The blood of the martyrs imposes obligations upon posterity from generation to generation.
The martyrs deeply felt their responsibility for the Church, her purity, her doctrines, discipline, membership; for her loyalty to Christ, her separation from the world, and her administration in the Holy Spirit.
Their zeal for the house of God brought them to the front; their passionate love for Jesus Christ placed them on the firing line.
There they met every attack made upon Christ and His House; there they stood for the royal rights of Jesus and the honour of His kingdom; there they fell under the murderous fire, giving place to their successors.
These soldiers of Jesus knew how to die, but not how to retreat.
They did their work well and necessarily left it unfinished.
The victory was assured, though not in sight.
The death stricken hands reached the bloodstained banner out to another to be carried forward.
This war still rages.
The supremacy of Jesus Christ is yet disputed; His royal rights are yet usurped by mortals; His Bride the Church, still halts amid many opinions; the ordinances of grace are unblushingly corrupted; the teachings of the Gospel are adroitly doctored.
The attacking forces are active, determined, and numerous, as in the days of the martyrs.
The tactics differ, but the fight goes on.
Heavy, heavy are the moral obligations, that fall to the successors of those who gave their lives for the truth.
To recede would be cowardice, desertion from the ranks, perjury within the Covenant, treason against Jesus Christ.
Is this too strong? Listen, "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
" Surely the times call for Christian Soldiers; yea heroes; possibly, martyrs.
Do Covenanters feel their obligation to the Lord?