Lord that I am king in such a Kirk, the
sincerest Kirk in the world." He soon forsook the "Kirk"--the Covenanted
Church--and became a violent persecutor.]

The king was among the first to vitiate his oath, and break the
Covenant. His weakness was pitiful; he seemed to turn with every gale
that struck him. The next year he mustered the strength of his
government to overthrow the Presbyterian Church, and reverse the
workings of the Covenant. The Church was aroused and resolute, Andrew
Melville being her recognized leader. A delegation was sent to the king
to remonstrate; Melville was the spokesman. The king was confronted like
a lion in his den. He listened to the following message: "Your majesty,
by device of some counselors, is caused to take upon you a spiritual
power and authority, which properly belongs unto Christ, as the only
King and Head of the Church. Through your highness, some men are trying
to erect a new Popedom, as though your majesty could not be king and
head of this commonwealth, unless the spiritual sword, as well as the
temporal, be put into your hands; unless Christ be bereft of His
authority, and the two jurisdictions which God separated be confounded.
All this tends to the wreck of true religion."

Melville sent the truth, like a lancet, into the inflated ambition of
the young king. He winced in the agony of the keen surgery. But Melville
had to meet the consequences of his faithfulness. He was taken to the
tower of London, where he lay in a dismal cell four years. He was
afterward banished and died in a strange land.

This Covenant of 1851 placed posterity, equally with the Covenanters of
that day, in oath-bound relation to God. A Public Covenant with God
continues in its moral obligation until its terms are fulfilled. Are we
lifting up our lives into relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ
through our inherited Covenant? Are we fulfilling our sworn duties to
our country, our Church, and our Lord? Are we using all lawful means to
cause true religion to prevail? Are we employing our strength against
all opposing evils? Are we keeping step in the Covenanted ranks that are
marching on, assured that the principles of the Reformation will yet
prevail in every land?

* * * * *

POINTS FOR THE CLASS.

1. What was the condition of the Presbyterian Church during 1560-1570?

2. How did the Church thereafter decline?

3. To what did the Church resort for her reviving?