The American Revolution and the Presbyterian Rebellion
By Peter Lillback - Posted at byFaith: Published August 20, 2026 In 1887, Charles Spurgeon preached a sermon entitled, “The Covenanter.” In it he described a portrait hanging in his bedroom depicting a Covenanter sitting in a field, sword by his side, Bible open. “Evidently he smelleth the battle afar off, and is preparing for it by drinking in some mighty promise,” Spurgeon said. “As you look into the old man’s face you can almost hear him saying to himself, ‘For the crown of Christ and the covenant, I would gladly lay down my life this day.’” The Scottish and Scots-Irish Heritage Spurgeon’s portrait of the Bible-reading warrior — the Covenanter — conveys the character of the Scottish and Scots-Irish believers who brought the Presbyterian faith to America. There are many moving stories from the Reformation: the first martyr, Patrick Hamilton at St. Andrews; John Knox standing with his broadsword next to soon-to-be-martyred George Wishart; the Solemn League and Covenant at the st...
