The following is in regard to the post yesterday about my ancestor "John the Martyr" Nisbet and his last words: Captain John Nisbet (The Martyr) espoused the cause of Christ and was active for the cause of true religion and was with the rest of Christ's faithful witnesses who chose rather to suffer affliciton with the poeple of God for a little while than be obliged to go bearing His reproach. He had sworn to the Covenants in 1650, the same time and place, Scone, as Charles II. In 1664, he united himself with the Presbyterian form of government. It was some year later, in the year 1666, that the uprising of the much oppressed and long-suffering people of Scotland against the Catholic Church and King, took place. JOHN (The Martyr) NISBET was wounded and left for dead at the engagement at Pentland Hills. Then in June of 1679, he fought with the Covenanters when they were attacked while assembled for worship by Claverhouse. Soon after, the great Battle of Bothwell Bridge took place and John Nisbet was made Captain and fought with greatest gallantry in a desperate effort to save the flag. This White Flag of Scotalnd's Covenanters adn Captain John's men is now in the possession of Mr. John Jameson of Elmbank Place, Kilmarnock, Scotland, a descendant of the Captain. (Note: this was many years ago) The Flag was blue and scarlet emblazoned with the motto, "Christ, Crown, and Covenant", in letters of blue and gold. The day was lost and although Captain John Nisbet managed to escape, he was denounced as a rebel and 5,000 marks set as the price of his capture. His property was confiscated, his wife and children turned out of house and home. Thus, Captain John Nisbet and his family wandered about in deserts and mountains nearly five years, suffering all manner of hardships that they might have the full enjoyment of the Gospel. He was captured in November of 1685 and cast in prison and sentenced to be hanged on December 4, 1635. On his way to the place of execution, it is recorded that he spoke little. All the way thither, his eyes were lifted to Heaven, his face shining, and he seemed to rejoice as "seeing One who is Invisible", but when he reached the scaffold, he exclaimed aloud, "My love doth magnify the Lord. I have for sixteen years longed to plead the precious cause of Christ with my blood. The scripture hath been to me, from my youth, the living oracle of His divine and sacred lips. To be where I shall sin no more, be tempted no more, and nevermore feel the hidings or withdrawings of His Spirit's glorious Presence..........Wherefore, I bid farewell to all my fellow sufferers, for their testimony of Jesus, who are wandering in dens and caves. Farewell my children; study Holiness in all your ways, and praise the Lord for all he has done for me. Tell my Christian friends to praise Him on this account. Farewell sweet Bible, and wanderings, and contendings for the Truth. Welcome death, the city of my death. Where I shall see Him, and be able to serve him eternally, and with full freedom. Welcome, blessed company of Angels, and Spirits of just men made perfect; but, above all, welcome, welcome, our glorious and alone God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; unto Thy hands I commit my spirit, for Thou alone are worthy, Amen." ******************************** Articles about the Covenanters and Lollards can be found at: Covenanters: http://mirrors.org.sg/victorian/religion/covenant.html Lollards: http://www.integrity.net/cvcrt/lollard.htm