Protestantism in Scotland - James Aitken Wylie

e dispersed over the country, and affixed at
monuments in the principal cities, and their right
arms to be exposed on the Tolbooth of Lanark,
where their hands had been lifted up to swear the
National Covenant. They all died with undaunted
courage. They might have saved their lives by
subscribing the declaration of submission to the
bishops, but all of them refused. They fell a
sacrifice to Prelacy, giving their blood in
opposition to those manifold evils which had
rushed in like a torrent upon their country through
the destruction of its Presbyterian Government.
Nor did their punishment end with their lives. Their
families were plundered after their death; their
substance was swallowed up in fines, and their
lands were confiscated. Their homes were invaded
by soldiers, and the inmates driven out to a life of
poverty in their own country, or to wander as exiles
in a foreign land.[7]
One batch of prisoners succeeded another on
the gallows till all were disposed of. "It was a
moving sight," says Burner, "to see ten of the
prisoners hanged upon one gibbet at Edinburgh.
474