Fair Sunshine: Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters

by Jock Purves

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0851518435
• ISBN13: 9780851518435
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Banner of Truth
• Length: 194 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

great stories of great Christians

I won't try to repeat what the other 2 reviewers have mentioned. These are (true) stories of great Christians in 17th century Scotland. The are mini-biographies of men (and women!) who stood for Christ, for His church, and His Word, and often paid the ultimate price, sometimes horribly so. They did not love their lives even unto death. This will inspire you, deepend your commitment to Christ, and make you thankful for those examples who have gone before us. If you spend the time and effort, you'll be (I'm confident) blessed for doing so. This is a much-needed but often-neglected book in our day.

Studies of faith and steadfastness in the face of death

We have such a small parking lot at our big church, that sometimes I have to park a block away. I just hate that. And it is always such an inconvenience when I drop a $5.00 in the collection plate and there isn't $3.00 that I can take out for change. And the other day the pastor prayed for two whole minutes. It was almost unbearable. On the other hand, reading Jock Purves' book "Fair Sunshine" is the best way I know to move beyond and outside of today's Churchianity as exemplified by the mini-parables above. But I will warn you: Bring Kleenex! I have both read this book, and taught from it. Neither time were eyes able to stay dry, and in the classroom setting, I was affected the most. I choked up for two minutes, for my tears wanted to go one way, and my words another way, and somehow they got stuck in the middle. Eventually both the tears and words came out. I agree wholeheartedly with the review that is already here, but I wanted to approach my review from a different angle -- to tell you that Fair Sunshine is a life-changing book. So do NOT buy it if you are satisfied with your Christian life, and are happy just the way you are. This very well-written book primarily contains twelve biographies of Scottish martyrs from the years 1620 to 1688. The biogs concentrate on the trials and tribulations of the twelve martyrs (trials meant in both senses), their sentencing (in some cases nobody bothered with this technicality), their often horrible deaths, and their glorious uplifting words during their martyrdom, to the praise of the glory of God and to the Lamb. It sounds like reading this book must be a terribly bad experience, but exactly the opposite is true. The book is so richly written, at times it reads like a suspense novel (Will they escape at the last moment?) -- but it is all true. Like I said, if you are comfortable with your Christianity, you won't like this book. But you'll need it, very much. I know I did.

For Christ's Crown and Covenant

In my opinion the Scottish Covenanters were among the greatest heroes of the faith. Purves tells of men who would rather die than say, "God save the King." They differed from their Puritan Cousins whereas the Puritans resisted Stuart Tyranny because it trampled on the rights of English Free-men. The Covenanters resisted Stuart Tyranny because it trampled on the Crown Rights of King Jesus and his church. Purves was a mid-20th century Scotsman who wrote for Scotsmen; so a little background study before reading the book would be helpful. The theme is thus: King Charles II was restored to the English throne and sought to force the Scottish Presbyterians to prelacy and Episcopal worship. The Scots refused. Charles II made it illegal for Scottish ministers to perform their duty (I am simplifying for the sake of time). The Scots responded by worshipping outdoors. Charles thought that these "coventicles" were armed uprisings so he sent troops to quell them. The Scots out of desperation began to arm themselves for worship; that's when the story gets good. Feed your faith on stories of good courage. Here the tale of Richard Cameron--"The Lion of the Covenant"--who died praying and fighting against Christ's enemies. For a more in-depth study see John Howie's *The Scots Worthies.*

Fair Sunshine

I first read this book several years ago at the recommendation of my late father, who was a sovereign grace Baptist minister. The faith and willingness these people show in going to their death is remarkable. They all went to their death praising God and blessing His name. Truly the hand of God was upon these martyrs. These persecutions were the very reason the Pilgrims came to America. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. And anyone who reads this book will be truly blessed. If it were possible the book would have more than five stars.

Fair Sunshine

Fair Sunshine is a mighty reminder from the past, what being a Christain really means, there is a price to one's faith, even our life. To read of such love for Jesus Christ,shown in the Scottish Covenanteers willingness to suffer and die willingly and bravely, rather than bow to an earthly king who had no respect for God's Word or the King of Kings, as being the sole authority of the Christian. Stories of their love for Jesus, has changed my lukewarm heart to one now beating with a zealous Love for Christ and His Word which I have never before experienced.