Jeff Wells

April 9, 2012

Review of Fair Sunshine

By Jock Purves

The Scottish Covenanters were Scottish Presbyterian believers who signed a National Covenant
in 1638, declaring that Christ alone was the head of the church, not the Stuart kings of England.
This covenant led to a fifty-year persecution of these Scottish believers, a period of beatings,
tortures, imprisonments and executions.

This book gives the story of thirteen Scottish believers who were martyred for their faith during
the Killing Time of the late 1600s. Their stories and their words are remarkable. Such
devotion to Jesus, such fearlessness in the face of death, such faith that heaven is far better than
earth, such surrender to Jesus Christ.

One example. Hugh MacKail was a young pastor in his twenties, executed by hanging in 1666.
His final words give a glimpse of the Covenanters:

Now, I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to thee, O Lord. Now I
begin my intercourse with God which shall never be broken off. Farewell, father and mother,
friends and relations! Farewell, the world and all delights! Farewell, meat and drink! Farewell,
sun, moon and stars! Welcome, God and Father! Welcome, sweet Lord Jesus, Mediator of the
New Covenant! Welcome, blessed Spirit of grace, God of all consolation! Welcome, glory!
Welcome, eternal life! Welcome, death!