James Renwick (Covenanter) - Life

Life

Born in Moniaive in Glencairn parish, Dumfriesshire, in 1662, the young James was seen to have an affinity for the church from a very early age. Alexander Shields (and later John Howie) wrote:

"By the time he was two years of age, he was observed to be aiming at prayer, even in the cradle and about it..."

Renwick's father Andrew (or in some sources, Alexander) was a weaver by trade. His mother, Elizabeth Corson, had born several children prior to James' birth, but all had died in infancy or early childhood.

In 1675, Andrew Renwick died; James went on to the University of Edinburgh, where he studied religion, in particular the Presbyterian religion of his forefathers. In 1681, he saw several Covenanters martyred in Edinburgh, including Donald Cargill. At this point Renwick fell in with the United Society; with their help he went abroad to study at Holland, Rotterdam, Groningen, and Leeuwarden. While in the Netherlands Renwick was ordained. Upon his return to Scotland in 1683 he gave his first sermon, at Darmead, Cambusnethan, choosing passages from the book of Isaiah.

Renwick spent the next five years travelling around Scotland ministering. By July 1684 he was being actively pursued by the King's men. In 1688, he was finally captured by the English and ordered to swear fealty to the King (James II of England/James VII of Scotland). He replied,

"No! I own all authority that has its prescriptions and limitations from the Word of God; but I cannot own this usurper as lawful king, seeing both by the Word of God such a one is incapable to bear rule, and also by the ancient laws of the kingdom which admit none to the Crown of Scotland until he swear to defend the Protestant Religion, which a man of his profession cannot do."

Renwick was thereupon sentenced to die by hanging, which sentence was carried out on 17 February 1688, in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Following his execution, Renwick's head and hands were severed and affixed to the gates of the city.

It was the 17th of February 1688 when James Renwick was martyred. Before the year was out, the Stuarts were in exile, and persecutions was closed. He died as the herald of a more gracious day. "He was of old Knox's principles," his adversaries said, when they noted his unassailable steadfastness. But we may take our farewell of him in words which were written by one who loved him dearly: "When I speak of him as a man, none more comely in features, none more prudent, none more heroic in spirit, yet none more meek, more humaned and condescending. He learned the truth and counted the cost, and so sealed it with his blood."