Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

great assembly while the Covenant, so reverent in
spirit, and so compendious and appropriate in
phraseology., was being read. Next the Earl of
London, considered the most eloquent man of his
age, rose, and with sweet and persuasive voice
exhorted the people to steadfastness in the oath.
Alexander Henderson, who not unworthy filled the
place which Andrew Melville had held among the
ministers, led the devotions of the assembly. With
solemn awe and rapt emotion did he address "the
high and lofty One" with whom the Scottish nation
essayed to enter into covenant, "the vessels of clay
with the Almighty Potter." The prayer ended, there
was again a pause. The profound stillness lasted for
a minute or two, when the Earl of Sutherland was
seen to rise and step forward to the table. Lifting up
his right hand, he swore the oath; and taking the
pen, the first of all the Scottish nation, he affixed
his name to the Covenant. Noble followed noble,
sweating with uplifted hand, and subscribing. The
barons, the ministers, the burgesses, thousands of
every age and rank subscribed and swore. The vast
sheet was filled with names on both sides, and
subscribers at last could find room for only their
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