Sandy Peden (mid 1600s)
It was that Sabbath.
Last one inside the Kirk.
Preacher Peden shook hands
Smiling with that slight hint of courage…
Brethren, this is it.
Thanks for showing
In spite of drizzle.
So what is drizzle
In face of our trusty Covenant
And pledge, to the bloods.
No King, no stench of politics.
Political favour, in a Bishop
Postures of convenience
And personal gain.
To head up the church? Never.
Rather our own presbyteries
Selecting each good preacher
Guide, father in faith, bringer
Of peace, love, courage and hope.
We have had battles, deaths, tortures
Cries of hatred filling the air.
Disturbing the sheep in the heather.
(and so went his message
For an extra-long duration.)
Then to the large front door
Parishioners passing through
Solemn silence, heads lowered.
Alexander, the Man of God
Raps the Big Door.
Thrice. With force.
(Shocking some larks to light
And fly off.)
Locking it. Sobs manifold in our hearing.
To the hills then, brethren.
God is there too.
We will fight over this.
If necessary.
Note: I spent a lot of pleasant time in the past at Waterloo University Porter Library studying stories of the Covenanters. It came as far as bloodied warfare with the dragoons of the English King. He attempted to impose episcopalian structure on the churches of the North.
Appointing political lackies in the Bishop and hierarchy. But the Scots would have none of it. Allowing many churches to be locked and barred. Knowing that remedy and righteousness could still be found gathering under an open sky in secret. Rehearsing the Psalms. Sharing Holy Communion. Getting quiet before the Lord. Hearing a message from their Shepherd.
https://youtu.be/pooA_0U13Fw?si=d7Y3K8x6Jjmn9B7-
A Father’s Gesture of Love and Mercy
They had caught his Boy
Preaching and encouraging
What they called sedition.
Brought him to Edinburgh.
Chained him in dark confines.
Tortured him in the “boot”.
Looking for his acquiescence.
His forced oath to a monarch
But to no avail.
They marched him to their gallows
Applied the noose
Allowed him a few words.
And those words were
All about Jesus and
Delightful freedoms of Heaven.
Started the insolent drum roll
To drown out his speaking.
The drums stopped
The floor dropped away.
The young man flailed
In empty air.
But his Father had watched, hooded.
Father ran forward , jumped up.
Added the additional weight
For the consummation. The snap.
“Go my Boy, let it go.
You have fought well.
I will be with you
In a few short weeks
See, Jesus is smiling.”
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