Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

had slumbered these thirty years, and to band them
together in the most resolute resistance to a tyranny
that seemed bent on the utter destruction of their
liberties. Noblemen, gentlemen, and burgesses
flocked from all the cities and shires of the
Lowlands to Edinburgh, to concert united action.
Four committees, termed "Tables," were
formed -- one for the nobility, one for the barons, a
third for the boroughs, and a fourth for the Church.
These submitted proposals to a General Table,
which consisted of commissioners from the other
four, and decided finally on the measures to be
adopted.
The issue of their deliberations was a
unanimous resolution to renew the National
Covenant of Scotland. This expedient had been
adopted at two former crises, and on both
occasions it had greatly helped to promote union
and confidence among the friends of liberty, and to
disconcert its enemies; and the like effects were
expected to follow it at this not less momentous
crisis. The Covenant was re-cast, adapted to the
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