Fair Sunshine: Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters

by Jock Purves

Many volumes deal with that terrible yet glorious period in the history of the Scottish church between the restoration of Charles II and the accession of William III, but Fair Sunshine deserves a place alongside the very best of them.

Genres: Biography, Church History, History, Christian, Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction

194 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

Reviews

[Alexandra Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. The accounts of the Scottish Covenanters in this book are incredible and inspiring. To have such bold faith in the face of intense persecution, unto death, is just amazing. I cried throughout, reading about these examples of righteous resistance to tyranny. May we be so bold!

As Donald Cargill said, right before his death, "I am no more terrified of death, nor afraid of hell, because of sin, than if I had never sinned; for all my sins are freely pardoned and washed thoroughly away, through the precious blood and intercession of Jesus Christ." Amen.

[Madeline Doornink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three stars for the wandering, confusing, flowery writing style that was almost as hard to read as the 15th century Scottish quotes. Five stars for the stories of saints who went to their martyrdoms singing hymns and preaching the joy of the Lord. Reading about their courage and cheerful conviction was like catching a view of a clear night sky full of stars in the country after seeing only murky nights full of light pollution in the city.

[Jordan Tiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and well worthwhile read. I went into this knowing very little about the Covenanter era but the ‘Outline of Scottish Covenant History’ (which was oddly at the end of the book instead of the start) helped to give some context. Purves has a very “flowery” writing style which if you were expecting a textbook-style piece you might find a bit irksome, but personally I really enjoyed reading. He clearly has a very deep and broad understanding of both scripture and the Covenanters. At a surface level this book is pretty bleak. There’s an awful lot of imprisonment, torture, execution and other misery discussed. But the light of Christ and the Gospel shines through so powerfully in each of the accounts you certainly won’t come away feeling miserable. It’s inspiring, convicting, encouraging and hopeful. Even if you don’t pick up this one, absolutely recommend reading something of the Covenanters if you haven’t already - you won’t regret it.

[Ian Andrew Hopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fair Sunshine is a must-read. This character study by Purves does not shy away from the brutality that the Scottish Convenanters faced under the reign of Charles II. The Covenanters were utterly brave and heroic.

"Farewell, the world and all delights! Farewell, meat and drink! Farewell, sun, moon, and stars! Welcome, God and Father! Welcome, sweet Lord Jesus, Mediator of the New Covenant! Welcome, glory! Welcome, eternal life! Welcome, death!" - Hugh MacKail

[Carissa Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly one of the most impactful and lifechanging books I have ever read. The Covenanters were so overwhelmed by an intense love for their Savior that their brutal tortures and deaths were counted as blessings. Such a powerful encouragement for the dark times we are entering in our own country. No matter what happens in this life, our future hope is secure. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, O My Soul!

[Garrison Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book worth reading, if even just to remind yourself that you’ve been through virtually zero actual suffering for the faith lol. It does require a bit of historical context that would have been helpful for the author to provide, but nothing Wikipedia can’t fix.

[Abrahamus · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book chronicles the plight of Scottish Covenanters of the 16th and 17th centuries and the vicious persecutions they endured – confiscation of property, torture, rape, imprisonment, and execution – throughout their resistance to the absolutist aspirations of the Stuart monarchs and their ecclesiastical cronies, most intensely during the 28-year period following the Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II in 1660 and continuing until the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The lives and deaths of thirteen martyrs in the cause are explored in the central portion of the book, with a handy chronological table at the beginning and a brief but helpful general historical summary at the end.

In addition to the inspiration gained from the examples of incredible courage and persistence in the face of such unbelievable persecution, this book really caused me to meditate on the wonder of the fact that my (Anglican/Episcopalian) Book of Common Prayer and my (Presbyterian) Scottish Psalmody can rest comfortably next to one another on my shelf without bursting into flames, and that each can be as readily employed as the other in worship today, both the private devotions of my family at home and the public services of the congregation we attend. Given the history – the blood, the tears, the anguish – that each represents, at times even in opposition to one another, that is no small wonder!

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book put out by Banner of Truth was like reading Foxe’s book of Martyrs for Covenanters. The Covenanters endured much persecution, were hunted like animals, and when caught were treated even worse. Most were maimed before being hung or decapitated. Each Covenanter, however, remained strong in their faith despite the tribulations, often giving a Gospel reminder or singing a Psalm on the way to their deaths.
Many, like Donald Cargill, went bravely to their end saying “The Lord knows I go up this ladder with less fear, confusion or perturbation of mind, than ever I entered a pulpit to preach.” Or James Boig who said at the gallows “I am in as sweet a calm, as if I were going to be married to one dearly beloved.” It is a cold splash of water in the face to see so many go happily to their deaths for the cause of Christ when I and others struggle so much to live for the cause of Christ. This is worth your time.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”

[Anthony Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is encouraging. To those who love the Puritans and those of that era, you will throughly enjoy this book. To read of the men with their courage to press on for the gospel despite being persecuted…. Real persecution. To the point of being beheaded and your body cut in pieces to be displayed for others to see. We don’t have that here. And we are lucky, and we are spoiled. The men (and women, wives) in this book had faith far beyond what we could dream of. We think we would hold fast under persecution. We think our faith is unwavering. But is it truly? I pray so. To read of these men holding fast makes you want to truly deepen your faith and trust in the Lord. To deep root ourselves in the Word. And to hide it in our hearts like David. Mere intellectual and head knowledge won’t be enough to withstand the trials of this life. But a heart that has the Word and Spirit so embedded inside, will withstand any test or trial. Read this book with great an heart eager to grow, and be encouraged by our brothers before us.

[Natalie Lathrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just wished that he had a chapter setting more of the context of what was happening because I was/still kind of am super confused on why these Scottish Covenanters were being persecuted so brutally.

Other than that, I enjoyed the stories of the various martyrs in that day. (Enjoyed, maybe isn’t the right word because holy smokes what they went through was rough and sometimes gut wrenching to read.) It was very revealing for me who pretty much knew nothing of the Christians in Scotland before, and now has an idea of who some of them were.

[Jacob Aitken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is what its title says. Not as informative as Scots Worthies, but in many ways more accessible. Some beautiful chapters. Purves' prose is filled with an abundance of the Spirit of God.

[Sammie Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness this is worth reading just for the speeches these men make on the gallows! Can't wait to discuss for book club!

[Alex McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Fair Sunshine" is an older book, and thus has garnered quite a few reviews, many of which criticize it for being an unabashed hagiography. However, it's essential to understand the book's purpose. It presents a modern interpretation of the Scots Worthies, aiming to convey the shared mythos of Presbyterian and Covenanter origins. Of course it celebrates these figures as role models, considering their pivotal role in history.

It's no surprise that this book is hagiographic; it embraces the lives of those who boldly proclaimed, "The Pope is the Anti-Christ" in their confession of faith. Criticizing its hagiographic nature while not taking issue with other revered historical tales seems inconsistent.

Most religious institutions eventually become political ones. However, Presbyterianism is almost unique in the fact that it began as a political institution before it ever became an eccentric one. “Fair Sunshine” delivers the shared mythos of the Covenanters who would eventually become the Presbyterians.

The book admirably explores a diverse array of saints, encompassing nobles, peasants, clergy, laypeople, and women. There is no Jew nor Greek, no male nor female, nor Scythian or Barbarian in the body of Christ. Purves reminds us that piety is attainable by every saint in the Church.

While "Fair Sunshine" certainly leans heavily into hagiography, this emphasis is what makes it valuable. It introduces us to saints whose lives inspire emulation—a tradition deeply rooted in Christian history. The YRR shock jocks who criticize this for being hagiographic have done the exact same thing to John MacArthur and John Piper. Hagiography is part of the Christian mythos. It is present in almost every generation of saints since the early church fathers. If you have beef with this work but not with Brendan sailing to heaven or George fighting a dragon I think it’s time to reevaluate. Tolkien reminds us of the Christian pull to subcreation, and a work like this proudly proclaims the mythos we communicate about the beginnings of Presbyterianism.

Personally, I found the book engaging and would recommend reading it alongside "Scots Worthies" and Foxe’s for a broader perspective. But please, don’t skip it under the pretense of Hagiography.

[Rachel Behrends · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this books was very inspirational, I found it a very difficult read. Not only is it emotionally taxing to hear of the great hardships and persecutions endured by these fellow members of Christ's body but the account is written with such flourish and assumes the reader to be familiar with various names and events from the time period (of which I am ignorant). This book was my introduction to the Scottish Covenantors, and it was not a very approachable way to start learning about them. I often found it difficult to understand connections the author made between people discussed in the chapters with those that the chapters were focused on and entitled after. This is of no fault of the author or the book itself, but rather of my own ignorance on the subject. It seems like it was written for someone much more educated than I. Nonetheless, it was worth the time and effort I put into finishing reading it. These men and women showed great faithfulness and righteous which is very moving and inspiring. The quotations of their writtenings included made it worth the effort. Their dying words can only make me wish that if I ever had to face such hardship that I too could go forward smiling and singing praises to God, quoting long memorized passages of Scriptures, and praying for my enemies before boldly and with all joy giving myself over fully to God's arms.

[Lori Wann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was hard for me to rate due to the older language and historical events or characters that were mentioned but not expanded upon which made the stories difficult, at times, to follow. Some context was given at the very end of the book. This would have been more helpful in the introduction. As some have mentioned the style of the book was more flowery with poems and songs thrown in that may feel more like speed bumps to those who want to get straight to the facts. I did find myself skimming those at times. That being said, the stories of the lives lived by these courageous and pious covenanters was tragic, terrible, and terrific. Their last testimonies before facing their grim deaths are supernatural. I'm thankful to have glimpsed behind the curtain into this period of our church history because shamefully, it's not one I'm very familiar with at all.

[Vaughn Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of martyrs is a tremendous blessing to me. I've found myself considering the plight of the Covenanters often. The horrors they endured and the seemingly paradoxical joy to which they faced them. While the events of the killing time took place in the late 17th century, it is uncomfortable to think that it truly wasn't that long ago. Jock Purves writes viscerally and encapsulates an era of church history many Christians ought to be aware of, even if they do not find themselves within the same denominations as what the Covenanters would become. This is a book to help the reader see that the Lord allows for real, intense wickedness to be done to his people - but that his people will show they are blessed in spite of such evil persecution.

Never have I read so many accounts of brave men and women who went to the gallows, faces brimming with conviction, with an awareness that the moment of their murder would be their greatest act of glorifying the Lord who rescued them from true death. They proved to me that strife and death is a mere moment, and that it is far more worth it to enter into his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! (Ps 100:4).

[Tebel Shaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading at page 33 where the author admits that many Covenanters believed the Scots should not have taken up arms against their enemies, but rather suffered for righteousness sake. Then, he goes on to praise the rebels in their bloody campaign against their lawful ruler. The apostle Paul wrote Romans 13 while NERO was in power, giving the lie to a citizen's right to fight against a Sovereign. This book praises disobedience to the word of GOD, making these politically motivated miscreants, hiding behind religion, out to be heroes. They are not. As the apostle Peter writes, it is better to suffer for doing what is right, than for wrongdoing.

[Catherine Sager · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very difficult book to read. I was filled with sadness reading of how our Christian brothers and sisters were treated for their faith. But I truly believe it needs to be read to know our history. What Christians before fought for and gave up their lives for. I wish this book was a little easier to read, I had trouble understanding some paragraphs and had to re-read it multiple times. Otherwise, a great book!

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an encouraging book to read. Those of us who claim Christ as King in today’s world, only face the “persecution” from family and friends who don’t like being confronted with their sinful behaviors. This pales in comparison to what the Scottish martyrs faced.

The writing is a little “old school” so at times I had to read a sentence twice to get its proper meaning. But I still recommend the book.

[Chloe Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories themselves were very powerful and inspiring. I blew through the first couple, but the writing began to feel repetitive and was so wordy and that I had a hard time slogging through it. I was committed to finish it because of the content and I’m glad I did.

[Stefanie Kinsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the hardest book I ever read. I learned a lot from it. I just can not imagine recommending it to anyone. I read it as part of a bookclub.

[Lynn Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read. Several resources cited that I would like to explore. Considering a re-reading also.

[Gwen Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great work on the character and lives of the Scottish Covenanters.

[Rivers Houseal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect introduction to the Scottish Covenanters. Written in lovely, eloquent style, but also very readable.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read although a bit dry reading in places. The chapter on the two Margarets is well worth a read.

Frank

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent to see the Lordship of Christ held up in the lives, sufferings, and deaths of the Scottish Covenanters.

[Cassie Kilzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds you that the seed of the church is the blood of martyrs

[Cassie Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book full of horrors but crowned with beauty, ‘Fair Sunshine’ passes on the stories of godly men. So blessed were these men, and so near God, that even death prompted no fear.

The blood of the Martyrs is the seed of the church. Though horrifying and disturbing, the history of these men and women show just how deep faith can run and how much the Lord loves His people. All of the martyrs mentioned in these pages suffered greatly, but so great was the joy of the Lord in their hearts that they were counted as nothing before the promises of their Master and eternity.

This is a brutal look at the tortures and deaths of brave believers who refused to put the king ahead of Christ. If you are sensitive or young, this book might be too much for you. But I would recommend that you read about the Covenanters to strengthen your faith in God and Christ.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never finished reading this book. Maybe, one day, I'll have the stomach to read the rest of the book.

It is so sad the vicious nature some Christians had in regards to other Christians during the English wars. This book demonstrates some of the torture, the devices used, in trying to get Christians to convert from a basic belief in Jesus as head of the church, to the King of England as head of the church. The same type nonsense was happening in the Continent with the Pope, the Roman Church, against non Catholics.

This book is an eye-opener. One that helps remind the horrors of times gone by and how, as Solomon said: There is nothing new under the Sun.