Martyrs Memorial Edinburgh

At this place many Presbyterian Martyrs sealed their testimony with blood, especially in the 17th century.

This is the most joyful day that ever I saw in my pilgrimage on earth. My joy is now begun which I see shall never be interrupted ... It is nearly thirty years since He made it sure... I have followed holiness, I have taught truth, and I have been most in the main things... This day I am to seal with my blood all the truths that ever I preached ... I had a great sweetness of spirit and great submission as to my taking, the Providence of God was so eminent in it; and I could not but think that God judged it necessary for His glory to bring me to such an end, seeing he loosed me from such a work . The Lord knows I go up this ladder with less fear, confusion or perturbation of mind, than ever I entered a pulpit to preach.
Donald Cargill, before mounting the scaffold to hanged with four other Covenanters in Edinburrgh, 17 July 1681.

But martyrs struggle for a brighter prize,
And win it with more pain. Their blood is shed
In confirmation of the noblest claim&emdash;
Our claim to feed upon immortal truth,
To walk with God, to be divinely free,
To soar, and to anticipate the skies.
Yet few remember them. They lived unknown
Till persecution dragg'd them into fame,
And chased them up to heaven. Their ashes flew
&emdash;No marble tells us whither. With their names
No bard embalms and sanctifies his song:
And history, so warm on meaner themes,
Is cold on this. She execrates indeed
The tyranny that doom'd them to the fire,
But gives the glorious sufferers little praise.
He is the freeman whom the truth makes free,
And all are slaves beside.
Cowper, The Task

Graham Weeks

Last Modified: 3/7/05