Evangelicals Now
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The Lion of the Covenant: the story of Richard Cameron

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.
Cameron attracted huge crowds to his illegal open air meetings and was accompanied by an armed bodyguard! He denounced Charles II for his civil and ecclesiastical tyranny and seems to have called for a Christian republic. He was hunted like an outlaw, and eventually the dragoons caught up with him along with his group of armed followers and he was killed in a battle at Ayrsmoss at the age of 32.
While the author is obviously fascinated by his subject, I found his style somewhat monotonous and this is not helped by lengthy quotations from legal declarations and sermons in an almost incomprehensible Scottish form of 17th century English! This is a shame because the courageous young subject of this biography is, to say the least, compelling and inspiring. The average reader, however, will have to struggle to maintain interest.
There are many relevant issues raised in this book. There are even examples of 'visions' and 'prophecies' experienced by Reformed ministers! I would have appreciated some discussion of these and the many other relevant issues raised. Is it ever right for Christians to resort to violence? Should godly Christians denounce one another publicly over matters of individual conscience? It is good to be reminded in an age when truth matters very little that there are things worth fighting and dying for, but a more compelling style and some assessment of Cameron's views would have made this biography more readable and more relevant.

Brian Maiden