On This Day in Covenanting History

On This Day…More build up to the anniversary of the signing of the National Covenant.

This upstairs room on the second floor of the Tailors’ Hall in Edinburgh’s Cowgate—now the Three Sisters pub—was the setting for a pivotal moment in Scottish Covenanter history.

On 27 February 1638, the day before the National Covenant was signed publicly, the Covenant was read here for the first time to Scotland’s ministers. That morning, its co-authors—Archibald Johnston of Wariston and Alexander Henderson—had completed the draft. It was first presented at a meeting of nobles in John Galloway’s house in Niddry’s Wynd. Later, the text was read again at a private gathering with the Commissioners of Presbyteries in the Tailors’ Hall—specifically in “the summer-house in the yaird.” Objections were raised, questions answered, and the document revised.

From there, the Covenant was carried up to the second-floor room, where 200 to 300 Covenanter ministers had assembled. A vigorous discussion followed. Concerns and queries were aired, and each objection was addressed. When the debate finally settled, the ministers voted unanimously to approve the amended text.

After the vote, John Adamson, Principal of the College of Edinburgh and moderator of the meeting, offered thanks to “The Lords and these that were with him for taking the pains to come and communicate things with them,” calling them “singular instruments, both now and before, in so honest a cause.”

The Earl of Rothes responded with characteristic humility. They deserved no praise, he said, because maintaining such unity—despite “the crafty machinations of these who laboured a division”—was the work of God. He asked for prayers that the “respect of religion…might always remain with the Supplicants” and that God would prosper the work of those seeking “the glory of God, the peace of the Kirk, and honour of the King.”

Prayers were offered, and the meeting drew to a close. Johnston of Wariston later wrote simply—and vividly—“My heart did leap within for joy.”

The following day, 28 February 1638, the National Covenant was carried to Greyfriars and signed.