The Covenanters is a two-volume set that is written by James King Hewison. This work was originally published in 1908, then revised and corrected in 1913. The Banner of Truth then published this two-volume set in 2019.
This post may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may receive a small commission if you purchase through our links. Thank you for supporting this ministry!
The Covenanters (Two-Volume Set)
These books offer the church an absolutely incredible telling of Scottish history. Hewison was a Presbyerian minister who was also a historian, and this work is the proof of that. This is a thorough work on the history of the “progress and persecution of evangelical Christianity in Scotland from 1560-1689” (from the front cover). These covenanters (“members of a new society for the dissemination of evangelical Protestantism”) received their name from the 1638 National Covenant.
The first volume itself is honestly worth the price of the two-volume set! Hewison covers topics such as the historical beginnings of the Covenanters, Mary Queen of Scots and the Romanist Reaction, the National Covenant, the Solemn League and Covenant, the Westminster Standards, and so much more. Volume one consists of nearly 460 pages, and that is then followed up by an impressive 9 appendices.
It’s really neat how this book on Scottish Christainity is actually telling a story that has impacted the world. For instance, it’s dealing on the Westminster of Confession shows the importance of this assembly for the whole of Presbyteriansim. The same could be said for many of the details that are recorded here.
The second volume covers picks up right where volume one left off. The first chapter (actually labeled as the 18th since Volume One had 17 chapters) begins in 1650 and works its way through 1690. It deals with King Charles, Cromwell, the Restoration of 1660, the rise of Claverhouse (1678-79), and the Revolution of 1688-1690 (a page turner of a chapter).
These volumes by Banner of Truth are beautifully produced. They are both blue hardcover books with very nice dustjackets that contain gorgeous artwork. Volume One’s jacket contains an image by William Allan of “The Signing of the National Covenant Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh.” Volume Two contains an image by Alexander Carse on “A Covenanters Meeting in Glen.” I was also impressed with the amount of pictures that these books contain. It was a very nice touch to an already great book.
Perhaps my favorite part of these books (apart from the thrilling history itself) is the format that Banner provided. I love the headings that are given in the margins! Every single page has headings in the margins to tell the reader what is found on those pages. This makes for an incredible reference tool! As a lover of church history, I will now be disappointed when history books lack these marginal headings! They are really that helpful to the reader when trying to find specific details in a 1,000 page history.
I want to commend these volumes to you if you are a Christian who desires to grow in your understanding of the history of the church. This is a fascinating read, and one that will often be a page-turner. For this reason, I gladly recommend these 2 volume-set to you! Tolle lege, take up and read!
Disclaimer: My thanks to Banner of Truth for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Matt became a joyful follower of Jesus at the age of 21. He is very grateful to be a husband to Lindsey, and a father to four boys. He is an ordained minister (teaching elder) in the PCA. He previously served as a pastor of biblical counseling and is currently a corporate chaplain in southern Delaware. Matt received his Master of Divinity degree in Biblical Counseling from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and holds an advanced certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors. In his free time, he loves playing with his boys, traveling with his wife, and reading (and buying!) books.
Leave a Reply