Religion & morality > Cloud of witnesses, for the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, or, The last speeches and testimonies of those who suffered for the truth in Scotland, in the years 1681-1688, with an appendix, containing the Queensferry paper, Torwood excommunications, &c

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EPITAPHS.
Monumental inscription on a gravestone at Rullion Green, Pentland-hills.
Here, and near to this place, lies the Rev. John Cruikshanks, and Mr An¬
drew M’Cormock, ministers of the gospel, and about fifty other true cove¬
nanted Presbyterians, who were killed in this place, in their own innocent
self-defence, and defence of the covenanted work of reformation, by Thom¬
as Dalziel of Binns, upon the 28th of Nov., 1666. Rev xii. 11. [And they
overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and
they loved not their lives unto the death.] Erected Sept. 28th, 1738.
On the opposite side of the stone is the folloteing verse :
A cloud of witnesses lye here,
Who for Christ’s interest did appear,
For to restore true liberty,
O’ertumed then by tyranny ;
And by proud Prelates who did rage
Against the Lord’s own heritage ;
They sacrificed were for the laws
Of Christ their King, his noble cause.
These heroes fought with great renown,
By falling got the martyr’s crown.
Upon the gravestone of Joint Murchie and Daniel Meiklewrath, near
the cross-water of Dusk, in Colmonel parish.
Here in this place two martyrs lye,
Whose blood to heav’n hath a loud cry;
Murder’d contrary to divine laws,
For owning of King Jesus’ cause,
By bloody Drummond they were shot,
Without any trial, near this spot.
Upon the gravestone of James Smith, in Muirkirk church-yard.
When proud apostates did abjure
Scotland’s reformation pure.
And fill’d this land with perjury,
And all sorts of iniquity.
Such as would not with them comply,
They persecute with hue and cry.
I in the chase was overta’en,
And for the truth by them was slain.
Upon the gravestone o/John Law, in a kail-yard at Neumills.
’Cause I Christ’s prisoners reliev’d,
I ef my life was soon bereav’d,
By cruel enemies with rage,
In that rencounter did engage,
The martyr’s honour and his crown,
Bestow'd on me, O high renown!
That I should not only believe,
But for Christ’s cause my life should give.
Upon the gravestone of Wm. Dingwall, m the church-yard of Strathaven.
This hero brave who here doth lye
Was persecute by tyranny,
Yet to the truth be firmly stood,
’Gainst foes, resisting unto blood.
Himself and th’ gospel did defend.
Till for Christ’s cause his life did end.