The Lion of the Covenant:
the story of Richard Cameron
By Maurice Grant. Evangelical Press. 335 pages. £9.95
ISBN 0 85234 395 7
In the 17th century, many Scottish Presbyterians covenanted together to resist all attempts by the Stuart kings to compel them to be good Anglicans. This biography tells the story of Richard Cameron who was one of the leading Covenanters and one of their most powerful field preachers.
He was also one of the most uncompromising. His refusal to compromise led to confrontation not only with the secular authorities but also with his fellow Covenanters. From time to time the government would grant 'indulgences' to dissenting ministers, allowing those who had behaved themselves to return to their churches. Some godly men felt it right to take advantage of this but others, like Cameron, regarded it as a compromising recognition of the government's authority over the church. Many older ministers, desiring to maintain the unity of the Presbyterian church, advised that this should be a matter for the individual conscience and that the issue should be avoided by preachers. Cameron, however, preached openly against ministers who had 'compromised' and exhorted his hearers not to attend their churches. Much of the book is devoted to this controversy.
