have the old dog's bones to bristle in the flames of his own manse". We can see why Thomas Boston described Reid  as "a worthy man, one of the old sufferers in the...

People suffered a lot for attending the preaching of Alexander Pitcairn. For many years he continued to minister near Perth without compromise or capture. We find out how. Returning again to Dron near Perth, we discover more about its minister and his experiences.Cover Photo © Becky Williamson (cc-by-sa/2.0)

We explore the story behind a secret burial at dead of night.  The deceased young man was only 30 years old but his brief life is worth remembering and some of his dying words retain a unique power. It was the field preacher John Welwood, and he left an abiding influence on another young man Richard Cameron.

Wrestling an armed kidnapper and going on the run as an outlawed preacher: the personal history of James Kirkton is certainly dramatic. But he was more interested in writing a history of the momentous national events through which he lived. That too is an arresting narrative. Find out more in this episode.

How did hissing pupils lead their teacher to discover Reformation teaching? And how did the number 7 feature in the life and ministry of Archibald Simson of Dalkeith? We explore his imprisonment and attempted murder along with other incidents in this episode.

We conclude our series about the Solemn League and Covenant in Ormiston and we discover how and why the international covenant made an international journey from here. What abiding significance did the covenant have after it was publicly burned by the authorities?

The renewing of the Solemn League and Covenant at Aberlady, East Lothian in 1648 gives us the opportunity to consider the international covenant further. The General Assembly had published A Solemn Acknowledgement of Public Sin and Breaches of the Covenant; and a Solemn Engagement to all the Duties contained therein which was to be made use of in this.  It would be publicly read by the minister after a period of public fasting when the Covenant was to be renewed. It was a document that...

More than 370 years ago two men were in deep conversation as they walked on the hill now known as the Necropolis in Glasgow. The impact of those deliberations still endures in a publication that they planned together. We also find out how it had a close connection with the final moments on the scaffold for some Covenanters.

The Royal Mile was the trunk of Old Edinburgh with a large number of small alleyways called closes, courts or wynds branching off on each side. Most of the alleyways are called “closes” which tend to be narrow with tall buildings on both sides and access private property. They all have their own names. One of them is called Covenant Close and as you might have guessed there is a story behind this.

You would never realise that this neglected spot within the grounds of Newbattle Abbey witnessed considerable events of such historical significance. Our story weaves around Robert Leighton and the leading Covenanting noble the Earl of Lothian. But there are some other famous Covenanters that share some connection with the location too.  

Could this Covenanters cave in Newbattle near Dalkeith have been a hiding place for the local minister George Johnstone? Who was Johnstone and why was he wanted by the government? We learn much about his life, sufferings and decisions. Will he always stand without wavering?

What exactly was the Solemn League and Covenant all about? Many people were asking this at the time of course. And some tried to help them with published explanations. In this episode we get an overview of the International Covenant and how it was applied by a leading member of the Westminster Assembly - Edmund Calamy.  

Imprisoned (as he put it himself) “merely for preaching the Gospel, as he had received power from Christ”, William Erskine would certainly preach again to the benefit of many. His cousins Ralph and Ebenezer are better known but the little we can learn about "honest Mr William Erskine" gives evidence of a resolute Covenanter. We visit the building where he preached: Tron Church, Edinburgh, sadly no longer used as a church.

The International Covenant was enthusiastically welcomed and subscribed to in England as well as Scotland. The momentous day it was sworn first, 25 September 1643 was said to be "a day of contentment and joy." Some said, "we judged the day of entering into this Covenant to be England's coronation-day, as it was the day of the gladness of our hearts." We find out more about the depth of commitment displayed at this time and the strong connections it brought between Scotland and England.

Intense emotion surrounded the beginnings of the movement that brought about the Solemn, League and Covenant. It was an international covenant that embraced the political, religious and personal of these nations - a very unique thing. In this episode, we find out how it was first drafted and received in Edinburgh.

We conclude the life of John Carstairs (or Carstares), this remarkable story is not often told. He was not just a man of prayer but also "a man of many meditations". Also "of great and rare piety; he was full of love; he dwelt, walked, and lived in that fire of love". We find out how his prayers and meditations could melt the hearts of even the greatest enemies of the Covenanters.

Many Covenanter prisoners were kept in the fearful conditions of the Canongate Tolbooth. Anyone would want to escape, and more than a few Covenanter prisoners actually managed to gain their freedom. We find out more about that in this episode but also look at those who exited the prison still under punishment. Episode 77 covered Gabriel Semple and his time here in 1681.

What was it like to be married to a persecuted minister? Did the trials put a strain on relationships? We find out first hand from the letters that passed between Janet and John Carstairs (sometimes Carstares) while he was being pursued by the authorities. She would be imprisoned briefly herself for attending a conventicle. Her loving yet courageous words to him are especially moving.

Revival came on two different occasions in the 1650s in the same area by the same preacher. Samuel Rutherford said that John Carstairs had "much of heaven in his bosom". We find out more about the prayers and preaching of the man who experienced remarkable revival in Cadder and Kirkintilloch. Cover Image: Cadder: Parish Church cc-by-sa/2.0 - © Martyn Gorman Below Image of Kirkintilloch Auld Kirk cc-by-sa/4.0 © Roger Griffith    

Archibald Campbell's portrait seems stern and forbidding at first glance, but there is an unfortunate reason for that. And as we discover more of the life and words of the Marquis of Argyle it is clear that it would be a big mistake to judge him by his appearance. He was a friend to reformation in life and death.

Interrogated on your way to an illegal worship service. Would you admit where you were going and endanger your life as well as others? Would a lie be wrong? This happened to one young woman and in this episode we find out more about the circumstances and her ingenious response.

A very small glimpse of some ordinary spiritual experiences during a time of widespread revival. If you have wondered what Covenanting communion services were like, including their impact, listen to this episode. Andrew Hay records experiences in the place where Knox and Wishart once preached. N.B. Please note that the ruin is on private land in a domestic garden without public access. Photographs are here.

In the various twists and turns of unfolding events, Alexander Henderson is greatly favoured then scorned by the king within months. But as incidents erupt, negotiations fail and positions harden the destinies of some in England and Scotland begin to move together. For some this is a highly spiritual matter and a reformation movement. Find out more of the eventful journey towards the Solemn, League and Covenant in this episode.  

What was the connection between reformation and covenant? Why did English puritans as well as Scots come to think it was necessary to have a covenant for the whole British Isles?  Most people today know little about the Solemn League and Covenant and what makes it different from the National Covenant. Yet it would certainly cost both blood and tears in Scotland. Over a number of episodes we can follow something of its history and influence, as well as how people responded to it. In this...