5 minute
Podcasts
You can cram a lot of Scotland’s Forgotten History into 5 minutes!
“One of the old sufferers”: William Reid, Dunning – SFH112
Why did William Reid promise to give himself up to the authorities as a wanted field preacher? And why did he once preach in church with a loaded pistol hung around his neck? There are other stories of narrow escapes even in his...
“The off-scourings of all things, yet…precious”: Alexander Pitcairn, Dron – SFH111
People suffered a lot for attending the preaching of Alexander Pitcairn. For many years he continued to minister near Perth without compromise or capture. We find out how. Returning again to Dron near Perth, we discover more about its minister and his...
“No more night nor darkness”: John Welwood, Dron – SFH110
We explore the story behind a secret burial at dead of night. The deceased young man was only 30 years old but his brief life is worth remembering and some of his dying words retain a unique power. It was the field preacher John Welwood, and he left an abiding...
The Secret and True History of James Kirkton – Greyfriars, Edinburgh – SFH109
Wrestling an armed kidnapper and going on the run as an outlawed preacher: the personal history of James Kirkton is certainly dramatic. But he was more interested in writing a history of the momentous national events through...
“Constant in the truth”: Archibald Simson of Dalkeith – SFH108
How did hissing pupils lead their teacher to discover Reformation teaching? And how did the number 7 feature in the life and ministry of Archibald Simson of Dalkeith? We explore his imprisonment and attempted murder along with other incidents in this episode.
To be “weighed and laid to heart” – John Sinclair and the Ormiston Covenant – SFH107
We conclude our series about the Solemn League and Covenant in Ormiston and we discover how and why the international covenant made an international journey from here. What abiding significance did the covenant have after it was publicly burned by the authorities?
What Made the Solemn League and Covenant Solemn? – Aberlady – SFH106
The renewing of the Solemn League and Covenant at Aberlady, East Lothian in 1648 gives us the opportunity to consider the international covenant further. The General Assembly had published A Solemn Acknowledgement of Public Sin...
Conversations that Still Endure – Necropolis, Glasgow – SFH105
More than 370 years ago two men were in deep conversation as they walked on the hill now known as the Necropolis in Glasgow. The impact of those deliberations still endures in a publication that they planned together. We also find out how it had a close connection...
Covenant Close and the International Covenant – The Royal Mile, Edinburgh – SFH104
The Royal Mile was the trunk of Old Edinburgh with a large number of small alleyways called closes, courts or wynds branching off on each side. Most of the alleyways are called “closes” which tend to be narrow with tall buildings on both sides and access private...
Newbattle Abbey and the International Covenant – Lothian Burial Ground, Newbattle Abbey – SFH103
You would never realise that this neglected spot within the grounds of Newbattle Abbey witnessed considerable events of such historical significance. Our story weaves around Robert Leighton and the leading Covenanting noble the Earl of Lothian. But there are some...
Freedom and Faithfulness? – George Johnstone of Newbattle – SFH102
Could this Covenanters cave in Newbattle near Dalkeith have been a hiding place for the local minister George Johnstone? Who was Johnstone and why was he wanted by the government? We learn much about his life, sufferings and decisions. Will he always stand without...
Explaining the International Covenant – SFH101
What exactly was the Solemn League and Covenant all about? Many people were asking this at the time of course. And some tried to help them with published explanations. In this episode we get an overview of the International Covenant and how it was applied by a leading...
“Honest Mr William Erskine” – Tron Church, Edinburgh – SFH100
Imprisoned (as he put it himself) “merely for preaching the Gospel, as he had received power from Christ”, William Erskine would certainly preach again to the benefit of many. His cousins Ralph and Ebenezer are better known but the little we can learn about "honest Mr...
“So great an engagement, than which nothing is higher”: The International Covenant in England – SFH099
The International Covenant was enthusiastically welcomed and subscribed to in England as well as Scotland. The momentous day it was sworn first, 25 September 1643 was said to be "a day of contentment and joy." Some said, "we judged the day of entering into this...
“Smoking Desires for Union” – The International Covenant at St Giles – SFH098
Intense emotion surrounded the beginnings of the movement that brought about the Solemn, League and Covenant. It was an international covenant that embraced the political, religious and personal of these nations - a very unique thing. In this episode, we find out how...
“A Man of Many Meditations” – John Carstairs – SFH097
We conclude the life of John Carstairs (or Carstares), this remarkable story is not often told. He was not just a man of prayer but also "a man of many meditations". Also "of great and rare piety; he was full of love; he dwelt, walked, and lived in that fire of love"....
Escaping from Prison – Canongate Tolbooth – SFH096
Many Covenanter prisoners were kept in the fearful conditions of the Canongate Tolbooth. Anyone would want to escape, and more than a few Covenanter prisoners actually managed to gain their freedom. We find out more about that in this episode but also look at those...
“Such a wife, such a friend, such a counsellor” – Janet Carstairs – SFH095
What was it like to be married to a persecuted minister? Did the trials put a strain on relationships? We find out first hand from the letters that passed between Janet and John Carstairs (sometimes Carstares) while he was being pursued by the authorities. She would...
“O what a glory appears here!” – John Carstairs’ Revival Experiences – SFH094
Revival came on two different occasions in the 1650s in the same area by the same preacher. Samuel Rutherford said that John Carstairs had "much of heaven in his bosom". We find out more about the prayers and preaching of the man who experienced remarkable revival in...
“A friend to Reformation” – Archibald Campbell – SFH093
Archibald Campbell's portrait seems stern and forbidding at first glance, but there is an unfortunate reason for that. And as we discover more of the life and words of the Marquis of Argyle it is clear that it would be a big mistake to judge him by his appearance. He...