IN his Traditions of the Covenanters, Dr. Simpson relates an extraordinary deliverance of the persecuted of which the following is a summary:—During the “Killing Times” it happened that, in Dumfriesshire, a Covenanter, on a clear moonlight night, sat down behind a bush on a lonely moor to read a book. Engrossed with the volume in his hand, which tradition informs us was the Confession of Faith, he failed to observe the approach of a troop of dragoons led by the dreaded Claverhouse. They came directly to where the lone reader sat. When they were only a few yards away did he look up, and at the same moment he was seen by the dragoons. It is hard to tell who was the more startled, the devout reader at the sudden appearance of the enemy or the ruthless dragoons at finding one so strangely occupied. He was seized at once for who could he be but a rebel (so-called). Questioned by Claverhouse as to the way and distance to a farmhouse not far off, which he named, and where, that murderous wretch stated, a party
of Covenanters were that evening assembled at worship, he was commanded to lead the way and at the same time threatened with death should he attempt to escape. What could the poor man do? To refuse the brutal command meant instant death; to comply meant the betrayal of the Lord’s persecuted people whom he loved as his own life. Dazed by the sudden and desperate turn of events, ere he was well aware he found himself leading the way to the farmhouse. What a tumult surged in his breast! How his spirit within him agonized in secret cries that the Lord would make a way of escape for His persecuted and hunted people who jeopardized their lives in worshipping Him according to His command (Heb. x. 25); how he groaned inwardly, had he but known before-hand that they were meeting there, O how gladly he would have joined them, but now to be their betrayer! With leaden feet and crushed heart he crossed the moor followed by the cruel dragoons, the clear moon-light making the night like day. But the Lord’s “way is in the sea and His path in the great waters, and His footsteps are not known.” As the party pressed onward, all unnoticed a black cloud rose above the horizon. Steadily it climbed and drew towards the moon. Just as the party are passing a stretch of the moor full of bushes, with startling suddenness the black cloud covers the moon, plunging the earth into darkness all the more profound because of the former light. Quick as lightning the Covenanter dashed in among the bushes. In the darkness some time elapsed ere the dragoons missed him. When they did Claverhouse gave command to search the bushes for him but all in vain. Enraged at being thus given the slip by the prisoner-guide he commanded his men to shoot at random into the bushes as they failed to capture him. This the dragoons did. Now the spot where all this took place was but a quarter of a mile from the farm-house where the assembled Covenanters were worshipping and they, hearing the noise feared that evil was on foot and hurriedly and quietly dispersed in the now-dark night. When Claverhouse arrived all was orderly and quiet at
the farm,—no stranger there. What a chain of remarkable providences, and in so short a time, all for the trial and deliverance of the Lord’s people. “As for God His way is perfect.” “The Lord killeth and maketh alive; He bringeth down and lifteth up.” “For Thou wilt save the afflicted people but wilt bring down high looks.”—F. B.