The EPITAPH
Upon the Martyrs' Monument in the Grey-friars Church-yard in Edinburgh.
Upon the Head of the Tomb there is an Effigy of an open Bible drawn, with these Scripture-citations, Rev. vi. 7. 10-11. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that had been slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held, &c.-Rev. vii. 14.
Also the following Lines.HALT passengers, take heed to what you see,
This Tomb doth shew for what some men did die;
Here lies interr’d the dust of those who stood
’Gainst perjury, resisting unto blood;
Adhering to the Covenants, and Laws
Establish’ng the same; which was the cause
Their lives were sacrifice’d unto the lust
Of Prelatists abjur’d. Though here their dust
Lies mix’d with murderers and other crew,
Whom justice justly did to death pursue;
But as for these, no cause in them was found
Worthy of death, but only they were found
Constant and stedfast. zealous, witnessing
For the prerogatives of Christ their King.
Which Truths were seal’d by famous Guthrie’s head,
And all along to Mr. Renwick’s blood.
They did endure the wrath of enemies,
Reproaches, torments, deaths and injuries;
But yet they’re these who from such trouble came,
And now triumph in glory with the Lamb.
From May 27th, 1661, that the noble Marquis of Argyle suffered, to Feb. 1688. that Mr. James Renwick suffered, 100 Noblemen Gentlemen, Ministers and others, were executed at Edinburgh, noble Martyrs for Jesus Christ. The most part of them lie here. It is also said, that 28,000 suffered in the late persecution in Scotland.
FINIS.
