Early covenanting movement as reflected in the life, work and thought of James Guthrie of Stirling (1612-1661)

Abstract

Robert Wodrow said, concerning James Guthrie, "I wish this great man a life acre published by some rood hand.'' Wodrow provided the foundation for such a project by his assiduously seeking out and cataloguing vast numbers of manuscripts dealing with this period. 11 these, as well as others from different sources, have been consulted. At the instigation of t is research project a earning was issued to the effect that there might be insufficient material for such a work. It was for this reason that it was recommended that, not only should the life of Guthrie be treated, tout also that the movement, in which he was such an active participant, should be considered. Once the investigation of unpublished sources had begun the problem became not a Question of' insufficient material but rather how to leal with the overwhelming amount that was being collected. There was also the necessity of a complete investigation; it was to this that the major portion of the researcher's time was directed, with a few deviations the results of the investigation have been presented in chronological form. In attempting: to deal adequately with both the man and the movement a lengthy work has been produced which is partially attributed to the limitations of the format and the amount of documentation. In spite of the length the work has had to "be confined to the task of a presentation of the evidence and has been unable to deal extensively with the underlying principles of the period; neither has it taker as its task the demonstration of Guthrie's subsequent influence on the life of the Church in Scotland.

The period was noteworthy for its changeableness. Generals fought with the adherents of one cause and then fought for its opponents, parliaments were changed suddenly both in policy and membership, and pledges were solemnly made only to be broken. Is there any wonder that, the Covenanters in this perplexing, precarious and hazardous period, after having wrested the dirk from the steadily increasing control of monarchical episcopacy, should pertinaciously strive to preserve it?

They felt that they were being attacked both behind and before. They were confronted with episcopacy, which they were thoroughly convinced was extant only because of a mild and temporary altercation with Catholicism which might readily and momentarily dissolved. The victory of the Reformation was too fresh and precious in their minds and hearts to risk the custody of the Kirk to an establishment which might lead, or be led, back to Roaie. The other danger was from the rear, when the young monk of Wittenburg picked up his hammer, he was by that very act encouraging others in the movement that was to raze for many the petrifactive shell that had long confined ecclesiastical thought and action. Others, less learned than he, began to read their newly printed bibles, and from their reading to formulate their own thinking and acting. For some the priesthood of the believer came to mean I too, can be a Luther. From such self assertions the numerous sects were born, the Kirk of Scotland fought in both directions; it wanted neither. Because of that, and perhaps partially for self preservation, rightly or wrongly she took the offensive and attempted to win England and Ireland or Presbyterianism. Once Bavin made that decision, one must admire the tenacity and courage with which she adhered to her ambitious campaign, hen she was defeated by Rome in one and by the Sectarians in the other, understanding if not sympathy can be offered those of her number who would not bow to monarchy, when they thought that by doing so, they would lose their Kirk, At the same time the non-Presbyterians cannot be illustriously treated for anting both their monarch and their kirk. In that day when men had yet to be acclimatized to the novelty of toleration it was extremely regrettable that any nobleman, commoner, or man of God should have had to give up his life for his convictions. One can only say in this day and age, that I faced, as some have been, with the more serious alternative of Christ-less Church or a godless state, it is hoped that there will be men like Guthrie who in the face of death said "my conscience I cannot submit".